24

Jump Start # 3295

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3295

Ecclesiastes 8:17 “then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.”

Our Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening class on Ecclesiastes is drawing to a end very soon. It is always a great study when one walks through Solomon’s journal that we call Ecclesiastes. Our verse today makes a simple proclamation that we know all too well. We do not know all that God does. Worldwide, our Lord is busy, always.

Just imagine in one typical day, if there is such a thing as a typical day, for the Lord:

How many prayers did God answer today? We get overwhelmed with all the texts, emails and phones we have in a day. Mothers with sick children, praying Heavenward. Scared soldiers not knowing where the enemy is, praying to be safe this day. The lonely senior citizen sitting in an assisted living facility, wishing that someone would call them, prays to God. The shepherd in the church who is concerned about the choices that some have made, lifts that name to Heaven. American prayers. African prayers. European prayers. Prayers from those who have walked closely with the Lord for decades. Prayers from those who are seeking and they are not sure. Prayers from those who are hurting and they have lost all hope.

Imagine, just today, how many prayers our Lord hears. We will never know. The pains. The hurts. The confusion. All reaching upward for help.

How many blessings did God send today? Blessings such as a new day. Blessings such as prayers answered “yes.” Blessings such as prodigals coming home. Blessings such as joys in our lives. So many people. So many needs. The hungry. The miserable. The lost. The discouraged. Those who have given up. Rain and sunshine  – blessings from God. They nourish the earth and they supply what is needed for growth. Little blessings like a flower blooming. Big blessings such as a new baby born. The blessings of hearts joined together in marriage. The blessings of fellowship and worship. So many blessings worldwide. Just how many blessings did the Lord send today?

God’s storehouse never runs empty. There is never a back order because of a lack of supplies.

How many sins has God forgiven today? How many prayers have been lifted from hearts broken because of the deception of sin? How many have seen the addiction and destruction of sin and they are ready to leave the wilderness? How many obeyed God today in baptism? How many disciples have begged God for mercy today? There is no limit to the lovingkindness and mercy of our God. Just today, how many sins have been forgiven?

How many doors has the Lord opened today for His people? How many intersections with others has God arranged so someone could be shown the Gospel way? How many people seeking God’s help for a better life, find that today? How many hearts have been encouraged today? How many have heard the Gospel message today?

How many of God’s children has He called home today? Old disciples who have finished their long journey, keeping their faith and finally, finishing their course just as God wanted them to? Tears flow on earth, but Heaven rejoices to receive a child of God home, safe and sound. How many shepherds who have given their heart to protecting God’s people and leading them carefully to Jesus have been called home today? Their work touch the lives of so many and made such an incredible difference. How many preachers of God’s golden message have been called home today? Their voices were used to teach the righteous ways of God. Working tirelessly, often with very merger means, they changed the eternal destiny of others. Now, called home to God, their voices are quiet.

No one knows the works of the Lord. These thoughts wrap around one day, just today. Now, imagine what the Lord has done this week. Now, what has the Lord done this month? Now, what has the Lord done this year? Now what has the Lord done in your lifetime?

I do believe that when we get to the other side we will be amazed at all the things the Lord has done for us that we never realized. God doesn’t tell us these things. God doesn’t keep a spreadsheet and share it with us. God doesn’t brag about these things. In parts of the kingdom we never see, things are happening. In lives all around us, things are happening.

And, all of this ought to make us not only be thankful but to proclaim, God is so good…He is so good to me!

Roger

23

Jump Start # 3294

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3294

Deuteronomy 22:17 “and behold, he has charged her with shameful deeds, saying, ‘I did not find your daughter a virgin.’ But this is the evidence of my daughter’s virginity.’ And they shall spread the garment before the elders of the city.”

Recently, one of our Jump Start readers asked me to explain this passage. I did the best I could but really believe I didn’t do a very good job. The story here is about a man who believed he had married a virgin. He claims that she wasn’t a virgin. He’s bringing charges against her. If true, the girl was to be put to death. If the man was wrong, he must pay her father lots of money for trashing her name and he is never allowed to divorce her.

A lot was riding on the right answer. The elders of the city would have to make this call. The girl’s parents, as our verse states, would bring evidence that would be analyzed. Either she was or she wasn’t. There were going to be consequences either way. What does the garment have to do with this, I’m not sure?

Some thoughts:

First, there are many things about ancient Jewish life that is hard for us to understand. Different time, different culture and many things we read about leave us scratching our heads. One can dig through old books to try to find the answers, but many times we are left with more questions than answers.

