14

Jump Start # 1725

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1725

Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.”

  Our verse today is one of many passages found throughout the Bible that describes the intimacy and closeness that God has for His people. God has a deep feeling for His people. He longs for us to be with Him. He desires the best for us. He never gives up on us. His patience, especially when we ignore and are rebellious toward Him, continues to give us chance after chance to return home to Him.

 

Here in Isaiah, there are two back to back passages that define this intimacy with God.

 

The first is a picture of a nursing mother. She is not going to forget her child. She will never forget her child. Get a group of people together, and a child will call out, “Mom,” and that mom recognizes her child’s voice. She knows. She not only recognizes the voice of her child, she knows how her child is wired on the inside. She understands her child.

 

We have a new granddaughter that was born Friday night. I got back from a trip just in time. It is amazing to watch my daughter look at her new daughter. There is a special look that is only found in the eyes of a mother. And I have seen the most dainty moms get furious if you mess with her child. The mama bear comes out!

 

In a contrasting and ironic statement, God is telling Israel that I will not forget you, even though you have forgotten Me. I remember my promises to you, even though you don’t keep your promises with Me. I have been good to you even though you have been rotten towards Me.

 

The next verse continues this thought, “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands”. The image presents God as trying to prove to Israel that He cares for them. Not only will He not forget them, but He opens up His hand and there we see Israel’s name, written on God’s hand. I remember girls in school writing the name of a boy that they liked on their hands. God is showing Israel how much He cares, loves and longs for them.

 

What is interesting is the opposite side of this relationship, our intimacy with God. That sounds odd to some. We believe in God. We follow God. We trust God. We love God. But to say, “intimate,” that’s going to far, some think. Yet, how many of our hymns reflect that idea. Song such as, “Nearer, still nearer,” or, “As a deer,” or, “Draw me nearer, nearer.” Close to God. To know God, more than academically. To want to be with God. This is Paul’s thoughts in 2 Corinthians 5, as he paints this dilemma of being here in this earthly tent, but wanting to be with God. Paul longed to be with God. He told the Philippians that to die is “gain.” It was considered an advantage.

 

Intimacy can carry the idea of being morally impure. It can sound sexual and wrong in some contexts. But that’s not the only  definition of intimacy. It means closeness. It’s going beyond just knowing a person’s name, it is knowing the person.

A parent is intimate with their child. They know their child.

Friends are intimate with each other. They understand each other.

Teammates, army buddies share a closeness and an understanding with one another.

Brethren ought to share a closeness, a fellowship with one another.

 

Sometimes, nothing has to be said. It’s just the look on the face. It’s the tone of the voice. Most wouldn’t recognize anything, but the close and intimate person does. They detect that something is not right. They can tell when you are tired. They know when you are upset even before you say anything. That’s intimacy. That’s how God knows you. He knows you in many ways, better than you know yourself. He understands you.

 

Our relationship with God is far beyond sitting in a pew on Sunday morning. It is hard for us to fathom that God is always thinking about us. God is always doing things for us. God is always there for us. He continues to bless us. He continues to listen to us. He continues to watch over us. Jesus is the good shepherd who knows His sheep.

 

What is more amazing is that God thinks about us more than we think about Him.

 

Blessed be our God. We are in good hands. He loves you and wants you to glorify Him this day.

 

Roger

 

11

Jump Start # 1724

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1724

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”

 

Today is Veterans Day. It is the day that we recognize those who served in the military for our country and especially, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their very lives. There are freedoms, rights and a lifestyle that we are allowed to live in this country that came with a price. There have been and continue to be those who want to destroy our freedoms. Our military has kept us safe and allowed us to live without fear. Simple things, such as voting this week, are privileges that most in the world still do not have. We thank those who serve, whether currently or in the past.

 

My father is a World War II vet. There are fewer and fewer of those around. I recently saw a movie about a battle in WW II. It was a good story, but a brutal movie. As I watched that movie, I thought about my dad. He fought in battles very near where that movie took place. I told the person with me, I wouldn’t have made it. I would have been killed. How any lived was astonishing.

