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Jump Start # 3412

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

Jump Start # 3412

2 Thessalonians 1:3 “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you all toward one another grows ever greater.”

I was thinking the other day about the church I grew up in. Some don’t have those memories like that because they didn’t begin worshipping God until they were an adult. For others, it was a denominational slant that really didn’t help them much spiritually. But for me and many others, we had the blessing of being around God’s people since we were very young.

For me, it was Emerson Avenue in Indianapolis that was my first congregation that I knew. It was a powerful church. It helped establish two other congregations in the city that are still in existence. The eldership was older men, especially to a kid like me. They always wore suits and seemed dignified. The congregation had a steady stream of great preachers and likely that is where I was influenced to preach.

It is easy to look back with a tainted view of things. Either, we see things that were not right or healthy, and that’s all we can see. All we see are the warts and blemishes. But we can also have rose colored glasses that only sees perfection, even though it wasn’t there.

The men who served as shepherds at Emerson Avenue when I was a kid have all gone to the other side of life. As an adult, and especially as a preacher, I would love to have an afternoon to talk to them about things. There are so many wonderful things that I could have learned from them. I have in my archives old directories and bulletins from that congregation. Faces in time. People that were a part of a fellowship. Many have died. Many have moved on to other places. But for a moment in time, God brought us together.

And, here are some thoughts:

First, if the Lord allows time to go on, there may be a child where I worship who will look back and see us as his first congregation that he remembers. What memories will he have? What impressions are we leaving? He will remember some of his first Bible class teachers, as I remember mine. He may remember the shepherds and what will that memory be?

Sometimes we are so focused on today, that we forget that in time we are etching memories upon young hearts. Our classes. Our VBS. Our conversations. All of these things can stay in a memory. All of these things can make a difference. Do you remember the first preacher that was in your life? What memories do you have?

I keep a jar of M & M’s on my desk primarily for a couple of young boys who love to ask if they can have some candy. They know right where to go to find the stash. I’m hoping one day that these moments will be fond memories for them.

Second, I’d expect most of those people at Emerson Avenue who saw me would have never thought that I’d amount to much, especially spiritually. They would have never dreamed that I would preached all over the country and write a daily blog that is sent all over the planet. I have an impression of them and they had an impression of me. And, that’s a great lesson for us. Don’t give up on people. A couple of those preachers at Emerson Ave. really took an interest in me. They found ways for me to preach. They guided me and encouraged me, and I needed a whole lot of that back then.

So, when you see that kid running through the hallways after services, and it makes your blood boil, remember, someday that child may get his act together, grow spiritually and be great help in the kingdom. We all change. Some for the better and others for the worse. Don’t give up on people and be willing to give someone a chance. Those early sermons of mine were painful to the audience. But there were those who believed in me and encouraged me.

In our verse today, Paul is fondly remembering that young church at Thessalonica. Likely his first letters that he wrote, Paul was impressed with their faith and devotion to the Lord.

Congregations come and go. Some are large that later become small. Some are powerful. Some struggle. But the good that they do and the number of people that they help can only be known by Heaven.

Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul…

Roger

21

Jump Start # 3411

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

Jump Start # 3411

Matthew 14:27 “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

The other day I went to my common place for lunch. I eat there often. There wasn’t much of a crowd and there was several people standing around the manager and something was going on. I ordered my food and sat down. An older couple at the next table were upset. I heard her say that she had been waiting more than an hour for their food. The manager came to talk to them. There had been a major order for take out and their order had been shifted down behind that. He gave them a certificate for a free meal. When their food came, the lady loudly said that they have been waiting for an hour. The soup they brought to her was cold. So they brought her two more cups of soup. Her drink was watery, so they brought her a fresh drink. She wanted crackers and I think they gave her the whole box. Grumpy and complaining was her spirit. Another manager came and talked to her.

As I was watching this, I saw a great lesson about leadership and discipleship. What do you do in a crisis? On sunny days, when everything is running smoothly, we have all the answers. But what about a storm on the sea in the middle of the night, as the disciples faced? Or, the certain death of your child, as Jairus faced? Or, the prison doors shut, as Peter faced? Or, you are trapped by an approaching army as Moses and Israel faced? Or, you are running a business and supplies do not come in and customers are cranky? Or, you are overseeing a congregation, and on Sunday morning the preacher calls in sick?

