Jump Start # 1751

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” 

NOTE: Due to the holidays and some internal server updates there will not be a Jump Start tomorrow or one Monday. We plan to be back on Tuesday. Thanks.

Our verse today, found in the powerful “Good Shepherd” section describes the nature and work of Jesus. Specifically, our verse shows a contrast. Jesus is the good Shepherd. Satan is a thief. He is not just a thief. He is THE thief. Jesus gives. Satan takes. The use of the word “only,” tells us that there is nothing good, positive or beneficial in what Satan wants. When he speaks it is a lie. What he promises, never comes about. His intentions are to ONLY steal, kill and destroy. What he is set on stealing, killing and destroying, is you. There is never a right way to do wrong. There is never a way that wrong can be right.

Jesus is just the opposite. Instead of taking from us, He gives. He not only gives, but He enhances and makes things better. He gives life. He gives life abundantly. Abundantly– bucket loads. Our cup overflows. Remember when Jesus fed the multitudes? They ate until they were satisfied and then the disciples gathered up twelve basket full of leftovers. Abundance. Remember when the Lord ordered the disciples to cast out into the deep and lower their nets? The catch of fish filled the boats and they were nearly sinking because of so many fish. Abundance. God doesn’t work in small numbers. He’s in the abundance department.

Later today, I go to conduct a funeral. It seems that there are a lot of funerals around the holidays. Funerals are never fun, easy nor truly enjoyable. When they are so close to a holiday, they just dampen the spirit of the families involved. There is no getting around the idea that we are just days away from Christmas and a family is burying their aged mother.

In just the past few days, the wives of two preachers have passed away and an aged preacher was killed in a car accident. Tragic. Sad. Heart breaking for these families. But what a difference all of this makes when one has lived that abundant life that is found in Jesus Christ. For the families involved, the faith of a loved one who has passed away means a journey was completed. A faith was kept. A course was finished. It’s the “well done, good and faithful servant.” It’s the welcome home for those who have cherished the name of Christ.

This abundant life that Jesus offers is the best life that anyone can ever live. We so often put descriptive words in front of the word “life.” For instance, a good life. Or, a long life. A short life. A miserable life. A happy life. A bad life. A  troubled life. Those words sum up what that life was about. When someone states that they have a miserable life, what follows is the tragic tale of heartache, disappointments and failures. It was miserable.

In Christ, we have a word that sums up the walk of a Christian. It happens to be the title of a movie that is played over and over this time of year. That word is “wonderful.” In Christ, we live a “Wonderful life.” That doesn’t mean that every day is sunshine. That doesn’t mean that there are not struggles. But looking back over the years, fewer words sum up what we are doing other than, “It’s a wonderful life.”

Here’s why:

• It’s wonderful because through Christ, God considers you one of His children.
• It’s wonderful because you have forgiveness, peace and hope. It doesn’t matter what happens today, we’re headed to Heaven.
• It’s wonderful because our lives make sense. There is a purpose for us. God made us on purpose for a purpose.
• It’s wonderful because God’s word leads us, helps us and strengthens us.
• It’s wonderful because God is always there for us. Always.
• It’s wonderful because we get to know the greatest people on the face of the earth, other Christians.
• It’s wonderful because we are allowed to participate in the greatest work of all time, building the kingdom of God.
• It’s wonderful because God cares. We don’t struggle alone. We are to cast our worries upon Him.
• It’s wonderful because we can talk to God every day and all day if we want.
• It’s wonderful because we can do things that actually pleases God. He loves our worship.
• It’s wonderful because it never ends. We simply switch locations and we get to spend forever with Him.

The burdens of life can suck the air out of our souls. Tired Christians shuffle into church buildings with worry and troubles in their eyes. Our minds are elsewhere as the word of God is taught. We can lose our focus and get so caught up in the things that do not matter that before long, we start saying, “It’s hard being a Christian.” We start believing that there is little joy here. We view what we do as a duty, rather than a passion. We’ve forgotten that Jesus has given us life. Not just any ole’ life, but eternal life and an abundance of it.

Stop envying the wicked, as Proverbs reminds us. Don’t daydream about winning the lottery, being a rock star or having so much money that you could be foolish. There is no life in that. That life ends terribly at a dead-end street. Visit the funeral home. Give thought to what really matters. Look into the eyes of a two year old. You are a Christian. Hold your head up. Put that smile back on your face. Realize what you have. Count your blessings.

In the movie, “It’s a wonderful life,” George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, has one misfortune after another. He hates his job, the town he lives in and the way he is living. He becomes so despondent that he tries to take his life. It would be better, he thinks, if he had never been born. The movie shows what that would look like. He has touched many lives. He has made a difference to people all through the years. He has lived a wonderful life.

Great message in that movie. It misses one demission, and that is the spiritual. The best life here, without Christ, will never be the wonderful life. Only Christ can offer the abundant life. It is in Christ that we find what is truly life.

The wonderful life. Helping others. Walking with Christ. Living with hope in your heart. Forgiven. Free. At peace. Developing the best qualities of character in you. Leading and influencing others. A worshippers. A lover of life. Good. Honest. Kind. Sweet. Joyful. Prayerful. This life isn’t based upon where you live. It doesn’t matter if it is “Bedford Falls,” as in the movie. Or, Lanesville, Indiana, where I live. Or, NYC. Or, Norway. Or, Nigeria. Or, Philippines. Doesn’t matter whether I live in a house or an apartment. It doesn’t matter whether I live in the city or out in the country. Anywhere. Everywhere. I can have a wonderful life if I live it in Jesus Christ.

Get to know the Lord. Love Him. Obey Him. Trust Him. Follow Him. Become like Him. Life changes when you do that. Your outlook changes. Your values change. Your perspective changes. Suddenly, you find yourself living a wonderful life. It’s the best life. Don’t listen to those who try to throw water on your faith. Don’t pay attention to those who don’t understand. Don’t follow those who are dancing with the devil. You know. Christ has shown you. It’s proven in the Scriptures. That wonderful life is in Jesus Christ.

Pitiful, sour and discouraged Christians are Satan’s way of saying, all of this isn’t working. It’s time to get over those things. Put your trust in the Lord, roll up your sleeves and get busy and raise the sails for we are on a journey to Heaven. We are marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion. Won’t it be wonderful there?

What a life…a wonderful life…

Thank you, Lord.

Roger