With All Due Respect

Habakkuk 2 ends with warnings to the wicked.

The final verse is more than just a warning, it is a command.

It commands all to give God the respect He deserves.

More importantly, it is the respect He expects.

Habakkuk 2:20 (NRSVue) - But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him!

In Mark 11, we see a side of Jesus we do not normally see.

When Jesus enters His Father’s house, he sees the money changers and becomes indignant.

In fact, in His righteous anger, Jesus drives them out.

Mark 11:17 – (NRSVue) - He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”

One of the duties I have accepted in my church is to act as the audio/visual coordinator.

Along with monitoring the sound board, I also broadcast our service.

My duties include arriving early, setting up equipment, and testing each component to make certain everything is ready to go.

But beyond the duties, I want to make certain that the work I do is not a distraction.

My goal is to enhance the experience for everyone.

If I ever feel my duties have become a distraction, I will resign.

One of the very first things I do when I step into God’s house is offer a prayer.

I thank God for the abilities He has generously bestowed upon me.

I also pray that my every action in the performance of my duties will be accepted as a form of worship.

In this way, I hope to give God His expected reverence and awe. 

I pray that I will be open to His guidance in making decisions that bring honor to Him. 

I pray for a desire to give God my absolute best in His house of worship.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, March 28, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, April 4, 2025

New Creations

Isaiah 62 is about vindication and salvation.

It also speaks of a new name - a new creation.

Isaiah 62:2b (NRSVue) - and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.

In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul writes about reconciliation.

He also touches on a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – (NRSVue) - So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!

But what does it mean to be a new creation?

In basic terms, the moment we establish a relationship with Christ, we become a new creation.

We are different from the way we were before.

We start to see things in a new way.

We begin to understand things that mystified us before.

We are given a new and fresh start.

Moreover, God grants us courage to make this new beginning count!

As we proceed on our journey through Lent, we see the cross before us.

But as new creations, we also see the empty tomb that lies beyond it!

Colossians 3:9-11 (NRSVue) - Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, enslaved and free, but Christ is all and in all!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, March 28, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, April 4, 2025

Living Instead of Surviving

In Isaiah 46, the prophet reminds the people that God is unique in the universe.

No one compares to Him.

Isaiah 46:9 (NRSVue) - remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me,

At the beginning of Revelation, John concludes his introduction.

Revelation 1:8 – (NRSVue) - I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Aside from God, everyone and everything is finite.

We are born, we live, and we die.

Even the churches of Earth are finite.

God existed long before human beings were created.

God existed long before the first church buildings were constructed.

Our lives, in fact, all recorded history pales in comparison to Eternal God.

Our lives on earth are certainly brief by comparison,

But God gives each of us this moment in time to flourish.

How much time each of us has here is not important.

What we do with the time God grants us is.

And we really do not begin to truly live until we fix our gaze upon the Eternal God.

When we seek to please God our lives flourish,

We cease surviving.

We begin living,

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, March 14, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, March 21, 2025

Grace Is for Everyone

In Job 12, Job claims that he is a laughingstock.

Yet Job understands God’s wisdom and strength.

Moreover, Job understands that everyone belongs to God.

Job 12:16 (NRSVue) - With him are strength and wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.

Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, goes a step further.

Everyone belongs to God.

And God wants everyone to be saved.

1 Timothy 2:4 (NRSVue) – who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Pilate asked, “What is truth?”

The simple answer is Christ,

Jesus said as much to His followers.

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

Scripture and a personal relationship with God can teach us much in the way of wisdom.

They can help us discern the truth and be saved.

But we must remember that everyone belongs to God.

And so, we have a responsibility to share God’s redeeming grace with others.

Like us, they belong to God.

Like us, God wants them to be saved.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, January 28, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, March 7, 2025

The Power of the Understated

Scripture often has a great deal to say about some people.

People like Moses, Abraham, and David come to mind.

There are others, to be sure.

In comparison, some are barely mentioned,

There may be a verse here and a verse there making these individuals easy to overlook.

Enoch was such a person.

Genesis 5 tells us he was the father of Methuselah.

But then Scripture adds one especially important verse.

Genesis 5:24 (NRSVue) - Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him.

Here, scripture tells us that “Enoch walked with God.”

Although brief, this statement is full of meaning.

What does it mean to walk with God?

Well, what does it mean when we walk with someone?

It means we have a personal relationship with that person.

So, when Scripture tells us that “Enoch walked with God” it means that Enoch had a personal relationship with God.

