Teach Us Again

Psalm 86:5 (NET) - Certainly, O Lord, you are kind and forgiving, and show great faithfulness to all who cry out to you.

Once again, the Psalmist sings of the Lord’s kindness and willingness to forgive.

He sings of the Lord’s faithfulness to those who call upon Him.

Although these words were written centuries ago, the Lord still forgives.

The Lord is still just as faithful.

All that we need to do to receive this forgiveness is to ask for it.

That means coming to Him in prayer.

But doesn’t the Lord know everything already?

Being omniscient, isn’t He aware of all our troubles?

So, why is coming to Him in prayer necessary?

The Lord does indeed know everything!

The Lord is aware of all our troubles.

In fact, He is more aware of them than we are.

Prayer is necessary because it strengthens our relationship with Him.

As we pray, we remind ourselves that we have shortcomings to address.

The disciples of Jesus understood that prayer was important.

So, they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.

Luke 11:1 (NET) - Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus did so.

In fact, His response to them has become known as “The Lord’s Prayer”.

This prayer recognizes God’s sovereignty.

It recognizes the fact that the will of God shall prevail. 

It humbly asks God to supply our daily needs.

It asks God to forgive our sins.

It also reminds us that we are to forgive others as well.

Yes, God knows everything about us and our lives.

Even so, we must go to Him in prayer.

“The Lord’s Prayer” is an excellent way to renew our relationship with Him.

We can freely ask for forgiveness.

We should also be willing to forgive others.

Like the disciples, we can ask Him to “teach us to pray”.

We should then call upon Him daily.

We can even ask for the courage to do so.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 4, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, June 11, 2021

Prayers of Protection

 

Psalm 91:1-2 (NET) - As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the Most High, and resides in the protective shadow of the Sovereign One — I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold, my God in whom I trust—

Once again, the Psalmist writes of the Lord’s protective nature.

He refers to His “protective shadow”.

He refers to Him as his “shelter”.

Equally important, he refers to his “trust” in the Lord.

Throughout history, predators have sought to exploit the weak.

But those who are weak can call upon the Lord.

They can find refuge in His “protective shadow”.

They can find “shelter” in the Lord.

Most importantly, they can place their “trust” in Him.

Those of us who are more fortunate have an obligation.

We are obligated to pray for these victims as well.

1 John 5:14 (NET) - And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

This verse does not imply that God will grant us everything we ask for.

It does assure us that He will hear us when our request is “according to His will”.

So, pray for the weak.

Pray for the exploited.

Pray for their safety and their refuge.

Pray that God will grant them courage.

Pray that they will find shelter in the Lord.

This is in accordance with the Lord’s will… and He will hear us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 21, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, May 28, 2021

 

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

Be a Pilgrim

“Be a pilgrim and not a settler.”

These were the words spoken by Dr. Thomas Fudge when I heard speak in November 2015.

Those words come back to me time and again as I journey through life as a Christian.

His point was a simple one.

As Christians, we have two choices set before us each day.

We can choose to continue our journey, learn and grow.

Or, we can choose to settle down right where we are.

Settling certainly offers a sense of relief and a sense of comfort.

But settling also means stagnation.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it this way: “Cheap grace has served as an inoculation, or more accurately, a vaccination. We have gotten just enough of Jesus to prevent us from catching the real thing.”

That is why we should choose to remain pilgrims.

We should choose to keep moving forward - to learn, serve and grow more every day.

To become more like Christ every day.

To be a pilgrim and not a settler.

But be forewarned.

A pilgrim’s journey is not always an easy one.

Each day can bring challenges as well as opportunities.

It can even be outright dangerous at times.

Some of the most faithful have met quite sudden and very painful ends.

This must not dissuade us.

After all, there is one thing that every faithful pilgrim can count on.

A pilgrim never really travels alone.

Joshua 1:9 (NET) - I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.”

So, choose to be a pilgrim and not a settler.

