The Gift of Peace

 

John 14:27 (NET) - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.

As I write these words, I prepare my heart for Christmas.

Although this is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, my thoughts turn to His gift of peace.

As we near the close of 2020, I realize how much the world needs to experience peace.

For human beings, peace does not come easily.

We find there is so much for us to worry about.

Many of us have lost loved ones to the pandemic.

Many of us have learned of loved ones who have contracted the virus.

Many of us have lost our jobs.

The list goes on.

Although true peace is a very real thing, many of us find it elusive.

Some even think true peace is impossible to achieve.

True peace can be found, but it can only be found in Jesus Himself.

The prophet Isaiah referred to Jesus as “The Prince of Peace” in his prophecy.

Isaiah 9:6 (NET) - For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called Wonderful Adviser, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Achieving peace simply requires us to look for it.

But we must look in the right place to find it.

We must look to Jesus to find true and lasting peace.

Having faith does not mean the adverse circumstances in our lives will vanish overnight.

Having faith better enables us to deal with them.

My Christmas prayer is that we can find true and lasting peace.

Find it where it can only be found - in Jesus

Once found, we must in turn share it with others.

What a remarkable gift to give at Christmas!

Christmas Blessings!

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 1, 2021.

I’ll be back here on Friday, January 8, 2020

 

Doing It All

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Philippians 4:13 (NET) - I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

Despite the pandemic, December finds me extremely busy.

The Sunday School class I teach is gearing back up.

Work has me very busy, or as my father would say: “snowed under”.

More and more people are counting on my support.

We are now well into the season of Advent and Christmas will be here very soon.

That is why I love this verse from Philippians.

I’ve often referred to it as my “go to” verse.

No matter how many things pile up on my plate, this verse is a great reminder.

It reminds me not to count on my own strength, but to rely on His.

This is what helps me cope when things start to pile up.

Sometimes, we think we just don’t have room on our plates for one more thing.

That is when God does the unexpected.

He doesn’t remove things from our plate.

Instead, He just gives us a bigger plate.

Which, if you think about it, is not completely surprising.

God frequently does the unexpected.

He did that 2,000 years ago when He sent us His Son.

He came not as a general of political ruler in the presence of the powerful.

Christ came to us as an infant; born to obedient parents and announced to humble shepherds.

Christ reminded us we could not serve two masters.

If we did, we would love one and hate the other.

That is why we should do everything as as we would for God,

When we keep God first, He helps us prioritize "all things" that we do.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 18, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 25, 2020

The Blessing of Friendship

 Thanksgiving Day had me reflecting on all the ways God has blessed me in my lifetime.

 Every blessing from Him I thought of, without exception, had something else in common.

 God used people in His blessing.

 As a child, God used my parents to bless me.

 When I attended school, God used teachers to bless me.

 At church, He used pastors and Sunday School teachers to bless me.

 In my professional life, He used my colleagues to bless me.

 To develop my character, He blessed me with wonderful role models.

 To uplift me, He blessed me with a wonderful church family

 To love me, He blessed me with many loving uncles, aunts and cousins,

 Then there is perhaps my favorite blessing of all.

 God has blessed me with friends.

 I say this is among my favorite blessings for several reasons.

 Many of my friends I can trace back to the groups I mentioned before.

 For example, I consider my colleagues my friends.

 I also count members of my church family as friends.

 Even some of my role models became my friends and that is a very special feeling indeed,

 Now, through technology and social media, the number of friends God blesses me with continues to grow.

 I consider these friends special too.

 Some I see on a regular basis.

 Some I see only occasionally.

 Some I will never meet face to face in this world.

 Whatever the frequency, each friendship is one to treasure.

 Then, there is the most special blessing of all friendships.

 John 15:13-15 (NIV) – No one has greater love than this – that one lays down His life for His friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I have heard from My Father.

 I would not trade this special blessing for anything.

 This blessing has no bounds.

 Best of all, Jesus offers this blessing to everyone.

 Before Thanksgiving Day fades into memory, take a moment to reflect.

 Reflect on the blessings of friendship.

 Then, reflect on the very best friendship of all.

 Reflect on the friend who laid down His life for you… for us…. for everyone!

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 4, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 11, 2020

 

No Favoritism

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NET) - Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of men.

America experienced division prior to the 2020 election.

Now, one side claims victory while the other side cries foul.

Even the election results (such as they are) are posted as “red” states and “blue” states.

Unfortunately, the outcome, whatever it is, will likely encourage more division.

