29

Jump Start # 3079

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

Jump Start # 3079

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

What challenging words our passage brings to us today. I especially like the “E” words: Every Encumbrance; Easily Entangles; and, Endurance. Those three “E” words make all the difference. They determine how close we walk with the Lord. They determine the shape of our character and the impact we can have upon others. Three words—all starting with “E.”

ENCUMBRANCE: Others translate this word as: weight (KJV/ESV); hinders (Phillips; NIV); extra baggage (CEB). You get the idea. These are things that slow you down. These are things that are heavy and not necessary. We understand this when packing for a trip. You can’t take the whole house. You stuff as much as you can, anticipating all kinds of weather on your trip and then the rest has to be left behind. I read a post the other day by minimalist, who claimed that a person only needs to own two bath towels. Don’t think that would work in our house. We had the kids and grandkids the other day and we went through all kinds of towels.

Here in our passage, Encumbrance, are things that are going to slow me down on my journey with the Lord. They are getting in the way. They are not necessary. The inspired writer is not talking about towels, luggage or the stuff that we own. He is talking about the stuff that owns us. The stuff that is in our hearts. These encumbrances makes us weary and tired. The journey seems longer because of these things. So what might these things be? Keeping up with everyone’s problems, being absorbed with politics and news, being obsessed with sports, trying to run everyone’s lives, trying to solve every problem—those are the things that will wear you out. So, you don’t have to live on social media. You don’t have to watch the news every night. You don’t have to jump into every problem.

These Encumbrances can be laid aside. This is a choice we have. These are not things that are beyond our control. Lay them down and notice the calm and peace that comes over you. Lay them down and notice how optimism fills your heart. Lay them down and lift up prayers to the Lord. These encumbrances are not necessarily wrong things, but they are heavy things. They weigh heavy on our hearts. Wars, economy, politics, co-workers, neighbors, even family members can be something that we feel obligated to be involved in. Not so. You can’t change another adult. Lay them aside.

EASILY ENTANGLED SINS: Sin will do that. It will wrap us up and before long we are all tied up and can’t get out. It’s like trying to straighten up an extension cord or those old Christmas tree lights. What a mess. And, the sin that seems so fun and exciting, soon wraps us up and traps us. And, what the writer is warning us is that sin does this so easily. Before we ever realized it, we are all tied up. A little flirting leads to a sexual affair and now hearts are all confused, families are at stake and one’s reputation is falling apart. How did it happen so quickly? Or, as our verse says, “so easily.” A little dishonesty on the books and here comes an audit from the IRS or getting fired from your job. How did that happen?

Just as the encumbrance is to be laid aside, so is sin. Interestingly, the passage states, “the sin.” Was there something specific that the writer had in mind? These Hebrew Christians were turning their backs on Jesus and wanting to go back to Judaism. Life was less complicated and a whole lot safer as Jews than as Christians. This book drives at the folly of such thinking. Jesus is superior in all ways to what was under the old system. Lay aside the sin. Don’t get tangled up in it. Don’t let this sin trip you. Don’t let it tie you up and you lose Jesus.

ENDURANCE: run with endurance. Later in this context we are reminded that Jesus had endurance. He endured the cross. He endured hostility. He endured the ugliness of life. He endured Satan. Our journey with Jesus is not a Sunday thing. This journey requires endurance. It requires laying aside things. It requires keeping on when it’s hard to keep on. It requires going when others have stopped. It requires staying with it when the voice of culture says you don’t have to do that. Paul would say that he had “finished the course.” Many start, few finish. Many want to finish, but few do. Many hoped to, but they didn’t do it. Endurance. Run that way. I’m not a runner, but I know many who are. Long races are not completed in the first 100 yards. Burning out early means one won’t finish. Not training well means one won’t finish. Not keeping fluids in you means you won’t finish. Not wearing the right shoes means you won’t finish. Endurance—a person has to have the mindset that this is a journey of a lifetime. Similar to a marriage, there are ups and downs, good days and not so good days. Some plan for a great wedding and forget that there is a marriage that is to be lived after that. The same goes with baptism. Some get excited to be baptized but forget that there is a discipleship with Jesus that is to follow.

Endure. Some days will be hard. Some days will be a breeze. Some days it seems the road is all up hill. Some days it seems that you travel alone. Some days you feel like you can walk on water. Stay with it. Stay with it for a lifetime.

Three “E” words– Encumbrance…Entangled…Endurance.

Roger

28

Jump Start # 3078

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

Jump Start # 3078

Romans 16:5 “Also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.”

