30

Jump Start # 2235

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2234

Isaiah 9:6 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

We missed our Jump Starts yesterday. I was out of the loop and didn’t have access to writing a Jump Start. My youngest son and his wife had their first baby yesterday. Things took too a bit longer than everyone anticipated but everyone is well and a new baby is among our family and I have my ninth grandchild. Much to be thankful for and truly feelings of being blessed.

There is something special about little babies. They are so innocent, cute and just helpless. They can’t survive without adults helping them. They make funny noises, are so soft and can’t recognize who is who for a while. And those little hearts will be loved and adored. They will be held, rocked, sung to, photographed and bragged about. We love babies. They change our lives. It’s amazing all things a couple has to have in the home just for one little baby. They truly change our lives.

As I looked at that sweet little baby boy yesterday, it made me think of my son, who is now a new daddy. He was like that. There was a time when I was like that. And, this is the way that Jesus came into this world. A sweet little baby. He wasn’t talking. He wasn’t wearing a golden halo. I doubt that many gave Mary a baby shower. Most felt disappointed and ashamed with Mary. Most thought that Joseph was a really outstanding guy. How could he do this? Shameful. They weren’t married. And, if it wasn’t Joseph’s baby, was Mary so scandalous that she was running around with someone else while she was engaged to Joseph? Mary claimed it was God who made her pregnant, but that sounded ridiculous. Why would God do that? Why to her? It’s never happened before? All of this sounded like a way to cover up her sin. The wonderful news about carrying the Messiah, must have made Mary felt embarrassed and an outcast.

The prophet Isaiah begins this powerful statement about the coming Messiah by announcing, “a child will be born to us.” A baby. A baby in a manger, is how we now see it. Cute. Adorable. Soft. Unable to speak. But loved by Mary. Heaven’s child didn’t come with an escort. He didn’t receive VIP treatment and a suite at the local hospital. Born in a barn among animals. Born without a doctor, hospital staff, baby warmers and a host of things that took place for us yesterday. No IVs for Mary. It wasn’t too long ago, just the generation before me, that many were born at home. Many didn’t make it. History tells of so many young mothers who died at child birth. The sad stories of baby and mother being buried together is sprinkled throughout this country.

Some lessons:

We all come into this world the same way, born of a woman, just as Jesus was. No one begins life with the ability to speak, comes with a job and an education. The greatest and the most common all enter the world the same. We don’t know our name, our mother’s name or anything other than we are hungry and all we can do is squeak and cry to get someone’s attention. The advantages that quickly separate us in life come not from ourselves but from others. The color of our skin, our family name, the position in life of our parents, can open doors that will be closed to others. Advantages come, not from that little baby, but from others are around us. The Royal family in England has had some recent births. Those children will grow up in palaces. Most of them will not work a nine-five job. They will have servants around them all of their lives. My little grandson won’t have any of those things. Side by side, those babies may look and act the same, the difference in life is found in who and what their family is.

Influences in life quickly shape us and our personality. Some babies never go home with their mothers. They are adopted out for one reason or another. Some will have a tough road ahead because of neglect, meanness and indifference. Some will grow up in an environment of adults who are wicked and godless. Those tiny ears will hear words that should never be spoken. It will witness blasphemy and sin on an everyday basis. It may never hear the Lord thanked. It may never be read the wonderful stories of God. It may never enjoy the beauty of worshipping God on Sunday. That child is set on a course that leads away from God. As he grows, his influences and choices can keep him on that track or he can begin to see the wonder of God.

