31

Jump Start # 1006

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1006

Proverbs 25:25 “Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.”

  Today is the last day of the year. New Year’s eve—a time for reflection of the past and resolutions and hope for the future. How does a person measure what kind of year it has been? Has it been good? Has it been average? Has it been a bad year?

We might measure it in terms of finances. Major corporations do that. At the end of the year, if the profits are up, then it has been a successful year. We might do the same. Are we better off financially at the end of the year? The stock market has been setting near records and if a person has been invested then he is worth more now that he has been. Does that mean it’s a good year? Gotten out of debt? That’s great. Does that mean it’s been a good year?

We might measure the success of a year in terms of how many bad things avoided us. We know of several families who spent part of the year in the hospital and had long recoveries from surgeries and injuries. We know other families that had to bury loved ones this year. Some friends of mine passed away this year. For those families, the year has been long and hard. They have had to figure things out, and move on with someone significant in their life missing. Others did not have that. They escaped the year without any major car accidents, health issues, or trips to the funeral home. Is the measurement of a year based upon how many bad things we avoided?

We might measure the success of a year in whether or not we kept and completed our goals for the year. Some were on programs to read the Bible through in a year, lose weight, read new books, finish school, complete the repairs on the house. If those things that you wanted to get done got crossed off your list then you might feel that it was a good year. If you quit things, then you might view the year as a failure. You didn’t do what you wanted to.

How do you measure the success of a year? There are some internal things that are hard to measure. Spiritual strength, walking closer to the Lord, developing the heart of a servant—there are some visible signs, but most of this is internal. A change takes place. This is more than a feeling or an emotion. A person’s thoughts are more spiritual than physical. The eternal fills a bigger place in shaping decisions. A person becomes less concerned about stuff and more concerned about people. You find yourself praying more and deeper and longer. You find yourself referring to God’s word for answers. You see definite lines between right and wrong. You sense the spiritual battle that is going on, especially in the media. Your soul is more refreshed, calmer, trusting and confident. Some success are hard to measure, especially the internal ones.

 

Our passage today, from Proverbs, illustrates the value of good news from a distant land. There was a time, not all that long ago, when it took weeks to receive news about something. Long before our instant news, 24 hours a day, letters written, received, and answered took weeks. Mothers, whose anxious hearts, longed to know whether their sons were safe in far away battles. They waited and prayed. News came. For some, their hearts swelled with thanksgiving. All was safe. Others, fell to the floor in tears, as the news confirmed their fears, their sons died on the battle field. This Proverb, written in a world before Jesus, makes us think of the coming of Christ. The Gospel, by very definition, means, ‘good news.’ This Gospel was the best news from a distant land, Heaven. This Gospel showed God had reached out to sinful man and was willing to forgive and save. This Gospel was a message of hope. This Gospel was good news.

 

As we turn the page on this year, throw away our old calendars and open up the new ones, what do you plan to do differently this coming year? What do you plan to do better this coming year? Without a plan, we tend to wander all over the course. Without a goal, we lose drive and motivation. Without specific plans, we do not know if we are on course or off. Congregations need specific goals. Individuals need specific goals.

Plans – physically, financially, family, spiritually. Make them. Modify them. Write them down. Follow them.

Consider a few ideas for plans:

1. Make a list the books that you want to read this year. My goal is three a month—that’s 36 books read in a year. Today, I will map out which books I want to read and in what order. Reading expands the mind and increases learning. Read worthwhile things. Read things that will help you. Many bestsellers are worthless. Be picky. Read quality. It will help you.

2. Pray more. Have a prayer plan. Pray for others. Pray, naming names. Pray often.

3. Read the Bible. Read it carefully. Read it with a pen and paper near by. Find a reading plan and stay with it.

4. Get to services. Don’t miss a single service in a month. Try that. See what that does for you.

5. Start thinking about who in the church you want to invite over to your home. Some do this all the time. For others, it has never been done. Give it a try. Hospitality is a mark of Christianity. Don’t stress about what the house looks like. Clean it up. Invite a couple of families. Cook some food. Share. Laugh. Connect. It will bring your closer to others. Imagine every family in a congregation doing this?

