Changes and Constants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blessings Always,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

The Shaper of My Faith

Faith is a very personal matter between a person and the Lord.

That said, there are people in our lives who help shape our faith.

In thinking about this, I can honestly say my mother did more to shape my faith than anyone else.

As a child, she taught me to pray.

As an adolescent, she encouraged me to study scripture.

She did the things mothers are supposed to do for their children.

But, she did so much more.

As she went through her day, I could hear her humming or singing her favorite hymns.

I also listened to scripture she recited.

There were passages she would turn to many times as I was growing up.

Passages like Psalm 23 were among her favorites.

There were others to be sure.

Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV) - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Another of her most often quoted Psalms was this one.

Psalm 18:2 (KJV) - The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Even when I was a child and she a vibrant woman, she knew the importance of relying on God’s strength.

Perhaps without realizing it, she was teaching that to me.

In time we would find our roles reversed.

One day it became my turn to take care of her.

Reliance on God’s strength helped her accept this reversal of roles with dignity and grace.

As more time passed, life became more difficult and painful for her.

Still, she relied on God’s strength to see her through each day.

Then came the day she left this world behind.

I don’t mind admitting that I leaned harder on God in the days that followed than I ever did before.

Later, I realized that God wanted me to do just that.

To lean on Him and trust in His strength rather than my own,

As time moves ever forward, I know I will have to rely on His strength more and more.

That’s as it should be.

The best teacher I ever had taught me that by word and by example.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 26, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 2, 2019

No Thanks Required

This has been an interesting week in that I had two people thank me at work.

The first was an intern who is trying to gain valuable experience.

He had been assigned a task and was having some difficultly seeing it through.

He turned to me for help, so I set aside the task I was working on to assist.

I walked over and he explained to me both the task he had been assigned and where he had become stuck.

My years of experience allowed me to see a better way of going about the task.

This experience also led me to another conclusion.

I did not merely tell him what I would do in this situation.

I decided the better path would be for me to show him and allow him to observe and ask questions.

In no time, the intern understood why I chose to perform the task as I had.

He gained some valuable experience.

That is why he is with us.

The second person to thank me was an administrative assistant.

When I asked why she gave me her thanks, her answer surprised me.

She thanked me for always turning in my paperwork on time.

Surprised, I stated that as far as I was concerned this was part of the job.

Christians do not do things the way we do them for gratitude or adulation.

We do things the way we do them because that is how God wants us to live.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NET) - Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.

It is my hope that the intern remembers this experience.

It is likely that he may become very successful one day.

I hope he remembers what it is like to be new and inexperienced.

I also hope he remembers the importance of kindness, patience and the value of being shown what to do.

James 4:17 (NET) - So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.

This even applies to the mundane things in life.

Even making certain we turn our paperwork in on time.

Not only are such things required, being timely makes life easier on the next person.

These things are part of loving one’s neighbor.

We love our neighbor in various ways.

These include displaying kindness, exercising patience and making their burdens easier to bear.

We can easily lose sight of these especially when we feel taxed ourselves.

When this happens, scripture has a great reminder for us.

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

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 12, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 19, 2019

A Continuation of Acts

One account from the Bible has been on my mind a great deal lately.

It can be found in the book of Acts in the eighth chapter.

Beginning in verse 26 we are told about Philip.

An angel tells him to travel south from Jerusalem on a desert road to Gaza.

Along the way he encounters an Ethiopian traveling from Jerusalem where he had been to worship.

Philip sees the man sitting in his chariot reading scripture.

The Spirit speaks to Philip and instructs him to go to this man.

Acts 8:30 (NET) - So Philip ran up to it and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. He asked him, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

I love Philip’s response.

He did not casually walk up to the man.

Rather, in response to the Spirit, Philip ran.

Once there he asked the man if he understood what he was reading?

Acts 8:31-33 (NET) - The man replied, “How in the world can I, unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of scripture the man was reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In humiliation justice was taken from him. Who can describe his posterity? For his life was taken away from the earth.”

The man then asked Philip whether the prophet was speaking about himself or someone else.