Later, the New Testament adds a bit more about Enoch and his relationship with God.

Hebrews 11:5 (NRSVue) - By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death, and “he was not found, because God had taken him.” For it was attested before he was taken away that “he had pleased God.”

Enoch not only walked with God, but Enoch also “had pleased God.”

These are two small verses from among thousands in Scripture.

But they should make us ask, “Do I walk with God?”

They should make us ask, “Do I please God?”

The only way we can respond yes is to have a personal relationship with God.

When it comes to Scripture, never underestimate the power fn the understated.

Sometime the most important things Scripture has to say, it says in a few words.

It can even do it in as few as two words…

John 11:35 (KJV) - Jesus wept.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, January 24, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, February 7, 2025

New Year; New You

Psalm 48 is a song about the strength of Zion.

But the Psalmist ends the song with a reminder of the source of strength.

Psalm 48:14 (NRSVue) - that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.

John 14 is a beautiful chapter,

In its opening verses, Christ reminds his followers of several inescapable facts,

He reminds them that He is going to prepare a place for them.

He also reminds them that they know the way.

Only Thomas asks the question that the others were asking themselves.

“Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

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

As we enter a new year, it is good to bear these facts in mind.

Change is inevitable.

But as a rule, we resist change.

But change is necessary if we are to grow spiritually.

The man I am today is different from the boy I once was.

Nor am I the man I was decades ago.

In years to come, I will not be the same man I am today.

Yet throughout the years of change and personal growth, God remained constant.

As we leave behind another year and embark on another trip around the sun, we leave things behind.

Perhaps the past year was one of joy.

Perhaps it was one of sorrow.

More likely, it was a year that combined both.

As we embark on the new year, we know that change lies ahead.

May we see the challenges we encounter as opportunities for spiritual growth.

May we remember that God never changes.

May we remember that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

May we remember that He is the way to the Father.

And may we not be the same people we were when the new year comes to its end.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, January 10, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, January 17, 2025

We Change, God Does Not

Psalm 40:3a (NRSVue) - He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.

Psalm 40 encompasses two themes.

It is a psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance.

It is also a prayer for help. 

Yet both share a common root.

God delivers and is a source of help because He is eternal and unchanging.

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, reminds his readers that they are to change.

Paul discusses the old life and the new life.

Paul reminds them, and us, we need renewal.

Ephesians 4:23 (NRSVue) - and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds

But this renewal is only possible because God is eternal and unchanging.

We must be the ones to change.

We must give up our old lives and claim our new ones.

This is only possible because it is God who does the renewing within us.

God has always loved humanity even when humanity has failed to love Him in return.

God planned for humanity’s salvation even when our faith in Him faltered.

Through the eternal and unchanging God, we can surrender our old lives and claim our new ones.

And, as God renews our faith, we can offer our heartfelt thanksgiving for deliverance. 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, May 24, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, June 7, 2024

To the End of the Age

Psalm 102:26 (NRSVue) - They will perish, but you endure; they will all wear out like a garment. You change them like clothing, and they pass away,

Psalm 102 is a prayer.

It is a prayer from one in crisis and in need of help.

It is a prayer to the eternal and unchanging God.

Matthew 28 begins with the resurrection of Jesus.

It ends with the commissioning of the disciples.

Jesus concludes this commission with a reminder; a reminder that He is ever present.

Matthew 28:20 (NRSVue) - and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Our lives, indeed, our world changes.

New islands are formed.

Mountains wear away.

But it is not only the physical world that changes.

Politicians make promises without intending to honor them.

The price of necessities continues to rise.

The list goes on.

But there is something upon which we can rely.

We can rely on an unchanging, ever present, triune God.

The psalmist understood this.

Jesus reminded us of this.

That is something upon which to rely!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, February 9, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, February 16, 2024

Moving Forward an Hour Back

Matthew 11:29-30 (NET) - Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.

People in my part of the world recently set our clocks back one hour.

I am still getting accustomed to the time change,

Frankly, I wish we could leave the time alone rather than change it twice each year.

It always takes time for me to adjust to the new time.

I find the time change this time of year particularly unsettling.

That is human nature.

By the time I have finished my workday the sun is already in the process of setting.

In practically no time at all, nightfall sets in.

With things still left to be done, it can be hard to get motivated to do these things after dark.

That is why I love these words from Jesus at this time of year.

He reminds us that our load does not have to be heavy.

That is because the work He gives us is easy to bear.

Furthermore, He reminds us that we can still find rest.

How can a load, any load, be easy to bear?