The new year will be the same as all the others unless we make some changes. We must step out. We must push ourselves. Grow stronger and closer to the Lord. You will regret this if you don’t. You’ll benefit if you do.

Good news from a distant land…take advantage of it. Use it. Benefit from it.

Roger

 

30

Jump Start # 1005

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1005

Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people– robbers, evildoers, adulterers– or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

 

Our verse today comes from a parable of Jesus. He was teaching about prayer, humility, self-righteousness, and judging others. The people in this parable are not real. This is a story. However, it is a story so real and so true, that it’s hard not to even put names to this. The Pharisee thought he had it all together. He considered himself the poster child of the way things ought to be done. He held himself up as the model to be followed. He seems to have it together on the outside. His insides were a mess.

There are several thoughts for us:

First, it is easy to define our faith by negatives. Someone asks, “What is a Christian?” It is easy to answer, “A Christian is one who does not cuss. He does not cheat. He does not lie. He is not a thief. He does not use drugs or alcohol.” On and on things can be named of what a Christian does not do. In the end, it still doesn’t define what is a Christian. The Pharisee never talked about faith. He never mentioned God’s grace or forgiveness. He never mentioned love—neither God’s love toward Him nor his love toward God. A Christian is more than someone who is against wrong. A Christian is for God. A Christian walks with Christ. Compassion, love, grace, hope, faith and serving are the charms upon the Christian’s bracelet. He is optimistic. He is wanting all to walk with Christ. He is constantly learning. He is connected to other believers. He is reaching out to others. He is, more than He is not.

 

Second, our insides are just as important as our outsides. Our Pharisee in this parable admitted that he was not an adulterer. Wonderful. That’s what God wants. However, was he lustful on the inside? Was he addicted to porn? He claimed that he was not an evildoer—yet his heart revealed that he was an evil thinker. He didn’t think much of the publican who was praying nearby. We may never punch someone, yet we can sure knock the stuffin’ out of them while gossiping to others. Because someone has never done wrong doesn’t give them a pass for the wrong they have thought. We can pat ourselves on the back because we showed up to church on a cold winter morning, yet while we are sitting in church services, our minds wander, our spirits are bored, we judge the people who are there, we fail to connect with the God of Heaven and Earth. Is that any better than the guy who stayed in bed that morning? Our thinking…our attitudes…our feelings toward others—just as important as our behavior. This Pharisee may have been spotless on the outside, but he certainly had issues on the inside. In another parable, Jesus compared the spirit of the Pharisees to a tomb. Nice on the outside, rotten on the inside.

 

Third, the Pharisees list of wrong that he avoided, seemed pretty obvious. He named robbers, evildoers and adulterers. Why did he fail to mention the arrogant, the prideful, the self-righteous? Did he actually think that he was without sin? Can we slip to that point? Is it possible for us to think everyone else is wrong but us? His check list on how he was doing was very narrow. He never touched upon faith issues. He never mentioned useless prayers. What was the point of this prayer? Was he praising God? Was he asking for something? Was he thanking God? He wasn’t talking so much to God as he was himself. Patting yourself on the back, blowing your own horn is a sign of poor self esteem, a lack of confidence, few friends and a shallow faith. God knows what we do. We do not have to tell Him. When you grasp that you are talking to God, whatever we have done seems small. There is no bragging to God. If anything, it reminds us of what we failed to do.