Who knows, we might meet each other again along the way.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 20, 2018.

I will be back here on Friday, April 27, 2018

Remember

Nehemiah 4:14b – Remember that the Lord is great and awesome!

Although Vacation Bible School is a ministry primarily for children, we also provide a class for adults.

I volunteered to teach the adult class this week and tried to offer them something both interesting and challenging.

Church history is one of my passions.

I have written about it and have even been privileged enough to speak about it.

Over the last several weeks I prepared a series of four lectures and planned to tie these together on the final night of class.

Once again, God amazed me in that each of the lectures I presented tied in with the focus lesson aimed at the children each night.

GOD CREATES…

My opening lecture was about a man named John Huss who was martyred for his faith in 1415.

Although he was not the founder of our church, his faith and dedication to the truth inspired those who did.

God was already at work creating our church through his life and example.

GOD HELPS…

My second lecture centered on the early generations of our church and the years of persecution they endured.

God was at work helping them through the darkest times and thus preserved that which He created.

GOD LOVES…

My third lecture was about John Amos Comenius who wrote 154 books.

Many of these books were written in exile.

Many improved the way children are educated.

Comenius was sustained by God’s love.

GOD CALMS…

My fourth lecture was about our ancestors who left their homeland and came to America.

Pioneers in a new land they first worshipped in homes.

In time, they built communities, churches and secured ministers to lead them.

God calmed them as they adjusted to life in a new land.

GOD SENDS IN JESUS’ NAME…

The beauty of God’s wisdom was revealed.

In keeping in touch with our history, we understand how we came into being.

With this knowledge comes the responsibility of knowing our purpose.

God sends us out in the name of Jesus to reach those who are lost.

It comes as no surprise that the verse we stressed for the children is an important reminder for us.

Nehemiah 4:14b – Remember that the Lord is great and awesome!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 17, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 24, 2016

Truth and Freedom

John 8:32 (NET) – “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

This passage of scripture has been on my mind a great deal lately.

Anyone can see that it is composed of two parts.

The first part says that we will know the truth.

What is the truth?

When Pilate questioned Jesus, Jesus tried to explain truth to him.

John 18:37 (NET) – Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world – to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate did not understand.

Pilate responded with the question, “What is truth?”

Two thousand years have passed and the world still echoes that same question.

“What is truth?”

Jesus could not have been clearer.

Jesus said, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus is the source of truth.

Think about the number of times Jesus spoke the words, “I tell you the truth...”

If Jesus is the source of truth and we know it, we will be made free.

The question then remains, “Free from what?”

Death? Even the faithful die an earthly death.

Persecution? Some of the most faithful are persecuted for their faith.

There is freedom in His truth.

We are freed from fear.

Even the fear of death is forced to release its hold on us.

1 Corinthians 15:55 (NET) – “Where. O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

We are freed from this fear and all others.

We are even freed from the fear of persecution.

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

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 1, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 8, 2015

At What Risk?

Luke 12:38 (NET) - But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.

Persecution.

Since the earliest days of Christianity, persecution of the church has been a reality.

In many parts of the world, it still is.

Some nations claim religious tolerance and freedom and cite their legality of Christianity as proof.

The real proof of their intolerance is made apparent when converts become second class citizens.

New Christians in these countries often find it extremely difficult to marry or find employment.

So much for tolerance.

In some nations professing one’s faith in Christ can bring a death sentence.

I once watched a smuggled video taken with a phone of the execution of a man who was charged with evangelizing in his village.

The entire village was forced to witness this brave man’s execution by firing squad.

Immediately afterward, an army officer stood up in the back of his jeep and addressed the village through a megaphone.

The officer shouted his warning, "This man was a fool! Don’t be a fool!"

That nation rules with an iron fist.

It uses execution as a means of both eliminating existing Christians and intimidating others in an attempt to deter them from embracing the faith.

