The Gift of Hope

As I write this, Christmas is but a few days away.

Over the years the celebration of Christmas has grown.

This is particularly true from a secular point of view.

At times it appears that the secular celebration of Christmas has overtaken the spiritual.

I plan to celebrate Christmas with church services and gatherings with family and friends.

We observe Christmas as a time when God became man and dwelt among us.

In the rather short time Jesus walked among us He did many things.

He healed the sick.

He raised the dead.

He did many other things as well.

We call these things signs and miracles.

They say to the world that Jesus is exactly who He is; the Son of God.

Christmas is a celebration of the beginning of that journey.

While celebrations like Christmas grow in popularity others see a decline.

This is especially true when it comes to Easter which is only weeks away.

I think it is safe to say that far more people celebrate Christmas than observe Easter.

This is unfortunate.

We must never forget that His earthly journey had an end as well as a beginning.

It was a journey that led to a cross and an empty tomb beyond it.

That first Christmas, God gave man a very special gift

He gave us His Son.

At the end of that journey, God gave man another gift.

He gave us the gift of hope.

1 Peter 1:3-6 (NET) - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.

I hope you are able to celebrate Christmas with church and family and friends.

I also hope you can stick around for the rest of the story.

For therein lies real hope for us all.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 5, 2018.

I will be back here on Friday, January 12, 2018

Praise and Courage

Psalm 145:4 (NET) - One generation will praise your deeds to another, and tell about your mighty acts!

This Psalm of praise is a reminder.

First, it is a reminder that we should praise God.

Second, it is a reminder that each generation shares its praise with the next.

As we continue our journey through Advent we are also reminded of God’s greatest deed and mightiest act.

God was merciful to a fallen and disobedient world.

It is remarkable that His mightiest act came about through the innocence of one special child.

A child born to humble and obedient parents in an obscure village.

A child whose earthly journey began in a manger and ended on a cross.

While He lived among us He did remarkable things.

He also gave those closest to Him the power to do some remarkable things as well.

The book of Acts reminds us how a new generation was shown the way.

Acts 5:13-14 (NET) - None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high honor. More and more believers in the Lord were added to their number, crowds of both men and women.

Those who witnessed these acts became believers.

They also held the apostles in high esteem.

Even so, scripture reminds us that they did not dare join them.

Although many generations have passed, we are not that much different.

We believe.

We may even have a great deal of respect for the apostles and those who followed in their footsteps.

But do we have the courage to join them?

Perhaps the Psalmist did more than praise God.

Perhaps he gave us some insight on how we can find that courage.

Psalm 145:5-7 (NET) - I will focus on your honor and majestic splendor, and your amazing deeds! They will proclaim the power of your awesome acts! I will declare your great deeds! They will talk about the fame of your great kindness, and sing about your justice.

I wish you a blessed Christmas and, together, let us pray for peace in the coming year

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 6, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, January 13, 2017

Behind the Lens

Photography is something I got into later in life.

It certainly seemed born out of necessity rather than desire.

One day, I found myself serving on a committee.

Before I knew it, I found myself acting as its historian.

I thought it might be a good idea to supplement the documentation with photographs.

I knew nothing about cameras and even less about photography.

Ten years and literally thousands of photographs later, photography has become an integral part of both my life and my ministry.

It has also taught me some truly valuable lessons along the way.

Perhaps the biggest lesson it has taught me is patience.

I learned that if I patiently waited for the moment to unfold I would have a much better photo.

It has also taught me that candid shots are preferable to posed ones.

My favorite photos are of people actively serving the Lord with smiles on their faces.

It has also taught me about the importance of timing.

This is especially true of God’s timing.

Earlier this month I captured a breathtaking sunset.

A minute sooner and my view would not have been as beautiful.

A minute later and the opportunity God offered would have been gone altogether.

It has also taught me to be grateful for the smallest of miracles.

The other day I was walking past a beautiful bush with tiny orange blossoms when a tiny flash of movement caught my eye.

A closer examination revealed that a butterfly with black and yellow wings was taking advantage of the blossoms.

I must have taken two dozen photographs of this tiny miracle.

It showed no fear of me.

Although it flew from blossom to blossom, it never flew away.

When I examined the photographs later, I felt that God had given me a very special gift that day.

I was reminded of the time when Moses desired to see God more than anything else.

God had a warning for Moses.

Exodus 33:20 (NET) - But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”

We may not currently be able to see God face to face.

Yet God does grant us precious glimpses of Himself from time to time.