One thing I have observed throughout the campaign disturbs me.

Christian supporters for each candidate claimed in effect that God was on their side.

This is nothing new.

Even generals in various armed conflicts assured their troops of victory for the same reason.

But speaking for God and claiming to know which side He is on is a dangerous game to play at best.

Speaking for myself, I am glad America is a nation that has a say in its choice for leadership.

But I know the pendulum swings both ways.

Sometimes the candidate I support will win.

Sometimes the candidate I support will lose.

That is politics.

Rather than speaking for God, Christians would be far better off seeking to heal division.

Christ told us to love God and to love our neighbor.

That means loving those who supported a different candidate than we did.

It also means praying for our leaders and respecting the offices they hold.

Even those who did not get our vote.

Peter understood that God does not show favoritism.

Neither should we.

Acts 10:34 (NET) - Then Peter started speaking: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people,

Perhaps understanding that would help Christians be a force for healing rather than a force for division.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 20, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 27, 2020

 

Overcoming Fear

 

Daniel 6:23 (NET) - Then the king was delighted and gave an order to haul Daniel up from the den. So Daniel was hauled up out of the den. He had no injury of any kind, because he had trusted in his God.

The account of Daniel in the den of lions is one of those we learn in our childhood.

Darius selects over one hundred leaders to help rule his kingdom.

From these, three would be selected as supervisors over the rest.

Try as they might, these leaders and other supervisors tried to find fault with Daniel.

Failing this, they tried to discredit Daniel based on his relationship with God.

They approached Darius with a devious plan.

They suggested that Darius impose a law stating that anyone who prays must pray to Darius alone.

They also proposed that anyone who broke this law should be cast into a den of lions.

Darius agreed and the new law was put into effect.

Daniel knew about the new law.

That did not stop him from praying to God.

The conspirators then reported to Darius how Daniel was in violation of the new law.

Darius liked Daniel so the news disturbed him greatly.

Try as he might, Darius could not think of a way around his new law.

Darius sadly gave the order to have Daniel arrested and thrown into the den of lions.

Throughout the rest of the day and night, Darius feared for the safety of Daniel.

At dawn the following day, Darius rushed to the den to see if God had kept Daniel safe.

To the great relief of Darius, God had.

Darius ordered that Daniel be immediately removed from the den.

He understood that God kept Daniel safe.

Now being cast into a den of lions is a frightening proposition.

But in today’s world fears abound and take various forms.

Some of these fears are real, whereas some are only imaginary,

But even imaginary fears feel real to the person so afflicted.

But fears, both real and imagined, can be dealt with.

Scripture tells us exactly how to effectively deal with fear,

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NET) - Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.

Overcoming our own fears is one thing.

Helping others to overcome theirs is another.

Perhaps that is why the very next verse reminds us whatever we do should be rooted in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NET) - Everything you do should be done in love.

Loving others is the best first step in helping them overcome their fears.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 16, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 23, 2020

 

To Serve Once Again

Psalm 51:12 (NET) - Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance. Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey.

It goes without saying that many things have changed due to COVID-19.

Some things we took for granted either disappeared or changed.

COVID-19 did what nothing else in recent memory had done.

People stopped going to church.

They stopped attending Sunday School.

They stopped attending Bible Studies.

They stopped attending other group functions previously sponsored by the church.

Granted, these steps were necessary considering there was a public health crisis.

Some churches found new ways to serve.

Worship services began sprouting up online for those churches who had the means.

Now, in some areas, public services have resumed in compliance with local health regulations.

Even so, some things have not resumed such as Sunday School.

To be honest, of all the things I had to give up, teaching Sunday School is what I miss the most.

That is why I chose that opening verse.

While I still have the desire to teach, circumstances still do not allow me to do so,

I long for the joy of once again meeting with my students face to face.

I long for the discussions that arise from study with a committed group of students.

But, until in person classes can resume, I remained sustained.

That is because the One who created me continues to stir the desire to obey within me.

I know that one day, my current sadness will return to joy once more.

John 16:20 (NET) - I tell you the solemn truth, you will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy.

One day, COVID-19 will be just a memory.

But I am concerned that it will have lasting effects.

This is especially true where the church and the group functions it supports are concerned.

Time, of course, will ultimately tell.

Whatever happens, we must pray for the desire to obey.

We must pray for the desire to serve.

We must pray for the day when our sadness will once again be turned into joy.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 2, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 9, 2020

One Thing

 

All things considered, current events put me in mind of the sisters Mary and Martha.

