Offering First Choice

Genesis 13:8 (NET) - Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no quarreling between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are close relatives.

Friction developed when Abram traveled with his nephew Lot.

Both had an abundance of flocks, herds, and tents.

But the land was unable to support them both.

The herdsmen of Abram and Lot began quarreling.

The only solution was for Abram and Lot to part ways.

This could have been a source of contention as well.

Fortunately, Abram knew just how to cope with the situation.

Abram spoke with Lot.

He said that quarrels should be set aside.

He told Lot that since they must separate, he would give Lot his choice of direction.

Lot looked eastward over the land of the Jordan.

He saw that it was fertile with an abundance of water.

Lot chose this direction.

Abram then traveled in the opposite direction toward Canaan.

By human standards we would say that Lot came out ahead in the transaction.

But God had designs of his own.

He told Abram to look in every direction.

He would give Abram all the land he saw.

He also promised Abram that he would father many descendants.

Abram settled in a good place and built an altar to the Lord.

Paul also understood the importance of reconciliation.

He understood that, for Christians, it is important to place others first.

Romans 12:10 (NET) - Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.

True love is a love without hypocrisy.

True love is a love without condition.

True love is a love with honor.

Yes, true love is a love that gives the other first choice.

We are reconciled with God through Christ.

God did this because He loved us.

We must love God in return.

We must also love others.

That means we should seek to end quarrels and reconcile ourselves with them.

It also means giving them the first choice.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 23, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, August 6, 2021

Faithful to the End

Isaiah 53:1 (NET) - Who would have believed what we just heard? When was the Lord’s power revealed through him?

Isaiah begins this chapter by posing two questions?

He then answers these questions in a prophecy that would be fulfilled by Jesus.

This prophecy would be fulfilled centuries later.

Isaiah describes the pain, rejection and suffering Jesus would endure.

He also explains why Jesus had to endure it all.

Isaiah describes man’s rebellious and sinful nature.

He also clearly describes how Christ would endure this without protest.

He even describes His association with criminals and burial in a borrowed tomb.

All these things happened just as prophesied.

The fulfillment of this prophecy means we are saved!

But it is not enough for us to bask in the light of salvation alone.

Paul understood this.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul explains the responsibility we now have.

1 Timothy 6:12 (NET) - Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses.

Paul states that we must not only claim eternal life, but we must compete well for the faith.

That means making others aware of our transformation as well.

We can certainly do this through our words.

We can also do this through our actions.

It is perhaps our actions that speak loudest of all.

In the end, God has emerged victorious.

He did this through His one and only Son.

Sin has been defeated.

With it, all fear has dissipated.

So, let us turn to God in praise.

Let us also ask to be energized.

Then, we can follow the example of Jesus and remain faithful to the end.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 9, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, July 16, 2021