16

Jump Start # 2489

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

Jump Start # 2489

Acts 9:36 “Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.”

The holiday season is upon us. One of the many traditions that so many have is watching Christmas shows. Often, we watch the same ones year after year. I do that. Have to get in Frosty, Rudolph, Grinch, then Christmas Carol and always, It’s a wonderful life. Kids today probably couldn’t stand five minutes of that because it’s in black and white and there’s too much talking. But what a great story line. It always makes one think. It’s more than, would I be missed if I died. What difference have I made in this world. What if, in the case of George Bailey, you had never been born.

Those thoughts take us to our verse today about Tabitha. We are not told much about her. Was she a widow like the others who surrounded her? Did she have children? In my mind she seems like a senior citizen, but that’s just me.

We notice three things about Tabitha:

First, she was a disciple. She believed Jesus. She belonged to Him. There were choices that made that possible. She worshipped with those early Christians. She longed for a heavenly home as all disciples do.

Second, she cared about others. She abounded in deeds of kindness and charity. She was generous. Kindness and giving go together. It’s hard to give when one isn’t kind. And, to be kind, naturally leads to doing kind things, such as giving. Later in the text, some of the widows were showing the garments that Tabitha made. I expect they were admiring the detail and the craftsmanship and the love that she poured into each garment.

Third, others reached out for her. She got sick. She died. Peter was called. Peter came. Peter brought her back to life. I’m sure the widows around her were so happy to have her back. I’m not certain that Tabitha was happy. The Bible doesn’t say. But once a person has made it safely to the other side, I don’t think that they would want to come back here. This place is a mess. Temptation, worries, stress, troubles, bad news, wickedness, problems—that’s every day on this side of life. But where she was, she didn’t have any of those things. Leave her be seems to be the best thing that Peter could have done. But the power of the Gospel and showing that God has all authority, even over death, it necessitated a few resurrections. Poor Tabitha had to come back and eventually, die again.

But what I find remarkable about this story is how she made a difference. George Bailey wondered that in “It’s a wonderful life.” Disciples shouldn’t have to wonder about that. Now, what Tabitha did wasn’t something uniquely Christian. Lots of people have made clothes through the years. It didn’t take being a disciple to do that. And, I expect she wasn’t the first one to ever give things away. Others have done things like that.

She wrote no books of the Bible. She never preformed a miracle. She never, as far as we know, met Jesus while He was on the earth. Nothing is said about her cooking for the apostles or letting them crash at her place. No spiritual gifts are mentioned. No prophecy. No starting a church in her house. No supporting the apostles financially. Nope. None of those things can be found in the text surrounding her.

What did she do? She made some clothes and with kindness, gave them to others. That doesn’t seem like a big deal. That hardly seems worth even mentioning in the Bible. A few widows were touched by her generosity. But what she did was make a difference to those few people around her. She had a talent and she found a way to use that talent to encourage others. She put the kingdom before others. I suppose she may have been able to sell those garments. She may have started a little side job of having her own dress shop. But that doesn’t seem to be the case here.

So, as a disciple are you making a difference where you are? Maybe you can’t preach. Maybe you can’t serve publically. Maybe you can’t go to foreign lands. Tabitha couldn’t do those things either. But to those widows she was special. They sent for Peter because of her. Don’t overlook little things, simple things or the things that anyone could do. So often, we think because anyone could do them, someone is. And, many times they are not. Sending a card, nothing spectacular about that except that it shows you care. Giving a gift card to a college student. Nothing hard about that. It shows that you care. Taking a family out to eat with you and paying for their meal. That won’t make the news, but it shows you care.

How about making some tunics? That’s what Tabitha did. The Bible doesn’t even say if they were made of purple, which was the color of wealth back then. Doubt it. She made and she shared. She touched the lives of others.

Maybe you can’t write a Jump Start. You can send it on to someone else. Maybe you can teach your friend, but you can find someone who can. Tabitha sewed. Maybe for you, it’s cooking. Maybe for you, it’s spending a Saturday helping someone move. Maybe it’s trying to fix someone’s car that won’t start. Maybe it’s babysitting for a few hours. Maybe it’s sitting with someone in a surgery waiting room. Maybe it’s dropping by and bringing the preacher some donuts as someone did for me today. Simple gifts. Acts of kindness. Showing that you care.

