Faith is Not an Accident

 

Psalm 22 is a plea for deliverance.

Tucked within, the Psalmist acknowledges his birth and his lifelong faith.

Psalm 22:10b (NRSVue) - and since my mother bore me you have been my God.

When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, Paul expressed his gratitude.

Paul expressed encouragement.

Paul acknowledged Timothy’s faith.

Paul also acknowledged where he first witnessed a faith like Timothy’s.

2 Timothy 1:5 (NRSVue) – I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.

In recent offerings, I have discussed the faith of my mother.

I have also written about how her faith influenced my own.

Like Timothy, I was also blessed with Godly grandmothers.

Their love shaped the faith of my parents.

The faith of my parents then shaped my own faith.

The love of God also shapes our faith.

Thanks to Christ, we are children of God!

As such, our faith is genuine.

It was shaped throughout our lifelong walk with God.

God’s love continues to mold and shape our faith to this day.

Our faith is not accidental.

Job 23:10 (NRSVue) - But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, July 17, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, July 24, 2026

Praising God More

 

Psalm 73 is a prayer for protection.

The psalmist also acknowledges the need to praise God.

Psalm 71:23 (NRSVue) - My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have rescued.

Luke 1 talks about the birth of John the Baptist.

It also discusses John’s father, Zechariah.

Before John was born, an angel visited Zechariah while he was performing his priestly duties.

The angel told Zechariah that his wife would bare a son and that he was to be called John.

Zechariah found this hard to believe, so he asked for a sign.

The angel said that Zechariah would be unable to speak until these events occurred.

Zechariah was immediately muted.

Eight days after his wife had given birth, it was time to name the child.

Tradition held that the child was to be named after his father,

Elizabeth, the baby’s mother, said his name was to be John.

Those in attendance tried to dissuade her.

Zechariah, still mute, acted.

Luke 1:63-64 (NRSVue) - He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God.

The moment Zechariah was able to speak; he began praising God.

We also should praise God regularly.

We often fail to live up to that obligation.

Yet God is loving and merciful.

Even in times of weakness, we can turn to God.

With His help, we can give God the praise He deserves.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

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

Security Is Found in Service

 

Proverbs 3 discusses true security.

It reminds us of many things we are not supposed to do.

It also contains a very subtle reminder of how we are to live.

Proverbs 3:34b (NRSVue) - but to the humble he shows favor.

In contrast, Luke 22 discusses some critical moments in the life of Jesus.

It talks about the plot to kill Jesus.

It talks about preparation for Passover.

It even discusses the Lord’s Supper.

But despite these major events, a dispute arises among His followers.

Although this is a critical juncture, they argue about which among them is the greatest.

Jesus sets the record straight,

Luke 22:24-26 (NRSVue) - A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, “The kings of the gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves.

In hindsight, it is easy for us to be critical of them.

But are we any better?

Have we humbled ourselves before God?

Have we humbled ourselves in service to our neighbor?

As we continue our journey through Lent, may we ask ourselves these questions.

And may we have the courage to answer them honestly.

Even at this critical stage of Luke’s gospel, Christ demonstrated his compassion.

May we follow that example as we serve both God and our fellow man.

And may God find both our words and our actions pleasing.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I will be back here on Friday, April 15, 2025

True Peace

 

Psalm 4 is a plea for deliverance.

The Psalmist ends in recognizing that real peace and safety reside in God.

Psalm 4:8 (NRSVue) - I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

In John 14, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit.

Jesus also promises true peace.

John 14:27 (NRSVue) - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

The world in which we live is turbulent.

Prices remain high.

World leaders clash over threats of tariffs and reprisals.

The nation is divided along political lines.

People, especially the young, take to social media and vent their frustrations.

Nations are engaged in armed conflict.

The list goes on.

But those who have faith understand that the Lord is a source of peace even amid turmoil.

And we, in turn, can help others find that same peace through our words and actions.

We can lead those we encounter to the source of true peace.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, March 21, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, March 28, 2025

Into the 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.

The recent eclipse made headlines.

I happened to live in what scientists called “the path of totality.”

It was most interesting to see midday grow dark for a few minutes.

But it would be a different matter if the phenomenon were unknown.

How frightening it would be not knowing whether the sun would return.

