06

Jump Start # 2713

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2713

Psalms 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.”

I was reading a book the other day that was describing the religious climate in America in the early 1820’s. There was an atmosphere ripe for religious awakening and a desire to return to God’s word. Skepticism was  not popular or accepted by most folks. In fact, many states had laws that excluded atheists from running for public office or serving on juries. Most unbelievers kept their views to themselves for fear of ostracism and a loss of reputation. Boy, the times have certainly changed. Today, borrowing from our verse, the fool not only says in his heart, but he says it in a college classroom, a social media post, and in print, that there is no God.

Some thoughts for us:

First, things will not swing back the other way. Culture has a way of walking deeper and deeper into the woods and rarely, if ever, does it return. There may be laws banning prayers and confession of faith, but we won’t see laws excluding atheists from public office. Likewise, when the prohibition laws outlawing alcohol in this country were revoked, we will not return back to those laws. Alcohol is a mega-billion dollar business in this country. Alcohol is everywhere and it’s not going away. The descent of our morals and faith is quick generally one way. However, the atmosphere of darkness often leads to periods of great awakening spiritually. The mid-1800’s saw the rise of the American Restoration Movement. It spread from sea to sea. More and more people got back to the Bible and the pattern God had established. Did the laws return to atheists unable to hold public office? No. The laws didn’t swing back, but many hearts did.

Second, as much as we might want to outlaw atheism and restrict false religions, that leads to a state run religion and that generally invites corruption, suppression, and persecution. State run religions are great if they favor the religion you hold. But when they don’t, you become an outlaw to the state and trouble follows. The decades leading up to the reformation movement in Europe well illustrate this. England swung back and forth between Catholicism and Protestantism. And, with each swing came violence, persecution and forcing people to bow to something they didn’t believe in. Christianity springs from the hearts of believers, not from the laws of the government. Reform comes individually as people turn to Christ. Our hope is not in new laws being passed but in hearts that are touched by the Gospel.

Third, because the fool says there is no God, doesn’t mean it is so. The fool can say many things. The fool is alive and well today. He is speaking all kinds of falsehoods. Some of the common things the fool says is the suffering of the innocent is validation that there is no God. A good God would not allow the innocent to suffer. But in saying that, the fool doesn’t understand suffering, nor does he understand that this world is broken. He wants a utopia where only the bad guys have trouble and everyone else just gets along fine. This isn’t Heaven and since Genesis 3, the consequences of sin has been turmoil, trouble and pain. This world is not fair and it hasn’t been fair for a long, long time. A thorough study of God’s word would explain these things and even show us that there are some upside benefits to suffering. But the fool will never see this. He has no interest in reading the Bible. His mind is closed and he is convinced, even though all around him God is putting evidence before his eyes.

Fourth, the fool can be very loud and aggressive in his outspoken remarks about God. He has a seat in government. He has a place with the national media. He is invited to teach in the universities. He seems to be everywhere, but he is not. Because he is so loud and aggressive, it is easy to assume that there are more fools than righteous. It is easy to believe that the fool is winning in this battle of life. But don’t be like Elijah. Get out of your cave and realize that there are thousands world wide who have not and will not bow their knee to Baal. Those simple disciples are living quiet lives and doing their best to make a difference. They are not loud. They are not aggressive. They find a greater calling than filling the seat of government. They are raising a generation of new believers. They stand behind the pulpit every Sunday, pouring their hearts out. They believe in something greater than themselves. They cannot be bought, nor will they compromise. These are the people of God. And, while the fool mocks them, discriminates against them and wants the world to believe that their number is so small that they are even worth thinking about, the army of Heaven knows better. These people stand with God. And, just as the righteous stood with the Lord against the Egyptians, the Babylonians and the Romans, the people of God today stand against the fool of our times.

Our laws allow a fool to be a fool and many gladly take that banner up. They will drink up. They will swear up. They will laugh up. They will dance with Satan himself, but never, oh never would they ever be caught honoring the God that loves them and made them. The world is moving quickly to an eternity without God. The righteous continue on with Christ. The future is brighter, better and bigger with Jesus.

Onward, Christian Soldier…more than a song, a call to motivate us, remind us, and keep us moving forward.