So often, we just need to slow down pay more attention.

Photography has taught me that as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 4, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, November 11, 2016

Keeping the Lines Open

There’s an old saying that states: Silence is golden.

That is fairly true in my world.

Part of my profession is providing support.

Every time my phone rings there is more than a fair chance that something has gone wrong.

Sometimes the solution is simple and takes minutes.

Sometimes the solution is complex and takes hours or perhaps days.

Often times the solution is not the one the caller wanted to hear.

Once the solution has been implemented the phone stops ringing.

It is very rare that someone will call me and tell me that everything is fine.

A silent phone is my barometer indicating that all is well.

We can easily treat God the same way.

In this world we will encounter problems.

Some of them may seem overwhelming.

Some of them may be simply too big for us to solve on our own.

Financial difficulties, strained relationships and bad medical news are just a few examples.

Somehow we find it easier to turn to God in these times of crisis.

Then, after the problem has passed, we might remember to thank God.

Then we quickly settle back into our routines and God may not hear from us for some time.

Sadly, in some cases, He might not hear from us again until the next crisis comes along.

We are meant to have a relationship with God.

God certainly wants us to turn to him when life seems overwhelming.

He also wants to hear from us during the other times as well.

Prayer is an excellent means of building on our relationship with God.

This is true even when our prayer is simply one of gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NET) - in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 16, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, September 23, 2016

Heaven Came Down

There will be a full moon this Christmas.

This is a bit of a rare event.

The last time there was a full moon on Christmas was in 1977.

As I thought about this, I considered the influence the moon has on our planet.

Because we have a moon, the wobble in the earth’s axis is minimized.

Without the moon, this wobble would be considerably more dramatic.

There would be no seasons as we currently know them.

Earth’s climate would undergo radical and continual change,

The moon, along with the sun, influences the tides.

The moon has even more influence on the tides than the sun because it is so much closer to the earth.

We don’t always see the moon.

Several times a year, we experience what we call a new moon.

We cannot see it at all because of the shadow of the earth.

At other times, cloud cover obscures our view of the moon.

What is important to remember is that the moon continues to have a profound influence on the earth whether we see it or not.

A similar thing can be said of Jesus.

We set aside Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

John 1:14 (NET) - Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.

Our lives were forever changed.

That first Christmas was not the day we reached up to God.

That first Christmas was the day God reached down to us.

Jesus has a profound influence on our lives.

That influence continues to exist even during the times we fail to see Him.

There are times when the events of the world try to hide Him in the shadows.

There are times when we attempt to obscure our own ability to see Him.

What is important to remember is that Jesus continues to have a profound influence on our lives whether we see Him or not.

Some say that Christmas is a time for children.

There is a grain of truth in what they say, but they are missing the bigger picture.

John 1:12 (NET) - But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children

I wish you a blessed Christmas!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 1, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, January 8, 2016

You Give Them Something to Eat

The feeding of the 5,000 has occupied my thoughts a great deal lately.

This is the only one of the many miracles of Jesus that is recorded in all four gospels.

Matthew's account is in chapter 14.

Mark records this in chapter 6.

Luke documents this in chapter 9.

Finally, John describes this miracle in chapter 6.

All four accounts are remarkably similar.

Jesus ministers to a very large crowd.

Feeling compassion for them, He heals their sick.

His followers then want to send them away so they can buy food for themselves.

Jesus surprises His followers and says to them, "You give them something to eat."

His followers protest and reply, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."

John's gospel states that these were barley loaves and belonged to a boy as did the two fish.

It is reasonable to assume that these loaves were probably more like buns and the two fish were not very large.

In other words, this was probably the boy's lunch and surely not enough to feed thousands of adults.

Jesus instructs His followers to bring the loaves and the fish to Him.

He then tells His followers to have the people sit down.

Before anything else happens, Jesus gives thanks!

He then distributes the food to the masses and all 5,000 eat their fill.

Jesus then instructs His followers to collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.

The leftovers are collected and fill twelve baskets.

This miracle must have made a great impression upon Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as each included it in his gospel.

In reflecting upon it, three things stand out in my mind.

The first is that before the multitude was fed, Jesus gave thanks.

The second is that Jesus initially told His followers, "You give them something to eat."

Everything we have belongs to God.

Whenever we give we are, in essence, giving back to God what already belongs to Him.

Jesus reminded His followers that the poor would always be among us.

John 12:8 (NET) - "For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have Me!"

This is still the case and the words of Jesus ring truer than ever.

