31

Jump Start # 2812

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2812

Jeremiah 6:16 “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls,’ but they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

The other day I received a reprint of an old religious publication that was first printed in 1857. This was an added treasure to my collection of restoration history. The editor and preacher lived in Indiana and years ago one of his descendants gave me a framed picture of this old preacher. Now, I have some of his early writings. And, all of this takes us to our passage today. Ask for the ancient paths, not old publications, but God’s word.

There are some wonderful layers to notice in our verse today:

First, God’s way is ancient. There is no getting around that. I got home late last night. It was already dark. I was walking to the mailbox to get the mail and looked up at the moon, bright and governing the night, just as God said. And, I thought, that’s the same moon that Jesus saw. It’s the same moon that Abraham saw. It’s the same moon that Noah saw. It’s the same moon that the first man, Adam saw.

There has been as shift in thinking for many concerning worship and God’s way. For some, the pattern of the N.T. is outdated, tired and too traditional. Some have opted for what they call a “contemporary worship.” Others are looking for something fresh, new and exciting. But that mindset is never settled. It is always on the look for something different. It’s constantly unsettled. There is always something better out there. That’s the thought. For that mindset, worship, patterns, organization and even truth is fluid, changing and evolving. What’s being tested and tried today will be discarded tomorrow. The things that the young people recognize today will not be around when they are grown.

There is an ancient way, a tried and true path that the faithful have traveled on for generations. And, this old and worn means works. It works because it’s from God. It works because it’s been tried. God’s word has brought comfort to troubled times and troubled homes. It has offered comfort through the dark days of grieving. It has challenged and motivated hearts to walk closer to the Lord and to pick up the towel of a servant. It has taught, warned and shown itself to be true over and over, decade after decade.

Lives have been changed because of that ancient Gospel. People have walked away from sin because of the powerful preaching of that old, old message. Congregations have been built and a world of good has been accomplished by the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Second, God is pleading with His people to ask, seek and follow that ancient path. That’s what we need to be praying for today. Tell me the old, old story still works. We are quickly moving away from that Gospel message. A generation today does not see any difference between the uniqueness of God’s way and the artificial churches of today. People bounce around from one to another, as if they are trying different fast food places. One is as good as another, is all they see. But, they are not all the same. There stands one that is special, different and unique. It alone follows that ancient path of God. It draws a line in the sand with God. It will not change with the times to become more social, more community activated, and more consumer orientated. It stays with God. And, because it’s on an old, old path, it’s not out of touch. It’s not a museum of the old. It’s alive, active and relevant. The message fits modern man. The concerns touches us where we live. It’s a true hope for a messy time. Ask for the ancient ways. Seek that ancient path.

Third, there will be some, as in the days of Jeremiah, who have no intention of following that old path. They want to blaze new trails. They want to seek new things. But in doing so, they are walking away from the Lord. They are leaving the Lord. They are not on solid ground. They are headed in unknown territory. Danger is ahead of them and they are not aware of it. But for those on that ancient way, walked by years by the faithful of God, it leads to the Lord. And, if that’s where we want to be, why try another way? Why look for something different?

Fourth, time will reveal which way was the correct way, but by then it will be too late to make any adjustments or changes. Once a person takes one step away from the ancient ways of God, the next person takes a step away from that first person. Then comes a man who takes a step away from the second person, which is now three steps away. Before long, there are so many steps away that one cannot even see that old path any longer. It’s just one step, is what folks say. What’s the danger with that? The danger is seen in Scriptures. After Joshua there arose a generation that did not know the Lord. Idols came in and troubled followed. Eternity will reveal whether staying on the ancient path was the right way to go. I believe it is. I believe it is, not because I just think so, it’s what the Scriptures teach. Those that are tired of the old will see their children grow up and be tired of their ways. One step. Then two steps. Then three steps. Then that old, old path is no longer in sight.

Last summer when we were in Montana, we hiked some trails. Beautiful county. Bison grazing in the distance. But one stays on the path. If you don’t you are likely to get lost. If you don’t you’ll likely run into a bear. Paths are there for a reason. God’s paths are where He wants us to travel.

