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Jump Start # 2973

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

Jump Start # 2973

1 Timothy 6:9 “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.”

Have you noticed a subtle vice that has been repackaged, glamorized and brought into our homes? It’s gambling. Sports betting is a common commercial on TV. It lures the innocent into thinking you can make some easy and quick money. There was a time, long ago, when gambling was only associated with Vegas. Then our communities got river boat gambling. But now, one can’t watch a sports game on TV without former superstars pitching the fun of betting on a game.

In my area, gambling and horse racing go hand-in-hand. I went to my first horse races this summer. The place was packed and money was flying at the gambling booths. I decided I was going to try some imaginary picking of a horse for each race. We had racing forms which were so complicated that one needs an engineering degree to figure them out. But I went with the sure winners. They didn’t win. I started picking horses that “looked” like winners. Nope. Then I looked at their past races. Went with the best. Everyone one I picked lost. Finally, I went with the names of the horses. I picked cool names. Lost. I never won a single race. And, had I been putting money on the table, I’d gone home losing a ton of money. Gambling makes the gambling houses rich.

I don’t know if Paul had gambling in mind with our passage, but it is driven at the spirit of “those who want to get rich.” It is hard to find any verse in the Bible that is packed with more negatives than this single sentence. Just look at the words:

  • Fall
  • Snare
  • Foolish
  • Harmful
  • Plunge
  • Ruin
  • Destruction

Seven powerful warnings about the heart that wants to get rich. This verse naturally flows into the next passage where Paul adds, “The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.” Wanting to get rich and love of money seem to mirror each other. We want the value of our homes to increase. We put money into our 401s with the hopes that they grow and someday we can retire. There is no virtue in being broke. There is no life in living paycheck to paycheck. That is just one emergency away from a major disaster.

Throughout Scriptures we read of the wealthy Job, the rich Abraham and Joseph of Arimathea, who was wealthy. Yet with these names we do not read our seven words from our verse today. Ruin is not associated with Abraham. Foolish and snare are not the words we’d use to describe blameless Job. Joseph didn’t plunge into dangerous waters because of his wealth.

Our passage today is looking at an attitude. Some who want to get rich, never do. Many chase all kinds of fads, schemes and rabbits to find quick success, but it generally fails. Gambling, especially the lottery, is nothing more than a carrot that dangles in front of those who want to get rich. You won’t read any financial planning book that advocates gambling or the lottery as a tool to reach your goals. You won’t hear Dave Ramsey pushing gambling on his radio broadcast.

The context our passage is found in ends with specific instructions towards the rich. They are to be rich in good works, generous and ready to share.

Now, here are some thoughts:

First, study finance. It’s not that hard. Too many do not understand some simple principles as budgeting, compounding, and investing. I see what many do as if they are wearing a blind fold and trying to throw darts at a target. Most likely, they’ll miss by a mile. My fellow preachers and shepherds need to have this discussion. Far, far too many preachers are a mess financially. They know Greek, history, and the Bible, but they are clueless when it comes to money. And, as happens much too often, they in late life become a burden to the church or worse, they leave their family in a financial mess because they have not planned and taken care of basics such as insurance.

Second, have a goal. We do that with education. A college student doesn’t flip through the college catalog and just pick out classes he likes. If they do, after four years, they still won’t have a degree. There is a path, a plan, a goal. Stick with it and good things happen. Don’t get caught up with what others have and what others are doing. Don’t become jealous. This is a good lesson for us preachers. There will always be brethren who make a lot more than we do. Don’t let that bother you. There will be some who have weeks and weeks off at the end of the year. The preacher takes a day and then must get busy because Sunday always comes. Have a goal and then work to reach that goal.

Third, be generous. Be generous in your giving. Be generous in helping others. Use your money to help others. God has been generous to us and we ought to be to others. Keep your eyes open and find ways to help others.

It is interesting that Jesus spoke more about money and riches than He did Heaven. Money is part of our lives. Money can color our vision and change our attitudes. Work on honoring God through your blessings. I heard the story of a man preparing to be baptized. He put on the garments and just as he was stepping into the water, he put his wallet in his pocket. The preacher told him, your wallet will get all wet. The man said, “I  know. I need it to get baptized as well.” Sure is something to think about.

Let us develop a thirst for righteousness and the Lord and not money.

Roger

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Jump Start # 2972

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

Jump Start # 2972

Acts 17:11 “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.”

