10

Jump Start # 3043

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3043

Revelation 2:24 “But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I Place no other burden on you.”

The deep things of Satan—other translations phrase this as, “The secrets of Satan.” This is one of those expressions that can peak a lot of excitement, ideas, theories and speculations in a Bible class. What are “the deep things of Satan?” We want to know. I’m not exactly sure. But one thing I know, the faithful at Thyatira did not know. They did not know the deep things of Satan.

Now some thoughts for us:

First, some people know everything that is wrong but very little that is right. Paul told the Ephesians that there were certain things that were done in secret that are not worth mentioning. In fact, the apostle said that it was “disgraceful” even to mention them. We can spend a lot of time studying the wrongs of other religions without ever knowing what’s right with ours. Some know how to complain, but they don’t know how to encourage. Some know how to knock down, but they don’t know how to build up. Some know how to destroy a marriage, but they don’t know how to make a marriage flourish. Some can split a church, but they don’t know how to make the church grow. Some spend so much time chasing the rabbits of error, that they don’t recognize truth. The faithful at Thyatira did not know the deep things of Satan.

Second, one doesn’t have to be an intellectual to be right. This is not an excuse for being ignorant or not studying. But let us not be intimidated because someone is employed at a university or has multiple degrees, has authored a book, has appeared on TV, or the lecture circuit. Those things does not mean a person is right. We need to be able to talk logically. Our faith is not blind nor without evidence. There seems to be an intellectual snobbiness among too many today. If you do not carry the right degrees behind your name, what you say is discredited and ignored. The apostles were known as “uneducated and untrained,” yet they spoke with confidence. Our confidence is not in ourselves or our degrees or what others have said. Our boldness comes from knowing the Lord. God said—good enough for me. The first preachers were common fishermen. And, through them, the kingdom grew and grew.

Third, the mind has the potential to excel to the heavens or drop to the depths of hell. With our minds, we can fill them with good thoughts, noble causes, and great ideas. The Lord can be honored. Our fellow man can be helped. But with that same mind, one can become as base as an animal. He can be cruel, wicked, godless and harmful to fellow man. All around us are great books, great people, and great things to do. Likewise, around us are terrible books, wicked people and harmful things to do. What do we fill our days pursuing? What do we feed our soul and mind? Are we getting better or worse, year after year? Negative. Pessimistic. Selfish. Worldly. Potty mouth. Hateful. Violent. Where does that come from? It comes from a mind, heart and soul that has eaten the poison of the world. It comes from the choices one has made. It comes from the people that one has invited into his life. The movies. The books. The music. These can lift our spirits or they can drag us deeper into the clutches of Satan.

This is why at very early ages, what a child is fed into his mind can determine the choices he will have later in life. Goodness. Godliness. Grace. Love. Thankfulness. Serving. Build upon those things and build a character that pursues the Lord.

The deep things of Satan…just leave them alone. They belong in a locked box that will never be opened again. Don’t waste time studying what’s wrong. Spend your time with what is right. I don’t have to know how crooked a stick is. All I need to do is lay a straight stick beside it. That’s enough.

Jesus said, “you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.”

Roger

09

Jump Start # 3042

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3042

Romans 10:15 “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good news.’”

Tuesdays are long days for me. I teach two Bible classes on Tuesday. One in the morning and one in the evening. In between, I write a Jump Start and record three or four podcasts. Then, I try to work on my class for Wednesday. Plus there are emails, texts and phone calls that are sprinkled throughout the day. I tend to spend nearly twelve hours at the church building on Tuesdays.

Last Tuesday was one of those long days. I got home around 9 o’clock in the night and ate my supper. Tired, head filled with all kinds of things that I had studied, read, written. taught and worked on that day. I was already thinking about the next day. I have another class to teach. I didn’t have a clue what I was going to cover or teach. Weariness was building. There just didn’t seem to be any break in this routine. Someone had recently said to me, “Why are you doing so much? Is all of that necessary?” I sure got to thinking about that.

Then the joy and the glory of what I am doing hit me. I’m teaching God’s Holy Word. What an honor that is. Not just once in my life, but on that given week, I preached, taught four classes, recorded three podcasts, written five blogs, and a bunch of class material. And, all of these things surrounded teaching God’s word. I didn’t write any financial blogs. Didn’t do a daily update on the Dodgers. Didn’t record a diary entry. All of this centered around God’s glorious Word.

