A Strong Foundation

 

Isaiah 26:4 (NRSVue) - Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26 is Judah’s Song of Victory.

But contained within this song is a potent reminder.

True faith must be built on a solid foundation.

And that foundation is the Lord.

In Luke 6, Christ compares two foundations.

One foundation is weak.

The other foundation is strong.

Those who hear the words of Christ and do them, build on a solid foundation.

Luke 6:47-48 (NRSVue) - I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built.

This is important to remember, especially during the Christmas season.

We seek stability, but what the world offers is shallow,

We misplace our faith in the material or the promises of others.

Christ came into this world to overcome it,

That includes the world’s instabilities.

We must place our faith where it belongs.

We can listen to the words of Christ.

As importantly, we should act on those words.

When we do, the foundation upon which we build our lives will be a strong one.

Our faith will be unshakeable.

I am reminded of the lyrics:

    The Church's one foundation

    Is Jesus Christ her Lord

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, December 20, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, December 27, 2024

Gratitude for a Hopeful Future

 

Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSVue) - For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

This is from a letter the prophet wrote to the exiles.

Jeremiah promised that they would return one day.

He also reminded them that the Lord has a plan and their future is hopeful.

Paul, in his letter to Rome discusses both life in the Spirit and future glory.

Romans 8:21 (NRSVue) - that the creation itself will be set free from its enslavement to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Those who trust in God have hope.

Circumstances, even adverse ones, do nothing to lessen that hope.

And, for that, we can be profoundly grateful.

What is required of us is to trust God’s will in our lives and to respond accordingly.

We have a future, and that future is a hopeful one regardless of our current circumstances.

And, although it may be difficult for us to see, God will make all creation new one day.

This is a promise made repeatedly in scripture.

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, let us give thanks to God for that future.

Let us also give thanks to God for hope.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, December 6, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, December 13, 2024

A Just Reward

 

1 Samuel 26:23 (NRSVue) - The Lord rewards everyone for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed.

In this chapter, David spares Saul’s life a second time.

Not only does Saul recognize this, but David explains his motivation for sparing Saul.

Because Saul was the Lord’s anointed, David would not take Saul’s life.

David understood that the Lord would reward him for this.

Paul, in his first letter to Corinth discusses the ministry of the Apostles.

Followers of Christ should be trustworthy.

Moreover, no one is to judge until the Lord comes.

The Lord will judge, and nothing is hidden from Him.

And those who do not judge will be commended by the Lord.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NRSVue) - Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

As Christians, we are to serve faithfully.

But we must also serve righteously.

And God can give us the strength to do both.

That means not judging others.

Then, when the time comes, we can stand before Him in the hope that He has found our lives pleasing.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, November 15, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, November 22, 2024

Being Witnesses

 

Isaiah 43:10 (NRSVue) - You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.

In this chapter, Isaiah is taken to Egypt where he warns of judgment.

But the Lord reminds Isaiah that he is God’s witness and His servant.

In the opening of Acts, just prior to the ascension of Jesus, His followers are promised of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

They are assured that this will bring them power.

They are also reminded of their role as witnesses.

Acts 1:8 (NRSVue) - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Those who follow Christ today continue this mission.

We are obligated to bear witness to those around us.

We can do this through our words.

But we are more effective witnesses through our actions.

We must also never forget who the source of our witness is.

Christ is the vine.

We are the branches.

John 15:5 (NRSVue) - I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

As stated, we are obligated to deliver the message; to share it through word and deed with those we encounter.

Scripture also reminds us that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 

But as we fulfill our commission, let us remember His grace and His presence.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, November 1, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, November 8, 2024

Forgive, and Be Forgiven

 

Jeremiah 14:7 (NRSVue) - Although our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name’s sake; our rebellions indeed are many, and we have sinned against you.

Jeremiah 14 is about a great drought.

The containers are empty.

The ground is cracked.

The animals suffer.

Even the people cry out.

The prophet admits that the people are rebellious, and their sins are many.

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches His followers how they should pray.

He follows this prayer with a word of caution.

For one to be forgiven, one must be willing to forgive.

Matthew 6:14 (NRSVue) - For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

Like the people of Jeremiah’s day, we too are sinful and rebellious.

