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Jump Start # 2626

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2626

2 Timothy 3:3 “unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self control, brutal, haters of good.”

Our verse sadly sounds much too similar to the spirit of what is going on in our country these days. Paul is giving Timothy a descriptive look at what the troubled times would look like. This description is something that Timothy would recognize. It was true then and it’s true today. After even more descriptive terms of people who live without God, Paul tells Timothy to “avoid such men as these.” Stay clear. Nothing good will come of it.

It is interesting how our verse today is framed. It begins with “unloving” and ends with “haters of good.” If one is unloving, they will naturally hate. Hating what is good, implies embracing what is wrong or evil. The heart of these people was empty. They were thinking of no one but themselves. They hurt others. You know that by the expressions, “malicious gossips,” “brutal,” and “without self control.” Anything might happen and that anything wasn’t going to be good. Evil. Wicked. Mean. Troublemakers. That’s the world Timothy lived in. And, it’s the world we live in.

Hatred leads to people doing wrong and doing things without thinking. And, because of wrong actions, hatred can cause others to start hating. The climate of Paul’s words was not racism, destroying historical statues and changing public policy about law enforcement. Paul had a greater concern. It was spiritual. They had a form of godliness but they were going about doing harm. God’s word had not changed them. They heard about the compassionate Savior, yet they lived with a spirit of hatred running their veins. They were intent on upsetting unstable Christians and turning good inside out. Later in the chapter, the apostle labels these haters as evil men and imposters.

Here are some things to consider:

First, the unteachable do not want to be taught. Our Lord warned about casting pearls before the swine. Some are bent on wickedness and meanness, no matter what. Some would even hurt their own families if they felt like it. Paul doesn’t encourage Timothy to debate these folks. He doesn’t tell him that the truth will change them. He doesn’t want Timothy to engage them in discussion. It would be a losing proposition. Timothy would be fair and go by the rules. These folks make the rules up as they go.

This is hard for some of us. We hear and see stuff that is just not right. We want to have an open dialogue. We feel that if reason, logic and facts were presented, it would change people’s minds. Nope. That won’t happen. The angry mentality of our day wants to tear down rather than build up. You see stuff on Facebook. People share things. It stirs you up. You want to engage. You have facts, truth and common sense. Paul’s words remind us, “avoid such men as these.”

Second, hatred has a way of making others hate. Hatred is like mold on a wall. It spreads. One bad act makes others want to retaliate with another bad act. Like the game of ping-pong, back and forth the hateful acts go, until someone really gets hurt. If you find yourself getting worked up, steamed, unnerved by the bad acts of others, it’s time to pull away, drop in prayer and get your focus back.

Within this sad chapter Paul presents two reminders to Timothy. Surrounded with hatred and evil around him, Paul tells Timothy:

  • But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, sufferings (10-11a)
  • You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of (14)

Is it any different for us? Are we going to mimic hatred or the Christ who loves us and died for us?

Third, Paul’s words remind us that we do not have to take on the spirit of our times. We can remain true to what we believe in. Filling our hearts and time with the goodness of the Gospel will help us. Spending more time with Jesus than watching the news will help us. I can be thoughtful, when others are not. I can be thankful when others are hating. I can be helpful when others are being destructive. I can do right when others are doing wrong.

Fourth, as always, God makes the difference. The spirit of hatred is anger and misery. Hateful people are not joyous and happy. They are not thankful. It’s a sorry place to be when hatred fills ones’ heart. Hatred, unchecked, will lead to violence, evil and wrong. It always does. And, the way out of hatred is God. Walking with the Savior makes all the difference. What is the outcome? These haters in Paul’s day were headed for an eternity of damnation away from God. Rather than building up, they were tearing down. Rather than being useful, they were hurtful. Rather than encouraging, they were discouraging. And, here, centuries later, we are reading about the wicked footprints that they left upon history. Their times passed. They died. We don’t know their names nor the specifics that they were involved in. But we do know, that unless they changed, they lost their souls. One can not hurt the people of God and get away with it. One can not trash the holy name of God and get away with it. And, sadly, these same steps may very well be repeated by some today who are so filled with rage and anger that they cannot see beyond violence and hurting others. Time will pass. Their names will be forgotten. Their wicked deeds will not be known. But into eternity they will go. Unless changed, their souls are at stake.

