16

Jump Start # 2446

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2446

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

 

Last week marked an anniversary that is little remembered outside of those who love religious history. October 6th, is the anniversary of the death of William Tyndale, the English translator of the Bible. His death was violent, cruel and offensive. He was strangled and then burned at the stake. His crime was putting God’s word into the English language and making it available to the common man. It wasn’t the pagan infidels that executed Tyndale, but the powerful arm of the Catholic church. Tyndale’s work in translating the Bible was but one of many doors opening up to the reformation movement that changed Europe and eventually led to puritans fleeing to America and the establishment within our constitution of freedom of religion.

 

It is hard for us today, when we have Bibles by the dozens in our homes, on our phones, on tablets and in the song book racks at the church house, to imagine a time when people did not have the word of God. Worse, the powerful and corrupt church banned the citizens from having a copy of the Bible. Among the books that were forbidden and outlawed, was the Bible. The church controlled the message and the mind of the people. The less they knew, the more the church could get away with things. Corruption and power became the core ingredients among the hierarchy of the church. No one could question what they did because no one had access to the word of God. These powerful leaders became more than the voice of God, they in many ways acted as if they were God.

 

Men like Tyndale, who knew what they were doing was against the law and who could very well lose their lives, understood that the Gospel was to be preached to every person. Every man and woman had the right to know God’s saving message. Tyndale, Luther, Zwingli, Hus and a host of others, spread throughout Europe risked everything, including their very lives, to open the eyes and hearts of a darkened world to the wonderful word of God. These men were courageous. When caught, their writings were burned, they were abused and executed. The church tried to stamp out, much like Saul of Tarsus tried to stamp out Christianity, what these men were doing. But somehow, likely through the providence of God, their writings trickled through the cracks of the hands of opposition. A movement stated. Like a prairie wildfire it spread over the world. And, today, although we do not realize it, having Bibles in our hands and in our language is traced back to the early work of these courageous believers.

 

It’s hard for us to imagine sitting through sermons or Bible classes without a Bible in hand. It’s hard for us to imagine not being able to read God’s word each day. The word of God changes our lives. It brings hope to those who are fearful and discouraged. It convicts us and drives us to the cross of Jesus. It shows us the way that God intended. When we step away from God’s word and we start making our own ideas law we soon find that we have left the path of the Lord. It is sad to see so many churches today, filled with people who have no clue what the Bible says. In many ways we are just the opposite of those dark days of Tyndale. In his time people didn’t know because they didn’t have the Bible. Today, people don’t know because they don’t care to read God’s word. They are satisfied to let a church tell them what is right and what is wrong.

 

One lesson we ought to see in the life of Tyndale is the courage to stand up, take risks and do what is right. He loved the Lord more than his own life. He knew what could happen. Others had been executed before him. Yet, onward he marched in translating God’s word into the English language. He feared not man, church nor government. He stood with what was right. His spirit, similar to those apostles in Jerusalem who were told to no longer preach Jesus, continued to do that very thing.

 

Our times may call for such courage again. To not fear government, man, nor punishment. To stand for what is right. To do what is right. To not be silenced because it is not popular or politically correct. To walk with God’s faithful have always walked. Sometimes that put them in fiery furnaces, lion’s dens and in prisons, yet they did not stop doing what was right. Our souls are greater than our lives. God’s word is greater than us. When secular politicians make claims that churches will have to accept what they want, rather than what God wants or face the consequences, it’s time for us to stand up, and declare, bring on the consequences because we have drawn a line in the sand with God and it is with God that we stand.

 

Will Tyndale be in Heaven? That’s up to God. I’d like to think so, but I don’t know. A greater question is, will you be in Heaven? You have what Tyndale always dreamed of, having God’s word easily available in your language. Do you use it? Do you read it? Do you follow it?

 

A sad anniversary in religious history, but a grand accomplishment that we appreciate even today!

