25

Jump Start # 2873

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

Jump Start # 2873

Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.”

Special Note: Jump Starts is taking a few days off. We hope to be back on July 12th. There are literally hundreds of earlier Jump Starts posted on the website (www.jumpstartsdaily.com) that you can refer to. Thank you!

Paul loved the people of God. You can see that in the way he talks about brethren. You can see that in the longing he had to be with them. You can see that in how careful he was and protective he was of them. He simply loved the people of God.

And, for Paul, one of his greatest punishments was being isolated from these brethren. Stuck in a prison, he could not have the closeness and the fellowship that he had on the outside. The chains were nothing to Paul. Prison bars didn’t bother him. What hurt him was not being with his beloved brethren and not seeing how they were doing. In his thoughts, in his heart, and in his prayers is where the people of God were for Paul.

Now all of this comes back around to us. Paul had a strong affection for the people of God. Today, there are some who can’t stand each other in the church. They talk nasty about others, never go out of their way for others and would rather spend the day with worldly family and friends than with the people of God. And, if it is that way, how in the world do they plan to spend eternity with the people of God in Heaven? What do they think will change? If they don’t like brethren here, how will they like brethren there?

What do folks think Heaven will be like and who do they think will be there? Heaven isn’t an amusement park. Heaven isn’t doing your own thing the way you want to. Something is very wrong when we feel more comfortable and have more in common with the world than we do the people of God.

God’s people are not perfect. We are all a work in progress. We all need Jesus. Yet, we are trying. We love the Lord and His ways. We seek to do what God says. We may be quirky, odd and different, but we certainly aren’t blaspheming the Lord’s name, ignoring His laws, and living a selfish, arrogant life. Not at all.

Paul understood that the people of God had something going for them. Don’t you think there were a few odd ones back then? Don’t you think there were a few that didn’t fit in with the fashions of the day. Don’t you think there were some who leaned a bit to the judgmental side of things. Yet, these are the people of God. They have obeyed Jesus. They have made the Lord, their Lord. They have surrendered their hearts to Jesus. They have crucified themselves. Daily they were praying. Daily they were imitating. Daily they were walking in the steps of the Savior. The Romans probably didn’t think they were cool. The Greeks certainly thought they were dense. The philosophers wouldn’t waste their time thinking about them. Yet, these were God’s people. His family. Heaven Bound.

Some thoughts:

First, any attempt to merge the world with Christ is certain to fail. Hip Christians. Cool Christians. With it Christians. Drop all those tags. Either we are with Jesus or we are not. Don’t impress the world by trying to be like the world. You are different, if you are a Christian. You are going a different direction and you are after different things.

Second, we must not allow the world to define what is fun, right or successful for us and we cannot let the world shame us because it will not go along with Christ. Every attempt of Satan fails. Look what he offered Eve. Was she better off after eating the forbidden fruit? Satan tempted her and then abandoned her. He used her and forsook her. It was God who came along with the animal skins. It was God who came up with a plan to redeem man. It was God who came and cleaned up the mess that Satan made.

Third, take your eyes off the world. The glitter of money and fame will twist our values and colors our vision. God has more interests in the hearts of those who are lowly, hurting and believing than those who think they are standing on top of the world.

Paul loved his brethren. Do you? Paul had a place in his heart for those dear believers. Do you? If the people of God do not excite you here, they certainly won’t excite you up in Heaven. All around us are the best people in the whole world. They are not famous. They are not headliners. But they fill the heart of God and someday they will fill Heaven.

God’s people—you just gotta love ‘em.

Roger

24

Jump Start # 2872

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2872

Acts 17:17 “So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.”

Often times it is hard to know where to begin a spiritual conversation with our friends. They can seem so different or more accurately, so indifferent to the things of God. Paul, in this passage was debating or reasoning with the Jews and Gentiles. This chapter begins with Paul doing the same thing in another city.

