06

Jump Start # 1470

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1470

Luke 23:47 “Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God saying, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’”

  News came this morning of the death of a police officer. I didn’t know him, although I believe I know some of his family. Many in my church family knew him. He was a Christian. He was shot earlier this week by a bad man. Prayers have been pouring upward since we heard of it. He leaves a young wife and a three year old son. I know of other Christian police officers. I thought about them this week. Now a good man has been taken. His little boy will never have the wonderful experience of knowing what a great dad he had. And for the next several decades, his killer will sit in jail, paid for by the tax payers, while his attorney, also provided free by tax payers, tries to get him released on some loophole. These things fries my bacon! It’s not fair, right, nor decent. It angers righteous people. The lawless in our society have no regard for life, decency or others. Their numbers are growing. They leave a trail of tears upon decent and godly people who are trying to do what God says.

 

Our verse today reminds us of the innocence of our Savior. He too, died a violent, unfair death by the hands of bad people. His death was His choice. He died, so we could live. Sprinkled all through the Bible are the stories of innocent suffering. Pharaoh, in long ago Egypt, killed the Hebrew babies. Herod killed the little baby boys in his days. Wicked Jezebel slaughtered the prophets of God. The innocent have suffered. The innocent have died.

 

The death of the innocent is a troubling thought to most folks. It is enough for some to deny the goodness or even the existence of God. Why does a child get cancer? Why do children get abused? Why do babies die? Why doesn’t God stop it. Why doesn’t God put an end to such things. He does. He has. It’s just not here. To do such things would alter our free will. It would take away the curse that has plagued mankind since Adam. It is appointed unto man once to die, the Scriptures tell us. We assume that passage means when you are about 85 years old and have done all that you want to do and you are tired, so you go to sleep and wake up on the other side. The passage doesn’t lead to that conclusion. The appointment with death, may be the high school student driving to school. The appointment with death may be the upcoming athlete who had an unknown heart defect. The appointment with death may be the child. It may be the police officer. It will be us, someday.

 

But God has taken away innocent suffering. God has stopped the unfairness. Where you might ask. When? It’s called Heaven. Remember? No tears. No sorrow. No death. No mourning. The first things have been done away. God has prepared a place that is safe, wonderful and in fellowship with Him. It is for those who choose to walk with Him. It is for those who love Him. It is for those who obey Him.

 

The innocent death of Jesus, allows dark days like today to have a sliver of sunlight and hope. No fear in Heaven. No bad people in Heaven. No one dies in Heaven. Safe. Home with God. Never to leave. Never to be anywhere else. The journey remains hard for those left here. The struggles remain. The bad people still bother us. We continue to be surrounded with tears and sorrow and death. But for those who have made it to the other side, what a joyful and wonderful world for them. The door opens to the joys of the Master.

 

I get tired of bad news created by bad people. Airplanes that crashed because of bombs. Shootings. Murders. Evil. Meanness. When will it all end? When we get to the other side. For now, we must keep marching with Jesus. We must continue to be the light of the world. We must continue to show the world the saving power of our Savior.

 

Two final thoughts.

 

First, it is easy to want to harm the bad people in the world. Get even is a natural feeling. It’s not Christian. It’s easy to wish Hell upon them. Let them rot in Hell forever. That thought gives us some satisfaction. It’s not Christian. You know what Jesus would want us to do. He showed us on the cross. Those words, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” The bad people need Jesus. They need forgiveness. They need a heart that will change. Forgiveness through the blood of Jesus is what they need. They need sermons. They need Bible. They need to see the wrongs that they have done. They need to come to Christ. They need to repent. That would be God’s wish. God doesn’t want any to perish, even the bad ones.

 

Second, can you say a prayer this morning for a sweet young family in Lexington, Ky? The road ahead for them is hard. Good brethren throughout this nation are extending their love and support. May God continue to be with that dear family. May this evil not destroy them. May the love of the Lord drive them to devote the rest of their lives to the Lord. May they someday have the sweet reunion again in Heaven. Through this ugliness, let us pray, that some goodness shines forth. Maybe someone changes because of all of this.