Firsts are important. Guys remember their first car. Girls remember their first date. Your first trip to Disney, your child’s first step, your first day at a new job, your first homerun, we remember those times. The first time you saw your name in a book, that was special. Some remember the first time they stood behind a pulpit. Biblically, the first man was Adam. The first high priest was Aaron. The first king of Israel was Saul. The first temple was named after Solomon. We tend to remember the firsts. It seems that Paul did as well.

Here in our verse is Epaenetus. Three things we know about him. First, he was a disciple of Jesus. Second, he was loved by Paul. Third, he was the first Christian from Asia. Another Bible first! There are some things we can learn from ole’ Epaenetus.

First, he was the first. He was not only the first Christian in his family, the first in his neighborhood, he was the first on the continent of Asia. His choice to follow Jesus was not something that was encouraged by his environment. He didn’t have a family that taught him the ways of the Lord. He did not grow up with kids from church. He didn’t go to summer camps that taught the Bible. No VBS for Epaenetus. He didn’t see his dad giving talks in church. He didn’t have an older brother that prayed before the congregation. Nope. Epaenetus was the first.

It takes courage to be the first. I baptized a young man recently who also was a first. He was not the first in Asia, but the first in his family. Many of our readers walked a similar path. It’s hard when one is the first. It’s a bit scary. Often the reaction at home is not kind. Some have had to face being cast out of the family. Some have had to find another place to live. In a pagan world of Asia, Epaenetus would have a neighborhood, community and culture that was against him. Idols and temples were in the DNA of pagans. Ephaenetus heard the Gospel of Christ and he knew enough to become obedient. He was baptized and started a journey with Jesus.

For many, even today, going against family is too much. They would rather remain in their sins and worship in error than go against the way they were raised. Their tie to the family is stronger than their love for the Lord.

Second, Epaenetus must have excelled as a Christian. How can one say that? He is listed here in Romans 16. I do not believe Paul named every single member of that church. He was naming those who worked hard, who risked their necks, who were outstanding among the apostles, who were fellow workers, who are approved in Christ and those who were beloved. Epaenetus is among those names. He is beloved by Paul. How easy for this first convert of Asia to lay low, fly under the radar, not bring any attention to himself, but he didn’t. He was beloved. One gets that way by helping others. One becomes beloved because he serves. One is beloved because he demonstrates a heart of compassion. Those are all risky choices, especially if you are the first.

Third, whatever happened to Epaenetus? Did he return home and lead others to Christ? Did he establish congregations in the community he was from? Did he preach? Did he die a martyr? Did he stay with it until the Lord called him home? This is the only time his name appears in Scriptures. Will we see him in Heaven? I hope so.

More important than this, is you story. Are you considered beloved by the church you are a part of? Are you making a difference to those around you? Are you shinning your light for Jesus? How will your story end? Will you stay with it until Jesus calls you home? Will we see you in Heaven? Those are the thoughts that we need to focus on.

The first…someday someone will be the last.

Roger

27

Jump Start # 3077

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3077

1 Kings 4:3 “Elihoreph and Ahijah the sons of Shisha, secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud, court historian.”

I have finally found my dream position in the Bible. How often when we read do we wonder what it would have been like to stand in the shoes of those recorded in the Bible. What would it be like to be King David, or the Apostle Paul, or Noah. So many people. So many lives.

Our verse today comes from the Christian Standard Bible. Other translations use the expression “recorder,” which sounds like a person that writes down all that was said in the court room. The CSB (Christian Standard Bible) expresses this position as “court historian.” In fact, it’s the only translation that I can find that uses “court historian.” Most simply say “recorder.” Jehoshaphat, the court historian. I like that. He’d be the guy digging through the archives. He would study up on what was done before, likely during the days of David. The resident historian. The one who knew what happened long ago. That’s the one I’d like to be. I expect there’s a difference between the recorder and the court historian, but for now, I’m leaning towards the historian aspect of things.

First, it would be the historian who ought to know how things ought to be. In many ways, each of us are Biblical historians. We know the story. We know what is supposed to be. We can sense when things don’t sound right. And, when something new comes down the road, we are the ones to go digging in the Scriptures to see if it’s right. The Bereans were like that. In ways they, too, were historians.

Far too many have their eyes set on the future that they have no interest in what the past says. And, without that anchor in the ground, one is easily blown to the winds of error, speculations and rebellion and they do not even know it. Oh, the historian does. He knows what God has said. He knows what God expects. Those who never look to the past, are tripping over each other trying to introduce newer and newer ways to catch the attention of an entertainment thirsty crowd. What was once done in the past is of no concern for these folks. The past is not even a guideline. It’s left in the past and it is never looked at.

Strangely, many of these cutting edge preachers today never realize that the men that they quote and helped start their movements would be opposed to the very things being done today. Read what these ancients wrote. Most were opposed to the crazy things being done in the name of religion today.