 

Roger

 

 

15

Jump Start # 2445

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2445

Genesis 22:10 “Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”

 

This is one of the most remarkable acts of faith and trusts found in the Bible. God tested Abraham. He was told to take Isaac, the son of promise and sacrifice him. It was a three days journey to get to the place where God wanted this done. For three days Abraham had this rolling around in his mind. For three days Abraham looked at his son and wondered how all of this was going to work out. For three days Abraham thought about how a human sacrifice fits in with God’s plans. God didn’t just ask Abraham to kill Isaac. It was more than a sacrifice. The text tells us that Isaac was to be a burnt offering. When Israel would offer burnt offerings, a live lamb was tied up, it’s throat was slit and as the animal was gasping for air, the blood was collected. Then a fire was lit and the animal was burned. There wasn’t much left after a burnt offering. And, now God expected Abraham to do this to his son, Isaac. How could there be a resurrection if Isaac was burned up? What if there was nothing left? There are enough questions there for most of us to pause and reconsider all of this. But not Abraham. He got up early and with Isaac, headed to the mountain to do what God said.

 

There are two immediate things we must remember. This wasn’t theory. This wasn’t a table talk before the Lord’s Supper where someone talks about how hard it would be to sacrifice a child. This wasn’t a discussion in a Bible class. This wasn’t words written in a Jump Start. Abraham got up early and went, knowing this is what God wanted to do.

 

Second, God didn’t stop Abraham that first day. He didn’t say, “Wow, you got up early and you really mean business. That’s good enough for me.” No, that didn’t happen. Nor, did God stop Abraham on the second day. Even, on the third day, when Abraham and Isaac left the servants and went to the place of worship. God didn’t stop him. Not even when he built the altar, nor when he put the wood under it. God didn’t stop him when he tied Isaac up and laid him on the altar. Each of these moments, I would have thought, God is going to speak. But He didn’t. Abraham picked up the knife, and nothing from Heaven. He stretched out his hand, which likely meant, he was holding Isaac’s head back to expose the throat. The next thing to do was to slice the throat and it was at that final moment that Heaven spoke and God told Abraham to stop. Abraham stayed with it until the very end.

 

From all of this I wonder if we sometimes stop too early in a challenge. Things are hard. Things are uncomfortable. We feel that we’ve done our part. We think we’ve gone far enough. For us, just leaving the house with Isaac may be enough. But it wasn’t in the Biblical story. For us, going to the mountain would be enough. That’s three days out of our schedule, surely that’s enough. Surely, that shows God we are serious. But with Abraham it wasn’t until his hand was stretched out and a knife was ready to cut Isaac’s throat, that God spoke.

 

It’s not up to us to determine when a challenge is over. It’s not up to us to declare, we’ve shown enough faith. It’s not up to us to reason things out and justify why we do not have to do what God expects. Here’s some examples:

 

Withdrawing yourselves from brethren who do not walk with the Lord is not easy. This can be awkward, hurt friendships and much too often, it’s just ignored. For the purity and unity of the church this needs to be practiced, but we don’t want to because we don’t like it. Some may think we are uppity or they may point fingers at our own failures, so, we just pretend all is fine. And, what we have done is not even left our house, gone to the mountain, built an altar and bound up Isaac and stretched out our hand. No, none of that stuff. We just ignored God on this one. It’ll be ok, we try to convince ourselves. We try to hide behind love, but if we really loved, we’d do what God says.

 

Hating father and mother more than Jesus. That’s another tough one. Now, we are talking about family. The family is getting together on Sunday and they expect me to be there. I can influence them by being there and if I’m not, they may all believe that I’m part of some weird cult. With family, I may laugh at things that are not funny, I may engage in activities that I should not, but it’s ok, it’s family. I keep telling myself these things. Did I go to the mountain with Isaac? Did I build an altar as God said? Did I tie up Isaac? Did I stretch out my hand? No, I didn’t do any of those things, but God understands. Does He? God knows I love Him? Does He?

 

Take up your cross and follow Me. Can’t be a disciple until we do that. However, crosses are heavy, and I have a bad back. Crosses are rough and they might snag my clothes. And, there is no hiding a cross. It’s so obvious. And, crosses meant death. No one came home from the cross alive, not even Jesus. Can’t I carry a little metal cross in my pocket? Isn’t that the same thing? Isn’t it enough that I sometimes go to church on Sunday if nothing else is going on? And, what have we done? We’ve stayed home, picked up a knife, stretched out our hand over some jelly and spread it on some bread as we sit in a comfortable chair.

