Not Wanting Anyone to Perish

In Ezekiel 12, the prophet spoke of judgment.

Verse 25 begins with a reminder of God’s omnipotence.

The Lord spoke.

And what the Lord spoke would be fulfilled.

Ezekiel 12:25 (NRSVue) - But I the Lord will speak the word that I speak, and it will be fulfilled. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and fulfill it, says the Lord God.”

The creation account in Genesis also attests to His spoken word.

Genesis 1:3 (NRSVue) - Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote of another time the Lord spoke.

This too was fulfilled.

Galatians 3:8 (NIV) - Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

This was a promise God made.

This was also a promise kept.

Genesis 22:18 (NIV) - and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.

All peoples can be blessed, but they can only be blessed by God.

All peoples are created in the image of God.

At the end of the day, all peoples are children of God.

And God would have it that none should perish but come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, September 26, 2025.

Seeing Divinity in Creation

In Isaiah 37, Hezekiah consulted with Jeremiah,

Afterward, Hezekiah went to the house of the Lord to pray.

In this prayer, Hezekiah, recognized that God is the creator of all things.

Isaiah 37:16 (NRSVue) - O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.

In the first chapter of John, we are told that the Word became Flesh.

We are also told that Christ took an active role in creation.

John 1:3a (NRSVue) - All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.

The late Billy Graham explained the relationship of the Trinity like this: “The Father is the source of all blessing, and the Son is the channel of all blessing. It is through the Holy Spirit at work in us that all truth becomes living and operative in our lives.”

We are creations of the Triune God.

And through the Holy Spirit, we gain wisdom.

And, because of that wisdom, we can recognize the Triune God in all aspects of life.

We can even recognize the spark of the divine in others.

This enables us to live according to the will of the Triune God.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, September 12, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, September 19, 2025

What's the Good Word?

Numbers 6 contains the Priestly Benediction.

The word benediction originates from the Latin words "bene" (well) and "dicere" (to speak).

This “good word” is still spoken at the conclusion of worship services today.

The Priestly Benediction goes back to the time of Moses and Arron and begins…

Numbers 6:24 (NRSVue) - The Lord bless you and keep you;

In Matthew 28, Jesus commissions the disciples.

This commission has both instruction and a promise.

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.”

The Benediction and the commission have reminders for us.

In God, we find refuge.

Even when life seems chaotic, God’s love for us never falters.

We can trust His promises no matter how ancient those promises are.

God remains faithful, and Christ is with us to the end of the age.

All we need to do is to trust.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, August 22, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, September 5, 2025

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

Becoming a Better Neighbor

Genesis 50:20 (NRSVue) - Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.

Here, Joseph is a powerful man, second only to Pharoah in terms of leadership.

Reunited with his brothers who sold him into slavery, Joseph forgives them.

Joseph reminds his brothers that God used their treachery for good.

In Luke 6, Jesus teaches His followers that they are to love their enemies.

His lesson is simple.

Luke 6:28 (NRSVue) - bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.

This is one step in what it means to love your neighbor.

His lessons are in opposition to what the world teaches us.

We need to stop “looking out for number one.”

As we do, God helps us become a better neighbor.

And when we are wronged by our neighbor, God can help us to forgive.

God can even take the wrong we experienced and use it for good.

On our own, forgiveness is quite difficult.

But God can help us let go of our desires for spite and revenge.

In doing so, we let go of the teachings of the world.

Instead, we follow the teaching of Jesus and become a better neighbor.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, October 25, 2024.

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

Time Is Relative

Psalm 39:5 (NIV) - You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.

In the verse preceding this, the psalmist asks the Lord to reveal his remaining days.

This is to remind the psalmist how fleeting his life is.

But in verse five, he acknowledges that to an eternal God, a human lifetime is very brief.

Paul, in his second letter to Corinth discusses living by faith.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NRSVue) - So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

True, in comparison, our mortal lives are fleeting compared to the eternal.

Even so, God does more than take a casual interest in us.

God plays an active role in our lives and transforms us along the way,

My own family history reminds me of this.

My father died at a relatively youthful age, so he had some time.

My mother, by comparison, lived to her old age and had considerably more.

My brother died in infancy, years before I was born, and so had little.

My own journey continues.

My family history reminds me that not one of us knows how much time we have in this world.

But it has taught me two lessons.

