Creation Continues; Does Our Gratitude?

Isaiah 48 discusses God as the Creator and the Redeemer.

Through the prophet, God tells the people about new things they knew nothing about.

Isaiah 48:6b (NRSVue) - …From this time forward I tell you new things, hidden things that you have not known.

In Acts 17, Paul is in Athens.

He tells the people there about the Resurrection.

This was new to them.

Some found this too difficult to comprehend.

Still others wanted to know more.

Acts 17:32 (NRSVue) - When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed, but others said, “We will hear you again about this.”

In our modern and hectic world, it is altogether too easy to take things for granted.

God continues to create new wonders for us to appreciate.

Bombarded by distractions, do we really take the time to see them?

If we do, do we appreciate them?

And if we do, are we too busy to give thanks?

From a personal perspective, God creates for us a new life through Christ.

For this alone, our joy should be boundless.

And that joy should only be exceeded by our gratitude.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, September 11, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, September 18, 2026

Ready? Go!

The end times have both fascinated and frightened people for centuries.

As a boy, I listened to a televangelist’s sermon on the topic.

Frankly, his message frightened me for a long time.

In the second chapter of Joel, the prophet’s message can be alarming.

Joel 2:1b (NRSVue) - …for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near

This prophet lived well over 2,000 years ago.

In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks about the need for watchfulness.

Matthew 24:44 (NRSVue) - Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

These words were spoken some 2,000 years ago.

And yet, the world is still here.

The point being, the end times should not frighten us.

We are not meant to live in fear.

But we should be ready.

That means accepting the living Christ as your personal savior.

The end will come when God wills it.

And we should not be tempted to hurry it or postpone it.

In the meantime, we are to love God.

We are to love our neighbor.

Once we live as God intends us to live, we are ready.

And once we are ready, fear no longer has any control over us.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, August 28, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, September 4, 2026

Seeing Others Through God's Eyes

Psalm 100 is a psalm of thanksgiving.

In verse 3, the psalmist acknowledges that the Lord made us.

Psalm 100:3 (NRSVue) - Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

In Acts 11, Peter reports to the church in Jerusalem.

There, the people criticize Peter for associating with the gentiles.

Peter gives them a full account beginning with his vision.

He then tells them of how he responded to the Spirit’s leading,

He also tells them how he was to make no distinction between Jew and gentile.

Their response is remarkable.

Acts 11:18 (NRSVue) - When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

God created all of us.

He gave life to each one of us,

God knows each of us as individuals and God offers His grace to all,

If we could but learn to see others as God sees them.

God can help us do that,

Once we do, we can overcome our petty disagreements and personal prejudices,

Then, we can truly love our brothers and sisters in Christ as God desires for us.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, August 14, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, August 21, 2026

We Are Not Fit to Judge

In Psalm 98, the psalmist praises the judge of the world.

Psalm 98:9 (NRSVue) - for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.

In John 5, Jesus explains his authority as judge.

John 5:30 (NRSVue) - As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

The right to judge is within the authority of the Lord.

It is not within our authority.

Yet daily we judge our neighbors by our own standards.

We judge based on our own set of prejudices, limited experiences and even our moods.

We even judge based on superficial things such as appearance.

We judge, not knowing what is going on in their lives.

We are warned not to judge.

Matthew 7:1 (NRSVue) - Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.

Surely, this is reason enough.

But beyond this, we are not fit to judge.

Only the Lord is fit to judge.

The Lord does not see others as we see them.

The Lord sees with justice.

He also sees with dignity and mercy.

Fortunately, that is also the way the Lord sees us.

Romans 8:1-2 (NRSVue) - Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, July 24, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, August 7, 2026

Sharing the Complete Truth

Psalm 44 has been described as a prayer and a lament.

Beginning in verse 1, the psalmist acknowledges the awe and wonder of God.

Psalm 44:1 (NRSVue) - We have heard with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:

Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, gave him sound instruction on how to teach.

But he also left him with a warning.

2 Timothy 4:3 (NRSVue) - For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires

And Paul’s warning is a good reminder for our modern world.

