31

Jump Start # 3058

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump start # 3058

James 1:6 “But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

When one looks at this passage, several thoughts and questions rise to the surface. Why is this person praying, if he is doubting? Why ask God if he believes nothing will happen? Why go through the process at all?

And, I have heard people who fit this passage exactly. “I’ll pray,” they say, “but it won’t do any good. I just know nothing good is going to happen.” And, they are right. Nothing good happens. Now, they may comfort themselves by saying, “I told you so,” but the truth is, they doomed their prayer even before it left their lips. They closed the door to Heaven even before their prayer reached Heaven. And, for some, they would point the finger at God for not answering their prayer. “See,” they say, “I knew God wouldn’t answer my prayer.” They didn’t give God a chance. Their faithless heart killed their prayer.

The next verse is exact when it says, “For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.” Doubting prayers can be a plague of our times, our churches and our homes. Just why would a doubter pray in the first place?

Here are some thoughts:

First, it may be that he has been told over and over to pray and he has tried everything else, so he prays. He doesn’t think anything will happen, and because of that, nothing does happen. He sits in the church building listening to sermons about prayer. So, he prays. He prays because he feels compelled to. He prays because he has to. He prays out of peer pressure and guilt and not out of love for the Lord. And, when nothing happens, it only stiffens his resolve to pray less. “Why pray,” he thinks, “nothing ever happens.”

Second, he views prayer, much like a gambler does the dice table. The gambler has lost a lot of money. But he tries, one more time. Lady Luck, he believes will shine on him one of these days. And, this is how some view their prayers. Most times, nothing happens. But, he’ll try one more time. Maybe this time, things will turn God’s ear. He knows the odds are against him. He knows the track record isn’t good. He prays, with more hope on chance than on God. He holds out for luck, not faith. If I’m lucky, God will answer my prayer. He must think that of thousands of prayers ascending to Heaven every day, that God randomly picks a few and answers those. And, if one keeps trying, he might get lucky one day. What a pitiful view of God he has and what a warped concept of prayer he has developed in his heart. That’s not how God operates and it is not how prayers are answered.

Third, yet another reason someone might pray doubting is because he has heard that good Christians pray. He wants to be a good Christian. He prays because he is supposed to, not because he wants to. This same person attends worship for the same reason. That’s what good Christians do. He attends because he has to, not because he wants to. His entire walk with God is a matter of checking off the right boxes on a sheet of paper. Did you read your Bible today? He’d check that “yes.” Have you prayed today? Another, box checked off. But, it is mechanical and not emotional. It’s duty, not desire. It’s have to, and not, want to. When people think of good Christians, he wants to be in that group.

Fourth, still another reason why someone prays doubting is because he doesn’t fully understand the Lord. He believes that God will not answer his prayers because he has not been as he should. His sins, although forgiven by God, they are never forgotten by himself. He remembers. How could the God of Heaven have anything to do with someone like me, he believes. He prays, but he doubts. He feels so worthless and so overcome by guilt that he questions his salvation and wonders aloud if Heaven would even be possible for him. He prays, but thinks, God won’t answer a sinful man. This person hasn’t grasped the concept of forgiveness. He needs to forgive himself. He needs to give himself another chance, as the Lord is giving him.

Four different people pray. They all doubt. They all have different reasons for doubting. All of their prayers fall flat. It’s not God. It’s not what they are asking for. It’s a lack of faith that is keeping their prayers from God’s ears.

What we learn in the Scriptures is that prayer doesn’t have to be long to be effective. Prayer doesn’t have to touch all the right points and categories to be answered. Prayer does not have to be built upon large words. Realize who you are talking to. Know God. Pray from your heart. Open the curtains of your heart. Be honest. Be true. Be humble.

There are a number of ways that prayer can be worthless. Peter tells husbands that the way they treat their wives can impact their prayers. You can’t be wrong with your wife and right with God. Prayer can be worthless if we ask things outside the will of God.

