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Jump Start # 3492

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3492

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

The title of the article was blunt. It read, “Gen Z is shaping itself into the ‘Wasted Generation.’” The story reported more than one college professor who was fired because the students complained that the classes were too hard and that they wouldn’t give them better grades. The focus on the article was how higher education is enabling rather than helping young people. Challenges and failures drive a person to do better. The concern was that Generation Z was content to be mediocre. A third did not care about their grades and 89% enjoy the idea of putting the bare minimum into their work. Rather than developing the atmosphere of achieving and striving for the best, the current culture is catering to doing as little as possible.

Generic articles like this often paint a picture with a very broad brush. We know not all young people are like this. We know not all schools of higher education are lowering the levels of expectations. However, this ought to be a point of discussion and concern for God’s leaders today.

Will lazy preachers be the norm in the future? Will they allow AI to write their sermons and do as little as possible? Will future shepherds be lazy and confine all their work to the times of services? And, will congregations be content to do as little as possible? Lazy saints that are unmotivated and have little drive about them will let opportunity after opportunity pass by. Congregations will drift. Indifference will take over. And, congregations will die a slow death which very few will do anything about.

In some ways, that is the current state of many places. Sad, but honest and true. Very little looking beyond who is doing what this coming Sunday. Just existing week after week. No goals. No ambition. No drive.

Here are a few of my thoughts about all of this:

First, I don’t buy into the idea that it is the responsibility of colleges and universities to teach achievement, ambition and doing your personal best. Dumbing things down and changing things just because something is hard is not the right answer. It’s in the home that all of these internal life lessons need to be taught and developed. Get those kids out of bed. Turn off the videos. Grab a shovel and go down the street and clear the snow out of the driveway of an older person. Do that for free. Do that because there are lessons learned when you do that.

Challenges in the home and facing difficulties and even failures helps us to understand that we are not the center of the universe. Not everything is about me. There are some things a person will do in which there is no return benefit other than helping someone out. Some jobs are just stinky and there are moments in life which are boring. That’s life. Unmotivated parents will create unmotivated children.

Second, we need a greater picture of the kingdom of God. It is the greatest force on the earth. We need to support it, protect it and help it grow. Our attitudes about God, worship and His people has a lot to do with the way our children will think. Love worship. Put God first. Wrap all your choices around what God would want from you. Pray for your people. Think about ways that you can help improve things. When you see something you can do, even picking up a piece of paper off the floor, do it.

I remember my ole’ friend Jim Babcock. He was the local principal of a small high school. He’d be seen picking up trash in the Walmart parking lot. Why? There were people paid to do that. He was a school principal. He did that because it was something he could do. Man that lesson stuck with me. Now, if I see a shopping cart sitting in the middle of a parking space, I’ll move it. I know Jim would.

When we have that attitude about the kingdom, we’ll bring our best, do our best and do all we can to make it the best. We’ll be thinking about these things all the time. We’ll see doors wide open to talk to someone, invite someone, share with someone a sermon, article or even a Jump Start. Mediocre. Average. Typical. Normal. Those are words that do not define our walk with Jesus.

Third, that Gen Z group of young people described in the article are going to face the cold reality of truth some day. They will have jobs that are hard. They will do things that they hate. They will work long hours. They will face bills, debt, death, and the realty that life doesn’t lower the bar because we complain or don’t like things. They may jump from job to job to job before they realize there is a reason why work is called “work.” They may have to work holidays. They may not be able to take off every day that they want to. Scream “unfair.” Pout. Quit. Run home. This is life. We still have it so much easier than those in the middle ages.

When we read about Paul preaching at midnight in Acts 20, I doubt he started at 9:30 in the morning. Most were slaves. They had to get their work done first. Work hard. Work long. Then get to worship. Then stay up until past midnight, knowing that in the morning, as a slave and servant, you couldn’t call in and take the day off. You had to get up and work, tired as you are. But they assembled. They worshipped. They saw fit to be with one another.

