Jump Start # 3462

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

In our verse today the apostle sets before us the attributes and approach one needs to have as he comes to the word of God. He comes as a workman. He comes as a workman who does his job well. He comes, not looking for loopholes, new ideas, agendas, but accuracy. The goal is to be accurate.

Being accurate. Being correct. Being right. This matters in life and it matters with God. Just close doesn’t cut it. If you are parking your car in a crowded lot, you want to be accurate. Otherwise, you’ll have some scrapes on your car. When it comes to taking tests, you want to be accurate. Otherwise, you’ll flunk. You want your doctor to be accurate with your medical exam. You want the payroll to be accurate with your check. When you go to the bank and cash a check, you want the teller to be accurate. In ballgames, it is essential that the time keeper is accurate. The final seconds can determine the outcome of a game.

God wants us to be accurate with His word. Here are some lessons for us:

First, all of this implies that there is an absolute answer. God’s interpretation is more important than your interpretation. God has written in such a way that we can understand. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Don’t fall for the common idea that understanding God’s word is vague, fuzzy and no two people can agree. Really? What that leads to is that God is a sorry writer. We can understand physics. We can understand Shakespeare. We can know the plot of a movie. We can understand poetry, music and art. But, we can’t understand the Bible? Jesus said you can know it. I trust Jesus.

Accuracy implies something right and something wrong. You can be right. You can handle it right. You can be accurate.

Second, how accurately one handles the Bible builds credibility or distrust. A verse misused can say anything. Our job, like that workman, is to handle it accurately. Put that verse back into the context and see what it says. Some things are hard to understand. The Bible says that, even about Paul’s writings (2 Pet 3). However, there are some things that are not hard to understand. The organization of a congregation (Phil 1:1) is pretty straight forward. No delegates. No hierarchy. No earthly headquarters. Overseers, deacons and saints—that’s it. And, if a person can’t get that straight, why should I trust him on other things? It’s not how cute someone is, how popular they are, but rather, how accurate they are. When someone puts something out in the public, we ought to search the Scriptures, as the Bereans did, to see if it is so. If it isn’t so, then, we’ll throw red flags, caution and be uneasy with what else he may say.

A while back someone recommend a very popular writer to me. He’s amazing I was told. Some are declaring that he is a modern C.S. Lewis. Brilliant and insightful were some words used to describe his writings. So I looked into it. I quickly found that he was not accurate with organization, salvation, inspiration, homosexuality and the operation of the church. He missed it on all of those. Now, how can I trust someone who is so wrong on those things to be right on Revelation or the Holy Spirit?

Accuracy builds credibility or it creates distrust. Those that do things in the public forum must understand that people have a right and an obligation to measure what we are saying with the word of God. Are we accurate? And, if we keep fumbling the ball over and over, it won’t be long before people will no longer trust us. Such a person will be known as inaccurate. And, the boiled down version of inaccurate is simply wrong. He is wrong. He is wrong because he is not accurate. He is wrong because he does not handle the word of God rightly.

Accuracy is something that God expects and God requires. It is not attacking a person when public statements are found to be inaccurate, out of context and misleading. Such a workman ought to be ashamed. That’s what our passage demands.

Third, this may be one reason why James says not many be teachers. Some are apt to teach anything and everything. We are responsible for what we say. It’s not who I am or who I am a part of, that matters. What matters is am I handling the word as a workman, who is giving his all to the master, the Lord.

The field of church history has repeatedly shown through every generation, people who have not handled the word of God accurately. Doctrines have been created out of error. Whole movements have started because of inaccurately handling God’s word. The religious landscape today is a grand example of this. If every group was handling the word of God accurately, would we all be so different?

Accuracy is not determined by me, you or us. Ask anyone in any church, and they will tell you that they think what they are doing is right. No preacher begins his sermon by announcing, “the things I say to you today are not accurate.” Who then determines what is right? If it is not me, not you, not any of us, who then? The who is God. God’s word can be interpreted to bring out a consistent understanding that God wants us to have. If not, then what’s the hope of ever being accurate? It’s a learning process. It’s growth, maturity and study. Through the years, as one learns, he changes his thinking. He sees what God is saying.