What a blessing it is to know that you can talk to God any time and any where. There is never a time when prayer doesn’t fit. God is always there. God is always caring. What a benefit, what a blessing, to be a child of the Lord.

Let us be a people who believe in prayer. Let us pray believing.

Roger

30

Jump Start # 3057

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3057

  Matthew 19:5 “and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall leave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.”

Spring is the time for flowers, getting outside and for around this year, weddings. We have many weddings in our church family. I’m doing some of them and others I’ll just be smiling from the audience. I like weddings, especially when they are someone else’s to deal with. All of our kids are married. There are so many choices to make and decisions to be decided upon. Details, details, and more details. Weddings can really be stressful, especially when they are outside because changing the weather is something only Jesus can do.

What happens after the wedding? The gifts have been given. The cake has been eaten. Everyone has gone home. Now, what? There are some lessons that we need to remember. What happens after the wedding?

First, there is a marriage to be lived. The wedding is one day. The marriage is for a lifetime. I fear that some pour so much into having the perfect wedding that they settle for having a subpar marriage. After the wedding, it’s back to work. There are bills to pay. There are plans and dreams to be lived. There are the day to day things of life. Not everyday is exciting like the wedding day. Some days are just plain ordinary days, nothing special. Life is made up of many ordinary days. But what makes those ordinary days extraordinary are what we put into those days. Pack them with such things as: Kindness, character, heart, love, grace, and especially forgiveness.

After the wedding, there is a marriage to be lived.

Second, after the wedding, there is a God to be honored. It’s fairly common to have some prayers and Bible readings at a wedding. Those things fit because it was God who came up with the idea of marriage, not us. Since God designed marriage, we ought to not only invite God to the wedding, but into our homes after the wedding. There is a God that needs to be worshipped. There are people to be encouraged. There are those who need to be taught. As a newly married couple, it’s time to start putting in place the values that mean so much. Together as a new couple, begin some great spiritual habits together. Get down to the church house early. Have some folks over for hospitality. Plug into the teaching program. You are establishing your own home, your own habits, and your own path. No longer are you tagging along with your parents. Branch out. Spread your wings. Use your talents. Honor the Lord. After the wedding, there is a God to be honored.

Third, a new chapter for parents begin. This new chapter is hard. Unless thought out carefully, parents that mean well, can become a major problem in the newly married couple’s life. The young couple can only spread their wings, if we parents will allow them. Expecting, even demanding, with some added guilt on top, that they go out to eat with you every week is too much. Just because the family always took a vacation together, doesn’t mean that the young couple will. Give them some room, space and a chance to breathe. Let them make some of their own decisions. Smothering parents can force a young man or a young woman to have to choose between the parents or their spouse. They shouldn’t be put in that place. A vacation without them. A holiday alone. Those are the things that some parents struggle with. When Jesus said that a man should leave his father and mother, he was not talking about the location of his home. He was talking about maturity, responsibility and establishing your own way. But a man can only leave his father and mother, if the father and mother will let him go. Some of us don’t do that. We want to tag along, and express our thoughts, insights and opinions to nearly everything they do. That smothers.

We have found that unless our kids are doing something that would hurt their souls, we try to stay out of their lives. If they ask for our advice, we will offer it, but otherwise we try to keep quiet. So, they do things I wouldn’t do. Can they go to Heaven that way? Yes. Then stay out of their business. It’s hard, but it’s the best. We wouldn’t want someone interfering in what we do.

Fourth, there is a Heaven that must be sought. The wedding ends, but the journey to Heaven never does. Choices. Friends. Jobs. Churches. So much comes through our lives. Keeping Heaven in the forefront will help one navigate safely through those things. Growing together. Praying together. Being active together in a church. Helping each other get to Heaven is the key to keeping the marriage where it ought to be. Never forget the Lord. Never forget what the Lord expects. When one is down, the other can encourage the discouraged and help him get back to where he ought to be. Perspective. Discernment. Seeking. All of those things go together when Heaven is being sought.

