Productive Work

 

Work is a big part of our lives.

It should be.

God intends that we, who are made in His image, should engage in productive work.

Even before God created Eve, He gave Adam a job.

Genesis 2:15 (NRSVue) - The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

Isaiah touched on the productive aspect of work in speaking of God’s calling.

Isaiah 49:4 (NRSVue) - But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord and my reward with my God.”

For our work to be productive, it must fall in line with the Lord’s will.

When Jesus called his first disciples, they were not scholars.

They were laborers.

Simon was a fisherman.

Jesus boarded his boat and asked Simon to take the boat away from shore.

Once adrift, Jesus told Simon to drop his nets.

Jesus knew Simon had not caught anything the night before.

Doing more work was probably the last thing Simon had on his mind that day.

But Simon obeyed the Lord’s instructions.

Luke 5:5 (NRSVue) - Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Simon’s obedience was rewarded.

His nets were full to the point of bursting.

The Lord still intends for us to engage in productive work.

And this work is not limited to our professions.

There is also the work we do for our families and our churches.

To keep these in balance, we need His help to keep Him in all parts of our lives.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NRSVue) – Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, June 19, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, June 26, 2026

Liberating Peace

 

This will be a slight departure from my customary offering style.

This is a follow up to my post from the other site to which I contribute (listed at bottom).

Like the other, it is about peace.

Mainly, it is about how liberating peace with others is.

Faith and experience have taught me that having peace with others can happen in three ways.

First, there is being at peace with those who are at peace with us.

Second, there is being at peace with those who absolutely refuse to be at peace with us.

Finally, there is being at peace with those who will not even acknowledge their need for peace with us.

The first is easy.

The other two can be challenging.

The common denominator in all three cases is our having peace with all three.

Paul understood this.

Romans 12:18 (NRSVue) - If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

We should be at peace with all.

And our peace with others depends on our choice, not theirs.

Having mutual peace with another is easy.

Having peace with someone who refuses to have peace with us is difficult.

Having peace with someone who will not acknowledge their need for peace with us is also challenging.

Yet being at peace with all three truly liberates us.

I compare our lack of peace to an anchor.

Our lack of peace with another holds the ship of our lives in place and prevents us from moving forward.

Pulling up that anchor and carrying it with us is not enough.

It will only tie us down again in the future.

Having real peace with others means cutting the chain.

It leaves the anchor behind and, once abandoned, it will never hinder us again.

God does not merely want us to survive.

God wants us to thrive.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NRSVue) - By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

For us to truly thrive, God wants us to have peace with Him and with others; even with those who will not have peace with us.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, June 4, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, June 12, 2026

Where to Turn

 

Sunday is Mother’s Day.

My mother passed away about two decades ago.

So, it is only natural that I think about her.

When I think of her, I also remember a passage of scripture she loved.

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

She loved this verse because her life was difficult.

She knew that she could not carry her burdens alone.

So, she brought her burdens to the Lord.

The psalmist understood this.

Psalm 68:19a (NRSVue) - Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up

Throughout her life, my mother counted on the Lord to bear her up,

He did just that.

And now, in His presence, He grants her rest.

The Lord lifts us up when we are weary.

Through His love, He makes our burdens lighter.

My mother trusted in His grace, His mercy, and His love.

That is what gave her hope.

She knew she could not rely on her own strength,

She also knew that she could rely on the Lord.

Another passage she treasured bears this out.

Psalm 121:1-2 (NRSVue) - I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

My mother has gone to be with the Lord.

But the example she set lives on in me.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, May 15, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, May 22, 2026

For Our Benefit

 

Genesis 24 relates the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah.

Abraham was old.

He made a servant take an oath to find Isaac a wife,

The servant found one in Rebekah.

But when it was time to leave, Rebekah’s family wanted her to stay for several days.

The servant sent by Abraham refused.

Genesis 24:56 (NRSVue) - But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has made my journey successful; let me go that I may go to my master.”

Rebekah’s family did not want her to leave.

But it was to their advantage that she did.