Going to God’s word is important. But equally important is handling that word accurately. Use Bible words the way God uses them. Allow passages to interpret themselves. Keep things within the context. Understand who is speaking and who is the audience. Know the different forms of literature found within the Bible, from historical narrative, to prophecy, to apocalyptic to figurative. One doesn’t approach the book of Acts the same way one reads the visions of Ezekiel. The workman will know this. And, just as a modern workman reaches into his tool box for different tools, so the student of God’s word, looks at a text through the lens in which it was written, knowing the culture and the people who were first to receive that message.

The parable of  the wise and foolish virgins, set in a scene of a wedding, doesn’t look like American weddings. The wise workman sees that. He understands that. He is looking at things through the Jewish eyes of a first century disciple.

Our feelings, our thoughts, and our wishes can color how we see the Bible. Keep those things at a distance and allow the Word to speak for itself.

The goal of the master workman is to come to understand God accurately.

Roger

Jump Start # 2925

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”

Do you ever get the lazies? It’s not that you don’t have things to do. It’s just the opposite. Your list is long. But this day, you just don’t feel motivated. You don’t want to do what needs to be done. And there starring us in our face is the opening words of our passage, “Be diligent.” And “diligence” means to get about it. Get up and get going. Do it. Oh, you know you should, but you sure don’t feel like it at the moment.

Getting the lazies is not something that a lazy person understands. He’s always lazy. Procrastination is his favorite hobby. The lazy guy spends more time talking than doing and more time watching TV that helping others. The book of Proverbs addresses the sluggard or lazy person. Go to the ant, we are told. That little ant has more ambition than the lazy person.

No, most times it’s the busy person that occasionally catches the lazies. He’s been busting it over and over, but now he just doesn’t feel like it. Preachers can get this way. It would be good for shepherds to understand this. As soon as Sunday night rolls around, it’s time to be thinking of yet another sermon. Another podcast. Another article. Another class. For me, another Jump Start. There is little taking the foot off the accelerator. There is too much to be done.

Here are a few things that might help:

First, getting the lazies is common. Don’t make yourself feel worse by piling on guilt. No one is Superman. Even the Lord got away for reflection and rest. You are not a failure nor a bad person because there are days that you don’t feel like doing what needs to be done.

Second, pace yourself and get organized. Not everything needs to be done today or even this week. Make lists of what must be done today. There will be interruptions, that’s life. On that list of things to be done, start with things that are easy and quick to accomplish. That gives you some momentum. You are getting things done. Things are being crossed off your list.

Third, take a breather. Take a day off. Take your vacation. Many preachers don’t practice that. We are running all the time. As a result we are tired. Few know it, but we do. The quality of our work isn’t top notch. We know. We justify it because there are so many things to do. But what happens is that we get stale and after a while it shows in our preaching, teaching and work. So, take a mental vacation. Rest your mind. Try to unplug your thinking about sermons, classes and articles. That’s hard for most of us to do.

This is where sharp shepherds will add value and years to their preachers tenure. Schedule a time for others to preach. Your preacher will fight you on this. He would as soon preach if he is home. But tell him it’s for his good. Send him on a sabbatical to read, recharge and come back fresh. It’s only good for the whole church.

Fourth, learn to delegate. That’s hard. Sometimes it’s just easier and faster to do it yourself than it is to train someone. But there are many things others can do so you can focus upon what only you do. Mailing meeting fliers is something others can do. Get more of the deacons involved in the total work and that will help so much.

Now, these same simple points apply to all of us. There are days when moms do not feel like being a mom. You can’t resign. But what you can do is catch your breath, delegate, get organized, pace yourself, make lists. There are days you may not feel like going to work. There may be days you don’t feel like going to worship. We push ourselves to work because there are bills and a mortgage that must be paid. But worship, for many is easy to skip. Don’t start that. It will get you into trouble.

When you don’t feel like worshipping, try sitting some where different in the auditorium. Try singing without looking at the words. Try to talk to some you rarely talk to. Shuffle things up a bit. Make things fresh in your heart.