Their account can be found in Luke 10:38-42.

In it, Jesus went to a village where Martha welcomed Him as a guest.

Each sister responded to Jesus in a completely different way.

Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to everything He said.

Martha worked frantically away; consumed by all the preparations.

In no time, Martha grew upset with Mary for not helping.

Martha certainly let her frustration be known.

She complained directly to Jesus about how Mary had abandoned her to do all the work.

Moreover, she absolutely demanded that Jesus do something about her.

Jesus put things in their proper perspective.

Luke10:41-42 (NET) - But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her."

I stated at the outset that today's world reminds me of Mary and Martha.

We are practically bombarded with bad news.

There is news of the ongoing pandemic.

There is news of more unrest in the streets.

There is news of continuing injustice.

The list goes on and on.

Meanwhile, those we expect to solve these problems disagree.

They even bicker with each other.

At times it seems as if they prefer bickering to problem solving.

Just like Martha, it is easy for us to be "worried and troubled about many things,"

But Jesus reminds us that only "one thing is needed."

It is simply left to us to choose.

Like Martha, we can choose to be distracted and frustrated by everything going on around us.

Or, like Mary, we can choose to sit at the Lord's feet and listen to everything He says.

This is the best choice and  one that can never be taken from us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 18, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 25, 2020

Love Conquers Fear

 

Proverbs 10:12 (NET) - Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.

Division has been on my mind a great deal.

We’ve seen division in politics.

We’ve seen division between races.

Even the pandemic brings about its own unique divisions.

Saturday, I witnessed two people almost come to blows over the pandemic.

One chose to wear a mask, the other did not.

It occurred to me that this division was born out of fear.

One feared the pandemic.

The other feared a loss of freedom.

When you get down to it, almost every form of division and hatred is born out of fear.

This is not the way mankind was meant to live.

The words of Jesus bear this out.

John 4:13-35 (NET) - Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

We are meant to love one another.

We  are to love those who disagree with us politically.

We are to love those whose skin happens to be a different color than our own.

Even in the middle of a global pandemic, we must continue to love one another.

Love conquers hate.

That is because love conquers the fears that are at the root of hatred.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET) - And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Faith is a wonderful thing to have.

Who among us doesn’t want hope?

Yet love is greater than either faith or hope.

Remember, love conquers all fears.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 11, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 18, 2020

 

With Kindness

 

Proverbs 11:17 (NET) - A kind person benefits himself, but a cruel person brings himself trouble.

The temperature here has been over 100 degrees for many days.

A very old cat recently found a relatively cool spot near my door behind a bush.

One day, I opened the door to check my mail and I startled the poor old feline.

It stood up, arched its back and hissed at me in a very menacing way.

To be honest, I was more than a bit startled myself.

But rather than chase the animal away, I spoke to it in a soothing voice.

This ritual repeated itself day after day.

I would open the door and, as expected, the cat would bare its teeth and hiss at me.

I continued speaking to it in a soothing voice.

Days later, my small act of kindness was rewarded.

Now, the old cat looks at me and just goes back to sleep.

Scripture reminds us to be kind… to others.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NET) - You must put away all bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and slanderous talk—indeed all malice. Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

We are also to be kind to those less fortunate than ourselves,

Proverbs 14:31 (NET) - The one who oppresses the poor has insulted his Creator, but whoever honors him shows favor to the needy.

Christ stressed this point as well.

Matthew 25:40 (NET) - And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’

If you think about it, it really costs nothing to be kind.

The more you practice kindness, the easier it becomes.

Even being kind to the smallest of God’s creation becomes part of our character.

The world in which we now live needs kindness, perhaps now more than ever.

Many are frightened by violence and the pandemic.

Many have lost loved ones.

So, be kind.

The seeds we choose to plant today will bear fruit tomorrow.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 21, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 28, 2020

 

Risky Business

The dictionary defines “risky” as “full of the possibility of danger, failure or loss.”

How true that is!

Type the word “risky” into a search engine and you will find pages devoted to the pandemic.

This is a good barometer as to the level of fear currently in the world.

Others, however, enjoy risk.

Some race motorcycles, some dive off cliffs and some climb huge rocks.

When asked why they do so, many of them admit to being “adrenaline junkies”.

They enjoy living on the edge where most of us would dare not tread.

But you do not have to partake in these activities or face a pandemic to be a risk taker.

Many take the biggest risk of all without realizing it.

They are the people who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

They are the biggest risk takers of all.