The first is to make the most of the time we do have.

The second is that God is with us throughout our lives.

Our sense of time varies.

Some days seem like they will never end.

Some years seem to evaporate too quickly.

But not a single day goes by in which God does not accompany us on our journey.

This bears repeating.

God is not just a passive observer.

God is an active participant in our lives.

Remember that God spoke to Moses like a friend (Exodus 33).

Remember Abraham believed God and was called God’s friend (James 2).

Therefore God, who accompanies us day by day, is our friend as well.

How quickly or slowly those days seem to pass to us is of little consequence by comparison.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, January 26, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, February 2, 2024

New Year, New Love

Hosea 6:6 (NRSVue) - For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

The prophet Hosea called upon the people to repent.

But repentance was not in their hearts.

They continued to offer their sacrifices, but their hearts were not in them.

God made it clear that sacrifices and offerings were not what he wanted.

What God wanted was their love and for them to come to know Him.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, reminded them that they were to love their neighbor.

Moreover, it was love, not sacrifice, that fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:10 (NRSVue) - Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

On the surface, this seems simple enough.

But history has shown us repeatedly that humans find this difficult.

Today’s headlines reveal just how difficult we still find it.

In Matthew 22, an expert in the law tried to trick Jesus.

He asked Jesus which commandment was the most important.

Christ gave him a two-fold answer.

This response must have taken the expert by complete surprise.

Matthew 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.”

Christ understood that the commandments were about relationships.

Some are about our relationship with God.

Others are about our relationship with each other.

By keeping both these commandments, we would in effect be keeping all others.

God still wants us to love and get to know Him.

He still prefers this to any other offerings we make.

Christ came into this world to teach us.

He did so by both word and example.

He reminded us to love both God and our neighbor.

That means all people.

As we embark on a new year, let us learn once more what it means to genuinely love God and people.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, January 12, 2023.

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

How Much Is Required

Philippians 4:13 (NIV) -  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

As a rule, people dislike change.

There are times when we have a say in matters.

But there are also times we do not.

Having to start all over falls into the second category.

That is the situation in which I unexpectedly found myself.

I quickly reminded myself of several key facts.

The first was that God does not owe me anything.

The second was that I was not the first to find myself in this situation, nor would I be the last.

The third was that others were facing even greater challenges.

I also reminded myself that God would see me through this according to his timetable and not my own.

Finally, I reminded myself that I should put this time to effective use.

It was during this same time that my church acquired new equipment and new technology.

I was able to assist in troubleshooting.

I was also able to become adept in its use.

My goal was to use the technology to enhance the worship experience for others.

More importantly, I did not want it to be a distraction.

In time, I felt good about the progress that we had made.

I also sensed that it was time to move forward again in my own personal journey.

That same week, I could see the Lord’s hand at work as he opened a new door for me.

I gratefully accepted the opportunity.

In my new role, I can rely on old skills.

I must also develop new ones,

There are also new relationships to be built.

Paul was correct in his letter when he wrote about the strength we receive through Christ.

It is the strength that enables us to do things for others.

But what is expected from us is in proportion to what we have been given.

Christ explained this to His followers.

Luke 12:48b (NIV) - From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

We may not be able to choose our circumstances.

But we are always able to choose how we respond to them.

And it is Christ who enables us to make good choices even in times of difficulty.

(Dedicated in loving memory of F. T. Until we meet again.)

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 27, 2023.

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

Love Must Prevail

The Lord instructed Jeremiah to address the king of Judah, his ministers, and the people.

Jeremiah spoke with integrity.

Jeremiah 22:3 (GNT) - “I, the Lord, command you to do what is just and right. Protect the person who is being cheated from the one who is cheating him. Do not mistreat or oppress aliens, orphans, or widows; and do not kill innocent people in this holy place.

To the modern ear, these commands sound like common sense.

But, as Jeremiah made clear, there was wickedness in their hearts.

As time moved on, wickedness remained in the world.

Paul addressed this in his letter to the Romans.

Paul stressed the importance of sincere love.

He instructed his readers to retain what is good.

He also reminded them to hate what is evil.

Romans 12:9 (GNT) Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.

Returning to our modern era, we realize that circumstances have not changed all that much.

Evil still exists,

People continue to be cheated.

Oppression is still around.