Second, each of our congregations have a history. It’s good to know that history. Some congregations have a consistent history of faithfulness. Others have bounced around a bit, but here they are today. One ought to know the names of those who started the congregation where you worship. One ought to see how humble the early days were. A lot of prayers and hard work went into getting a foothold in that community. We learn that as we look to the past.

Third, we all have our own history. We all have come to Jesus in different ways. Some families go back generations and generations in the Lord’s work. My family is like that. Others are the first generation to faithfully follow the Lord. It’s good to tell your story to your children. It’s good that they learn the family religious history. Those things are precious and they add value as to why we do what we do.

The court historian. Wonder where he was when Solomon started introducing idols? Wonder what he thought about Solomon marrying all those foreign women? Maybe he was lost in some old dusty scrolls, but it seems that he should have said something to the king. His position and his knowledge of the past may have been of great help had Solomon listened.

And, like that, you can be the one who helps keep your family and your congregation centered and focused upon the Lord. When we take our eyes off of Jesus, trouble happens. The historian knows that. Cain. Nadab and Abihu. The sons of Korah. Later on, Jeroboam. In the New Testament, Alexander. More than just names, a history of changing things and introducing things that God did not. Those that stop walking in the direction of the Lord, find themselves in all kinds of trouble. History shows that.

God is not interested in the new, novel, never been done before. History tells us that. God wants us to please Him by doing what He has expressed. Tell me the old, old story—to do that, one must know that old, old story.

The court historian—that’d be my job if I could pick one.

Roger

26

Jump Start # 3076

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3076

1 Thessalonians 5:25 “Brethren, pray for us.”

The end of 1 Thessalonians lists a series of rapid bullet points that God wanted the brethren to be engaged in. The apostle doesn’t prove these points. He doesn’t go into detail about these points. He simply states them with the understanding that the brethren would take these things to heart and do them.

Our verse today is one such example. He says, “Pray for us.” Now, for you and I we would link a series of questions to this statement. Questions such as, “Why do you need prayers?” Or, “Just want specifically do you want us to pray about?” Or, “Who all is included in the ‘us’ part?”

But none of those things are addressed, which makes me wonder if we kick the can of commandments around so much that we fail to do what a passage plainly says. Like an object in our hands, we look at a passage from every angle, detail what each word means, trace the history of the words, find connections to the Old Testament and do just about everything but obey what the command says. It reminds me of some of those food contest shows on TV. Someone makes a great looking cake. The judges talk about it, look at it, study it, consider what all was used in it, and I’m thinking, ‘just eat it.’ It’s good to learn all that we can about a passage. There are many bridges connecting words, thoughts and concepts that are linked together throughout the Scriptures, but in my mind, here is this young teenage boy in Thessalonica who hears these words, “Pray for us.” He may not know how many other times the word prayer is found in this letter. He may not know about Jesus praying all night. He may not fully grasp all that was going on in Paul’s world. But, he knows how to pray. So, silently, he bows his head and offers a prayer to the Lord of Heaven and earth. He is thankful for Paul, because through the apostle, faith has begun in this young heart. Because of Paul, a congregation started in this home town. He prays for Paul’s safety. He prays for God’s continual use of Paul. His prayer is simple. He is prayer is not long. But he prays. And, Heaven hears his prayer.

I like that image and picture of a young man praying for Paul. And, when one of us asks for prayers from the church, shouldn’t it be about the same? Sometimes a person feels like they have to fill out a questionnaire detailing all the reasons why the church should pray for him. We want to know if there is some sin involved in this. We want to know if this person has weak faith. We want to know if the elders are involved in this situation. Details…details…details. We’ll pray, only after we get all of our answers first. The answers must pass our examining hearts before we’ll offer any prayers. We must be satisfied first. And, why is it that way? Why can’t one of us simply say, “Will you pray for me?” and that be enough? Why can’t we say, “Absolutely,” and then go immediately into a prayer?

It may be that more would like the church to pray for them but they fear having to run through the gauntlet of questions and examining hearts before a prayer will be offered. Have we become the guardians of Heaven and we won’t allow anyone to pray unless it passes our standard? What if our standard is flawed? What if God wonders, “Why won’t they pray?”

And, then there are those who seem to ask for prayers more often than others. It’s a rare day to find one of the shepherds of the congregation walking forward and saying, ‘Will you pray for me?” That shockwave would send everyone into orbit. What is going on, we’d wonder. Is he about to step down from serving?

And, yet, here in our passage we have an apostle saying, “Pray for us.” Could it be that we have gotten to the point that we feel that we don’t need the prayers of others. Could it be that we are thinking, “I’ll pray for myself and I don’t want others to think I need anything?” Do we feel that asking for prayers is a sign of weakness? Would we dare say that about Paul? Does something have to be terribly wrong before we reach out and ask for the prayers of others?