We wish to be forgiven.

But to be forgiven, we must be willing to forgive.

Honestly, this is something that even Christians struggle with.

But to forgive is far from impossible.

We do not have to rely on our strength alone to forgive.

God can help us to be forgiving.

And when we turn to Him in this manner, He reminds us that in forgiving we are forgiven.

Christ gave us the best example of forgiveness during His crucifixion.

Luke 23:34 (NRSVue) - Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they cast lots to divide his clothing.

If Christ could forgive so much, shouldn’t we be willing to forgive so little?

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, October 18, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, October 25, 2024

Expressing Proper Gratitude

 

Job 9:8-9 (NIV) - He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

In this chapter, Job responds to his friend Bildad the Shuhite.

Job recognizes God’s role as the creator of the universe.

I find it fascinating that Job mentions the names of the constellations.

God set these forth in the night sky from the beginning.

God created them before man gave them names and used them for navigation, time keeping and more.

Paul, in his first letter to Corinth, discusses food offered to idols.

He writes about those who worship many gods.

Paul then reminds his readers whom they worship and why.

1 Corinthians 8:6 (NRSVue) - yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

I find it interesting that Paul uses the words “from whom” and “for whom” in relation to God.

Paul then uses “through whom” in relation to Christ.

God has indeed created a wonderful universe.

God also created life and, by extension, us.

God also created all things that sustain physical life,

This was an expression of God’s love for us, and we should be grateful.

But God also expressed his love for us “through” Christ.

For it is through Christ that we are saved.

This was the ultimate expression of God’s love for us,

For this, we should be extremely grateful.

We should also take the time to say, “Thank you!”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, October 4, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, October 11, 2024

The Right Choices

 

Psalm 51:10 (NRSVue) - Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

Psalm 51 is a prayer for cleansing and pardon.

The psalmist asks for mercy.

He also asks to be cleansed of sin.

He even admits to being a sinner from the moment of his conception.

Then comes a crucial moment.

The psalmist asks to be made a new creation.

When Paul writes to Timothy, he warns of false teachers.

Paul warns, these teachers “promote speculations rather than the divine training.”

Such teaching is not derived from faith.

1 Timothy 1:5 (NRSVue) - But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

Where is this leading?

In the case of one seeking cleansing and pardon, a definite change is required.

Doing the right thing is not enough in and of itself.

As for Paul’s words, we live in an age of information.

One does not have to go far to see or hear a sermon.

We can partake of these on television or through our cell phones.

For those who still read, one need only go to a bookstore or shop online.

There, we will see countless books whose authors smile at us from their covers.

Many of these authors proclaim to teach the truth.

But it is left for us to discern just how true their teaching is.

Is the message designed solely to encourage?

How much of this message is speculation as opposed to divine training?

Is the message one of ease, comfort, or prosperity?

Or does the message require a sincere change of heart?

Fortunately, we do not have to navigate this terrain alone.

If we find ourselves wanting to do the right thing, we should ask ourselves why?

Is this desire to do the right thing born in the moment?

Or is God trying to bring about a definite change of heart within us?

If the latter is the case, we can trust God to complete the change He began.

God will even provide us with teachers whose instruction is born from faith and not speculation.

The journey is a long and sometimes difficult one.

In fact, it can be painful at times.

But from beginning to end, God guides us on this journey of change.

He helps us make the right choices for the right reasons.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, September 20, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, September 27, 2024

The Power of Love

 

Psalm 37:8 (NRSVue) - Refrain from anger and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Here, the Psalmist encourages both patience and trust.

To do that, we must put aside anger,

We must not give in to fear.

For human beings, this is easier said than done.

Fortunately for us, we do not have to do this on our own,

Paul understood this when he wrote to the Thessalonians.

Paul encouraged them with his blessing.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NRSVue) - See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.

When people feel wronged, their first reaction is to avenge themselves by striking back.

But that is the conditioning of the world.

That is not the way God designed us to live.

We were designed to love.

We were created to forego vengeance,

Christ tells us to love God.

Christ also tells us to love our neighbor.

But we cannot love completely on our own.

We only experience complete love when we have been made anew.

That is when we truly welcome God’s love into our hearts.

