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

Forever Young

Psalm 71 is a prayer for protection.

In it, the psalmist acknowledges God’s presence from his youth.

Psalm 71:17 (NRSVue) - O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, Paul demands something from him.

Paul demands that Timothy continue in the way in which he was instructed.

2 Timothy 3:15 (NRSVue) - and how from childhood you have known sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

These are good reminders for us, especially as we grow older,

Regardless of our age, we should always delight in the Lord’s love and mercy.

Moreover, we should retain youthful hearts,

We should remain open to new lessons that God wants us to learn.

We relied on the love of our parents as children.

As children of God, we should rely on our Heavenly Father’s love.

We should take delight in it.

Our earthly parents taught us new lessons.

Our Heavenly Father also has new lessons to teach us.

It is up to us to be open to His guidance as well as His love.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, March 27, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, April 3, 2026

Created for a Purpose

In Isaiah 29, the prophet uses the analogy of the potter and the clay.

Put another way, the potter is the creator, and the clay becomes what the potter makes of it.

In the same sense, God is our Creator, and we are His creation.

God creates us to serve His purpose, and we, the created, should not question God’s intent.

Isaiah 29:16 (NRSVue) - You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay? Shall the thing made say of its maker, “He did not make me,” or the thing formed say of the one who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds his audience of this fact.

But Paul expands on this.

Ephesians 2:10 (NRSVue) - For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.

God is the Creator.

We are the creation.

And we are created “in Christ” to do good works.

Moreover, these works were planned for us before we were created.

Let us return to the potter and clay analogy for a moment.

The potter decides what he will make of the clay beforehand.

Perhaps it will be a vase.

Perhaps it will be a bowl.

Perhaps it will be something entirely different.

The potter decides and the clay responds to his touch.

Likewise, we respond to His touch through the Holy Spirit.

We can then fulfill the need for which we were created.

We can then lead those in our midst out of the darkness and into the light.

Then, they too may see that they were created for His purpose.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, March 13, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, March 20, 2026

Just Enough

The message I heard on Sunday centered on the manna and quail in Exodus.

One part of this chapter resonated within me.

Exodus 16:15 (NRSVue) - When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.

This ended the reading.

But it made me realize that people, me included, can misunderstand God’s provision.

We may see it, but we do not always understand it.

I then thought about the verses that follow and another struck a chord within me.

Exodus 16:16 (NRSVue) - This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’”

The people were instructed to take as much as they needed, not as much as they wanted.

Some did not heed these instructions and the extra they took went bad.

This angered Moses.

God still provides.

Yet human beings often mistake this providence and apply terms like ‘luck’ or ‘chance.’

And even when we do recognize God’s role as provider, we are tempted to take more than what we need.

We might even be upset that the provision was not enough to suit us.

As a provider, God knows our needs.

He will give us enough to meet those needs.

And our response should be one of gratitude.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, February 27, 2026.

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

Gratitude and Joy

Psalm 92 is a Psalm of Thanksgiving.

The Psalmist writes that joy should accompany gratitude.

Psalm 92:4 (NRSVue) - For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

In Acts 3, Peter heals a lame beggar.

The beggar’s gratitude was also accompanied by joy.

Acts 3:8 (NRSVue) - Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Our gratitude and praise should also be accompanied by joy.

God expects our praise.

Got expects our gratitude.

God also expects our joy.

Scripture bears this out.

Philippians 4:4 (NRSVue) - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, February 13, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, February 20, 2026

Earthly Anbassadors

One definition of the word gospel is “the teaching or revelation of Christ.”

While there are four Gospels in Scripture, every Christian is called upon to be a gospel in his or her day.

A Christion is called upon to tell others about Christ.

Zechariah 8 tells of those who will be drawn to Jerusalem.

Those who do not know the Lord will seek out those who do.

Zechariah 8:23b (NRSVue) - ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’

In his first letter to Corinth, Paul writes that we are one body with many members.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NRSVue) - For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Thanks to the Spirit, all Christians are united.

And, as the prophet wrote, those around us should be able to observe our faith.

As we reflect the light of Christ, others will naturally gravitate to it.

This will help us point them to the Lord.

On my best day, I am incapable of saving anyone.

Only Christ can save them.

In fact, He wants them to be saved.

John 3:16-17 (NRSVue) - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Let us be united in the Spirit.

Let us live as God wants us to live.

Let us be there for those who seek to know God.

Paul wrote that our citizenship is in heaven.

For now, let us be the best ambassadors we can be.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, February 13, 2026.

