The Scope of Outreach

 

Isaiah 12:5 (GNT) - Sing to the Lord because of the great things he has done. Let the whole world hear the news.

In this verse, the prophet tells us to share our faith with the world.

And we should, considering the talents we have been given and the technology available to us.

In my youth, I would watch evangelists like Billy Graham.

He would preach to stadiums full of people as well as those watching at home on television.

He would reach untold thousands at a time.

The book of Acts also reminds us of the importance of evangelism.

Acts 14:27 (GNT) - When they arrived in Antioch, they gathered the people of the church together and told them about all that God had done with them and how he had opened the way for the Gentiles to believe.

Acts 14 tells us of the travels of Paul and Barnabas and their outreach to many.

Yes, evangelism to the masses is important.

But it is also important to reach out to the few.

Even reaching out to one individual at a time is of vital importance.

The other day, I went to the garage to pick up my vehicle from the mechanic.

Among those waiting was a woman I have known for an exceptionally long time.

There was also a younger woman approximately half my age.

My friend and I immediately struck up a conversation catching up on old times.

We then discussed our respective churches.

Although we worship in diverse ways, we remain friends through mutual respect.

My friend then asked the other young lady about her church.

She replied that she did not attend because her parents “forced religion” on her as a child.

I found this extremely sad,

I took the opportunity to remind her that there is an enormous difference between faith and religion.

A moment later the mechanic told me that my car was ready.

I paid the bill.

I said goodbye to my friend.

Then, I said goodbye to the other young lady.

As I did, I suggested she read the gospels paying attention to the words of Jesus.

I promised her that if she did, she would discover that Jesus was not in favor of religion.

He did however approve of faith.

He clearly expressed this to the Pharisees.

Mark 7:6-8 (GNT) - Jesus answered them, “How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! You are hypocrites, just as he wrote: ‘These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!’ “You put aside God's command and obey human teachings.”

Scripture reminds us to reach out to the world.

But we must always take the opportunity to reach out to individuals, especially those in need.

The number of people we reach at any given time is of little importance.

What matters most is that we reach out.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

An Open Invitation

 

Daniel emerged from the lions’ den without so much as a scratch.

So impressed was King Darius, that he issued an edict stating that all should respect Daniel’s God.

After experiencing visions, Daniel prayed for the people.

In this prayer, Daniel confessed that his people had sinned.

He also recognized God’s willingness to forgive.

Daniel 9:9 (GNT) - You are merciful and forgiving, although we have rebelled against you.

Centuries after the Book of Daniel was written, Christ came to dwell among men.

Some, like his disciples, followed Him.

Others heard Jesus but chose to oppose Him.

Among these were experts in the law.

They witnessed Jesus reaching out to those whom they considered irredeemable.

They then openly criticized Jesus for this.

Luke 15:1-2 (GNT) - One day when many tax collectors and other outcasts came to listen to Jesus, the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law started grumbling, “This man welcomes outcasts and even eats with them!”

Unlike the experts, Jesus was concerned for the lost.

In fact, His concern was so deep that He would willingly lay down His life for them.

Christ came into this world to redeem the lost.

That means that He came to redeem us.

God, the Father, is merciful and forgiving.

Christ, the Son, makes this forgiveness complete.

And the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify the forgiven

It is our relationship with the Trinity that makes us fully aware of just how blessed we are.

That same relationship guides us in our relationship with others.

God extends his mercy and forgiveness to all.

As in the past, He continues to extend His grace to the lost, the lowly, and the outcast.

We should always remember that He extended the same grace to us while we were among the lost.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 16, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, September 23, 2022

Broken Chains

 

Exodus 20:2 (NET) - I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery.

Before God gave us what we call “The Ten Commandments,” He spoke.

In one sentence, God reminded His people of two things.

First, He is God.

Second, it was He who freed them from bondage.

Paul discusses freedom in his second letter to the believers in Corinth.

But first he had to remind them that the law “carved in letters on stone tablets” brough death.

Paul reminded the Corinthians that the New Covenant brings life.

When one turns to Christ the veil is lifted away and true freedom is granted.

And it is the Spirit of the Lord that makes true freedom possible.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NET) - Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.

We also live in the New Covenant.

We are no longer bound to the law but to the living Christ.

And it is through that bond that we have been freed.

But what does freedom mean?

Does it mean freedom from trials and tribulations?

Does it mean freedom from illness and physical pain?

Does it mean freedom from labor and toil?

Does it mean a life of wealth and leisure?

The freedom the Lord gives is the freedom to serve.

It is the freedom to serve both God and our fellow man.

Such freedom must be used responsibly and is not to be taken lightly.

Thankfully, the Lord can guide us in our journeys.

He can help us make responsible choices in exercising our freedom.

Best of all, He can help us share what true freedom means to those who are still oppressed.

We typically think of chains as being made of metal.

But chains of oppression can be forged of many things.

The strongest chains are often forged from ideology, politics, culture, addiction, or fear.

And the love of Christ can break even these chains.

The love of Christ still sets captives free.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 2, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, September 9, 2022

Diversity in Christianity

 

Psalm 119:63 (NET) - I am a friend to all your loyal followers, and to those who keep your precepts.

This Psalm is the longest of all Psalms and is told in 22 parts.

But this Psalm does more than glorify God.

It does more than glorify His Word.

In this verse, the Psalmist promises to be a friend to those who long to follow God’s will.

This is also at the heart of discipleship.

But there is more to discipleship than reaching out to those like us.

It also means reaching out to those who may be different from us.

The book of Acts provides us with an excellent example of this in Philip.

An angel of God told Philip to travel down a desert road.

Philip did so,

Along the way, Philip encountered an Ethiopian who had come to Jerusalem to worship.

Sitting in his chariot, he was reading from the book of Isaiah.