I think sometimes when one is in the middle of so much and all he sees is deadlines, commitments and a whole bunch of “I gotta get that done,” that he fails to realize what an honor it is to be doing what he is doing. Only the chosen got to be apostles. Only certain ones got to be prophets. But to be allowed to teach Bible class, no matter what the age and to be able to help others on their journey with the Lord is the greatest thing one can do.

Our passage today talks about how beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings. This is not talking about good looking feet or pretty toes. It’s the blessing to carry God’s word. It’s a blessing to have others who want to learn and grow from your efforts and studies. It’s a blessing to help shape lives through the Lord. People show up and they want to hear what you have learned and seen from God’s word.

The burden and obligation of day to day things that must be done can steal the love and the joy of serving for the Lord. If not careful, what so many of us do, becomes just a job. The tasks and checking off what needs to be done becomes our focus. We forget about people and souls. We don’t see lives changed and hope building. We fail to see faith being strengthened and people making sacrifices for the Lord. Just another class. Just another sermon. Are they? Or, are they the tools and the steps to help others see the Lord? Shepherding can fall into this same trap. We forget what and why we are doing what we do.

Those thoughts kept me up on a tired night. But the next morning I had a renewed energy because I found the purpose. It wasn’t teaching a class, or writing another article, it was helping others to see Jesus. Joy replaced the weariness. So one can come into a weekend with the thought, “I have to preach a sermon,” or, “I get to teach people God’s word.” Have to or get to, they are not the same. Have to leads to weariness and burnout. Get to, never tires. Get to, looks for exciting ways to share with others. Have to, only sees the immediate job that needs to be done. Get to, sees hearts, souls and lives that the Lord loves.

The father of John the baptist had an opportunity to go into the temple to serve as a priest. There were so many divisions of priests and so many to serve, that he likely did not get to do this very often. How special that would have been. How excited he would have been. Calendar marked, up early that day, he was to serve the Lord in the temple. Doubt he had to have someone remind him. Doubt others were waiting around wondering if he was going to show up that day. This was an honor. This was special. And, for so many of us, it’s not a once or twice in our lifetime opportunity. Many of us get to serve before the Lord every week. I can imagine ole’ Zacharias being a bit jealous of us and wishing he had the many times to serve as we do. We can certainly take these opportunities for granted and forget that we are serving the Lord.

The joy of serving the Lord, encouraging brethren and helping others is the drive and the motive of what we ought to be doing. The deadlines, commitments and things that have to get done must not lead us to what is most important, and that is, serving in the kingdom.

We are blessed to be allowed in the kingdom, let alone to be participants in these things. God has placed these wonderful opportunities into our hands. We are honored and must do our best.

Roger

08

Jump Start # 3041

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3041

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

  A man died suddenly and unexpectedly. His family was shaken. His wife was religious, but not a N.T. Christian. Friends gathered to offer comfort. This is a solemn and sad setting that many of us have been in before. I have been there way too many times. And, what so often happens, in the attempts to grab some comfort, things are said that are flat out not Biblical. Too many talk without thinking. And, I’ve heard these things. Sadly, I’ve heard brethren say these things.

  • God needed him more than you do
  • God has made him an angel now
  • God will send you an angel to comfort you
  • Your loved one is looking down right now at you
  • God will send you a sign that he’s ok
  • He’s up in Heaven, having a blast with all his golfing buddies
  • He’s in Heaven raising a toast with the angels

Now, if we were sitting in a Bible class and I was to ask you to put some verses to support those statements, we couldn’t do it. We couldn’t do it because those statements aren’t from the Bible. They aren’t even close. They are not even in the same galaxy. And, so, are we really comforting someone when tell them things that are not true? Do we offer hope that is based upon fanciful ideas that we dream up?

Our verse today comes from a setting of sorrow and grief. The Christians were mourning the death of their fellow brethren. Paul reminds the brethren what will happen. He tells them to comfort each other with “these” words. He didn’t say, “Your words.” These words, were the words of God. These words were true, tested and right. These words are the words that need to be used.

So, what should a person do when they are in a setting of sudden grief and death? We don’t want to say the wrong things. We don’t want to comfort with false words.

Here are some suggestions:

First, it is not our place, nor right to determine the eternal destiny of someone. If the person who died was not a Christian, telling the grieving family, that he is lost will not help them. Don’t say that. Let God determine that. You need to find words that heal, not further hurt. God knows and at that point nothing more can be done for the departed.

Second, it is best to say little and just allow your presence and your helping hands do the speaking. There are many questions, a lot of “whys” and when the pain of grief is raw and so fresh, those often aren’t the best moments to really go down those roads. Weep with those who weep. Bring food. Sit awhile. Let the family talk. Show that you care.