Roger

05

Jump Start # 2712

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2712

Philippians 2:2 “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

One of the greatest threats to every congregation, more than false teaching or persecution is the attack upon unity. God expects His people to be one. One in heart. One in mind. One in purpose. One in voice. Be one, as Jesus and the Father are, is what the Lord prayed in John 17. Unity is both comforting and nourishing as the Psalmist described it.

And, here were are in crazy 2020, with so many opinions, ideas and thoughts that pulls us in every way but towards each other. Culturally, there is a major division about the direction of the country, what to do about our borders, global warming and the use of fossil fuels, the funding or defunding of police departments, whether or not kids should be sitting in classrooms or having school through the internet, the wearing of masks, the opening or the closing of public activities. Social media illustrates the heated and often hatred concerning those who differ with others. Many have said that they have never witnessed this country so divided before.

And, of course, it trickles into our congregations. A lot of hot opinions about gathering in the church building and whether or not masks can be mandated. Some have left because they did not agree with what the leaders were saying. Some congregations have divided. Some folks have just thrown in the towel and are content to stay home and worship that way, forever. Folks are irritated, bothered, tired and fussy about all the changes that have come because of Covid 19. Some believe the health concerns are genuine. Others believe it’s mostly about politics and elections. And, most of us just don’t know what to believe.

Here are a few thoughts for us:

First, unity must be natural and internal. You can’t force unity. It’s like sitting beside your sister in the back seat of the car on a long road trip. You don’t like it. And, if she gets too close to you, you’ll likely scream. As soon as the car stops, you get out and get away as fast as you can. Now, that’s not unity. That’s not wanting to be there. Forcing folks to get along who do not want to get along never works. Unity begins with each person being united in Christ. There we have a common denominator. There we have a common basis and understanding. If we stand with Christ, we can fellowship and be united together. But we both have to be all in with Jesus. That includes doctrinally as well as in spirit. That includes the pattern we follow as well as the forgiveness we extend. Civil wars usually happen because those of the same nation are not the same. They are not one mind, one spirit, one voice. They are moving in different directions. We don’t use the terminology of civil war when it comes to a congregation. The word most often used is “split.” But a congregation splitting is nothing more than an internal civil war. Folks on the same side fighting one another.

Second, when unity is missing, the important things are left undone. All attention turns to who is on whose side and what this one said and what that one said. Our energy is about winning our war. And, what is forgotten is encouragement, reaching the lost, building faith, developing leaders, and all the things that God wants a congregation to be doing. This may be why disunity is one of the devil’s most powerful tools. Get everyone stirred up and upset and before long, the work stops. And, Satan smiles. We can be so busy shoring up our side of things that we forget the work that we are supposed to do. Good leaders will recognize that Satan will try to drive a wedge among the members. He’ll try to get two preachers irritated with each other. He’ll try to splinter the eldership. All of this is to get our eyes off the horizon and turn toward each other.

Third, it doesn’t take much to get folks stirred up and upset with one another. An off the cuff comment that wasn’t thought out very well can be just the thing. Mispronouncing someone’s name will do it. Overlooking someone. Not including someone. Not being asked your opinion about something. Now, with all of that, try painting the walls a different color, change the look of the bulletin, make some adjustments in the worship schedule and the bullets will start flying through the air. “How dare they,” some will declare. Others will sigh so loud, that the ceiling fans will spin. Some take to social media to air complaints and find sympathizers to join their side. By doing that, matters only get messier and deeper. And, Satan smiles.

Within this Philippian context Paul lists two important factors necessary for unity.

First, he says stop being selfish and conceited. We need to be humble like Jesus. We need to have the heart like Jesus. Stop wearing your feelings on your sleeve. Stop being so touchy. The humble person won’t recognize that his name was omitted from a list of others. A humble person isn’t draw to the spotlights.