What is the issue of our times is not whether historical statues ought to come down, product names change, and public policy be reshaped. What the issue is hearts filled with hatred that very well may be lost someday. Prayers for salvation, sense and love is what is at stake. Saving an old statue of someone no one remembers is not nearly as important as saving the soul of the one whose eyes are filled with rage.

These are times to pray. These are times to remember what we have learned and are convinced of. These are times to avoid some discussions, lest we too, be filled with anger and hatred.

Troublesome times are here, filling men’s heart with fear…

Roger

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Jump Start # 2625

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2625

Luke 15:5 “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

Our verse today comes from the chapter of things lost. Lost sheep. Lost coin. Lost boys. Three parables, showing the love and grace of God. These parables were the Lord’s answer as to why He received sinners and ate with them.

The section about the lost sheep is where our verse today is found. A man had 100 sheep. For a city guy like me, that seems like a lot of sheep. But I expect for the shepherds of Judea, this was not much. One got lost. We are not told the circumstances why, but he was lost. Cut your loses and move on is how many moderns would think. We tend to throw away things that are still good simply because we no longer want them. But not this shepherd. He felt differently. And, from that we see some great lessons.

First, every single one is important. The shepherd is illustrative of God. And, God doesn’t want to lose any. He’ll chase you and send the hounds of Heaven after you to get you back. He’ll put people in your life to remind you. He’ll do all that He can to get you to come back. God doesn’t give up. In the Lord’s illustration, the shepherd left the 99 and went looking for the one that was lost. I’ve often wondered who kept the 99 from getting lost. Somehow they remained safe.

This shepherd realized that one was missing. He knew that. This sheep didn’t fall through the cracks. He was aware and he went after it. We must be watchful, especially now, that some are not wandering away. We’ve worshipped at home for a long time and some may just like to keep doing that. Some may not have stayed with the livestreaming and video classes. They may have turned the Lord off for the past few months. Wise shepherds are looking. They are seeing where the sheep are. Who is staying with things and who has dropped out—shepherds need to know.

Second, the Lord shows the love and grace of God through the actions of this shepherd. What he did was put the sheep on his shoulders, I expect, around his neck. And, rather than being grumpy and complaining about how far he had to go to find this lost one, he returns rejoicing. The journey was worth it. So many I fear, would want to teach that lamb a lesson. They’d beat it all the way home. They instill guilt, fear and shame in that lamb. But what the Lord’s shepherd did, was to demonstrate love. That little lamb knew that the shepherd loved him. When the shepherd calls, this lamb will likely come and follow. He has a trust for the shepherd. The shepherd was good to him even though he wandered away.

Today’s shepherds would do well to notice this. Putting a dirty lamb around your neck is going to make you smell. It’s heavy. It’s likely scratchy and has bugs. This is not a soft house kitten. This lamb has been in the fields. But what the shepherd did was put aside his personal feelings for the lamb. This shepherd wasn’t too good to get dirty. He wasn’t afraid to smell like the sheep.

Third, the shepherd understood the value of celebration. He returned calling neighbors and friends about the one sheep that was found. That may seem odd to us, but consider a family that can’t find their pet dog. They search the neighborhood, put up fliers, call neighbors to ask if they have seen it. As they are searching for that lost dog, they find it. So excited. So happy. They tell others and most times they have to tell the story where the dog was and how hard it was to find. Lambs were important to the Jewish system. First, they were a source of income for shepherds. Second, they were the means to sacrifice to God. Losing a lamb was a big deal.

When one among us returns, we need to make it a big deal. It’s not a time for lectures or “I told you so,” but rather, hugs, and smiles and rejoicing. The lost as been found. Sometimes a person fears returning, not because it’s the right thing to do, but they fear the reaction they might receive. A church full of elder brothers who are ready to point fingers and eager to pronounce judgment is hard to face. God’s people ought to be the most forgiving and gracious people on earth. And, the main reason is because we have been given grace and forgiveness from God. We know what it’s like to be lost. We know what it’s like to come home. Keep the porch light on and be ready to open the door for those who are wanting to come back to God.