We don’t do our families a favor when we pamper them all the time and make them believe they are the darlings of the world. The beloved apostle described himself as hungry, thirsty and homeless. Who was he going to cry to? Who was going to make things better for him? He mustered on, knowing that faithfulness does just that.

We need young people who are not defined by articles such as what we stared with. We need hard working, self sacrificing, kingdom loving disciples who do not waste time and opportunity but rather are an example to the rest of us. Those kind will stand out. Those kind will make a difference. Those kind will be noticed. Those kind ought to be what we are made of.

Roger

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Jump Start # 3491

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3491

Mark 5:4 “because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him.”

Mark five is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I have preached and written and taught this chapter so many times. And, once again, as I return to it, I see a new lesson that I had not thought about before. This is one of the intriguing aspects about God’s word. About the time a person thinks he has seen everything there is to see, there stands yet another lesson. Growth and observation allows this to take place.

Jesus enters the area of Gentiles. He had just calmed a storm. So severe was the storm that the disciples thought they were going to die. As they reach shore, immediately our demon possessed man races towards Jesus, screaming with a loud voice. Jesus casts the demons into the pigs and they rush into the sea and drown. The man, wanting to go with Jesus, is sent on a commission to go to his people and tell them what the Lord has done.

But tucked in these wonderful verses we learn that the man had been chained and shackled several times. His incredible demonic strength broke those chains. But right here there is yet another lesson. The possessed man, now not possessed, in his right mind, and telling others about Jesus, presents an interesting lesson about forgiveness and allowing people to change.

Imagine this man returning back to this village. The very place where people had chained him. Would he bring that up. Would he say, “You chained me.” Would the people trust him now? Would they be looking for chains when they saw him again?

There comes a time when we treat people differently than what we once did. There was no longer a need for chains when that man walked down the streets of that village. He was different. When he had the demon, chains were necessary. But not now.

Here are some lessons for us:

First, when a person has repented and changed, we must change with them. There have been many who have hurt us in the past. We may have put some distance between us and them. There may have been family members, that when they came to visit, you hid your valuables because they were not to be trusted. You didn’t do these things to be mean. You were protecting yourself and in many ways, removing temptation from them.

There may have been those that the church broke fellowship with because they no longer were walking with Jesus. Statements were read. Tears were shed. Prayers were offered. And, for some, after a long time in the wilderness, they return. Their hearts have changed. They are a different person. Like the father in Luke 15, joy, acceptance and love must be extended. They have changed and along with that we have changed with them. We view them and treat them differently.

Second, sadly, for others, it’s just the opposite and it’s for the worse. There are those who have chosen to dance with the wolves and entertain the devil. They are rapidly going a different direction than you. It may be time for emotional, mental and spiritual chains. Things have changed. They are known to lie, be dishonest and untrustworthy. Because of that, things have to change. It may mean adjusting your will. It may mean changing the locks on your doors. It may mean blocking some on social media. Things are not the same and you must recognize that.

Third, forgiveness is the banner that brings broken hearts and shattered relationships together. We are not told what happened to the demon possessed man. Did he return to that area with tears and apologies? Did the towns people meet him with tears and apologies? Were hugs extended? Did each side recognize that things were done that had to be done.

Our unwillingness to forget and forgive and allow others to change can be the stumbling block that keeps some from Heaven. It may even keep us from Heaven. The demon possessed man may never had understood why chains were necessary. He may have been very angry about how he was treated. But showing sorrow and a change will help build bridges. Some can never move past the hurt that was done. And, because of that, the bridge of forgiveness and fellowship will never be crossed again with some people.

At the moment, with the information that we have, we make decisions. Sometimes, those were not the best decisions. Sometimes we didn’t have all the facts as we thought we did. Those choices we made may have hurt others or been misunderstood by others. As we learn, as we grow, as we look back, the mature disciple will see that he needs to apologize. Today, he wouldn’t have done what he did back then.

When we get too big to apologize, we find ourselves too big for God.