We know what a crisis looks like. It’s that phone call in the middle of the night telling you that someone dear to you has passed away. It’s losing your wallet in a crowded public place. It’s a hospital bill that you don’t know how you will ever pay. It’s a young friend who tells you that he is thinking about ending his life. It’s losing your job without any notice and now you don’t know what you will do. A tornado sweeps through the area and your house takes a hit.

Crisis—the Bible is filled with the hearts of men and women who were anxious, worried, fearful and near panic. What would they do? The woman with the issue of blood. She was getting worse, not better. She was broke. What would she do? The father whose demon possessed boy often fell into fire or into water. What would he do?

And, for us, what do we do, when there is a crisis?

First, you don’t throw out what you know. This happens so many times. When things are good, so is our faith. But toss a good crisis our way, and we wonder and question God. We lose all sense of character and hope. We become angry, upset and ugly with others.

There are things that you know are true. They are true whether it’s daylight or midnight. They are true whether the skies are clear or storms are gathering on the horizon.

  • God is still on the throne—even through your crisis
  • God still loves you—the storms of life are not an indication that God has left you
  • God wants you to trust Him and stay close to Him– even when you do not feel like it.

Knowing those things helps. Funerals. Emergency rooms. Cancer clinics. Those words change our world, but they must not change our faith.

Second, God’s people are near. Don’t forget that. Especially during a crisis, lean upon others. Let others do the little things so you can focus upon the important things. Let others take care of your yard. Let others bring food. Let others run errands for you. God’s army is mighty. Let them know so they can pray. Walking alone through a crisis when you do not have to is no way to go. God made us to need one another. You have been there for others. Now, it’s your turn. Let others help.

Third, pray. Pray often. Pray hard. Storms end. The crisis passes. The problem goes away. You are left with memories and a heart that has been hit by these things. Will the storms make you stronger or weaker? Will the storms bring you closer to God or push you further away? Will faith win or will Satan win?

And, as hard as it is to do this, get down to the church house and worship. You need the encouragement. You need to see the Lord through Scriptures. Your presence helps others, and others will help you. Don’t use your crisis as a reason to skip services. I’ve seen brethren who had a loved one die in the afternoon and that evening they were at the church house worshipping. Amazing.

If God is going to get us through the crisis, then we need to be where God is. He is in His word. He is in worship. He is in the hearts of His people. His ear hears your prayers. Don’t expect God to help you when you abandon Him and start blaming Him.

Leaders need to talk about how to handle a crisis. The death of a preacher. Storms that wrecked the church building. Worship when there is no power. A sudden death of a member. Walking through a crisis. Keeping our eyes on the Lord. Great lessons to be learned.

Our verse today, Jesus walking on the water, brings three powerful statements. First, take courage. Second, it is I. Third, do not be afraid. That’s the answer to getting through a crisis. Remember those three statements. They will help you.

A couple had to wait for their food. They finally got their food and I got a wonderful lesson about storms, troubles and crisis.

Roger

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Jump Start # 3410

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

Jump Start # 3410

Proverbs 31:11-12 “The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he wil have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.”

Yesterday in our Jump Starts we listed “Ten things Older Christians ought to tell Younger Christians.” That came from a series of lessons that I preached a few years ago, called ‘Ten Things.’ Well, let’s keep that flow going and today consider “Ten Things that Can Help Your Marriage.”

Boy, this is needed today. So many marriages are anything but what they should be. Divorce continues to conquer too many and our culture has given up on marriage. Why even try, is where many are at these days. God’s people must do better. We have a better path to follow. We have a better help for our marriages.

Our passage today, taken from the last chapter of Proverbs, is commonly known as the virtuous woman. These are the words of a mom to her son about the quality of a woman to have as a wife. Notice in these verses the dual relationship. He trusts her and she treats him good. Like a circle, like a wedding ring, the more they pour into the other, the more the other this continues. Trust and goodness, those are the backbones of a great relationship. Trust with finances. Trust what is said to others. Trust when apart. And, doing good. Helping out. Trying to make things better. Trust and goodness—together it helps a marriage.

Here’s my list of Ten Things that can Help Your Marriage:

  1. Understand that you both shape your marriage the way it is.
  2. Realize that Satan will do all that he can to wreck your marriage.
  3. Forgiveness is never a one-time thing.
  4. Don’t expect perfection, because you are not perfect.
  5. Biblical love is a choice, not a feeling.
  6. Your memory is like a file folder. You keep what you put in there.
  7. We need to be there for one another when the storms come.
  8. Appreciate that as we age, we change.
  9. Marriage is lived one day at a time.
  10. Christ makes all the difference.

