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

New Year; New Covenant

 

Genesis 15:1 (NKJV) - After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

Genesis 15 is about God’s covenant with Abram, whom God later renamed Abraham.

God spoke to Abram in a vision,

Although a vision, Abram did not discount the encounter, nor did he discount God’s promise.

Paul, in his letter to the Hebrews, wrote of Abraham’s certainty in that covenant.

Hebrews 6:15 (NRSVue) - And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise.

Today, we live in a New Covenant,

And just as Abraham trusted God’s promise, we also can trust God’s covenant with us,

As we prepare to embark on a New Year, let us bear God’s promise in mind.

God’s promise is genuine.

And, like Abraham, we can trust God in our own journeys,

In our individual stories, we will experience chapters of joy.

We will also experience chapters of pain, sorrow, and even loss.

But we must never allow the unpleasant chapters to fill us with doubt.

That is when we must keep our eyes fixed upon God and cling to His promise,

We must stand firm in our faith.

Like Abraham, we must patiently endure.

Like Abraham, we will obtain the promise.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

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

Risky Business

The dictionary defines “risky” as “full of the possibility of danger, failure or loss.”

How true that is!

Type the word “risky” into a search engine and you will find pages devoted to the pandemic.

This is a good barometer as to the level of fear currently in the world.

Others, however, enjoy risk.

Some race motorcycles, some dive off cliffs and some climb huge rocks.

When asked why they do so, many of them admit to being “adrenaline junkies”.

They enjoy living on the edge where most of us would dare not tread.

But you do not have to partake in these activities or face a pandemic to be a risk taker.

Many take the biggest risk of all without realizing it.

They are the people who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

They are the biggest risk takers of all.

Many of them assume that this life is all that there is,

In their way of thinking, you are born, you live, you die… end of story.

But it is far from the end of the story.

Jesus had some cautionary words for those who live for this world only.

Mark 8:36 (NET) - For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life?

Many put off seeking this relationship.

They rationalize this by thinking they have plenty of time in which to seek Him.

But unlike a timed sporting event, not one of us knows exactly how much time remains.

Unlike football, there is no two-minute warning.

The current pandemic bears that out.

Having a personal relationship with Jesus means knowing that it is not about us.

It is about Him.

This is a radical change in perspective.

Lives are changed and very important lessons are learned.

We learn the amount of time we have left is less important than what we choose to do with it.

We learn that we have nothing to fear; not even from the pandemic.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NET) - For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

But be forewarned.

A relationship with Christ does not guarantee a life of safety.

Many have paid with their lives simply by following Christ.

It will not always be easy.

Like Peter, you just might have to step out of the boat.

Matthew 14:37 (NET) - So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.

A relationship with Jesus brings its own kinds of risk, but the rewards are worth it.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 7, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 14, 2020

There is Always Hope

Father’s Day was Sunday.

Although my father died almost forty years ago, my thoughts turned to him days before.

You see, I had to replace my broken television and my father repaired these for a living decades ago.

Now, these items and many others have become disposable.

We buy them.

We use them until they either break or a newer one comes along.

Then, we replace them.

It’s that way with many things today.

It has even been said that we live in a “disposable society”.

Sometimes, we might even look upon people as disposable.

Even some who claim to be Christians might look upon someone else as “beyond hope”.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

1 John 1:9 (NET) - But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

Even on our best day, we cannot save anyone.

But when we say that someone is beyond hope, we attempt to put limits on God.

God has no limits.

Matthew 19:25-26 (NET) - The disciples were greatly astonished when they heard this and said, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.”

People, unlike appliances, should never be considered disposable.

I thank God for the father he gave me.

I also thank Him for the time we had together.

My father taught me many things while he lived.

Although he is gone, I can still learn things indirectly four decades later.

One thing is certain.

I will always have God, my Heavenly Father.

Nothing on earth can change that.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 3, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 10, 2020

Whose Will?

To say that we are in a mess right now is an understatement.

We are still coping with a pandemic.

Many want to proceed with caution while many want to return to normal right now.

We are painfully aware of the untimely and unjust death of George Floyd.

We are also aware that some want law enforcement completely disbanded.

We face other issues that have become equally divisive.

Meanwhile, our elected officials, regardless of party, do little to solve them.

If anything, their words and their actions contribute to the division.

But, to be fair, we must also be willing to accept our share of the blame.

We live in an age of microwave ovens, high speed Internet, instant messaging and Google.

We forget the Serenity Prayer.

Even if we pray for patience, we might unconsciously add “and give it to me now”.

We expect easy answers even when the answers aren’t easy at all.

To be frank, things will not get better if we insist on doing things our way.

C. S Lewis once said: “All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

Have we forgotten Christ’s instructions on how we should pray?

Matthew 6:9-10 (NET) - So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Isn’t it time we stopped trying to enforce our will and accept God’s will?

Isn’t it past the time?

Today’s headlines prove that it is.

C. S. Lewis also had this to say - “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'”

We must turn around and say to God “Your will be done!”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 19, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 26, 2020