"You give them something to eat."

When we do, we should first give thanks and remember that what we give belongs to God already.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NET) - Each of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.

What is the third thing?

As abundant as His blessing was, He wanted none of it wasted.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The  Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 1, 2014.
I’All be back here on Friday, August 8, 2014

Just As I Have Loved You

In the second half of Luke chapter 8, Jesus makes three individuals with three very different issues whole again in very quick succession.

Beginning in verse 27, we read of a man who was possessed by many demons.

This man wore no clothes and lived among the tombs away from people.

Luke tells us that this man was often chained and placed under guard.

But whenever the demons took hold of him he broke his bonds and was driven by them to deserted places.

The demons begged Jesus not to be sent into the abyss but rather into a herd of pigs.

Jesus granted this request and the demons entered the pigs.

The pigs immediately rushed into the lake and drowned.

As word had spread what Jesus had done, the people who lived nearby became so afraid of Jesus that they asked Him to leave.

When Jesus returned a large crowd was already on hand and a ruler of the synagogue named Jairus pleaded with Jesus to heal his twelve year old daughter.

As they departed the crowd pressed upon Jesus.

Among them was a woman who had suffered from a bleeding disease for twelve years.

She spent all she had on physicians but still had not been cured.

She came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of His cloak and immediately her bleeding stopped.

Jesus stopped and asked who touched Him because He felt that power had gone out from Him.

The woman knew the truth would come out, so she fell before Jesus and in front of the entire throng of people explained why she did what she did and told Jesus that she had been healed on the spot.

Jesus reminded her that her faith made her well and told her to go in peace.

As this was going on, someone from the house of Jairus arrived and informed Jairus that his daughter had died and that there was no longer any need to trouble Jesus.

Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid; he had only to believe.

When they arrived at the house, mourners had already gathered and were wailing and mourning.

Jesus told them to stop weeping as the girl was not dead but asleep.

At this, the mourners began laughing at Him.

Jesus went into the house, gently took the girl by the hand and said, "Child, get up."

Her spirit returned to her and she got up.

Three distinct miracles.

Three very different people relieved by Jesus from very different issues ranging from possession to illness to death.

There were also three distinct ways that people reacted.

In the case of the demon possessed man, people reacted to Jesus with fear.

In the case of the woman with the bleeding disease, physicians were willing to treat her as long as she had money to spend on them.

In the case of the daughter of Jairus, the mourners showed their true colors when they laughed at Jesus.

Despite the reactions of people, there is one thing that each of these miracles had in common.

Jesus treated each of those in need and He did so with love.

Treating others with love is precisely what he wants and expects from people like you and me.

This is especially true when it comes to those in need.

John 15:12 (NET) - My commandment is this - to love one another just as I have loved you.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The  Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 18, 2014.
I’ll be back here on Friday, July 25, 2014

Prayer Revisited

I recently had the privilege of leading two adult classes on the topic of prayer.

Prior to leading those classes I posted a blog on my other site entitled Teach Us to Pray.

There I cited the examples Jesus gave us on the proper approach to God in prayer as well as the model He gave us which we now lovingly refer to as The Lord's Prayer.

In this post I thought would expand on the topic of prayer based not only on the curriculum but also from feedback I received from those in attendance.

To begin with, I still maintain my position that prayer is much more than "praying big" to God whose power is limitless.

Prayer remains one of the best means we have of strengthening our relationship with God and not merely a means by which we receive things we request.

Please do not misunderstand me.

I think it is a wonderful thing to pray for others especially when they are ill, coping with loss or dealing with difficult situations.

If we are faced with similar issues, then we should take them to God in prayer as the old hymn reminds us.

But we also need to exercise good judgment when it comes to praying for ourselves.

By that I mean that we really need to understand what is motivating us to pray for ourselves.

When it come to praying for things we really need to exercise caution.

Let's take praying to God for a new church building or for the expansion of an existing one as an example.

On the surface, this seems benign but even in this case we need to examine our motives.

If our motivation is to edify the body and we need more room to accommodate more people then I think we are on good footing.

If our motivation is merely to have a nicer and more beautiful structure then perhaps we should take time to think things over before approaching God.

Granted, I am painting with an extremely broad brush, but this is merely for the sake of example.

That said, let us examine the results of prayer.

For example let us say that there are two people and each has a close family member who is extremely ill.

Let us also say that each prayed for the healing of his family member.

Let us also assume that the first family member was healed but the second died.

Can we conclude that the second person did not pray as hard as the first, or that the right prayer was not said?