Reminders—we need them. Life can get so busy and we can become so occupied with the things that need to get done that we take one another for granted. Kids. Pets. Jobs. Church. And before long, one is stretched like a rubber band. And, you know, if you stretch that band too far, it’ll break. And the same thing can happen in our marriages.

There are many stressful moments in life. There are many stressful moments in a marriage. The passing of parents. Tight budgets. Teens. Filled schedules. Pressures from work. The slipping away of dreams that will not come true. And, for some reason, the person we love the most, we often say the meanest things to. The troubles of life can pull a couple apart.

So, the key is to make time for one another. It is important to pull together and not apart. Pray for your mate and pray with your mate. Don’t feel like you have to do what everyone else does. That’s true in your family, in your neighborhood and in the congregation. Find what works for you and stick close to the Lord.

The longer you are together, the deeper and richer your love becomes for each other. You become an example for your children. You become an example to those in the church. Together, be servants of God. Together, help others. Together, grow in the Lord.

The closer you become to Christ, the richer and better all relationships become, including marriage.

Here are some further suggestions:

First, be proactive. Don’t wait for the other to start things. Often one will be willing to step things up, if only the other person started first. You be the first. When you see something that needs to be done, do it. We men can walk through life with blinders on. We come home and sit in our favorite chair, as our wives walk in with grocery bags in both arms, having come straight from work, to a house that has laundry to be done, dishes to be put away and she sees us sitting in our chair watching TV. That’s enough to burn the bacon. Don’t wait to be told there are things to be done. Open your eyes. Look around. Be thoughtful. Be helpful. Learn to do good.

Second, don’t let little things come between you. Remember the big picture. Remember you are in this for a lifetime. The things that bothered you five years ago, have settled and you have moved on. Don’t allow things to be the reason you hurt each other verbally.

Third. Your greatest help is in your mate get to Heaven. No one knows you better than your mate does. Listen to each other. Talk kindly to each other. Forgive each other. Be an encourager, not a stumbling block. Be the reason your mate wants to go to worship and live for Christ. Grow together and grow upward in the Lord.

Ten Things to help your marriage. What would be on your list?

Roger

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Jump Start # 3409

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3409

Psalms 37:26 “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.”

A few years ago I presented a series of lessons called, “Ten Things.” The sermons were simple practical things that we often need to be reminded of. The series included, “Ten things to know before you get married; “ “Ten things to remember about gossip;” “Ten things to tell your teens;” “Ten things that will make a difference in your marriage.” One of those lessons was titled, “Ten things older Christians need to tell younger Christians.”

Sometimes that generational gap in a congregation can cause friction, ill feelings and resentment. The older folks don’t trust the younger ones. They are suspicious of change. And the younger ones think the older ones are hopelessly stuck in the past. The fellowship and relationship and bonds that cross generational lines will go a long way in building a strong church. Encouragement to build friendships based upon Christ, not age, will strengthen a church.

Ten things older Christians need to tell younger Christians:

  1. We love you and you are important to us
  2. Our tradition is special to us because it brings fond memories and a closeness to the Lord.
  3. We are sorry that the world is in such a mess that it is
  4. Our concerns and our warnings are because we do not want you to be hurt
  5. We want to leave this church better and stronger for you
  6. Your encouragement means a lot to us
  7. We are here to help you any time
  8. The Lord is always near if you walk with Him
  9. Don’t wait until you are our age to get started
  10. You can do great things with the Lord

Each of those ten things listed could be expanded upon. Young Christians need encouragement. They need to be guided. The experience of older Christians can help so much. Our passage is a great reminder of that. Raising a family, paying a mortgage, running busy schedules and keeping close to the Lord is something that older Christians have done. They have had to race home, grab a bite to eat and then head off to the church building. We’ve balanced family life, careers, taking care of aging parents, and working in the kingdom. The stress, worries and troubles that have come along have made us walk closer to the Lord.

Titus was instructed to have older women encourage younger women. The older men, Titus was told, were to be a example of godliness. And, much too often, this is where the connections break and come apart. Generational tensions can strain relationships and fellowship.

Here are some suggestions:

First, there is a difference between what the Lord says and my opinion about things. We need to learn that difference. Solomon said, there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Knowing the time is essential. Long ago the experts told young mothers to never lay their babies on their backs. Later on, other experts said it was good to lay babies on their backs. And, along comes mom and grandma with all the answers for a young mother. “We always did it this way,” often doesn’t set well with a mother who has been told differently by her pediatrician.