 

Fourth, this Pharisee seemed to think he had the publican pegged. Simply because he was a tax collector, the Pharisee assumed that he was a cheat. He assumed that he was unrighteous. False assumptions and generalizations most often get us in trouble. When someone says, “All men are pigs,” that’s not true. Not all are. When someone says, “Women can never make up their minds…” that’s not true. Some do. Religious judging most often is nothing more than an exercise in finger pointing. Few positive things come from that. Had this Pharisee known for certain that the tax collector was dishonest, maybe he should have spoken to him and helped him. As it turns out, Jesus saw more good in the tax collector than he did the Pharisee. The tax collector was honest, humble and seeking the mercy of God. He was bare before the Lord of Heaven. He had nothing to brag about. He had no one to compare himself to. He was alone with the Holy God. At that moment, he recognized that he was not holy. His faith was genuine. His heart was pure. He wanted nothing more than to be right with God. Indeed, he was seeking first the righteousness of God. His example becomes the model for us. If we looked more in the mirror and less at others, we would all be a better people. This is true in our worship, our preaching, our thinking and especially our prayers. Alone in the closet is how Jesus wanted His disciples to pray. Alone. Just you and God. No one to compare yourself with. No one to point fingers at. No one to blame. No one to hang excuses on. Just you and God. He knows all, sees all—including our insides. God will take care of the tax collector. The Pharisee couldn’t leave that. He had to say something negative about the tax collector. Why do we do the same? Those little words. Those little tags. Those little negatives. He use them to describe other churches, other people, other actions. Leave the tags to God. Focus upon our hearts.

 

You wonder what would have happened had the two men in this parable left the temple at the same time. Talked to each other? Hugs? A shared smile? Glad you came? Are you kidding! The Pharisee would have rolled his eyes, turned away and mumbled about “those kinds of people” coming to the temple. Wonder if we do the same? Wonder if I do the same? Wonder what God thinks of my prayers and my worship?

 

Two people went to pray. Only one prayed. Only one went home justified by God. The other, the Pharisee, remained the same. Unchanged. Unmoved. Never thinking that he needed to change. Never realizing that God was not pleased with his heart.

 

Give this some thought. Do you see yourself in that parable?

 

Roger

 

27

Jump Start # 1004

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1004

Philippians 4:22 “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.”

  There were Christians among Caesar’s people. Caesar’s household included those who believed in Jesus Christ. Amazing. The course of world history might have turned if Caesar himself became a believer. The persecution of Christians, the worship of emperors, the brazen idolatry and homosexuality that defined those powerful rulers may have changed.

 

Imagine today, among the President’s family, Christians. Or, within Cuba’s Castro family, followers of Christ.  The journey that led Paul preaching to Caesar’s household was long, hard and full of faith. Many of us would love to sit down with our governor and share the story of Christ. Yet to travel as Paul did is a remarkable story.

 

Paul didn’t walk up to Rome’s palace and knock on the door one day. He did not disguise himself as a servant and obtained a job within the palace so he could secretly infiltrate and spread the word. He wasn’t a spy.  Paul’s journey to Caesar’s house began in Jerusalem. He was arrested for preaching Christ. A riot broke out. It became violent. Roman soldiers beat Paul and then imprisoned him. Paul remained in jail for two years. When they learned that he was a Roman citizen and that he appealed to Caesar, he was shipped off to Rome, literally, on a ship. It wasn’t a cruise boat, but a cargo ship. Paul wasn’t a tourist, but rather a prisoner. He was guarded. On the way there, they encountered a violent storm. The ship came apart and everyone was in the water, clinging for life. They made it to an island. Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake. Eventually, with the grace of God, they made it to Rome. Paul remained a prisoner. He was allowed to make a defense to Caesar. In the course of his imprisonment, Paul was able to teach some of Caesar’s household the gospel of Christ. Amazing lessons and story. The journey wasn’t soft and easy. It required great faith.

 

Some thoughts for us.