Some teachers and even some ministers are selective about what to discuss and how to discuss it.

God should always fill us with awe.

His deeds should still amaze us.

And the Bible stands the test of time and is the source of truth.

It should still strike a chord within us.

And that same chord should resonate among believers.

It should also resonate within the hearts and minds of those who teach and preach the Word of God.

We should always share the complete truth of God’s deeds with others.

Just like those who preceded us shared it with us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, August 8, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, August 15, 2025

Pleasing God by Keeping His Word

Leviticus 22 discusses acceptable offerings.

It also reminds us that we are to do what God commands and why.

Leviticus 22:31 (NRSVue) - Thus you shall keep my commandments and observe them: I am the Lord.

In John 14, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His disciples.

Jesus also gives a similar reminder.

John 14:23 (NRSVue) - Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

But how does one keep the word?

How does one keep the commandments?

Jesus explains this in Mark 22.

Mark 22:37-40 (NRSVue) - He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

If we could fully obey these two commandments, we would be fully keeping them all.

And, in doing so we would be living like Enoch.

Genesis 5:22a (NRSVue) - Enoch walked 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.”

Keep God’s word.

Love God and love your neighbor.

In this way, we walk with and please God.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, July 25, 2025.

Dependence Day

The Fourth of July is also known as Independence Day.

It is a day set aside to celebrate freedom.

This celebration will include parades, barbecues, and end with fireworks.

But what does true independence mean?

Scripture leads us to a rather surprising answer to that question.

Psalm 73 is a prayer for relief from oppression.

In verse 26, the psalmist acknowledges his physical and spiritual anxiety.

But even in such a crisis, he knows to whom he can turn.

Psalm 73:26 (NRSVue) - My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Revelation 3 contains messages to the various churches,

One of these is the church in Philadelphia.

Revelation 3:7 (NRSVue) - And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens:

Some put it this way: “When God closes one door, He opens another.”

Speaking from personal experience, this is true.

Many doors have closed in my lifetime.

But just as true, many have opened as well.

This includes a door I stepped through almost three years ago.

It was not a door I anticipated or planned.

It was a door that God led me to and opened for me.

God knows us not only as a people but as individual people.

And His mercies are tailor made for each individual.

There are times when God closes doors, and we have a tough time dealing with that.

And although difficult for us to see, God also opens doors for us appropriate for us in His service.

So, are we independent?

The answer depends on how dependent we are on God.

Those truly dependent on God follow His leading.

They are among the most liberated of all.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, July 11, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, July 18, 2025

A Return to Wisdom

 Proverbs is indeed a book of wisdom.

 Although written centuries ago, Proverbs 15 still provides wisdom for the modern age.

 Proverbs 15:1 (NRSVue) - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

 Paul, in his second letter to Timothy offers encouragement and sound advice.

 And though centuries old, Paul’s words provide wisdom for the modern era as well.

 2 Timothy 1:13– (NRSVue) - Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 Today’s headlines literally scream conflict.

 There is conflict in our streets and on our college campuses.

 There is conflict between our leaders.

 There is even conflict between nations.

 If ever there was a time for wisdom that stands the test of time, surely that time is now,

 I pray that God would grant people, leaders, and nations the wisdom to respond to hostility with soft answers.

 I pray that people, leaders, and nations will return to sound teaching.

 I pray that people, leaders, and nations will remember the importance of faith.

 Speaking for myself, I am under no obligation to agree with everyone.

 I am not told to either condone or adopt their practices.

 But Christ makes it clear that I am obligated to love my neighbors even when I disagree with them.

 Mark 12:31a (NRSVue) - The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

  

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, June 13, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, June 20, 2025

Again I Will Say, Rejoice

 Psalm 5 is about trusting God.

 In verse 11, the psalmist discusses how those who trust God can rejoice.

 Psalm 5:11 (NRSVue) - But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you.

Acts 5, tells of the persecution of the apostles.

After healing many they were arrested.

Freed by an angel of the Lord, they went on with their teaching.

Arrested once more, they were asked about their disobedience.