Second, Paul says, look out for the interests of others. Become other minded. Stop thinking so much about yourself. This is hard in a “selfie” world we live in. I know I’m old, but I don’t get all the selfie pictures people take. I’ve been to many, many places and everyone wants a picture of themselves with something in the background. I wonder if they have pictures of themselves on the walls at home. I know what I look like. I want a picture of wildlife, landscape, sunsets without me being in it. That’s just me. I tend to think a selfie mindset colors how we see things. We want to be in the middle of the picture. Paul’s words are look out for others. Be thinking of others. Before you say something, how will others take it? Before you shoot your opinion out there, what impact will that have on others? Will it make the church look good? Will it honor the Lord? Will it be helpful?

Less of me and more of others—that’s the key to unity. Listen more than you talk. Keep some things just to yourself. You do not have to attend every argument you are invited to. Some things just need to stay off of social media. Be an encouraging, not a divider. Be helpful, not a sour spot to others. Bring smiles, not frowns.

Interestingly, before Paul finished Philippians, he named two sisters by name and told them to be in harmony. Get along. Unity—its precious and must be protected. It’s special and it’s a wonderful blessing in a divided world.

Roger

04

Jump Start # 2711

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2711

Psalms 47:8 “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.”

The election is over. Some people woke up this morning happy, excited and thrilled that their candidate has won. Others are very depressed this morning. They can’t believe it. I write this a week before the election. I do not know who will win. The line separating politics and religion, particularly Christianity, sometimes gets blurred and very thin. First and foremost, we belong to Jesus. We belong to Jesus more than we belong to any political party. We belong to Jesus more than we belong to this country.

Some lessons for us this morning:

First, Presidents come and go, but God remains. We sometimes can forget that there is no American flag up in Heaven. God was, long before there was an America, and God will be long after the American story has been written. God is greater than the White House or the Court House. Daniel reminds us that God raises up kings as He pleases. God can see things into the future that we never can. God knows when it will be the day to send Jesus and end all of this. As our verse today reminds us, He reigns over the nations. Notice, nations, plural. Not just a nation or a country, but all of them. There is not a place, nor a country that God does not reign over.

Second, how I act today is going to reveal a lot about my character. If I choose to walk about angry, it will hurt the influence I have on others. If I allow this anger to spill over into our fellowship, it can have lasting damage. We be family of Christ and it’s important to remember that. More important than donkeys and elephants is that Lamb of God. Some will be speaking evil today. Some will be making threats. As I write this, a week before the election, some states are moving national guard into position, anticipating violence and trouble. Make sure, you are not part of that. We teach our kids to be good losers. Sometimes we need to listen to those lessons ourselves. This country has many deep issues and division and sin are high on that list. In another few years, if the Lord allows, there will be another face in the Presidency. Those faces change. What God expects of you never changes. It doesn’t change if Caesar is running the world. It doesn’t change if  the President elected is a person I do not like.

Third, don’t lose focus on what is important. All the news, the polls and the hype about the election can curtail our efforts in evangelism and encouragement. Getting to Heaven remains at the top of the list. Teaching others about Jesus is more important than any political discussion we can have.

Fourth, there are some sad revelations about elections. First, the only time you ever hear from some candidates is when they are running for office. The rest of the time, you never hear from them. Second, tons of money are poured into elections to get people’s vote. That money could be better spent on needful things, but it’s not. Third, the current climate of political ads are mean and nasty. Calling opponents liars seems very common. Character, respect, and dignity have gone out the window. It’s hard to expect the country to get along when those leading the country or wanting to, are so unkind to each other. Instead of the best person winning, much too often voters are choosing between who is the least worse. And, in many cases, voters would rather not pick either of the picks.

Fifth, no matter what happens, you and I need to be joyous. We are Heaven bound. The best is yet to come. Our citizenship is in Heaven. Someday all this political mess will be behind us. What truly matters is our walk with the Lord. Thankfully, He never gives up on us nor walks away from us.

Somethings will never change. God’s people need to assemble to worship. The kingdom needs to be financed to do things. The young need to be taught. We all need to be encouraged. The mighty work of the Lord goes onward, whether it’s a Roman Caesar running the world, a president running our country, or a tyrant that is making life difficult for God’s people. We will worship, whether in church buildings, or catacombs or in caves. God’s word will be preached and taught, whether it has to be behind closed doors, in secret, and the Bible kept hidden for fear of confiscation. Faith cannot be driven out of us. Jesus is our King and He will reign no matter what happens.