 

1. Often our plan A is not God’s plan A. God has other plans for us. We sometimes map out how everything is going to be and things get changed. Before the day ends, the car is in the shop, or we are at the doctor’s office, or worse, we are making an appointment to meet the funeral director. It’s not the way we planned it. We often start off young with the wonderful idea that we will meet a beautiful girl in college and we’ll get married and have a houseful of kids who will all grow to be varsity players and receive honors for amazing grades. They will meet wonderful Christians, get married and give us tons of grandkids. We’ll sit on the back porch, sipping tea and thinking life is good. That’s the plan. That’s what we aim for. Life doesn’t always turn out that way. That beautiful college girl may not want to go out with you. The kids you dream about may not know the difference between a hockey puck and a football. They may not make the team, get the grades or be the superstars we dreamed about. Worse, they may be born with a handicap. Worse, they may die young. Worse, the love of your life may die young. And there you are with crushed dreams, doubts filling your heart and questions that no one can seem to answer. We don’t sit in the captain’s chair of life. We don’t control our destiny. Job loss, health issues, relationship problems are often beyond our control. They can move us from Plan A to another plan that we have never thought of. I have preached the funeral of too many young people and looked into the tearful eyes of the parents who were looking for an answer to why? Who is going to take care of them when they are old? This is not what they planned, hoped for, or wanted. Our Plan A often is not what turns out.

 

2. Paul did not quit when his Plan A changed. Earlier in Acts, he wanted to preach in Asia. The Holy Spirit said NO. God had another place in mind for Paul. He didn’t know that at the time. He could have just quit. Give up is always an easy option and too many take it. Things don’t work out the way they planned, they quit. Some quit school. Some quit jobs. Some quit marriages. Some quit on life. They become sour and grumpy and complaining. They spend their life thinking what could have been. They could have made the pros but they didn’t. They could have started their own business, but they didn’t. Instead of moving on into God’s plan, they simply give up and quit. Paul didn’t.

 

3. Paul bloomed where he was planted. His congregation became fellow prisoners and guards. He preached where he could. In this way, somehow, word reached the household of Caesar. Paul bloomed. Have you ever noticed driving along the highway, especially in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee where the road is cut through the rock, that you will see a tree growing out of the rocks? How did it get there? Did some highway workers who were bored, plant those trees in the side of the rocks? No. The winds blew the tree seed and it landed in those rocks. There was just enough soil and sunlight for that seed to grow and become a tree. It bloomed where it was planted. There is a court house in Indiana that has become famous because there is a tree growing out of the roof. No city fathers kicked that idea around in a meeting. No one said, “Hey, I think if we plant a tree in the roof, tourists will come.” It just happened. It bloomed where it was planted. This is how Caesar’s household learned about Jesus. Paul bloomed where he was planted.

 

The same must be true for us. The next trip to the hospital, the next fender bender, the next office meeting with a staff of misfits, may be your best opportunity to bloom where you are planted. I’ve known nurses and doctors who became Christians because of conversations they had with a patient in the hospital. That patient bloomed where he was planted. We often look for the golden opportunities, the Plan A’s in our life. God gives us other plans and we fail to see them. Paul in prison preached. Paul in prison bloomed.

 

You may work with a bunch of people who are a real mess. Each day, you long to quit and find a better job, or honestly, better people to work with. Could it be, God has you there to bloom? God has you there to show what a Christian is like. You co-workers may never pick up a Bible, but they see you. Your attitude under fire. Your work ethic. Your honesty. Your kindness. Through you, God’s Plan A, you may reach others with the Gospel.

 

The same may be true of your family. Maybe your family has lots of issues and dysfunction and “home for the holidays” is not a pleasant thought. Tension, guilt and judging are as common as mashed potatoes and gravy. It’s easy to skip out. Cop an excuse. Run from the fire. Definitely not your Plan A type of family. Rather, could it be God has you there for a reason? Could it be that you are the one who reminds everyone to think nobly of others. You are the one who won’t gossip. You are the one who helps out. You are the one that they go to for advice. You are the one.

 

Bloom where you are planted. I have a sermon by that title. Preached it all over the place. One of my favorites. Recently, my son in Tennessee met someone who knew me from the past. They remembered one sermon in particular. It was preached along time ago, but they never forgot it. It happened to be, “Bloom where you are planted.”

 

It’s amazing the time we waste wishing we were somewhere else. Folks in one place wish they lived in another place. Folks with one job wished they had a different job. Folks in small churches wish they were in larger churches. Folks in larger churches wish they were in smaller churches. Rather, what we ought to be doing is Bloom where we are planted. Make the most of where we are. Do what you can. Don’t wait for someone else to start things. You do it. You bloom.

