Time Out

 

Change occurs in everyone’s life and my life is no exception. Recently, God opened new doors and new avenues of service for me for which I am grateful. Very recently, I could see His hand at work as a new door opened. Unfortunately, there is currently not enough time for me to do all the things I would like to do. After prayerful consideration, I am taking a short leave from both this site and the other to which I contribute. I feel that if I cannot give these my best effort, then I would be shortchanging both myself and anyone who reads them. I do plan to return as I am certainly not the same person I was when I started down this path almost 13 years ago. I also realize that many people promise such things but fail to follow through on them. But I strongly believe that God led me to explore this new path more fully. With His continued help, I will be able to bear fruit in the way He has prepared for me. And, trusting in His guidance, I will know when it is time for me to resume this ministry again which I hope will be soon.

Proverbs 16:9 (GNT) - You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.

Until we meet here again.

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

God at Work

 

Romans 8:31 (GNT) - In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us?

I always end my adult Sunday School class by leading my students in prayer.

I also invite them to participate in the prayer as well.

There was one specific part of my prayer which I included as I felt led to do so.

I thanked God for actively participating in our lives and not merely observing them.

Events moved very quickly for me during the week leading up to this class.

Even when difficulties arose, they were very quickly resolved.

When everything was said and done, I could see the hand of God at work through it all.

But God’s participation did not end there.

Along with the material I prepare for my class, I also encourage discussion.

It was evident that this session bore much fruit.

After the prayer, we adjourned to the sanctuary for the worship service.

As the pastor delivered his sermon, much of what he said echoed what we discussed in class.

Even the hymns and scripture readings reinforced the same truths.

At the conclusion of the service, I met with my pastor.

I thanked him and shared this with him.

Afterward, two of my students located me and expressed the same view with me.

Those without faith would call this coincidence.

But those with faith innately understand that this is God at work in our lives.

Scripture states that no one can see God and live.

Exodus 33:20 (GNT) - I will not let you see my face, because no one can see me and stay alive,

But when we put aside the distractions that try to clutter our lives, something wonderful happens.

We catch glimpses of God at work in our lives.

We see His hand at work.

We are reminded that He is actively participating in our lives.

God is not just casually observing them.

And maybe, just maybe, we will be able to see Him participating in the lives of others.

Romans 8:37-39 (GNT) - No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 18, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, November 25, 2022

The Need For Stillness

 

Deuteronomy 26:15a (GNT) - Look down from your holy place in heaven and bless your people Israel;

In this chapter, the people are instructed about harvest offerings.

If the offerings are acceptable, the people can be assured of God’s blessings.

But these offerings must involve a relationship.

It is not enough to simply go through the motions.

In Luke 2, we read of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem.

He was a man who loved the Lord and was awaiting the Deliverer.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, he was assured that he would not die until he beheld the Deliverer.

The Spirit led him to the Temple just as Jesus was brought in.

Simeon took the child into his arms and gave thanks to God.

Luke 2:30-32 (GNT) - With my own eyes I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel.”

Simeon was truly blessed.

He was blessed because he recognized the child Jesus as the Deliverer.

But he was also blessed in his love for the Lord and his relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Where the Spirit led, Simeon obediently followed.

His obedience was rewarded.

One of the things I frequently discuss with my students is how easily distracted we have become.

We feel we must always be doing something, watching something, or even listening to something.

As a result, we become easily disconnected from each other.

The pandemic has also encouraged this.

But just as we easily lose our connection with each other, we also disconnect from God.

We need to heed the advice of Scripture and take time to “be still.”

For it is during the quiet moment, free from distraction, that we connect with God.

Psalm 46:10 (NLT) - “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

We must take the time to “be still.”

We must set aside the distractions.

Then, the Lord will open our eyes and ears.

We will then recognize that He is with us and all around us.

He is within everyone and everything.

That is when we experience Him anew.

We can then experience this relationship regularly.

We can raise our voices and praise Him sincerely.

Most importantly, we will not just be going through the motions.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 21, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, October 28, 2022