Maybe if we asked for prayers more often people would genuinely get the impression that all of us need the Lord. Maybe others would realize that asking others to pray for you is a good thing, not a shameful thing. Maybe it would reinforce the belief that there is power in prayer and that God hears our prayers.

Sometimes when prayers are asked it is an odd situation. A co-worker’s cousins mother is having surgery and would we pray for that person. The audience has no idea who is being prayed for. And, once the surgery passes, nothing is ever said again about that person. We pray for a stranger’s surgery, but we don’t pray for the salvation of their soul. We seem more concerned about the health in the body than the wellness of their soul. All of this seems a bit odd to me. And, this may add to the reasons why we are reluctant to ask others to pray for us.

Pray for us…pray for me. Do we have to know why? Do we have to go negative in our thoughts? Could we just rejoice in being able to help a saint by praying? Don’t we believe that we all need prayers? Don’t we understand that we all need God’s help?

Pray for us…I will. Will you?

Roger

25

Jump Start # 3075

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

Jump Start # 3075

Titus 3:1 “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed.”

Our verse today and the one that follows is descriptive of the character, attitude and nature of disciples of Jesus in the world that we live in. Be subject. Be obedient. What follows is, “be peaceable, gentle, showing consideration for all men.” These words were written under the cloud of the fierce Roman Empire. It is to that pagan and oppressive government that the early Christians were to be subject, obedient, gentle, and peaceable. They were not to be rising up and causing rebellion. They were not to be suspicious. They did not have to have someone keeping an eye on them at all times. The Christians were living the golden rule.

Tagged at the end of our passage today is the expression, “be ready for every good deed.” That little thought is layered with ideas for us.

First, good deeds come in many different ways. “Every” good deed, not just a good deed, or, THE good deed. Every. Lots of ways good deeds are expressed and shown. Helping someone out is a good deed. Taking food to someone is a good deed. Giving someone a ride to services is a good deed. Giving someone some money is a good deed. Visiting the hospital, sending a card, having a conversation with the intention of encouraging someone, all good deeds. We could spend a long time listing the various ways of doing good.

The beautiful thing about good deeds is that they come in so many different forms. Maybe you’re not gifted with saying the right words at the right time. That doesn’t mean you cannot do good deeds. You do something else. Maybe you’re good with tools, you can help someone. Maybe you’re a yard guy, there’s something you can do. Maybe you can sew, that’s something you can do. There are so many talents within a congregation and when we are all busy doing things for one another, great things will happen.

Second, there is a sense of “being ready” for good deeds. The Galatians were told, “as you have opportunity let us do good to all men.” Opportunity and being ready are next door neighbors. When the opportunity comes, we may not be ready. And, when we are ready, there may not be an opportunity. Ready to serve. Ready to move into action. I’ve found that opportunities to serve often are not convenient times. You have a busy Saturday all planned out, and someone needs your help. You adjust. You work things in your schedule. You put others first.

Third, just how does one get ready for good deeds when he doesn’t know what will be required? I think the being ready is more of a spirit and an attitude. You may not have what you need in your tool box or pantry, but you are ready to serve. So, a quick trip to the store and off you go to help another. Being ready is that “Here am I, send me,” attitude.

Peter used that same phrase, “being ready” as he addressed being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account of the hope that is in you. Being ready. Being ready to serve. Being ready to answer. Being ready to shine. Being ready to go into action. We can spend so much time in the huddle, talking about what ought to be done and how best to do it, that we actually get nothing done. Break huddle and execute a game plan.

Fourth, being ready is something that we find in the life of our Lord. Questioned, He was ready. Asked to come heal, He was ready. Challenged, He was ready. When one is not ready, then he is often surprised, caught off guard and liable to make mistakes. Be ready. Jesus was ready for Judas and the guards to arrest Him. He was ready for the nails. He was ready to give up His spirit. Jesus was always ready.

He is ready for forgiving you today. He is ready to intercede for you today. He is ready for your prayers today. He is ready to lead you today. Jesus is ready. He is always ready.

When we are not ready, opportunity slips by and our lights do not shine. “I was going to talk to that visitor we had last Sunday, but I needed to talk to my friend first. When I got done, the visitor was gone.” Be ready. “I was going to take some food to a family that had a surgery, but we had company and then I got busy at work and now a month has passed and the person is back to services.” Be ready. “My teenager wanted to talk last night but I was in the middle of a movie and told her that we’d talk later. When the movie was over, she was already asleep in bed.” Be ready.

Being ready often means putting the needs and the moment of others first. It means going, even when you do not feel like going. It means serving when you do not feel like serving.

Be ready…are you?

Roger