The wedding. You’ll remember that day and the date. A lot of hours were poured into those few minutes at the wedding. But it’s after the wedding that really matters.

Roger

29

Jump Start # 3056

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3056

Matthew 26:73 “A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.’”

Our verse today comes from one of the darkest nights in history. Judas had betrayed. Jesus was arrested and led away. Things were moving fast. A couple of flawed trials, an appearance with Pilate, then nails, then the cross, then death. As Jesus was led away, Peter followed. He watched. As Jesus was being accused by the Sanhedrin, Peter stood outside. Others were there.

A servant girl is the first to point a finger and accuse Peter. He wilts. He denies. Later, another servant girl does the same thing. Again, Peter denies. Then our verse today. A bystander says to Peter, “You are one of them. Your talk gives you away.” It was at that moment that fear crushed Peter. He cursed. He denied. He swore. He proclaimed, “I do not know the man!” And, a rooster crowed.

I have been to the place where many think this happened. As we were looking at things, a rooster crowed. He crowed not just once, but four times. It sure made me think of ole’ Peter and that dark night.

But in the accusatory statement of the bystander, we find something hopeful for us. Here’s what I mean:

First, I am “one of them.” I am. I’m happy to be noticed as “one of them.” I am delighted to be named among the followers of Christ. I have no shame about that. I am not ashamed about the Bible I carry. I am not ashamed about the way I worship. I am not ashamed of my spiritual family in Christ. They are the greatest people on earth. Yes, I am one of them. And, I hope I do as well as they do. I hope they see something common in all of us. We come from different places. We look differently. We have different education, experiences and dreams. But, together, we are “them.” I am one of them.

In writing to Titus, the apostle used the expression “our people.” Our people, he said, must learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs. Our people. You are one of them. Yep, I sure am. Sometimes we can get bothered by each other. There are times all we see are the things that are wrong. We complain. We get discouraged. Some have been writing a bunch about the troubles plaguing our congregations. And, if not careful, we can leave the impression that we don’t like each other. We leave the idea that we are splitting up and heading for a divorce from each other.

But with all the warts, scars, troubles and trials among us, I am so thankful to be “one of them.” We are the people of God. We are His nation. We are making a difference. Across the planet people are being baptized because they have been shown the gospel by “one of them.” Churches are honoring Christ every week by remaining faithful to God’s word. Crushed hearts are being restored. Prodigals are coming home. Good is being done every day. God’s word is being spread internationally through all kinds of mediums.

Yes, there are things to be worked on and improved upon, but I wouldn’t want to be with any other group of people. These people love, support, defend and cherish the name of Christ, our Savior. Culturally, we are despised, talked about and even mocked. But, I am one of them and I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else.

Second, “the way you talk gives you away.” It sure does. I don’t talk trash, dirty, gossip or put people down. My speech gives me away. I don’t like it when others curse, blasphemy or abuse the Lord with their mouths. Not only does my talk give me away, but so does my modesty. So does my choices. So does my attitude. So does my use of money. So does what interests me. So does what I pursue. I’m a sure give away. You can spot me a block away. I belong to Jesus. I’ll pray in the public, read my Bible on an airplane, drop the Lord’s name in common conversations, thank Him, praise Him and honor Him, every chance I get. I’m a dead give away.

I don’t want to be a secret disciple like Joseph was. I don’t want turn my back on “my people” as Demas did. I don’t want to walk as a hypocrite or be one that no one would ever consider a Christian. I am one of them. I am a dead give away. Because of that, some may turn around and walk the other way. That’s ok. Because of that, I may not be included, invited, or welcomed in some places. I’m good with that.

I belong to Jesus. I am His and He is mine. I am “one of them.” Not popular. Not one most want to be like, but one that is happy to stand beside by Savior. My speech gives me away.

And, unlike Peter, I will not curse, swear or deny my Jesus. I will not say, “I do not know Him.” Instead, I do know Him. I love Him. And, I wish everyone could know Him.

