Good One

 

Psalm 100:5 (NET) - For the Lord is good. His loyal love endures, and he is faithful through all generations.

We use the word "good" frequently.

Late in the day, we say "good evening" or "good night".

Early in the day, we say "good morning" or "good day".

Considering current events we may find ourselves asking "What's good about anything?"

There is division among races and politics.

There is a global pandemic with no end in sight.

There is violence in the streets of our cities.

People are persecuted for their religious beliefs.

We are forced to remain distant for health reasons.

We might even choose to remain distant once the health crisis has passed.

No wonder it is tempting to ask what is good about anything.

But that is the wrong question.

The best question to ask is "Who is good?"

If we think about it, the answer might surprise us.

If I am to believe scripture, it certainly is not me.

It is not any elected official nor one seeking public office.

It is not any expert in health care.

It is not even a member of law enforcement.

The truth is that not one of us can call ourselves "good".

There is however One that truly is good.

Jesus explained this to a wealthy man.

Mark 10:18 (NET) - Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone."

That is the truth of the matter.

God alone is Good.

Yet God can bring about good things through us regardless of profession.

That includes elected officials, experts in health care and members of law enforcement.

It even includes people like you and me.

God can use each of us to help remedy the problems the world faces.

We must first recognize both His goodness and our shortcomings.

We must cease being stubborn and allow the One who is good to work within us and through us.

Then and only then will we see real and permanent change.

Romans 8:28 (NET) - And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 28, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 4, 2020

Weathering the Storm

Psalm 26:12 (NET) - I am safe, and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord.

It seems a bit ironic to open with this verse these days.

The pandemic has managed to do on a global scale what nothing in recent memory has.

Worshipping in our own churches stopped.

In some cases it restarted only to stop once again.

In some cases it has resumed but with a limited number of worshippers.

Obviously, those in high risks groups should not attend.

We must also understand that some will remain uncomfortable attending in person again for quite some time.

Understanding is, after all, part of what loving one’s neighbor is all about.

Through it all, we must continue to encourage one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NET) - Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.

A wise pastor once reminded me of something at a special worship service.

He stated that the church was not the building, it was the people.

Reflecting on these words reminds me that every believer has been given gifts by God.

Those gifts can build up the church even if a believer cannot attend services at this time.

Some will use their voices.

Some will use their instruments.

Others will use brush and canvas.

Some will even use a computer and the Internet.

1 Corinthians 14:26 (NET) - What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.

All these things, and others, will continue to edify the church until the pandemic passes.

That is because the work we do is not our own.

It is granted to us and inspired by God.

Philippians 1:6 (NET) - For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

The pandemic has certainly changed the current landscape of worship.

These changes, and others still to come, might change the landscape permanently.

We will not know exactly how much until the pandemic has passed.

We might find these changes stressful along the way.

People, as a rule, do not like change.

But working together with God’s help we can weather the winds of change

Let faith, hope and love guide our actions and our words.

Hebrews 12:14 (NET) - Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.

  

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 14, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 21, 2020