23

Jump Start # 1086

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1086

Matthew 21:16 “and said to Him, ‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”

  The use of children in the Scriptures is interesting. Our verse today is another example. Following Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem, where people were covering the road with palm branches and their coats for Jesus to travel upon, Jesus goes to the Temple where three events take place. First, He cast out the money changers who were profiting on out of town people who needed to purchase an animal for sacrifice. Second, He healed the blind and lame that came to Him. Third, children in the temple were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Their sweet voices of praise towards Jesus was refreshing. The chief priests witnessing all these things were smoking mad. This is where our verse comes from. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” You’d think that the chief priests could care less about what kids say. They were grabbing at anything to make Jesus look bad. Jesus had a wonderful way of turning all of their darts into compliments.

 

Jesus responded by referring to the Scriptures. “Have you never read…” What a dig that must have been to the chief priests who felt that they had a corner on understanding the Scriptures. Have you never read? Jesus said that often. He quotes from Psalms 8 where this reference to children is first found. He connects the dots to the innocent praise of the children to fulfillment of God’s plan and prophecy. Jesus left the temple and the chief priests whose mouths were probably hanging open in silence.

 

Out of the mouth of babes is a common expression today. Children, in their innocence, often see the value of things that adults don’t. Children love coming to Bible class. Adults can drag their feet complaining about how tired they are and how busy they are. At the end of a prayer, you can often hear a child saying, “Amen,” real loud. It’s sweet.

 

Children do not understand church fights and division. They get caught in the ugliness of those things and are often pulled away from their friends because “they are on the wrong side” of things. Kids don’t understand. I expect God doesn’t understand, either. Ask some children to help out and with a little guidance, they will do it. I’ve seen kids down at the church house, pulling weeds, emptying trash cans, putting song books in the rack and just being busy as bees helping out. They like to be a part and it’s great to include them.

 

Out of the mouth of babes: It’s hard to find an answer when a child asks…

 

  • Dad, why don’t you come to church with us?
  • You shouldn’t say those words
  • Why are you so mad?
  • Why don’t we pray before we eat?
  • Can you read me the Bible?
  • Is daddy going to go to Heaven?
  • Why don’t you like that family at church?
  • Why don’t we go to Bible class?
  • Why don’t you bow your head and close your eyes when we pray?
  • I like church. Do you?

 

Sweet children. They love the Lord. They love goodness. They don’t understand all the deep and complicated things of relationships, feelings and stuff that gets us worked up and bothered. I saw a report that compared how many times in a day children laugh to how many times a day adults laugh. The difference was huge. There may be many reasons, but we can’t neglect the sweet, innocent trust that children have in the Lord. That keeps worry, doubt and fear at bay.

 

You’ll often find me with the kids on a Sunday. I am a kid at heart and enjoy the wonderful company of children. Curious, sweet, positive,  and happy—that’s children. It sure beats tired, grumpy, complaining and bothered, that defines too many adults.

 

Out of the mouth of babes. Have you heard a child pray in a while? They’ll thank God for the blue sky, the birds that sing, the dandelions, and name everyone in the family. We smile when they are finished, but think, it’s been a long while since I thanked God for blue skies, singing birds and things like that. Out of the mouth of babes. I have a file folder in my desk of the artwork that children have drawn and given me. I save all of them. Often, they draw a picture of me preaching. It’s cute. It’s sweet that they took the time to do that and share it.

 

We can learn a lot from children. The chief priests should have in Jesus’ days. We do well to learn some things from them in our days.

 

Out of the mouth of babes…

 

Roger

 

22

Jump Start # 1085

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1085

John 16:21 “Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.”

 

We are having a mini population explosion with our church family. There was one baby born last week, another is due any time. There has been several born this year. A couple of years ago we had 13 babies born in one year. It’s exciting. Babies are future. Babies are adorable. Even the most sour person can’t resist a cute baby.

 

Our Bibles have many references to babies. God often uses babies as illustrations of great spiritual lessons for us. We learn things from babies.

 

The verse today is one such example. In the context, Jesus is telling of His coming death.  He says:

 

  • A little while, and you will no longer see Me
  • You will weep and lament
  • You have grief now

 

What they were experiencing was like a woman giving birth. There was pain, anguish and sorrow. His death would bring that. But the context also reveals the coming joy that would be when Christ was resurrected.

