More Than Meets the Eye

In Judges 8, Gideon and his army pursue and defeat the Midianite kings.

In gratitude, the Israelites want Gideon, his son, and his grandson to rule over them as a dynasty.

Gideon refuses.

Judges 8:23 (NRSVue) - Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.”

In John 20, the resurrected Jesus appears before the disciples.

But Thomas was not with them.

The disciples tell Thomas who refuses to believe.

Thomas insists on proof.

He had to see with his own eyes.

Later Jesus appears again when Thomas is with them.

Thomas sees Jesus and touches the wounds of the cross.

John 20:28 (NRSVue) - Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Do we seek power and recognition?

Or like Gideon, will we acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty?

Like Thomas, do we insist on proof?

Or will we rely on faith?

John 20:29 (NRSVue) - Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, October 23, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, November 6, 2026

Knowing Where We Stand

In Genesis 18, God pronounces His judgment on Sodom.

God also shares this information with Abraham.

Abraham decides to speak to God, but he does so with the utmost respect.

Genesis 18:27 (NRSVue) - Abraham answered, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to my lord, I who am but dust and ashes.

In Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman pleads with Jesus concerning her daughter who has a demon.

To the untrained ear, the response from Jesus could appear insulting.

It is possible that Jesus was measuring her faith.

The woman persists, but like Abraham, she does so with respect and humility.

Matthew 15:27-28 (NRSVue) – She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that moment.

Like Abraham and the woman, we too can ask for what we need from the Lord.

But we should do so with humility and respect.

The Lord knows what we need before we even think to ask.

But asking the Lord with the respect He deserves is how we foster a healthy relationship with Him.

Like Abraham and the woman, we need to have the courage to ask.

And we must do so knowing where we stand in this relationship.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, October 16, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, October 23, 2026

Keep Spreading the News

Zechariah 9 foretells the coming of Jesus.

The prophet discusses the future victorious king who will be humble and rides a donkey.

The end of verse ten speaks of the coming king’s dominion.

Zechariah 9:10b (NRSVue) - his dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks of persecutions to come.

But Jesus talks about the good news of the kingdom.

That good news will be spread everywhere.

Matthew 24:14a (NRSVue) - And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations

The Lord’s reign spans the globe.

It also spans the ages, even into the future.

That is indeed good news.

Its message is rooted in truth.

And that truth must continue to be told in every nation.

Through that truth, people will be made aware of His power as sovereign.

At the same time, they will be made aware of His love.

News does not get any better than that!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, October 9, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, October 16, 2026