 

This Jump Start is dedicated to Officer Ellis. A good man who died in the line of duty. A godly man who died an innocent death. The world is a bit darker today because a light has gone out. But through hope we believe that one has made it home safely. Home, not because he died in duty. Home, not because he was innocently murdered. But home, because of Jesus. His faith. His walk. His Savior made all of this possible.

 

Come, Lord Jesus.

 

Roger

 

05

Jump Start # 1469

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1469

1 Corinthians 11:18 “For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.”

  Our verse today comes from the section of Corinthian letter where Paul addresses the Lord’s Supper. Great and powerful lessons are found here. The Corinthians were missing the point. Their divisive spirit had now spilled over into worship and into the Lord’s Supper. Some were eating the meal like a common meal. They were pigging out. Some were not allowed to participate in it at all. The very thing that ought to connect them to Jesus and His compassionate ways was becoming a source of trouble. There was a lot of work to be done in changing things and Paul slowly shows them the proper attitude that they ought to have.

 

In this verse we find this expression, “when you come together as a church.” That principle is sprinkled throughout the next few verses. Paul will say, “When you come together…”  There is a coming together as a church. This is interesting. The latest Pew Report shows that a majority of Americans still believe in God but less than 20% attend worship services. Many churches are dying. The megachurch fad is fading out. Places are scrambling to find new ways to get their own people to come. The Pew Report listed four main reasons why people don’t go to church services:

 

  • They don’t like being lectured to
  • They view the church as judgmental
  • They view the church as hypocritical
  • They do not see the relevance of church services in their lives

 

In another report, a common view that many have is that “God cannot be confined to a church. I don’t need a church to worship God.” So among many, particularly millennials, they are staying with God but have given up on church. There are other factors as well. Some state that they get nothing out of church services. Some feel the songs are too old fashioned. Some admit that they don’t have the right clothes to wear. And a few, admitting honestly, “Sunday is the only day I have to sleep in.” So the coming together as a church is on the way out. I met a man yesterday who claimed that he finds sermons on the internet and that’s his way of learning and worshipping God. Stay at home. Stay in the ‘jammies. Pull out the tablet, get on line and worship in bed. The coming together as a church isn’t happening.

 

This is all disturbing. This trend of not needing the church reflects a growing disconnect many have. Consider a few thoughts:

 

First, in these Pew Reports, they are surveying a very broad spectrum of what is considered mainstream “Christianity.” Every dog in town is considered. For generations, many places have given up on the Biblical model of what worship is. Entertainment has replaced doctrine. Feelings have replaced faith. Pick and choose where you go based upon what a place offers you. Folks have never learned that worship is personal and yet must be shared “as we come together.” Worship is not about me, but God. Worship is honoring and praising the Lord. Worship is one way of telling the Lord “Thank You.” Worship is about moving God to the top of the list. Worship pulls our attention to the greatness and holiness of the Lord. It’s not food. It’s not making me feel good. It’s not laughter, sports, and a good time. Worship is about God. It’s honoring God the way He wants to be honored. It’s not about being creative, different, new and cutting edge. God has always told man how to worship Him.

 

So, when the Pew Report issues these startling findings about people not going to church services, it’s not surprising. What were they getting in the first place? What value was it? Indeed, there was little relevance in their lives. Modern preachers are afraid to use the word sin. They fear more a dropping budget than the God that they are supposed to be preaching about. The goal is larger attendance. Big makes right in the eyes of some. So as many as are coming in the front door, the same number are leaving out the back door. There is no sticking. Fellowship is meaningless. There is no substance to faith. It’s like going to a movie. It’s fun for a short while, but then we must return to life and the real world. That’s why many churches are clueless about what is going on. Instead of preaching the Bible, the audience is given cotton-candy theology. Looks great. Tastes wonderful. But there’s nothing to it. And when the dark storm clouds gather, there is nothing that will keep them going. Cotton candy is all fluff. Too much modern preaching is just the same.