They responded by saying they obeyed God rather than human authority.

The council was enraged.

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel interceded,

They were flogged and released,

They rejoiced at their persecution.

Acts 5:41-42– (NRSVue) - As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.

Rejoicing in persecution is a sign of faith.

To rejoice in the face of difficulty demonstrates to others the nature of true faith.

Such a demonstration benefits those in our families.

It benefits those whom we encounter regularly.

It especially benefits those who have yet to find a personal relationship with the Lord.

It can lead them from wonder to a genuine rejoicing of their own.

Philippians 4:4-5 (NRSVue) - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, June 13, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, June 20, 2025

Where Treasure Is Found

 Psalm 119 is about the glories of God’s laws.

 With 176 verses, the psalmist had a great deal to say.

 This time around, it was verse 162 thar caught my attention.

 Psalm 119:162 (NRSVue) - I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

 Here, to “find great spoil” equates with finding great treasure.

 And we should consider God’s word to be a great treasure.

 Matthew 13 contains several parables of Jesus.

 One concerns the Kingdom of Heaven.

 As Jesus began this parable, He compared it to a treasure,

Matthew 13:44 – (NRSVue) - The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The list of treasures God bestows is extensive.

Scripture certainly is among them.

And, when the time comes, we will learn firsthand how great a treasure the Kingdom of Heaven is.

But a treasure we can enjoy right now is doing the work of the Kingdom.

There are so many who go through life looking for material wealth and possessions.

Some even succeed.

But these gains do not last.

Unless they are reached before the end, they will find their search and their labor has been in vain.

Others go through life seeking happiness.

They do not realize that true happiness cannot be found in the world.

From that perspective alone, the work of the Kingdom is both vital and rewarding.

Such work is also a treasure.

Jesus even told the disciples as much.

Matthew 9:37-38 (NRSVue) - Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, May 23, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, June 6, 2025

Forgive Us Our Debt

In Psalm 116, the Psalmist gives thanks for a recovery from illness.

Psalm 116:1 (NRSVue) - I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplications.

But illness if not the only time we should earnestly seek God.

In Matthew 18, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant.

In the first part of the parable, a master called together his servants who were in his debt.

One who was severely in debt, begged for mercy.

Matthew 18:26-27– (NRSVue) - So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.

We are burdened by sin.

Like the slave in the parable, we earnestly seek God’s salvation.

Like the Psalmist, we offer our supplication to God.

God healed the Psalmist.

And like the servant in debt, God forgives us.

Although we do not deserve it, God delivers us from our sin.

God grants us the healing salvation we desperately need through Christ.

And we would do well to remember just how great a debt we are forgiven.

We should also forgive others for their debts.

Matthew 6:12 (NRSVue) - And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, May 9, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, May 16, 2025

Return to the Fold

Joshua 24:16 (NRSVue) - Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods,

In Joshua 24, the tribes renewed the covenant.

Making promises is easy.

Keeping them is another matter,

In Judges (after Joshua’s death), the people fail to follow God’s instructions completely.

It did not take them long to forsake the promise they made.

In John 6, we are told that many disciples heard the teaching of Jesus.

Many of them found His teaching difficult, so they turned away,

Jesus then asked the twelve who remained if they wished to leave.

They stayed.

Their reasoning was made clear when Peter admitted that Jesus had the words of life.

John 6:68 (NRSVue) - Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.

But, like the people of old, we too forget our promises.

Our forgetfulness can even be intentional.

When we stray, God is there to welcome our return to the fold.

We must remind ourselves that we are unworthy.

We must remember the teaching and example of Jesus.

We must remember that He has the words of life.

We must then repent.

And, if we are sincere in both our regret and repentance, God will welcome our return to the fold.

And, if we are wise, we will be willing to forgive others as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, June 14, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, June 21, 2024

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

True Peace of Mind

Isaiah 54:4a (NRSVue) - Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace,

Some translations refer to Isaiah 54 as “The Lord Loves Israel,”

This translation refers to it as “The Eternal Covenant of Peace.”

Frankly, I will not argue with either,

The prophet begins this verse with “Do not fear.”