We then understand that God loves our neighbor.

God even loves those whom we feel have wronged us.

True love is the key.

Paul reminds us of this too,

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

May we take these words to heart.

May we share the love God has for us with others.

May we remember that God loves them as well.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, September 6, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, September 13, 2024

Making Introductions

 

Ezekiel 20:44 (NRSVue) - And you shall know that I am the Lord when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways or corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, says the Lord God.

Here, the prophet tells the people that God will restore them.

Once restored, they will realize that they were not restored through their actions.

The people will acknowledge that it was God who restored them.

In Paul’s letter to Rome, he speaks of justification.

In particular, he writes of the implications for the justified.

Paul concludes this section with a reminder.

The believers in Rome were not justified by their actions.

They were justified by God’s love and Christ’s willing sacrifice.

Romans 5:8 (NRSVue) - But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

Wherever we may be on our spiritual journey, God meets us where we are.

His love for us endures even when we are far away from Him.

And, when we let Him, God leads us into that essential personal relationship with Christ.

This is the moment when we are restored.

This is the moment when we are justified,

In other words, our lives will never be the same as they once were.

Transformed, we set about to do the work He places before us,

Moreover, He equips us for the journey ahead,

He starts by enabling us to listen.

From there, we become more compassionate with our fellow man,

We even learn what it means to truly forgive,

After all, God was compassionate with us.

Through Christ we were forgiven.

There is no shortage of people in need of restoration.

Perhaps they feel they can never be justified.

To be clear, we can neither restore nor justify others.

We could not even do these things for ourselves.

But we can introduce them to the One who does both.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, August 16, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, August 23, 2024

A New Heaven, a New Earth, and a New Us

 

Isaiah 65:17 (NRSVue) - For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.

Here, the prophet speaks of God’s new creation.

This will be completely new.

Nothing will remain as it was before.

This creation will be so new that we will not think of the former one.

In Revelation, John experienced a vision of this new creation.

Revelation 21:1 (NRSVue) - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Scripture reminds us more than once that this will happen.

To some, this seems unlikely.

To others, this seems impossible.

But to the believer, this is a promise.

And the believer has concrete proof that a new creation is possible.

In fact, a new creation is more than probable.

The believer simply needs to look inward to recognize that he or she is already a new creation.

The believer understands that he or she is not the person they once were.

If God can transform our lives, He can also transform the lives of others.

Could it be that this transformation of lives will be part of the new heaven and the new earth?

It is.

God is at work transforming us into who He wants us to be.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, August 2, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, August 9, 2024

Rousing a Deaf World

Joel 2:13a (NRSVue) - rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God,

Here, the prophet implores the people to return to the Lord.

In Biblical times people would tear their clothing when they were overcome with the pain of grief.

This would be an outward sign plainly understood by any observer,

But here the prophet, speaking for God, indicates that a change of heart is necessary.

Clothing is temporary and can be replaced, but a true change of heart is permanent.

And such a change is apparent to God and the one who repents.

It can also be as visible to others as is torn clothing.

Paul, in his first letter to Corinth, tells the people to glorify God.

Paul states they should do so in body and in spirit,

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NRSVue) - For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

In times of pain and difficulty, it is easy to turn inward as a means of isolating ourselves from pain.

But in doing so, we also isolate ourselves from both God and community.

The far better option is for us to turn to Christ.

With His help, we experience a true change in self.

So equipped, we can rejoin and experience community as opposed to solitude.

We can reach out and serve others in pain and in need.

We can extend mercy to others just as Christ was merciful to us.

C.S. Lewis put it this way: “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, July 19, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, July 26, 2024

Rest and Understanding

 

Psalm 6:2-3a (NRSVue) - Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror. My soul also is struck with terror,

Psalm 6 is a prayer for recovery.

In fact, it is a prayer for recovery from a serious illness.

The words reflect just how heavy the burden is and how strong is the fear that accompanies it.

In Matthew 28, Jesus prays to the Father.

He thanks the Father.

Christ acknowledges that those the world deems simple are granted insight.

No one knows the Son except the Father.

And no one knows the Father except the Son and those whom the Son chose to know the Father,

Christ then prays for those who are burdened and promises rest.