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

More Stones to Gather

A new year is upon us.

In reflection, my thoughts turned to a sermon offered by a young man.

Joshua 4 was the inspiration for his message.

Joshua 4:4-7 (GNT) - Then Joshua called the twelve men he had chosen, and he told them, “Go into the Jordan ahead of the Covenant Box of the Lord your God. Each one of you take a stone on your shoulder, one for each of the tribes of Israel. These stones will remind the people of what the Lord has done. In the future, when your children ask what these stones mean to you, you will tell them that the water of the Jordan stopped flowing when the Lord's Covenant Box crossed the river. These stones will always remind the people of Israel of what happened here.”

Joshua led his people across the Jordan river.

When the ark of the covenant reached the halfway point, the river was held back.

The people then crossed on dry ground.

Joshua then commanded that stones be gathered and a monument be raised with them.

This monument would serve as a reminder of what took place.

At the conclusion of his sermon, the young man drove his point home.

Throughout our lives, we encounter challenges.

This is true even of Christians.

And when those challenges seem to get the best of us, we should look back on our lives.

We should look back on the stones we gathered to remind us that God was with us.

I had a chance to visit with the young man afterward.

I thanked him for his message.

I also told him that it reminded me that my work is not yet finished.

I still have time to figuratively gather stones in whatever time God sees fit to give me.

Reflecting on the past two decades, I can see that my life has changed significantly.

In fact, this ministry is now entering its 17^th year.

I began a new and personally rewarding career three years ago.

There are other “stones” too numerous to mention.

But one thing is abundantly clear.

I did not accomplish these things alone.

Philippians 4:13 (GNT) - I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I will be back here on Friday, January 14, 2026

And Justice for All

There is currently a great deal of talk about social injustice.

Sadly, some will promote a personal agenda of lies claiming to promote social justice.

Some will even go as far as to say that what is true for one individual may not be true for another.

In Isaiah 5, the prophet condemns social injustice.

In doing so, he condemns those who lie to promote personal agendas.

Isaiah 5:20a (NRSVue) - Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,

Making truth a relative commodity serves to promote injustice.

It does this by stirring up strife and creating unnecessary division,

Christians understand that truth is not relative.

In Romans 12, Paul writes about what makes a good Christian.

Romans 12:21 (NRSVue) - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Christians are called upon to promote justice.

But they can only do so by defending the truth and not trading one lie for another.

As we continue our journey through Advent, let us remember the source of truth.

John 14:6 (NRSVue) - Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

May we have the courage to defend the truth that is Christ!

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I will be back here on Friday, January 2, 2026

How Is Courage Possible?

Zechariah 8 is about God’s promises to His people.

The prophet concludes verse 13 with special instructions.

Zechariah 8:13b (NRSVue) - Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.

John 16 concludes with Jesus offering His disciples peace.

His followers will still face persecution, yet Jesus tells them that they can take courage.

John 16:33 (NRSVue) - I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!

But do these words of courage still apply?

The answer is a resounding yes.

Persecution of Christians still goes on.

Christians are even willing to die to defend the truth.

To the unbeliever, the question is “Why risk it?”

The simple answer is because we believe we are following Christ.

We follow the commands He gave us.

As importantly, we follow the example He set for us.

Despite persecution, despite risk, we follow knowing Christ has overcome the world.

Will following Christ be easy or safe?

No.

But follow Him we must.

And in conquering the world, Christ assures us that we have a place in His kingdom.

If you find this hard to believe, examine the exchange between Christ and the thief on the cross.

Luke 23:42-43 (NRSVue) - Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, October 10, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, October 17, 2025

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

Faith: Where It Belongs

Author’s Note: I want to be clear from the outset that this devotional is about faith, not politics.

We recently had an election in America.

Although this means a change in leadership, two things are truly clear.

First, America is a divided country politically.

That means it is likely that there are about as many Christians who voted for one candidate as for the other.

Second, I find the outcry on various social media platforms, especially from the young, disheartening.

While I support free speech, the tone of the rhetoric reveals much.

Primarily, people place more trust in men and women than on God.

Psalm 84 is a psalm of Joy in the Temple.

Psalm 84:4 (NRSVue) - Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.

This verse speaks volumes to me today.

I have seen the political pendulum in America swing both ways in my lifetime.

Sometimes, my candidate wins.

Equally, sometimes my candidate loses.

But no matter which way the pendulum swings, I rejoice in the fact that God remains in charge.

And no matter how divided the country becomes, I know I can remain happy in His house.