 

  • In a little while you will see Me
  • Your grief will be turned into joy
  • I will see you again, and your heart will  rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you

 

It will be like a woman who rejoices with the birth of her child. Once the child is in her arms, is healthy, the trouble of pregnancy and labor are soon forgotten. Most do not let the pain of childbirth keep them from having more children. It is worth it to have beautiful children.

 

There are other things in life that are hard, some even painful, but the results are so worth. I will not say that they are like childbirth, being a guy, not knowing what it’s like, and not wanting to get dozens of emails reminding me that I’m out of my league and have no clue what I’m talking about. But here are some things that often involve pain but later turn to great joy.

 

Consider a few:

 

1. The raising of children can be hard. It wears upon the patience of parents. The fussing, the spills, the questions, the messes, the lessons that must be taught over and over. In the midst of this, parents can feel frazzled, frustrated and tired. Always tired. But the results are so worth it. Parents soon forget all the little things that irritate them when they see the joy of a child doing right. I spent a few days with a family recently. They had two adorable children, Parker and Natalie. Polite, well mannered, curious, fun, interested and a delight to their parents. They didn’t come that way. It took some molding, shaping, polishing and work.  They are not finished yet. There are still some wonderful experiences ahead such as driving, dating, marriage but the foundation blocks are being set already. It’s easy to see that. Parenting isn’t for the lazy, cowards, or those who are too into themselves. Parenting is seeing the big picture for those little hearts. I had a lot of fun with Mr. Parker and Miss Natalie, the few days I stayed with them. My kids are big now. Instead of me helping them, they help me now. My Joel was helping me move furniture last night. He’s stronger than I am. He has such a good heart. He is a servant. The pain of parenting is forgotten when one sees the child who stands on his own faith, serving the Lord and doing what is right. There is great joy in that.

 

2. The experience of learning to preach can be painful. A young man who catches the desire to preach has much to learn. The process can be long and hard. There are so many things to learn. Not only must he learn the Bible, but he must learn to preach and teach it effectively. He must learn to be interesting. He must find his style, polish his delivery and learn to lead hearts to Jesus. He must know how to answer questions, especially from those who love to be obnoxious. He must learn how to deal with the guy who wants to dominate the class. He must learn how to deal with the person who tries to take the class down his own agenda. He must learn how to sit across a table and discuss the Bible with someone. He must learn how to comfort the hurting. What do you say at a funeral? What do you say at a funeral of someone you never met? What do you say at a funeral of someone who wasn’t a Christian? Teaching forgiveness is easy until you have someone who has been hurt and they don’t want to forgive. That young man who wants to preach struggles with his own fears and insecurities. He preaches and preaches and preaches. After awhile, he gets good. Before long, he says stuff that is really helpful and worthwhile. In time, he opens your eyes to ideas and understandings that you never realized. He’s called upon by others to preach here and then there. He’s gotten good. It took time. Those that have witnessed the journey and process smile with great joy.

 

3. The death of a Christian fits in this setting. A family says goodbye to a beloved parent or grandparent. Tears flow. Hearts are crushed. There is a funeral. There is a long, sad journey home from the cemetery. A chair is empty at the holidays. Songs, movies and special times of the year remind us of someone that we miss. But because they are a Christian, we know that they are with the Lord. The promise of God is true and sure. And as we walk with the Lord, a day will come when we will be united. Folks always ask, ‘Will we know each other in Heaven?’ Think about what the answer would be like if it was NO. Imagine being in a huge crowd and you didn’t know anyone. Imagine you are there with a bunch of strangers. I’ve been in settings like that. Didn’t like it. Was rather odd to me. Is that Heaven? Forever? No. Heaven is fellowship with God and His people. Fellowship is warm and sharing. Fellowship is about each other. Fellowship is love, joy and sharing. You don’t do that with strangers. With strangers, we keep our distance. With strangers, we have our guards up. With strangers, we are careful. Heaven is not with strangers. It’s with us. It’s with the people we love and have worshipped with. It’s with God’s people, the best people on the earth. It’s with righteous ones.  So yes, we will know each other. The tears of a funeral, will be replaced with the hugs of reunion someday. This is true of those who walk with the Lord. A person doesn’t go to Heaven just because they die. They are with the Lord because they have been with the Lord. The Lord has washed them, lead them and guided them. Their life and their death has been with the Lord. To those, death is never a goodbye. It’s a see you later. It’s a “be looking for me, cause I’m coming.” The pain of death will be replaced with the joys of being together in Heaven. Never separated again. Never tears again. Never death again. Never having to be any other place.