But, figuratively speaking, some live in darkness. 

Isaiah 42 contains a song of praise to the Lord.

And just as the sun returned to dispel the daytime darkness, so the Lord turns darkness into light.

In Luke 24, two followers of Jesus encountered the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus.

As they walked, they still did not recognize Him.

When they arrived at their destination, they invited Him in.

It was then that Jesus revealed Himself.

Luke 24:30-31 (NRSVue) - When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight.

Even though Easter Sunday has passed, we are still in the Easter season.

This reminds us, as do these passages of Scripture, that the risen Christ dispels the darkness in our lives.

Each day is a new day.

Each day is a personal gift.

It is a gift we are meant to share with those who still live in darkness.

By reflecting the light of Jesus into their lives, we can coax them out of their darkness.

They can then step into the direct light of His love and experience a new day with Him.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, April 19, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, April 26, 2024

Sharing the Faith

 

Psalm 105:1 (NRSVue) - O give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; make known his deeds among the peoples.

Psalm 105 is a Psalm about God’s faithfulness to Israel.

The psalmist stresses the need to thank God.

He also stresses the need to make the deeds of God known.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul shares that Salvation is for all,

This requires faith.

Paul then shares the source of that faith.

Romans 10:17 (NRSVue) - So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

So, what is the point of all this?

Mainly, it is that we need to share our faith with others.

We need to make the Lord’s deeds known to those around us.

We must share the words and example of Christ with them as well.

As we near the end of our journey through Lent, we should feel extraordinarily blessed!

Ironically, we often hesitate in sharing our praise with those we encounter.

Let us take the words of the psalmist and Paul to heart.

May we see each encounter as an opportunity to share our faith.

May each meeting prompt us to praise God and make His deeds known.

May each contact remind us to share the words and example of Christ.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, April 5, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, April 12, 2024

In the Shadow of His Wings

Psalm 63:7 (NRSVue) - for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.

Psalm 63 is a Psalm of David of a time when he was in the wilderness.

He thinks upon his relationship with God.

In doing so, he remembers God’s reassurance and embrace.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul discusses life in the spirit.

Paul reminds his readers of their relationship with God.

And because of that relationship, they can withstand any opposing force.

Romans 8:31 (NRSVue) - What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

What about us and the world we live in?

We sometimes feel beset by challenges.

We are bombarded by information.

But how much of what we are told can we believe?

Most, if not all, media outlets have an agenda.

Politicians make statements hoping it will either gain them office or keep it.

In terms of health care, one organization says something another vehemently disagrees with.

And the list goes on.

We can take heart in the messages of the Psalmist and Paul.

We can find rest in the embrace of God.

We too can find refuge in the shadow of His wings.

It does not matter where life takes us.

It does not matter what challenges we face.

God is there for us.

Moreover, He loves us.

As we continue through the season of Lent, we are reminded that God proved this.

God proved His love and care when He allowed His Son to die for us.

The price has been paid.

We have been made right with God.

And as we journey through life, we do not journey alone.

And God’s presence is more than a match for anything the world can throw at us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, March 15, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, March 22, 2024

Love, Not Fear

 

Haggai 2:5 (NRSVue) - according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear.

The prophet reminded the people that they were covenant people.

He also reminded them not to fear.

In John 16, Jesus spoke to the disciples.

Jesus reminded them that their grief would turn to joy,

He also reminded them not to fear.

John 16:33 (NIV) - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I teach an adult class.

One of the things we examine in that class is history and how it relates to the present.

History is full of misery, heartache, and bloodshed.

Much of this has been brought about by fear.

We are taught to fear those who are different from us.

We are taught to fear those whose practices are different than our own.

Sadly, we are even taught to fear those who worship differently than we worship.

It has not gotten any easier,

The media divides us along different lines.

It tries to teach us to fear others.

Yet Scripture tells us repeatedly not to fear.

Instead, we should allow God to make us bold in all things.

We do not need to fear because Christ has overcome the world.

As I remind my adult students…

I do not have to agree with everyone.

I do not have to adopt their practices or customs.

But Scripture is remarkably clear on one thing.

I must love my neighbor.

I must even love the neighbor who disagrees with me and refuses to love me in return.

Yes, Scripture reminds us repeatedly not to fear.