 

Our passage today reminds us of another kind of veteran, the spiritual veteran. Paul was reminding the Thessalonians that they owed a responsibility to those who had sacrificed and worked among them spiritually. The words found here are: diligently labor among you; have charge over you; give you instruction. This may have been the spiritual shepherds of that church. We commonly call them, “Elders.” Elder, reflecting more than age, but spiritual experience. Those that were chosen to be such leaders were not to be novices, or green. They were to have some “miles” upon them. They were those who have been in a few spiritual battles. They keep calm and determined when everyone else is in panic mode. They don’t chase every new idea but understand and recognize what works. They are committed to the Lord’s way.

 

Spiritual heroes. Spiritual veterans. Every congregation is made up of those. Someone recently gave me a copy, hand written, of the history of a congregation in a small Illinois town. This paper had several names that dated back to the 1800’s and the formation of that congregation. Those were leaders, veterans spiritually. They decided to start a congregation. That’s never easy. It’s harder yet, to keep it going. Sacrifices and determination, just as in a real battle, is what is found in these spiritual veterans.

 

Our passage today isn’t directed to becoming a spiritual leader. Rather, the focus is upon the congregation recognizing the work that they have done. Paul tells the church to “appreciate” and “esteem highly in love” these spiritual leaders and vets. Heaven has recognized what they have done, and now it was time for the church to do the same. How would they do that? Have a banquet? Put on a parade? You won’t find those things here. It is done through thankful prayers to God. It is done by telling these spiritual vets to their faces that you appreciate them. It is done through compliments. It is done, mostly, as we follow their steps. They have instructed. Have we learned and changed? They have led. Have we followed? They have worked hours to keep us going. Have we benefited from that and made with jobs easier or harder? Paul wasn’t looking for plaques on the wall or banners strung across the pillars, but obedient hearts that were thankful and realizing what had taken place. The best way we honor our spiritual veterans is by us taking up the work that they have done. We become spiritual leaders. We become those that others look up to and can count upon. We become the examples in a congregation. We lead by examples, and teaching, and influence. We get ourselves into the position to teaching others. We become qualified to become elders in God’s kingdom. That’s the best way we honor our leaders is by not allowing the good that they have done to be wasted. We keep moving forward. We keep making the church stronger and stronger.

 

Herein, lies the problem. It is easy to sit on the boat and enjoy the ride. It is easy to sit in the class and have others teach it. It is easy to attend a congregation and have others do all the work. In many ways, we can become spiritual hitchhikers. There was a time when you saw a lot of hitchhikers. We don’t see many today. In our times, we would be afraid to pull over and pick someone up. I knew a guy who hitchhiked across the country—one side to the other. The hitchhiker sticks out his thumb and is willing to hop in if you are going the direction he wants to go. It will be your car and your gas and you will do the driving. He’s just along for the ride. And when you have gone as far as he wants to go, he wants out. He has not contributed anything nor helped you in any way. He has hitched a ride. I wonder if some are doing the same with the church. They have their spiritual thumb sticking out and say, “If you are going the direction that I want to go, I may hop on board. Don’t count on me to do anything, I’m just here for the ride.” When you have gone as far as I want to go, then I’ll get off. My time with you will be short and I will leave nothing to have helped you. Spiritual hitchhikers. I wonder if that’s what many of us are. Don’t count on us. Don’t use us. Don’t bother us. But if we have gotten all that we wanted from you, then we will leave and find another church that we can hitch a ride with. That “thinkin” is plain “stinkin’.” Get involved. Get busy. Do what you can.

 

Why are you not a spiritual leader? If you are a husband and or dad, that’s your job description. The head of the house doesn’t mean that you bark out commands and you get to hold the remote in your hand. It means that you are leading the family to Heaven. That’s what God is counting on you to do. Your choices, your decisions must be made with others in mind. You are leading your family.

 

Spiritual veterans. They sacrificed. They gave. They devoted themselves. They paid a cost. We have benefitted from them. We would not be where we are without them. And now, who will take their place? Will it be you? When the church calls out to you to be an elder, will you step up or will you say, “No, I just don’t have the time,” or, “No, I just don’t feel like it.”