Third, use God’s word to be your voice. Share a verse or two. They don’t need a sermon at the moment. They don’t need a discourse on what happens at death. Ecclesiastes says the soul returns to God. Simple. To the point. Share a favorite Psalm.

Fourth, don’t take the focus off of the hurting family. Some will do that. They will come and they will have to talk about the recent deaths in their families. They’ll talk about the funeral, who came and who didn’t and on and on and on they will talk. Some will say the wrong things, like I began this article with. Don’t get into an debate with others about those things. You are there to help the grieving family. Let your actions speak. Offer to take care of the pets, do the dishes, or even house set while they are aware at the funeral. Good advice is helpful.

A famous writer said, “Every man can master a grief except the one who has it.” Some are just too nosey. They come with thousands of personal questions that really is not any of their business. Families often feel compelled to answer every question that is asked. “Did he have insurance?” “How much is this funeral going to cost you?” “Do you think you’ll stay in the house?” “Will you remarry?” “Did he have any last words?” And, yes, I have heard all of those things said to a grieving widow. My advice is to pat the hand of these questioning folks, and simply say, “Thank you, for coming.” So many of those things are inappropriate and out of place.

Let us remember, that in trying times, whether a war in Europe, a global pandemic, or a death in the congregation, do not forget what we know. These are not the times to toss everything we have learned overboard and go to the extremes to try to find comfort for those who are having difficult times. Be careful with the line, “I know it will get better.” Do you? Could you prove that? You hope it will get better. I’ll be praying that things will get better. But do I know that? No. Only the Lord does. It would be hard to face these people after we have promised, “I know your marriage will get better,” when it ends in divorce. Or, “I know it will get better,” when the person does leave the hospital. He dies.

No one can comfort any better than the Lord. Use His words. Use “these words.”

Much to think about…

Roger

07

Jump Start # 3040

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3040

Revelation 2:19 “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.”

Our verse today are the words that Jesus said about the church at Thyatira. There is an interesting contrast about this section. Thyatira was the smallest community of the seven cities that was written to, yet it is the longest of the seven letters. Interesting.

There were some serious problems at that church. Being led by a woman who claimed to be a prophetess, many were tangled in sin, compromise and error. God’s language is direct and strong. I will kill her children. Not the words one would expect to hear from Jesus.

But as this letter opens, we find the description of a loving, faithful, working church. Not everyone was crossways with the Lord. Not everyone had sold out for compromise. And, as our verse ends, there is an indication that the church was improving. “Your deeds of late are greater than at first,” is a wonderful example for us.

Some thoughts:

First, it seems that as age slows many of us down, it can also slow down our spiritual growth. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul reminds us that the insides and the outsides of us are moving in different directions. The outside, he said is decaying. The inside is being renewed day by day. Age may limit what you can do physically, but there are no limits on what you can do spiritually. You can still encourage. One of the greatest things that can help a young preacher is for an older member to give him some genuine encouragement. The journey is long and many preachers are bailing out. Especially, older preacher to younger preacher, those words are priceless.

Second, the point of salvation is our starting place, not our ending place. We can leave the impression that once you have been baptized, you have fulfilled what the Lord expects. Not so. This is just the starting gate. Grow. Grow. Grow. Love more. Serve more. Believe more. Your deeds as of late are greater than at first.

Third, many people need directions, suggestions and ideas as to what to do. Tell them, and they will serve. To see it on their own, many don’t. This is where shepherds can be such a great help in a congregation. Don’t expect others to know what to do, show them. Suggest to them. Plant seeds of ideas. Help them. Equip them. Use them. We want everyone to do more as of late than at the beginning, but many do not know where to start. Many leaders do not know what to suggest other than, “attend more and give more.” Put some thought to this and find ways to engage others in serving. One way maybe to utilize groups within the congregation by function. Have the groups designed to do different things such as helping new members get adjusted, taking care of the senior citizens, encouraging the teens. So many wonderful ways folks can get busy helping each other and sharing the gospel.

Fourth, not everyone in Thyatira was doing better. There were some who needed to do some serious repenting. Some were in trouble with Jesus. What this shows us is that I can grow when others are not. I can do right when others are doing wrong. I can do more while others are doing less. Don’t allow others to set the temperature of what you are doing. You know what you ought to do. Some will be lazy. Some will do just as little as possible. Some will dance with the devil. Not you. You are committed to Christ. You are not allowing what others do to determine what you ought to do. You will do more now than you ever have.