 

When this life is over, you may have been nothing more than a tree sticking out of a rocky ledge along the highway. Not the dream spot to be. Yet if you bloomed and provided shade and helped hold those rocks in by your roots, you did a great job. Think of all the things we could do with family, church and work if we just made up our minds to Bloom where we are planted.

 

Bloom…that’s what God wants you to do.

 

Roger

 

26

Jump Start # 1003

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1003

Luke 1:30 “The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.”

  The Bible doesn’t tell us when Jesus was born. Because the shepherds were in the field and Caesar called for a census, it seems more likely to have been in the spring and not December. More than that, the Bible doesn’t show the early church celebrating the birth of Jesus. His birth is important. Born of a virgin fulfilled prophecies that were centuries old. God coming as a baby, not with trumpets blowing, upon a white horse as most might expect was completely a surprise. Born in a manger, not a palace. Born to a common woman, not a queen. Everything about the birth of Jesus was not the way man would have scripted it.

 

Our verse today tells us why Mary. Why was Mary chosen? She had found favor with God. That is something we’d expect. God would send Jesus to a believer. It is commonly thought, based upon traditions and customs from the times, that Mary was a teenager, possibly 15 years old. Maybe 17 years old. A pregnant unwed teenager doesn’t make the news around here. It did back then. What impresses me is the fact that a teenager found favor with God.

 

Too often we discount teenagers. We hear of the horror stories from so many. The drugs, the rebellion, the prodigals, the lack of interest in all things spiritual—is far too common among teenagers in many churches. Some have done all kinds of things to help the kids stay together inside and out. Churches have developed youth ministers and special activities to keep the young people interested. A sad tale is being reported  after a generation of youth ministers, youth activities, youth programs, and churches who have geared things toward the youth. It didn’t help. The stats indicate with all the youth stuff, young people are still dropping out and disengaging from the Lord in great numbers. The youth stuff didn’t change things. All the hype was just that, hype. Food, fun, and activities didn’t generate a spiritual spark that the experts thought would happen.

 

And here is Mary, a teenager that found favor with the Lord. I doubt that she had youth ministers or Friday night youth activities at the Temple. And there is Mary, a teenager that the Lord saw something in her heart. There is Mary, who most likely never traveled very far, didn’t write any great story, whose life was just beginning to blossom and the Lord found favor with her. She was common to man, but special to God.

 

The Bible doesn’t tell us what the Lord saw, but we know what the Lord saw in others. There was young David, years before, also a teenager, out watching his father’s sheep. God saw his heart and sent Samuel to anoint him as the next king of Israel. Alone in the fields, God heard those hymns he sang to the sheep. God was aware of his observations about spiritual matters. God saw what no one else saw, even his family. I expect Mary was much like that. Too often we judge spirituality based upon accomplishments and success and not the heart. Having a spiritual heart, Mary would have been kind and caring to others. Mary would have prayed for others. Mary would have had a grateful heart. Mary was obedient. As a teenager, she was a virgin. Pure.  It is this atmosphere that Jesus would have been influenced, taught and raised. God chose someone He could count on. God chose someone who would be responsible, dependable and spiritual. Mary found favor with the Lord.

 

I know teenagers all across this country who are like Mary. They come to services and worship. They have their Bibles opened, as well as their eyes. They sing out. They stick around and talk with older folks. They are kind to preachers, like me. Years ago, I was preaching in a college town for a few days. A group of college students invited me over to their apartment for pizza. They were fun and engaged and very excited about the Lord. I have known teenagers who have gone overseas to help share the message about Jesus. I have seen teenagers show up on a Saturday morning at the church building to help clean up. Someone in the congregation needs help moving, you can be sure that a teenager or two will show up.

 

Finding favor with the Lord begins with that sweet heart that loves God and wants to honor the Lord. Finding favor with the Lord involves the things that mean a lot to the Lord. Worship does. Helping others does. Doing good does. Purity does. Obedience does.