 

  Many of our readers know that I have a passion for Restoration history. I will read and read about the old ways. The other day I was reading an article in the Gospel Advocate that was published in 1915. The eighty-three year old editor, David Lipscomb was writing about individual communion cups. He stated, “Some months ago I published an article opposing a change in the manner of partaking of ‘the fruit of the vine.’ I have somewhat modified my views on the subject since…I have reexamined the history and service of the Passover in the Old Testament and its transformation into the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament, and I have been led to doubt if all who partook of it drank from the same cup.”

 

  Now, from this a few thoughts:

 

  First, things that we are accustomed to had to be thought out and searched in the Scriptures. We think nothing of a church building. Originally, the disciples met in synagogues or homes. The first time someone suggested building a church building, some thought and examination of Scripture had to take place. We think nothing of individual cups for communion. I worshipped with a group overseas that used one container. I was told that they served from the back. I sat in the back. Someone came in late and sat behind me. But the transition from “one cup” to “individual communion cups” took some thinking, looking and consideration.

 

  In our times, we have had to do some head scratching, Bible looking and thinking about things. Is giving electronically ok? Don’t just immediately say ‘yes.’ That ought to be thought out and considered. What about Bible classes via videos? What about using social media? Can the preacher be given a retirement package? Can a church only meet once on a Sunday? Can a church have only one sermon on Sunday?

 

  Second, introducing new methods and ideas without thinking things through and searching the Scriptures can lead to series mistakes and departures from God’s divine pattern. Just because we like it or it is more efficient doesn’t mean that it meets the approval of God. What works in the business world doesn’t always work in the spiritual world. Our verse reminds us that those noble Bereans were hearing things like they never heard before. Instead of simply rejecting them because they were different or embracing them because they were new, they went to the Bible. They searched the Scriptures. Their “Scriptures” at that time would have been the Old Testament. It is there that they would have seen that the prophesied Messiah was Jesus Christ. Do your homework first, before you introduce or suggest new ideas.

 

  Third, I appreciate that the old David Lipscomb was willing to change his views and even openly admit to that. Remember, Lipscomb was born in 1831. The Lord’s church in America was still in it’s first generation. In many places, the restoring principles were just being heard for the first time. Little log cabins is where most of those first American disciples worshipped. But by 1915, there was airplanes, automobiles and a world of change. Change is hard on older folks. How easily, Lipscomb could have stayed with the way he had always worshipped. But with thought, careful study, he modified his views. I hope I can be like that. Don’t be against everything new and different. Don’t be the negative one. Check it out. Do your homework. Then be flexible if the Scriptures allow it.

 

  Fourth, there would be some who were not flexible. They were sticking with the one cup. No amount of reason, Scripture or common sense would move them. In time, congregations divided over this very issue. And, surrounding a memorial to remember the Lord’s death that not only united us with God but made us all one in Christ, this was used to get upset, mean and ugly and break fellowship. What was supposed to pull us together became the means to pull us apart. When on disagrees, make sure it’s Biblically based and not a matter of opinion. We stand united upon the Word of God, not one opinion.

 

  An old man saw something and was willing to change. An old dog did learn new tricks. But the foundation in all of this is searching the Scriptures. The desire to please the Lord always comes before our desire to please ourselves. What I want doesn’t matter. What does the Lord require—now that is what matters.

 

  Roger

 

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Jump Start # 2971

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

Jump Start # 2971

Joshua 1:2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.”

What a straight forward and even blunt announcement God delivers, “Moses is dead.” I think Joshua knew it was coming, because Moses had laid his hands upon him and it was understood that Joshua was going to be the next leader, but still, it had to be shocking to him. Moses died and God buried him. There was a period of mourning for one month. That month passed and now it was time to get about the business that God wanted them to do.

This verse is swirling around my mind today as yet another friend, another fellow preacher, another hero has passed. Three wonderful preachers that I knew and loved have gone through that door of death this year. A historian and scholar, Ed Harrell, who opened my eyes to the love of church history. A master preacher, Dee Bowman, who I learned the art of preaching and communication from. And, now, yet another, Gerry Sandusky, who would tell you that he doesn’t belong in the same lists with the other two, has passed. Gerry was a simple man who loved people and the Lord. The Bible tells us about Moses that when he died his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated. That’s Gerry. Tirelessly working to the very end, preaching his heart out to anyone who would listen, Gerry was a hero in my book.

And, as I think about these three wonderful preachers several reminders come to my mind.

First, as with Moses, the nation of God move on. The kingdom is larger than any of us. It didn’t stop when Moses died. Joshua took over. Later there would be other heroes like David, Hezekiah, Nehemiah, Ezra, John the baptizer, all pointing towards God’s divine son, Jesus Christ.