Many of them assume that this life is all that there is,

In their way of thinking, you are born, you live, you die… end of story.

But it is far from the end of the story.

Jesus had some cautionary words for those who live for this world only.

Mark 8:36 (NET) - For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life?

Many put off seeking this relationship.

They rationalize this by thinking they have plenty of time in which to seek Him.

But unlike a timed sporting event, not one of us knows exactly how much time remains.

Unlike football, there is no two-minute warning.

The current pandemic bears that out.

Having a personal relationship with Jesus means knowing that it is not about us.

It is about Him.

This is a radical change in perspective.

Lives are changed and very important lessons are learned.

We learn the amount of time we have left is less important than what we choose to do with it.

We learn that we have nothing to fear; not even from the pandemic.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NET) - For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

But be forewarned.

A relationship with Christ does not guarantee a life of safety.

Many have paid with their lives simply by following Christ.

It will not always be easy.

Like Peter, you just might have to step out of the boat.

Matthew 14:37 (NET) - So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.

A relationship with Jesus brings its own kinds of risk, but the rewards are worth it.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 7, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 14, 2020

Promises, Promises

There are many passages of scripture which remind us that God keeps his promises.

Although true, it is important that we keep our promises as well.

We must keep our promises to God.

Matthew 5:33 (NET) - “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

We must also keep our word when we make promises to others.

Numbers 20:2 (NET) - If a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath of binding obligation on himself, he must not break his word, but must do whatever he has promised.

Probably the easiest promises to break begin with the words: “If there is anything that I can do…”

Such promises are easily made because we do not expect the other person to take us up on it.

If this is the case, it is better that we do not make the promise at all.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, friends I knew well began a new ministry,

I was in contact with one individual by email when it began.

I responded: “If there is anything that I can do…”

As communications continued, there was no mention of my offer to help.

Time went by as did the emails.

In time, I forgot about my offer.

Recently, I was contacted by another friend associated with this new ministry.

Early into our telephone conversation he expressed their need for assistance.

My words to my other friend echoed back to me: “If there is anything that I can do…”

The fact that the promise I made was to a different friend made no difference.

My promise was to that ministry.

That promise I will keep.

Matthew 5:37 (NET) - Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 17, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 24, 2020

There is Always Hope

Father’s Day was Sunday.

Although my father died almost forty years ago, my thoughts turned to him days before.

You see, I had to replace my broken television and my father repaired these for a living decades ago.

Now, these items and many others have become disposable.

We buy them.

We use them until they either break or a newer one comes along.

Then, we replace them.

It’s that way with many things today.

It has even been said that we live in a “disposable society”.

Sometimes, we might even look upon people as disposable.

Even some who claim to be Christians might look upon someone else as “beyond hope”.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

1 John 1:9 (NET) - But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

Even on our best day, we cannot save anyone.

But when we say that someone is beyond hope, we attempt to put limits on God.

God has no limits.

Matthew 19:25-26 (NET) - The disciples were greatly astonished when they heard this and said, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.”

People, unlike appliances, should never be considered disposable.

I thank God for the father he gave me.

I also thank Him for the time we had together.

My father taught me many things while he lived.

Although he is gone, I can still learn things indirectly four decades later.

One thing is certain.

I will always have God, my Heavenly Father.

Nothing on earth can change that.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 3, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 10, 2020

Whose Will?

To say that we are in a mess right now is an understatement.

We are still coping with a pandemic.

Many want to proceed with caution while many want to return to normal right now.

We are painfully aware of the untimely and unjust death of George Floyd.

We are also aware that some want law enforcement completely disbanded.

We face other issues that have become equally divisive.

Meanwhile, our elected officials, regardless of party, do little to solve them.

If anything, their words and their actions contribute to the division.

But, to be fair, we must also be willing to accept our share of the blame.

We live in an age of microwave ovens, high speed Internet, instant messaging and Google.

We forget the Serenity Prayer.

Even if we pray for patience, we might unconsciously add “and give it to me now”.

We expect easy answers even when the answers aren’t easy at all.

To be frank, things will not get better if we insist on doing things our way.

C. S Lewis once said: “All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

Have we forgotten Christ’s instructions on how we should pray?

Matthew 6:9-10 (NET) - So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Isn’t it time we stopped trying to enforce our will and accept God’s will?

Isn’t it past the time?

Today’s headlines prove that it is.

C. S. Lewis also had this to say - “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'”

We must turn around and say to God “Your will be done!”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 19, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 26, 2020