Now, when you put some years behind this and push this a bit, you’ll leave a long trail of doing good. And, the thing is, you often do not remember what you did. That’s the real secret of making this work. You do something nice and never say anything about it. I had gotten someone a few books years ago. Didn’t even remember it. When I saw him years later, he remembered. He was still thanking me. I had completely forgotten. I expect all over that little village and throughout that congregation, Tabitha had made all kinds of clothing for others. That’s what kind people do. They find something they can do and they just spend a lifetime doing it.

All of this is nothing more than letting our light shine. Using our talents to encourage and help others. Tabitha did it. You can do it. Don’t have a George Bailey moment where you wonder if you are making any difference. It ought to be apparent that you are. Lift up your eyes. Look around. There’s all kinds of folks that you can put a little sunshine into their day.

Way to go, Tabitha. You made a difference and Heaven saw that!

Roger

13

Jump Start # 2488

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2488

Ecclesiastes 3:7 “A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; a time to be silent and a time to speak.”

Here in this famous section that we commonly call the seasons of life, Solomon, in a series of fourteen couplets or opposites, paints for us a picture of the right time. There is a time, he says. In the verse we are looking at, there is a time to be silent and a time to speak.

What Solomon doesn’t do is tell us when those times are. Just when should I be silent and when should I speak? Often, we speak when we should have been silent. And, there are times that we keep silent when saying something would have been appropriate.

When to keep silent: I don’t always get this one right, but I will share some observations.

First, we need to let the other person finish talking. Often, we hear just enough and we are ready to respond. We interrupt. We starting formulating a rebuttal. And, by not listening completely, we can jump to the wrong conclusions, assume the worst, accuse without all the facts and be ready to pronounce a judgment on someone who we may actually agree with. We just didn’t hear him out.

Parents need to do this with their children. Shepherds must do this with the sheep. Now, some folks take a long time getting to the point. Some, the way they tell a story, leaves you dizzy and in a fog. Be patient. Be kind. This is what you would want someone doing with you.

Second, we need to hold our opinions. We don’t have to express our feelings upon every subject. You’ll see those that do. They have to have the first word, the middle word and the last word. You can keep things to yourself. Some thoughts just do not have to be shared. Drama, dog fights, hurt feelings often come because someone couldn’t keep quiet about a topic. In the New Testament, James says, be quick to hear and slow to speak. We often get those two backwards, and are talking more than we are listening.

Third, comfort is often best expressed in silence. Job’s friends came and sat for a week without saying any words. That was about the best week Job had in that book. When they decided to talk, things went down hill. You don’t have to say anything at a funeral. Just come. Hug. Be there. Presence means more than words. A handshake. Holding hands. You can’t put words on those kind deeds.

Fourth, when you haven’t thought things out in your mind. That’s a time to be silent. We really mess that up in a Bible class. Off the top of our heads, we ask things that can be controversial, wrong, and just not thought out. The first thought that floats across our minds we feel compelled to express it out loud. A person needs to remember who all is in the class. Will your comment do more harm than good? A person needs to understand the flow of the class. Some questions have nothing to do with what is being talked about. Some questions require us to spend a little time thinking them out ourselves before we ask others.

There is a time to be silent.

But then, there is a time to speak. What about those times?

First, in worship we need to speak to one another and to God through songs. We need to lift up our voices. We need to express to God how much we love Him. We need to let brethren know how important they are to us.

Second, when we can help someone be more accurate with God’s word. Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures and fervent in spirit. However, all he knew was the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took Apollos aside and taught him more accurately. The key here is that they took him aside. They didn’t make a scene going out the church door. They didn’t threaten to label him a false teacher. They didn’t destroy his spirit. But, they did speak to him. They didn’t leave it for someone else to do. They loved the truth of God’s word enough to say something. There is a time to speak.

Third, when the element of forgiveness is in the air, we need to speak. It may be apologizing to someone. We need to speak. We need to be clear. We need not dance around the subject, nor hide behind empty excuses. If you did wrong, admit it. Say it. But, then on the other end, when someone apologies to us, they need to hear that we forgive them. Say that. Let it be know that we hold no ill towards them. Let them know that you love them.

A time to be silent and a time to speak. We certainly could use some help in these areas.

Roger

12

Jump Start # 2487

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2487

James 1:17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

Our verse today reminds us that with God there is no variation. That word simply means change. God doesn’t change, and that’s a good thing. It’s good for many reasons. It seems that everything else changes. As one gets older, you tend to notice changes more. Things are not the way they once were. This is part of life—it’s never stationary. It’s always changing.