Finally, you’ll notice there is very little emphasis upon the lost sheep. The thrust of the parable is the shepherd who went looking, the shepherd who found, the shepherd who brought back, and the shepherd who rejoiced. Nothing is said about the lamb during the celebration. Nothing is said about the lamb’s reason for leaving. The Lord’s parables are true pictures, so the lamb doesn’t speak to the shepherd. That doesn’t happen in real life and it doesn’t happen in this parable. There are a number of reasons why you and I make a mess of things. There are many reasons why we leave the Lord. But having God find us and bring us back is what is important. We don’t find this lamb running when the shepherd approached. We don’t find the lamb trying to fight and bite the shepherd as it lay across his shoulders. The lamb was coming home and that’s what God wants us to see.

The power of these three parables is that we find ourselves sprinkled all over them. We have been the lost sheep before. We know what it is like to care about one who is missing. We know the urgency of looking for one who is lost and never giving up on him. This parable is our story. We ought to know it well because we have lived it.

God loves you. God wants you with Him. God never gives up on you. Even when you are not where you ought to be, God is looking for you. Powerful stuff. The very things that ought to fill our hearts and encourage us day by day.

Roger

26

Jump Start # 2624

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2624

Genesis 15:5 “And He took him outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’”

Our verse today contains several He and him pronouns. Someone is talking to someone. It is important to know who is in this conversation. The “He” is God. The “him” is Abraham. God is revealing the promise to Abraham of a great nation. He is illustrating how numerous Abraham’s family tree would be.

Something happened behind the scenes here that is not of huge importance, but it reveals the knowledge, power and ways of our Lord. He took him outside, is how our verse begins. God took Abraham outside. They were inside Abraham’s tent and now they go out. God tells Abraham to look skyward and count the stars. That’s how many descendants there would be.

What would have happened if Abraham looked up but it was a cloudy night, no stars could be seen? Or, worse, what if it was a rainy night? God’s whole illustration was based upon having a clear night so the stars could be seen. What if there were some nearby lights and only a couple of stars could be seen? For this illustration to work, God knew or God made a clear night so numerous stars could be seen.

This is similar to the Lord’s illustration about prayer. “Give us this day our daily bread,” is what the Lord told the disciples to pray. Yet, in order for you and I to have bread to eat today, months ago, farmers were planting wheat. The season was productive so the wheat could be harvested. A drought, or too much rain, or bugs, or even a fire, could have destroyed the crop and without that, there would have been no daily bread. The farmer planted and harvested months ago. The grain was sold in the market place. Someone worked it up and baked the bread. And, today we have our daily bread. For you and I, it also means a factory, production lines, delivery trucks, grocery stores, stock people and check out people. Lots of steps to get to our daily bread. The Lord didn’t say anything about all those other steps. Just pray to God for your daily bread. This shows that God was already thinking about you before you even prayed. Months ago God was putting things together for you to have bread today.

Sometimes we can be so into the moment that we forget about all the steps and all the time it took to make things available for today. And, with that, these two Biblical illustrations shows us that God is doing things for us without us even realizing that. God is moving clouds, growing wheat, providing rain, so that you and I can receive His blessings. Abraham looked upward and the sky was full of stars. Lucky night or the hands of God?

The prophet Habakkuk wondered aloud why God wasn’t doing anything. Violence and injustice was filling the air. However, God was doing things. He didn’t know it, see it or realize it. Far away God was shaping up a nation to come and punish Judah. The war clouds were not rising yet and the prophet felt that God was inactive, but that was far from the truth. And, so it is in our lives. We pray and we don’t see anything. We wonder why things continue as they are. We even begin to think that God isn’t doing much, at least, not much for our lives. But miles away, God may very well be bringing people or events into our lives to help us in our spiritual journey with Him.

Not only does God do things that we are not aware of, there are things that He doesn’t tell us. He doesn’t tell us in advance when and how He will answer our prayers. He doesn’t announce that there are people intersecting our lives that He has brought together for us. We look at a lot of these things as simply life. But if we really understood the activity of God behind the scenes and the involvement of God in our lives, we would be amazed. Days when we feel that we are alone, God is there. Days when we really need help, someone reaches our to us. Just a coincidence? Someone just being friendly? Or, the hands of God in our lives?

God took Abraham outside and told him to look up. Abraham could see the stars. Maybe if you and I looked up more, we’d see the promises of God and not the problems of the world.

Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there is nothing my God cannot do. That includes making sure the stars are visible on a night He takes us out to see His promises.