The spirit moved Philip to join the man, and Philip obeyed.

Acts 8:30-31 (NET) - So Philip ran up to it and heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked him, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” The man replied, “How in the world can I, unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

In response to the Ethiopian’s question, Philip shared the Good News with him.

This moment forever changed the life of the Ethiopian.

In fact, when the chariot came upon water, the Ethiopian ordered the chariot to stop.

Philip accompanied the Ethiopian into the water and baptized him.

Diversity is a hot topic today.

Politicians build their platforms on diversity.

Businesses teach courses about its importance,

Social media promotes it.

But when you get down to it, diversity has always played a key role in Christianity.

That is because Christian diversity is rooted in love.

It is not politically or socially motivated.

God’s Word gives us examples of diversity among disciples.

Christ Himself commands us to love our neighbor.

Christ reached out to those of diverse backgrounds.

Christ healed the servant of a Centurion.

Christ spoke with a Samaritan woman at the well.

Christ even ministered to those whom society deemed “unclean.”

Just as in the past, we too are called to be disciples.

But to be effective, our outreach must be rooted in love.

We must look for that which unites rather than focus on the things which divide.

We must learn, or even perhaps re-learn, what it means to truly work side by side with others.

When Christ dwelt among us, he felt compassion for those whom He encountered.

Matthew 35:36-38 (NET) - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest-ready fields.

Many workers (disciples) are still needed today.

But these workers (disciples) must work together in a spirit of diversity rooted in Christian love.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 19, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, August 26, 2022

Men and Angels

 

Psalm 34:7 (NET) - The angel of the Lord camps around the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.

Angels recur throughout Scripture.

But what exactly are angels?

Angels, like people, are creations of God.

They also serve as God’s messengers.

Scripture refers to two of them by name – Michael and Gabriel.

These messengers of God also have the power to deliver.

David confirms this in Psalm 34:7.

The book of Acts also reminds us of this fact.

Peter learned this while he was imprisoned.

Those within the church prayed to God on Peter’s behalf.

In answer to their prayers, God sent an angel to deliver Peter.

Acts 12:7 (NET) - Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

Angels are mysterious.

They are also misunderstood,

Even conventional teaching adds to our misunderstanding.

In fact, some of the things we have been taught and believe are not true.

One of the things that bothers me is when a loved one dies.

To be kind someone will say, “Heaven has gained another angel.”

This simply is not true.

There is absolutely nothing in scripture to back up this claim.

When we die, we do not become angels.

It is true that, for a Christian, death is not the end but a transition.

The physical body dies, the spirit lives on, but we do not become angels.

David also addresses the distinction between men and angels.

Psalm 8:4-5 (NET) - Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them? You made them a little less than the heavenly beings. You crowned mankind with honor and majesty.

So, angels are not loved ones who have passed before us.

But angels are still the messengers and deliverers of God.

Are these messengers and deliverers communicating with us today?

Perhaps they are.

Perhaps they are guiding us to live the way God wants us to live.

Perhaps they help steer us in the right direction.

Or perhaps we are too caught up in the world to take notice.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 5, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, August 12, 2022

Faith, Righteousness, and Connection

 

Genesis 15:6 (NET) - Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord credited it as righteousness to him.

Abram and Sarai had no children.

Despite their ages, God instructed Abram to gaze upon the multitude of stars in the sky.

As Abram did this, God compared his future descendants to the number of stars.

Abram believed God.

And because he believed, God acknowledged this as righteousness.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, admonished them.

Although they had been told of Christ and His crucifixion, they still gave credence to the law.

Paul reminded them that salvation could not be achieved through personal effort.

It was only obtained through belief.

Paul then reminded them of Abraham’s belief and how God credited his belief for righteousness.

He then explained that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.

Galatians 2:6-7 (NET) - Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.

It is certainly true that we currently live under the New Covenant.

But we should neither discard the Old testament, nor should we take it lightly.

Many prophecies made in the Old Testament came to fruition in the New Testament.

These prophecies include the birth, life, and even the crucifixion of Christ.

All this reminds me of a song our children occasionally sing called Father Abraham.

Although it is a simple song, it tells us that Father Abraham had many children.

It also reminds us that we are children of Abraham.

God promised Abraham would have many descendants; as many as the stars in the sky.

Abraham believed God and God accepted his belief as righteous.

Moreover, God was as good as His word.

And, in the words of Paul, we who believe are the sons (and daughters) of Abraham.

And it is through our belief that we connect with God.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 15, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, July 22, 2022

Commandment, Comprehension, Commission

 

Exodus 20:3 (NET) - You shall have no other gods before me.

These words are taken from the Ten Commandments.

In fact, this is the first commandment of the ten and its language is unmistakable.

There must be no confusion,

This is not a suggestion. 

This is a command directly from God.

God makes it truly clear that He demands to be first in our lives.

And the moment we put any person, thing or even idea above God, we practice idolatry.

Recently, we observed Trinity Sunday.

This celebrates the triune God.

But does this celebration violate God’s first commandment?

The simple answer is no.

For God exists in three persons.

God, the Father, has always existed and has created all things.

We are redeemed by Jesus who is God, the Son.

John 10:30 (NET) - The Father and I are one.

Working together, they sent us the one who makes us holy… God, the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26 (NET) - But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.

Many heard the teaching of Jesus.

But some found His teaching difficult and walked away.

He then turned to the disciples who remained.

Jesus asked, “You don’t want to go away too, do you?”

John 6:68-69 (NET) - Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God!”

Peter spoke for the disciples.

I like to think that he spoke for us as well.

Jesus is the word of life.

And it is the triune God that created, redeemed, and now continues to work within us daily.

And thus, we are equipped to fulfill our role in the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NET) - Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 1, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, July 8, 2022