In reality, it is the government that is frightened because Christianity transforms lives in ways that it cannot.

Still, it continues to tighten its grip using a combination of fear and intimidation.

Yet even as its grip tightens, more and more of its citizens turn their lives over to Jesus.

That frightens it even more.

I once read of a young man in another country who, along with his friends, persecuted Christians.

Like Paul, this persecutor had a conversion experience.

This young man’s conversion was made possible because of the witness of one that he persecuted.

He now shares his faith in Jesus with others.

As a result, several unsuccessful attempts have been made to kill him.

In time, he learned that a contract had been taken out on his life.

That contract was paid for by his own father and that price remains on his head.

In spite of the personal risk, he still continues to share Jesus with others.

These are but two examples among several that I thought about this week.

Persecution has been on my mind a great deal because a friend who is a pastor in another country contacted me through a social network requesting my prayers.

That pastor's church is currently experiencing persecution.

Of course, I agreed and continue to pray for them and other persecuted Christians as well.

This forced me to think about my own country.

God has blessed us with the both the freedom and safety to worship,

At the risk of painting with a very broad brush, a less than desirable consequence has arisen among Christians in America.

That consequence is complacency.

As a whole, we seem to have lost some of the drive, some of the desire and some of the sense of urgency in sharing the Good News with others.

Those in regions of persecution risk much, and their flame burns bright by comparison.

This should concern us.

The church at Laodicea received a direct warning.

You can find it in Revelation 3.

As we near Easter and consider what Jesus has done for us, shouldn’t we be more eager to share the Good News with others?

We also need to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who currently face persecution.

We should also pray for those who persecute them.

After all, their need for Jesus is the greatest.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 5, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, April 12, 2013.
Schedule subject to change.

A Church for Roman Soldiers?

Last Sunday was Easter.

To my surprise, there was a great deal of television programming of a religious nature.

Even the channels I count on for documentaries seemed to follow suit.

Many I had seen before.

Some I had not.

Among those I had not seen before was one that I found one particularly interesting.

This one centered around an underground Christian church.

This church was underground both figuratively and physically.

This place of worship was in the back of a cave and was used by Christians perhaps in the first century not long after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The inscriptions carved into the walls and rocks made it quite apparent that Christians used this cave as a place of worship during a time period when the persecution of Christians was rampant.

Yet there was something else remarkable about this place of worship.

You see, the inscriptions also lead archeologists to believe that a particular group of people worshipped Christ in this cave.

Roman soldiers.

History makes it plain that Christians were indeed persecuted by Roman soldiers in the first century of the church.

Yet here was a place where some Roman soldiers actually gathered together in order to worship Jesus.

Even the maker of this documentary seemed to find this difficult to believe, but I do not.

It is not just because an educated archeologist proposed this.

It is not just because of the inscriptions found in the cave.

It is not just because a cave would serve to hide they themselves from persecution.

I also believe this because of Scripture.

In Luke 7, Jesus is requested to heal the slave of a centurion.

This same centurion was highly regarded by the elders.

As Jesus neared the home, the centurion sent friends to meet Jesus and deliver a message.

Luke 7:7-8 (NET) - "That is why I did not presume to come to you. Instead, say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it."

Verse 9 tells us that Jesus was amazed by his faith.

At the crucifixion of Jesus, there was another centurion present who witnessed the events that transpired on that day.

He also saw Jesus die.

Notice the centurion’s reaction to what he witnessed.

Mark 15:39 (NET) - Now when the centurion, who stood in front of Him, saw how He died, he said, "Truly this man was God’s Son!"

Even though persecution of Christians in the first century by Roman soldiers is a historical fact, both Scripture and archeological evidence indicate that some of them had their lives turned around in a remarkable way and became believers in Christ.

Persecution is not confined to the past.

Many Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith today.

We are to pray for them,

We should also pray for those that persecute them.

After all, those that don’t know Christ are those with the deepest need.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 20, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, April 27, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.