Jump Start # 998

Psalms 119:63 “I am a companion of all those who  fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts.”

  One of the great blessings of our journey with God is meeting and knowing incredible people who love the Lord and want to please Him. Our fellowship is important. Often we do not grasp the great value of true friends in Christ.

There is a part of the American culture that is fascinated with the bad guy. The Robin Hood, the Jesse James, the 1930’s gangsters—the high adventure, one step away from the law, the escapes—those things make for good movies, but they were not good people. They trashed the law of God, hurt innocent people and were thugs with weapons. Most of them that lived by the sword, also died by the sword.

Our verse reminds us of the great companionship with those who fear the Lord. The Scriptures repeat that theme often.

• Ps 34:3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together
• Ps 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’
• 2 Timothy 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

It is those “with” us, those godly companions that make a difference. One of the best blessings of our walk with God is the amazing people who walk with us. Good people. Folks who are not perfect, but know that Jesus is. People that apologize when they are wrong. People that know God’s word and cherish reading it. People that love to sing praises to God. They are generous, kind, sincere, helpful and understand what true friendship really means. Across the world I have met so many wonderful, wonderful Christians who are really trying their best to just walk with God. I have met them in major cities such as Indianapolis, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Phoenix and in little bitty places that are hard to find. On Sunday you know where they will be—at the Lord’s house, with Bibles in hand, smiles on their faces and hope in their heart. They come to worship, fellowship and learn. Their Bibles are worn and marked—the sign of years of use. These godly folks come early and stay long after services. They invite you into their homes and are more interested in you than they are telling their story. These folks are the backbones of congregations. They have literally poured blood and sweat into keeping a congregation faithful and strong with the Lord. Their prayers are amazing. Their insights into the Scriptures are treasures and they love to talk about spiritual things. These people are God’s people. They are a blessing to all that know them.

I could fill pages and pages listing the names of God’s people that are just as I described. Incredible folks. Good to the bone. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many where I preach. It’s easy preaching to such a crowd of God’s people. They truly love to hear the story. I have become companions to those that fear the Lord. All across the country I could name amazing Christians. Most are simple, common people but they have a rich faith in Jesus Christ. I am blessed and better because of them. I can’t wait until we all get to Heaven and we can all be together! Won’t that be awesome!

Now, there is a side of this that isn’t so good. I have found in every congregation, those who come but they don’t connect. There are those who slide in at the last second and peel out as soon as the final “amen” is uttered. They are distant and can’t even name many within the congregation that they are a part of. Outside of their home congregation, they know few, if any Christians in other places. The vast majority of their friends and family are not Christians. They have little positive influence in their lives. They simply don’t understand much and they simply don’t get it. They are always on the edge of disaster. One step away from a divorce. One step away from quitting. Their faith is shallow and turned off more than it is turned on. They do not see the connection between what happens on Sunday and work or family. They are not growing. They are on spiritual life support. They are surrounded with Bible classes and studies, spiritual tools, such as CD’s, pamphlets, articles, bulletins and best of all, these incredible people who are strong, caring and loving, yet they do not take advantage of them. They are barely hanging on. They have one toe in the water and feel like that’s enough. When trouble comes, and it generally does, they are shocked, stunned and surprised. A mate wants a divorce, a child becomes a prodigal, there is a substance addiction, there is trouble with the law—they don’t know what to do, who to turn to and can only think to blame these wonderful godly people. There is a segment of my congregation that never reads these Jump Starts. There are some who do not know anything about them, even though we talk about these all the time. It amazes me. There are folks, especially overseas, who would trade everything they own to be in a congregation like where I am at. Yet, some remain content to stay on the outside of things. It is to their loss.

Are you the companion with those who fear the Lord? Are you walking with God’s people? Do you number God’s people as your dearest friends? Are you connecting, fellowshipping, and utilizing the great asset of God’s people in your life? Outside of your home congregation, have you come to know other Christians from other places? Amazing people. Good people. God’s people.

You need them in your life and you need to be one for others. Everyone needs others. That’s just the way God made us. Make your heroes Christians. Let your children grow up knowing great Christians. When our kids were little, they would get visiting preachers to sign their Bibles. They still have those Bibles and we talk about that. It has meant a lot to them. Honor the honorable. Super star athletes who make millions and abuse the law are not heroes. The Hollywood scene, where looks are more important than character are not heroes. True heroes are those who walk daily with the Lord. They are engaged in the greatest battle of freedom—spiritual freedom. They have devoted time, money and heart to the kingdom. Those are the true heroes. Honor them. Thank them. Be a companion and a friend to them.