 

I wonder if my dad, when he was a newly high school graduated 18 year old, felt like being shot at in a far away south Pacific island that he had never heard of before. He did it because it was the right thing to do. When you are driven by doing the right thing, you conquer your fear and you don’t think about self. We need more to think about the right thing to do in the congregation. That’s what we need.

 

Thank you, vets—both those who served in our military, and those who served in God’s church. We stand upon your shoulders. You have helped us. We thank you!

 

Roger

 

10

Jump Start # 1723

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1723

Luke 12:48 “but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

 

Our verse today is part of a long explanation that Jesus gave as an answer to a question that Peter asked. Jesus had been teaching about being ready and being alert. He used the illustration of a thief that came in the night. Had the man of the house been ready, no theft would have occurred. It is here that dear ole’ Peter asks, “Are you addressing this to us or to everyone else as well?”

 

Peter, Peter, why does that matter? If it is to you, the apostles, take the necessary steps to be ready. If it is for everyone, you still need to be ready. Stop worrying about everyone else. We do that. We point the radar gun at others more than ourselves. We watch every step of others and are quick to point out mistakes but rarely look in the mirror at ourselves.

 

Instead of simply answering the question, the Lord tells the story of servants and their relationship to their master. The ones that knew what the master wanted and accomplished that were rewarded. The ones that knew, but thought that they had plenty of time still, and used their time to do evil deeds, they were flogged. The ones who did not know the masters will and did evil will still be flogged, but not as severely. It is here that our verse is found.

 

Some want to read into this degrees of punishment and reward, as if Hell has hotter spots in it for those who are really bad. This misses the point. The apostles knew. They had been with Jesus. He was soon to leave. What would they do after He went to Heaven? Would they be faithful to the task or would they go back to their old ways?

 

The principle at the end of our verse is interesting. The Lord says, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” That’s a thought that we need to look at closely.

 

There are several levels or applications we could consider:

 

First, generational. To whom much is given, much is required. This generation has it when it comes to technology. Just consider our Jump Starts. I write this on a laptop, send it out by email, it goes to thousands of readers and then it is archived on our website for future reference. When I started preaching, thirty-six years ago, this wasn’t possible. I begin with an electric typewriter. Churches were still using overhead projectors. When friends needed material, it was copied on a copy machine and mailed. It took a few days for them to receive the package. Today, I can scan and send material worldwide in seconds. This generation of preachers has volumes of books in electronic form that they can take with them anywhere. In a second, verses can be compared in multiple translations. With the internet we can access videos from the Bible lands. We can watch sermons from across the country, many of them live. It is amazing what we can do without ever leaving our homes. Through Facebook we can connect with people, help people and invite people. Can you imagine what the apostle Paul would have done with Facebook? I believe this generation has more information, more tools, and more ways of sharing that than ever before.

 

The thought is: to whom much is given, much is required. Are we doing more with what we have? The modern farmer with technology, modern equipment, advanced development of seeds, can do more and get greater return than the farmers of any other generation. How are we doing with spiritually spreading the word of God?

 

Second, Congregationally. Today, we can print in bright, bold colors our own tracts and pamphlets for classes and to give to others. We can live stream our services. We can mass produce CD’s and using the internet reach and teach people globally. Today’s church is beyond the little neighborhood congregation. Today, we can reach more, do more and be more effective than ever. A farmer today, can still go out into his field and sow seed by hand. That still works. He will still get a return. But it is not the most effective way, nor the best use of his time. He needs to spend some money and invest in some new equipment so he can do more. We can’t make more time, but we can find ways to do more with the time we have. The same thought goes to what a congregation is doing. What worked in 1970, may still work, but it may not be the most efficient way nor the best use of time. Invest in some modern equipment, and there in lies the problem. Some don’t want to. Some see nothing wrong with doing things the way we have always done it before. I suppose black and white TV’s still work—but we don’t use those. I suppose those small 20 inch TV screens still work—but we don’t use those. We want the latest, largest and greatest in our homes. We want cars with all the options. We want whistles and bells on our phones and tablets. And, yet, in far too many church buildings, the poor preacher is working with hand-me-down junk that someone didn’t want around the office or their home. So, they take it to the church house and expect that to be what we will do the Lord’s work on. Step it up, folks. Get out that checkbook. Spend some money and get up to date. We are doing the Lord’s work. Everything ought to be top notch. Everything ought to be as good as we can do it. Get help. Bring in folks who know how to do things and learn. To whom much is given, much is required.  Some churches are stuck in the past. They need to flip the calendar and get with the times. Make some videos that are SHORT and to the point. Find ways to create interest. Don’t get stuck simply having a Spring and Fall meeting every year. Do things differently. Freshen things up. Put thought, energy and effort into what you are doing.