Can we conclude that the first person had more faith than the second?

The answer to all these questions is "No".

God has a plan and understands it completely, whereas we cannot.

Though each of the two prayers was answered in a different way, the relationships between each of those praying and God were strengthened.

And the prayers should not end there.

The second should pray for comfort, peace and understanding.

The first should pray with gratitude.

Thus the relationships between those praying and God continues to be strengthened.

It must be stated that too often it is the prayer of gratitude that is overlooked.

These are but a few thoughts on prayer, so I invite you to read Hebrews chapter 11 in its entirety to put things in a proper perspective.

Bear in mind the last two verses.

Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV) - These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

This brings up a final point.

Some prayers are not answered right away.

Some might not even be answered in our lifetime.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The  Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 20, 2014.
I’ll be back here on Friday, June 27, 2014

Come and You will See

John 1:38-39 (NET) – Jesus turned around and saw them following and said to them. “What do you want?” So they said to Him, “Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), “where are you staying?” Jesus answered, “Come and you will see.” So they stayed with Him that day. Now it was about four o'clock in the afternoon.”

This passage was part of a larger reading in our worship service Sunday.

It has been on my mind a great deal since then.

Especially the response Jesus gave the two disciples.

“Come and you will see.”

Jesus did not simply say where he was staying, rather it was an invitation for them to follow Him.

And follow Him they did.

So did the other disciples chosen by Jesus.

They came with Jesus and saw many remarkable things.

In time, they also did many remarkable things.

The lame were made to walk.

The blind were given sight.

Lepers were cured and made whole.

Even demons were cast out.

They came and saw things they could not have possibly imagined before following Jesus.

Yet for all they saw there was something they did not understand.

Luke 18:32-33 (NET) – “For He will be handed over to the Gentiles; He will be mocked, mistreated and spat on. They will flog Him severely and kill Him. Yet on the third day He will rise again.”

These things came to pass just as Jesus said they would.

Jesus was mocked, mistreated and spat upon.

Jesus was flogged severely.

Jesus was killed in the cruelest way known.

He was crucified.

Then, He was laid in a tomb which was covered with a stone.

When the women arrived at the tomb after the Sabbath an angel of the Lord had rolled the stone away.

His words, when compared to those of Jesus are quite remarkable.

Matthew 28:6 (NET) – “He is not here, for He has been raised, just as He said. Come and see the place where He was lying.”

When they returned to the disciples, the book of Mark tells us the disciples did not believe them.

I can imagine them saying, “Come and you will see.”

We have eternal life because of who Jesus was and the price He paid which we could not.

He was and is who He claimed to be!

The tomb is empty.

Come and you will see.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 7, 2014.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, February 14, 2014.

The Unexpected

John the Baptist has occupied my thoughts lately.

He plays a very pivotal role in scripture.

Luke opens his gospel by telling us about his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth.

In fact, an angel foretells his birth to Zechariah.

Luke 1:13 (NET) - But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John."

Similarly, an angel foretells the birth of Jesus to Mary.

Luke 1:31 (NET) - Listen. You will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

As was the case with Mary, an angel (God’s messenger) tells Zechariah what he is to name the coming child.

Even John’s very name is decreed by God.

Mary and Elizabeth are related and when Mary visits Elizabeth both are with child.

The moment Mary greets Elizabeth, something extraordinary happens.

Luke 1:41 (NET) - When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Though John and Jesus are yet to be born, John is aware that he is in the presence of Jesus.

This is truly remarkable because scripture tells us time and again that many adults in the physical presence of Jesus failed to recognize who He was even in face to face encounters!

Zechariah is silenced until John is born as a sign from God.

At that point, both Zechariah and Elizabeth are asked the baby’s name.

Zechariah writes: "his name s John."

Immediately, he is able to speak again and he chooses his first words to bless God.

It is Zechariah who is then filled by the Holy Spirit and he prophesies concerning the Messiah and the role his son John will play.

Luke 1:76-77 (NET) - And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

Luke tells us that John grows strong in the spirit and is in the wilderness until he is revealed to Israel.

John goes to the region around the Jordan River and preaches of baptism and repentance for the forgiveness of sin.

John’s pivotal role is further cemented as the fulfillment of prophecy.

Luke 3:4-6 (NET) -As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet. "The voice of one shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be brought low, and the crooked will be made straight and the rough ways will be made smooth, and all humanity will see the salvation of God.’"

John knew he was in the presence of Jesus when each was still in the womb.