They are everywhere. We walk among citizens of Heaven. What a blessing that is.

Roger

Jump Start # 962

Psalms 119:63 ” I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.”

Our verse today reminds us that we are in a fellowship with other believers. We see that in the congregation, but there is a huge spiritual family, worldwide that extends beyond what we see within our church building. This is important for us to realize.

Satan wants you to think that you are alone. Some of our readers worship in small congregations and others may be in areas where there are not many congregations. The “we are it” syndrome can be very discouraging.

Satan wants you to believe that we are losing. He wants you to think more bad than good is going on. He wants you to throw in the towel and give up. He wants you to think that it’s useless. Following the news can really do that. Just this morning I read that a school teacher was arrested for being high on drugs while at school. Another teacher was dismissed for posing nude in an adult magazine. A shopper was arrested for carrying a dead baby in a bag. I just finished reading a biography about a world famous auto racer. His lifestyle was sex, drugs and alcohol. The news about the bad, raunchy, and godless choices that people make are the headlines each day. We are bombarded with news about sinful choices and the consequences that those choices reap. It seems that God is losing. Satan wants you to think that.

Satan loves to dish out discouragement. It’s one of the best weapons in his arsenal. It works so well. Discouraged Christians feel overwhelmed. Discouraged Christians go through the motions. Discouraged Christians get confused and begin doubting what they once believed as true. More bad news. More people doing wrong. More. More. More. Until finally, the discouragement gets the best of you and you become a part of the very thing that discouraged you. Satan smiles. He accomplished exactly what he wanted.

There are three principles that turn all of this around.

• God is on the throne. It may seem like Satan is dancing through this world, having his way, but God is still in control. That hasn’t changed. It’s not going to change. God will win, don’t doubt that for a second.
• The outcome of Satan and those who follow him is certain. This is not a huge cosmic battle between God and Satan, like a movie, and the outcome could go either way. Not at all. Satan’s destiny is set. He’s Hell bound. There is no hope for him. There is no Savior for him. He’s a loser and he is headed on a one way ticket for torment. The Bible is clear about that. Matthew tells us that Hell is prepared for the devil and his angels. That’s why God made Hell. It wasn’t for people, it was for Satan.

• There are companions of God throughout this world who love the Lord and walk daily with Him. Some of God’s companions are very talented and are doing incredible things with those talents. Doctors, dentists, attorneys, business owners, school teachers, mechanics, funeral directors, students, house moms, retired folks make up the family of God. These people are helping others as they walk with the Lord. They are making a difference. Through their influences people are being introduced to the Lord, the church is being funded, and God’s way carries on.  These talented people coach kids on Saturdays. They teach Bible classes on Sunday. They give up their time to help others. They sit in the surgery waiting room with others. They help a struggling family. They make it possible for a kid to attend college. God’s family is made up hundreds and hundreds of men and women throughout this world who love Jesus. They gather on Sunday to worship the God that they love. These are the best people on the face of the earth. Most are not well known. Many live what some would call boring lives. They go to work in the mornings, raise their families, and have their sights set on Heaven. They struggle with a world that they don’t fit in. Finding modest clothes to purchase, decent shows to watch on TV, and quality books to read is a struggle. They love the Lord. They want to do what is right. You don’t hear about these people on the news because they are not breaking laws. They are not wild and irresponsible. They are not indulging in selfishness. They are kind and generous. They are good people. They each have a past that is dark and that they are ashamed of, but are thankful it has been forgiven through Christ. These are the companions of God. These are the people that are serious about the Bible and going to Heaven.

These companions of God are everywhere. I have met so many of them. I have found them in little towns in Ohio. I have found them in huge cities like Boston. I have found them all across this country and even in other countries. God’s people. Making a difference. Keeping things going. Not giving up. Ready to spit in the eye of Satan. They wear the armor of God. They are tough and have been through all kinds of battles. I think of a sweet family whose young father is in the hospital facing grave health issues. The days are long for them. Their faith is anchored in the Christ that loves them. These companions of God are made up of young men who have chosen to preach God’s word. They are sincere, humble and amazing.

Our passage says, I am a companion of all those who fear you. Can you say that? Are you companions with God’s people? Are your dearest friends companions of God? Are you walking with those that walk with God? If not, you are missing out. These companions of God will bring quality to your life and they will enrich you and help you connect strongly with the Lord. They are God’s help and answer to the discouragement that Satan throws at you. You need the companions of God in your life. Include them. Get to know them. Surround yourself with them. Seek their advice. Become friends and companions with the companions of God.

I am blessed to know that my best friends are companions of God!

Roger