A Bigger Plate

On Sunday, one of our young people was confirmed.

I enjoy Confirmation services for many reasons.

First, they remind me of my own Confirmation service many years ago.

Second, the words written by those confirmed give me hope for the future.

Third, it is always interesting to see which passages of scripture mean the most to them.

Finally, it is interesting to hear their responses to two questions.

One, what do you expect the church to provide you?

And two, what do you expect to provide the church?

Frankly, those are questions we need to ask ourselves as we journey through life.

As time goes by our answers will undoubtedly change,

This makes for an excellent barometer for our spiritual walk throughout life.

I was delighted to hear this young lady’s responses.

I was also delighted in her choice of scripture.

Among them is one I would have chosen myself.

Philippians 4:13 (NET) - I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

This young lady, indeed, all our young people give me hope.

Through that hope, I remain optimistic about the future.

As I reflect on my own Confirmation service decades ago, I think about something else.

One day, these young people will look back.

I hope they remember these days… and us… fondly.

One more thing.

I wonder if this young lady holds another passage of scripture as highly as I do.

Luke 12:48b (NET) - 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.

Very probably.

They go hand in hand.

Sometimes, when you think you cannot fit one more thing on your plate, God surprises you.

He doesn’t remove anything from your plate.

Sometimes, He simply gives you a bigger plate.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 8, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 15, 2019

Who Is Truth?

One of the most profound questions in scripture can be found in John 18.

In this chapter Jesus is brought before Pilate.

In verse 38, Pilate asks this question.

John 18:38 (NET) - Pilate asked, “What is truth?”

That question is just as profound today.

Perhaps more so.

In today’s world, truth is considered a relative concept.

It has been stated that what is truth for one, may not be truth for another.

This is impossible as truth, by its very essence, means it must be absolute rather than relative.

As I tell my students: The truth is the truth… and that is that.

Perhaps the better question to ask is: “Who is truth?”

That is the explanation Christ gave Pilate just before the question was asked.

John 18:37 (NET) - …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.”

Jesus is the source of truth.

He said it here and elsewhere.

John 14:6 (NET) - Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

That’s as absolute as it gets.

John 1:14 (NET) - Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.

Understanding that Jesus is truth and this truth is not relative is important.

What of it?

What does this achieve?

A great deal, actually,

This sets us free.

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

Freedom?

From what?

Will life suddenly be trouble free?

Jesus was clear on this as well.

Matthew 16:24 (NET) - Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

Jesus never promised us an easy way through this world.

But He told us He is the truth and what is required of us.

And… life is certainly better with Him than without Him.

What of those who disagree with us?

Jesus told us that we must love them.

That is also true.

We do not have to agree with everyone.

To do so makes truth relative.

We must be willing to take a stand for the truth.

But… we must do so with love.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 25, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 1, 2019

Reflecting His Light

It’s that time of year when it gets dark earlier.

Sometimes the sun is just setting behind me as I drive home.

At these times the setting sun can cause buildings to have a soft glow.

At the same time the sky behind them can be quite dark.

The contrast between the two is often quite remarkable.

This never lasts more than a few minutes at best.

Just moments later, the sun dips completely behind the horizon and darkness begins to reign again.

My thoughts turn to the light of God we are supposed to reflect to a darkened world.

Turning on the news or scanning the headlines reminds us of how much darkness there is.

This darkness is not impacted by the time of day,

It is always there.

That is why it is imperative that we reflect the light the Lord shines on us.

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.

Sharing God’s light with others may not be as difficult as we think.

We start by thinking of others rather than ourselves.

We may not always find this easy.

Each of us encounters difficult people.

Yet the people we find most difficult to love are the ones who need love the most.

Scripture reminds us that we are to love them.

Luke 6:31 (NET) - Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.

Some refer to this as the Golden Rule.

Whether we call it that or not makes no difference,

Our actions speak louder than our words.

Paul said this…

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET) - And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Now faith is a wonderful thing.

Who among us doesn’t like hope?

But love is the greatest of these.

Love is the key.

Through it, we reflect God’s light to others.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 11, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 18, 2019