 

Sorrow that becomes joy. There are things like that in life. What would you add to this list?

 

Roger

 

21

Jump Start # 1084

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1084

Psalms 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

 

This verse is a favorite of many. It shows the function of the word of God. It shows us things. It “enlightens” us. It reveals. We see dangers that the Bible warns about. We see value in people and things that we often overlook. Through the Bible we see what God sees.

 

Most of our readers are well familiar with the value and concepts of the Bible. I am still a fan of an old fashioned Bible in my hand. Many are going to tablets and versions on their phones, and that makes having a Bible with you at all times possible. But to me, nothing feels or even looks like the Bible in book form. When I’m at a place to eat with my tablet, those nearby don’t know if I’m checking my email, looking at facebook or playing Angry Birds. I might be reading Scriptures, but it’s hard to tell. When I have my leather Bible, there is no confusing what I’m reading. No one mistakes it for a novel, a sports book or anything else. Only a Bible, looks like a Bible. I like that.

 

Since the Bible is the key to our faith. The more Bible we have in us the less fear and worry will bother us. The more Bible in us, the better our character and the stronger our resolve to follow God. It is important, at least to me, to make the Bible user friendly. The Bible, like the preacher’s notes, or your checkbook, doesn’t have to  be seen by anyone but you. Make it uniquely you and user friendly to you.

 

Here are some simple suggestions:

 

1. Use the blank white pages at the back of the Bible to write down things that you want to remember. This may include highlights of a sermon that helped you, brief definitions that you did not know and now do not want to forget, dates and facts. Those white pages are great places to list things that will help you.

 

2. Tape charts, short bulletin articles and other useful things in those white pages. Often in Bible classes, there are very useful things handed out by the teacher. Too often, those things get tossed at home. We find ourselves months later, wishing we had those things. Keep a file system at home. The best and most useful things, tape in your Bible.

 

3. Circle and underline words in the Bible text to help you see things. Often you will find repeated words in paragraph. For instance, in 2 Peter 2:7-8, in describing the effect that Sodom had upon Lot, the word “righteous” is used three times in those two short verses. This helps you to see themes and important things.

 

4. In the margins of your Bible, write other verse references or words that will help you. For instance, last evening, our wonderful preacher, Zack, was preaching about the lost coin parable in Luke 15. He showed that the word “Lost” is the same word that the disciples used when the storm came upon them in the boat. They woke Jesus up and said, Master do you not care that we are perishing? Perishing and lost come from the same word. To be lost is to perish. Great thought. That went in my Bible last night. I will forget that in a few months, but now when I read the parable again, I see a note in my margin. That helps explain things. Doing things like that expands your knowledge, deepens your faith and makes your Bible more useful.

 

5. At the beginning of books, write some background information by the title. Dates, places, what’s going on behind the scenes. This will help you understand why the book was written.

 

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of just highlighting verses. One reason, most highlighters bleed through to other pages and it’s a mess. Secondly, it makes the verse stand out in yellow, but why? All verses are important. Years ago, a salesman at a bookstore was trying to convince me to buy a Bible that was already highlighted in multi colors by the publishers. Some pages looked like a rainbow. It was hard on my eyes with all the different colors. Once in a while, there would be a verse that was not highlighted. I asked the salesman about those verses. Aren’t they important? He didn’t know what to say. I didn’t make the purchase. I like making the Bible fit me, not what a publisher thinks is important.

 

Make the Bible shine bright for you. Use it. Find ways to make it more helpful for you. The more you understand the book, the more you will understand God and what God expects of you.

 

Roger

 

18

Jump Start # 1083

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1083

Mark 16:2 “Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.”