And focusing on love is an excellent means of overcoming fear.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, March 1, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, March 8, 2024

Vindication

 

Isaiah 50:8 (NRSVue) - he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand in court together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

Isaiah spoke of humiliation,

He also spoke of vindication.

Christ was familiar with both humiliation and vindication.

In John 8, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus.

They claimed to have caught her committing adultery.

To trap Jesus, they reminded Him that the law demanded she be stoned.

Jesus bent down and began writing on the ground with His finger.

Scripture does not tell us what He wrote.

But what He wrote had an impact.

Those who attempted to trap Him left.

In time, only Jesus and the woman remained.

John 8:10-11 (NRSVue) - Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

Christ extended his grace and mercy to the woman.

Isaiah understood that God would also offer His grace and mercy.

People will let us down.

But the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the source from which goodness springs.

They see us for who we really are.

And, despite our flaws, they extend grace, mercy, and forgiveness to us.

They give us another chance even when people are unwilling to forgive.

They even give us another chance when we are unwilling to forgive ourselves.

Then we, like the woman who stood before Jesus, should make the most of that second chance.

We too should go our way and not sin again.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, February 16, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, February 23, 2024

The Only Real Choice

 

1 Kings 18:21 (NRSVue) - Elijah then came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not answer him a word.

Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal.

Of course, he knew that God would triumph over those who followed false gods.

But before the contest took place, Elijah spoke those words to the people.

He knew the people had drifted from God.

These words were a caution that you cannot serve God and false gods.

In Matthew 6, Christ taught the disciples how to pray.

He also gave them cautionary instructions.

One of these concerned serving two masters, namely God and wealth.

Matthew 6:24 (NRSVue) - “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

God is, and always has been, supreme.

He expects to be first in our lives.

Moreover, He commanded this.

Exodus 20:2-4 (NRSVue) - “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth.”

The simple fact is that anytime we place anyone or anything above God, we practice idolatry.

We rob God of His rightful place in our lives.

When that happens, God asks us to choose.

Choice is a part of life.

But correctly choosing Who has priority is crucial.

It requires commitment.

It requires loyalty.

People and things constantly vie for our attention and affection.

But we must choose to put God first.

Fortunately, God helps us choose wisely when we make ourselves open and available to Him.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, February 2, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, February 9, 2024

The Light of His Love

Isaiah 60:3 (NRSVue) - Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

In this chapter, the prophet speaks of the gathering of the people. 

After a period of darkness, the Lord would arise and dispel it.

The author of Revelation also writes of the Lord and the dispelling of darkness.

He first writes of a new heaven and a new earth.

He then writes of the new Jerusalem.

It will have no need of man-made nor artificial light.

In fact, it will not even need the sun nor the moon to provide its light.

The light of the Lord will illuminate it!

Revelation 21:23-24 (NRSVue) - And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.

The headlines of today paint a dark and gloomy picture of our world.

But we have no need to fear this darkness.

The light of the Lord is more than capable of overcoming it!

His light can penetrate even the darkest corners of our world.

His light can even penetrate the darkest corners of our hearts.

With His help, we can walk in that light.

We benefit from his grace and mercy.

We bask in the light of His love for us and all of humanity.

And, if we but make ourselves available to Him, we can reflect that light to those around us.

Then they too can bask in the light of His love.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, January 19, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, January 26, 2024

…And Let It Begin with Me

 

Psalm 38:9 (NRSVue) - O Lord, all my longing is known to you; my sighing is not hidden from you.

In Psalm 38, a penitent psalmist prays for healing.

But individuals are not the only ones in need of healing.

Today’s headlines reveal just how much the world needs this.

The fifth chapter of 1 John includes a testimony about the Son of God.

Moreover, it includes a promise.

1 John 5:14 (NRSVue) - And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

These verses coupled with the time of year put me in mind of a carol.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day was originally a poem written by Longfellow in 1863.

In time, it was set to music.

As we see the state of the world, the psalmists longing is akin to ours

They are reflected in Longfellow’s lines…

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Similarly, John’s words remind us that God hears and answers our prayers.

You can see that connection in Longfellow’s next lines…

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men."

God knows our longing.

Even our longing for peace in a world long accustomed to conflict.

God can heal individuals.

God can heal nations.

Indeed, He can heal the world.