We find this in His answer to a Pharisee also found in Matthew’s gospel.

Matthew 22:37-39 (NET) - Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

In the end, it does not matter that it gets dark shortly after the workday ends.

We not only have Christ’s words. we have His example.

When the work we do expresses our love for God and neighbor, the load is easy to bear.

This even applies to the work we refer to as our profession.

This also makes the rest we find afterward true rest.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 6, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 13, 2020

 

Comfort and Peace

Leviticus 26:5 (NET) - I will grant peace in the land so that you will lie down to sleep without anyone terrifying you. I will remove harmful animals from the land, and no sword of war will pass through your land.

A young friend recently called me.

He had just experienced the death of his mother.

I understood the loss only too well as I experienced it personally years ago.

Although much time has passed for me, I remember only too well the initial shock and pain.

Unfortunately, the pandemic prevents me from putting my arm around my friend.

The only comforts I could offer him were words spoken over the phone.

But I trust that God will comfort my young friend just as he comforted me.

Philippians 4:7 (NET) - And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

True comfort can be found in Jesus.

Thanks to Him, death is not the end but merely a transition.

True peace can be found in God; the peace that exceeds all understanding.

One day, my young friend will truly discover this just as I did.

He will also learn something else.

The love we have endures.

No matter how much time passes, we continue to love those who have died.

Not even death has the power to alter that.

In reflection, one thing does concern me.

Although the LORD provides true peace and comfort, we are meant to comfort others as well.

We were meant to be part of a community.

One day the pandemic will be but a memory.

Will we have grown comfortable with distance?

I certainly hope not.

I pray God will help us truly be close once more to comfort one another.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 23, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 6, 2020

 

The Good Shepherd

Psalm 23:3 (NRSV) - he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23 is something special.

It is among those passages of scripture we memorize very early on.

We find comfort in its words.

We turn to it when we are grieving the loss of a loved one.

We have heard it recited at funeral services time and again.

Psalm 23 begins with these timeless words…

“The LORD is my shepherd.”

That is why my attention currently turns to the third verse.

Particularly the phrase, “He leads me in right paths.”

After all, that is exactly what a good shepherd does for his sheep.

He leads them where he wants them to go, to places where they need to be.

These may not necessarily be places where they would go on their own.

I know people who have raised sheep.

Being compared to them is not necessarily a compliment.

Sheep are stubborn.

Left on their own. they can quickly find themselves in trouble.

That is why sheep require a good shepherd in order to thrive… and so do we.

Jesus reminds us that He is the Good Shepherd.

John 16:14 (NRSV) - I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

Christ knows us and we know Him.

Just like a good shepherd guides his flock, so Jesus guides us.

His is the voice that tells us to love God and to love our neighbor.

In a world full of uncertainty, we can take comfort.

We can completely rely on our Good Shepherd to guide us.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 9, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 16, 2020

Best Plan Ever

Psalm 71:17 (NET) - O God, you have taught me since I was young, and I am still declaring your amazing deeds.

Since the beginning, God has done the miraculous.

He spoke the universe into existence.

From the farthest flung galaxies to our neighboring moon, the universe declares God’s glory.

The Earth itself is also a testament to God’s glory from one extreme to the other.

For example, the wings of a butterfly are frail and delicate.

The wings of an eagle, however, are strong and sturdy.

Yet, God created both.

God created both the depths of the oceans and the highest mountain tops 

Personally, I am quite fond of the mathematical and scientific formulas I use daily.

The fact that they work time after time tells me that God is behind everything.

A growing number of scientists now concur that there is an intentional design to the universe.

That means that there must be a master designer as well.

In short, God is the master planner.

But of all God’s plans, one outshines them all.

In Luke’s gospel we read of a man named Simeon.

The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Redeemer.

This happened when Joseph and Mary brought the young Jesus to Jerusalem.

The moment Simeon took Jesus into his arms, he knew the Redeemer had come.

Luke 2:28-30 (NET) - Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying, “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation

Of all the wonders planned and brought about by God one outshines them all.

That wonder is none other than Jesus.

For in his eternal wisdom, God knew we could never save ourselves.

Therefore, He planned for our salvation from the beginning and brought Jesus into His creation.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 25, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 2, 2020

 

Fruits of the Spirit

Nehemiah 9:20 (NET) - You imparted your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths; you provided water for their thirst.

The Holy Spirit is the least understood member of the Trinity.

But the same Holy Spirit who helped those who came before us helps us as well.

Moreover, we do not need to fully comprehend the Holy Spirit in order to know Him. .