For instance, seasons change, especially where I live. Within one day a person can go from having the air conditioner on to ending the day by turning on the furnace. The common thought in these parts is if you don’t like the weather, just wait, it always changes. A young man has moved up to our area from Florida. I asked him if he was ready for winter. He said, “I have a jacket.” I said, “Son, up here, you need boots, gloves, scarf, hat, and a coat. Then you need an ice scraper for your car.” He said, “That’s going to be expensive.” I just smiled and handed him a super sized ice scraper.

Stores close. Churches close. Buildings are torn down. New houses go up in what was once corn fields. The cute puppy becomes an old dog that sleeps most of the day. Cuddly little grandchildren grow up and start driving, dating and getting married. Our favorite teachers retire. Our preachers move. New software and new phones challenges us because they are different.

People shop differently today, often without leaving their house. Groceries are delivered. You can pay someone to string your Christmas lights, walk your dog and drive you to the airport. My, oh my, things change. My dear dad who is in his 90’s, lived in a house without electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Just in his time, we’ve put men on the moon, can send a picture from a cell phone across the planet in seconds, do your banking without leaving the house, transplant hearts, replace hips, and have diapers that change colors when they need changing. Our ovens clean themselves. Microwaves heat food in seconds. Our cars have heated seats and cameras that show you what’s behind you. We can livestream our worship and even watch a sermon months after it was preached. Our copy machines can copy, fold and staple booklets in seconds. On my office wall I have a couple of framed religious magazines from the 1840’s-1850’s. Those articles were hand written and then sent to a type setter and in the course of several long days the papers were published. I could do it all before lunch with the technology today.

Life is always changing. It seems that nothing stays the same. But here are some things to keep in mind:

First, we still die. We may be living longer today, but we are still dying. There is no escaping that. That has been going on since Cain killed Able. Death brings sadness. Death casts one into eternity. Death ends things here. Whether we talk about a young family living in a log cabin in the wilderness in the early 1800’s, or in a village in Europe in the 1200’s, or in the first century, or today, we still die. Just in the news around here, a police officer was killed. A young school boy was killed crossing a street. A drug addict died of an overdose. An elderly person in a nursing home died. This could be in any town. This is every day. Some things never change.

Second, our natures do not change. Since the Bible was first written, we struggle with sin. We fight temptation. We have attitudes, some good, some not so good. We have guilt. We must decide whether or not to forgive. David, from his rooftop, looked at a woman bathing. That temptation is the same as a man looking at a porn site. King Saul was angry and threw a spear. That temptation is the same as someone grabbing a gun and shooting. The prodigal’s older brother who refused to welcome and forgive the prodigal is just about the same as a church member who avoids another because he doesn’t like him. What makes the Bible so real to us is that the people in the Bible are not much different than you and i. Choices. Right and wrong. Good and evil. That’s what Adam faced. That’s what Cain faced. That’s what you and I face. What did people back then worry about? Family. Health. Money. Some things never change.

Third, from our passage, God doesn’t change. He is the same. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. Past, present and future. God is the same. He loves you. He wants you to trust Him, obey Him and follow Him. He knows you can do it and He wants you to do it. Ancient Israel worshipped on Saturday. The early disciples worshipped on Sunday. However, faith, devotion, pleasing God remained the same. The Gospel message that saved Lydia, will save you. The hope of the Gospel that encouraged a depressed Paul, answered the questions of the Corinthians, and gave courage to the persecuted, still works on you. The way to be saved remains the same. The God that Abraham prayed to, is the same God that you can pray to. The same Bible that brought salvation to the villages of Europe, can bring salvation to your heart.

God hasn’t gotten old on us. We haven’t missed His best years. I’ve gone to concerts before where the performer couldn’t hit some of the high notes anymore. Some do not even try to sing some of their most famous songs because they can no longer do them. Their best years are behind them. It’s not that way with God. He’s just as strong, wise and loving as He has ever been. He’s got the best for you, just as He did for those early believers. God’s not going to have a bad day. You are not going to catch Him in a bad mood. God doesn’t change. The loving God that wants me to come home to Him is the same. He is the same today, as He was yesterday, as He will be tomorrow.

Some things never change. We could add that God’s message doesn’t change. Oh, some are trying to make the Bible politically correct, and make it say things that it doesn’t say, and make it accept things that God considers sin. But, it won’t work. God’s word never changes. It transcends all cultures and all times. In good times and bad times, in happy times and in sad times, one can count on the word of God being the same. The Bible is the same here as it is there. The Bible is the same today as it will be tomorrow. Some things never change.

