But Deliver Us from the Evil One

 

Psalm 125 is about security for God’s people.

The psalmist compares God’s protection to a wall of mountains.

Psalm 125:2 (NRSVue) - As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people from this time on and forevermore.

In John 17, Jesus prays for His disciples.

He prays for their security as well.

Jesus knows that the world hates them.

But Jesus does not pray for them to be removed from the world.

Instead, Jesus prays for God to make them secure from “the evil one.”

John 17:15 (NRSVue) - I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.

Like a wall of mountains, God’s love surrounds us.

And, like the disciples of old, we too must remain in the world for a time.

During our time, we are also protected from “the evil one.”

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

This is how we should pray as well.

Matthew 6:13 (NIV) - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

As we live out lives of service in this world, may we remember God’s love and protection.

May we also remember how we should pray.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, June 20, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, June 27, 2025

His Love Endures

 

Psalm 103 is about gratitude for God’s goodness.

The psalmist also talks about God’s love,

Psalm 103:17-18 (NRSVue) - But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

God’s love for us is ‘steadfast.’

That means God’s love for us never wavers.

It is also ‘from everlasting to everlasting.’

That means God’s love for us is without end.

The author of Revelation had messages for each of the churches.

To the church in Philadelphia, he wrote...

Revelation 3:10 (NRSVue) - Because you have kept my word of endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

God’s love for us endures.

It will even sustain us through times of trouble.

His love for us will continue even after our mortal lives end.

Thanks to Christ, we know that death is just a transition.

Yes, God is faithful.

Yes, His love for us is without end.

And even when we falter, God does not.

When we stumble, God will forgive us if we but ask for forgiveness.

So, as we go through life, let us always look to God.

May we be certain of His love for us!

And…may we also be just as certain of our love for Him!

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, June 6, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, June 13, 2025

First Choice, or Last Resort?

In Job 38, the LORD answers Job out of a whirlwind.

As if this is not unsettling enough, The LORD says something to assert His omnipotence.

Job 38:4 (NRSVue) - “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

Today, we have amassed far more scientific information than Job had access to.

But despite our knowledge, if God spoke to us this way we would not know where to begin.

According to Genesis, God spoke the universe into existence.

God spoke, and it was so.

In Matthew 8, the followers of Jesus are in a boat.

A violent storm overtakes them.

Jesus is asleep in the boat, but despite His presence, they fear for their lives.

In desperation, they wake Jesus who calms the storm with a word.

But before He does, he addresses the disciples.

Matthew 8:26-27 (NRSVue) - And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”

What is our response when the storms of life threaten us?

Do we fear?

Do we think about failure?

Perhaps we even think about giving up.

We certainly compound matters by asking an endless stream of “what if?” questions.

That is like the situations Job and the disciples found themselves in.

And how often do we seek the One as our first choice rather than as our last resort?

We can call upon the One who spoke the universe into being.

We can call upon the One who can calm a storm with just a word.

We do not have to be “of little faith.”

We can confidently turn to the One.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, May 16, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, May 23, 2025

A Deeply Personal Matter

 

In Isaiah 61, the prophet speaks good news of deliverance.

Isaiah 61:1-2 (NRSVue) - The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, 

This was good news for the many who had been oppressed.

As we recall Easter, we are reminded that Jesus is Good News for the many.

But He is also Good News for the individual.

At the time of His crucifixion, two criminals were executed in the same cruel way.

Like the crowd that taunted Jesus, one of the criminals joined in.

The other criminal was different.

In his darkest hour, he looked upon Jesus with a final request,

Luke 23:42 (NRSVue) – Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.”

Jesus had Good News for this man.

Luke 23:43 (NRSVue) - He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Good News is more than Good News for the masses.

The Good News is also Good News for the individual.

And the moment we accept the Good News, it becomes a deeply personal experience,

Some, like the criminal, may wait until the very end.

Others will postpone it assuming they have plenty of time to accept it.

But we do not have to wait until the end.

We do not have to put it off; deluding ourselves that we will get around to it “someday.”

Perhaps we are afraid that the Good News is a personal matter.

In truth, it is deeply personal.

Perhaps we are afraid that accepting it might forever alter our lives as we know it.

In truth, it changes our lives forever.

It also changes our lives for the better.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, May 2, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, May 9, 2025

The Power of Light

 

Psalm 34 is a Psalm of David.

In it, he describes the appearance of those who look to God.

Psalm 34:5 (NIV) - Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

In John 13, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples.

Jesus does this to teach them.

Just as Jesus served them, they are to serve one another.

In other words, Jesus demonstrated His love.

Now they are to follow His example.

John 13:15 (NRSVue) - For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

As we approach Palm Sunday, let us be mindful of these things.

In looking to God, we will appear different.

But the radiance we reflect on the outside will serve as an invitation to others.

As we follow Christ’s example of love and service, the love of Christ adds to that radiance.

And that radiant reflection of His love can penetrate the darkness of those who have not come to know Him.

It does not matter whether their darkness is thrust upon them or if it is self-imposed.

The radiant love of Christ can penetrate either.

Christ gave us His word.

He also gave us His example.

And we are called upon to follow both.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, April 18, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, April 25, 2025

Security Is Found in Service

 

Proverbs 3 discusses true security.