Old paths…but true paths.

Roger

30

Jump Start # 2811

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2811

Proverbs 30:33 “For the churning of milk produces butter; and pressing the nose brings forth blood; so the churning of anger produces strife.”

I like Proverbs. One doesn’t have to reach for a commentary to explain the context, background or words. Straight forward. Simple. Easy to get. I like preaching that’s the same way. And, here in our passage, wisdom is telling us about the danger of anger. There are so many things that will get a person angry these days. Say the wrong word and some folks are ready to launch missiles in your direction. Angry drivers on the road. Angry shoppers in stores. Angry patients at the doctor’s office. Angry neighbors. And, even angry church members. Everybody these days seems to be angry about something.

Our verse begins by bringing two practical and understood illustrations. The common link is churning or pressing. Churning milk produces butter. I’ve seen those old wooden butter churns. That’s how folks did it for centuries. Pressing the nose makes it bleed. I’ve never tried that on myself, but as a kid, I was hit a few times in the nose, and it bled. I got hit in the nose with a baseball once. That hurt. And, it bled.

Running on these two truths, comes the point and the principle of this passage. The pressing or the churning of anger creates strife. Here’s how that works, and I know because I’ve been there. Something upsets you. And you dwell upon it. You think about it. You play it over and over in your mind. In bed at night, you are still thinking about it. And, without realizing it, you are churning that anger over and over in your mind and heart. Unlike milk, it’s not making something worthwhile like butter. Instead, your anger leads to strife. You shoot off that hot email, giving someone a piece of your mind. You raise your voice and begin shouting at someone. You drive like a fool to get back at someone. You tell others. You stretch things in your favor. Somehow and in some way you feel compelled to do something bad to the other guy. That anger didn’t just sit still in your heart. It was pressed, churned and turned over and over. And, in stirring up that anger, more problems were created.

Now some thoughts:

First and very obviously, we see the danger of anger. James tells us to be slow to anger. He also says to be slow to speak. I expect there is a bridge and a connection between those two. The Ephesians were told not to let the sun go down on their anger and not to give the devil an opportunity. Anger is a personal invitation for Satan to roam freely through our hearts. Words that should never be thought of, let alone, spoken, come to the surface when we are mad. Things we said that we have forgiven and forgotten somehow surface again when we are angry. Nothing good is accomplished in anger. A person doesn’t look back and think, some of the best decisions and some of my finest moments were when I was mad. No, for righteous people, usually an apology follows our anger. We must ask for forgiveness because were not appropriate in our ways.

Second, this verse reminds us that sinful attitudes such as anger, lust, greed aren’t content just to simmer in our minds. These things lead to other things. And, those “other things,” are the expression of what was in our minds. There is just a small gate that keeps those thoughts from becoming actions and behavior in our lives. The story is so common and so old that I expect it when I talk to men about being unfaithful in their marriages. A man admits that he messed up. He was unfaithful. He broke his vows and his promises. But that’s not where it started. Sometimes, he’ll try to justify it by talking about the lack of intimacy in the marriage. But somewhere in the conversation the subject of pornography comes up. And, yes, that’s where all of this began. It started there, and like the churning of anger, the churning of lust leads to actions that now are regretted and filled with consequences.

Third and likewise very obvious, the solution is to stop churning. If you don’t want butter, don’t churn the milk. If you don’t want your nose to bleed, stop pressing your nose. And, if you want to stay clear from strife, then stop churning anger. Let the anger go. Get rid of it. Don’t keep it. Don’t keep replaying what happened. Don’t bury it and then return to the grave over and over. Let it go. Pray about it. Fill your heart with other things. Get busy doing good things. Be thankful you didn’t make yourself a fool by allowing the anger to get the best of you.

The Bible never says you won’t be angry. Even the Lord was angry. The question is what will the anger do to me? Will it sit around on a shelf in my mind until I press it and churn it and then become bitter and ruined by it? Or, will I get rid of it as soon as I can. Forgiving helps. Grace helps. Prayer helps. But churning never does any good.