 

Second, across this country, and especially across the world, many, many congregations are growing. They are growing because thought is being put into worship. Excellence is being demonstrated in what is being preached, in prayers, in classes, in songs and especially in fellowship. Congregations are becoming one huge family. Folks love to be with one another. Smiles and hugs are the norm. The Bible is actually being taught. People see the connection and are making changes in their lives. Marriages are shaping up. Parents are engaging spiritually with their kids. Meaningful conversations are taking place. Young couples are excited and growing spiritually. There is a relevance and a practicality in worship. God is real and meaningful in their lives. The Pew Report doesn’t mention this side of things. It leads us to believing that “For Sale” signs will be popping up in front of church buildings across this land. In some places, that would probably be a good thing.

 

Third, something good happens when we “come together as a church.” Here are a few thoughts:

 

  • With others, I am reminded of God. I may forget.
  • With others, the singing,  praying and preaching is just better.
  • With others, I see that I am not the only one. Alone is a terrible place to be. Alone we get discouraged. Alone we tend to quit. Alone we become vulnerable to Satan.
  • With others, I learn things, see things, that I may not on my own.
  • With others, there is support, encouragement and the kick in the pants when I need it.
  • With others, there is love.
  • With others, more can be done.

 

Coming together as a church. God wants that. We need that. We need to kill the excuses that keep us away. “I don’t have the right clothes.” Really? It’s not a fashion show. You are going for God. “The songs are  old.” So. We like old movies. We like antiques. Learn them. Old songs don’t have to be sung pitifully slow. Put some fire into them, song leaders. Put your foot on the accelerator. Don’t let “old songs,” be the reason that you stay away from what God wants you to do. “It’s my only day to sleep in.” That’s easy to fix. Go to be early on Saturday night. Get all the sleeping that you need and get up on Sunday morning and worship God with His people. What folks really mean is that, “I want to stay up to one or two in the morning and then sleep in.” That’s the problem. Get to bed and get up to worship. Are we going to allow our sleep to keep us from God? Really? In the words of ESPN, “COM’ ON MAN!” You can do better than that. God deserves better than that.

 

Much of this is just a matter of “want to.” We don’t because we “don’t want to.” That’s the problem. That’s the issue. It’s not the songs. It’s not sleeping in. It’s not relevance. It’s a matter of wanting to. I’ve known folks who got up very early on their day off to drive and drive to go hunting, get to a ball game, or go golfing. They did it because they wanted to. They’d do it every week if they could. It’s a matter of want to.

 

Coming together as a church…it will be happening in a few days. Will you be one of those coming together? Maybe you ought to share this with someone who has a problem with the “want to.”

 

God sure is good to us. He treats us better than we deserve. He thinks of us more than we think of Him. He loves you and He wants you to come and worship Him.

 

Will you be there?

 

Roger

 

04

Jump Start # 1468

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1468

Jeremiah 20:1-2 When Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things, Pashhur had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put him in the stocks that were at the upper Benjamin Gate, which was by the house of the Lord.”

Our passage today, taken from some of the dark pages of the Bible, shows the wonderful prophet Jeremiah being arrested, beaten and imprisoned. This would not be the only abuse that Jeremiah endured. He would be closed up in a cistern. There are two powerful lessons for us to see here.