 

Challenges are just that, challenges. They are mountains that must be climbed. They are moments alone in a lion’s den. They are fiery furnaces. They are impassible seas with the enemy closing in. They are nights in prison after being beaten. They are taking your Isaac to an altar, tying him up, stretching out your hand, and with a knife in the other hand, preparing to do what God says.

 

The account of Abraham ends with God declaring, “Now I know you fear God.” Not only did God know, Abraham knew. Isaac knew. Satan knew. When they got home, Sarah knew. And, today, you and I know. You’ll have tough challenges in your life. The hardest may still be ahead of you. Trust God, even with it seems too hard and you don’t think you can go on. Trust God when it’s easier to quit and disobey Him. Trust God when you don’t think you can, because you can.

 

Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife…

 

Roger

 

14

Jump Start # 2444

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2444

Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

   Our verse today deals with attitudes that will wreck the path that we are on and ruin all the good that we have accomplished. These six words are connected and one leads to the next. These words are relationship words. They reflect how one feels and treats others. These words also show a heart that is empty of Jesus. And, by the expression, “be put away from you,” these attitudes can be stopped and tossed out of our lives.

 

The first in this long series of train wreck is bitterness. You won’t find a smile upon the face of a bitter person. Miserable, sour and mean—that’s the bitter person. And, the bitter person tries to make others just as miserable as he is.

 

I know some bitter people. They are certainly no fun to be around. It’s hard to talk to a bitter person. They are likely to shoot everything you say down. They don’t want solutions. They don’t want hope and future. Doom and despair is the life of the bitter person.

 

There are countless reasons why some are bitter. Some feel that they have been cheated by life. Others got things they never did. They had to work hard, but they never saw the benefits like others did. They didn’t have the open doors like others did. Some are bitter because the way they feel others have treated them. Some are bitter because they are jealous. Some are bitter, but they are not sure why, they just are.

 

It’s hard to understand why a person would stay bitter, but many do. Many have been bitter for decades. They are mad at God. They are upset at the church. They don’t like brethren. Some, hate the job they work at. And, the odd thing to me is that so many remain bitter. They don’t work on getting rid of their bitterness. You get the impression that some like to be miserable. They would rather complain than compliment. They would rather see what’s wrong than what’s right. They aren’t happy unless others are unhappy. Gloom and doom.

 

Bitterness in a marriage is a sure death. It’s hard to be close to someone who is always complaining and against everything. Bitterness in a congregation is certain to stop growth and kill momentum. There is no ‘I’m happy today, I’m happy today,’ from the lips of a bitter person. A bitter person would find something wrong with Heaven, if he ever made it there.

 

So, the key to killing bitterness is simply to stop it. Lay it aside, is what our verse tells us. Count your blessings. Look at what the Lord has done for you. Get over yourself and do something for someone else.

 

There are some things that should not be tolerated, and bitterness is one of them. Left alone, bitterness invites anger and wrath to tag along. Now, you really have problems. Bitterness doesn’t see straight and it doesn’t think clearly. Bitterness belongs to the world and not the child of God.

 

So, life hasn’t been fair to you…pray.

So, others got things you never did…rejoice for them.

So, some had it easier than you did…grow.

So, someone let you down…forgive.

So, you feel left out and alone…connect.

So, you are upset and angry…get over it.

So, you never got what you deserve…be thankful.

 

You can tell when bitterness is starting up in you. It’s like having a fever. It starts slowly and gradually. Left alone, it’ll take over. Bitterness will do the same. Stop looking around so much at others and comparing. Lift up your eyes and see what the Lord has done for you.

 

It’s time to toss the bitterness. Best start now, before it gets too late.

 

Roger

 

04

Jump Start October Notice

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Leave a comment

Jump Start Notice

Jump Starts are taking a week off. It’s time to try to refill the bucket some and catch up with some other needed tasks. We plan to be back with you on Monday Oct 14th. You can always find previous writings on our website (www.Jumpstartsdaily.com).

Thank you

 

Roger

 

04

Jump Start # 2443

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2443

1 Corinthians 5:13 “But those who are outside God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”

 

Our verse today is a tough one. You won’t find this one cross-stitched on a pillow. You won’t see this as a stencil on a wall. It’s serious words about a serious problem. An immoral Christian was polluting the church. His disregard for the commands of God was insulting to all righteous people. He was living sexually with his father’s wife, which either meant his own mom or his step-mom. Either way, it was wrong. This woman belonged to his father and not him. So outlandish was this, that even the Gentiles knew this was inappropriate. And, to make matters worse, nothing was being done. Nothing.