Be diligent…there are times when that is the hardest part of our verse to do. There are days when our tank is running low on diligence. It’s hard to be motivated when one doesn’t feel like doing anything. It might be good to take a Saturday and schedule NOTHING. Yes, there are so many things to do around the house and out in the yard. Yes, there are places to go. But for this one Saturday, you’ve decided to stay put. Pick up a book and read. Listen to some music. Rest. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Refuel that diligence tank.

All of this is better than getting burned out and quitting.

Roger

Jump Start # 1628

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

  The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that’s the book for me…is a great song that is sung in VBS and children’s classes. It is the book for me. Our verse today, very familiar and oft used by preachers, reminds us of the place of God’s word in our lives and our responsibility toward it.

There are some things the Bible won’t do. That is shocking for some to hear. They feel that the Bible is the end all solution to all things. Just read a verse, we are told, like taking a daily vitamin, and everything will be ok. Preachers some how work in “study your Bible” into every lesson, no matter what the topic.

What are some things the Bible won’t do:

1. The Bible doesn’t answer every question. That’s surprising to many of us. Got a question, run to the Bible.  That’s not the intention nor the purpose of the Bible. It is not Heaven’s encyclopedia to look things up. Who did Cain marry? What happened to the dinosaurs? Where did the devil come from? Why did Jesus pick polar opposites, like Simon the zealot and Matthew to be apostles? Were James and John His cousins? Those are just questions from the book. What about questions in your life? Should I marry her? Should I take the promotion and move? Should I get involved or mind my own business? Just how much should I give?  Questions, questions, questions. The Bible doesn’t answer all of these.

2. The Bible doesn’t foretell my specific future. How long will I live? How many kids will I have? The Bible isn’t written to reveal those things. It can show us if we are pleasing to God and ultimately if we are on the path to Heaven or not, but so many details about the future, will not be found in the Bible.

3. The Bible alone won’t solve all of my problems. This is where we sometimes leave the wrong impression. Are you discouraged? Just read a verse. Confused? Read a verse. Having doubts today? Read a verse. Feeling tired? Read a verse. Worried? Read a verse. Reading those verses many give you solutions, they can strengthen your faith, but just reading alone won’t make your problems go away. Just reading a verse won’t fix a troubled marriage. It won’t bring home a wayward child. It won’t bring unity to dysfunctional relationships. YOU have to work on those things. Reading a verse doesn’t do it without your input, your changing things and your involvement. We hand out verses like they are anti-biotics. Just take a couple a day and you will feel better and be back to normal in a short time. No, it doesn’t work that way. Worry won’t stop just because you read a verse. You have to make some changes about how things affect you. The Scriptures can lead you, but you have to do something. Reading a verse won’t bring back communication in a strained relationship. You have to sit down and talk. The Bible can remind us, shape us, encourage us and help us, but we have to take the steps and roll up our sleeves and do things.

4. The Bible isn’t the end to all that I must do to please God. Reading the Bible is much easier than living the Bible. To read the Bible but that’s it, doesn’t mean that a person knows God nor is doing what God says. More than just reading, is becoming. Peter said, “Be holy as He is holy. Be—become that light in the world. Become a disciple of Jesus.  Become a living stone. Change.

5. The Bible doesn’t tell us every detail of what we must do. Now, I am not implying that there are additional revelations, or, more messages coming from Heaven. When Paul listed the works of the flesh, in Galatians 5, he said, “envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, Justas I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:21). What are the THINGS LIKE THESE? Paul didn’t list a complete itemized list of the works of the flesh. There are SUCH THINGS and THINGS LIKE THESE that the spiritual heart will recognize through the teachings of God’s word that are also wrong. In Hebrews we find, “Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” Discern is to think. Not everything is spelled out. Not everything can be found on a list. There is some discerning that must take place.

Our verse today, presents two powerful actions. First, be diligent. Older translations use the word, “Study.” Diligence is the idea of getting at something. Getting busy. Action. Not delaying. Make pleasing God first on your “To-do” list. You want God to approve of you. If the world slaps you on the back, but you have disappointed God, you have failed. Be God approved. You cannot be right with God and wrong with His word. Don’t be like a workman who is ashamed. Don’t stand in line to get a paycheck for doing nothing. We see that all the time. Co-workers who spend the day on the phone or playing games on the computer and not doing much work. They find ways not to work. They ought to turn their paycheck back in, but they won’t. They gladly accept a wage for doing nothing. They ought to be ashamed. You are not to be that way. You are to be serious about pleasing God.