 

First, God often allowed the abuse of His messengers. God protected the message, but allowed the messenger to suffer. This is hard for many to understand. We can have a idealistic view that since I am a Christian, God won’t allow anything bad to happen to me. “Happily ever after,” is how the fairy tales end, not the reality of the Bible. Remember those dreadful words in Hebrews 11 that tells us that God’s people were scourged, stoned, chained, sawn in two, destitute, ill-treated and afflicted. We remember that the prophet John was beheaded. This was long before Isis started doing that. James was killed with the sword. Stephen was stoned. Paul was beaten with rods. Where was God? Why did God allow this? Why didn’t God stop this? These thoughts trouble us. It is enough for some to quit. They expect God to put an umbrella of protection around His people. The atheistic community cannot deal with the suffering of innocents and too often, Christian’s cannot deal with the suffering of God’s people. It was the message, not the messenger that was protected. Salvation and hope lie in the message, not the messenger. For the messenger, death wasn’t the end. Death wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. Death would open the door to a wonderful welcoming home by the Savior. Yes, God allowed His servants to be chased down, beaten and abused. Why did they go through with this? Because they believed. They loved God more than their own lives. They knew that truth was more important than their lives. They understood that God’s will need to be proclaimed. They were thankful that God chose them to be those mouthpieces.

 

We must look at things like this and wonder how dedicated and true you and I are to the cause of the Lord. Do we favor the easy way, the high pay, the nice conditions or doing what is right? Are we willing to suffer without complaint or quitting? Are we in it for what we get personally or for the proclamation of truth? Years ago, I used to hold some meetings in a little place in Kentucky and stayed with an old timer named Victor. He has long since passed to the other side. Victor was a special breed. He was outspoken, blunt and called things as he saw them. He often said, “Folks today are soft, way too soft.” I think Victor had leather instead of skin. He was tough. He saw what the “softness” was doing to the church. I believe he was on to something. Putting our comfort first, it’s easy for us to complain about how hard it is to be a Christian today. Then there is Jeremiah. Beaten and in stocks for simply telling the message of God.

 

Second, Jeremiah suffered at the hands of not the Babylonian king,  but rather, the priest of God. Pashhur wasn’t the priest of Baal. He wasn’t a foreigner. He was supposed to be on Jeremiah’s side. The prophet suffered from his own people. Instead of receiving encouragement from the priest, Jeremiah was beaten. Instead of getting help, he was placed in stocks in the prison. His worst enemy was his own brethren. That certainly happens sometimes.

 

Sometimes it’s our family that causes us the most turmoil and grief. Sometimes it’s those in the congregation that seem to turn against what is right and doing what is right. Preachers get fired for telling the truth. People are shunned and ignored and talked about because they want to stand for what the Bible teaches. Some would rather stick with family or tradition or the old ways rather than changing and being more Biblically accurate. They will cause trouble if someone tries to change things. Modern Pashhur’s use pressure, intimidation, meanness to chase off those who buck the system. They don’t care if members leave.  Their “good ole’ buddy” way of doing things will not be undone. They are the king of the hill and they will knock down anyone who dares challenge them. This way of thinking dominates many small congregations today. Young preachers, going in with a spirit like Jeremiah, have the heart to do things better and closer to the Bible way. Those young preachers are crushed and driven away.  And those congregations continue on, getting smaller and smaller, but content in staying just the way they are. Shame on us for doing things like this. The loudest voice is not always the wisest voice, nor is it the voice of reason, nor the voice that is right. We must stand with God. We must always point the way back to the Bible. We must have a “come what may” spirit as Jeremiah did. They tried to silence Jeremiah, but his bones burned within him. He couldn’t be quiet. It wasn’t right. He had to speak. It’s that spirit, that takes us back to the word of God that is needed today. This is not a call for riots. We don’t need people sticking their fingers in the face of others. We don’t need people throwing chairs. But we do need someone to draw a line in the sand and declare that I stand with the Lord. Toss me out, fire me, get ugly if you must, but I stand with the Lord!