 

Remember, to whom much is given, much is required. Are we doing less with more tools available?

 

Third, Personally. With all the tools available today, we ought to know that Bible. We can have it everywhere our phone is. We can read it. We can study it. We can be stronger than ever before. But are we? Are we using all these tools to grow, to teach, to reach others? We ought to be developing faster. We ought to be turning out more elders. We ought to be seeing more and more teaching classes. The tools are there. Are we using them? We can keep lists of people to pray for. We can have daily Bible readings. We can have access to so much information, that our questions are answered. We have it. But is it doing anything to us? Are we better because of these things? We are in touch with more brethren worldwide than ever before. We can travel and visit more places than ever before. We make more money than other generations. We ought to be hitting on all cylinders. But are we? Are we as strong spiritually as our parents were? Are we as strong today as we were twenty years ago?

 

To whom much is given, much is required. That statement sure makes us think doesn’t it? We have been blessed. Are we utilizing our blessings in the best ways possible?

 

Roger

 

09

Jump Start # 1722

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1722

Matthew 15:23 “But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, ‘Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.’”

 

The election is now over. Did your favorite win? I write this eight days before the election. It seems as if new discoveries are being made every day. The talk shows will debate the impact all of this had on the election for months. There will be some today who are disappointed. Many of the Hollywood set has promised to move out of the country if Trump wins. We want to consider a subject greater than the election, and that is disappointments.

 

Disappointments are part of life. It happens to the child who didn’t get the teacher that he wanted, or the Christmas present that he hoped for. The teenager who doesn’t make the team is disappointed. The young man who asks out a girl for a date, but she turns him down. Disappointment. You don’t land the job that you applied for. Disappointment. The house you really love sells before you can put an offer on it. Disappointment. Your favorite player is traded from the team you love. Disappointment. Your favorite TV is cancelled. Disappointment. Your favorite place to eat closes. Disappointment.

 

It seems that some disappointments are rather simple and even shallow and we are not greatly moved by them. Others, can have a long and lasting effect upon us. When we have let down others, especially family, those disappointments can become long lasting regrets.

 

Our verse involves someone who ask Jesus for help and He didn’t come through. Not at first. This comes from the Syrophoenician woman. Her daughter was possessed by a demon. Matthew reports that she was “cruelly demon-possessed.” That very statement speaks volumes. It shows that demons possessed Gentiles as well as Jews. It also shows that this woman understood what was wrong with her daughter. She didn’t declare that she was diseased, sick or injured. She somehow knew that she was demon possessed. She also knew that Jesus could do something. Jesus had cast demons out before. Jesus had helped Gentiles before. She calls Jesus, “Lord, Son of David,” which was a very messianic and prophetic expression. She seemed to understand things that most of the Jews didn’t. She didn’t demand. She asked. She begged. She cried, “Have mercy on me.” Our verse tells Jesus’ response. He didn’t answer her a word. WOW! Talk about disappointment. He didn’t say, “No.” He said nothing.