What does the future hold? Tough times? Better times? We know. Ultimately, the future means being with the Lord in His Heavenly Home. This world is not my home—we sing that, but sometimes we don’t act that way. When I visit homes or stay in hotels, I do not rearrange the furniture or change the paintings on the walls. Some places I’ve been to really needed that, but it wasn’t my home. It really wasn’t my concern. I wonder if we get too worked up about things here. This isn’t our home. We are just pilgrims passing through. There are some things we like. There are many things we do not like. Some things catch our attention and some things we never notice. Our home is Heaven. That’s where we fit in. That’s where we are most comfortable.

Trump or Biden? Left or right? Blue or red? I’m more interested in up and down, how about you?

Roger

03

Jump Start # 2710

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2710

Matthew 5:30 “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.”

 

  Our verse for today is tough. It’s not for the faint of heart or sissies. And, that’s just the driving principle that Jesus is showing. There is an intensity to what we are doing. This is not just something done on weekends. It’s all in or it’s nothing. The verse before this is just as radical. It tells of plucking out your eye. These verses follow Jesus’ stern words about adultery, specifically, looking upon a woman. The wicked eye leads to wicked thoughts which in time lead to wicked actions. Stop it, is what Jesus is saying. Stop it by plucking out your eye or cutting off your right hand. Save yourself and do whatever you have to do to make it to Heaven.

 

  Some thoughts.

 

  First, most of us are right handed. It would be bad enough had the Lord said, ‘cut off your left hand.’ That would limit us and handicap us. But for most of us, we could still write letters, function some. I have played in a golf scramble in which on one hole each player had to hit the opposite of what they normally do. That’s was a disaster. Functioning without our right hand would be difficult. Some have had to do that because of an accident, disease or injury. But here, it’s done by choice. A person has chosen to cut off his right hand.

 

  Second, once you cut your hand off, it’s not coming back. It’s not like losing a toe nail or cutting your hair. Amputation, that’s what cutting your hand off is, a serious surgery. In wars long ago, many died on the operating table while having limbs amputated. The Lord is talking about removing something forever. It’s not for a short while and then you’ll get it back. Once that right hand is cut off, it’s gone and it’s gone for good. This is a major, major sacrifice. There is no changing your mind once this was done. It would be hard enough to lose a finger, but the whole hand?

 

  Third, the truth is, our right hand is not the cause of our stumbling. It’s our heart and our choices. It’s our eyes, our mouth and our weak faith that gets us into trouble. Cutting off your hand won’t stop temptation. This is not to say that we have discovered something that the Lord did not know. He certainly knew this. He is not expecting literal amputation. He was dramatically illustrating how serious we need to take things and to what cost we are willing to pay. Laying your hand on a table and allowing someone to chop it off is extreme. But is it any more extreme than laying on a wooden beam and allowing soldiers to pound nails into your hands and feet? Here is a person who wants to stop the bad behavior that he was doing. He is willing to lose a hand in order to save a soul. This is not being forced upon him. This was not an act of persecution. It was a choice made to change the course and the direction that he was heading.

 

  And, with this extreme illustration, Jesus is telling us how serious we ought to be about our walk with Him. Christianity for some is just a weekend hobby. And, like most hobbies, we’d like to put more time into them, but often we just can’t. Other things come first. And, with that attitude, many do not put the Lord, nor His kingdom first. If the weather is nice, they will be at a park, not the church house. If the weather is lousy, they will stay warm and dry at home. But this is much, much more than getting down to the church house to worship. It’s about life. It’s about choices. It’s about how serious do we view sin. It’s about how serious we are about going to Heaven. In our world today, if I person lost his right hand, he’d likely lose his job. There are just too many things that he could not do with just one hand. And, it’s about how much of us we would be willing to part with in order to make it to Heaven. Our bodies don’t go to Heaven. Heaven is a spiritual realm. Paul told the Corinthians that those who are alive at the Lord’s coming will change. In a twinkling of an eye, they will change. They must change because here we are flesh and bones. Up there, we will be spiritual beings. So, our pretty hair, nice figure, massive muscles, good teeth, are just temporary. They are the wrapper. What we are is what’s inside. Keep your hand and lose your soul or lose your hand and save your soul? That’s what the Lord is trying to get the audience to see. We may have our hands, at the most, for a little over 100 years. Our souls? There is no end.