I read about a man who is trying to marry his robot. How dumb can some become. I suppose down the road when they make a prettier robot, this guy will divorce his robot so he can marry another. What about all of that? Could it be possible? Can you marry your dog? How about marrying a hotdog? There is no end to how far some will sink. But some things never change. What God says about marriage remains the same.

So, in our changing times, it’s important to see that some things never change.

Roger

11

Jump Start # 2486

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2486

Psalms 55:6 “I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”

Her name is Linda. And, this is her verse. She quoted this expression many times. Her children grew up hearing this verse over and over. She is a kind and sweet disciple of Jesus. I am blessed to consider her a friend. I have been to her home dozens of time and eaten many wonderful meals that she cooked. She is simple. She is hard working. The world would look right past her and declare that she is just a common nobody. But to the Lord, she is one of His. She took hold of the Lord’s hand and never looked back. For decades she taught Bible classes to children. All of my children were taught by her. She guided those curious hearts and energetic minds to the wonderful and powerful stories of the Bible. Throughout central Indiana I would expect that there are literally hundreds of Christians who were taught by this wonderful and gifted disciple of Jesus. I know this family. They are dear to me. Her two sons, her only children, both are preachers of the Gospel. That really doesn’t surprise anyone that knew her. It would be hard to grow up in this home and not have a deep love for the Lord and a cherished respect for God’s word.

And, now, sweet Linda, like the wings of a dove, got to fly home to the Lord, whom she has loved all of her life.

The setting of this verse is a tough one. It’s not one of those happy, sunshine passages of the Bible. What it is, is reality. It’s where many of us are. It’s dark days. It’s troublesome times. It’s are hearts being vexed and pained by evil around us. It’s seeing things that shouldn’t be. It’s wondering about justice, fairness and rightness.

The Psalmist declares that he is restless because of the voice of the wicked. He admits that he is in anguish. Fear, trembling, and horror overcome him. He prays for the Lord to end this reign of wickedness. Morning, noon and night he beseeches the Lord to hear him and to move quickly. He feels overwhelmed. He feels crushed and outnumbered. And, it is in this setting, that he wishes he could just fly away. “Oh, that I had the wings like a dove,” he pleads, “I would fly away and be at rest.”

Southwest Airlines used to run ads with the slogan, “Wanna get away?” There are times we do. There are times we get weary of going to work. Someone asks, “How long until you can retire?” We sigh. It’s so far out there, we don’t want to think about it. There are times folks in the city want to get away from all the noise, traffic and clutter and move out to the country. There are times when a mom looks at all the house work that needs to be done, kids that are fighting, and she just wants to get away. There comes a point when a student in college is tired of classes, papers and studying. The end is in sight and someone asks, “Are you going on for an advanced degree?” Not now. Just want to get away. Kids in sports feel this way. They have been playing team ball for years. Played through high school. Dad hopes they will go on and play in college. But they are burned out. They are tired of all the practices and traveling. They just want a normal life, whatever that is.

We all feel that way from time to time. Stress. Boredom. Feeling trapped. Feeling stuck. Believing the grass on the other side of the fence is not only greener, but better. We have to deal with these things. When we don’t, this is when some make foolish choices, such as walking out of a marriage or having an affair.

But for our Psalmist, it wasn’t the kids at home, or, work that made him feel this way. It was the atmosphere, the environment, the spiritual condition of those around him. Not only did they not follow the Lord, but they made his life uncomfortable because he did. It was tough. He wanted to get away.

The Lord, in the garden before the cross, asked if there was another way. But there wasn’t. Often times, there isn’t. We can’t leave this planet. We can’t build a monastery and all live together. That sounds wonderful, but God needs us out in the world. God needs us to be His light, His hands and His feet. God expects us to be busy in the kingdom.

Just imagine for a moment, what the world would look like if all of God’s people could fly away.

First, the world would be so much darker. There would be no spiritual light anywhere. Error, wickedness and falsehood would become the norm. There would be no places to worship. There would be no kindness, grace or forgiveness.

Second, there would be no one to remind others that they shouldn’t say certain things. There would be no one holding others to a higher standard. There would be no moral accountability. Right and wrong, would have no definitions. Wrong for one, may very well be right for another. There would be no absolute standard, because no one would know the word of God.

