By Example

I do not have children of my own, but I know they are special to Jesus.

Mark 10:13-16 (NET) - Now people were bringing little children to him for him to touch, but the disciples scolded those who brought them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” After he took the children in his arms, he placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Because children are special to Him, they are special to me.

One thing that always makes me feel good is when children from my church recognize me in public.

The other day I stopped at a restaurant.

From where I was seated I could see a family at another table that attend my church.

The youngest child in that family is about two years of age.

At one point he started looking around and saw me.

He immediately got the attention of his parents and pointed me out.

I waved to them and they waved back.

What struck me was the response of the two-year old.

He knows so very little about me.

In his mind I am just the big, bearded man he sees every Sunday in church.

That scene kept replaying itself in my mind.

A few days later I stopped at a different restaurant to pick up a sandwich.

A teenager from my church recently started working there.

She smiled when I walked in and even took my order.

When my order was ready she handed it to me.

As I prepared to leave, she did not say goodbye.

She said, “See you in church!”

This also made me feel blessed.

The teenager knows a great deal more about me than does the two-year old.

She is far more aware of the duties I perform for the church than the child.

The one thing about me that each has learned from experience is that come Sunday they will see me in church.

All things considered, I cannot think of a better reputation to have among our young people.

Matthew 18:10 (NET) - See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

There are two primary means of education.

We can teach with words.

We can also teach by example.

We often teach adults with our words.

But it is the example we set for the young that teaches far more effectively.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 2, 2018.

I will be back here on Friday, March 9, 2018

The Best Security Around

Throughout our lives we human beings strive for security.

It begins in our infancy without our even being aware of it.

Human babies are born both completely helpless and totally dependent on adults for survival.

The need to feel secure does not end with infancy.

Small children often require a familiar blanket or toy to feel secure.

The fact that the blanket may be old and worn or the toy broken makes no difference to the child.

Children may even require a light to feel secure in an otherwise dark room.

Things may change a bit as children become teenagers who long for independence.

But let’s be completely honest.

It is much easier to long for independence when the security of family is just a phone call away.

Even as fully independent adults, the desire for a sense of security never goes away.

We seek security in our professions and even refer to this as job security.

We seek security for our possessions and purchase insurance to cover them.

We may even invest money on security systems to help protect these possessions.

We even seek security for our loved ones and might purchase life insurance to help protect them.

Other types of insurance can also be purchased to help us feel even more secure.

Some people have taken the need to feel secure to new levels.

They have created shelters for themselves and their families.

They have stockpiled these shelters with food and water; perhaps enough to last for years.

Some have purchased weapons and have been trained to use them.

What all these things have in common is an innate need to feel secure about an uncertain future.

A future that in many cases may not even happen at all.

As for security that really matters, the wisdom of the Old Testament tells us to look to God.

Psalm 91:4 (NET) - He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.

Jesus also promises us the best in security in the New Testament.

John 10:27-29 (NET) - My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand.

Scripture tells us in these verses and others how we can feel totally secure.

That is the best security around.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 16, 2018.

I will be back here on Friday, February 23, 2018