John also knows who Jesus is when he encounters Him as an adult.

John 1:29 (NET) - On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

John preaches of baptism and repentance.

Jesus comes to John to be baptized though He has committed no sin of which to repent.

John baptizes Jesus and again, something truly remarkable happens.

The book of Mark tells us that when Jesus comes up out of the water the heavens "split apart" and the Spirit descends on Him like a dove.

As if these events are not remarkable enough, God has even more in store!

Mark 1:11 (NET) - And a voice came from heaven: "You are my one dear Son; in You I take great delight.

Yes, John the Baptist plays a pivotal role in scripture and the fulfillment of prophecy.

Neither Jesus nor John were what the people expected.

Mark 1:6 (NET) - John wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

God places people in our lives who can play pivotal roles in our spiritual journey as well.

Some of these individuals may not be what we expect either.

After all, is it not said that God works in mysterious ways?


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 6, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, September 13, 2013.

The Other Side of the Boat

John 21:6 (NET) - He told them, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some. So they threw the net, and were not able to pull it in because of the large number of fish."

Whenever I read the Bible, I always look forward to the book of John.

There is something about this book that resonates deep within me.

The final chapter in the book, Chapter 21, I find very special.

As I recently read this chapter again I was struck by something I had not considered before.

As I began the chapter, I read how the disciples were fishing but had not caught a single fish.

Jesus calls to them from the shore but they do not recognize Him.

He tells them to cast their nets on the right side.

They do and catch so many fish that they cannot pull the net back in.

The things that normally came to mind still did.

First, when the disciples’ methods failed them, Jesus came through for them.

Second, this was yet another miracle performed by the risen Jesus.

Third, this was very much like the encounter in Luke Chapter 5 in which Jesus gets into Peter’s boat after Peter had caught no fish during the night. Jesus tells Peter to head into deep water and lower the nets. Peter does so and so many fish were caught that the nets began to tear.

This time, something new occurred to me as I read the account in John.

The disciples were to be "fishers of men" as well.

As believers, so are we.

When the disciples had no success fishing on the usual side of the boat, Jesus instructed them to fish on the other side.

When they did, the abundance of the catch far exceeded their expectations.

As we continue to fulfill the great commission and reach out to others, perhaps we should change our approach as well.

Perhaps we should reach out to those we have not tried to reach before.

Maybe it is time that we cast our nets in a new direction.

If we do, the abundance of the catch could greatly exceed our expectations as well.

In parting, I simply must share one of my favorite verses also from this chapter.

John 21:25 (NET) -There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 16, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, August 23, 2013.

So Many to Feed

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote about the many miracles of Jesus.

Yet, of all the miracles of Jesus, only one appears in each of these four books.

That miracle is the feeding of the five thousand with a two fish and five loaves of bread.

Matthew’s account takes place in Chapter 14.

Mark’s account takes place in Chapter 6.

Luke documents this miracle in Chapter 9.

John relates this in Chapter 6.

In each account, Jesus takes the five loaves and the two fish and gives thanks for them. Then has his disciples distribute them among this vast crowd.

After everyone had eaten and was satisfied, the leftovers were collected and filled twelve baskets.

I have always found it fascinating that this is the only miracle of Jesus that is recorded in each of the four gospels.

Not even the raising of Lazarus from the dead was documented in this way.

I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the fact that He led each of these authors to include this miracle in their individual account is sufficient for me.

I cannot help but feel that each man was also sufficiently impressed as well.

Who wouldn’t be?

Think about it from their perspective when it happened.

You and the His other disciples are with Jesus surrounded by a throng of humanity.

Jesus takes pity on them and then looks directly at you and says, "You feed them."

You take inventory of your supplies. Five small loaves and two meager fish.

How in the world can you make these few items feed so many.

The answer is obvious. You can’t.

You can’t, but Jesus can!

Matthew 14:18 (NET) - "Bring them here to Me," he replied.

So you do.

Then you watch to see what happens.

Matthew 14:19 (NET) - Then He instructed the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Although some two thousand years have passed between that miracle and today, many more still hunger not only physically but spiritually as well.


SO MANY need to be fed.

"But what can I do," you think to yourself.

You can almost hear the echo of His reply, "Bring them here to Me."

That is the task at hand.

Bring them to Jesus.

With His help, nothing is impossible.

Philippians 4:13 (NET) - I am able to do all things through the One who strengthens me.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 19, 2011.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, August 26, 2011.
Schedule subject to change.