Broken chains—a reminder of choices that were made. A time of fear and uncertainty. But now, all fear is removed. To keep bringing chains would be wrong. As people change, so must we. We change in how we see them, treat them and work with them.

What a great chapter—what a great God.

Roger

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Jump Start # 3490

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3490

Psalms 37:25 “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or His descendants begging bread.”

I was listening to a financial program recently and the guest host talked about his financial struggles and mistakes he had made early in his marriage. It had been a journey for him. A long journey. He stated, “I wish someone had told me what I know now.”

That statement, “I wish someone had told me,” could be true of about all of life. Much of what we learn and experience comes from the choices we make and pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps. It is rare for someone to detail everything you need to know to navigate wisely in life.

This is true in parenting. The diaper years. The terrible twos. The teen years. No amount of wisdom or books can truly prepare you. This is true of most careers, even preaching. Those of us that have trained young men to preach can guide them, but every congregation has it’s own flavor, unique challenges and atmosphere. It is impossible to fully prepare someone for all of that. I know for myself, when I first started preaching full time I was with a small church that did not have elders. I had never been in a business meeting in my life. No one had ever told me about them. Boy, my eyes were opened and I learned some things quickly.

But if we were to make a list of “What I wish someone would have told me,” when I first became a Christian, what would you include on that list? Here are a few of my thoughts:

First, You do not live your entire life in one day. Your journey with the Lord is day in and day out. One mistake or sin does not mean you have failed. Nor, does one victory mean that you have completed the race. Day in and day out. Good days. Bad days. Happy days. Sad days. Special deals and normal days. Sundays and Mondays. Sundays and Saturdays. Holidays and weekdays. Traveling and staying home. It is important to build a strong faith that will last. Enduring is the key. There is something about special days. We seem to be ready for them. It’s the ordinary plain days that can be long, hard and straining on our faith.

Second, there are moments in your life that are hard. There are days that we do not feel close to the Lord. There are times when you have become sluggish and may even feel like you are going through the motions.  There are some giants you face and some mountains in your path that make you think that you cannot go on.

But, you do go on. You go on when it is hard. You go on when you don’t feel like it. You’ll get down to the church building on days when you may not want to. You’ll fellowship when you’d rather be alone. You’ll give when the money is tight. You’ll pick up that Bible and read when you would rather do something else. You do these things because you know they are right. You do these things because of the spiritual habits that you have developed. These habits have carried you and made a difference in your life.

Getting back to worship after a funeral or a divorce or even an apology you had to offer is hard. Satan always offers the easy exit ramp. Be safe. Do what you want to do, is what Satan always tells us. But we know better. As hard as it is, we push onward. And, in the end, we are glad that we did. It wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be.

Third, there will be some brethren who disappoint you. In theory we are all journeying together but some seem stuck. Some are negative. Some want to complain. Some seem to stand in the way. There will be some that may hurt your feelings. There will be some who act more like the world than they do a Christian. There will be some who say things that should never be said. You will see some out and about doing things that they should not do.

Remember, none of us are perfect, nor without sin. Also, remember, we are all on a journey. Some are ahead of us. Some are beside us. Some are behind us. We are not at the same place in maturity and knowledge. Some just don’t get it. They were baptized but they were never converted or changed. There is very little difference between them and the world. This is disappointing. For Paul, there was Alexander, who did him much harm. There was Demas, who deserted him.

When leaders disappoint, it is especially hard. Some break promises. Some say mean things. Some can seem cold and indifferent. Our faith is in the Lord, not the church. The Lord is our Savior, not the church. When you put your faith in others, you will be disappointed. Some will let you down. Some will take advantage of you. The Lord will never treat you that way. The Lord will never hurt you.

But, also keep in mind, all the wonderful brethren, worldwide, who walk closely to the Lord, who are trying their best. You are loved, accepted and fellowshipped by so many. Don’t focus on those want to stop and go the other way. Keep your eyes on Jesus and you’ll see a crowd of the best people on the face of the earth right with you.