The words of Jeremiah and Paul continue to call out to us.

The evils of the world can be overcome.

And the way to overcome them is through love.

With God’s help we can learn to sincerely love and serve our neighbor.

We can reach out to those whom society has deemed unworthy.

We must hate what is evil and not merely dislike it.

We must cling to what is good.

And we must follow the example of Jesus.

John 14:21 (GNT) - “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 11, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, November 18, 2022

 

Sight Versus Vision

Psalm 38 is a prayer.

It is the prayer of one who suffers.

It is a prayer of one who is in desperate need.

After pouring out his heart, the Psalmist cries out.

Psalm 38:22 (GNT) - Help me now, O Lord my savior!

Mark 10 tells us of another man in need of healing.

The man’s name is Bartimaeus, and his malady is blindness.

Bartimaeus is sitting and begging by the road as Jesus passes.

When Bartimaeus learns of this, he cries out.

Like the Psalmist, he cries out for Jesus to have mercy on him.

Others, perhaps out of embarrassment, tell him to keep silent.

But Bartimaeus cries out even more.

Jesus hears and responds.

Mark 10:48-49 (GNT) - Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

After being told that Jesus had summoned him, Bartimaeus runs to Him.

Jesus asks what it is that Bartimaeus wants of Him.

Mark 10:50-51 (GNT) “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. “Teacher,” the blind man answered, “I want to see again.” “Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.” At once he was able to see and followed Jesus on the road.

What a remarkable exchange.

The moment Bartimaeus learns that Jesus is passing, he cries out for mercy.

Despite being told to keep silent, he cries out even louder.

The moment he understands that Jesus has summoned him, he runs.

How astonished the crowd must have been to see a blind man run.

Although Jesus is all knowing, He questions: “What do you want me to do for you?”

The response of Bartimaeus is: “I want to see again.”

In his persistence, Bartimaeus is healed.

Had he heeded the commands of the crowd he would have remained blind.

Although Bartimaeus lacked sight, it was the crowd that lacked vision.

What about us?

What about our vision?

Will we boldly ask the Lord for the healing of our bodies and our spirits?

Once healed, will we go our own way, or will we follow Jesus too?

Will we carry the Good News into a world that sees but lacks vision?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 28, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, November 4, 2022

Both Creation and Child

After the Lord appointed Cyrus as king, the prophet Isaiah delivers the Lord’s word.

In addition, Isaiah affirms the Lord’s role in creation and history,

His words apply to the new king, but they also apply to us.

Isaiah compares the Creator to a potter and the created as a pot made of clay.

Isaiah 45:9-10 (GNT) - Does a clay pot dare argue with its maker, a pot that is like all the others? Does the clay ask the potter what he is doing? Does the pot complain that its maker has no skill?

Some seven centuries later, Christ taught His disciples how they should pray.

After warning them not to pray the way hypocrites pray, Christ instructed them further.

Matthew 6:9-10 (GNT) - This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven: May your holy name be honored; may your Kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Just as the pot must not question the potter, a Christian must recognize God’s sovereign will.

The will of God certainly reigns in heaven.

That same will must also reign here on Earth.

Those who fully appreciate this have a special relationship with their creator.

They recognize that they, like Adam, are created from dust.

Yet they are still able to approach their creator and call Him Father.

Galatians 4:6 (GNT) - To show that you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, “Father, my Father.”

Yet there are those who want their will to prevail.

They are the pot that questions the potter.

This is not a good place to be.

I am reminded of the words of C.S. Lewis who wrote: “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.”

It is Christ who helps us keep our relationship with the Father in its proper perspective.

Yes, God is the potter, and we are the pot.

But God is much more.

Thanks to the Spirit of His Son, even the created can lovingly call Him Father.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 14, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, October 21, 2022

Strength Through Love

In Psalm 118, the Psalmist declared that the Lord’s loyal love endures.

He went on to declare that in his distress, he cried out to the Lord.

Even when things seemed darkest, the Lord came through.

The Lord provided and gave him the strength to keep moving.

Psalm 118:14 (NET) - The Lord gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer.”

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, encouraged the strong to help the week.

Paul also encouraged mutual acceptance between Jews and Gentiles.

Paul then stressed the fact that the Gentiles have received hope.

Romans 15:13 (NET) - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Like the Psalmist, we too will encounter challenging times.