So, the next time you put a dab of butter on a piece of bread or on your baked potato, take a look at that butter. It’s been churned. It turned out just as the farmer and the merchants wanted it to be. Now, take a look at your heart. Have you churned somethings that are not good for you? Are you turning out just as the Lord wants you to be? Could it be that we need to pitch a few things that remain in our hearts.

Milk to butter, nosebleeds and anger to strife…there is a connection and we do well to see it.

Roger

29

Jump Start # 2810

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2810

Joshua 24:32 “Now they buried the bones of Joseph which the sons of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the piece of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of Joseph’s sons.”

Recently, one of our class studies took us through the life of Joseph. It wasn’t a detailed look, but more of a 32,000 foot view. Remarkable times and more, a remarkable man of faith is what we find in this Genesis story. Hated. Accused. Character attacked. Forgotten. Terrible home life. All the right ingredients for someone to pour a lifetime into a bottle, find hope in a handful of pills or as most do, just turn mean, nasty and selfish the rest of your life. And, as luck or fate would have it, but believers know it’s the providence of God, Joseph encounters his brothers late in life. They are in need and he is in the position. He could crush them, make them suffer, and get even for all those years. Instead, he offers them forgiveness, hope and grace. He promises to take care of them. He is good to his word and does just that. At the end, as he is dying, Joseph, having lived in Egypt for the past 90 years, longs to be buried in the land that God promised to his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Joseph wants to be buried in Canaan. That’s how Genesis ends. The book begins with God creating life. It ends with these words, “a coffin in Egypt.”

Our verse today is at the end of Joshua. After Joseph died, other Pharaoh’s came on the scene. The people of God were oppressed for four hundred years, according to Stephen’s Acts 7 sermon. Then Moses, parting the Red Sea and forty years of wilderness. That coffin carrying those bones went with them. Through the Red Sea and for forty years it moved about as the nation did. Finally, as the nation comes to the land, drives out the inhabitants and settles down, Joseph is buried. It’s been over 450 years! They have carried those bones for decades.

And, all the time they were carrying those bones, they never realized that they were carrying an example of faith. Through that wilderness period, Israel grumbled, complained and wanted to return to Egypt. They never looked to that coffin and thought about how Joseph did things.

They carried the bones, but not the attitude of Joseph. The nation was not thankful but instead, ugly. They turned on Moses. They were not happy even though God was taking care of them.

They carried the bones, but not the hope of Joseph. Even as he was dying, he was certain that God would bring them to the land of promise. He knew. Faith told him that. But the nation never got that. The nation never understood the awareness of God as Joseph did. Joseph understood that it was God that brought him to Egypt. It was God who had cared for him. Israel forgot God.

They carried the bones, but never realized that they were carrying a resident of Heaven. Hebrews 11 includes Joseph. All of those in that chapter, we are told, gained approval. They made it. And, every day Israel had those reminders.

God would have Joshua to collect stones from the bottom of the Jordan as reminders. Within the ark of the covenant were reminders of God’s law, God’s protection and God’s promises. Even today, our Lord’s Supper is a reminder. A reminder of a great sacrifice and a reminder that the Lord is coming back.

It’s hard to miss the obvious point of carrying bones. Right among them was an example. The nation saw bones, but not life. They saw the remains of a dead man, but not the hope of God. They saw a burden to be carried, not hope to remind them. And, we must be careful that we too do not follow the steps of Israel.

Every Sunday, right among us, are living examples of faith. Men and women who have made difficult choices to walk with the Lord. Some have had to deal with family that turned against them. Some have had to end friendships that we not wholesome and healthy. Some have fought addictions and won. And, each week, right among us, are these examples. Dedicated for decades and unmoving in their faith, these living legends remind us of a home that we are headed to. But do we notice? Do we see? Or, like Israel, do we complain and miss the obvious?