It reminds us of many things we are not supposed to do.

It also contains a very subtle reminder of how we are to live.

Proverbs 3:34b (NRSVue) - but to the humble he shows favor.

In contrast, Luke 22 discusses some critical moments in the life of Jesus.

It talks about the plot to kill Jesus.

It talks about preparation for Passover.

It even discusses the Lord’s Supper.

But despite these major events, a dispute arises among His followers.

Although this is a critical juncture, they argue about which among them is the greatest.

Jesus sets the record straight,

Luke 22:24-26 (NRSVue) - A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, “The kings of the gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves.

In hindsight, it is easy for us to be critical of them.

But are we any better?

Have we humbled ourselves before God?

Have we humbled ourselves in service to our neighbor?

As we continue our journey through Lent, may we ask ourselves these questions.

And may we have the courage to answer them honestly.

Even at this critical stage of Luke’s gospel, Christ demonstrated his compassion.

May we follow that example as we serve both God and our fellow man.

And may God find both our words and our actions pleasing.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, April 7, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, April 15, 2025

True Peace

 

Psalm 4 is a plea for deliverance.

The Psalmist ends in recognizing that real peace and safety reside in God.

Psalm 4:8 (NRSVue) - I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

In John 14, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit.

Jesus also promises true peace.

John 14:27 (NRSVue) - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

The world in which we live is turbulent.

Prices remain high.

World leaders clash over threats of tariffs and reprisals.

The nation is divided along political lines.

People, especially the young, take to social media and vent their frustrations.

Nations are engaged in armed conflict.

The list goes on.

But those who have faith understand that the Lord is a source of peace even amid turmoil.

And we, in turn, can help others find that same peace through our words and actions.

We can lead those we encounter to the source of true peace.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, March 21, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, March 28, 2025

Speak Up

 

In Isaiah 49, the prophet speaks of the return of the people.

When this happens, the people will be certain of one thing.

Isaiah 49:23b (NRSVue) - Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.

In Luke’s gospel, we are reminded to express our confession.

We are also reminded that we will be given help in choosing the right words.

Luke 12:11-12 (NRSVue) - When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you will answer or what you are to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.”

True, we are flawed human beings.

We also endeavor to hide our flaws and our anxieties.

But we take comfort that when we confess our faith, we do not do so alone.

And it is crucial for us to recognize this.

Matthew 10:32-33 (NRSVue) - “Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven, but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, March 7, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, March 14, 2025

Word!

 

Jeremiah 23 warns about false prophets.

False prophets cannot be trusted,

But one thing that can be trusted is the word of the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:29 (NRSVue) - Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul writes about the rest that God has promised.

He also reminds his readers about the nature of the word of the Lord.

Hebrews 4:12 (NRSVue) - Indeed, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

These are more than just words of wisdom from centuries past.

These reminders are just as profound and just as true for us today.

And they will remain so for generations yet to come.

The word of the Lord remains solid.

It is still active and sharp.

It still has the power to penetrate our souls.

While this is true for the Bible, it is also true of Christ.

Christ is the Word made flesh who dwelt among us.

John 1:1-5 (NRSVue) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

May we take the lessons of both the Bible and Christ into hour hearts.

May we reflect upon them daily,

And may we be willing to share them with those we encounter.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, February 21, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, February 28, 2025

Light and Love

 

Psalm 119 glorifies God’s laws.

In verse 37, the Psalmist recognizes that the temporary vanities of the world distract us from the eternal.

Psalm 119:37 (NRSVue) - Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; be gracious to me according to your word.

Luke 11 begins with The Lord’s Prayer.

But Christ goes on to remind us that the eye is the lamp of the body.

Luke 11:34 (NRSVue) - Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but if it is unhealthy, your body is full of darkness.

This is a reminder that we must turn from the temporary, worldly vanities that distract us from the eternal.

We must turn our attention to where it belongs.

In other words, we must focus our attention to Whom it belongs!

And as we do, we also realize the responsibility laid before us.

We are to live our lives following the example of the life Christ lived.

We must love God and our fellow man.

And that kind of love is worth more than all the vanities of the world combined.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, February 7, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, February 14, 2025

The Divine Shepherd

 

Psalm 23:2-3 (NRSVue) - He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Recently, I attended the funeral service of a family member.

The message at the service was one of hope.

This brought Psalm 23 to mind where the Psalmist writes of the Divine Shepherd.

Verse two and three were good reminders for me.

There are times I do not wish to rest, but the Shepherd makes me.

There are times when I desire excitement, but the Shepherd guides me to stillness.

There are times when I feel overwhelmed, but the Shepherd restores both mind and body.

And there are times I want to go my own way, but the Shepherd puts me on the right path.

In 1 Peter, we are told of Christ’s suffering and the reason for it.

1 Peter 2:25 (NRSVue) - For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

When we go astray, the Divine Shepherd guides us to the place He desires for us.

There, we can find true happiness.

There, we can find true tranquility.

I wrote my first devotional fifteen years ago.

In it, I wrote that being called a sheep is not necessarily a compliment.

Sheep are stubborn and willful at times,

That is why we need a Divine Shepherd to guard our souls and our lives, 

Once we allow the Divine Shepherd to guide us, our lives are forever transformed.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, January 17, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, January 24, 2025