In John 16, Jesus discusses the role of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus reminds his followers that He must leave.

He explains that it is to their advantage that He depart.

Only in this way could they receive the Holy Spirit.

John 16:7 (NRSVue) - Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.

The Holy Spirit remains the most mysterious aspect of the Triune God.

God, The Father, creates.

Jesus, The Son, redeems.

The Holy Spirit works to make us holy.

It is hard for us to fully understand and appreciate the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

But Jesus promised the presence of the Holy Spirit is necessary for us.

May we set aside the noise and distractions in our lives.

In doing so, we are enabled to tune into the Spirit’s guidance,

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, May 1, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, May 8, 2026

What Tomorrow Brings

 

Psalm 84 is about the joy of worship in the Temple.

The psalmist opens by remarking on its beauty.

Psalm 84:1 (NRSVue) - How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

In John 14, Jesus tells His followers that He is the way to the Father.

Jesus reminds them of the Father’s house.

It is a house that has room for many.

Christ reminded His followers that He would prepare a place for them.

John 14:2 (NRSVue) - In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

That means He has prepared a place for us as well.

Days ago, we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord.

In His Resurrection we have hope!

We know that death has been conquered!

2 Timothy 1:10 (NRSVue) - but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

We need not live in fear.

We know what tomorrow brings.

We know a dwelling place awaits us.

And we know it will be beautiful.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, April 3, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, April 10, 2026

Rise!

 

Psalm 9 is about God’s justice and power.

In verse 19, the psalmist calls upon the Lord to prevail against mortal men,

Psalm 9:19a (NRSVue) - Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail;

In Mark 9, Jesus foretells His death and resurrection.

Mark 9:31 (NRSVue) - for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.”

The day would come for His crucifixion,

Upon His death, undoubtedly there were some mortals who thought they prevailed.

They certainly thought death prevailed.

But the resurrection of Jesus proved them wrong on both counts.

The miracle of the resurrection proved that neither mortals nor even death itself can prevail.

For our part, we should be forever grateful for His sacrifice.

It was a sacrifice not made in vain.

For on the third day, the Lord did rise!

And our response of gratitude should be rooted in faith, hope, and love.

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

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, April 3, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, April 10, 2026

Oh, Brother!

 

Luke 15 contains three parables.

One is about the lost sheep.

The second is about the lost coin.

The third is about the lost son.

The three parables teach about the lost.

They also teach about repentance and the joy in recovering the lost.

But there is one part of the parable of the lost son that always makes me pause and think.

It concerns the son that did not leave and his reaction to his brother’s return.

Luke 15:28-30 (NRSVue) - Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!

This brother was angry.

He felt it necessary to remind his father of his service.

He accused his brother of wasting his inheritance on prostitutes.

Scripture states his spending was reckless but says nothing about prostitutes.

This was an assumption.

He also accuses his father of favoritism.

He basically asks, “What have you done for me lately.”

In this parable. Jesus is comparing the son that stayed home to the Pharisees.

Yet how many of us can identify with the son who stayed home?

How many of us can relate to “What have you done for me lately?”

This part of the parable reminds me to be grateful and not vindictive.

In short, I should not expect to be rewarded now for doing what I am supposed to do.

Matthew 6:2-4 (NRSVue) - “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, March 20, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, March 27, 2026

New Creations

 

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NRSVue) - Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43 is about restoration.

The prophet states that we should not focus on the things of old.

Rather, we are to consider the new.

Paul wrote about restoration in his second letter to Corinth.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSVue) - So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!

As we continue our journey through Lent, let us remember that we have been reconciled with God.

Moreover, it is Christ that made us right with God.

And as a result, we are new creations.

We are different from what we were before.

Christ leads us forward.

He guides us.

He rekindles our passion to worship and serve.

We are new creations in the body of believers known as The Church.

As new creations within The Church, we can introduce others to Christ.

After all, they long to leave the past behind and start anew.

As new creations, we owe them the opportunity to experience the same.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, March 6, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, March 13, 2026

Love

 

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

Paul wrote these words centuries ago.