Pushing your opinions often pushes the limits of what one can tolerate. Your grown children may do things differently than you do. You may not like the way that they decorate the house. You may not like their eating habits, sleeping habits, tastes in decoration or a host of other things. Unless it is Biblically wrong, you must learn to watch what you say. A person can be weird and go to Heaven. A person can be odd and go to Heaven. But unless they are doing something that will keep them out of Heaven, grandma and mom must keep their opinions unless they are asked.

Second, younger Christians need to realize that the older generations have been through all kinds of national and international gloom and doom. There have been wars, disasters, trouble and turmoil. They have weathered the ups and downs of an economy. They have seen housing markets explode and collapse. And there is a sense of wisdom, experience and knowledge that they have gained from all of that. They carry the scars. They have the mileage on their hearts. They have seen churches split, preachers come and go and sudden deaths within a congregation. They have seen it. They have experienced it.

It is good for younger Christians to seek advice, ask questions and get help from those who have felt the heat from fires of trials and troubles. This is true of younger preachers. They need to sit and talk with older preachers and seek their advice.

Don’t be so arrogant as to believe that you have all the answers. You don’t. Nor that you don’t need any help. You do.

Third, when generations appreciate each other and do not feel like a threat, then great love, joy and peace will abound. The older generation needs the younger generation. This is true in the home and this is true in the congregation. Together, helping each other. Together, worshipping the Lord. Together, building stronger families and stronger congregations.

Ten things older Christians ought to tell younger Christians.

Can you make your own list of what you would tell a younger Christian? How about sharing that with them.

Roger

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Jump Start # 3408

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3408

Psalms 66:2 “Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.”

Psalms 66 is a great chapter to read before one heads off to services. It’s like a pep talk before the game. It sets the mind in the right place. Running heavily throughout this Psalm is praising God. And, the expressions are exciting, powerful and helpful as one turns to worship.

  • Say to God, How awesome are Your works (3)
  • All the earth will worship You and will sing praises to You (4)
  • Come and see the works of God (5)
  • Bless our God, O peoples (8)
  • I will tell of what He has done for my soul (16b)
  • God has given heed to the voice of my prayer (19b)
  • Blessed be God (20)

Our verse today says to make His praise glorious. That speaks of attitude. That speaks of heart. That speaks of love. That speaks of faith. That is a choice. That is something that we can do. It is up to us to make that praise glorious.

Now here are some thoughts for us:

First, what happens BEFORE worship can set the tone for our worship. We gather on Sunday to worship God, but what happens on Saturday can make or break our worship. Staying up too late, being in a sour mood, filling your heart with worthless things, being stressed has a major impact in the way one worships. Sometimes it is hard to get those things out of our minds. We may worship, but have we made His praise glorious?

Knowing this, get to bed at a decent hour on Saturday. You are going to worship the Lord with His people in the morning. This is not the time to stay up until the wee hours of the morning watching movies that do not help my heart or my faith. Don’t do that. Give God your best. Make His praise glorious.

Parents, get all the clothes, shoes, socks, Bibles, class books all lined up and ready to go on Saturday. This keeps you from running around looking for those things and starting worship rushed. Preparation—that’s the key. Make His praise glorious.

Second, it is up to each of us to make His praise glorious. It’s not the song leaders job. It’s not the preacher’s job. It is up to each worshipper. So while sitting in the church house, find a place that will keep your mind upon the Lord and not be distracted. For me, it’s sitting close to the front. It’s not wrong to sit in the back, but there are so many distractions that one can notice all of those things and not the Lord.

As we sing hymns, try not to look at the words if you know it by heart. Focus upon the words. You are singing to Heaven. It doesn’t matter how you sound from the lips, but it does matter how you sound from the heart.

Bring a Bible, pen and paper. Come to learn. Come to explore God’s word. As we pray, silently say names that you are thinking of. Make the prayers personal.

Third, throughout the worship, think about what God has done for you. That is one of the expressions we noted from this chapter, “I will tell of what He has done for my soul.” Prayers answered. Blessings received. Sins forgiven. Wonderful people in you life. Hope. Promise. Love. Acceptance. Fellowship.

And, with these three simple steps, your worship becomes more meaningful, helpful and God honoring. I have come to the end of worship before and just didn’t want to go home. I wanted to sing more. I wanted to hear more preaching. What a wonderful experience it is to worship our Lord.

Sunday is the best day of the week. I wish everyday was Sunday.

Roger