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

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

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

Struggle, Strength, and Example

Habakkuk 3:19a (NET) - The Sovereign Lord is my source of strength.

Here, the prophet declared his confidence in the Lord.

Regardless of circumstances, he could rejoice.

He understood that deliverance was of the Lord.

And it was the Lord who would see him through all adversities.

Paul recognized this.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul discussed Timothy’s ministry.

He also discussed the challenges and adversities Timothy would face.

People deserted the faith.

They adopted strange beliefs and practices.

But Paul reminded Timothy that he had to remain strong.

Timothy would have to remain firm in his faith and continue to serve Christ.

1 Timothy 4:10a (NET) - In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God

Just like the prophet and Timothy, we too must remain strong.

This is especially true when we find ourselves bombarded by information.

Much of this information we know not to be true.

Politicians, the news media, and groups and individuals in social media have their agendas.

Sadly, even some churches who claim to follow Christ have agendas as well.

Fortunately, we have scripture.

Scripture that not only tells us the words of Christ but preserves the example He set for us.

Adversity and the outright lies we are told try to drag us down.

But we must remain firm in our faith and persevere.

And we can persevere because the Lord is our source of strength.

We have hope in the living God.

We can turn to Christ and hear His words,

We can also follow His example.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 22, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, August 5, 2022

Accepting Discipline

Deuteronomy 8:5 (NET) - Be keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

God made his people wander in the wilderness for forty years.

But God never abandoned them.

When they were hungry, God gave them manna to eat.

Their clothing never wore out.

Their feet never swelled.

Wandering was God’s way of disciplining His people.

Before they could move forward, they had to learn discipline.

Yet during this period of discipline, God still provided for them.

The same was true for the followers of Christ.

They too had to learn discipline.

In fact, if you look closely, you can see the word disciple rooted in the word discipline.

Christ taught his disciples.

But His teaching was not limited to words.

Christ also taught them by example.

Just prior to the Passover feast, Christ washed their feet.

John 13:15 (NET) - For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you.

Like God’s people, we too will face difficulty.

But it is during such times that God disciplines us.

And during such times we must remember that God still provides for us.

As we read scripture, we can learn from the words of Christ.

As importantly, we can learn from His example.

Even the best of us wanders away from how we are meant to live.

And that is when we require discipline.

But, despite adversity, God remains a constant source of compassion and love.

And following the example of Christ is the best means of returning to where we need to be.

It also allows us to share the love and compassion of God with those around us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 8, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, July 15, 2022

Wants, Needs, and Gratitude

Exodus 23:25a (NET) - You must serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water,

This portion of scripture caught my attention.

It caught my attention for three reasons.

First, it reminded me that the blessing was for necessities and not luxuries.

Second, this seems to reverse the punishment that befell Adam due to his disobedience (Genesis 3). 

Third, was its preceding verse which lends it context.

Exodus 23:24 (NET) - You must not bow down to their gods; you must not serve them or do according to their practices. Instead you must completely overthrow them and smash their standing stones to pieces.

I suddenly recalled a party I once attended.

This celebration was held in the stately home of its obviously wealthy hosts.

Suffice it to say, I felt more than a little out of place.

I was admiring a painting when two people walked up beside me.

One said to the other, “You know, if I had all this, I would finally be happy.”

I concluded that this was a classic example of self-deception.

For true happiness cannot be found in material things.

True happiness can only be found in union with Christ.

This is the same Christ who reminds us not to worry.

We certainly do not need to worry about extravagances.

But Christ tells us we need not even worry about necessities.

Matthew 6:31 (NET) - So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’

Many, especially those still caught up in worldly things, find this difficult.

Those who believe understand that God is the provider.

They rely upon God for their physical as well as their spiritual needs.

This remains true even during challenging times and difficult circumstances.

For it is during such times that God’s provision for us makes itself truly evident.

That is why Paul reminds us to be always thankful, no matter the circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NET) - in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 24, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, July 1, 2022

Getting on with the Job

I am in my final week of preparation to lead an Adult study on Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian who actively resisted the Nazi regime.

In time, he and other members of this resistance were imprisoned.

Although he was locked away, Bonhoeffer ministered to both his guards and fellow prisoners.

He also spent his time authoring books, papers, and letters.

Through his writing, we see that God continued to use this man.

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we see that he too was imprisoned.

He continued the work God gave him to do.

In fact, his letters account for a good part of the New Testament.

Paul, like Bonhoeffer, made use of the talents that he was given.

Moreover, he understood that he was the beneficiary of grace.

This grace was a gift of Christ.

Ephesians 4:7 (NET) - But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

And this grace equips the called to do the work required regardless of circumstances.

Such work continues despite even the hardships of imprisonment and the threat of death.

The Psalmist makes this clear.

After praising the Lord, the Psalmist discusses those who seek justice.