Our passage would have been understood by ancient Israel. The Bible isn’t intended for us to grasp and understand Jewish life. The Bible is to get us to know our God. What’s life like with leprosy? What would it have been like to be a tax collector? Do I fully understand the cultural consequences of the prodigal feeding pigs? Do I understand how parents would prove their daughter’s virginity? Paul had Timothy circumcised because of the Jews, Acts 16 tells us. How would the Jews know? I’m left often saying, “I don’t know.” But, those things do not keep me from knowing my God. I can see His compassion, fairness and love.

Second, there are some delicate things in the Bible and one must be mindful of when preaching and teaching. Crude street language is often offensive and doesn’t belong in the teaching of God’s word. Trying to fit in with teens by talking the language they talk fails most times. Teens, as well as the rest of us, need examples of righteousness, even in our speech. The message can be lost because some were insulted or offended by the poor choice of words that a speaker uses. A long time ago, I received a church bulletin from a predominately black congregation. The title on the front page said that “Jesus was a ______”. And, in that blank was an extremely offensive, prejudicial term. It was used for shock factor. It certainly shocked me when I saw that. I was embarrassed. Worse, I wonder what the mail carrier thought if he saw it? Those cute psychological tricks are not what disciples ought to be doing. Name calling. Word games that trick. Forms of deception. Those all eventually backfire and make the person doing those things look bad. Just preach the word.

Third, it is better to be upfront and honest by telling someone “I just don’t know,” rather than guessing. Peter tells us that some of Paul’s writings are hard to understand. There are things that Peter said that are also hard to understand. There are things that the prophets wrote that are hard to understand. We often try to see the Bible through American eyes and that can lead to wrong meanings. Remembering the original audience will help us to get the proper meaning. This is very helpful for studies in the prophets and Revelation. What would those first listeners to that message thought?

Fourth, we can’t leave our verse today without a very practical bridge to us. If the claim was made that we are not a Christian, could we produce evidence showing otherwise? The evidence would not be a certificate of baptism, but a lifestyle of discipleship and righteousness. Would those you work with, or your neighbors,  be surprised to hear that you are a Christian? Or, would they obviously know that because of the way you have conducted yourself?

Bring evidence…that’s a powerful thought when we consider our walk with the Lord.

Roger

22

Jump Start # 3293

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3293

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

It’s a small paperback book that was copywritten in 1914. And, it looks that way. Worn, some pages torn, cover faded, this little book has seen it’s time. It’s a hymnal titled, “The New Gospel Songbook.” It belonged to a congregation that is no longer in existence today. Years ago, someone knowing that I collect old things connected to our fellowship passed this hymnal on to me. It sits on the top self, with many other songbooks that I have picked up through the years. The other day, I was trying to remember the words of a specific hymn, so I went to that shelf. My eyes saw that little paperback and so I took it down. I haven’t really looked carefully at the hymns in that old book.

As I flipped through that book I recognized many hymns that I have sung in my life. A few had different titles to what we have today in our hymnals. I was amazed at how many I had never heard of before. Hymns such as: Volunteers to the front; Over, under and around me; Music in Heaven; At the battle’s front; O, the grand book; The bugle call is ringing. It seemed that there were many hymns that had a military or war concept. And, there were many hymns about dying and seeing Jesus.

Now, some thoughts:

First, I wondered how many that had held that hymn book are now resting in the Lord on the other side? Did the words of those hymns bring peace and comfort to those that sung those songs? Just a very short time after 1914, when that book was published, America entered WW I. How many mothers thought about their sons overseas as they sat in country church buildings singing?

Second, I wondered how many of those old hymns were sung as someone decided to leave the wilderness of sin and give their life to Jesus? Did some soul, with tears coming down his cheeks, close that hymnbook and walk to the front of the auditorium and asked to be baptized into Christ? As the angels in Heaven rejoiced, so did God’s people gathered in that little country church. Back then, it likely meant heading to a farm pond for the baptism. Most of those rural congregations did not have indoor baptisteries until the 1950’s or later. Gathered around that nearby farm pond, as the preacher and the repentant one stepped into the water, the congregation stood on the banks singing hymns. Maybe the songbook I have was taken to one of those farm pond baptisms.

Third, I wondered if this hymnbook was taken to a funeral home and used to sing songs of comfort and hope after a dear soul had departed this life? Where all had that hymnbook traveled and what all good came from those that used it, only Heaven now knows?