That is because He has been given to us,

John 14:17 (NET) - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.

It is the Spirit that enables us to learn and do things for God.

It is the Spirit that enables us to learn and do things for our fellow man,

But there is a difference.

God is omniscient, so He knows absolutely everything we do.

Our fellow man however is not omniscient.

He is most likely aware only of what we specifically do for him at the time.

He might even identify us that way.

For example some know me as an employee, a coworker, a teacher, an author and so on.

In fact, a friend at church recently identified me as a “tech guy”.

I am sure everyone can relate.

We might even feel frustrated by this from time to time, but this does not have to be so.

We just need to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us in everything we do.

Then the things we do become “fruits of the Spirit”.

This means that they become evidence of the Holy Spirit to others.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NET) - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Doesn’t today’s world need to witness more of these things?

Just remember that Jesus reminds us of something important in one of His parables.

Luke 12:48 (NET) - But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. 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.

There are times when we might feel like there is no room on our plate to do one more thing for anyone.

That is when the Holy Spirit can truly surprise us.

He can choose to make our plate bigger and surprise others as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 11, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 18, 2020

 

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

 

I Can't Breathe

“I can’t breathe.”

These could have been the final words of a COVID-19 patient on a ventilator.

Sadly, they were the last words of George Floyd while being restrained by four police officers.

Now the nation, indeed the world, is outraged by the injustice.

As Christians, we too must take a stand against injustice.

There are so many references to justice in scripture that I cannot list them all here.

That’s indicative of just how important justice is to God.

It should be equally important to us.

Many people think that God, whom we see in the Old Testament, is vindictive.

Yet the following verse shows us that God cares deeply about justice.

Isaiah 1:17 (NET) - Learn to do what is right. Promote justice. Give the oppressed reason to celebrate. Take up the cause of the orphan. Defend the rights of the widow.

Meaningful change is possible.

But we must be willing to allow God to change us from within.

Ezekiel 36:26 (NET) - I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh.

But what of those who are victims of injustice?

The same God continues to love them deeply.

Psalm 34:18 (NET) - The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.

God is clear about justice; He is equally clear on vengeance.

Romans 12:19 (NET) - Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

The days to come will reveal how we choose to respond to injustice.

We must remember that Christ commands us to love our neighbor.

I hope we take His command completely to heart.

We had better, because God sees all and will hold us accountable.

Hebrews 4:13 (NET) - And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

I pray we all can make a fresh start.

Perhaps our very youngest can teach us all a valuable lesson.

After all, no one is born knowing how to hate.

If we take these lessons to heart, we can all move forward.

Even what now seems distant can happen!

Amos 5:24 (NET) - Justice must flow like torrents of water, righteous actions like a stream that never dries up.

We must be willing to talk.

More importantly, we must be willing to listen.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 12, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 19, 2020

Changes and Constants

Those of you who follow my regular offerings will notice this one is in a different format. This is intentional because of all that is going on around us. It is my hope that you will read it anyway.

Our routines have been turned upside down and it is very probable that even more changes are in store. The question then arises: What should we be doing during this period of change?

1.      Do Not Fear. It is important that we do not fear. There are dozens upon dozens of verses reminding us not to fear.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NET) - Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

.

2.      Love Your Children. This should be obvious, and it seems simple. It should be easier with schools closed and parents working from home. Just remember that children learn from our actions and not just our words. If we show fear, they will naturally pick up on this and it will become their response to the situation as well. Remind your children that you love them! Remind them that God loves them!

Proverbs 22:6 (NET) - Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

3.      Do Not Hoard. We’ve all seen the news items where people have run to the stores and purchased so much more than they needed. People have been injured and even fights have broken out over the simplest of items. Remember those whose lives are already difficult like the elderly and handicapped who may have difficulty just getting to the store. Imagine being in their place and not being able to get what you need most because others chose to panic buy.

Proverbs 3:27 (NET) - Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help.

4.      Be Patient and Kind. Until our lives return to normal, we will still have to do things like wait in line or have the store clerk tell us they are momentarily out of an item. When these and other events like them occur we must continue to love our neighbor as Christ commands us. Yes, this even applies to those who may decide to treat us unkindly.

Colossians 3:12-13 (NET) - Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

5.      More Changes. As much as our routines have changed, we could be in store for additional changes and the sooner we get accustomed to that idea the better. But there are some constants we will always be able to rely upon.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NET) - Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!