Roger

25

Jump Start # 2623

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2623

Proverbs 7:1 “My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments and live”

This past Sunday was Father’s Day—a time we acknowledge and say “thanks” to our dads. I have learned that one of the true blessings in life is to have a dad that you truly treasure and has made a real difference in your life. Then, if the blessings continue, one day you become a dad.

Not everyone has these blessings. Some never knew their dad. Some had dads that were a real mess, yet you have overcome and chosen a different path in your life. But there are many that have a dad that was not only kind, but he was a Christian. Sitting in a pew as a child, you looked over and there was your mom and dad. Sometimes having a dad that was a Christian was tough. He wanted to know where you were going and who you were going to be with. He expected you to show respect to all people older than you were. He taught you how to walk with the Lord.

The first several chapters of Proverbs are directed from a father to his son. Dad was teaching the son about life. Some of the lessons, as we find in this seventh chapter, are blunt, painful and serious. But dad knew. Listening to what dad said would keep one out of a lot of trouble.

Ancient Israel was not only family oriented, but it was dad oriented. That’s often missing today. Society has shown that dads are not necessary and worse, often not wanted. But God always knows better. The Ephesian instruction about bringing children up in the nurture of the Lord is directed to dads, not moms, not grandparents, nor the church. Dads.

So often when lessons are given about dads, it leads to a big guilt trip. Spending too much time at the office and not with the little ones. Taking too much time to golf or fish and not being with the little ones. But when we hear lessons like that, honest and good hearts will make adjustments. You don’t need more guilt. There is enough of that to go around.

The honor of being a dad today:

First, is showing kindness and love to those who think you are greater than Superman. There is a trust and a joy in being a dad. Years from now, it won’t be the meals, the toys, but the time that they remember. They will remember those quirky sayings of yours. They’ll remember how you went out of your way for them. They will remember seeing you sitting in the stands as they were on the field or stage. You are shaping hearts, attitudes, morals and thinking. Who knows what those little ones will grow up and become one day. Your stamp upon their hearts can make a huge difference as they face trials, challenges and difficulties. Rather than taking the short-cut, or the dishonest path, honesty and integrity will lead them to doing what is right. Those virtues you have taught and shown to them.

Second, you have a wonderful blessing in shaping the church in the future. Teaching the little ones about the authority of the Lord and doing things the Lord’s way, sets forth a life long pattern that will help brethren in the future. Respect, devotion and dedication are first taught in the home. When taught well, those principles will guide one the rest of his life. If the Lord allows, decades from now, those little ones won’t be little anymore. They will be moms and dads who are teaching Bible classes, serving as deacons and even shepherding the people of God. Strong, faithful, kind, committed—that’s what is needed today and it will be needed tomorrow. Those principles will be the answer to those who are always wanting to change things or introduce things not found in the Bible. Those principles will keep a congregation close to the Lord. So those lessons about Moses and the burning bush, Aaron and the golden calf, Peter denying, Paul singing in prison, Noah building the ark—all of those teach fundamental truths about authority and honoring the Lord as He prescribes.

Third, God has showered all kinds of gifts upon us, from grace, to rain, to our children. Seeing your children as gifts from Heaven, helps you see how blessed you are. It’s not the size of the house. It’s not having the latest and greatest, but it’s counting your blessings that are right among you. Sure there are days when the kids annoy you. There are days you feel like putting them out with the trash. But, deep inside you see how much God trusts you to put these tender hearts into your care. He didn’t give these little ones to the government, but you. He knows you can do it. He knows you will do it well. He knows you’ll pray for them. He knows you’ll take time for them. He knows that you will be there for them.

There are three amazing things that God has placed into our hands. First, is His word. His precious and perfect word about His perfect Son. God puts that into our hands. He trusts us to care for His word, to know His word, and to teach His word. Second, God places the kingdom into our hands today. Angels aren’t running the church, we are. We shape the church the way it is by our attitudes, convictions and heart. What an honor that is to be given that charge. Finally, God puts into our hands these little hearts to raise, influence, teach and show Him. All three of these are enormous responsibilities but God believes that we can do it. God trusts us.

God told Abraham that he would be a blessing. There were promises, prophesy and hope wrapped in those words. Dads today ought to be a blessing to the home. It’s great to be a dad! God bless all of you who are truly trying your best to make a difference. It shows! Don’t give up.