I wish they had told me…sometimes, it’s just best to learn these things on our own.

Roger

12

Jump Start # 3489

Posted on January 12, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3489

Matthew 25:13 “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

It happened 180 years ago. It was proclaimed as the Second Advent. The nation was caught up in a religious fever about the teachings of a rural New York farmer, a lay Baptist preacher, by the name of William Miller. Building a doctrine upon Daniel 8:14, where the prophet stated, “…two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed,” Miller claimed that the prophecy pointed to the return of Jesus. Miller was so specific in his timetable that he said October 22, 1844 would be the very day in which Jesus would appear.

Followers of Miller’s teachings were called, Millerites. Many believed Miller’s prophecy. Some sold or gave away their property believing that they wouldn’t need it because the Lord was coming.

One such follower, Henry Emmons, wrote: “I waited all Tuesday (October 22, 1844) and dear Jesus did not come– I waited all the forenoon of Wednesday and was well in body as I ever was, but after 12 o’clock I began to feel faint, and before dark I needed someone to help me up to my chamber, as my natural strength was leaving me very fast, and I lay prostrate for two days without any pain—sick with disappointment.”

The Second Advent become known as the “Great Disappointment.” Discredited and disillusioned most of the followers of Millers scattered to other religious movements, such as the Shakers and the early forms of the Seventh-day Adventists. Miller and other leaders in his movement readjusted their time table to 1845, which became yet another year of disappointment.

Restoration leader Alexander Campbell wrote a series of articles in his Millennial Harbinger about Millerism.

Now, a hundred and eighty year later, this major event will pass with very few knowing anything about it, and worse, most not caring at all about it. There are some important lessons for us in this:

First, it is easy to be swayed when one doesn’t stand solid upon the word of God. The naïve can believe about anything. Miller’s theory can seem logical, but it’s beginning point is an assumption and his idea is based upon a literalness of prophecies that are figurative. This is yet another reason why we must continue to teach, study and preach the word of God. All of us need to know what God has said.

Second, underlining Miller’s plans is the idea that God has placed secret codes, dates and timetables that only a few can discover. Any discussion of the book of Revelation brings all kinds of speculations, current wars and political figures that some see straight from those pages. Wild man Charles Manson believed Revelation 9 was a description of the British rock group, the Beatles. Long hair, iron breasts plates that represent guitars, tails that were the guitar plugs—it’s all there if one wants to see it. And, as one develops such ideas, staring us right in the face is the fact that Revelation was written to seven churches in the first century. Electric guitars, amps, rock’n roll, meant absolutely nothing to them. Ignoring the immediate context allows a person to find whatever they are looking for. It’s like looking at clouds. One person sees a dog and another person, looking at the same cloud sees a tree. Without a foundation in Scriptures and a baseline to begin with, anything and everything is possible.

The Bible is not written that way. It’s not a mystery that we need some outside decoder ring to figure out.

Third, the Lord’s concluding words at end of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins are “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” In that parable, the groom, Jesus is gone. He returns with a shout. The wedding takes place. The plea is to be ready because “no one knows,” when that day will be. If God said we don’t know the day, how is it that William Miller told the world that Jesus was coming on October 22, 1844? Was the Lord wrong? Did someone, like Miller,  actually know the day?

Whenever moderns say things that fly in the face of what God has said, we must stand with God. When some say, “You don’t have to be baptized.” That’s not what God said. Who are you going to believe? When someone says, “The Holy Spirit speaks to me directly,” that’s not what God says. Who are you going to believe? When someone says “All you have to do is love God and all this other stuff really doesn’t matter,” that’s not what God says. Who are you going to believe? When someone says, “Global warming is going to destroy the planet, and kill every person,” that’s not what God says. Who are you going to believe? When someone says, “It’s obvious that evolution is true,” that’s not what God says. Who are you going to believe?

One hundred and eighty years ago a whole bunch of people believed someone who said the Lord was coming that year. The year came and went. Their hopes were shattered. It was shattered because it wasn’t founded upon the Scriptures.