  Today is known as “Good Friday.” It is the Friday before Easter Sunday. The world tips it’s hat and gives notice to a tomb that is empty in Jerusalem. The first Christians honored the death and resurrection of Jesus in three ways. First, they partook of the Lord’s Supper each Sunday as evidence shows in the New Testament. Second, they told everyone they knew about the reasons for the death and resurrection of Jesus. That message was preached everywhere. Finally, they lived changed lives. They lived knowing that Jesus was alive and was their Lord and King.

 

The resurrection of Jesus wasn’t a once a year event. It wasn’t get it over with and let’s get on with other things. The death and resurrection of Jesus was the center of all things. It became a part of their DNA.

 

Our verse has always fascinated me. Mark tells of two Mary’s that came to the tomb. They were the first to know that Jesus was risen. John tells us that it was still dark. Luke says it was dawn. There is a discussion among the women about the large stone that covered the tomb. How would they move it. How would they get in. They must have not known that the tomb was sealed and that guards were ordered to stand near by and watch it.

 

Sunday morning, and the these two women have gathered very early. They didn’t wait until midday. They got up very early and traveled through the streets to make it to the grave. Chilly. Dark. Uncertain exactly what they would do. Driven by love. They came to anoint the dead body of Jesus. They brought with them spices to accomplish that task. They wanted to honor the one that they loved. They expected to find a body.

 

There is a sense of urgency, importance and priority with what they are doing. They came early in the morning. The apostles? Where are they? Distraught. Sleeping. Sad. They are no where near the tomb.

 

What a surprise when these women found the tomb empty. An angel tells them that He is risen, just as He said. Excited they rush back into the city and tell the apostles. Their story seems ridiculous. Peter is not sure. He rushes to the tomb and goes in. He sees the grave linens but no Jesus. His mind is spinning. He returns home. What must have been racing through his mind. All the lessons that Jesus had taught. How many times had He told them about what was going to happen. Now, where was He?

 

We know later Jesus appears to the disciples. They see Him. They hear Him. Doubts evaporate. Faith swells. He is alive. He has risen. They had witnessed others being resurrected but who was going to resurrect Jesus?  They never realized that He would. Death did not stop Jesus. He came forth.

 

Jesus tasted death. That is the one experience that we cannot get help from anyone else. Everyone we know that has passed away, stays that way. We don’t know anyone that died on a weekend and was back to work on Monday. The books, the stories about dying, going to Heaven for a few minutes and then coming back are without Biblical support. They fly in the face of what the Bible teaches. Something happened, but it wasn’t death. We can be certain about those things. Once the soul leaves the body, it takes an act of God, by an apostle or prophet to reunite the body and soul. Can’t happen today. No need for it to happen today.

 

So, here we are. We know people who have survived cancer. We know people who have lost jobs. We know people who had prodigals. We know people who have buried parents and children. We don’t know anyone who died and came back, that is, except Jesus. None of the people resurrected in the Bible ever repeated what they saw, felt, heard or smelled. Not one person. Not one person named the songs they heard. Not one person said that they saw a great grandfather who they never met. Not one person told of bright lights. Lazarus—nothing. Jairus daughter—nothing. The widow’s son—nothing. When Paul went to the third Heaven, he said it was unlawful for him to repeat anything. Nothing.

 

Then there is Jesus. He conquered death. He threw Satan to the ground and crushed that serpent’s head. Once Jesus came out of the grave, there was no other weapons in Satan’s arsenal. Christ won. Even His own death did not contain Him.

 

Our hope is in the resurrected Jesus. He is God. He is our Savior. He is our Hope. Death will not hold us either, because of Jesus. Our story does not have a “The End” to it. The cemetery is not the end of the journey for us. He lives so we can live.

 

Up from the grave He arose! Don’t move away from this. Don’t get so caught up in yourself that you sideline Jesus. Don’t fail to see that this IS the most important event in all of history. This one event, changed the course of eternity for millions of people.

 

Early in the morning, two women gathered at a tomb. That started the news…Jesus was risen!

 

Roger

 

17

Jump Start # 1082

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1082

1 Kings 3:25 “The king said, ‘Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.’”

 

Our verse today is a demonstration of the great wisdom that God gave Solomon. The Lord allowed Solomon to make a wish and the Lord would grant him that. Solomon chose wisdom. That impressed the Lord. He didn’t ask for wealth or long life, which would have been typical responses.