Faith is wonderful.

And who among us does not wish to have hope.

Nevertheless, love is the greatest of the three.

While there are distinct kinds of love, the English language offers us one single word.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, people are searching for the right way to express their affection.

Paul expressed that love is greater than faith and hope.

Yet Jesus spoke about the greatest love of all.

John 15:13 (NRSVue) - No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

As we enter the season of Lent, we are reminded that Christ had the greatest love of all.

And we, His friends, are beneficiaries of that love.

It is difficult to find that perfect gift for that perfect someone for Valentine’s Day.

No matter how perfect our choice is, it will pale in comparison to that greatest love of all.

Despite this, scripture makes one thing abundantly clear,

1 John 4:19 (NRSVue) - We love because he first loved us.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, February 20, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, February 27, 2026

In Sadness and in Consolation

 

Jeremiah 31 speaks about the return of the exiles.

Scripture specifies that it will be a joyous return.

Jeremiah 31:13b (NRSVue) - I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.

Paul opens his second letter to Corinth with a greeting.

Immediately afterward, Paul writes about affliction and God’s role.

God is with us in our tribulation.

Equally, God is there in our consolation.

2 Corinthians 1:7 (NRSVue) - Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

God is compassionate.

He turns our sorrow and mourning into joy.

Yes, God accompanies us in our sadness.

We should also recognize that God will be with us in what lies beyond.

God will be there in our consolation.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, January 23, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, February 6, 2026

Whatever the Storm

 

Psalm 89:9 (NRSVue) - You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.

I do not live near the sea.

But this verse reminded me of a painting I saw as a child.

It was a seascape that depicted a storm.

The dark and ominous clouds made a perfect contrast to the lightning.

Huge waves formed by the turbulent wends were depicted in the background.

As they made their way to shore, they grew.

In the foreground, they crashed mightily upon the rocky shore.

This painting frightened me as a child.

Just thinking about it still makes me feel uneasy.

Just one gallon of water weighs more than 8 pounds (almost 4 kg).

As such, a large wave wields considerable power,

In Matthew 8, Jesus and His disciples travel by boat.

Jesus falls asleep.

A storm arises and the waves send water into the boat.

The disciples grow afraid.

In desperation, they wake Jesus!

Matthew 8:26 (NRSVue) - And [Jesus] 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.

These are excellent reminders for us.

Life often becomes turbulent.

Adverse circumstances in life arise and multiply.

We might even feel like they are going to overwhelm us.

We can almost hear Christ say to us: “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?”

Christ has the power to conquer any storm, even those unrelated to the weather.

Christ was in the boat with His disciples when the storm came upon them.

He is also with us when adverse circumstances assail us.

He has the power to calm these storms as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, January 16, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, January 23, 2026

A Christmas Package

 

Isaiah 53:5 (NRSVue) - But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.

Christmas is upon us.

So why would I be opening with this verse from Isaiah?

After all, Christmas is supposed to be a joyous time.

It is supposed to be a celebration.

It is supposed to be about the birth of a child.

It is supposed to be about shepherds and angels.

It is supposed to be about glad tidings and peace on earth.

So why exactly would I open with that verse?

Perhaps I should explain.

Christmas is not about us reaching up to God.

Christmas is about the moment when God reached down to us.

And God reached down in a most remarkable way.

But the birth of Christ is merely the beginning of the account.

Scripture also tells us about the life Jesus led.

It tells us how he reached out to those whom society ignored.

It also tells us what would ultimately befall the child whose birth we celebrate.

It tells of those who plotted against Him.

It tells of the one who betrayed Him.

It tells of the one who denied Him.

And it tells us of the price He paid.

Importantly, it tells us why.

Romans 8:32 (NRSVue) - He who did not withhold his own Son but gave him up for all of us, how will he not with him also give us everything else?

Yes, we should celebrate the birth of Christ.

But that is just the beginning of the story.

Fortunately for us, His death is not the end of the story.

For if we look beyond the cross, we will see an empty tomb.