What’s your faith resting on? Your family? Your congregation? Your thinking? Or, the word of God?

A lot has changed in one hundred and eighty years and yet, somethings have never changed.

Roger

11

Jump Start # 3488

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3488

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

  For the past ten years, our congregation has developed a theme for the year. This is much more than just a cute or catchy phrase that we come up with. We produce a detailed booklet that everyone gets at the first of the year. Our theme becomes the backbone of all that we do for that year. Our meetings, VBS, summer series, and even our adult classes are wrapped around the theme for the year. Multiple times throughout the year that theme is developed in sermons. Our folks will mention the theme in prayers and even conversations. A lot of thought, prayer and energy goes into building just the right theme.

This year our theme is “Bringing the Best.” I love that expression. It’s built upon two major concepts. First, God has always given us the best. From daily blessings, to His grace, His word, and especially, His Son, God has demonstrated that He has always brought the best. The very nature of God reminds us that He is the Best. Elijah proved that when the prophets of Baal saw that their god Baal did not exist. He could not stop a famine and he could not bring fire to a sacrifice. The prophets mocked the idea of cutting an image out of wood and calling it a god. The lifeless god could not hear. The lifeless god could not speak. The lifeless god  could not move. Those gods were useless, worthless and powerless.

Our God is so different. He created a beautiful world that is fascinating, complex and wonderful. God’s holiness lifts man’s eyes to what is good and right. God’s power sent fire from Heaven, closed the mouths of lions, opened prison doors and parted rivers and seas. God is simply the best. Who can we liken to God, Isaiah asked. Who is equal to God?

The other aspect about Bringing the Best is that God expected His people to bring their best. None of this shoddy, pitiful looking lamb for a sacrifice. Don’t offer the diseased. Don’t bring a crippled lamb. Unblemished, is what God called for. The priests were to be cleansed before they could stand before the Lord. No one unclean was permitted in the presence of the Lord. Bring the best!

And, it’s that spirit and the nature of our God, that leads us to our theme of “Bringing the best.” Here are some applications of that:

Bring the best when it comes to worship: Anticipate worship. Psalms 100 talks about shouting joyfully to the Lord as one enters the gates to worship God. Get to bed early on Saturday night. You want to bring the best to God. Get down to the church house early on Sunday, you want to bring the best to God. If you are serving, get those songs picked out, go over the Powerpoint one more time, think about what you want to pray. Anticipate. Prepare. Bring the best to the Lord.

Bring the best when it comes to our work in the kingdom. Make those handouts sharp and readable. Check your spelling. Put a smile on your face as you greet one another. Be happy to be in the presence of one another. When you talk to others about the Lord or your place of worship, be positive, inviting and upbeat. Bring the best.

Bring the best when you lead your family. Don’t allow work to drain all your energies so your family only gets the left overs of your heart. Take moments and turn off electronics and have fun. Really talk. Lower the nets and have some really deep conversations.

Bring the best of your generosity. It’s not the amount but the heart that really matters. Find ways to help others. God has been very generous towards you. Be like the Lord. Bring your best. There are so many ways and so many people that need help.

Bring the best attitude towards life. Our times are negative, angry, complaining and mean. Don’t be that way. Don’t get caught up in talking people down. Get that chip off your shoulder and stop being a victim. You are a child of God that is Heaven Bound. Be that light that Jesus wants you to be. Put your judgmental radar gun away. You don’t need it. Be forgiving. Look for the good. Be thankful. Be kind. Be tender-hearted. Be the reason someone smiles.

The world is falling apart. We are not. The world thrives on drama. We don’t. The world can’t see beyond today. We can.

This is the year that you Bring the Best to the Lord. You are not trying to be the best in the brotherhood. You are simply trying to be your best. Improve. Study. Grow. Learn. Talk to others. Observe. Ask. God has being giving His best for a long, long time. It’s time we gave the Lord our best!

Bringing the Best…

Roger