Roger

24

Jump Start # 2622

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2622

Acts 16:28 “But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’”

The words found in our verse today kept a man alive. Most know the story. Paul and Silas had been arrested in Philippi for preaching. They were beaten and taken to a jail. Dirty, tired, hurting and likely bleeding, the apostle and Silas begin singing praises to God. It was after midnight. It was the hour to sleep. The other prisoners were listening. An earthquake, doors open, chains fall off. It was a prisoner’s dream come true. In the darkness of night, a massive escape could have taken place. The jailer, fearing that this is what happened and fearing punishment, chooses to end his life. Maybe someone will think he died battling fleeing prisoners. Maybe death on his terms would be better than torture and death on Rome’s terms.

Our verse is what Paul shouts to the jailer. Don’t hurt yourself and here’s why. Everyone is still here. No one has escaped. And, the profound lesson for all of us is the idea of making a difference. We all wonder about that. Parents wonder if they are getting through to their kids. Teachers wonder if they are making any difference to the classroom. Preachers feel this way. Shepherds feel this way. Am I making any difference in the lives of others? When we do not feel like we are, then we slowly throw in the towel. It’s a losing battle we conclude and we are not going to win. I remember as a kid, playing little league baseball and going out to the field when it’s the last inning and we were so far behind that there was no way we could win. One just feels like giving up.

What is powerful about Paul and Silas’ story is that there was no preaching done to the prisoners. Paul didn’t shout to them to stay put. Their influence, what they were doing made all the difference. They were watched. They were noticed. They stood out. They were different. And, in that setting, they made a difference.

Here are some thoughts we need to remember:

First, it’s hard to measure the good that you are doing. The lessons you teach your kids may not surface until years later. Things stick with people that we may never realize. I’ve had people come to me years later and remind me of something that I said in a class or a sermon. My first thought is, “Wow, I didn’t think you were even listening.” But they were. And, more than that, it stayed with them. They remembered. We often want to see immediate results. And, when we don’t we may feel like nothing is working. We are making no difference. Some have to let those thoughts simmer awhile, like a good soup. It may not surface again until that child is an adult or that person moves away and they realize all the truth that you told them.

Second, we are not to shine our lights if it is only effective to others. In other words, we are to be a positive and godly influence, whether the prisoners listen or not. We are to do what is right whether the prisoners stay put or they all run out the open door. We cannot allow the reaction of others to determine whether or not we ought to be a good influence. We must let our lights shine, at all times. Teens will roll their eyes. Some may grumble. Some may whisper things under their breath. Some may shake their heads and disagree. But you keep shinning that light of Jesus Christ. I have heard old men talking about the influence of their grandma decades and decades ago. It stuck with them. Sometimes they didn’t follow that influence and after years of misery and being in the wilderness, it was that sound influence that calls them back to where they need to be. A young preacher once asked me, “What do you do when people sleep while you are preaching?” I said, “I preach.” You must keep doing good.

Third, it is important that our influence points to Jesus. It’s not about us. It’s not the singing in the jail cell, but the God that was being glorified. I expect some prisoners may have scoffed when Paul started to sing. Just look at him. Bloodied. Sitting in a jail. It sure looks like your God came through for you. Maybe they thought that way. But Paul sang. He continued to sing. And, doors opened and chains fell. Now, those prisoners were seeing something. Now, there was something to that God.

We must present the Bible accurately and truthfully. Don’t fudge the truth to win friends. Don’t muddy the message. Don’t confuse the facts. Stand upon God’s word with confidence and assurance. Bold but kind. Accurate but hopeful.

We must present Jesus in an honorable fashion. He’s the Lord. He’s the king. Don’t say things that are not true about our Lord. Don’t assume what you do not know. Don’t sprinkle His holy story with falsehood.

We must present the church realistically. We are people. We are people with a past and we are people on a journey. We are not all in the same place. We do not all have the same strength. We continually need Jesus. We are not perfect, but we are following the one who is.

Don’t be ashamed to be different. Don’t put a basket over your light. In the darkness, light stands out. In the darkness, light attracts. In the darkness, light makes things clear. We are the light of the world.

You are making a difference, even if you do not see it.

Roger