The Spectrum of Faith

Daniel 2:47 (NKJV) - The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him.

He even lost sleep over it.

None of the King’s inner circle was able to interpret the dream.

Daniel went before the king and explained that it is God who grants insight and wisdom.

Daniel then prayed to God.

With God’s help, Daniel succeeded in interpreting the dream.

So impressed was the king, that he acknowledged God’s omniscience.

He also made Daniel the ruler of an entire province.

Sometimes our faith is so strong that nothing can seem to shake it.

We are as convinced as King Nebuchadnezzar was that day.

But sometimes we allow our circumstances to impact our faith.

Like another king, we are not quite as convinced.

Paul discovered this in the presence of King Agrippa.

Paul told the king of his life before he met Christ.

He told him how he even persecuted Christians.

But then he told the king of his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.

Paul told him that this encounter changed his life forever.

Paul then told the king that he knew the king believed the prophets.

Yet King Agrippa’s level of faith was not on the same level as that of King Nebuchadnezzar.

Acts 26:27-28 (NKJV) - King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

Sometimes our faith gets shaken.

Perhaps we have lost our job.

Perhaps our health is not what it once was.

Perhaps we have lost a loved one.

When circumstances shake our faith, it is important to remember that it is not gone.

In times like these, we can remember how much God still loves us.

We can ask God for restoration.

We can even ask Him to work within those who are in positions of authority.

Perhaps they will become as convinced as King Nebuchadnezzar.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 10, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, March 17, 2023

Mentors Are Very Special Blessings

Proverbs 27:17 (GNT) - People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.

Anyone who obtains a mentor in life should consider themselves blessed.

Anyone who obtains two in their lifetime is truly blessed.

The first of my mentors taught me to be a professional.

He also taught me not to overcomplicate things.

No one doubted his ability to solve a complex problem.

He also had the ability to explain the problem and the solution to non-professionals clearly.

Even though I no longer work in that industry, his lessons serve me well.

My other mentor was a spiritual mentor.

Although well educated, she never talked down to anyone.

She was truly humble.

She also had a servant’s heart.

It was her guidance that led me to teach Sunday School and Bible School for adults.

And although her knowledge was vast, her actions and demeanor spoke louder than words.

So, I do indeed feel blessed that God granted me two mentors,

I feel even more blessed in that I considered each a friend.

My professional mentor passed away several years ago.

My spiritual mentor very recently.

In reflecting on them both, the passage from Proverbs immediately came to mind.

I learned from each one just as iron sharpens iron.

And as I grow older, I will consider myself even more blessed if I should mentor someone.

I miss my mentors and friends.

But although I miss them, I do not grieve in the conventional sense.

Christ’s words from the Sermon on the Mount also spring to mind.

Those who willingly and freely share of themselves do God’s will.

They obey the words of Jesus.

And they will see God.

Matthew 5:8 (GNT) - Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!

In loving memory of H. K.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 24, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, March 3, 2023