Covenant Thanks

 

Jeremiah 32:40 (NRSVue) - I will make an everlasting covenant with them, never to draw back from doing good to them, and I will put the fear of me in their hearts, so that they may not turn from me.

God reassured Jeramiah.

God promised Jeremiah that the people would return.

God would also make a covenant with them.

God said, “They shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

God has also made a covenant with us.

Theologians have called this the “New Covenant.”

This New Covenant with us is made possible through Christ.

1 John 4:9 (NRSVue) - God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

Being part of that covenant is wonderful.

But we have our part to play as well.

We should strive to live in harmony with God.

As importantly, we should strive to live in harmony with our fellow man.

And that means living in harmony with the world in which we live.

God will not break His covenant with us.

He proved this when He sent His son into our world.

Christ guaranteed that covenant with His life and His death.

So, we should remain faithful to that covenant as well.

Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving.

And the New Covenant is something for which we should all give thanks.

Will we always be faithful?

As flawed human beings, the honest answer is “no.”

But when we confess our shortcomings. God is ready to forgive us.

And that is yet another reason for us to give thanks.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, December 1, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, December 8, 2023

Faith Lives on in Others

Deuteronomy 32:7 (NRSVue) - Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.

Moses recited these and other words to the people.

He did this just before his death was foretold.

What strikes me now is the part about asking the elders to explain.

They say that with age comes wisdom.

That is not always the case.

But elders within the church take on a unique responsibility.

Along with the pastor, they are leaders within the church.

And not everyone is cut out for that responsibility.

Paul had a unique perspective when it came to elders.

He passed this along in his second letter to Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:5 (NRSVue) - I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.

Paul recognized Timothy’s faith,

He also understood the source of that faith.

He acknowledged the contributions of Timothy’s mother and grandmother.

This resonates within me.

Like Timothy, Godly grandmothers and a Godly mother played significant roles in my faith.

The faith of Timothy’s grandmother and mother lived on in him.

And so, the faith of my grandmothers and my mother lives on in me.

God generously gives us elders, grandparents, and parents.

He does so that they can build a foundation of faith within us.

We learn not only from their words, but from their example.

Although I instruct adults, I see children in church every Sunday.

I also know that children instinctively watch adults.

I understand that a careless word or action on my part could be harmful.

That is why I pray to be a good example for them.

I was blessed by those who contributed to my spiritual life when I was young.

Now it is my turn to do the same, be it directly or indirectly.

With God’s help, perhaps some of my faith will live on in others.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, November 17, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, November 24, 2023