6.      Rely Upon God. Things will get better, but we must rely upon God rather than ourselves until they do!

Isaiah 41:10 (NET) -  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you— yes, I help you— yes, I uphold you with my victorious right hand

7.      Jesus Christ Never Changes. No matter how much things change, there is one glorious constant we can always count on. Jesus Christ never changes!

Hebrews 13:8 (NET) - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!

Yes, our lives have changed in some radical ways. Perhaps there are more changes to come. But through it all we can rely upon Christ who never changes. We can rely upon His word. We can rely upon His promise. Things will get better, but until they do, let us remember how He told us to live!

Blessings Always,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 27, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 3, 2020

A Clean Start

A new year is once again upon us.

Many of us see this as an opportunity to make resolutions.

A chance to make some changes that will perhaps improve the quality of our lives.

We may promise ourselves to eat healthier foods or get more exercise or get enough sleep.

When you get down to it, resolutions are about making a new start with a clean slate.

What’s not to like about that?

Unfortunately, we are flawed human beings.

We may keep these promises for a few days or weeks, but then we easily lapse back into our old habits.

We might even go as far as to promise ourselves that next year we will do better.

Next year we will get it right.

A clean start is not impossible.

To make a significant and lasting change we need to change our perspective.

When it comes to resolutions, we tend to focus our gaze inwardly upon ourselves

                                                                                                                          

But what would happen if we were to refocus our gaze outwardly toward Jesus and our fellow man?

Something amazing.

That would bring about significant and lasting change.

That would really be starting with a clean slate.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NET) - So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!

What does this have to do with our fellow man?

Christ himself pointed the way.

A short time before His crucifixion, Christ washed the feet of his disciples.

He did this for a reason.

John 13:11 (NET) - For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you.

Christ does not simply tell us how to live, He shows us!

New and lasting change is not impossible.

We just need to know where to look.

By looking first to Christ, we become a new creation.

We do this by listening to His words and following His example.

Resolutions are easily abandoned.

But the more we do as Christ bids us, the more we wish to continue.

John 13:34 (NET) - I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 11, 2019.

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

The Wisdom of Scripture

People, as a rule, dislike change.

Yet there are times when change is inevitable.

Scripture is clear on this.

The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us of just some of the many changes we can expect in this world.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NET) - For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones; time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to search, and a time to give something up as lost; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; A time to rip, and a time to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Sometimes, change comes upon us without warning.

Often, we can see it coming on the horizon.

When the latter is the case, the more effort we put in early on the better.

By waiting until the last-minute, we put undue stress on ourselves.

We also put unnecessary stress on others as well.

In preparation for a future change I was assigned a very rigorous and physically demanding task.

I knew that once I started it would take me several days to complete the task.

I have not done this sort of work in a very long time.

But being in good health for my age I took on the task with vigor.

                                                                                                                          

One verse kept coming to mind as I worked at it.

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

This was especially true as I neared the end of my task,

After several days of hard work, I realized the task was near completion.

I realized that if I put good effort into it and counted on His help I could have the task finished by day’s end.

That is what happened,

As soon as the task was complete, scripture reminded me of something else.

The need for rest.

After God created the universe in six days, he rested on the seventh.

Even Jesus sought out quiet places from time to time.

Following their example, I now take some time to rest.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 9, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 16, 2018

Agents of Change

People, as a rule, dislike change.

If we had our way, we would like things to stay pretty much the way they are.

Yet things change all the time.

No matter how much we dislike it, one thing can be said for change.

Without change growth would be impossible.

There would be no advancement.

There would be no advancements in medicine.

There would be no advancements in technology.

Despite every advancement people still tend to dislike change.

People in the past were not that much different from us.

About 2,000 years, people encountered the biggest change ever in Jesus Christ.

His earthly ministry was unlike anything ever seen before.

He ministered to the lowly and outcast.

He healed the sick and the lame.

His criticisms were reserved for those in positions of authority.

Even the dead were brought back to life.

That made Christ the greatest agent of change… ever.

Many disliked this change.

This was true even after His death.

In the book of Acts we see that the apostles were to be the next agents of change.

They quickly found themselves in trouble for it.

They were brought before the council and the high priest for their efforts.

But a Pharisee and teacher of the law, Gamaliel, began to understand.

He told the others…

Acts 5:38-39a (NET) - So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing, but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found fighting against God.”

2,000 years have gone by and no one has been able to stop the changes Jesus set into motion.

Changes that began with Christ continued through the apostles.

It now falls to us to be the agents of change in a world that dislikes change.

But we can only be agents of change with His help.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 10, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 17, 2018