Scripture repeatedly reminds us that we are not to fear.

Small wonder as we seem to need reminding throughout our lives.

Scripture also reminds us of this after the Resurrection,

When the women went to the tomb of Jesus, they found an angel instead.

This filled them with fear.

But the angel reassured them.

Matthew 28:5-6 (NRSVue) - But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

In our modern world, it is all too easy for us to give in to fear.

Inflation is on the rise,

The cost of necessities increases accordingly.

The nation, indeed, the world is divided politically and ideologically.

There is unrest on college campuses.

The list goes on.

Yet God is there to remind us that we do not have to fear.

He reminds us in His Word.

And, when we focus on our relationship with Him, we can feel his reassuring presence.

We can then put fear out of our hearts and minds.

Then, filled with peace, we can serve both God and others.

We can help bring true peace of mind to those who currently live in fear.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, May 10, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, May 17, 2024

A Plan for Life

Ezekiel 18:23 (NRSVue) - Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live?

Ezekiel 18 speaks of individual retribution.

A common belief at the time was that punishment for sin would be passed on to ensuing generations.

The prophet declares that this is not so.

A child will not be punished by God for the sins of his parent.

Neither will a parent be punished by God for the sins of his child.

Those who do not turn away from their sin and repent will die.

But this is not what God desires.

What God wants is for the sinner to change his ways, repent and live.

Paul discusses this in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 6:23 (NRSVue) - The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God is not vindictive.

He created us in His image.

It is only logical that God would wish to save us.

And God did just that through Jesus.

So. if God is willing to forgive us, shouldn’t we be willing to forgive each other?

Through Christ, God teaches us how to forgive.

He also teaches us to love.

When it comes down to it, each of us has sinned.

On our own, each of us comes up short.

But by God’s grace and mercy we have been set free.

If God can forgive so much, shouldn’t we forgive what is little by comparison.

We can let go of the desire for individual retribution.

And. we can be happy for those who come to know Him through Christ.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, April 26, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, May 3, 2024

A Place Prepared

Isaiah 43:16 (NRSVue) - Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,

In Isaiah 43, the prophet speaks of God’s restoration and protection.

He hearkens back to the day when Moses led the people out of bondage.

When pursued by Pharoah’s chariots, God parted the sea for his people,

He provided a means of escape so they could reach the Promised Land.

In John 14, Jesus also speaks of a way out.

He speaks of the means of escape from the cares of this world to the Father.

And just as God parted the sea, God provided us with a way to our own promised land.

God provided us with Jesus as the means of coming home to Him.

John 14:3-4 (NRSVue) - And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.

This was not an impulsive decision on God’s part.

This was God’s plan from the very beginning.

Like the people who were delivered from the bondage of slavery, God used Jesus to free us from the bondage of sin.

God used Jesus to free us from fear.

Our salvation is assured,

Our way has been prepared.

The fear of death no longer has any power over us.

Thanks to Jesus, we will close our eyes in this world and open them in the next.

We will then see firsthand the Father welcoming us into His presence forever.

When that happens, fear and darkness will become a forgotten memory.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, April 12, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, April 19, 2024

Faithful in Word and Deed

The closing of 2 Kings 13 recounts how the King of Aram oppressed God’s people.

It then tells how Israel recaptured those cities.

More importantly, it tells why.

2 Kings 13:23 (NRSVue) - But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them; he turned toward them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and would not destroy them, nor has he banished them from his presence until now.

God showed His people compassion because of His promise.

In the eleventh chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, he states God’s rejection is not final.

He also speaks on the salvation of the Gentiles.

Paul then speaks on how Israel will be saved.

Romans 11:29 (NRSVue) - for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

God has always remained faithful to His people.

This is true even when His people have not been faithful to Him in return.

And, as Paul states, God has claimed us as His people through Christ.

He is faithful to us even though we are not always faithful to Him.

As we continue our journey through Lent, may we reaffirm our faithfulness to God.

May our lives demonstrate that to Him.

May our lives demonstrate that to those around us.