As one grows in faith, doing more becomes easier. New ideas to encourage. New ways to grow. New people to help. It becomes exciting to help others. One sees the fruit of his labors. He sees how others have improved. And the more he helps, the more others will want to follow and do the same.

Doing more now than at the first. Is that you? Have you been sitting on the sideline of faith? Is it time to put your shoes back on and get back into the game of life? There are things you can do, even today.

Roger

04

Jump Start # 3039

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3039

Ephesians 4:12 “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”

As I write this, the war in Ukraine is becoming more intense. There are congregations in Ukraine. Here is a thought that you will not hear on the National News. Many thousands have fled from Ukraine and gone to neighboring countries, that is except for the men. They are told to remain and fight for their country. There is a possibility when all of this is over, that the Ukrainian congregations will have no men among them. If the heavy hand of Russia crushes the resistance, the male Christians could all be killed. We fervently pray that will not happen. We pray that the Lord will turn this around.

It is arrogantly easy for us to say, “that would never happen here.” Really? And, as we study churches in the N.T., like the seven in Revelation 2-3, “those things would never happen here.” Why then spend the time studying them? Maybe we need to realize that “those” things could happen.

If in our congregations today, ever adult male was no longer around, could the women carry on? Could one among them lead in worship? Could one pray publicly? Could one teach? Could one give a lesson? Would our congregations carry on or would they crumble? More than that, could you step up and do what you have never done before? Could you teach an adult class? Could you lead the Lord’s Supper? Could you put some thoughts together and teach and encourage the people of God?

We are so blessed in this land to have so many congregations that are filled with talented men that teach, lead, serve and preach for us. They do wonderful work. Year after year, they are hammering away at the word of God. But what if they were gone? All of them. What if it fell to you? Do you know the Scriptures? Do you know how to encourage others?

In Ezekiel the call was put out to find someone to stand in the gap. Could that person be you?

Our verse today, about equipping the saints, reminds us of many powerful truths.

First, God’s way of equipping saints was through teaching. Each of the groups listed, starting with apostles, then prophets, evangelists, teachers were all mechanisms used to teach. That is God’s way. Teach the word of God. To do that, we must know it.

Second, for decades we have sat and listened in classes and sermons. We’ve taken notes. We’ve had volumes of handouts, outlines, and papers given to us. We have taken all of this in. But to what purpose? We are to be more than sponges that just absorb and take in. Not only should all of this change us and transform us, but it ought to develop us so that we can share with others.

Third, the maturity of the church is wrapped around the spiritual strengthening of the disciples. They were taught and that led them to becoming mature in Christ. They would make mature decisions. They would act mature. They would move by faith and not fear or emotion. The immature church is structured with immature disciples. They are likely to run off chasing the latest religious fad. They are not keen to recognize error and are unable to know what to do with error. The immature disciple lacks godly judgment, patience and steadfastness.

Paul told the Corinthians to “act like men.” The Ephesians were told to “stand firm.” Within our context, we find, “we are to grow up.” With or without an eldership, we will continue in the ways of the Lord. With or without a preacher, we will continue on in the ways of the Lord.

That mature state realizes that every person, every part adds. Together, the church grows. The church grows internally as we become stronger and stronger in faith. It grows numerically as we share the Gospel to the community around us. It grows financially, as we become more and more generous, as the Lord is to us.

There was a time in the O.T., when David and his men were running from King Saul. They returned home only to find that their families were kidnapped. David’s men, so low and discouraged, thought of killing David. In that context we find the expression, “David strengthened himself.” David encouraged himself. There wasn’t anyone else to do that. I feel that there are times when we haven’t developed brethren to that point. One gets discouraged and there is no one to recognize that or to help, so that person falls off the map. They no longer walk with the Lord. Why couldn’t that lonely soul strengthen himself? Why must we always rely upon others? What if there are no others? We will always need a fellowship to support, encourage and work together. But our soul mustn’t survive only if there is a fellowship for us. What about the Christian men in Ukraine who may well be isolated from other disciples at this time? Are they to allow their faith to die? No one to encourage them. No one to remind them. No one to teach them. No one to be an example to them. They must do as David did. Strengthen yourself—keep going.

The pandemic revealed that many could not do that. Their faith, as weak and small as it was, flickered out. May we use teaching moments like this to remind ourselves, I am responsible for my faith and my walk with the Lord. Not my family. Not my congregation.

What would you do if ever male member was gone this coming Sunday? Could you continue on…

There are all kinds of lessons that come from times like these.

Roger