But we will find the strength to move forward.

But this strength is not of our own design or our own making.

It is the strength we receive from the God who delivers.

God remains the God of salvation.

He is the God who gives us the strength to believe.

He is the God who gives us the strength to move forward out of darkness and despair.

He is the God whom we need to share with others.

For they, like us, require that same strength.

They, like us, need hope.

Just as in Paul’s day, those who have been granted strength should help the weak.

The Lord’s loyal love still endures, and He bestows His love to us so that we may share it with others.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 23, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, October 7, 2022

It's a God Thing

I borrowed this title from my pastor because the inspiration for this offering came in a unique way.

Among my duties, I prepare a slideshow for our worship service.

I include the various scripture readings in their entirety to benefit those in attendance.

This also benefits those online who worship with us.

I also teach a Sunday school class for adults.

I try to challenge my students and promote discussion.

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

In my class we are studying a work from 1623 entitled The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart by Comenius.

We are now into the second part of the allegory in which the pilgrim has looked inward into his heart.

It is there that he encountered the risen Christ.

One of the things we read as a class was this passage: "While among the great and the rulers of human society, thou hast seen how readily men strive to reach the highest places and to rule over the others. But thou, my son, shalt, as long as thou livest, ever seek the lowest place, and desire to obey, rather than to command.”

This was reflected in our Gospel lesson from Luke.

Jesus was dining at the home of a Pharisee.

People were watching Jesus, but Jesus was watching them as well.

Luke 14:7a (GNT) - Jesus noticed how some of the guests were choosing the best places,

Another passage we studied in class was: “thy ethics will be love of me, which will give thee all instructions concerning thy conduct both towards me and towards thy fellow-creatures.”

This was also reflected in our Epistle lesson from Hebrews 13.

Hebrews 13:1 (GNT) - Keep on loving one another as Christians.

After the worship service, I shared with my pastor how the scripture readings reinforced our study.

He smiled and replied, “It’s a God thing.”

Those without faith would say that this is simply coincidence.

But those with faith realize that there is no coincidence.

Scripture tells us that God knows the number of hairs on our head.

It also tells us that He knows every sparrow that falls to the ground.

As humans, we more readily notice God at work in massive things.

But, if we really pay attention, we can catch glimpses of God at work in smaller things.

We then become more attuned to his direct involvement in our lives.

For God is more than just a casual observer.

God is engaged in everything.

Romans 8:28 (GNT) - We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.

I pray that we all experience more “It’s a God thing” moments.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 9, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, September 16, 2022

Songs From the Heart

Psalm 118:15 (NRSV) - There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: ‘The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;

Singing is a form of praise.

In fact, the singing of hymns has become an integral part of the worship service.

Even the Psalmist expounds on this in his “Song of Victory.”

When Mary visited Elizabeth, she too had a “Song of Praise.”

Luke 1:46-47 (NRSV) - And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

Some have been given the gift of music.

You will certainly hear them as they sing in church choirs or function as song leaders.

You may even be able to pick out their voices from others seated in the congregation.

I have often joked that God gave me the gift of wisdom.

That is because I am wise enough to recognize that I do not have the gift of music.

Despite this, I will sing.

This begs the question: Why would someone without the gift sing?

For me, I turn to the example set by David.

David was a man after God’s own heart.

In fact, God said as much.

At one point, David gathered 30,000 to return the Ark of God to Jerusalem.

David not only took part in the procession, but he also danced in praise of the Lord.

2 Samuel 6:16 (NRSV) - As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

The procession ended and people returned to their homes.

When David returned home, Michal questioned his judgment.

David explained his actions.

2 Samuel 6:21 (NRSV) - David said to Michal, ‘It was before the Lord, who chose me in place of your father and all his household, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord, that I have danced before the Lord.

Singing is a form of praise.

It does not matter so much how well we sing.

What matters most is the sincerity we have in our hearts.

This also provides us a glimpse into how God is at work in our lives.

And perhaps it will prompt us to respond with kindness to others.

A kindness expressed through our words, our actions, and even our songs.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 26, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, September 2, 2022

Children of God

Malachi 2:10a (NKJV) - Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?

The prophets spoke on God’s behalf to the people,

It is therefore appropriate that Malachi means “my messenger.”

He emerged when the commitment of the people to God was in decline.