Historically, this year is turning out much like 1940. In that year, several well known preachers passed away. Many today would not recognize their names, but we stand upon the wonderful work that they did. They served their generation well and lived and taught the word of God the best that they could. So, it is now. The amazing work that Ed, Dee and Gerry have done continues on in the lives of those who were influenced by them. But the kingdom won’t be crippled without them here. It won’t be crippled without us here. We do our part. We pour our hearts into God’s work and then the Lord calls us home.

Second, the torch was passed from Moses to Joshua. Joshua wasn’t Moses. He would do things the best he could, but it would have his touch, not Moses’. After 1940, came the next generation of preachers. They took on the role of teaching, writing and helping others. Now, some of our current leaders are handing us the torch. It’s our turn to step up and carry on. We will not be Ed, Dee, nor Gerry. We’ll work the kingdom with our own touch. But the work isn’t done. After a period of mourning, God told Joshua, let’s go. They were marching onward. The promise land was ahead of them. And, thus it is for us. There is a new generation that must be taught the ways of the Lord. There are battles to be fought against error, virtual church syndrome, selfishness and sin. The work is great and the need for people to step up is there. Some of my dearest friends are preachers of my generation. Too many to list, I love them all. They are spread out all over the place doing good. Some are engaged in overseas work. Some are working with elders throughout the land to open their eyes to shepherding. Some are working with young men who want to preach. Some are working in small places. Some are in large cities. They recognize that our heroes are passing through the door one by one. Keeping the ship of Zion pointed in the right direction is a heavy task, but it can be done through continual preaching and teaching of God’s incredible word.

Third, the day will come when it will be my generation’s time to pass through that door to the other side. Time is slipping by quickly and there is so much to be done. One of the most important things is preparing those who follow to carry on faithfully and courageously. There is a treasure that has been handed to us, it is the honor of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must handle that carefully and soon pass that on to those behind us. It is like watching a flag being folded at a military funeral. There is such care and respect that is shown. And, in a solemn fashion, that flag that was draped over the casket of a long ago soldier is now carefully handed to the family of that deceased person. In many ways, this is what I see taking place now. Ed, Dee and Gerry have folded that wonderful Gospel that they loved and taught so well for decades. They have turned and handed it to us. And now, we must take that Gospel, spread it worldwide and when our time comes, we must carefully hand it to those who follow.

Heroes in the Gospel. Lovers of truth. Seekers of Heaven. We’ve got something in common with those kind of people. These are our people. They are loved for the wonderful work that they have done. They are friends. They are in many ways what we wish we were. And, now that they are safely home. It’s our time to keep marching toward that promise land, driving out the enemies and keeping the people of God safe. We hold to the promises of God. We long to see our heroes again in that Heavenly home.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing our lives to intersect with these spiritual giants. May we now have the courage to travel boldly and pick up the work that you would have us to do.

We have been blessed.

Roger

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Jump Start # 2970

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

Jump Start # 2970

Psalms 138:1 “I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods.”

NOTE: With tomorrow being a holiday, there will be no Jump Start. We look forward to being back with you on Friday.

Tomorrow is the national holiday we call Thanksgiving. It is a day set aside to be thankful. For the disciple, this is just one day of a whole year of thankful days. The child of God realizes that he is blessed, loved and saved by the amazing grace of Jesus Christ.

Our Psalm today, written by David, reminds us of the many ways to be thankful. David didn’t have a special Thursday in November that made him think this way. This was his way of life. And, it is our way of life as well.

First, the chapter begins, as our verse states, “I will give You thanks with all my heart.” To be thankful one recognizes the generosity of someone else. He not only appreciates it, but he expresses that. Thank you. Thank you with all of my heart. Thank you with all that I have and all that I am.

Second, the thankful heart naturally leads to praising. Within our verse we find, “I will sing praises to You.” I sing, because I am thankful. We find here a cheerful, joyous heart. A heart that is content. A heart that is not looking at what others have, or, complaining, or is bitter or jealous. This heart is joyful. It is a thankful heart. Maybe why we hear so much complaining these days is that folks are no longer thankful.

Third, David was thankful, in the next verse, for God’s lovingkindness and truth. It is that truth that shows us Jesus. It is that truth that pulled us out of the pit of darkness and despair. Truth was a key that opened the prison door. That truth led to salvation. That truth led to righteous living and godly choices. Thankful for truth. Thankful for those who preach the truth. Thankful for those who are not ashamed of the truth. Thankful for those who defend the truth. Thankful for being among those who walk in the truth. Without the truth, we are blinded by the darkness of error. Truth is a light and shines forth.