So, celebrate the birth of Christ!

Just make certain you celebrate his entire life and resurrection.

Celebrate the fact that God reached down to us in such a remarkable way!

 

Christmas Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, January 2, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, January 9, 2026

Love Should Not Be Fleeting

 

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NRSVue) - Let all that you do be done in love.

I received a Christmas card this week that contained this verse.

I recalled a theme that I return to often during this time of year.

As I write this, city squares, homes, and businesses have been decorated for Christmas.

Although these decorations are beautiful reminders of the season, they will be taken down in a few short weeks.

They will be carefully packed away in boxes.

They will then be relegated to attics and storerooms.

There, they will be ignored.

In no time, they will be forgotten for much of the year.

This is unfortunate.

In a sense, hearts are the same way.

During this time of year, we tend to be more loving.

We tend to be more generous.

Perhaps we will be even more forgiving.

But once Christmas is over, we will put these things aside.

Like the decorations, they will be stowed away for another year.

This is most unfortunate.

To expound on Paul’s words, we should do everything in love… always!

The Christ whom we celebrate taught us this in His word and His actions.

Christmas is not about us reaching up to God.

It is about how God reached down to us through Jesus,

1 John 4:19 (NRSVue) - We love because he first loved us.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, December 19, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, December 26, 2025

Personal Humility and Gratitude

 

In Isaiah, the prophet offers praise for deliverance.

He begins by acknowledging the wonderful things God has done.

Isaiah 25:1 (NRSVue) - Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul calls upon his readers to persevere.

Hebrews 10:23 (NRSVue) - Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

These are excellent reminders for me as I write this on Thanksgiving Day,

Overall, it has been a successful year for me.

But with success, it is all too easy to take all the credit.

It is easy to overlook the role God has played.

But I must never forget two important things.

All good things come from God, including success.

I also must remember that God planned this all along.

God is ever faithful.

Also, when things were not going so well, God was still there for me.

He never stopped loving me.

He always encouraged me.

He used the trying times to draw me closer to Him.

So, I have much to be thankful for.

But gratitude in and of itself is insufficient.

In reflection, I realize that something will be required of me.

Where I am on my journey is simply part of His bigger plan.

Admittedly, I do not fully comprehend that plan yet.

But I know He will reveal it to me according to His timing, not mine.

For the moment, I will acknowledge that my success this year comes directly from God.

I will also acknowledge that this is part of His plan rather than my effort.

I will also recognize His continual fidelity and His love.

Therefore, I approach God in humility and gratitude.

James 1:17 (NRSVue) - Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, December 5, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, December 12, 2025

Darkness into Light

 

Within Isaiah 42 is a hymn of praise.

The hymn refers to the blind and how God will turn their darkness into 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.

In John 8, Jesus refers to himself as the light of the world.

John 8:12 (NRSVue) - Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

As I read these verses, they reminded me of my prayers.

While my prayers are not repetitive, there are two things that are common to most.

I ask God to light my path.

I ask God to guide my steps.

Even at my age, I know how easy it would be for me to stumble spiritually.

And I know that God’s presence can keep me upright if I rely on Him.

In my part of the world, it is Autumn.

As the days grow shorter, the slight chill in the air is a reminder that Winter is not far away.

That is why we find the light and warmth of the sun comforting.

Similarly, in our daily walk, we welcome God’s presence as He guides our steps.

We welcome the light of Jesus on the path upon which we travel.

We also reflect that light to those still living in darkness.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

His Love and His Blessing

 

In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with God until dawn.

As dawn approached, Jacob insisted on a blessing.

Genesis 32:26 (NRSVue) Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”

In Matthew 19, people bring their children to Jesus.

This did not please the disciples.

Matthew says they spoke sternly to the people.

Jesus, however, was far more kind.

He was more than willing to bless the children.

Matthew 19:14 (NRSVue) - but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

What about us?

Like a willful child, we often struggle with God,

Yet God is forgiving and blesses us despite our willfulness.

And when we need to feel loved and need blessing, we can approach the Lord.

