Opening Up

1 Samuel 3:9 (NET) - So Eli said to Samuel, “Go back and lie down. When he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went back and lay down in his place.

Samuel heard several calls.

Each time he thought it was his master, Eli.

Finally, Eli understood that it was the Lord who was calling Samuel.

Samuel took Eli’s advice.

When he did, he began to develop a personal relationship with the Lord.

Hearing is one thing.

Listening, really listening, is another.

Once Samuel listened, his heart was opened.

He was then able to respond to what the Lord was saying.

Something similar happened to a woman named Lydia.

In Acts, we read of Paul’s travels to Philippi.

On the Sabbath, he journeyed outside the city to pray.

A group of women gathered, and Paul spoke with them.

Acts 16:14 (NET) - A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.

The Lord used Paul’s words to open Lydia’s heart.

She and her family were then baptized.

Does the Lord still call?

I believe that He does.

But are we too distracted to respond?

He may be using others to reach us.

Or are we too busy to take notice?

Or perhaps He is trying to reach others through us.

Or have we become too indifferent to care?

When these things happen, we can call upon the Lord.

He can help us remove the distractions.

He can help us to refocus our efforts.

He can rekindle the love in our hearts and open them.

We can then open our hearts to God and to those around us once more.

God can even open the hearts of others through us if we let Him.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 26, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, December 3, 2021

Into the Light

Isaiah 60:19-20 (NET) - The sun will no longer supply light for you by day, nor will the moon’s brightness shine on you; the Lord will be your permanent source of light—the splendor of your God will shine upon you. Your sun will no longer set; your moon will not disappear; the Lord will be your permanent source of light; your time of sorrow will be over.

After the summer solstice, the days began to get shorter.

At first the change was imperceptible.

After all, the decrease was just over two minutes a day.

By now, the cumulative change has become more pronounced.

And, with the upcoming time change, the onset of evening will arrive even earlier.

Isaiah spoke of a much different light.

This light would never dim, nor would it depend upon either the time of day or year.

This light would forever shine upon man.

This light would be the light of the Lord.

Jesus is that light.

In fact, He told us this.

John 12:46 (NET) - I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness.

Christ wants us to live in the light – His light.

Because of His sacrifice, we no longer need to live in darkness.

We can live in the light.

Jesus can light our path and lead us out of whatever darkness surrounds us.

We can bask in the light and warmth of His love.

But what then?

We must then reflect His light toward others.

Others who continue to dwell in darkness and suffering.

With His help, we can invite them to step out of the shadows and the cold.

Then, they too can bask in the light and warmth of His love.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 12, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, November 19, 2021