Matthew 11:28 (NRSVue) - “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Christ is the great physician.

He tells us to bring our burdens to Him.

And when we do, Christ grants us rest.

This is not just rest for our bodies, this is rest for our souls as well.

It does not matter what our burdens are, Christ invites us to bring those burdens to Him.

He removes all burdens: physical illness, fear; distress of the mind, even concerns of the heart.

In their place, Christ gives rest, peace, and hope.

This is one of the first verses my mother taught me as a small boy more than half a century ago.

I take its meaning to heart.

I also understand that this was a very unique way in which I was chosen to know the Father.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, July 5, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, July 12, 2024

As Near as Prayer

 

Jonah 2:7 (NRSVue) - As my life was ebbing away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.

Jonah prayed from the belly of the fish that swallowed him.

Although in a crisis, Jonah knew God would hear his prayer.

Although miles away from any human being, Jonah knew God was nearby.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, encourages his readers.

He reminds them not to worry about anything.

He also reminds them to give thanks and pray.

Philippians 4:6 (NRSVue) - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Everyone, including me, faces difficult and challenging times in life.

When we find ourselves in a crisis, we often focus on the challenge rather than the solution.

We even think we are alone although we are not.

When troubles come, we would do well to remember Jonah.

Though miles away from any human being, God was as near as a prayer.

We would also do well to remember Paul, who reminds us not to worry about anything.

Instead, we should pray with an attitude of thanksgiving.

We will then encounter God’s grace and have enough strength to meet the challenge.

Paul had something to say about this as well.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NRSVue) - Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, June 21, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, June 28, 2024

The Promised Reward

 

Jeremiah 31:16a (NRSVue) - Thus says the Lord: Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, says the Lord:

Jeremiah 31 talks about the joyful return of the exiles.

God’s people had endured hardship.

But God promised their return and renewal.

In John 16, Christ tells His disciples what they still had to face. 

They would be put out of the synagogues.

Christ reminded them there was more suffering to be endured.

But Christ also gave them a promise.

John 16:22 (NRSVue) - So you have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Believers today understand that while we live in this world, we will face difficulties.

The faithful also know that when we depart this world our suffering will be at an end,

Until then, we must remember that we do not face difficulties alone.

The triune God accompanies us on our journey.

It is easy to focus on pain, loneliness, suffering and persecution.

But we must never allow these things to convince us that we face them alone.

When we focus on God, we see that our burdens are shared.

We can then more clearly see the promise that lies ahead.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, June 3, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, June 10, 2024

Provision in Abundance

 

Joel 2:26 (NRSVue) - You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

The second part of Joel 2 is about God’s response and promise.

Part of that promise concerns God’s abundance.

The provision Christ offers is equally plentiful.

In Mark 6, Christ feeds five thousand with two fish and five loaves of bread.

Not only were the five thousand fed; they were filled.

Mark 6:41-42 (NRSVue) - Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled,

This example of Christ’s abundance is amazing.

It is the only one of His many miracles to be recorded in each of the four Gospels.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit give in abundance.

So much so that we often take this abundance for granted.

In fact, we often forget that literally everything we have comes from God.

Now is an excellent time to remember God’s abundant provision.

With His help, we might be more inclined to recognize this in the future.

Perhaps we might even acknowledge that all we have comes from Him.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, May 17, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, May 24, 2024

Superior Strength

 

Genesis 6:22 (NRSVue) - Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

The second half of Genesis 6 tells of how Noah pleased God.

Scripture reminds us that Noah was a righteous man.

It was in this way that he pleased God.

It was because of his righteousness that God desired to save Noah and his family.

So, He asked Noah to build an ark to His exact specification.

He also asked Noah to bring two of every kind of animal aboard.

And Noah, being a righteous man, set about this monumental task.

Centuries later, Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount.

This can be found in Matthew chapters 5 through 7.

Some view these words as mere suggestions.

Still others view these words as a reminder of just how sinful we are.

They are far more than either.

In these words, Christ tells us how we are to live our lives.

For example, Jesus explains the difference between hearers and doers beginning with this verse. 

Matthew 7:24 (NRSVue) - “Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.

It is not sufficient merely to hear the words of Christ, we must act on them.