Philip then shared the Good News about Jesus with him as they traveled.

When they came to water, the man asked Philip to baptize him.

Philip did just that.

Perhaps it is because Easter draws ever nearer that this passage has been on my mind.

Reflection also makes me consider Philip’s response.

Philip responded to the angel, the Spirit and the man.

He responded obediently and without hesitation.

That is the way we should respond as well.

No matter what circumstances or challenges we face, we should be there for others.

One of my students put it this way…

“We might be the closest thing to a Bible some people encounter.”

I like that.

We do not have to be Biblical scholars or theologists.

Our actions often speak louder than our words.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 12, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 19, 2019

First Love

February 14^th is a day set aside to celebrate love.

Florists, greeting card manufacturers and candy makers no doubt look forward to this day.

It’s important to remember that there are different kinds of love.

There is the kind of love shared between a husband and wife.

Another is the love a mother has for her child.

A third is the love we have for family.

These are just three examples of the different kinds of love there are and there are many more.

All these different kinds of love, and yet the English language has but the single word.

That’s unfortunate, as there are times when we misuse the word.

One example is when we might say something like, “I love chocolate ice cream”, or, “I love that television show”.

“Like” would be a better substitute in such cases.

The word “love” should be reserved for very special relationships with others.

Our love for our neighbor is one example.

Our love for God is another.

Jesus commanded us to love both.

Mark 12:30-31 (NET) - Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

But no one said love would be easy.

Our neighbor might not choose to love us in return, but we must continue to love him or her anyway.

God, on the other hand, never ceases to love us.

He proved that when he sent His Son into the world to be the sacrifice for our sin.

Had God not loved us first, we would not be able to love at all.

1 John 4:19-21 (NET) - We love because he loved us first. If anyone says “I love God” and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And the commandment we have from him is this: that the one who loves God should love his fellow Christian too.

So, let’s show our love for God and others at every opportunity.

After all, love is too big to be confined to just one day of the year.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 1, 2019

Do Something

Jesus was many things.

Among them, he was an excellent teacher.

Jesus did not teach with His words only.

He also taught by example.

One instance came as the time for His crucifixion drew near.

John 13:4-5 (NET) - He got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around Himself. He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel He had wrapped around Himself.

When Jesus finished, He explained to His disciples why He did this.

John 13:13-15 (NET) - You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and do so correctly, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you.

Jesus not only told us how He wanted us to live, He showed us how as well.

That is but one of the points stressed by N. T. Wright in his book Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church.

I am currently leading a class in this study.

In a recent session we discussed this.

To paraphrase Wright, we should live in such a way as to demonstrate to others what the world would be like if “God were really running the show” which, of course, He is.

Just a few hours after that session, my path crossed that of a woman who was some 15 to 20 years older than myself.

I began talking to her.

As we spoke, she began to reveal how a string of unexpected events in her life had caught her off guard.

She also admitted to feeling overwhelmed by them all.

As she continued speaking I noticed tears welling up in her eyes.

As I listened, I knew I needed to act, but how?

Continuing to listen, I prayed for guidance.

Through prayer I understood that I could not solve all her problems.

Through prayer I understood I could help her with a few.

The things I did do not merit discussion.

Her reaction, however, does.

This woman began weeping openly.

She threw her arms around me and kept repeating through the tears, “I love you!”

I found myself quite moved as well.

I replied, “I love you too!”

1 John 4:9-12 (NET) - By this the love of God is revealed in us: that God has sent His one and only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God so loved us, then we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us.

In a world that seems overwhelmed by division and hatred, we must remember one thing.

The Lord wants us to love one another.

Not one of us can do everything.

But each of us can do something to share God’s love.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 26, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 2, 2018

Size Doesn't Matter

I watched a rather interesting program two weeks ago.

It was about a very tall communications building built in a major city in the 1960’s.

At the time it was built, it was the tallest building in the city.

Many things have changed in the almost sixty years since the building was erected.

For one thing, it is no longer the tallest building in that city.

For another, the building is now owned by a private company.

The makers of the film contacted the current owner of the building.

