Stepping Up

As I share my faith, I encounter reasons why others choose not to believe,

Often times they give examples of things that are wrong with the world.

They then use those examples to justify their unbelief.

This is most unfortunate, because the plain and simple truth is that we live in a fallen world.

The believer understands that this world is our home for a short time.

In the grand scheme of things we are merely passing through on our way to a much better home.

Philippians 3:20 (NET) – But our citizenship is in heaven – and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…

The unbeliever has a difficult time understanding this.

If there is indeed a God, they ask, why would He permit bad things to happen?

Granted bad things do happen.

Such is the nature of a fallen world.

But these are not merely bad things.

They are much more/

They are opportunities for Christians to serve.

Looking at it from that perspective we see things in a completely different light.

Why would God permit conflict?

Conflict is an opportunity for Christians to spread peace.

Why would God permit pain?

Pain is an opportunity for Christians to supply relief.

Why would God permit hunger?

Hunger is an opportunity for Christians to feed the hungry.

Why would God permit death?

Death is an opportunity for Christians to console those grieving.

Perhaps Christians, myself included, need to do a better job.

Perhaps we need to step up and take better advantage of these opportunities to serve.

The world will continue to have its problems.

Of that, there can be no doubt.

That is why people so desperately need Jesus Christ.

Perhaps they are simply in too much pain to recognize that fact.

Maybe it is time we took the words of Jesus to heart again and step up.

Matthew 5:16 (NET) – In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com

A Future Filled With Hope

It happened between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

I went to the store to stock up on necessities.

As soon as I entered the store I saw a child.

She looked so cute seated in the shopping cart.

I could not help but smile.

When she saw me, she waved to me the way children do and said in a loud voice, “Hi!”

This startled her parents who had not noticed me yet.

I was waving back to her in the same way when they noticed me.

We shared a laugh before I resumed my shopping.

I encountered them several more times in the store and each time this scene replayed itself.

As I left the store I thought about this child and the life that she had so recently begun to explore.

Hers was a relatively new book with many chapters waiting to be written.

With New Year’s Day approaching, I thought about the many who would use the day to seek out new beginnings.

Resolutions would be made with the best of intentions.

The number kept would be an entirely different matter.

Many resolutions would fall by the wayside within days of being made.

Such is the nature of human weakness.

Are new beginnings even possible?

Is it possible to start anew with a clean slate?

Scripture assures us that is!

Isaiah 43:35 (NET) – I. I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for My sake; your sins I do not remember.

Hebrews 8:12 (NET) – “For I will be merciful towards their evil deeds, and their sins I will remember no longer.”

Any past, no matter how stained, can be overcome.

We cannot do this on our own.

We need help.

We have to admit that to ourselves and also to God.

With His help, we can put the past forever behind us and live out the kind of life He has planned for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NET) – “For I know what I have planned for you,” says the LORD. “I have plans to prosper you not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com