 

  From this we ought to consider:

 

  • How serious do we take our faith?
  • How desperate are we to protect that faith?
  • Are we bothered by temptation?
  • Does it bother us to hear the Lord’s name blasphemed?
  • If there was a price to pay for Heaven, would you pay it?

What if that cost were $10,000—would you pay it?

What if that cost were following Him daily—would you pay it?

What if that cost were living righteously—would you pay it?

What if that cost were no longer living, but allowing the Lord to live in you—would you pay it?

What if that cost was our right hand—would you pay it?

 

  It is better to lose one part, than for the whole to be thrown into Hell. Sure makes a person think, doesn’t it?

 

  Roger

 

02

Jump Start # 2709

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2709

Genesis 3:8 “They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

Our verse today takes place after Adam and Eve ate from the tree which God said not to. They knew they were wrong. Later, when God confronts them, fingers will be pointed and blame will be passed down the line like a hot potato game. But here in this verse, they are hiding. God is walking and Adam is hiding. He is hiding behind trees. Maybe he’s hoping God will just walk on past and go home to Heaven. Maybe he thinks God won’t be able to find him. But God knew. He always knows. Adam had all the trees in the garden he could eat from. There was just one that was off limits. Satan had Adam focused upon that one tree. Rather than counting all that he had, Adam looked at what he did not have. Satan is so subtle and deceptive.

Hiding behind trees—is such a profound thought. Even today, all these generations later, we still hide behind trees. Our trees are not literal, but they serve the same purpose. We hope no one will notice. We hope that we can get away with what was done that was wrong. Hidden in a forest of trees, we believe that we won’t be discovered. Our little secret will remain a secret. Time will pass, people will forget, God is loving and everything will be just fine. Just stand a bit longer behind a tree and then you’ll be able to come out and get back to doing things.

Here are a few things about standing behind a tree:

First, it generates a life of deception. The one who hides behind the tree is not about confessing, being honest and even changing. He’s trying to avoid the consequences of his wrong doing. He’s hoping that he gets away with murder. And, as unpleasant as consequences can be, living a life of hiding isn’t much better. We hide from this and we hide from that and before long it becomes even difficult for us to know what is right. We’ve learned to run to the woods and find a big tree to hide behind. Our trees come in many species, such as lying, or, blaming others, or, believing something couldn’t be wrong because nothing bad happened. So many trees, and so many ways to hide.

Second, we get upset with others when they hide behind a tree, but see nothing wrong when we do it ourselves. We want others, especially our kids, to be honest with us. No excuses. No tree hiding. However, we don’t have too much difficulty running off to find a tree for ourselves. That double standard and inconsistency kills any good that we try to accomplish.

Third, God always knows. God can see around a tree, over a tree, through a tree or under a tree. God knows. You can hide from others, but you never can hide from God. So, as Adam thought about hiding, God already knew. God knew before Adam reached the tree. God knew all along. So, hiding behind a tree really never works. It doesn’t accomplish what we thought it would. It never is successful.

Fourth, God is more forgiving and patient when we are honest, rather than hiding behind a tree. Seeking God’s mercy by being meek and humble, that broken and contrite heart, moves God. When God has to come looking for us and when He find us hiding behind trees, His patience runs thin.

Finally, human nature drives us to hide behind trees. However, we are not operating under human nature. We are following the steps of the Savior. Doing what everyone else is doing, isn’t helpful. You’ll find most in the woods, standing behind a tree. Doing what is easy is nothing more than running to a tree. Easy, popular are not the same as doing what is right.

Where I live, there are all kinds of beautiful large trees behind our home. This fall, the colors have been most beautiful. Large trees are now dropping all sorts of leaves in my yard. As great as these trees are, God never intended for me to hide behind one of them.

Hiding behind trees is yet another failed way that man tries to put a band-aide on his broken relationship with God. What he truly needs is be honest, broken and coming out from behind the trees. We need to come home to Jesus and not run to the woods.

Roger