Psalm 106:3 (NET) - How blessed are those who promote justice, and do what is right all the time.

Bonhoeffer opposed injustice and so he opposed Hitler and the Nazi regime.

As a man of God, he did what he believed was right, risking both his safety and security.

He continued his ministry until executed by those whom he opposed.

When that moment arrived, he calmly accepted his fate.

Psalm 106:4 (NET) - Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people. Pay attention to me, when you deliver,

Like these men, we too are the beneficiaries of forgiveness and grace.

These were paid in full by the death of Christ who was without blame.

For this we should be eternally grateful.

And may we use the talents we have been given.

And may we also continue to do the work required of us regardless of our circumstances.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 10, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, June 17, 2022

Since the Beginning

Hannah was without children, and this distressed her greatly.

She was so distressed that Eli the priest mistook her prayers for drunkenness. 

Hannah replied that she was not drunk.

She explained she had poured out her soul before the Lord.

Hearing this, Eli told her to depart in peace.

God heard Hannah’s prayer and answered it with a son named Samuel.

In gratitude, Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord.

She also exalted the Lord in prayer as recorded in 1 Samuel.

In that prayer, Hannah recognized both God’s complete sovereignty and His role in creation.

1 Samuel 2:8b (NET) - The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord—he placed the world on them.

This certainly is not the only time scripture reminds us of God’s role as Creator.

Of course, there is the creation account as recorded in Genesis.

The Psalmist reminds us as well.

Psalm 8:3 (NET) - When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place,

Then there is God’s response to Job.

Job 38:4 (NET) - “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding.

Yes, scripture provides numerous reminders that God is the creator of all.

Christ was also present during creation.

In fact, John opens his gospel with this reminder.

John 1:1-3 (NET) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

But John adds even more.

John 1:4-5 (NET) - In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it

How fortunate we are to receive this account.

The world created for us is beautiful.

But God loved us so much that He also gave us His Son who was there from the beginning.

Jesus is the Light of the World that has overcome the darkness.

He has overcome the darkness that once surrounded us.

He has also overcome the darkness within us.

God is deserving of our praise and our gratitude.

So may we, like Hannah, exalt God in prayer.

And may God find our exaltation both sincere and pleasing.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 27, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, June 3, 2022

Kindness, Compassion, Forgiveness

The Resurrection reminds us that we live in a new covenant.

But even the Old Testament reminds us of just how the Lord wants us to live.

It tells us how we were meant to live with one another.

For example, the prophet Zechariah delivered a message from God.

In that message, we are told what displeases the Lord.

Zechariah 8:17 (NET) - Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath—these are all things that I hate,’ says the Lord.

So, the Lord detests the planning of evil.

The Lord also detests lying.

In fact, we take offense when people do these things to us.

We also find it difficult to forgive such offenses.

But when we do these things to others, we often do not feel regret.

In fact, we find creative ways of justifying our actions.

And such practices become second nature in time.

In contrast, Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, tells us about what pleases the Lord.

Ephesians 4:32 (NET) - Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Paul reminds us that kindness and compassion pleases the Lord.

If we are truly kind and compassionate, we must not do things that hurt others.

Additionally, Paul reminds us that we must forgive one another.

After all, God has already forgiven us through Christ.

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we ask of God: “forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”

As human beings, we often find forgiveness difficult.

But the most worthwhile endeavors are rarely successful when we try to do them alone.

The good news is that we do not have to rely on our own strength.

With God’s help, we can learn to forgive others just as we have been forgiven.

We can also learn to be kind and compassionate.

Ironically, the world that we live in believes these are signs of weakness.

But they are really qualities of strength.

And this strength is not of our own making.

Rather, it is an internal strength born of our relationship with the Lord.

A relationship made possible by Christ.

And that same Christ demonstrated both how we should live and how we should treat others.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 13, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, May 20, 2022

Hope and Confidence

Psalm 31:24 (NET) - Be strong and confident, all you who wait on the Lord.

We are now in what is known as Holy Week.

It is during this week that we focus upon a portion of Christ’s journey,

Specifically, the portion of the journey that led to the cross and a borrowed tomb.

But three days later, His disciples would find that same tomb empty.

Christ arose just as He said He would, thus He is exactly who He claims to be.

The Psalmist’s words remind us to be both strong and confident while we wait on the Lord.

We can be strong and confident because of grace.

God grants us this grace through the risen Christ.

Paul echoes this sentiment in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 5:2 (NET) - through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.

Paul reminds us of grace.

He also reminds us that we can rejoice in hope.

We will celebrate this hope Sunday.

We celebrate the fact that the tomb was found empty.

We celebrate the fact that Christ arose just as He said He would.

And, as a result, we can be strong and confident while we wait on the Lord.

God keeps His promises.

And, when we need it, He can inspire strength and confidence in us.

God’s love is eternal.

As we continue our journey through Holy Week, let us be mindful of these things.