Let’s consider one of the most powerful arguments for the system of God. One can debate creation/evolution, origins, science but right before our eyes is manifested the greatest proofs that we need to see. It is a matter of world views. There are two world views—one is the Biblical world view, which includes God, creation and salvation in Jesus Christ. The other world view is secular. This world view puts man at the top. There is no God in this world view. The Bible is a product of the imaginations of men. Evolution is how we got here. There is no life after death in the secular world view.

Two world views—and the secular view dominates most lives today. And, it is here that powerful reasoning has a foothold. Look at the world that the secular principles have given us. In every major city, shootings and the murder rate is sky rocketing. Crime is increasing. Addictions are rising. Racism and hatred are everywhere. So many politicians are corrupt. Mass shootings are so common that they are hardly newsworthy. Dysfunctional and broken homes plague the landscape. People do not even know what gender they are. The spirit of intolerance and complaining fills the hearts of so many.

This is where we are today. The picture is dark. Things are not better, they are getting worse. Fear, worry and confusion are everywhere. Broken lives and hurting hearts are not being healed. This is what the secular world view has given us. This dark, dark world we live in is not the result of compassion, grace and forgiveness. It did not get this way by following divine standards of God. And, when we look at where we are as a society, what’s the point? What’s the purpose? Where are we headed? Is the secular worldview working? We can’t get along with anyone who is different than we are. The secular worldview has caused this. The secular worldview has no solutions to improve things. The secular world view offers no hope. The secular worldview is as broken as the world it messed up. A selfish generation is upon us who feels that they are victims and need to have every problem fixed by someone else. Have you been to an airport recently? I have. There are more dogs than children. These dogs are not in containers. They are out in the open. Support animals, is what I’m told they are. And, who has these dogs? It’s not senior citizens. No, the senior citizens understand trials, hardships, suffering and faith. Mostly, it’s young 20-something females. And, why is it that they need support from a dog? Well, this is where the secular worldview has taken them. There is no support in life. There is no hope in life. And, at the tender age of 20, so young, they are already unable to cope with what the secular worldview offers. So, they have a dog. They can talk to their dog, but the dog can’t talk back. The dog will wag his tail but he won’t offer advice such as, “Get a life and a backbone.”

The Biblical worldview has God at the center. He is hope. He is life. Things not only have a purpose, a plan and a future, but with God, there is direction and hope. God hears. God answers. God blesses. Don’t need a support dog with the Biblical view, you have God. And, God is so much better than what your dog can do.

Two worldviews. And, a great way to start the conversation is: “How are things working out for you?” The secular view runs from the topic of death. It doesn’t like to focus upon the deeper things in life. It doesn’t look to help others.

Jesus came to give us abundant life. That doesn’t start in Heaven—it begins now, right now. Confidence, optimism, helpfulness, joy, peace, kindness, sharing, serving—that’s what comes with the Biblical worldview. What’s the hope to end racism? Get rid of all the police? What’s the answer to growing crime? What’s the solution to rising drug problems? The secular view only has hope in the government. The Biblical view has hope in Christ. And, we know Christ works. We have a long history with that. Slavery ended not because of secularism, but because of Christianity.

Reasoning by looking at the world through two different lenses. Which one gives the better view?

Roger

23

Jump Start # 2871

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2871

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.”

Our verse today is one of those reminders that we know so well, but it is good to look at over and over again. Do good. We all should do good. If one isn’t doing good, then he is either doing nothing or else, he is doing bad. And, neither one of those is acceptable.

These thoughts flow into the next verse where the apostle says to “do good to all men, especially those who are of the household of faith.” Doing good. Eating well and exercising, staying within your budget are all good things to do, but they are all directed inward, toward us. A person can do those things for a lifetime and still miss the direction of this passage. The doing good is not towards yourself but pointed to others. Do good to others. Look beyond yourself and do something worthwhile for others.