May we live out the ministry of Jesus throughout our days.

Christ teaches us through His words.

Christ also teaches us through His example.

May we take both His words and His example to heart.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, March 8, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, March 15, 2024

A Beautiful Gesture

Psalm 22:1 (NRSVue) - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

Psalm 22 is a plea for deliverance from hostility and suffering.

Just before His death on the cross, Christ used these words.

Matthew 27:46 (NRSVue) - And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

The question arises: “Why would God forsake Jesus at this critical moment?”

To forsake means to “turn away from.”

So, why did God turn away from Jesus?

The simple answer: because it was necessary.

While on the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the entire world.

That includes yours and mine.

And when that happened, God, who is completely Holy, had to look away.

Moments later, Jesus died.

His work was finished.

Jesus said as much.

But God did much more than turn away,

He then made one of the most beautiful gestures in all Scripture.

Mark 15:38 (NRSVue) - And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

The moment Jesus died, the barrier separating us from a completely Holy God was no longer needed.

God tore the curtain that separated us in two.

Nothing stood between us and God anymore!

In this world, we sometimes feel alone.

We might even feel forsaken.

We might feel that God has turned away from us.

But these feelings are not true.

Through Christ, God has made sure we are not alone.

Because of Christ, God has not turned away.

Through the love of Christ, nothing separates us from God.

Three days after his death, Christ rose to life once more and conquered death forever.

But His work in making us right with God occurred the moment He died.

It happened the moment His work was finished.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, March 8, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, March 15, 2024

Continued Love and Mercy

Psalm 118:18 (NRSVue) - The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.

Psalm 118 is known as a ‘Song of Victory’.

In verse 18, the psalmist acknowledges God’s mercy.

The Lord corrected him, but the Lord did not hand down a sentence of death.

Christ also showed mercy.

He not only healed a man, but He also healed him on the Sabbath.

John 5:5,8-9 (NRSVue) - One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

This was not the only time Jesus healed on the Sabbath,

In Matthew 12, Jesus entered a synagogue.

A man was there with a withered hand.

The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?”

Jesus not only answered them, but He also healed the man in their presence.

Matthew 12:13 (NRSVue) - Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other.

Christ loved the men that He healed.

More importantly, Christ loves all mankind.

Those who experienced His healing touch must have felt special, perhaps for the first time in years.

Today, we are equally amazed when Christ touches our lives,

He still heals the hardest of hearts and turns lives around.

He continues to love those whom society prefers to shun.

As we enter the season of Lent, may we always remember the power of His love for all.

May we be grateful for His continued mercy.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, February 23, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, March 1, 2024

Transformed Messengers

Judges 10:10 (NRSVue) - So the Israelites cried to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have abandoned our God and have served the Baals.”

These were the words of the people as the Ammonites oppressed them.

In time, God used a man named Jephthah to deliver them.

Once delivered, Jephthah served as their judge for six years.

But their deliverance began with the confession of contrite hearts.

Luke tells us the story of John the Baptist.

When John the Baptist was born, he was not named after his father Zechariah as was the custom.

Before his birth, the angel Gabriel spoke to Zechariah,

He foretold the child’s birth, but Zechariah did not believe him.

As a result, Zechariah was silenced for his disbelief.

When the time came for John to be named, Zechariah still could not speak.

To the amazement of all, he wrote “His name is John.”

Zechariah was then filled with the Holy Spirit.

This time, to even greater amazement, he spoke.

Luke 1:76-77 (NRSVue) - And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.

While not completely identical, our journeys as Christians are akin to these events.

We start out rebellious.

We do things our way rather than God’s way.

We even believe that things and people are more important than God.

Then, one day, we realize the error of our ways.

We approach God with contrite hearts and confess our sins to Him.

In the process, we even admit them to ourselves.

Then, the timeless and loving God forgives us.

He listens to our sincere confession.

We place our faith in the redemptive Christ.

As a result, we return to favor in God’s sight.

We then continue the work begun by John the Baptist.

We share the Good News so that others may learn of salvation and true forgiveness.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, December 22, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, January 5, 2024