The wise man’s house withstood a flood.

Noah and his family were also saved from a flood.

That is because they relied upon God’s strength as opposed to their own.

And we would be wise to do the same.

Sometimes our journeys seem difficult.

But we can get past the difficulties when we rely on God’s strength.

We can get through them when we realize that we do not travel alone.

And we can always call upon God to help us live in His word.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, May 3, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, May 10, 2024

Into the Light

 

Isaiah 42:16 (NRSVue) - I will lead the blind by a road they do not know; by paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them.

The recent eclipse made headlines.

I happened to live in what scientists called “the path of totality.”

It was most interesting to see midday grow dark for a few minutes.

But it would be a different matter if the phenomenon were unknown.

How frightening it would be not knowing whether the sun would return.

But, figuratively speaking, some live in darkness. 

Isaiah 42 contains a song of praise to the Lord.

And just as the sun returned to dispel the daytime darkness, so the Lord turns darkness into light.

In Luke 24, two followers of Jesus encountered the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus.

As they walked, they still did not recognize Him.

When they arrived at their destination, they invited Him in.

It was then that Jesus revealed Himself.

Luke 24:30-31 (NRSVue) - When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight.

Even though Easter Sunday has passed, we are still in the Easter season.

This reminds us, as do these passages of Scripture, that the risen Christ dispels the darkness in our lives.

Each day is a new day.

Each day is a personal gift.

It is a gift we are meant to share with those who still live in darkness.

By reflecting the light of Jesus into their lives, we can coax them out of their darkness.

They can then step into the direct light of His love and experience a new day with Him.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, April 19, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, April 26, 2024

Sharing the Faith

 

Psalm 105:1 (NRSVue) - O give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; make known his deeds among the peoples.

Psalm 105 is a Psalm about God’s faithfulness to Israel.

The psalmist stresses the need to thank God.

He also stresses the need to make the deeds of God known.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul shares that Salvation is for all,

This requires faith.

Paul then shares the source of that faith.

Romans 10:17 (NRSVue) - So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

So, what is the point of all this?

Mainly, it is that we need to share our faith with others.

We need to make the Lord’s deeds known to those around us.

We must share the words and example of Christ with them as well.

As we near the end of our journey through Lent, we should feel extraordinarily blessed!

Ironically, we often hesitate in sharing our praise with those we encounter.

Let us take the words of the psalmist and Paul to heart.

May we see each encounter as an opportunity to share our faith.

May each meeting prompt us to praise God and make His deeds known.

May each contact remind us to share the words and example of Christ.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, April 5, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, April 12, 2024

In the Shadow of His Wings

Psalm 63:7 (NRSVue) - for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.

Psalm 63 is a Psalm of David of a time when he was in the wilderness.

He thinks upon his relationship with God.

In doing so, he remembers God’s reassurance and embrace.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul discusses life in the spirit.

Paul reminds his readers of their relationship with God.

And because of that relationship, they can withstand any opposing force.

Romans 8:31 (NRSVue) - What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

What about us and the world we live in?

We sometimes feel beset by challenges.

We are bombarded by information.

But how much of what we are told can we believe?

Most, if not all, media outlets have an agenda.

Politicians make statements hoping it will either gain them office or keep it.

In terms of health care, one organization says something another vehemently disagrees with.

And the list goes on.

We can take heart in the messages of the Psalmist and Paul.

We can find rest in the embrace of God.

We too can find refuge in the shadow of His wings.

It does not matter where life takes us.

It does not matter what challenges we face.

God is there for us.

Moreover, He loves us.

As we continue through the season of Lent, we are reminded that God proved this.

God proved His love and care when He allowed His Son to die for us.

The price has been paid.

We have been made right with God.

And as we journey through life, we do not journey alone.

And God’s presence is more than a match for anything the world can throw at us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, March 15, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, March 22, 2024

Love, Not Fear

 

Haggai 2:5 (NRSVue) - according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear.

The prophet reminded the people that they were covenant people.

He also reminded them not to fear.

In John 16, Jesus spoke to the disciples.

Jesus reminded them that their grief would turn to joy,

He also reminded them not to fear.