My little grandbaby will have such an advantage in life. He is loved by a couple that love each other. Their home honors the Lord and praises Him daily. He will learn about the Lord. He will be taken to Bible classes and he may even sit in the audience and listen to me preach. He will learn that certain words are not allowed in his home. He will be guided and shaped to make right choices. As disappointments come, and they do, he will learn to lose with dignity and to win with grace and honor. He will be taught to be a man that leads and influences others. He will be shown how to be a man of God and a man of his word. These things do not just fall from Heaven. My son and his wife will have years and years of influencing, correcting, teaching, guiding and showing their little son how to love the Lord and others. If like his new dad, he will learn to be a servant. He will shovel neighbors driveways in the winter. He’ll help others move. He’ll pick up sticks in the yards for others. He’ll clean out stuffed garages. He’ll get dirty and tired and he may even complain a bit, but he’ll look back and realize the good in helping others. I know this, because his new dad was one that I took to do all those things.

I looked at that little baby boy and wondered if he would lead singing like his daddy does one day. I wondered if he would preach like his uncle and I do. I wondered if he would teach Bible classes as his mother does.

A child is born. Blessings from Heaven. A gift from the Lord. A huge responsibility for new parents. A little bundle of joy that changes our lives and puts a wonderful responsibility upon us to shelter, guide and shape that little heart and personality. And, if this ole’ world continues on, someday, that little baby may grow up, marry and have a little child of his own. Sweet beginnings. Precious moments and memories. Powerful responsibility. A generation goes and a generation comes.

Our Lord chose to come this same way, as a little baby. Reminders of Scriptures. Much to be thankful for.

Life—we all come into this world the same way. We are the way we are today, because of influences, choices and what we have done with what was before us. Be kind to the little ones. Be patient with new parents. Set forth examples of holiness and righteousness. Point the way to our Savior.

Welcome, little Titus!

Roger

28

Jump Start # 2233

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2233

James 1:27 “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

Don’t let the world taint you, is what James is telling his readers. The relationship of the Christian to the world is a key principle to remaining righteous before God.

 

  • John said: Love not the world, neither the things in the world
  • James said: friendship with the world is enmity with God
  • Paul said: do not be conformed to the world
  • Peter said: we are aliens and strangers in this world

 

These principles are hard because we live in this world and we must function in this world and this world makes rules and guidelines that test our faith and it often makes it difficult to be a Christian. I have a friend who was a colligate hurdler in track and field. He recently was applying for a PhD program with a university. One of the questions he was asked on the application was, “Has your gender identity changed since birth?”

 

This is the world and the times we live in. Many major corporations have sensitivity classes to deal with these cultural issues. Certain words are not allowed to be said, because they are “insensitive.”

 

Purdue University’s on-line writing lab has guidelines to learn to write in “a professional, non-biased, non-sexist way that is ethically sound and effective.” One example given was the word “man.” The guidelines state that the word “man” no longer stands for mankind, or humans, but strictly males. To continue to use the word “man,” is sexist, offensive, bias and non-professional.

 

Many Bible translations are following similar concepts. The New American Standard Bible is releasing an updated version next year. It will use the word “human” rather than “man,” when speaking about mankind.

 

These are the times we live in. Sensitive. Touchy. Easily offended. Too many already carrying chips on their shoulders and just waiting for someone to knock one of them off.

 

Here are some observations:

 

Many of these things we will have to participate in even though we may feel that it is a waste of time and nothing more than an exercise in political correctness. Some people are going to be offended no matter what you do. If you say anything they will be offended because you even talked to them. If you do not say anything they will be offended because you did not talk to them. A person doesn’t know what to do. But to be a stick in the mud and proclaim that “I’m going say whatever I feel like,” probably means you’ll lose your job and you may have a hard time finding another. For my friend who was applying for a PhD. Program, he could have skipped the gender question and that would be all it takes for him to be immediately denied and turned down.

 

There is a difference in not liking something and something violating Scriptures. Peter said in Acts, we must obey God rather than man. Company policies that make you violate your convictions and your faith are wrong. And, it may come to a point where you have to find another job, but realize our overly sensitive times and recognize the difference between dislike and violation of Scriptures.