Fourth, David said, “On the day I called, You answered me.” Answered prayers. Thankful for answered prayers. Thankful that God cares enough to listen to us. Thankful that God doesn’t think, “Not him again,” or, “what does he want now?” Not God. He’s not like that. How many times have you prayed to God? How many times has the Lord forgiven you? How many times have you needed God’s help? For most of us, it’s too many to count. “You answered me,” is what David said. He remembered. He was thankful that God was there for him.

Fifth, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me.” Those words are sure fitting for us today. Trouble is everywhere. We walk in the midst of trouble. Yet, for David, the Lord kept him safe. The Lord was there for him. The Lord kept trouble away. Think about the times we see this in David’s life. As a shepherd, there was the lion and the bear that he encountered. Then there was a giant. Then there was King Saul. Then there was Philistines. Later in life, there was his own son. Trouble was always swirling around David, but somehow, and we know how, God kept him safe. How about your life? Trouble at work. Trouble at home. Trouble in the neighborhood. Trouble in church. Trouble in your heart. God has kept you going. God has been for you. God has kept you going.

If it has been a while since you looked through Psalm 138, I’d encourage you to take another look, especially on the eve of Thanksgiving. David realized that God was in his life. God had touched his life. David was thankful.

May we become the same…not just today, but everyday.

Roger

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Jump Start # 2969

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

Jump Start # 2969

Psalms 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”

This week we are looking at things to be thankful for. That ought to be an easy task for us. It’s easy to think about the obvious things such as family, health, jobs, and food. We must never take those for granted but our level of thankfulness needs to extend beyond the obvious. Get a group of people together, turn the topic to items we are thankful for, and family, health, jobs and foods are repeated over and over.

Here is one for you to think about: Unity in the church. This is something that doesn’t just happen and in many places it is missing. It’s hard to worship when tensions and stress are high. It’s hard to focus when you are upset, hurt and feel like things are not right. That is exactly where many are today. Going to worship is a struggle because one often leaves feeling worse than when they came in.

But when things are right, and unity abounds, as our passage identifies today, how good and how pleasant that is. The joys of unity brings a wealth of love, acceptance and cooperation among members. Here are some things to consider:

First, church services become a emotional and spiritual oasis when unity is strong. We can feel beat up by the world. The work environment can be very toxic. The number of people quitting their jobs is staggering. The ‘great resignation’ is underway in our country. Fed up with the corporate system, many have thrown in the towel. Kentucky leads the nation in the number of people quitting jobs. Social media can be another place of turmoil and heartache. But in the church, when unity prevails, there is a sense of peace, calm and rightness. One doesn’t feel challenged or that they have to prove themselves. No one is being judged. No one is being compared to others. All are loved, wanted and accepted in Christ. This makes going to worship a highlight of the week. The soul is refreshed. The heart is reminded. Around are those who love, serve and care, even about you. For that, we must be thankful.

Second, among each other we are shown to be humble. This begins with our leaders as they connect us to the Lord. There is no room for boasting. We stand before the Lord. Selfishness is squeezed out of us as we put others first. We serve. We follow. We help. Hand-in-hand, we honor Jesus. What a delight that as in Galatians, Jew-Gentile, master-slave, male-female, could overlook those differences and be one in Christ. Today, it might be, white-black, PhD-high school grad, millionaire-entry level job, all one in Christ. Loved. Excepted. Wanted. United. What a blessing. What a joy. Much to be thankful for.

Third, when unity is strong, it’s easy to pray for each other, and pitch in and help each other. We do that because we love each other. The way we serve is amazing. No one is alone. No one carries the load all on their own. We lean on each other. We encourage each other. We help each other. This is true from the shepherds down to the sheep and from the sheep to the shepherds. What an amazing group of people. So many would come running if you had a need. So many would open their homes, their wallets and their hearts if you needed them. I have seen so many times, a funeral home packed with people from the church. I’ve seen the crowd at weddings filled with people from the church. What a blessing that is. We have been there for each other. We’ve seen these children grow up, get married and start their own families. We’ve been through smiles, tears, surgeries, fun times and hard times. We are indeed more than a church, we are family, the family of Christ.

And, when that feeling is strong, one doesn’t push his own agenda. One doesn’t demand. One doesn’t get ugly and accuse others. We are patient with each other. We understand each other. We love each other. We have no problems forgiving each other. We are quick to apologize and we are quicker still to extend grace and forgive. That’s that families do. That’s what unity does.

So, this Thanksgiving, don’t forget to thank the Lord for being part of an amazing unity that stands strong in the Lord and in their love for each other. Each person adds to the unity. Each person makes all the difference.

Bless be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. Had it not been for Jesus, most of us would have never known each other. Most of us would have missed this amazing unity and incredible love. Much to be thankful for. Much to work hard to keep the ties strong.

Be thankful.

Roger