Thursday, August 20, 2015

Free Access

Human beings like to stay connected.

Cell phones, email and social media are just some examples of how we stay connected with each other.

More than a few businesses have become aware of our desire to remain connected.

Some have even offered ways to help us do that as a means of attracting business.

Recently I entered a small cafe.

I chose to spend time in this particular café instead of others nearby because it offered free wireless Internet access.

After I made my purchase I took tried to connect my device to their free service.

The signal was very week,

It took quite a while for my device to connect to their service.

Once connected, I discovered the bandwidth was extremely low and it took considerable time for web pages to load.

Fortunately, I am a patient person and I knew I could live with this.

Suddenly, the signal disappeared completely.

It reappeared a few minutes later and, just like before, it disappeared.

This happened several times.

Having finished my meal, I returned home and checked my device to make certain it was working properly.

My device was in good working order.

The problems I experienced were simply due to the cafe’s free wireless Internet access.

No wonder the service was free.

Isn’t it funny that when man offers you something free of charge he often tries to give you as little as possible?

God provides us with many things that are free and the things He provides us do not diminish in quality just because they are free.

Salvation is a great example.

We do nothing to either earn it or deserve it; yet this priceless gift is free to those who accept it.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NET) – For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We also have free, unlimited access to God 24/7.

We can communicate with God through prayer no matter where in the world we are, no matter the time of day and no matter how many others happen to be praying.

Philippians 4:6 (NET) – Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God,

The gifts God bestows upon us are remarkable.

They are also completely reliable.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 28, 2015.
I’ll be back here on Friday, September 4, 2015


Thursday, August 6, 2015

Love Replaces Fear

When I first posted to this blog site I promised those that started it that my posts would be uplifting.

I think that have kept that promise thus far.

I will continue to keep it even though this discussion starts out with something that seems anything but uplifting.

Hell.

Hell is a reality most people would rather not think about.

The concept of Hell being an actual place can and does make people feel uncomfortable.

Matthew 13:42 (NET) – They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

It is easy to see why this makes people feel uncomfortable.

That is not necessarily a bad thing because discomfort is a great motivator for change.

When you touch a hot stove the discomfort you feel in your hand motivates you to move your hand away before more permanent damage is done.

The fact that there are consequences for the choices we have made or failed to make in life is often the motivation required for change.

Jesus also spoke about what happens as a result of such a change.

Matthew 13:43 (NET) – Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears had better listen!

This is indeed good news.

But something really wonderful happens when a life is transformed in such a way.

We begin to live a life based on love rather than fear.

We desire to please God in our words and actions because we love Him not because we fear Him.

God is our Father.

He planned for our salvation before time itself existed.

2 Peter 3:9 (NET) – The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some regard slowness, but is patient toward you, because He does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

He loves us and he wants our love in return.

He desires our love rather than our fear.

Even if the thought of hell was the initial motivation for change, the love we have for God ultimately becomes our primary motivation.

It is a love that grows stronger and deeper with each passing day.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 14, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 21, 2015

Because Jesus is THE Way, THE Truth and THE Life

Jesus

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life

God Bless You

Blessings