 

Some of us preachers may have to look at the things we say. Our jokes, our illustrations, the words that we use, these may offend some people. Now we can be stubborn and dig our heels in and declare, “let them get over it,” or we can modify our words for the times. The message of the Gospel will offend. It has and it will continue and that we will not change. The Gospel offends those who believe in evolution. It offends those who want to live together without marriage. It offends those who are irresponsible and not accountable. It offends the wicked and the unrighteous. It offends those who want a say in God’s plans. Our message offends and it should. It is when someone is bothered that they will be pierced to the heart and want to change. When the audience feels that everything is find and everyone is fine, there is no reason to change. Paul said we persuade men. That persuasion was to change their ways and their thinking. What needs to be the cause of the offense is the word of God, not our careless or rude use of the language.

 

In explaining the Bible and teaching the word of God in this culture today, we may need to show that often the word “man” means mankind or humans. But there are limitations as to far this goes. God is not a woman. God is not a divine parent. Although He is presented in the masculine form, He is not a man like men walking around today. God is a holy and divine spirit. Cultural changes can make one lose the meaning of a passage and kill it’s effect if we are not careful.

 

Finally, back to the gender question that began all of this. One’s feelings might change, but a person’s gender does not. A person can have body parts added, or taken away. A person can take all kinds of hormone injections and pills to change the way they look, but none of those things will change the chromosomes that they were born with. This is getting very confusing and messy in our culture. It is not politically correct to say this and probably sexist and even goes against what I just wrote above, but in general men are stronger than women. Generally. You see this in the world of golf. There are men’s tees and women’s tees. You see this in basketball, there are women’s teams and men’s teams and the two do not play each other. Now some may be offended by all of this. In time, we will see men who couldn’t make it in men’s sports, declaring that they are a woman and competing with women. Gender identity is based upon feelings, not biology nor science. Feelings that swing with the wind and have no foundation, especially in Scriptures, are going to follow the drumbeat of culture and society. We march to a different beat. It’s the Gospel call that we listen to.

 

Don’t be offensive on purpose just because you are unwilling to change or have too much pride. But know the limits. Present the Gospel in a fact based discussion and stand your ground as necessary.

 

These are turbulent times, but they have always been that way! People love darkness because their deeds are evil. It is easier for some to try to change the Gospel message than it is to change their lives.

 

We preach Christ crucified!

 

Roger

 

27

Jump Start # 2232

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2232

Acts 8:2 “And some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.”

Stephen was dead. He died violently. The persecutors silenced his voice. Those that loved Stephen came and buried him. His life here was over. We have, in the chapter before, not only his last sermon, but one of the great synopsis of Old Testament history.

Recently I heard about the death of three different preachers. That leads to some thoughts about when the preacher dies, especially if he has not retired.

First, the preacher is like any other member. His death isn’t a time to put him in a shrine, bury him in the floor of the church basement or elevate him to some status that is neither Biblical nor what the humble servant would want. I’ve been to many Cathedrals in Europe. There are so many people buried in those buildings it becomes spooky and it takes away from Christ, the one we are to truly honor and worship.

Second, if the preacher was currently still working with a congregation at the time of his death there comes the thought of what to do with all his stuff. Most of us have libraries, files and files, and all kinds of office furniture and notebooks of bulletins and classes taught. In my case, it fills two large rooms. Tons of stuff. There must be a transition time for the family to clean out and clear out all these items and for the congregation to allow the next preacher to move in. For the family of the deceased preacher, the question arises as to what to do with all this stuff. Many do not have any idea. In many cases, the books are left for the church, as a donated library, which is very kind and generous, but truth be told, most of those books will never be touched. There is the thought to selling them, but there’s not much of a market on used books unless they are very rare. In most cases, passing them on to a younger preacher is one of the best things that can be done. But there is a lifetime of sermons, articles and classes to work through. Impatient brethren can stress a grieving family to hurry up and ‘get rid of this stuff.’