Where world leaders, diplomats and generals fail, God can succeed.

God created this world.

He sent His Son into this world to redeem it.

And, with the help of the Holy Spirit, each of us can make our concerns known to God in prayer.

All of which reminds me of lines from another song we cherish this time of year...

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, January 5, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, January 12, 2024

The Act of Creation

 

Isaiah 45:12 (NET) - I made the earth; I created the people who live on it. It was me—my hands stretched out the sky. I give orders to all the heavenly lights.

The prophet Isaiah once again reminds us that it was God who created the earth.

God created us and the heavens also.

God created the very air we breathe and the stars we gaze upon in the sky,

The introduction to the book of John reminds us that Jesus was present when the world was created.

As importantly, it reminds us of His role.

It also reminds us that He is an essential part of the Trinity.

John 1:1-4 (NET) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.

This same chapter reminds us that Jesus had to enter his creation as one of us.

Sadly, it also reminds us of the kind of reception He received.

John 1:11 (NET) - He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.

Soon, we will celebrate Christmas.

The season of Advent is ending.

Our wait for the arrival of Christ will be over.

But what kind of reception will He receive?

Many, just like those He encountered 2,000 years ago, will not accept Him.

Perhaps some will accept Him for a brief time until Christmas is over.

Then, He will be packed away and relegated to storage just like the decorations and lights.

When the mood strikes next year, they will once again bring Him out for a short while.

But still, there are those who have accepted Jesus.

The ones who understand that Christmas is just the beginning of a journey.

A journey that ultimately leads to a cross and an empty tomb beyond it.

We tend to make Christmas a big day, and rightfully so.

But we should celebrate Jesus every day.

Of course, our celebration should include His birth.

But we should also celebrate His power – His role in creation.

The universe He created for us is magnificent.

In fact, it should inspire us to do a little creating of our own.

Not just creating in the artistic sense but creating things that are brand new.

The creation of new relationships is a wonderful place to start.

The forging of these relationships within our communities could lead to even bigger things.

Our communities could then build relationships with other communities.

Such communities could conceivably redefine nations.

Such nations could reach out to others and change the world.

A world that accepts Him.

Is this an impossibility?

Many would say it is.

But aren’t these the ones who need new relationships the most?

 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a new year filled with new relationships,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 7, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, January 14, 2022

Creator and Created

 

Jeremiah 10:12 (NET) - The Lord is the one who by his power made the earth. He is the one who by his wisdom established the world. And by his understanding he spread out the skies.

Recently, our young people led our worship service.

One of the points they stressed was from the creation account from Genesis.

It was an excellent reminder that everything and everyone is a creation of God.

God is the creator.

Everything else is what He created.

The prophet Jeremiah understood this.

Jeremiah stresses that all that we know was created by God through His power and wisdom.

Paul touches on this topic in his letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 11:3 (NET) - By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible.

Like Jeremiah, Paul reminds us that all of creation happened at God’s command.

But Paul goes on to state that it is by faith that we understand this.

We understand that the visible creation resulted from a Creator whom we do not see.

But, through faith, we can catch glimpses of God in the world around us.

But to do so, we must also have patience and allow ourselves periods of reflection.

Faith combined with patience allows us to catch glimpses of God in the world He created.

Faith combined with periods of reflection allows us to glimpse God in others.

Perhaps that is what makes “reflection” so important.

For it may also allow others to catch a glimpse of God when they look at us.

God has created an amazing universe for us to live in.

We have an obligation to be its caretakers.

But that means caring for others as well.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 17, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, December 24, 2021

 

By Our Side

Zephaniah 3:17 (NET) - The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.”

The prophet wrote of the corruption of God’s people.

He also wrote of God’s purification.

Moreover, he promised that God would be in the midst of His people.

This is something easily forgotten especially when things are not going well.

A similar thing happened to the followers of Jesus.

One night, they went fishing.

Although they stayed out all night, they did not catch a single fish.

They returned to shore empty handed.

Although they did not realize it, someone was already there.

John 21:3-4 (NET) - Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they replied. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already very early morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus knew they had caught no fish.

So, He instructed them to cast their nets in a different direction.

When they did, they caught more fish than they could handle.

In times of difficulty, it is easy to forget that the Lord is nearby.