Third, hope, optimism and something to look forward to would be gone. Misery would prevail. Dark thoughts and dark days would occupy men’s minds. The hope of Heaven would be a distant pipe dream. Every funeral would end with the belief that this is it. There would be no reason and no motive to be good, honest or decent.

Oh, I understand the desire to have the wings of a dove and fly away. Every time I watch a Christian take their final breath and I realize that angels are carrying that soul to Paradise, I long to go with them. This world makes us tired. We get weary of lying politicians who bend and break the rules as they want. We get tired of Hollywood flaunting indecency and profaning the Lord’s holy name. We get tired of seeing people living for today and making shallow and vain choices to satisfy their desire to be happy and only happy.

Oh, just to fly out of this place. But we can’t. We shouldn’t. God needs us here. We are the only Bible that the world will ever see. The world needs to see marriages that thrive. The world needs to see grace and forgiveness in action. The world needs to see lives that have been changed because of Jesus. The world needs to see passionate worship that is Biblical and pleasing to the Lord. The world needs to see righteous hearts and character that surrounds Jesus Christ. The world needs to see unity that is real and cross based. The world needs to see hope. The world needs to see that we live for things beyond our own happiness. The world needs to see joy, commitment and dedication. The world needs to see us.

And, sweet Linda showed the world all of this. And, last week, it wasn’t doves, but it was the angels of Heaven that carried this kind soul to the Lord that she loved so much. This week I hold the honor of speaking at her funeral. This passage will forever remind me of this wonderful soul that simply did what we all ought to be doing, walking with the Lord daily and giving our all to those we love. A heart touched by Jesus is easy to spot. And, dear Linda certainly had such a heart.

Oh, that I had the wings of a dove…

Roger

10

Jump Start # 2485

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2485

Acts 4:10 “Let it be known to you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name this man stands before you in good health.”

The other day I was out and about driving and saw a sign on a church building, “Come have breakfast with Jesus and Santa.” Jesus and Santa—together. Together at breakfast. Come eat a bite and get your picture taken with Santa and with Jesus.

All kinds of thoughts raced through my head as I thought about that. Here are a few:

First, I suppose breakfast with only Santa doesn’t go well at a church. You have to toss Jesus in there somewhere.

Second, which one do you think most kids would rather see? I think the answer is pretty obvious.

Third, as these kids grow up and learn the truth about Santa, what are they going to think about Jesus? If you’re good Santa gives you what you want. I suppose they would think that the same works for Jesus. Just be good and Jesus will give you what you want. We know the truth about Santa. Is Jesus make believe?

Fourth, I don’t know how this church was going to work the lines, but, if Jesus was at one table and Santa at the other, most of the kids would be at the Santa table.

Fifth, what’s this Jesus going to tell children? Be nice? Behave?

Sixth, Santa pretty much looks the same everywhere. Red coat. White beard. Jolly belly. Great Ho-ho-ho. It’s not too hard to do Santa. But Jesus? What’s the guy being Jesus supposed to dress like? White toga? Flip-flops? Long wig?

Seventh, I hate to think this, but I suppose this church believes that they are doing a great community service by bringing in Jesus and Santa together. I’m not sure how this serves the community, but I’m certain they have this all figured out somehow.

Eighth, you wonder why the apostles never thought of this. They went into all the world simply preaching the gospel. They could have sold donkey rides, published their life stories and sold them. They could have offered a “fish dinner with Jesus.” But they didn’t. They didn’t bring in the Roman games. They left the carnival atmosphere outside. They didn’t have breakfast with Jesus and Santa throughout the world. What worked back then, still works today. When the pure word of God intersects with a heart that is honest and good, one will become a child of God. One doesn’t need to trick people, buy people, or strong arm people.

Ninth, we already have a meal with the Lord. It’s called the Lord’s Supper. The Corinthians were told that they were sharing with the Lord when they partook of the bread and fruit of the vine. The Lord prescribed what should be eaten and what the occasion was all about.

The name of Jesus, as our verse today reminds us, ought to connect us to the goodness, mercy and power of God. Having your picture taken and eating a cinnamon roll with someone who is pretending to be Jesus is not the same thing. The guy pretending to be Jesus clearly represents the religious culture of today. We turn Jesus into what we want.

In this confused times we live in, we don’t need to be putting Jesus next to Santa. In fact, the more distance we can have the better. A confused child may be praying to Santa and leaving milk and cookies for Jesus. And, what is most strange about all of this is that it is a church that is behind all of this. You’d think that a church of all places would want to make some clear distinctions between Jesus and Santa.

You’d think…

Roger