The other action involves handling God’s word. Handle it accurately or carefully. Have you ever been to a military funeral? I’ve done several. After my part, the military takes over. Very solemn. Guns are fired. Taps is played. And then the flag that is draped over the casket is reverently folded with extreme care and dignity and handed to the family. Many times, those that are folding the flag are wearing white gloves. The family holds that flag to their chest. In many homes, we have special display cases that we keep those flags in. They are special. Handle God’s word that way. Don’t be careless. Don’t skip the details. Don’t assume. Do your homework. Look up words. Chase those rabbits. Know it. Know it well. Know it accurately.

Knowledge of God’s word will drive out fear and error. It will help us build confidence and it feeds our faith. It is through our faith and walk with the Lord that we please God. It is our faith that conquers fear and allows us to stand boldly with the Lord.

Don’t settle for, “It’s in the Bible somewhere…” Find it and know where it is. State a passage correctly. Understand how your English Bible fits together—the chronology of the books and the history and the background of the times. Know dates. Know names. Know why this or that happened? Make your Bible user friendly. Underline in it. Write things in the margins and back pages. Write other verse references. Tape things in the back that will help you. Make it friendly to you. Don’t be afraid of it. Handle it. Handle it accurately, but handle it. Understand it. Use it. Go to it.

It’s been said that a Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone whose life is not falling apart.

Give me the Bible…more than a hymn, a way of life for the child of God.

Roger

Jump Start # 1424

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

  This passage is one that many of us heard over and over growing up. The King James translation begins this verse with “Study to show thy self approved…” Study or be diligent. Get into the book and the book will get into you. In Psalms we find often, “I love Thy law…” Paul told the Ephesians, “By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (3:4). God’s inspired message was written down. It was a message that was to be read and understood. God didn’t communicate with feelings. He didn’t send cameramen. He sent preachers who preached and wrote the inspired message.

Simple thoughts. Nothing too profound for many of us familiar with the Bible. But there is something that is concerning:

• 33% high school graduates never read another book the rest of their lives
• 42% of college graduates never read another book after college
• 80% of American families did not buy or read a book last year

Now those stats are alarming. We know throughout this country that the daily newspaper is dying. No one is reading them. Many well known weekly news magazines have gone out of business. This generation doesn’t read. We watch our YouTube videos. We read short Facebook posts. But we don’t dive into books. We don’t get deep into academic studies.

This is a concern spiritually. God’s message is contained in a book. If books aren’t being read, then that includes the Bible. If our message is print oriented and fewer are reading print, then there is a growing segment of this society that will not be connected nor reached.

Here are a few thoughts that I have from this:

First, we must make sure that we are not one of the above statistics. We need to be reading. We need to daily read the Bible. We need to read other things as well. There are many rich and helpful and encouraging things to read. Don’t have time? Try to find some. Maybe less TV. Maybe less Facebook and texting. Set a goal and try to read so much every month. Reading grows the mind. It is healthy and helpful.

Second, get your children reading. Start with the little ones. Read to them. Many families do that. But once a child can read on their own, the concern seems to stop. This is when much of the reading stops. Visit the local library. Get some bookshelves in the kids rooms that actually have books in them. Again, turn off the electronics and grab a book. Get your child their own Bible. Spend time reading the Bible together.

Third, congregations need to help folks, especially newer people, to understand the Bible. Classes that teach the fundamentals of the Bible will help them understand the book better. Just handing someone a Bible isn’t enough. What’s the book about? Why are there so many books within this book? Why does it not all read the same? What about those words that I do not understand? Converting someone and sticking them in the middle of a class on Romans can be disastrous. Confused. Lost. Discouraged. The person may drop out and no one understands why.