 

Mary wasn’t the last young person who found favor with the Lord. God is pleased with so many today, who are busy doing what they can for the Lord.

 

Now a few thoughts based upon this:

 

First, sometimes we older folks can be sour to the young people. Sure they need direction and a little guidance but don’t shut the door to everything that they want to do. Could it be the reason that so many drop off the map spiritually is because all they see is a bunch of grumpy older Christians who judge each other and are against doing anything differently? Shame on us. We can learn things from these young people that God favors.

 

Second, there are many teenagers who need help. It’s not Friday night basketball that they need, it’s connecting to God and having serious questions answered. Don’t be afraid of questions. Not all of us were like Mary when we were teenagers. I wasn’t. Most of my teen years were spent in the back row of the church goofing off. I doubt the Lord found much favor with me back then. I’m thankful He was patient. I’m thankful He finally got something kick started in my heart and brain. Today, I preach. I’ve been preaching all of my adult life. Don’t give up on teenagers. Some who disappoint you today, may be preaching tomorrow.

 

Third, compliment those who are trying. Every congregation has some teenagers who are serious about the Lord. Let them know that you notice and you are impressed. Do something for them. A little attention goes a long way.

 

Mary found favor with the Lord. Shouldn’t we all?

 

Roger

 

24

Jump Start # 1002

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1002

Psalms 127:4-5 “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.”

 

Holiday Times. The excitement of Christmas changes as one gets older. As a child, it’s the presents. As one gets older, it’s being with family.

 

Our passage today speaks of the confidence and blessedness of children. A warrior with arrows in his hand could face the enemy. A warrior with arrows had courage and hope. A warrior with no weapon was in real trouble. His best hope would be to run. Children are like arrows in the warrior’s hand.

 

We hope this holiday season you will enjoy being with your family. Make some precious memories. Share some laughter. Worship together. Engage in deep conversation. Build bridges in relationships. Far too many families have heartache and dysfunction. Relationships are hard. All of us have a past and all of us have wounded others by sin. Grace and forgiveness often run thin at home. Sometimes it’s easier to be kind to a stranger than the very people that live under your roof.

 

Jesus told the disciples that they needed to become like children. There is an innocence about children. Children are curious. Another wonderful aspect about children is their ability to fuss at each other and then get over it. Kids will get mad at each other. They will say hurtful things. Yet within the hour they are back playing together. Adults can’t do that. We ought to, but we hold things, remember things, dwell on things too much. We analyze things, point fingers, find fault, add heaps of guilt and hold grudges. Now when all of this involves family, tension and ill feelings are certain to spring up. The solution to all of this? Be like Jesus. Forgive. Don’t tear down, build up. See the big picture.

 

Children are a blessing. Sometimes we forget. When you are in the middle of raising them, it’s easy to forget. The messes, the whining, the battles seem long and weary. Even in those days, what a blessing children are. I’m seeing all four of my kids in the next few days. Can’t wait. Miss them. Only one lives at home. The rest are hours away. They are busy in their world of careers, houses and family. I remember those days of going to the gym on Saturdays to watch the kids basketball games. Off to the school for a holiday concert they were in. Running here, going there. Busy, busy times. Good times. Tons of memories. I look at them now and see what a blessing they are.

 

Pray for your family. Times are tough. The battle is intense. Satan won’t quit. But greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1 Jn 4:4). Every older parent will tell you that you turn around and it goes by so fast. It does. It doesn’t seem like it when you are in the middle of things, but it does. I went down the toy isle of a store the other day. Wasn’t looking for anything. I just wanted to see what was out these days. I haven’t bought a toy in years. My kids are all big. There are some really cool toys now. I almost bought one just for me. I’m afraid if I did, that would give the rest of the family all they needed to send me to the home. Enjoy the holiday. Don’t fuss too much about messes. Sing some songs together. Watch some movies with each other. Love, laugh and remember what a blessing family is.

 

God is good.

 

 

Roger