Malachi instructed the people to demonstrate greater faithfulness to God.

He also reminded them that God was the God of all.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, reminded them of this.

He also reminded them how they were to treat others.

Philippians 2:3 (NET) - Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.

Paul stressed the importance of Christian unity,

When Christ came into this world, He also reminded us how to treat others.

More importantly, He demonstrated this for us.

In the book of Matthew (which immediately follows Malachi), Christ was asked a question.

An expert in the law tried to trap Jesus with a trick question.

Matthew 22:36 (NET) - “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

The two-fold response from Jesus must have surprised the expert.

Matthew 22:37-40 (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.’ All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Malachi, Paul, and other contributors to the Bible remind us how we are meant to treat others.

More importantly, Christ Himself commands us to love them.

To do so, we must first allow God, the creator of all, to open our minds and our hearts.

Then we can truly see that everyone we encounter is a child of God.

We can then truly follow the words of Jesus.

We can unconditionally love those we encounter in our journeys.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 12, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, August 19, 2022

For Sale

I decided to take a drive Sunday afternoon,

It’s one of the few activities one can indulge in with the current COVID-19 restrictions in place.

With no specific destination in mind, I decided I would first drive by the church I attend.

With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, worshipping together has been suspended once more.

Fortunately, our services will still occur and be streamed online.

Many churches have chosen this option at least until the pandemic has subsided.

I remembered twice finding a note on our church door from a youth group.

The note said that they stopped by and prayed for us,

Each young person had signed their name to it,

I recalled thinking what a remarkable gesture this was.

Being familiar with the many churches in the community, I decided to make this the focus of my journey.

I made a mental list of all these churches and proceeded to drive from one to the next.

I paused my journey at each one and said a prayer on behalf of those who call that church home.

Luke 18:1 (NET) - Then Jesus told them a parable to show them they should always pray and not lose heart.

I prayed for their worshippers and the day that they would be able to gather once again.

So I traveled from one to the next, pausing at each to pray.

Things proceeded as I expected until I was taken by surprise.

One church to which I traveled had a “For Sale” sign.

I suddenly became quite sad,

There could be any number of reasons as to why this church had permanently closed its doors.

Perhaps it was the pandemic.

Perhaps the number of worshippers had been in decline.

Perhaps there was a disagreement that led to division.

Whatever the reason, this church and its congregation was no more.

Its doors will remain closed until a buyer comes along.

What will occupy the building remains to be seen.

Now, I know the Church is not the building.

It is the entire body of believers with Christ as the head.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (NET) - And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and gave him to the church as head over all things. Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Still, I could not help but feel sad as I thought of all that happened within its walls over the decades.

All the sermons that were preached.

All the hymns of praise that were sung.

Al the prayers that were lifted.

All the weddings, baptisms and funerals that united generations of people.

Now, the lights are turned off and silence fills an empty space.

It will remain that way even after the pandemic is over.

I know that those who worshipped there did so differently than I do.

That does not matter.

I continue to pray for them.

My prayer is that they will find a new church that they can call home.

That prayer turns my sadness into hope.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NET) - God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 10, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 17, 2020

Love Never Dies

I have been working at the same place for almost three decades.

Recently, I began going through some personal items as I simply cannot keep everything.

It wasn’t easy going through years and years of memories and deciding which to keep.

It was more difficult determining which I would take home.

It was most difficult deciding which I would have to throw away.

While going through these memories I had quite a surprise

Among the things I found was a Christmas card.

It was from my mother and it was dated just a few months after I started this job.

My mother passed away over a decade ago and we were extremely close.

It was an emotional experience for me just recognizing her handwriting.

Before signing the card, she wrote a blessing for me.

She prayed that God would keep his eye on me,

She also prayed I would do well at this job and that I would be happy doing it.

Even though my mother departed this earth many years ago, I once again felt her love as I read her words.

I am glad I kept this card, because both her words and her love still stand the test of time.

That is the way it is with scripture as well.

The words God inspired men to write in the Old Testament stand the test of time.

So do the words written about Jesus in the New Testament.

Through these words, I feel the love the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have for me.

Through these words, I feel the love they have for others.

That makes me want to love others too.

Psalm 136:26 (NET) - Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loyal love endures!

John 15:9 (NET) - Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (NET) - To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all.

Love never dies.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 22, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 5, 2019