Our verse today, reminds us to reflect backward and remember those who were kind enough to teach us God’s way. They patiently answered our numerous questions. They had a knowledge of God’s word that impressed us and we wondered if we could ever know the Bible like they did. And, it was more than just teaching us, they illustrated the Gospel message by their walk. They were disciples. They were servants. They were compassionate and kind. Many of them were just simple people that time has forgotten. Their mark in life wasn’t being famous, but being godly and righteous. And, without us realizing it at the time, they have passed the touch on to us.

They were faithful. They were diligent. They sat on hard wooden pews and listened to long sermons without the aid of Powerpoint, fill-in-the-blank notecards. In the summer, those church buildings were stuffy and hot. Tucked in the songbook rack was a few fans with wooden handles. The audience would fan themselves as the preacher preached. In the winter, the buildings were cool. The “hot spots” were close to an oil or coal furnace. In those old country churches the bathroom was the outhouse located behind the church building. Times were hard and contributions were small. But those dedicated disciples journeyed on, inviting neighbors to come hear the Gospel preached. And, they left footprints, footprints that we see, that lead to Jesus. The King James Version was the only version used back in those old days. Folks would underline words and write notes in the margins of their Bibles.

I wonder what some of those disciples from 1914 would think about us today? I wonder if they would be happy to see how we have carried that Gospel torch onward. I wonder if they would think we’d gotten too fancy? And, if the Lord allows the old world to continue on, you and I will be the ones others will be talking about someday. We will be the ones remembered? And, what will they remember about us? Are we doing a good job? Are we keeping things true to God’s word?

An old hymn book that sits on a shelf. Now, it’s an antique and part of my achieves. But once, it was used powerfully to praise the Lord and encourage God’s people. It sits quietly now as do those who once used it.

Roger

21

Jump Start # 3292

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3292

Mark 6:43 “And they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish.”

Our verse today ends the story of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. This is a powerful miracle. It is the only miracle, aside from the events at Calvary and the resurrection that is found in all four Gospels. They all tell this story. The birth of Jesus is not in all four Gospels. Walking on water isn’t. Raising Lazarus isn’t. But, the feeding of the five thousand is. There may well be many reasons this is in all the Gospels.

This miracle involved more people than any of the other miracles. In most situations, Jesus healed and people witnessed. Here a great multitude actually participated. Matthew tells us the five thousand was counting the men, not the women or children. So, easily, it could have been ten to twenty thousand people that participated in this. With that many people, when the Gospel were being copied, surely some would want to know if this miracle was recorded. They had been there.

The disciples recognize three immediate problems. It was late in the day. They were in a desolate place. And, there was nothing to eat. Their only solution was to send the people away. We can’t deal with this. We have no solution. We can’t fix this problem. They forgot the many, many times Jesus has healed, calmed storms and cast out demons. They had no food, but they had Jesus. Sometimes when we are faced with problems, we see the problem but we forget that we have Jesus.

Jesus didn’t just give each person a taste or a small bite. The text tells us that they were satisfied. They all ate. And, they didn’t eat every single bite. Our verse tells us that there were enough left over to fill twelve baskets. How convenient—twelve baskets and twelve apostles. They didn’t toss the leftovers to the birds. They didn’t find a dumpster and throw them away. They picked up the fragments and took them with us.

And, without realizing it, you and I do the same. Not with bread and fish, but with bits of teaching, encouragement and hope. Here are some lessons for us:

First, there is not one lesson that will give me all that I need spiritually. Even the Bible itself is more than just one page, one Gospel, one book. Our sermons and our classes are not multi-vitamins that gives us 100% of the daily requirements needed. Every day we must be walking and talking with our Savior and serving others. What I get in worship helps me but it’s not everything that I need. It helps for the moment. It’s a fragment, a piece. And, if I save it and keep it, and add it to other fragments that I have collected, soon, my basket of faith begins to fill up.

Second, as one journeys with the Lord and ages in life, things change, needs change and even temptation changes. The fragments that helped me as a youth got me through some tough times. They helped me make right choices. Simple as they were, it was just what I needed. But as I mature in Christ, I need other fragments, newer fragments, and pieces that fit where I am at today.