Now built within our verse today are some important thoughts for us to consider:

First, you are always needed to help others. One should never run out of things to do for others. There is always needs. Someone needs some encouragement. There is a card that needs to be sent to cheer up someone. There is someone that needs an hour of your time. There is someone that could use a helping hand on Saturday. There is a thank you text you ought to send to someone. Someone in the hospital. Some young preacher fresh out of the box preaching his first lessons. Someone who has buried a loved one. Someone who is struggling with addictions. Someone who has more bills than money. Someone in the congregation needs things. Someone in the neighborhood needs help. Someone at work needs help. There is always someone somewhere you has needs.

A Christian having nothing to do is not a good place to be. If that’s the case, open your eyes. Look around. Get connected with others. Go talk to the shepherds, they’ll put you in touch with those who you can do good to.

Second, because the needs are constant, one can get tired, very tired. And, when one gets to that place, the joy of serving turns into a burden. And that burden is what our passage is driving at. Losing heart and growing weary, at the front end and the back end of our passage, shows the danger that being overwhelmed can make one feel. Discouraged or losing heart comes from seeing more than you can do yourself. It comes from feeling that you are the only one doing things. It comes from wanting to fix every problem and help every person. And, when one becomes weary, it is easy to become cranky and complain. Our sweetness becomes sour. And the good we are trying to do is ruined because of a wrong attitude.

Paul’s words are simple: don’t go there. Don’t become weary. Don’t lose heart. Don’t allow the burden to destroy the good you are trying to do. Now, that sounds true and we understand that we shouldn’t go there, but how do we keep from losing heart and becoming weary?

First, understand you cannot solve every problem and you cannot help every person. If you try, you will be the one who needs help. You will need encouragement. Some of us struggle with this. We want to be in the middle and involved with every situation. We spend all day with people and all night on the phone. But you can’t. Jesus didn’t go into all the world. He used others, the apostles. And, even they couldn’t be everywhere. This is why we read of Paul sending Timothy, Titus and others to various places. Take off the cape. You are not Superman. You have limitations, responsibilities at home and needs to take care of yourself. A discouraged person cannot encourage, just as a broke person cannot lend money. So, there will be some people that you cannot help. There will be some that you cannot encourage. This does not mean you have failed nor let them down. You can only do so much.

Second, because the needs are so great and you are limited in what you can do, others need to help. This is why we are a team and a family in the congregation. You have your talents and others have their talents. There are shepherds and deacons and members. When everyone does what they can, even if it is little things, so much more can be accomplished. We may feel guilty when we hear of some taking food to someone and you didn’t. Someone helped a family unload boxes and you didn’t. You can’t be everywhere. Allow others to do things. It’s good for them and it helps them to grow and connect with others. Now, if you hear of others doing things and you don’t help anyone and you are not doing good to anyone, then the guilt you feel is deserved. Step it up. Get involved with your church family and those around you.

Third, as you do good, include others. This shows them, teaches them and allows them to practice doing good. This is especially true of young children. We are seeing a culture of selfishness and rudeness all around us. How you break that is to involve others in the good you are doing. Don’t shut the door on allowing others to help. Doing good isn’t your exclusive project. Little ones can go with you to take food. Little ones can color pictures and be mailed along with the cards you send. Little ones can pick up sticks, visit nursing homes and cheer up sad hearts. Not only does this teach others to be servants, it keeps a legacy of goodness being done. I’ve been at places when the people have wondered who will host the next generation of showers. Who will visit the hospitals when the current ones no longer can? Who will help when the helpers are no longer here?

Fourth, doing good for others means giving up of your time. It is a sacrifice. And those who are doing good right now, they have families and things to do at home. They have the same things as you do. But what they also have is a heart to serve and share. Yes, some are thankless for the good that you do. Do it anyway. Yes, others might have something to say about what you are doing. Do it anyway. Yes, there are times you’d like to just stay home and watch TV, but you don’t. You help. You do what you can to make life easier for others. You do this because this is what God wants you to do. You do this because this is the golden rule in practice. You do this because someone has been there for you. You do this because you can.