One of them…and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Roger

28

Jump Start # 3055

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3055

1 Thessalonians 4:17 “Then we who are alive and remains shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

 

  Our verse today comes from that comforting and descriptive section about what happens when a believer dies. This is not intended to answer every question on life after death. Nor, is this intended to be a complete picture, showing what happens to everyone who has died. That’s not the purpose. The picture is limited, small and specific. It is about the death of Christians. Their journey here has ended. They have crossed through the door of death. They are on the other side now.

 

  Paul reveals three thoughts for us here:

 

  First, there is a hope. Certainly there will be tears and sorrow. That’s natural. That’s because of love. When some boast that there shouldn’t be any tears at the funeral of a Christian, they have forgotten the Lord at the grave of Lazarus. Jesus cried. Does anyone want to question the Lord’s faith? The Lord even knew what He was about to do. Seeing others cry has a way of making you cry.

 

  In this Thessalonian passage, there are two types of grief. One with hope and one without hope. The hopeless grief is pitiful. There are few words that can comfort. There are more questions than answers. Without Christ, without salvation, what hope is there? But it is not that way for the believer. His faith, his walk, his obedience to Jesus, has made all the difference. There is a heavenly hope. Their suffering has ended. Their life has not be wasted nor in vain. They are experiencing the best in their life.

 

  Second, we will be with the Lord always. Always. Not most of the time. Not some of the time. Not almost always. But always. With Jesus. With Jesus where He is. With Jesus in His home. With Jesus in Heaven. No more tears. No more pain. No more suffering. No more fears. No more troubles. Safe in the arms of Jesus, is a wonderful hymn. Safely home. Protected by Jesus. Fellowship with Jesus.

 

  And, not just with Jesus, but with all the beloved followers of God. Paul describes two groups in our verse today. One group is alive on earth. The other group have gone one. We and them. We who are alive, he says, shall be caught up with them. We and them together. We who not died, with those who have died. And, for the Thessalonian brethren, who were grieving the loss of fellow Christians, here was the grand reunion. Will we know each other in Heaven? What does this verse tell you? “Together with them,” (17) are “those who are asleep” (13). You’ll see each other again. That’s the point. You are separated now. You remain carrying on now. They are on the other side. You can’t see them. You wonder about them. You think about them. You miss them. But a time is coming when we are going to be together with them. And, just how would we know that unless we recognized them?

 

  Now, again, don’t miss the intent of this passage. Paul is not saying that you’ll be with your mamma and see her again, just because she has died. Not at all. Was mamma a Christian? Was she with the Lord on this side of things? Is she with the Lord on that side of things? The world believes that we will have a grand family reunion on the other side no matter what. Doesn’t matter what you did, believed or chased after. Everyone makes it and everyone will be together. That’s nothing more than the old doctrine of universalism resurrected from long ago. Who is together in our passage? The believers. The believers on this side and the believers on that side.

 

  Third, these thoughts are intended to comfort. That’s how the chapter ends. Comfort one another with these words. These words are not intended to scare us, anger us, disappoint us or discourage us. Comfort. Keep walking with the Lord and in time, you’ll walk through that door and you’ll see all the others who have walked with Jesus.

 

  There are consequences for believing as well as consequences for not believing. For believing, there is a life with Jesus. It is a life of direction, purpose and hope. It is filled with grace, forgiveness and the promise to be with the Lord forever. It comes with the promise of seeing fellow Christians who have walked with the Lord.

 

  For not believing, there are also consequences. The consequences are being on your own. The consequences are living in the rat race without any reason, purpose and help. The consequences is a life filled with guilt and sin. The consequences is that at death one is cast into eternity without knowing God. The consequences is that of an eternity without God.

 

  Comfort comes from those who believe. Comfort is found in those who know the Lord.