 

Immediately, Solomon is put in a situation which called upon him to use that gift from God. Two harlots, living together, delivered babies within three days of each other. One baby died by a tragic accident, the mother rolled on it while she was sleeping. In the night she switched babies. The next morning the other woman recognized that the dead baby placed at her side was not her baby. They must have argued about it. They go to the king to settle this. They both claim the living baby. Our verse is Solomon’s solution. Split the baby and let each have a half. The true mother prevailed. She would rather give up the child as to see him killed. Solomon knew. Justice prevailed.

 

There are interesting things about this story.

 

1. One woman had no problem honestly lying to the king. People are like that. God included bearing false witness as one of the “Thou shalt not’s” of the Ten Commandments. Lying, Proverbs tells us, is one of the things God hates. Solomon was a righteous king at this point. A dishonest harlot stands before a righteous king and wants things to be swayed her way. People will lie to the police. They lie to judges. The desire to get what one wants or to save one’s own neck, will lead a person to lie to anyone, including God.

 

People are not like Pinocchio. Our noses do not grow when we fib. It’s hard to tell who is honest and who is lying. Parents must deal with this when their kids tattle on each other. One tells the truth, the other doesn’t. Sadly, shepherds in God’s church are often lied to. Dishonest Christians will try to make up things to cover their wrong steps and make themselves look better than what they are. Some have no problem lying.

 

2. Solomon allowed time to think. He had each woman tell her story. He listened. He thought. He relied upon his wisdom. Gathering information and facts is important before a decision is made. We can be fooled by appearances, deceived by friendships, or be held loyal to someone because of favors they have done in the past. All those things can cloud our judgment. They can close our eyes to what really is happening. The dishonest harlot was a thief. She stole the other woman’s baby. Her character caught up with her.

 

Making a decision too quickly can lead to the wrong decision. Take time. Think and pray things out. Ask questions. Listen carefully.

 

3. The context of this passage leads us to believe that Solomon didn’t know which woman was telling the truth. He didn’t know. So, dividing the baby would reveal the true mother. It was a trick. It worked. The heart of the real mother came forth.

 

His wisdom didn’t reveal which woman was the rightful mother. His wisdom led to a decision that revealed the answer. The book of James tells us to pray for wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. Wisdom without a foundation of knowledge won’t help you. Knowledge without wisdom isn’t any better. A person may be smart, but if his intelligence doesn’t help him, what use is that? But combined, knowledge with wisdom, a person learns to walk with God.

 

Knowledge comes from studying God’s word. Reading and thinking about what you read. It comes from looking at words. It comes from asking questions and digging beneath the surface. It’s a real treasure hunt. Wisdom then takes that information and puts it in your heart. Without wisdom, facts are stale and dry like a college lecture after lunch. With wisdom, the information comes alive. It becomes useful, helpful and changes you. We work at getting the knowledge. We pray for the wisdom.

 

When you read, especially the Gospels, put yourself there. See it. Live it. Take the words of Jesus, as if He was saying them to you. In fact, He IS saying those to you. This process molds you, shapes you and helps you become more and more like Christ. This is how Christ lives in you. This is how you are led by the Spirit. It is your heart being influenced by the word of God and making application every day. Careful thought is given to the words you use, the choices you make, the attitudes you carry, the places you go, who you hang out with, what you do. Application. It’s knowledge put into action. It is wisdom.

 

Without wisdom, Solomon would have fumbled his decision and the woman with the loudest voice most likely would have gotten the child. Without wisdom, we make decisions based upon emotions, or what ever is the easiest thing to do. Those are not always the best choices. Our decisions can be swayed by friends, not what is right. Our decisions can be made to hush up a whining child, not what is right.

 

Pray for wisdom. Have you done that in a while?  You need wisdom. You need knowledge to feed that wisdom. It’s not one or the other, it’s both.

 

It’s good to start today. Take a moment and pray before you make that phone call, have that meeting, send that email, or have a talk with the kids. Pray for wisdom. Pray for right words. Pray for clear thinking. Pray for listening ears. Pray for honest hearts. Pray for insight. Pray for the right decision.

 

I expect if we did that more, our decisions would turn out better. Invite God into your life. Include Him. Go to the King, but be honest when you do. He knows.

 

Roger