They got permission for a dignitary who was present when the building was dedicated to return.

They also got permission to accompany this man to the observation deck and to film his reaction.

I enjoyed listening to this man reminisce about the building, its past and his role in it.

In no time, his comments became quite profound.

He remarked that at one time the city’s cathedral was its tallest structure.

He added that in time the communications building then became the tallest.

He then added that banks and financial institutions now share that claim.

He paused to reflect a moment and added that the size of the building may indicate what we worship.

According to this wisdom, first we worshipped God.

Later we worshipped technology.

Now, it appears we worship money.

I must admit, there is a certain wisdom in his observational thinking.

I shared this with my students last Sunday and they added sports arenas to the list.

While these are not the tallest structures, some can easily seat over 100,000 people.

Fortunately for us, a huge structure is not required for worship.

I recall a time when the power was out in our neighborhood one Sunday morning.

As people gathered for worship that morning I secretly hoped the power would stay off for a time.

I would have loved for us to have had a worship service outdoors.

Where we worship God is not critical.

Even large numbers of worshippers are unimportant.

It is what is in the hearts of the worshippers that matters.

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Matthew 18:20 (NET) - For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 28, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 5, 2018

A Matter of Trust

One of my favorite television programs first aired in the 1960’s.

I recently watched the first season of that program again.

Two episodes grabbed my attention this time.

Although each was written by a different writer, both episodes dealt with trust.

In the first of these two stories, the main characters began to mistrust each other.

In the second, this group began to mistrust those around them.

In both episodes, a sense of trust was restored.

Although each was written by a different person, their messages were the same.

Namely, trust was something that had to be earned.

I began to think of this in terms of faith.

The Psalms talk about trust and many references are made to it.

Psalm 20:7 (NET) - Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the Lord our God.

Psalm 31:14 (NET) - But I trust in you, O Lord! I declare, “You are my God!

There are many more.

Even Jesus knew that human beings were prone to mistrust first.

Perhaps that is why he went out of his way to stress there was truth in his words.

John 3:3 (NET) - Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 8:58 (NET) - Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!”

Again, there are many more.

Does Jesus really need to earn our trust?

No.

But he did so anyway

Romans 5:8 (NET) - But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 24, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 7, 2018

Working by Touch

One task I do not like is performing maintenance on one of our large machines.

This must be done two or three times per year depending upon usage.

I try to do this at the end of the day when everyone else has gone home.

I must first take apart the machine and lift out some of the heavier components.

I then lie down on the floor and insert my arm inside the machine and remove a dozen small parts.

I need to rely on my sense of touch for this operation as I can no longer see inside the machine.

Once these small parts have been removed, I need to replace them with new ones.

This also requires me to rely on my sense of touch to get the job done.

Once the new parts are installed I can get up from the floor.

I then reassemble the machine and power it up.

All that is left at this point is to test the machine and verify that it is functioning properly.

Having recently performed this task, reflection brought two passages of scripture to mind.

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

I can perform this task only because of the abilities given to me by God.

Just as I stretch my arm into the machine, similarly, God reaches into us.

It is His touch into our hearts that allows us to be saved.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NET) - For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.

I may not look forward to working on this machine again.

I certainly will not be able to look at it the same way again.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 13, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 20, 2018

Listen Up

Teaching is a passion of mine.

Someone wiser than me once said, “If you want to learn about the Bible, volunteer to teach a Sunday School class.”

There is a tremendous amount of truth in that.

Some of it comes through preparation.

Some of it comes through the simple act of listening.

For example, one of the adults in my class recently said something quite profound.

She said, “We might be the closest thing to a Bible some people have seen.”

She makes a good point.

Take Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Philippians 3:17 (NET) - Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

Of course, learning is not confined to the classroom.

Recently I saw one of my students walking up to the church with his young granddaughter.

I held the door open for them.

They were discussing the different ways in which God speaks to us.

He reminded her that God can speak to us through others.

He added that we might even be surprised if we listen.

Proverbs 27:17 (NET) - As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend.

God can even teach us through the love of a child.

Some years ago, before my class began I assisted in the serving line.