 

  Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 3054

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3054

2 Corinthians 12:7 “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself.”

Paul has been on the top of the mountain. God allowed him to see the third heaven or Paradise as some translations express it. Paul saw what very few others have ever seen. We have dreamed about it. We sing hymns about Heaven. We hold the hope of Heaven very dear to our hearts. While there, and he wasn’t sure if it was a vision, or if he really went there, he heard things. We can only imagine. We’d sure wish to know what he heard. Paul states that he cannot repeat what he heard. It was unlawful for him to tell what he heard. John’s vision of Revelation, takes a peek behind the door in Heaven. He saw the throne room and God upon the throne.

But from the mountain top, Paul descends into the depths of a deep valley. He was given a thorn in the flesh. He understood that this thorn was to keep him humble. It was intended to keep him from exalting himself. Writers for centuries have tried to put their finger on what this “thorn in the flesh” was. Some have suggested poor eye sight. Others have named just about every ailment known to mankind. Some do not think it was physical, but something emotional or mental. Lots of ideas. Tons of guesses.

Paul understood three things about the thorn in the flesh. He knew it was given to him on purpose. Second, he knew that it was connected with the devil. He called this thorn a “messenger of Satan.” Third, he understood that it was to torment him. There was a designed purpose for this thorn. The suffering was to keep Paul from exalting. It was to keep his head from swelling, his feet on the ground and his attitude humble.

Notice what Paul did with this:

First, he wasn’t angry with God about it. He didn’t stop his preaching because of this. He didn’t quit. We do well to remember this. Trials and troubles have a way of making some give up on God. If every day is not sunny and going the way they want it to go, they back away from God. Fair weather Christians is a good description of such a faith and attitude. I’ll be at the church house as long as things are going well. Toss a thorn my way and I’m likely to toss in the towel on God. Not Paul.

Second, he prayed for God to remove it. Whatever his thorn was, it must have been very unpleasant. Paul did as we know we ought to, pray to God. Paul prayed several times about this. God can do all things.

Third, he accepted the fact that he had to live with the thorn. God was not going to remove the thorn. Did Paul have this thorn the rest of his life? How difficult was it to live with this thorn? We have many questions but very few answers. Paul understood that the grace of God was enough. God’s grace is what would get him through. The thorn was staying. And, with that thorn Paul was going to continue to serve the Lord.

Fourth, Paul understood that when he is weak, God can make him strong. His strength wasn’t in his work out routine, eating right, getting plenty of sleep, but in what the Lord could do for him. His strength came from his faith. The stronger the faith, the more he could endure what Satan threw at him.

From the mountain to the valley. Seeing Heaven to living with a messenger of Satan. Exalted to humbled.

Now there are all sorts of thoughts that spin off of these passages:

First, if God was concerned about Paul being too proud or exalted because he saw Heaven, why did He show it to him at all? There are questions we do not know the answers to. Some have reasoned that when Paul was taken outside a village and stoned, that he actually died. His spirit went to God. But God brought him back. Could be, but mountains of speculation there.

Second, it seems that God was using Satan to bring about a positive place for Paul. Satan would love for Paul to be exalted. He would love for Paul to brag, strut, and tell others about how special he was because of what God showed him. Satan wouldn’t want Paul to remain humble. This messenger of Satan was guided by God to accomplish what the Lord wanted. We remember that God allowed Satan to attack Job. Satan was the instrument, but God was aware of it and allowed it. God using Satan is hard for us to grasp.

Third, it seems that this thorn did just what God wanted. We do not read about Paul describing what he saw. He do not hear Paul thinking that he was more special than others because of what God showed him. The thorn worked. It kept Paul from exalting.

We must wonder if God would and does the same today? Has God allowed some curve balls in your life to keep you close to Him? Rather than smooth sails, maybe you’ve traveled through some treacherous waters. But as you have traveled through those rough waves, you have remained close and strong in the Lord. Maybe that’s just what God wanted to happen to you.

Mountains and valleys—and in both of those moments, we see God. God’s hand is there.

Roger