Every Sunday, the ancient word of God is opened, read and preached from. Week after week that ole’ Bible message is proclaimed. We are accustomed to it. We expect it. We are used to it. But do we see those eager eyes of the Ethiopian as he was reading Isaiah and trying to figure out the message? Do we see those early disciples gathered together listening? Do we see those Bereans huddled together, looking through the pages of the word of God to see if what they heard was true? Do we see the eyes of a dying Stephen looking Heavenward as his soul departed from him? Sure, it’s just the Bible, but it’s so much more.

Every Sunday, hymns of praise are sung to our Lord. Songs written years ago, often during trying times, that have lifted spirits and hearts for years. Hymns that we know so well that we could close our eyes and sing them. Hymns that remind us that God is good to us. Hymns that teach us the wonderful blessing of fellowship. Hymns that warn. Hymns that invite. Hymns that dry our eyes and keep us going. Yes, it’s singing, but it’s so much more.

Every Sunday, heads are bowed as words are spoken to Heaven. Words that could not be heard outside in the parking lot somehow reach God’s hears. Words that thank. Words that cry for help. Words that beg for forgiveness. Words that praise. And, as those words end, we say, “Amen.” Sure it’s just another prayer. So many prayers. But are we listening?

For more than 450 years the bones of Joseph were carried about. Maybe, had the nation taken an insightful look at what they were carrying, some lessons would have been learned. We must be sure that we are not carrying bones, but rather that we carry life. Every Sunday, we call it worship. It’s so much more. All around us are lessons. Open your eyes and see…

Roger

26

Jump Start # 2809

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2809

Exodus 5:1 “And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’”

Fifty-five years ago, which seems like a lifetime ago, Time Magazine posed a question on the cover of their magazine. The year was 1966. There was a war on in Vietnam. The public was tired of the war. Young people were told to “tune in, turn on and drop out.” Hippies were protesting. Rock ‘n roll was king. Civil Rights movement was growing. Old and out of touch politicians had no clue as to how to reach a growing dissatisfaction among the young people. Tensions were high. And, Time Magazine, in bold letters across the cover, asked, “Is God dead?” Some wondered. Others saw a decline in mainstream religion. Theologians across the country were wondering how to make God relevant in an increasingly secular society. Is God dead?

Now, all these years later, here we are. And, God remains. Modern church has given up on the simplistic pattern of the N.T. To draw crowds in, church leaders have turned preachers into entertainers and worship into a sideshow. Giving the people what they want may keep the doors open, but it never provides what the people need. Feeding our appetites cannot solve the war within our hearts.

Moses was sent by the Lord to face Pharaoh, the greatest world leader in those times. The message was not based upon a bargain. ‘Here’s what God will do for you, if you will do this for the Lord.’ No promises of blessings and good times if he would do what God wanted. None of that. ‘Thus says the Lord,’ is how our verse reads. God is not asking you for your permission. God is not saying ‘please.’ God is not meeting you half way. There is no compromising here. God says, ‘Let My people go.’ Do what I say.

What has been missing for the past generation is an understanding of “Thus saith the Lord.” An understanding that God is in charge. God has all authority. There is no meeting half way, bargaining, or cutting a deal with the Lord. Our times has lost the reverence and the respect for the Lord. Job learned, the hard way, that we are not in the position to argue, question or debate God. We cannot say anything we want to God. We cannot throw every emotion we feel at Him. One famous writer encouraged his readers to scream, shout and point your finger at God. That writer missed it. He missed the meaning of Job. He missed understanding God.

Some thoughts for us:

First, God does not answer to us. He is not accountable to us. He does not have to tell us why He does what He does. He does not have to get our approval. God is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. The earth is the Lord’s not ours. When God declares, it comes from His position, His authority and His right. Yet, down on earth, people are crying out, “What about our rights?” Equality on earth is not the same as equality in Heaven. God is the potter and we are the clay. The church is not a democracy or run by the will of the people.

Second, Pharaoh learned tragically that he could not stand eye to eye and toe to toe with the Lord. Plague after plague crippled and humiliated Pharaoh. His gods were shown to be worthless and powerless. Pharaoh was at the hand of God and could not escape. And, in the end, when the walls of the Red Sea came crashing in upon his powerful army, they all died.