 

Abuse from our own people isn’t right. It’s shameful to hear some of the things parents say to their kids in stores. It’s just as shameful to hear what some brethren say about each other. Pompous bullies in the kingdom may believe that they have the upper hand. They may count their victories as another Jeremiah is escorted off to the dungeon. They snicker. They smile. They thrive in their abusive power and control. But God’s message cannot be silenced. Their world will collapse. God is always triumphant. I have written articles that editors refused to publish. I have been threatened with the words, “You cannot preach those things here.” But I did. I have been taken to the verbal woodshed by spiritual bullies who felt threatened by the truth of God’s word. Generations before, some literally received death threats. Some were spit upon. In one story, years ago, dynamite was found inside the pulpit. I guess the plan was to blow the whole place up, especially the preacher. Many have stood in the shadows of Jeremiah. Each generation faces it’s own challenges. The radicals want to forever push the outer limits of what is right and wrong. But those within have caused more damage and more heartache than those on the outside.

 

May you and I not fear others. May we stand for what is right, always. May we with kindness and boldness proclaim God’s message. May we understand that we are instruments of God and that it is His truth that is valuable.

 

To God be the glory in all things.

 

Roger

 

 

 

 

 

 

03

Jump Start # 1467

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1467

Psalms 71:5 “For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth.”

  Hope! What a great word and foundational aspect of our faith. I have been working on this concept of hope for a special project. The word hope is sprinkled throughout our Bibles. Hebrews tells us that hope is an anchor for our souls. Without hope, people give up. In sports, when there is no hope of winning, the energy and enthusiasm is gone from a team. A student who realizes that there is no hope of passing will just give up and often not even show up. When rescue teams have no hope of finding survivors, the families are crushed. Hope is what fuels us. Hope for change. Hope for better days.

 

There is a difference between hope and wishful thinking. Four leaf clovers, crossed fingers, good luck charms, fall in the category of superstition. I knew a guy in college who was convinced that his school’s basketball team was winning because of his lucky clothes he wore. He never washed them. Didn’t want to wash away any luck. I was glad when his team finally got beat so the guy would take off those stinky clothes. Was it the clothes or the team’s ability? Why did his team lose if he was still wearing the lucky clothes? Biblical hope isn’t superstition. It’s based first, upon God and His promises. God is true to what He says. Our hope is built around what the Bible says. That gives our hope some substance. Wishful thinking is just that, wishes. It’s what you’d like to see come true. It’s a dream. There is no reason to think that it will ever come true.

 

Biblical hope is real, it’s sure. It’s something that you can count on. Our verse today illustrates that. The hope of the Psalmist was in God. A living, real, promise keeping God. His hope wasn’t in things. His hope was not in himself, but rather in God. Because his hope was in God, he would follow God, believe in God and obey God. Those are natural responses and conclusions to one who had real hope.

 

Now, here’s the difference. Most hope to go to Heaven some day. They do not realize that their hope is really nothing more than wishful thinking. They don’t do anything about this hope. They don’t worship the God that will open the door to Heaven. They don’t live a life according to the Bible that would build that hope and give that hope some substance. They don’t develop a spiritual character that reflects a love for God. They want to go to Heaven, but they don’t want to do anything about it and they expect to just go on as normal and cross their fingers that God will take care of all the details. Wishful thinking! That’s all it is.

 

Hope, as found in the Bible, changes a person. People like Abraham had hope in the living God. They walked with God. They loved God. They did what God wanted and expected. Hope was real for them. This is why people like Paul could say “In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness…” His hope wasn’t in the fact that he deserved it, earned it nor did everything just right. His hope was in God. A God he loved, trusted, followed and wanted to be with. This hope was a sure thing.

 

I talk to parents and grandparents who are concerned about their kids. They “hope” that they’ll start going to worship again. They “hope” that there will be a change in their attitude. However, very little has been talked about or done. The questions and criticisms of these grown kids have not been addressed. The parents are afraid to mention the subject, so they don’t. They still want their kids to follow Christ, but they do not point the way. This hope is really wishful thinking. Their kids are not interested. They never plan to darken the doors of the church. They are content to live without God. The parents no longer try. The hope of these parents is not Biblical hope. It’s not based upon anything. And in some cases, the parents are expecting someone else to be the one to do something.