Third, as a new preacher takes over, there is a lot of uneasiness in the air. In many circumstances, the church wasn’t wanting to change preachers. Their preacher died. They loved him. This is hard on the next preacher. He must walk carefully and do his best to respect and honor the man who died. The new preacher will be different. We all have our own style and way of doing things. Sadly comparisons will be made. A few will make comments. It will hurt the new preacher, but he must carry on and in time he will win the hearts of the brethren as he continues to teach the truth and do a good work. It’s also very hard for the grieving family. They will continue to worship and instead of their husband or dad in the pulpit, it is someone else. Tread carefully. Be considerate. This is unique circumstances and be mindful of that. Great leadership will guide a church and a family through this together. Terrible leadership will add more pain to the extent that the grieving family is forced to leave because it is so uncomfortable there.

Fourth, life continues on. A death. A funeral. And, another Sunday comes around and it’s time to worship. The world doesn’t stop. We preachers must realize that we are replaceable. That’s the thought from our passage. Stephen died. People cried. Yet, the church continued to worship and grow. Life continued on. It will after each of us preachers are gone as well. Knowing this and realizing this, we can help a congregation survive and thrive after we are finished here. Equip the saints so they can stand and be mature. Teach others who can then teach others. Include others. Show others. Don’t be a one man player, but be a team player and involve others. This not only helps them, it helps the church, and it helps the church carry on after you are gone. Congregations that have two preachers, this transition period can be much smoother. We, preachers have worked hard all of our lives. We would hate to see all the good that has been done, fall apart simply because we are not there. Develop people. Train others. Show others. The work of the kingdom will continue on if we have done our jobs.

Fifth, Mr. Preacher, help your family to survive after your passing. I’ve known far too many stories of preachers who had no insurance, no equity in the home, and were basically living paycheck to paycheck for most of their lives. Their death ended the income coming in. The families had to borrow money just to bury the preacher. The house had to be sold and the poor preacher’s wife had to move into a small apartment and struggled the rest of her life. While alive, the preacher talked long and hard about stewardship, but when it came to finances, he didn’t practice what he preached. His poor family were literally poor. That lack of stewardship puts a bind on the congregation. They feel compelled to help out this family but why didn’t the preacher make preparations by having insurance and savings? Life insurance doesn’t cost that much. Some of us that are so good with the word of God are terrible with money. Get advice. Talk to others. Get help. You are not Superman and you will not be here for ever. Make plans. Get insurance. Get a will. We try to help others get ready spiritually, all the while too many of us haven’t done a thing to get ready physically. We can do better than that. This would be a good discussion for the shepherds to have with the preacher.

Hebrews tells us that it is appointed unto men to die once. That includes the preacher. Both the church and the preacher would do well to put some thought into that. These are thoughts that we don’t like to think about, but unless we do, situations will force us to make choices and decisions that often are not the best.

We are marching to Zion and each of us leave footprints for others to follow.

Roger

26

Jump Start # 2231

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2231

Job 38:3 “Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!”

Monday with Job. We’ve been looking at this series for the past few weeks. Our verse today is found near the end of the book. God finally speaks. He speaks to Job for the first time in this book. You and I know more about the background than Job was ever told. Job has been struggling with his emotions about God. He has been up and down. His friends continually pull him down and discourage him.

 

After the three rounds of speeches, Elihu, a fourth and younger friend, finally jumps into the debate. His speech is nearly five chapters long. No one replies to what he says. It is at this point that God speaks. And, what is amazing is what God says and what God doesn’t say.

 

First, what God says, is a series of questions. A bunch of questions. Over sixty questions that cover creation, weather, nature, and animals. God asks Job, “where were you” (38:4) and “have you ever in your life” (38:12), and “can you” (38:31) and “Do you know” (39:1)? Over and over God asks Job these questions. God knows, but does Job? God was there, but was Job? God can, but can Job? They cover snow, rain, clouds, and various animals.