 

An entire chapter is dedicated to this problem. The words are plain throughout this chapter:

  • Removed from your midst (2)
  • Deliver such a one to Satan (5)
  • Clean out the old leaven (7)
  • Remove the wicked man from among yourselves (13)

 

Do you think Paul made his point? Is the picture clear? This guy was not in fellowship with God, so why was the church fellowshipping him? Why were they acting like nothing was wrong? Were they afraid of him? Did his daddy start the church? Was he a big giver? Was there a threat of a lawsuit? Might the church split? Whatever the reason, the church accepted him like everyone else. Paul was livid. He was through with this. Remove him. Those words first come to us from Deuteronomy where ungodly people in Israel were cast out of the nation.

 

And, all of this leads us to this powerful point. God gave shepherds the responsibility to guard the flock. They need to protect us from immoral influences, false teaching, divisive attitudes and slanderous tongues. If a person is causing trouble, they need to be told to stop. If they won’t, they need to be shown the door.

 

It’s that last statement that causes most of us to raise our eyebrows. You mean a church can prohibit some of it’s own members from attending? Yes. You mean a church has the right to say to one of their own members, you have to leave? Yes. You mean I can’t say anything I feel like? That’s right. You can’t. If it hurts others, tears apart the unity, undermines the leadership, sows discord, then if one won’t stop and repent, it’s time to hit the road.

 

I don’t know how many stories I have heard, just this year, of brethren causing remarkable trouble in congregations and acting as if they are untouchable. It’s time for God’s leaders to once again start “guarding the flock” as Paul said in Acts to the Ephesian elders. Guard it. Protect it. Don’t allow trouble in. Don’t allow trouble to stay.

 

A lot of church problems would be eliminated if we removed troublemakers who do not want to follow the N.T. pattern. Maybe some congregations would have been spared a split had troublesome mouths been shown the door. The work of trouble much too often takes place behind the scenes. It’s emails and texts that are sent to certain people. It’s finding those of kindred spirits who are not content to follow Christ, and a rebel who has an agenda to change things. He spreads his poison, one by one. Word gets around and nothing is said. More and more are fed lies, distortions and half truths. Words are taken out of context. Passages abused. Brethren are stirred up. Confusion fills the air. Everyone knows about it, but nothing is done. This continues until the leaders resign, the preacher quits and the rebels take over. It’s nothing more than a mutiny and who is cast into the little row boat? It is Jesus. His way is cast overboard as radicals introduce new ways to worship and new ways to do things, none of which come from the Bible. Tragically, the church splinters. The faithful few try to hold on, but the rebels have the majority and the power. All the good that was done has been lost. Young people see the fighting and are so discouraged that they want nothing to do with Christianity.

 

And, to think, it didn’t have to happen that way. Had folks stuck with the Bible and “removed the wicked man from among them,” much of this would have died down. Truth would have prevailed. The Scriptures would have been followed.

 

We understand this at home. You come home and the kids have a movie on and there is a lot of bad language. Do you just ignore it and let them watch it? Never. You turn to something else, or you turn it off. You come home and there is a friend of one of your kids smoking, in your house, in front of your kids. Would you find him an ashtray and let him continue? Never. You’d tell him to put it out and you’d likely put him out. Suppose at Thanksgiving, an uncle wants to give one of your kids a taste of beer. You allow that? Never. You take the beer way, scold the uncle and if necessary, don’t invite him again. We do these things to protect our children.

 

Why is it that we don’t protect the church? Why is it we allow any goofball thing to be said, or any divisive attitude to exist and we walk away and ignore it?

 

I’ve been in all kinds of church buildings…big ones, little ones, old ones, and new ones. Some in the city and some way out in the country. One thing every church building has, a door. Maybe it’s time we started using it and showing those who are not interested in following Christ the way out. Protect our church. Keep them safe. If one won’t abide by the N.T., even though he be one of us, it’s time to show him the door.

 

Remove the wicked man from among you! Stop pretending he’s one of us, when his true colors show that he is not.

 

Roger