Two little girls were in line and they surprised me.

When they reached my point in the line, one of them asked the other, “Will you be my sister tonight?”

The other readily agreed.

This reminded me of the beginning of Ephesians 5.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NET) - Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

I have another class to teach next week.

I have been preparing for it for weeks.

I wonder what surprising lessons God has in store for me?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 8, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 15, 2018

Unfriended

A young friend of mine moved away several years ago.

We still stayed in touch through social media.

Imagine my delight when my young friend posted that he found Jesus.

Later that day he posted that several people chose to sever ties with him.

As I tried to think of a way to encourage my young friend, my thoughts turned to Jesus.

Jesus was not popular in every circle.

In fact, some people absolutely hated Him.

Some looked up to Him but wanted that kept secret.

Take Nicodemus, for example.

John 3:1-2 (NET) Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Nicodemus had an idea of who Jesus was and even admired Him.

But notice that he was careful not to be seen with Jesus during the light of day.

Even those who followed Jesus abandoned Him.

Peter denied knowing Jesus not once, but three times.

John 18: 25-27 (NET) - Meanwhile Simon Peter was standing in the courtyard warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” Peter denied it: “I am not!” One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the orchard with him?” Then Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Then, there was Judas.

He was the follower who betrayed Jesus.

Luke 22:47 (NET) - While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd appeared, and the man named Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He walked up to Jesus to kiss him.

As these thoughts ran through my mind, I knew I found a way to encourage my young friend.

I told him he was in good company.

After all, Jesus was unfriended too.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 25, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 1, 2018

Miscommunication

Technology is great… when it works.

One of the most frustrating technical problems is a device that has trouble communicating.

Perhaps it is a telephone that misses calls.

Maybe it is a computer that has trouble sending or receiving email.

It might be a tablet that loses connection with the Internet.

Even if the device is otherwise perfect functional, a communications problem can push our patience to the limit.

Speaking from experience, these problems are often the most difficult to diagnose.

Even when we manage to correct the problem, there are no guarantees that it will stay fixed.

Communication in our journey through this world can be every bit as frustrating.

Sometime we find it difficult communicating with others.

We can even experience difficulties in communicating with God.

Scripture can help us communicate.

What does the Bible say about communicating with others?

The book of James gives us some sound advice.

It tells us to listen first.

James 1:19 (NET) - Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.

What does it say about communicating with God?

Prayer is an excellent beginning.

Jeremiah 29:12 (NET) - When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers.

What if we still have a problem communicating with others?

Perhaps we need a bit more patience.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NET) -  I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

What if we still find communicating with God difficult?

We might need to set aside the distractions that constantly vie for our attention.

Perhaps what we would find most helpful is to just be still.

Psalm 46:10a (NET) - He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 10, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 17, 2017

In the Small Things

There are a great many things going on in the world right now.

The leader of one nation is developing both nuclear weapons and ways to deliver them.

Leaders of other nations challenge with harsh rhetoric of their own.

Still other nations claim sanctions must and will be invoked.

That’s not all.

There have been multiple hurricanes in existence at the same time.

These have resulted in the loss of life, injury and the destruction of property.

Flooding has occurred in different hemispheres.

Meanwhile other areas suffered a combination of drought and wildfire.

Still another area experienced a very strong earthquake.

Many people are claiming that this is God’s way of trying to get our attention.

Others are stating that this is God’s way of inflicting punishment.

These claims might even come from people in prominent places.

We really must be careful when we try to use disasters, manmade or otherwise, to interpret God’s intent.

In the ninth chapter of John, the disciples encountered a blind man.

They asked Jesus whose sin caused the man to be blind - his own or his parents?

The reply Jesus gave must have come as quite a surprise to them.

John 9:3 (NET) - Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but he was born blind so that the acts of God may be revealed through what happens to him.

Jesus then cured the man of his blindness.

Jesus even spoke to his disciples about things such as earthquakes and wars.

Mark 13:7-8 (NET) - When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines. These are but the beginning of birth pains.

Then there was the time Elijah hid in a cave.

The LORD asked Elijah to exit the cave and stand on the mountain.