 

The same goes for the direction and leadership in some congregations. Some are a real mess today. Folks are jumping off a sinking ship. The leaders are hopeful that things will turn around. But nothing changes. More leave. A dark cloud sits over the congregation. Everyone wonders who will leave next. But, the leaders are hopeful. They are hopeful that things will get better. Is it hope or is it wishful thinking?

 

Hope involves action on our part. Hope involves faith on our part. Hope invites and includes God. Optimism isn’t the same thing as hope. Seeing the glass half full or half empty may be a great expression, but the reality is you only have half a glass. The hopeful person is optimistic. The hopeful person sees change, better days and better ways, because of God. Optimism alone can quickly become wishful thinking. Catchy expressions are cute and can be helpful but that alone is not the same as a hope that is built upon God.

 

My hope is built upon nothing less than Jesus’ blood is more than a hymn, it is the hope of salvation. For You are my hope, is what our verse is today. You are my hope!

 

Wishful thinking or Biblical hope? There is a difference. Which one do you have?

 

Roger

 

 

 

02

Jump Start # 1466

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1466

Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you”

  Sundays are amazing. Things are so different on Sundays. Our schedule is different. We gather to worship. We see our church family which we love so dearly. We learn. We are reminded. We are challenged. We praise. We are given hope and understanding. We can come to worship dragging, but we leave with our eyes upon the Lord. Sundays are great. It’s my favorite day of the week. I wish every day was a Sunday. But Sunday comes to an end, and Monday morning rolls around. Time to get the kids out the door for school. Time to get to work. Traffic. Attitudes. Deadlines. Work. Then there is getting home to make dinner, run the kids to practice, hopefully get a little daylight to rake a few leaves, catch a little TV and then it’s bedtime before all of this starts all over again. It doesn’t take very long, and the uniqueness of Sunday is gone. So busy. So much to do. So many demands. And on top of this it’s now November and the holidays are racing toward us.

 

Does this sound familiar to you? Is this you? Do you ever wonder how can I get off this merry-go-round? Is the only hope just to hang on until the kids are out of the house or you retire?

 

I thought of our verse today. It’s not deep. It’s not stuffed with great Biblical principles. Ten simple words. One sentence. Three people are found in this one sentence. “Me,” “you,” and “God.” Two simple thoughts. I remember and I pray.

 

Paul remembered the Philippians. He wasn’t with them when he wrote this. His writing to them brought up fond memories. “My remembrance of you,” was something that meant a lot to the apostle. Because of that precious thought and memory, it led Paul to pray to God. He thanked “his” God. If it wasn’t for God, Paul would not be a Christian. If it wasn’t for God, Paul probably would have never traveled to Philippi. If it wasn’t for God, Paul would have never known those amazing people. Paul remembered and Paul thanked.

 

Those two simple things can help you on a day like today. Grab a great thought from Sunday worship. Maybe it was seeing the building full of people. Maybe it was talking and sitting with a friend. Maybe it was seeing someone obey the Lord and turn their life around. Maybe it was a passage read. Maybe it was something said in a prayer. Maybe it was just the wonderful escape that worship is from our crazy world. Remember. Then from that, pray to God. Thank God for Sundays. Thank God that you were there. Thank God for what you remember.

 

Now this won’t slow down your busy pace. The dog has to go to the vet. The bills have to be paid. There are appointments to be made. However, in your mind, you have an oasis from Sunday. A hope that hasn’t escaped. A lesson learned. A memory that helps you keep God before you. A reminder of who you are and what is important. A simple way to keep your order in order. Ballgames, practices, doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, oil changes, pulling weeds, vacuuming, these all have a place, but not at the top of the list. Somehow the world is always wanting to push these things to the top. Remembering Sunday helps you see what is really important. God. Fellowship. Truth. Salvation. Kingdom. Character. Hope. Our Jesus. Now that’s a list! Those things will get you through any mess you encounter today.

 

Paul remembered and Paul prayed. We can do that.

 

Give it a try. See if it makes you day a bit better.

 

Roger