Jump Start # 998

Psalms 119:63 “I am a companion of all those who  fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts.”

  One of the great blessings of our journey with God is meeting and knowing incredible people who love the Lord and want to please Him. Our fellowship is important. Often we do not grasp the great value of true friends in Christ.

There is a part of the American culture that is fascinated with the bad guy. The Robin Hood, the Jesse James, the 1930’s gangsters—the high adventure, one step away from the law, the escapes—those things make for good movies, but they were not good people. They trashed the law of God, hurt innocent people and were thugs with weapons. Most of them that lived by the sword, also died by the sword.

Our verse reminds us of the great companionship with those who fear the Lord. The Scriptures repeat that theme often.

• Ps 34:3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together
• Ps 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’
• 2 Timothy 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

It is those “with” us, those godly companions that make a difference. One of the best blessings of our walk with God is the amazing people who walk with us. Good people. Folks who are not perfect, but know that Jesus is. People that apologize when they are wrong. People that know God’s word and cherish reading it. People that love to sing praises to God. They are generous, kind, sincere, helpful and understand what true friendship really means. Across the world I have met so many wonderful, wonderful Christians who are really trying their best to just walk with God. I have met them in major cities such as Indianapolis, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Phoenix and in little bitty places that are hard to find. On Sunday you know where they will be—at the Lord’s house, with Bibles in hand, smiles on their faces and hope in their heart. They come to worship, fellowship and learn. Their Bibles are worn and marked—the sign of years of use. These godly folks come early and stay long after services. They invite you into their homes and are more interested in you than they are telling their story. These folks are the backbones of congregations. They have literally poured blood and sweat into keeping a congregation faithful and strong with the Lord. Their prayers are amazing. Their insights into the Scriptures are treasures and they love to talk about spiritual things. These people are God’s people. They are a blessing to all that know them.

I could fill pages and pages listing the names of God’s people that are just as I described. Incredible folks. Good to the bone. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many where I preach. It’s easy preaching to such a crowd of God’s people. They truly love to hear the story. I have become companions to those that fear the Lord. All across the country I could name amazing Christians. Most are simple, common people but they have a rich faith in Jesus Christ. I am blessed and better because of them. I can’t wait until we all get to Heaven and we can all be together! Won’t that be awesome!

Now, there is a side of this that isn’t so good. I have found in every congregation, those who come but they don’t connect. There are those who slide in at the last second and peel out as soon as the final “amen” is uttered. They are distant and can’t even name many within the congregation that they are a part of. Outside of their home congregation, they know few, if any Christians in other places. The vast majority of their friends and family are not Christians. They have little positive influence in their lives. They simply don’t understand much and they simply don’t get it. They are always on the edge of disaster. One step away from a divorce. One step away from quitting. Their faith is shallow and turned off more than it is turned on. They do not see the connection between what happens on Sunday and work or family. They are not growing. They are on spiritual life support. They are surrounded with Bible classes and studies, spiritual tools, such as CD’s, pamphlets, articles, bulletins and best of all, these incredible people who are strong, caring and loving, yet they do not take advantage of them. They are barely hanging on. They have one toe in the water and feel like that’s enough. When trouble comes, and it generally does, they are shocked, stunned and surprised. A mate wants a divorce, a child becomes a prodigal, there is a substance addiction, there is trouble with the law—they don’t know what to do, who to turn to and can only think to blame these wonderful godly people. There is a segment of my congregation that never reads these Jump Starts. There are some who do not know anything about them, even though we talk about these all the time. It amazes me. There are folks, especially overseas, who would trade everything they own to be in a congregation like where I am at. Yet, some remain content to stay on the outside of things. It is to their loss.

Are you the companion with those who fear the Lord? Are you walking with God’s people? Do you number God’s people as your dearest friends? Are you connecting, fellowshipping, and utilizing the great asset of God’s people in your life? Outside of your home congregation, have you come to know other Christians from other places? Amazing people. Good people. God’s people.

You need them in your life and you need to be one for others. Everyone needs others. That’s just the way God made us. Make your heroes Christians. Let your children grow up knowing great Christians. When our kids were little, they would get visiting preachers to sign their Bibles. They still have those Bibles and we talk about that. It has meant a lot to them. Honor the honorable. Super star athletes who make millions and abuse the law are not heroes. The Hollywood scene, where looks are more important than character are not heroes. True heroes are those who walk daily with the Lord. They are engaged in the greatest battle of freedom—spiritual freedom. They have devoted time, money and heart to the kingdom. Those are the true heroes. Honor them. Thank them. Be a companion and a friend to them.

They are everywhere. We walk among citizens of Heaven. What a blessing that is.

Roger