Elijah was subjected to the spectacular.

First there was a powerful wind and landslides.

Next there was an earthquake.

After that came a raging fire,

Elijah determined that the LORD was not in any of these.

1 Kings 19:12 (NET) - After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a soft whisper.

The LORD revealed himself to Elijah in a whisper.

As human beings, it is easy for us to assume that God only reveals himself in big ways like hurricanes, floods, fires and earthquakes.

God often surprises us.

God quite often reveals himself in the most unexpected ways.

He came to Elijah in a whisper.

He came to us as a child in a manger.

By focusing on only the very large, we could very easily overlook Him in the small.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 22, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 6, 2017

God with Us

Genesis 12:1 (NET) - “Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father’s household to the land that I will show you.

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God told Abraham to leave the familiar and step into the unknown.

God did not even say exactly where this was.

Rather, God said that He would “show” him.

Abraham was no longer a young man when God gave him these instructions.

How did Abraham respond?

Genesis 12:4-5 (NET) - So Abram left, just as the Lord had told him to do, and Lot went with him. (Now Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran.) And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they left for the land of Canaan. They entered the land of Canaan.

Abraham obeyed God.

God called Abraham and Abraham responded.

This would not be the only time that Abraham would answer God’s call.

There would come a time when God would ask much more of Abraham.

Genesis 22:2 (NET) - God said, “Take your son—your only son, whom you love, Isaac—and go to the land of Moriah! Offer him up there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will indicate to you.”

Abraham dearly loved his only son.

How did Abraham respond?

Genesis 22:3 (NET) - Early in the morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants with him, along with his son Isaac. When he had cut the wood for the burnt offering, he started out for the place God had spoken to him about.

This time, just like the time before, Abraham obeyed God.

God called Abraham and again Abraham responded.

Abraham was prepared to do everything God asked of him.

He was even prepared to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

In the end, God spared Isaac.

Genesis 22: 11-12 (NET) - But the Lord’s angel called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. “Do not harm the boy!” the angel said. “Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me.”

God provided a ram for the sacrifice.

The name Abraham gave to the place means “The LORD provides”.

Romans 4:3 (NET) - For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

God was with Abraham.

I think it is more than fair to say that God was with Isaac as well.

That is the way it is.

God calls and we are to respond.

What will our response be?

If we obey God’s call then God will be with us.

The prophet Isaiah understood this.

Isaiah 7:14 (NET) - For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.

This prophecy was fulfilled.

Matthew 1:23 (NET) - Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.”

When my ancestors first came to the region where I now live, most of them did not even speak the local language.

They had no idea what awaited them in this new land.

But they did know one thing.

They knew that God was with them.

When they built their first church in the area 150 years ago, their pastor painted “God with Us” behind the pulpit as a reminder.

He panted these words in the language they knew.

God was with Abraham and Isaac.

God was with those who preceded me.

God is with me.

God is with us!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 11, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 18, 2017

Who Is Jesus?

That is a good question.

Who is Jesus?

His followers called Him Rabbi.

Those who sought His knowledge and wisdom called Him a teacher.

Those who were sick called Him a healer.

Some called Him the Nazarene.

Some called him the Son of David.

Some referred to Him as the King of the Jews.

His critics referred to Him as one who “incites the people”.

The prophet Isaiah referred to Him as Emmanuel.

Jesus has been called many things by many people.

Even today, some try to minimize Jesus and say He was a good man with good ideas.

In Mark 8, Jesus asked His disciples a question.

Mark 8:27 (KJV) - And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

They responded.

Mark 8:28 (KJV) - And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

Jesus then posed the question to them.

Mark 8:29 (KJV) - And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus responded to Peter.

Matthew 16:17 (KJV) - And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

There are two things that strike me here.

First, both questions put forward by Jesus end with the words “I am”.

These words remind us of His divinity.

John 8:58 (KJV) - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Second, Jesus reminds Peter that it was the Father who revealed to him that He was the Christ.

Centuries have gone by and Jesus is still many things to many people.

What about us?

Who do we say that Jesus is?