 

What God asks are about visible and known things from the natural world. God doesn’t touch things such as DNA, atoms, electricity, black holes in space, genetics. Job would have no clue about those things. What God quizzes Job on are the things he would have seen in a typical day. Eagles flying in the sky, mountain goats off in the distance feeding, rain, clouds—those make up Job’s every day.

 

These numerous questions overwhelmed Job. He didn’t know the answers. He hadn’t thought about those things. Immediately, he is shown that he doesn’t run the universe and that he is not God. And, these were simply questions. The great moral questions God never brought up. If Job doesn’t know about mountain goats, can he truly grasp the concept of human suffering and the providence of God? He was demanding God to answer him, and yet, he couldn’t explain the everyday simple things.

 

There are great questions that you and I cannot answer. Oh, we can pretend to know, but we are neither in the position nor have the character of holiness to answer these questions. Job couldn’t answer about the mountain goat, but what about:

 

  • Prayers: which ones will be answered yes?
  • Allowing free-will, even if it hurts the innocent or blasphemies God’s name. Do you allow it or limit it?
  • What about those who have never heard of God? What do you do with them at the judgment?
  • When is it time to send Jesus to end all of this?
  • There is an appointed time to die. When do you decide that time for each person?
  • Do you allow Satan to do the worst to one of the best?

 

These are questions that only God can answer. This is what Job quickly learned. This is what you and I need to learn. We can be too smart for our own good. We can put everything in a neat category and think we have everything all figured out, but we don’t. We must stop trying to play God. We must stop trying to figure out whose in Heaven and who didn’t make it. Our knowledge can make us arrogant and that is dangerous.

 

Second, when God spoke to Job, there were things that He didn’t say. For instance:

  • God never told Job about Satan and the conversation they had that began all of this.

 

  • God never promised Job that things would turn around and get better. They do at the end of the book, but God never said that, not here.

 

  • God never told Job that he was doing a good job with all this suffering. At the end, God would say that Job had spoken rightly about the Lord. But not here. Not among these questions.

 

  • God did not give Job a pass for the things that he said. The rapid fire series of questions that God asks to Job are humbling. It is to show that you live in one little puzzle piece in this giant world that we do not see, understand nor comprehend. You, Job, are not an equal. You, Job, are not in the position to understand what is happening. You, Job, need to trust and believe.

 

We do well to walk through those questions of God. I have read commentators who concluded from Job that we can throw any attitude, shout, scream, question, and even demand from God. They see God allowing Job to do that and get away with that. My thoughts are these writers don’t understand the book of Job. God is not allowing Job to get away with these things. These questions are enough to make Job put his hand on his mouth and realize that he has spoken out of turn and he has talked too much.

 

If we really got the book of Job, we’d not ask, whether in anger or fear, “Why, God?” He doesn’t owe you an answer. You probably couldn’t understand it even if He were to answer. But greater than that is understanding that God is not responsible to us. He was doing fine long before we came along.

 

I’ve heard people proudly say in a Bible class, “Well, when I get to Heaven, I’m going to ask God why this happened?” Really? With such arrogance and misunderstand of your position and the holiness of God, you just might not make it to Heaven and if you did, you won’t be asking God with the expectation that He has to tell you the answer. That won’t happen. Just think of the mountain goat.

 

The trouble with the love of God and Jesus being our friend is that we can start to believe that we are equal with God. We can think that we are such buddies with God that He’s going to share some inside secrets with us and that He’ll tell us anything because we are just that close. Wrong. It’s time to climb off the throne and realize that He is God and we are not.

 

Someday, I want to get a little mountain goat figure to keep on my desk. I think looking at that would help me remember that I do not know as much as I think I do and that God is God and I need to watch what I say and honor Him, even when the way is tough.

 

It took God asking a handful of nature questions to get Job to see that. What’s it going to take for you and I to see this?

 

Roger

 

 

 

21

Jump Start # 2230

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2230

Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Note: With the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Jump Starts on Thursday or Friday this week.