Do good—don’t lose heart and don’t get weary. Just do good.

Roger

22

Jump Start # 2870

Posted on June 22, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2870

Psalms 119:103 “How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

 

Last week we had our VBS at my home congregation. It was amazing. The kids came. Adults came. Visitors came. The preaching was excellent. The place was decorated to fit the theme for the children. We same those great VBS songs. There was a lot of energy, excitement and joy for those few days.

This was our first big event of the year and the first major task we took on since the pandemic. We were not sure what to expect. We had tons of our church family step up and volunteer to decorate, teach, clean up, move things around, feed the guest preacher, pass out material and help direct folks to where they needed to be. What a powerful team effort. Everyone stepped up and everyone did an amazing, amazing job. And, people came. People came from the community. People came from other congregations. It was a beautiful event and lifted all of our hearts.

And, this past week showed something special to me. Here are a few thoughts:

First, in the culture of change when so many are wanting to always be forward looking and trying different things, it’s nice to go back to some fundamental basic events, such as a VBS. So many of us remember going to a VBS when we were children. Now all these years later, it’s easy to think that we have out grown those traditional things. But to see the delight in those children’s eyes as they were sitting together by age, singing out with all their might, some even shouting the songs, reminded us how good and wonderful this was.

Two of our grandchildren came and went to the VBS with us. Little four-year-old Rylee at dinner one night said to me, “I’m going to Zion, tonight!” She may not have fully understood what all happened on Mt. Zion, but she was excited. On Thursday, after the VBS was over, she was disappointed that she couldn’t go again that night. Don’t underestimate how wonderful simple things are.

Congregations are having to think about gospel meetings, lectureships, VBS and other events that have been held for years and years. Adjustments and changes sometimes have to be made. But don’t give up so easily. Put some fresh eyes to what you need to do. Give it a new look. Use your talents and gifted people around you and see what can be done. Our VBS showed us that after a long year like last year, people are wanting to get out and be together in a spiritual atmosphere.

Second, the good it does for these little hearts is amazing. I was watching those little ones singing and singing with smiles on their faces. What would become of these little ones? In just no time, it seems, they’ll no longer be little. They will be finishing high school, off to college, falling in love, starting their careers, and having their own families. I wondered how many would remember, years from now, those songs we sang? How many would remember the wonderful lessons that were taught to them? Would this week be something that helped them make the right spiritual choices later in life? Would those lessons help them as they faced dark valleys and challenging times in their lives? God’s word was taught. Little hearts listened. And, the prayers of moms and dads and the whole church is that a lasting difference would stick in their hearts. Long after the papers that they colored were thrown away, the little crafts pitched, would the lessons remain deep in their hearts. That is always the desire of a church as any event is put on. It is always much more than just the moment, but the lasting impact. Long after the visiting preacher goes home, would the lessons remain in the hearts of the audience? Would good come from such things?

Third, putting on something like a VBS takes an army. It is expensive. It takes a lot of hours in preparation, planning and organizing. So much has to be done. But what a wonderful way to get people together and to use their talents for the glory of the Lord. Working together to decorate a room, cut out things to be used in classes, or moving tables and chairs around, puts each other together and joyfully using our muscle and talents for the good of the kingdom. On this side of the pandemic, it was great seeing people giving up their evenings to come and help set things up and get things ready. We missed things like this. And, we missed doing things together.

Fourth, in any endeavor that a church puts forth, first and always is the glory to the Lord. We do things, not to show off, boast or even to look at ourselves. We do these things to honor the Lord. We want people to leave with a sense of the Lord in their hearts. Little ones will learn the books of the Bible and what happened on places like Mt. Zion, but the big ones will learn about how Christ can shape their lives and give them hope in a very dark and depressing world.