It is easy for us to get distracted in today’s world.

Perhaps we should set aside those distractions so that the Father might fully reveal Jesus to us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 28, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 5, 2017

Spring Cleaning

In 2 Chronicles 34, we learn of the king of Judah and his response to a discovery in the Lord’s temple.

The repair of the Lord’s temple had already begun when this discovery was made.

2 Chronicles 34:14 (NET) - When they took out the silver that had been brought to the LORD’s temple, Hilkiah the priest found the law scroll the LORD had given to Moses.

The priest gave this scroll to the scribe who in turn brought it before the king.

The scribe then read the words to the king who had a remarkable reaction.

2 Chronicles 34:18-19 (NET) - Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” Shaphan read it out loud before the king. When the king heard the words of the law scroll, he tore his clothes.

The king understood that the people had departed from the law God gave Moses.

The king ordered that an oracle be consulted.

Huldah the prophetess was consulted.

2 Chronicles 34:23-25 (NET) - and she said to them: “This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘Say this to the man who sent you to me: “This is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to bring disaster on this place and its residents, the details of which are recorded in the scroll which they read before the king of Judah. This will happen because they have abandoned me and offered sacrifices to other gods, angering me with all the idols they have made. My anger will ignite against this place and will not be extinguished!’”

These words were not easy to hear.

The words for the king that followed were a bit more comforting.

2 Chronicles 34:27-28 (NET) - ‘You displayed a sensitive spirit and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words concerning this place and its residents. You humbled yourself before me, tore your clothes and wept before me, and I have heard you,’ says the LORD. ‘Therefore, I will allow you to die and be buried in peace. You will not have to witness all the disaster I will bring on this place and its residents.’ Then they reported back to the king.

When the king heard these words, he first summoned all the leaders.

He then went up to the Lord’s temple in the company of all the people.

He read to them the words on the scroll and renewed their covenant with God.

2 Chronicles 34:32-33 (NET) - He made all who were in Jerusalem and Benjamin agree to it. The residents of Jerusalem acted in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors. Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the areas belonging to the Israelites and encouraged all who were in Israel to worship the LORD their God. Throughout the rest of his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD God of their ancestors

Scripture reminds us that all the detestable idols were removed.

When we think of idols today we likely think of carvings made of would and stone.

In truth, an idol is anything or anyone that keeps the Lord from being first in our lives.

Even things that on the surface seem benign or beneficial can become idols if we are not careful.

As we enter the season of Lent we contemplate Jesus, the suffering He endured and the sacrifice He made for us,

Let us first clear away the clutter and the distractions from our hearts and minds.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 10, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 17, 2017

To Whom Shall We Listen?

In 2 Chronicles 18, we are told of the alliance between King Ahab of Israel and Jehoshaphat.

King Ahab desired to attack Ramoth Gilead,

He also wanted Jehoshaphat’s support.

Jehoshaphat said he would support Ahab but he also recommended consulting the Lord first.

King Ahab assembled 400 prophets and consulted them.

All 400 said to attack and the Lord would hand Ramoth Gilead over to him.

Jehoshaphat then asked if there was a not man of God nearby who could be consulted,

2 Chronicles 18:7-8 (NET) - The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can seek the LORD’s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but always disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say such things!” The king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah.”

When the messenger arrived with Micaiah he tried to influence this man of God.

He informed Micaiah of the 400 consulted who guaranteed success for King Ahab.

He then ordered Micaiah to do the same.

2 Chronicles 16:13 (NET) - But Micaiah said, “As certainly as the LORD lives, I will say what my God tells me to say!”

Micaiah foretold disaster for King Ahab.

2 Chronicles 18:17 (NET) - The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster?”

Micaiah was struck in the jaw.

King Ahab ordered him to be imprisoned until he returned.

2 Chronicles 18:27 (NET) - Micaiah said, “If you really do return safely, then the LORD has not spoken through me!” Then he added, “Take note, all you people.”

King Ahab did not return alive.

Even though he was in disguise, he was struck by a random arrow and died as the sun was setting.