Third, the theologians of the 1960’s and even today are missing it when they even raise the question, “Is God dead?” A much better question to ponder would be, “Is man alive?” And, in many ways the answer is no. So many live like animals. Most live day to day with no thought of the eternal. Most live as if there was no God, even though He blesses them, shows His existence and is willing to forgive them, every single day. The troubles in life are not a question about God’s existence. They are a reflection of man’s sinfulness and lack of interest in God.

Fourth, the way to connect hearts back to God is not by changing God and worship, but rather by presenting God has He truly is. Holy. Powerful. Magnificent. Mighty. Merciful. Relevant. It’s not God that needs to change, it’s us. It’s not making God practical, it’s making us useful in His kingdom.

These are the times for pure, solid Bible teaching. These are the times for hope through the Scriptures. These are the times for God’s people to step up and be lights into the world. These are the times…

Roger

25

Jump Start # 2808

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2808

Hebrews 11:38 “(men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.”

Last Saturday I watched a video tribute to a great man of faith. I knew this man personally and was honored that he remembered me. A giant among scholars, known throughout the world as a first class historian, author, editor, but to most of us, simply a preacher of the ancient ways. His words were, “I’m seeking Zion,” which reminded all of us what we are about. His name was David. He had a PhD. But most of us simply called him, “Ed,” from his middle name. He passed away last week.

On his tribute video spoke some of the giants of faith in our times. Great gospel preachers. Each of them would deny that claim and simply like to be known as nothing more than servants of Christ. But each of them have preached to thousands of people worldwide and have kept the flames of pure N.T. Christianity burning brightly in a time and age when so many are crying for change.

As I watched that video, I was so thankful to not only know each of these men, but to be known by them. And, I realize from our verse today, that these men have not slept in caves, holes in the ground or wandered about in deserts, however, in many ways the world is not worthy of the wonderful sacrifice, enormous love, and unending dedication that each of them have to the cause of Jesus Christ. Cooperstown is the sacred home for Baseball’s greats, and in Hollywood, there is the “Walk of fame,” but among brethren, dear to our hearts ought to be the names of men who for decades kept us close to the book and moving in the direction of Heaven. A generation is passing through that doorway of death. Their work here is nearly done. We wonder who will fill these shoes that they have worn for so many years. Who will carry the torch to remind us that we are primitive Christians following that path first walked by those early disciples?

When you count your blessings, among them ought to be that you in your life got to hear noble preaching from men like Sewell Hall, Brent Lewis, Bob Owen, Paul Earnhart, Dee Bowman, and now on the other side, Ed Harrell. What a blessing these men have been. What good they have done for us. As they round third base and head for home, that heavenly home, this generation ought to be thankful to the Lord for them and grateful for their example and love for us.

There are some simple threads running through the hearts of all of these men. Humble, kind and seeking to strengthen the kingdom of Jesus Christ, is what you’ll find in their DNA. They aren’t famous as the world defines that vain word, but they are uniquely dear to the hearts of God’s people.

My life, my work, my heart has greatly been influenced by these men. I love them all. And, I’m saddened that a generation is now upon us who do not realize the good that these men have done. To many, these are a group of old men, which they are. But to Heaven, they are soldiers of Christ who helped a generation stay true to the Lord.

We owe it to them to thank them for their impressive and tireless work in the kingdom of Christ. We owe it to tell their stories to those who do not know them. Stories, not about them, but about how much they loved the Lord, preached His word and would not stop until the Lord called them.

One must wonder what shape the church would be in today had it not been for the powerful preaching and writing that these men did. Pouring their hearts out, night after night, all over the country and all over the world, they have left footprints that lead straight to the Cross of our Lord and on to Heaven. We do not worship these men. We do not hold these men as better than anyone else. They would not stand for any of that. But we can’t help but recognize a lifetime of good that they did.

And for this generation, we have been blessed to have our lives intersect, crisscross and be touched by the good that they have done.

God bless each of you. Heroes in my book.

Roger