John 16:33 (NIV) - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I teach an adult class.

One of the things we examine in that class is history and how it relates to the present.

History is full of misery, heartache, and bloodshed.

Much of this has been brought about by fear.

We are taught to fear those who are different from us.

We are taught to fear those whose practices are different than our own.

Sadly, we are even taught to fear those who worship differently than we worship.

It has not gotten any easier,

The media divides us along different lines.

It tries to teach us to fear others.

Yet Scripture tells us repeatedly not to fear.

Instead, we should allow God to make us bold in all things.

We do not need to fear because Christ has overcome the world.

As I remind my adult students…

I do not have to agree with everyone.

I do not have to adopt their practices or customs.

But Scripture is remarkably clear on one thing.

I must love my neighbor.

I must even love the neighbor who disagrees with me and refuses to love me in return.

Yes, Scripture reminds us repeatedly not to fear.

And focusing on love is an excellent means of overcoming fear.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, March 1, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, March 8, 2024

Vindication

 

Isaiah 50:8 (NRSVue) - he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand in court together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

Isaiah spoke of humiliation,

He also spoke of vindication.

Christ was familiar with both humiliation and vindication.

In John 8, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus.

They claimed to have caught her committing adultery.

To trap Jesus, they reminded Him that the law demanded she be stoned.

Jesus bent down and began writing on the ground with His finger.

Scripture does not tell us what He wrote.

But what He wrote had an impact.

Those who attempted to trap Him left.

In time, only Jesus and the woman remained.

John 8:10-11 (NRSVue) - Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

Christ extended his grace and mercy to the woman.

Isaiah understood that God would also offer His grace and mercy.

People will let us down.

But the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the source from which goodness springs.

They see us for who we really are.

And, despite our flaws, they extend grace, mercy, and forgiveness to us.

They give us another chance even when people are unwilling to forgive.

They even give us another chance when we are unwilling to forgive ourselves.

Then we, like the woman who stood before Jesus, should make the most of that second chance.

We too should go our way and not sin again.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, February 16, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, February 23, 2024

The Only Real Choice

 

1 Kings 18:21 (NRSVue) - Elijah then came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not answer him a word.

Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal.

Of course, he knew that God would triumph over those who followed false gods.

But before the contest took place, Elijah spoke those words to the people.

He knew the people had drifted from God.

These words were a caution that you cannot serve God and false gods.

In Matthew 6, Christ taught the disciples how to pray.

He also gave them cautionary instructions.

One of these concerned serving two masters, namely God and wealth.

Matthew 6:24 (NRSVue) - “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

God is, and always has been, supreme.

He expects to be first in our lives.

Moreover, He commanded this.

Exodus 20:2-4 (NRSVue) - “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth.”

The simple fact is that anytime we place anyone or anything above God, we practice idolatry.

We rob God of His rightful place in our lives.

When that happens, God asks us to choose.

Choice is a part of life.

But correctly choosing Who has priority is crucial.

It requires commitment.

It requires loyalty.

People and things constantly vie for our attention and affection.

But we must choose to put God first.

Fortunately, God helps us choose wisely when we make ourselves open and available to Him.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, February 2, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, February 9, 2024

The Light of His Love

Isaiah 60:3 (NRSVue) - Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

In this chapter, the prophet speaks of the gathering of the people. 

After a period of darkness, the Lord would arise and dispel it.

The author of Revelation also writes of the Lord and the dispelling of darkness.

He first writes of a new heaven and a new earth.

He then writes of the new Jerusalem.

It will have no need of man-made nor artificial light.

In fact, it will not even need the sun nor the moon to provide its light.

The light of the Lord will illuminate it!

Revelation 21:23-24 (NRSVue) - And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.

The headlines of today paint a dark and gloomy picture of our world.

But we have no need to fear this darkness.

The light of the Lord is more than capable of overcoming it!

His light can penetrate even the darkest corners of our world.

His light can even penetrate the darkest corners of our hearts.

With His help, we can walk in that light.

We benefit from his grace and mercy.

We bask in the light of His love for us and all of humanity.

And, if we but make ourselves available to Him, we can reflect that light to those around us.

Then they too can bask in the light of His love.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, January 19, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, January 26, 2024