If we are, we too can bring strength to those who are feeling weak.

We too can bring confidence to those who feel downhearted.

And we can certainly offer our love to those who feel unloved.

After all, God wants them to have the same hope he has graciously given to us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 22, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, May 6, 2022

Fools

April 1^st is commonly known as April Fools’ Day.

Some may refer to it by its older name: All Fool’s Day.

It is a day on which many people play practical jokes on their unsuspecting friends.

This is usually done in a spirit of fun.

But, when you get down to it, being a fool is a serious matter.

Scripture gives us numerous reminders about the dangers of being a fool.

Jesus told a parable about the difference between hearing and doing.

While many hear His words, not as many live by them.

To this, Jesus offers a stern warning.

Matthew 7:26-27 (NET) - Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, and it collapsed—it was utterly destroyed!

The Old Testament also cautions against being a fool.

The Book of Proverbs cautions against speaking foolishly.

Proverbs 18:7 (NET) - The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.

The Book of Ecclesiastes cautions against the foolishness of anger.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NET) - Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Perhaps the sternest warning regarding foolishness is recorded in Psalm 14.

Psalm 14:1 (NET) - Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.” They sin and commit evil deeds; none of them does what is right.

This was true in the time of the Psalmist.

It remains true in our time.

Many choose to believe there is no God.

Some prefer to think that they are in command of their lives and destinies.

Some choose to believe that this world is all that there is.

Some even choose to believe that nothing at all matters.

But what we choose to believe does matter.

And whom we choose to believe in matters most of all.

The Psalmist addresses this also.

Psalm 14:2 (NET) - The Lord looks down from heaven at the human race, to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.

We find the times in which we live to be chaotic.

Headlines warn us of disease, warfare, sanctions, and shortages.

So, what we choose to believe and whom we choose to believe in really does matter.

Do not be fooled.

More importantly, do not be a fool.

In the end, the choice is ours to make.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 8, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, April 15, 2022

In a Word

Psalm 33:6 (NET) - By the Lord’s decree the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all the starry hosts.

Here, the Psalmist writes of God’s role in creation.

In verse six, he echoes the words first recorded in Genesis.

Genesis initially tells of God’s creation of the heavens and the earth.

Although the Psalmist focuses on the heavens, there is one thing common to both.

God simply speaks and creation results.

One word from God, and it is so.

Moreover, God looks upon His creation and calls it good.

This illustrates God’s awesome power.

First, God speaks.

Next, what God speaks comes into being.

And what is created is exactly the way God intends it.

When Paul arrived in Athens, he noticed that the people served many idols.

He also spoke with the people about Jesus and the resurrection.

This was something new and exciting to the Athenians who were curious for more.

In his travels, Paul saw an altar dedicated to an unknown god.

Paul used this sighting to reach the people.

He told them they were worshipping without even knowing it.

Paul told them about God and the universe He created.

He also reminded them that God does not live in temples.

Paul then explained why this is so.

Acts 17:25 (NET) - nor is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives life and breath and everything to everyone.

The universe was created through the breath of God when He spoke.

You and I have our existence through that same breath.

As we continue our journey through Lent, let us remember Paul’s teaching.

When Paul spoke about Jesus and the resurrection, the Athenians were amazed.

We should feel the same kind of amazement.

We should also remember that God created our fellow man.

Therefore, we should be concerned about his struggles and needs.

True, we should pray for God’s intercession.

But we should also pray for God to show us what role He means for us to play in the world.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 25, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, April 1, 2022

Testimonies

Exodus 15:11 (NET) - Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders?

Testimony is defined as “evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.”

If so, then the Scriptures are a collection of individual testimonies.

These words from Exodus provide a good example.

They are words from a song that Moses and the people sang to the Lord.

They sang these words in praise of the Lord who delivered them.

This is their testimony.

They praised the Lord who delivered them from bondage.

They also praised the Lord who delivered them from Pharoah’s chariots.

Those who oppressed and pursued the people worshipped many false gods.

But it was the one true God who triumphed, delivering His people.

In the prologue of John’s first letter, he also gives his testimony.

He speaks of what he has seen, heard, and touched regarding the word of life.

1 John 1:2 (NET) - and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

The people, prophets and apostles testify about God.

As we enter the season of Lent, let us be grateful for these testimonies which guide us.

Through these words, we witness faithfulness.

We also witness God’s unconditional love.

God extends that same love to us and everyone around us.

The season of Lent also reminds us of Christ’s journey to the cross.

Nothing testifies to God’s love more than this unselfish act.

But, thanks to the testimonies recorded for us in Scripture, we have hope.

For beyond the cross lies an empty tomb and there is no better reason for us to give thanks!

There is no better reason for us to give praise!

There is no better reason to share our own testimony.

And there is no better reason (or time) for us to share God’s love in Christ with others!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I will be back here on Friday, March 15, 2022