 

Remember, it wasn’t this woman who was possessed, but her daughter. How could Jesus turn His back on children? He always rushes to the aid of children. But here, He says nothing. Not a word. The disciples want Jesus to send the woman away. That is always their answer. When it was time to feed the 5,000, they said send them away. When children were around Jesus, they said, send them away. Get rid of the problem. Go somewhere else. Some in the church still act this way. Shame on them and us when we do that. Jesus was testing her. He then reports to her that He was sent only to the house of Israel. The persistent woman bows and pleads, “Lord, help me.” It was then that He said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” That last word bothers us. It seems that Jesus was calling this woman a dog. The commentators are torn about what to do with this. Some claim Jesus was just stating the common Jewish thought about Gentiles. Others state that He was never so unChrist like as He was at this moment. The woman doesn’t seem offended. She doesn’t shout, “How dare you call be a dog.” Some want to explain this by the word dog. There was a word for a lap dog and a different word for a street dog. I think all of this misses the point. Jesus is illustrating His point about taking care of Israel. The thought is easy for us to understand. Mama doesn’t cook dinner for the family, and when everyone sits down at the table, she first fixes a plate and gives it to the pets. We don’t do that. We give the pets the left overs. That was Jesus’ point. The woman got it. She understood it. She wasn’t asking for a plateful. She wasn’t asking for a complete meal. She wasn’t demanding equality with the Jews. She didn’t expect to receive everything that the Jews were given. Just the crumbs. The crumbs are all that is necessary to heal her daughter. She wasn’t demanding that she was just as good as the Jews. She was happy with just a crumb. That impressed Jesus. He said, “your faith is great.” He said that to a gentile. He said that to a woman. To Peter, Jesus often said, “O ye of little faith.”

 

But in this amazing story, we find Jesus saying nothing. That could be us and our prayers. We pray and nothing. Not a yes and not a no. Simply, nothing. What do you do? Do you keep praying? Do you get disappointed and quit?

 

People will disappoint us. They let us down. They make promises that they don’t remember or keep. They hurt us. This is why the New Testament speaks so often about forgiveness. It is the heart that has been hurt that needs to forgive. Your preacher may disappoint you. Your shepherds may disappoint you. They don’t mean to, but sometimes that happens. Maybe you were in and out of the hospital and no one came and visited you. That’s disappointing. Maybe you reached out and no one was there for you. That’s disappointing. Maybe you wanted some to pray for you and they didn’t. That’s disappointing. Maybe you had your life all figured out. Plan A is what it’s going to be, but God has in mind Plan B. Things do not turn out as you expected. Maybe the journey for you has been longer and harder than what you wanted.

 

Here are some things I have learned about disappointments:

 

First, Heaven won’t be a disappointment. You won’t be in Heaven and think “Disney was nicer.” No way. Much of what bothers us won’t matter once we are in Heaven.

 

Second, God’s word won’t let you down. It may not allow you to do what you want, but that’s the problem. It’s not about us, but the Lord. God’s word will lead to holiness, righteousness and Him. Saturate yourself in His word and you won’t be disappointed.

 

Third, God will always be there for you. This does not mean that things will always work out the way you want nor as you expected. God will not abandon you. Draw near to God, James reminds us, and He will draw near to us.

 

Fourth, keeping the big picture before you will help you with disappointments. The big picture is getting to Heaven. It’s walking with Christ daily. It’s becoming what God wants.

 

Fifth, when you have disappointed others, do what you can to make things right. Apologize. Be there. Do better.

 

When you think about this election, there has been other elections. Sometimes the candidate I wanted wins. Sometimes he doesn’t. We move on, we continue on, and looking back, it hasn’t had much of an impact upon my faith. That’s what really matters.

 

Disappointments… learn to deal with them and not to let them conquer or change you.

 

Roger

 

08

Jump Start # 1721

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1721

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

  Today is election day in America. It’s a big one this year, Presidential. The commercials on TV have been non-stop political ads. Our mailboxes have been stuffed with cards about who to vote for. Sadly, after today, we won’t hear from most of these folks again until the next election.