In fact, He is right by our side.

He can help us overcome our fears,

He can help us overcome any feelings of doubt.

Most importantly, He can help us move forward once again.

We can move forward, confident that He is at our side.

Many of us have just celebrated Thanksgiving.

But Scripture reminds us we should be thankful in all things.

That means being thankful regardless of our present circumstances.

Perhaps we might find it easier to be thankful by first remembering His nearness.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 3, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, December 10, 2021

He Is Waiting

 

Psalm 51:17 (NET) - The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit—O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.

God is both just and forgiving.

But the Psalmist reminds us that God requires two things from us first.

One of these is humility.

But what exactly is humility?

In basic terms it means recognizing that the world does not revolve around us.

Our individual importance is less than what we would care to admit.

We are certainly not more important than God.

Nor are we more important than those God places in our path.

The other thing God requires for forgiveness is repentance.

God does not just want to hear the words.

God wants to feel how deeply we regret our transgression.

Jesus explains this in his parable about the prodigal son.

In it, a young man demands his share of the inheritance before his father dies.

He then squanders his new riches.

Reduced to poverty, he takes a job feeding another man’s pigs.

He finds himself desiring the food on which the pigs were feeding.

The son returns home and begs his father’s forgiveness.

Luke 15:21 (NET) - Then his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

How beautifully Jesus illustrates both humility and repentance in these words.

In the parable, the father then showers his son with affection.

Jesus reminds us that God is waiting for us.

He is waiting for us to approach in humility and repentance.

God desires to both welcome us back and shower His affection and mercy upon us.

God is omniscient, so He already knows our misdeeds.

He just wants us to admit them to Him.

Perhaps He wants us to admit them to ourselves in the process.

We stumble daily.

Even in our broken state, He is waiting to welcome us back.

He is waiting to show us both His compassion and His forgiveness.

For this we should be grateful.

We should also be willing to forgive others as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 19, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, November 26, 2021

With Open Arms

 

Isaiah 30:18 (NET) - For this reason the Lord is ready to show you mercy; he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you. Indeed, the Lord is a just God; all who wait for him in faith will be blessed 

The heading from this translation’s text is a great reminder.

It states that the Lord will not abandon his people.

This verse reminds us that the Lord is ready and waiting.

He is ready and waiting to show his mercy and compassion.

But what is God waiting for?

In truth, He is waiting for us.

He is waiting for us to return to Him.

Perhaps the best example of this is in a parable of Jesus.

Specifically, the parable of the Prodigal Son.

In this parable, a young man demands his share of the inheritance before his father dies.

Having received the money, the son traveled to a distant land.

He quickly spent his inheritance and then found himself in the middle of a famine.

He then took a job feeding another man’s pigs.

In desperation, he found himself longing for the food he was feeding the pigs.

The son then decided to return home and throw himself upon his father’s mercy.

He felt unworthy to be called his father’s son.

He would be happy just to be employed as a hired hand.

But Jesus tells us that something wonderful happened.

Luke 15:20 (NET) - So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him.

The man’s father had been waiting for him to return.

He rushed out to greet his son and showered him with affection.

Jesus paints us a perfect picture of God waiting for us.

Waiting for us to return to Him.

God wishes to welcome us back and shower us with His affection and mercy.

Such is His grace.

So, what are we waiting for?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 5, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, November 12, 2021

Complete Forgiveness

Jeremiah 31:34b (NET) - “For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done.”

In this section of scripture, God makes a covenant with his people.

God finishes with words of forgiveness.

But God states that He will do more than forgive our sin.

He promises never to hold them against us again.

That is the mark of true and lasting forgiveness,

Paul understood this.

This is evident in Acts 10 when he visits Cornelius.

This man tells Paul about a remarkable experience he had.

As Cornelius spoke, Paul realized that God shows no favoritism.

This also prompted Paul to echo the reality of complete forgiveness.

Acts 10:43 (NET) - About him all the prophets testify, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Everyone has a past.

But everyone can begin anew.

This starts when we are forgiven through Jesus Christ.

It continues because God chooses to no longer hold our sins against us.

But what is expected of us then?

What does God want from us?

Where will this hope lead us?

Only God can reveal that to us.

But shouldn’t we be forgiving of others along the way?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 15, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, October 22, 2021