God’s word, as our verse reminds us today, is sweet. It’s wonderful to our souls. It’s wonderful to know that the pandemic and doom didn’t win. It’s wonderful to know that God’s word is still treasured among the hearts of God’s people. Don’t let defeat, dark days, and gloom take away your hope in the Lord. Shepherds it’s time to get those sheep heading towards green pastures! Get folks involved. Put some things on the books. Fire the engines up. Encouragement, joy and even excitement can once again fill the air.

Roger

21

Jump Start # 2869

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2869

Mark 7:24 “And from there He arose and went away to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice.”

It’s summer time. Schools are out. The weather is hot. And, for many it’s time to hit the road on vacation. Our Jump Starts will be taking a break soon. I’ll tell you more about that when it gets closer. And, all of this takes us to our verse today. Even our Lord wanted to get away. Once the ministry of Jesus began, there was hardly any time to rest. On one occasion, He and the disciples got into a boat and got away from the crowds. But the crowds didn’t go home. They saw which direction the boat was heading and they ran on ahead and got there first. They were waiting for Jesus.

In our verse today, Jesus heads north. He’s away from the big city of Jerusalem. He is even away from Galilee. Up in Tyre, few would know him. He could rest. He needed to rest His mind, body and soul. All around, there were people wanting healings. People were constantly asking Him questions. So many people. So many needs. Here in Tyre, He could find some peace and quiet, even if it was for just a moment. But, even there, people knew He was there. Word got out. People came. Following our verse today is the healing of the Canaanite’s daughter. She was demon possessed. Jesus cast the demon out.

Now, some thoughts for us:

First, there are times we need to get away. Away from our regular routine. Away from work. Away from family stress. Sometimes doing nothing is ok. Don’t make it your career. Don’t stay idle long. But the Lord shows us that resting is important. On the seventh day God rested. The Sabbath was a rest for Israel. The green pastures and quiet waters that the shepherd leads us to are for our benefit.

Not everyone can afford a vacation. Not everyone can be gone long. Demands of an aging parent, needs at work and other similar factors force us to keep close to home. But even in your own home you can find ways to “get away.” Take a Saturday and sleep in. Go to a State Park. Take a walk in the neighborhood. Rest your mind and heart. Leave the phone off for a while.

Second, the wonderful news about Jesus spread. How did folks way up in Tyre know Jesus was there? There were no banners posted or flyers mailed out. There was no podcast announcing His locations. People knew because good news spreads. People were seeing the impossible. Lives were being changed. Hope was abounding. People just couldn’t keep quiet about those things. All of this sure makes us wonder a about our evangelism. Jesus was in town, and it seems that the people knew it.

Third, wonderful things can happen when we visit other congregations. We can be refreshed by seeing what others are doing. We can get ideas that we can share with those back home. Being a way has a way of making us appreciate what we have at home.

Fourth, some of us preachers are not good at taking time off. We need to. The demands of the work, our own conscience and the desire to have things just right, keeps many preachers preaching and preaching. But ideas run out. The mind gets tired. The work gets sloppy. Wise shepherds pick up on things like that. They sense that the preacher ought to have a break. Sometimes it’s nothing more than having someone in the congregation fill in on a Sunday. This helps the preacher and has a wonderful way of developing those who have not done that much. Preachers are not supermen. They get tired. They get frustrated. They need to get some fresh air and they need to stay connected to the Lord.

Finally, there are some important things that we never take a break from. We always need the Lord. Here, there and everywhere—at work, on vacation, on a Saturday, as well as on a Sunday. If you are traveling this summer, be sure to toss in your Bible. You never take a vacation from the Lord. Also, we don’t take a break from our marriages. That’s not healthy. That invites trouble. We don’t take a vacation from our role as parents. You may send the kids to a camp, or to grandmas for a week, but you are still a parent.

Summer time—watermelon, kids running through sprinklers, picnics and fun. Rest the mind. Rest the heart. Rest the soul. But as in our passage today, those that need you are always near by. Get back into the spiritual battle, race and journey with the Lord.

Roger