We understand this physically. Baby food serves a purpose, but don’t invite me to your home and put a jar of Gerber’s on the plate for me. I’ve moved on from that. Universities understand that. The freshman year a student signs up for biology 101. Next time, it’s biology, but it’s a deeper lever, 201. And, on and on it deepens. One of the challenges of teaching a Bible class is that, borrowing from that university example, there are those that need level 101, but there are others that need something much more advanced. The teacher must recognize this as he teaches.

Third, we are not told what happened to those twelve baskets of fragments. Did they give those to others as they passed through villages? Did they save them and eat them later on? And, I wonder what we do with our fragments? Class material and articles and sermon notecards once we are finished with them, do we just toss them? Would it be better to file them for future reference and use? Would it be better to send them to someone who could use them?

The fragments were much more than bread and fish. They were the leftovers of one of Jesus’ miracles. They illustrated the compassion of Jesus on a hungry crowd. They showed the power of God in doing what no one else could do. They reminded the disciples that Jesus cared and he took care of them. The disciples wanted to send the people away.

Fragments—bits and pieces. Leftovers. Still valuable. Still useful. Still necessary.

Roger

20

Jump Start # 3291

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3291

Psalms 139:1 “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.”

In this Psalm, David describes for us the characteristics of God. The Lord is all-knowing. He is everywhere. He is all powerful. And, He is personally aware of us. Notice the expressions:

  • You have known me (1)
  • You know when I sit down and when I rise up (2)
  • You are intimately acquainted with all my ways (3)
  • Before there is a word on my tongue, You know it (4)
  • There is not a place that one can go to that God is not there (7-12)
  • You have made me (13-19)

From this, there are four powerful conclusions:

First, every life is sacred. Every life is stamped with the fingerprint of God upon it. The great Albert Schweitzer once wrote, “If we lose reverence for any part of life, we will lose it for all of life.” David was one of God’s greatest. But we should not believe that God thinks any less of you. The life of our Lord demonstrated that God is mindful of everyone. The outcasts, those who had made bad choices, those who thought that they were just fine, those included and those excluded, Jesus came for all. You are a soul that was created by your Heavenly Father. He loves you and He has never taken His eyes off of you.

Second every individual is unique. We all have different talents, different insights, different looks. Some are quiet. Some are loud. Some light up a room. Some are hardly noticed. Some do great things in the public. Others do great things behind the scenes. Some work best with their heads. Others work best with their hands. In the parable of the talents, the master entrusted various amounts of money or talents based upon their ability. We do not have the same abilities. Put a slab of marble into the hands of an interior designer and out comes a counter top. Put marble in the hands of an architect, and it becomes a cornerstone for a building. Put that marble into the hands of tile smith and he’ll produce a floor. Marble in the hands of a historian becomes a monument. Marble in the hands of Michelangelo becomes a work of art that is priceless. Each life is special and each life is unique. We bring a variety of ideas, experiences and passions to the world we call life.

Third, each person has potential. One is not set in circumstances that he cannot rise above. It may take a lot of work. It may require doing what no one else does, but one can own his own business. One can teach. One can lead others. A common shepherd boy became the great king of Israel, David. Work hard. Don’t give up easily. Be dedicated. Learn from others. The skies are the limit as to what one can do with their mind, heart and hands.

Fourth. Every soul is worth saving. God so loved the world, that includes you and me. That includes those that I have a hard time loving. That includes the troublemakers, the terrorist, the criminal, the prejudiced, those filled with hatred and those that love sin. Every soul is worth saving. When the one sheep wondered away from the 99, the shepherd went after it. When the one coin was lost, the house was swept, looking for it. No one is too far gone for God. There is no one that God turns His back on.

As we evangelize, teach and invite, we must open our eyes and offer the chance to every person. We must not “prequalify” people like what happens when one is looking for a house. There is no need to waste the agents time looking at a ten million dollar home, when you don’t have enough money to rent an apartment. You will be qualified ahead of time, or prequalified. This eliminates wild goose chases. But in the Gospel, we must not do that. We must not look for the man with a steady job, married just one time, great kids and think, “He’d be a great member.” The addict. The woman living with her boyfriend. The guy who filed bankruptcy. The teen. The senior citizen. Anyone and everyone, that’s the goal. Those with good lives and those with messy lives. Those with a decent past and those whose past would scare many people.

The Gospel is for all and every soul is worth saving. Don’t ignore some because they are different than you. Don’t assume that this person wouldn’t fit in. There’s room in the kingdom, we sing.

God’s incredible relationship with us, with you. It’s simply amazing. He knows you. He understand you. He sees you. And, still, He loves you.

Roger