The Lord had spoken through Micaiah and not the 400 who gave King Ahab the answer he wanted to hear.

What about us?

To whom shall we listen?

Some tell us that if we follow the Lord then our prosperity is guaranteed.

Others promise that we can ask for anything in the world because it will be ours for the asking.

Do these things sound too good to be true?

That’s because they are.

Life is certainly better with Jesus than without Him.

Just remember the words of Jesus.

Make certain that you listen to Him.

Matthew 16:24-26 (NET) - Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 24, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 3, 2017

A Different Perspective

One of the services I provide for my church family is photography.

I have provided this service for them for the last nine years and it is a ministry I particularly enjoy.

This ministry not only allows me to reach out to others, it occasionally gives me some personal insight as well.

It gave me such an insight on Easter Sunday.

I arrived at church well before dawn to help get things ready for our sunrise service.

As always, I had my camera with me.

I made my way through the church and turned on lights, checked microphones, made coffee and did whatever else was needed.

Being Easter, many members of my church family purchased lilies for the sanctuary.

As I prepared the sanctuary in complete silence I could not help but notice these symbols of Easter.

Somehow, they helped make the moment feel more special.

Once my duties in this part of the church were complete, I decided to take a few photographs.

I wanted to get some photographs of the lilies as I knew they would not be around for long.

As I made my way around the sanctuary taking photographs I decided to take one of our cross.

I have taken photographs of our cross before, but from a distance.

This time I stood almost directly beneath it and moved a few paces to my left.

I then looked up at the cross and took the photograph.

As soon as I did, I knew I had something special in my possession.

People, myself included, are creatures of habit.

This can be true even in a place like church.

We park in the same places.

We sit in the same pews.

We even sit with the same people.

That is because they are creatures of habit as well.

Week after week, our view of the cross doesn’t change.

We see it from the same angle from the same distance time after time.

I don’t believe chance had anything to do with me taking that particular photograph on Easter.

I honestly believe God wanted me to see the cross from a different perspective that particular day.

I have had the opportunity to share that photograph with others.

Their reaction to it is remarkably like mine.

The cross did not change.

What it represents certainly did not change.

What changed was my perspective.

This, by necessity, produced a change in me.

Christianity is about growth and change.

Our growth.

Our change.

Sometimes that requires us to get up and move from the place to which we have grown accustomed.

Sometimes what we need is a change in our perspective.

Romans 8:28-30 (NET) - “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 22, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 6, 2016

Fools

April 1 is known as April Fool’s Day or All Fools Day.

Some historians claim the day has origins that go back as far as 1582.

When the Julian Calendar was replaced by the Gregorian Calendar in 1563, the start of the New Year changed as well.

It went from the last week in March to January 1.

People who did not get the news continued to celebrate according to the old calendar.

Those that made the change ridiculed those that did not.

They also played pranks and hoaxes on them.

This annual occurrence was popularized in 1700 as All Fools Day.

We who call ourselves Christians are often considered fools for believing as we do.

Scripture reminds us that believers have a track record for doing things that seem foolish.

Abraham left his home and moved to a land he knew absolutely nothing about.

Noah spent years making a large boat nowhere near a body of water.

David armed himself with a sling and went into battle against a giant wearing full armor.

Moses led his people into a wilderness.

On the surface, doing things like this could be considered foolish.

These men of the Old Testament were doing God’s will and that is the wisest thing anyone can do,

The New Testament reminds us of another who did something that could seem foolish.

It tells us of one who died after He was abandoned, ridiculed, severely beaten and nailed to a cross between two thieves.

Although innocent of any wrongdoing, He willingly subjected Himself to these things.

He did this because He was doing God’s will.

He did this for the benefit of others.

Even those that sought to do Him harm.

He did this for us.

Luke 22:42 (NET) - “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.”

When it comes to being considered fools, we are indeed in excellent company.

The question remains, why are Christians considered fools?

I am certain that most simply do not understand why we believe as we do.

I am also certain that there are a few that are afraid.

They are not afraid of us.

What frightens them most is the possibility we might actually be right.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 8, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 15, 2016