 

Voting, especially in a democracy, is a uniquely American concept. History, particularly, Biblical history, never knew the concept of voting for a political ruler. The Pharaohs, kings of Assyria, Babylon, even of Israel and Judah and the Roman Caesars were chosen based upon family. The common person had little say. The history of these rulers is immersed in rival plots, assassinations and exiles. The “cup bearer,” that we read about, such as Nehemiah, was more than a butler to the ruler. He was a food tester. The king didn’t trust his cooking staff. In an event that they tried to poison him, the cupbearer would be the one who died. Biblical history tells of family members who killed off their own siblings to keep the throne.

 

Here, we get to vote. This opens up the concept for the Christian to consider who do I vote for. It must be more than my favorite party. The Christian looks at principles. He looks at the moral stance. He must consider which candidate will be best for the kingdom. It is easy to say, “Neither one,” and thus stay home. But to not vote is to give up a right that so few have ever had in this world. It’s easy to think, my vote won’t matter. But it does. It’s one of many that can make a difference.

 

The Bible does teach about the Christian’s responsibility and the government. Jesus told a questioning crowd,  that they were to render unto Caesar the things that belong to Caesar. There are things that belong to Caesar. Taxes are one of them. We also owe our obedience and our submission. Romans and 1 Peter teach this. The right for a people to be governed and the right for that government to tax and punish citizens is established by God. The Lord has all authority. He gave some of that authority to the government. In Romans, the government is referred to as God’s minister. That’s a strange expression for us. We tend to think of the minister as the preacher. The word minister means servant. The government acts as God’s servant.

 

Our verse today reminds us that we are to pray for those in authority. I don’t hear that much these days. Maybe we’ve given up. Maybe we think that not even God can help these people. But I doubt that our government is as corrupt, wicked and ungodly as early Rome was. The execution of Christians became common. God didn’t immediately stop that. He encouraged His people to be faithful. Revelation and 2 Peter are written about that.

 

Men in the past have held views that the Christian should have nothing to do with the government. Some have looked down upon the Christian and voting even. I’d rather have more of God’s people in public service. Maybe things could shape up better if meetings began with prayer and if an open Bible sat upon the governor’s or President’s desk. God’s people can make a difference.

 

Who should I vote for? Some would just want to be told. It’s not that easy and we can’t do that is this format. It’s like the question, “How much should I give?” Certainly, someone can just tell you, but that hasn’t helped you or taught you a thing. You give based upon your faith. The greater your faith, the more you tend to give. You vote the same way. You vote based upon your faith. The greater your faith the more you consider the implications of laws, judges, rights and God. When someone asks, “Do you vote Republican or Democrat?” My answer is, “I vote Christian.” I vote according to my faith.

 

It may seem like my one little vote won’t do much today. But given the chance to vote, don’t you think God will consider whether or not I did, and what was the basis or the motive of my choice. Is it selfish? Is it political? Is it spiritual?

 

But one thing we know and we need to be reminded of often, God is upon the throne. He told Daniel that He removes kings and establishes kings (Dan 2:21). Through all those Pharaohs God was upon the throne. He heard the cries of His people. Through the Babylonians, the Caesars God remains upon the throne. And after tonight, whether it is Hillary or Donald, God remains upon the throne. His will cannot be overthrown. His kingdom will endure forever. We must, as the apostles told the city officials of Rome, obey God rather than man. And we will.

 

The greatest change and hope for our country is not in who is elected but rather, in Jesus Christ. The more Christ lives in others, the greater things will be. Imagine if everyone, everywhere was a Christian. No ISIS. No Russian threats. No racial tensions. No deceiving and taking advantage of others. Everyone, everywhere was a Christian. Can you imagine? We wouldn’t have to sign our life away to buy a house. A handshake would do it. We wouldn’t have to have locks on doors or alarms. There would be no identity theft. Everyone, everywhere a Christian. Every person you met, a Christian. No raunchy movies. No gossip. No bullies. No lying. Everyone doing the best that they could. No drugs. No crime. No hatred. Will that ever happen? Not down here. But that is what Heaven will be like.

 

Our greatest need is not the conservative agenda. It’s not the liberal platform. It’s Jesus. We need Jesus. It starts in our own hearts and in our own homes.

 

O’ to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer…this is my constant longing and prayer.

 

Roger