Fourth, to reach non-readers, there may have to be some simple things to help them get introduced to the benefits of reading the Bible. Maybe a short video will help them to understand the value or explain the basics. Don’t assume everyone knows, when they don’t. Most don’t know the books of the Bible. Most do not know why we call it the “Bible” when that word is not used in the Bible at all. Most do not know how to abbreviate the books of the Bible, how to write out a passage reference, or how to read a passage reference. Those of us who have been around this for a long time tend to take such things for granted. We must stop doing that. We must put ourselves in the shoes of someone who knows nothing about the Bible. Build bridges that help not roadblocks that prevent the learning of God’s word.

Fifth, spend more time reading the Bible. I know of some who meet in public places just to read the Bible. They advertise these times and they begin with simple things, such as reading the Gospels. The hope is to get people to want to read the Bible more.

Sixth, in our heavily used powerpoint times, it is good for preachers once in a while, to just turn off the electronics and have the audience read in their own Bibles. It’s good to make your Bible personal and useable just for you. Underline words if you like. Write thoughts in the margins if you like. Make the Bible your tool to know the Lord.

Many like using their phones and tablets for the Bible. There is nothing wrong with that. A while back, I had a contest with the high school class about how fast we could find a passage. I know my Bible. I can turn to books just by the feel of my hands. The class had electronics. I had my Bible. The kids beat me over and over. I didn’t think that there was any way that they could get to a verse faster than I could. But they did. However, here is something about your Bible in book form that we may not understand. There is no other book that looks like a leather bound Bible. When I carry that, no one thinks that I may be reading Harry Potter, some college text book or anything else. Nothing looks like the Bible. When I read my Bible on a tablet, a person doesn’t know whether I’m checking my email, reading Facebook, playing Angry Birds, or reading the Bible. But that leather bound Bible, no question about that. I like that for that reason.

It’s important that we get folks back into the Bible. In personal Bible studies, have people read out of their own Bibles. In classes, take turns going around reading the Bible. At home, read aloud. It’s a good practice. Get to know the book. Get familiar with it. The more comfortable we are with it, the more we will use it and be helped by it. Have a regular reading plan for going through the Bible.

You can’t know God apart from the Bible. You can’t know about His will apart from the Bible. The Bible is the bridge to God. We must know the book, love the book, keep the book and obey the book.

The Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone whose life is not falling apart.

Get reading…

Roger

Jump Start # 1392

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

  It happened again. It didn’t just happen again, but exactly two weeks in a row. Another Sunday, and another dear friend and godly soul parted from this world. His name was Jim. I’d know him and his sweet wife for years. I used to run into them in Florida at a series of lectures. I can’t remember when we first met, it seems that we have always known each other. Since I moved back to Indiana, nearly eight years ago, our friendship exploded. My, he was dear to my heart and family. The memories are so rich. He and his wife would just drop by the church building whenever they were in the area. They always made two stops, first to Zestos and then to see me. Sometimes we combined the two. I have spent a week in his home and what a rich time that was. We loved to talk about spiritual things. He’d call me and ask about a passage. He was good to the core. His handshake would crush your knuckles, but he knew just how firm to shake. He once taught school and was a principle. Walking with him in his area was a real hoot. Folks would toot their horn and wave. He was loved by everyone, even those who he helped turn around. Many times on our walks someone would wave and shout, “Hi, Jim.” He’d go on to tell me that he spanked that one in school. I learned that he spanked a lot of people in that county, but they weren’t angry or mean towards him. They saw that he was responsible for turning their lives around. He was asked to preach so many funerals of students. It amazed him. It didn’t me. He was that kind of soul that one just couldn’t forget. We’d talk about his family, my family, church, questions and hope. My, he was such a dear, dear friend to me. He was always amazed that I thought so much of him and I was amazed that he thought so much of me. My children loved him dearly.

But there was one very special area that Jim and I shared, and that was this little avenue of writing called Jump Starts. I think he was one of our first readers outside of the congregation where I preach. He read nearly everyone. He sent me so many kind, kind words and encouraged so many others to read these.  We talked very personally and intimately about how long these Jump Starts were going to continue on. No one talked to me in detail about these things like he did. Every milestone reached, number 500, number 800, number 1000, he’d call, and we’d talk. Soon I will be writing number 1400, and my friend would have called that day to talk in detail about how long this should continue. He was such an encouragement. He’d gotten sick recently. It was serious, very serious. I’d not seen him in a while and with my travels, I just couldn’t get over to where he lives. This week was to be the week. I had plans to go see him this week. And then, yesterday morning, word came that he had passed away early in the morning, Sunday morning. I have been crushed every since. In his honor, I nearly pulled the plug on these Jump Starts last night. I gave serious thought to just stopping them for good. But I know what my friend would say. I know what he would have me to do. The journey continues for us.

