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