Our verse today ends with the simple reminder, “and be thankful.” We get that reminder a lot around this time of year. Our preachers preach on thankfulness. Articles in the bulletin remind us to be thankful. Paul’s words weren’t a reminder because of a certain season or a national holiday. I tend to doubt the Romans had a national day of thanks and if they did, it would be to some pagan god that the Greeks had invented.

And be thankful, is simply a reminder of what we already know. It’s like your mom telling you to be nice when you were going over to a friend’s house. Being nice wasn’t a new concept or a change in your character, it was simply a reminder to be what you are, nice. And be thankful, is like that. It’s not the start of something new, but simply a reminder of what we are, thankful.

And be thankful, is a spirit and an attitude that we carry with us. It’s easy to see all that is wrong and all that needs fixing these days. Fires, shootings, political turmoil, crazy stock market, gloom and doom and too much of that and we forget to “ be thankful.” The thankful heart sees through all the wrong and still finds blessings, hope and good things. Being thankful is not ignoring problems, however, it’s not allowing the problems to set the course of our life, our attitudes or our moods.

I preached a funeral the other day. I found an expression that I really like and I used it over and over in that funeral. The quote says, “Do not cry because it’s over, be thankful for what you had.” The thankful heart has a way of looking back and seeing wonderful blessings, opportunities and precious memories.

Think about all the places you have been in your life. Some have traveled far away. But for those who haven’t, still think about all the things you have seen and all the places you have been. And, be thankful.

Think about all the people that you have met in your life. Many pass through and we barely remember them. But there are others, teachers, coaches, friends, brethren—they left something in our hearts and we remember them. They took time. They went out of their way. They opened doors for us to have a chance. And, be thankful.

Think about all those incredible sermons you have heard in your life. Our times have produced some of the finest preachers. They made Heaven seem so real. They taught us, reminded us, warned us and helped us so much. To this day, there are certain parts of those sermons that we still remember. And, be thankful.

Think about those early days when you went to visit your grandparents. Now, some of us didn’t have that blessing, but others did. I can still hear my grandma humming to a song on the radio as she went about her work in the kitchen. She’s been gone for a long time, but what fond memories of someone who loved the Lord and loved us. And, be thankful.

Think about those fun times with your family when you were small. Family trips. Fishing. Playing in the backyard. Sitting around the table on Thanksgiving day. Wonderful times. And, be thankful.

Think about how far you have come spiritually. You wouldn’t be reading this Jump Start if you didn’t have some love of the Lord running in you. The Lord has used you to help others. You may have taught Bible classes. You may have helped out during the VBS. Maybe you’ve had families over to your home. Who would have thought that you would be doing any of those things, but here you are. And, be thankful.

Think about your family that you love so much. Certainly there are things that you would like to get them to do, or see, but you love them. And, as they grow and start having their own families, you see this transition taking place. They are moving on their own. You like what you see. And, be thankful.

Think about you and the Lord. What a journey this has been. For some, it may have been up and down and in and out. You may have gone to the far country, the wilderness and every other place that you didn’t belong, but here you are. The Lord has been patient with you. The Lord has forgiven you. The Lord has blessed you. And, now, looking back, you see how the Lord has shaped your heart, and molded you into the person that you are today. You are much more compassionate today than you used to be. You listen more than you used to. You hold your tongue more and pray more. You offer to help out. That’s something you never did before. You stick around and talk to all kinds of people. You enjoy that. You find yourself not being so angry and not judging as you once did. You’ve changed and it’s because of the Lord. And, be thankful.

And, with this list of thankfulness, I add you our readers. If no one was reading these, I wouldn’t be writing these Jump Starts. But you are. You let me know that. Something special has happened. The Lord has blessed me to write and put me with a group of brethren that believe in these things which allows us to send these out and you are kind enough to read these. And, through this wonderful combination, good is being done. The right time, the right people, the right elements, and the good Lord and wonderful things have happened. And, be thankful.

I hope you each have a wonderful day today as well as tomorrow. And remember, be thankful.

Roger