Like those small children, He welcomes us into His presence and blesses us.

The Lord comforts us.

The Lord sustains us.

No matter where we are in our earthly journey, He is always there for us.

He is there for us when we are young.

He is even there for us when we are not so young.

So, where we are on our journey does not matter.

We can always count on His love and His blessing.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

Humility and Contentment

 

In Job 42, Job expresses both humility and contentment.

Job 42:2 (NRSVue) - I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

The first chapter of Luke foretells the coming of Jesus into the world.

It also gives us a good reason for being humble.

Luke 1:37 (NRSVue) - For nothing will be impossible with God.

Both humility and contentment are qualities to be found in a Godly person.

Of humility, C.S. Lewis wrote:

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.”

To put it another way, true humility is putting God and others before us.

As for contentment, the world teaches us not to be satisfied.

Madison Avenue tells us what we should buy to be happy.

Many authors, counselors, and motivational speakers tell us we should not be content, but to continually strive for more.

This is not true in a Christian sense.

To the godly person, contentment is telling God we are satisfied.

It is being grateful for who we are.

It is being thankful for where we are going in life.

It is being satisfied with what we have.

And as we walk with God in this world, we should express both humility and contentment.

James 1:17 (NRSVue) - Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

Those Led by the Spirit

Psalm 143 is a psalm of deliverance.

In verse 10, the psalmist asks God to lead him.

Psalm 143:10 (NRSVue) - Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, writes about life in the Spirit.

He also writes about those who are led by the Spirit of God.

Romans 8:14 (NRSVue) - For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

This is quite a profound statement.

If the Spirit of God leads you. then you are a child of God.

And to be led by the Spirit means being obedient to that same Spirit.

The world in which we live is complex.

Yet our lives do not have to be complicated.

That is because the Spirit who leads us sets us on right paths and grants us peace.

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.

And as we walk this path, may we also see others who are led by the Spirit of God.

May we see all those who are God’s children.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, October 3, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, October 10, 2025

Offering Praise

 

Psalm 109 is a prayer for vindication.

In verse 30, the psalmist discusses praise.

Psalm 109:30 (NRSVue) - With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

In Luke 13, Jesus heals a disabled woman.

Her response was immediate.

Luke 13:13 (NRSVue) - When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.

When most people think of praise in the Christian sense, they typically think about worship services.

This is certainly a time and place devoted to praise.

And in this environment, people praise God in diverse ways.

Some sing at the tops of their lungs (whether they are on key or not).

Some quietly speak the words in a more subdued fashion.

As for me, I do not sing as I am the audio/visual coordinator, and this would interfere with my duties.

That said, I listen closely to the words and focus on their meaning.

I also arrive before anyone else to make sure all the equipment is in good order.

Upon arrival, I pray thanking God that he will guide me in making good decisions.

These often must be made on the spot as I cannot anticipate every potentiality.

I also pray that God will accept my actions as my form of praise and worship.

My point is this.

Always remember to praise God in song, prayer, and service.

Also remember that praise is not limited to a house of worship.

We should look for every opportunity to praise God.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, September 19, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, September 26, 2025

In Truth and with Love

 

Isaiah 12 is only six verses long.

But in those six verses, the prophet offers both Thanksgiving and praise.

In the second part of verse four, Isaiah reminds us how we can put these concepts into action.

Isaiah 12:4b (NRSVue) - make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.

In Matthew, Jesus commissions the disciples.

Jesus concludes this with specific instructions for them.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NRSVue) - Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

The Great Commission applies to all believers.

It was not just for a handful of followers two millennia ago.

Isaiah’s reminder, though far older, still applies.

The world still needs bold witnesses.

As believers, we are called to be those witnesses in today’s world.

Our words and actions can be effective testimony if they are rooted in love.

That testimony must also be founded in truth.

That is a tall order for anyone.

But we can count on the Lord to help us choose our words and our actions.

With His help, we can reflect both His light and His love into an often dark and chaotic world.

Others cannot help but be attracted to that light and that love.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, September 5, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, September 12, 2025