Our verse today, is the passage that immediately came to my mind when I thought about my friend’s passing. Paul’s words to the young preacher are hopeful and helpful. They are layered with three main thoughts.

First, be diligent. That word simply means, “get to it.” Don’t put it on the back burner. Don’t delay in these things. Don’t say, “when I get a round to it.” Jump on it now. Make this priority one. Drop all things and get about it. My daughter used to say when she was at home, “Do it,” and then she’d add emphatically, “NOW.” The way she said it, made a person get up and do it, now. This is what Paul is saying to Timothy and to us.

Second, present yourself approved. Approved. Passing the test. God can be pleased. Well done, is what the five talent man was told. He was approved by the master. Gained approval is the statement used of the heroes in Hebrews 11. They all gained approval with God. We can know what God wants. We can be approved by God. This is how we are to present ourselves, each day, every day. We must be diligent about that. It’s time to get rid of the lazy bones and the lame excuses and pointing fingers at others, especially the congregation, and ask ourselves, “Why am I not approved by God?” Why does my attendance stink? Why do I not know the word of God? Why am I not praying very much? Why don’t I engage in hospitality? Why am I not letting my light shine? Why am I watching dumb movies, listening to trashy songs and hanging out with people who don’t love the Lord? Why have I not surrounded myself with quality people who love the Lord and will influence me for good? Why am I not an encourager, like my friend was? Present yourself approved. Do what God wants you to do.

Third, as a workman who does not need to be ashamed. What a great and simple illustration the apostle gives to us. A workman works to get paid. That’s the goal of what he does. A guy who works hard and works well, has nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t matter whether he digs a ditch, fixes teeth, preaches a sermon, drives a school bus, or is a principal, as my friend was. Work hard at your job. Do it well. We understand that concept. The guy who is playing computer games all day or is texting more than he is working ought to turn in his paycheck. I drove by some workers the other day that were working on the road. I don’t know if it was break time, lunch time, or time to call it a day, but I saw three different ones sitting down looking at their phones. Now, if they were supposed to be working, then there was a problem. This working in such a way as not to be ashamed, is not connected to our jobs, but in how we are diligent to be approved to God. Do what God says, in the way that God says it, with all that you can, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Stop comparing yourself to others. Egos, jealousy and bad things happen when a person does that. Stop just giving it a ‘lick and a promise,’ as my grandma would say. Do it right the first time and you don’t have to do it over. Get over your hurt feelings and bad experiences and present yourself approved to God. Don’t use excuses. Get about doing what you ought to do.

Unashamed workman. A person that is giving it his best. This comes from the inside out. This comes from a heart that wants to please the Lord. This comes from one who sees what is really important.

The apostle tells us how all this is accomplished, by rightly dividing the word of God. By knowing, following and keeping the will of God in our hearts. By being true to the book. By standing upon the word of God. By saying “yes,” to what God says, “yes,” to, and by saying, “no,” to what God says “No,” to. It’s not being original, different, unconventional, or just plain odd. It’ s by rightly dividing God’s word. I expect if the word can be “rightly divided,” then it might be “wrongly divided” as well. Our roles is to be those who divide it rightly. I expect a person can pull a verse and make it seem like Heaven approves of any sordid behavior that folks can dream up. That’s not using the word as God intended. That’s not rightly dividing. That’s not being that unashamed workman. Someone who twists God’s word to push their agenda, ought to be ashamed. Let God speak for Himself. Don’t twist His words. Don’t put words in His mouth. Listen and follow what He says.

Be diligent. Present yourself approved to God. Like an unashamed workman. That was my friend. That was, Jim Babcock. I will miss you dearly. I am glad you made it safely. I hate death and I long for the day when there shall be no more tears, for my eyes are full of them today.

Thank you, my friend. Thank you, my Jesus for allowing our lives to cross. I benefited on that one.

Roger