Paul, in his letter to Rome, writes of Future Glory.

Romans 8:26 (NRSVue) - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words.

As I listen to the rhetoric, especially from the young, I am concerned.

It tells me that they place far more emphasis on men or women than they do on God.

I can but pray that the Spirit helps them in their weakness and intercedes for words spoken hastily in pain and anger.

I also pray that God will use this pain for their benefit.

I pray they will come to know that ultimately God is in charge.

Psalm 22:28 (NRSVue) - For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

Finally, Christians on each side of the political divide have vital roles to play.

If your candidate lost, do not let despair be your witness.

If your candidate won, do not gloat.

And, as for the healing of division in America, only God can bring this about,

Jeremiah 33:6 (NRSVue) - I am going to bring it recovery and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

For Want of a Shepherd

Psalm 23:1 (NRSVue) - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23 must be among one of the most memorized passages in all Scripture.

We find tremendous comfort in its words.

It is often recited at funeral services.

Immediately, the Psalmist sets the stage for comfort.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Those who trust that the Lord is their shepherd desire nothing.

They have all they could hope for or need.

In John 10, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd.

Jesus knows His sheep and He knows them by name.

But Jesus also explains why He is the Good Shepherd.

John 10:11 (NRSVue) - “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

And that is exactly what Jesus did.

Christ willingly laid down His life so that we sheep could have eternal life.

As a result, we are more than fortunate.

We are indeed truly blessed.

The Good Shepherd provided more than we could dare hope for,

And, true to the nature of a shepherd, He accompanies us each day.

Yet there are many sheep who remain lost.

They stumble through the wilderness of the world alone and afraid.

One of the ways we can express our personal gratitude is to bring them to the Good Shepherd.

Christ will then be their Good Shepherd, and then they too will want no more.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

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

Go to the Source

Isaiah 49:10 (NKJV) - They shall neither hunger nor thirst, Neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has mercy on them will lead them, Even by the springs of water He will guide them.

Isaiah delivers a message from God.

God promises provision.

God even promises a time when he will provide a source of water.

And with that provision, God will make certain that none are thirsty again,

In the fourth chapter of John, Jesus encounters a woman at a well.

Even though she is Samarian, Jesus speaks at length with her.

The woman tells Jesus she comes to the well every day to draw water and carry it home.

Jesus then tells her of the living water and how those who drink of it will never thirst again.

This evokes quite a reaction from the woman.

John 4:15 (NRSVue) - The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

It is not difficult to connect the dots and see the relationship between these two passages.

God the Father created us and provides for us.

He provided the Son, by Whom we are saved.

God also provided us with the Holy Spirit who works to improve us day by day.

Christ, the living water, is available to all.

Those who have partaken of this water thirst no more.

Their obligation is to bring others to the source.

And it does not matter how different the two people are.

Jesus demonstrated this for us at the well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, October 11, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, October 18, 2024

God’s Will and God’s Provision

Psalm 94:19 (NRSVue) - When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Psalm 94 is about God avenging the righteous.

But the psalmist recognizes that when troubles are many, God is there.

Luke 22 is the account of Christ just prior to His betrayal and crucifixion.

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives, a place He frequents.

As the time draws ever nearer, the moment weighs heavily upon Him.

He leaves His disciples behind and goes off to pray to the Father.

His Divine and human nature come to the fore.

His human nature knows of the coming pain, suffering, and death.

But His Divine nature prevails.

And God provides Him with strength at this crucial moment.

Luke 22:42-43 (NRSVue) - “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength.

Like the psalmist, sometimes we feel the weight of the world upon us.

But like the psalmist, we recognize that God is there for us.

We understand that we do not face these cares alone.

And being human, we still might find these burdens too difficult to bear.

Christ reminds us that what the Father has planned will ultimately prevail.

Acknowledging this, we will then see God at work strengthening us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, September 27, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, October 4, 2024

The Source of Provision

Job 38:41 (NRSVue) - Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God and wander about for lack of food?

In this chapter, the Lord answers Job.

In doing so, The Lord compares His omnipotence to Job’s weakness.

Job is reminded that even the ravens and their young are provided for by God.

Paul, in his first letter to Corinth, discusses divisions within the Church.

He compares his role to that of Apollos.

One did the planting while the other watered.

But it was God who brought about growth.

1 Corinthians 3:7 (NRSVue) - So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

So, what is the connection?

Simply that God provides.

God provides for His creation.

God also provides for us.

And while others may inspire us through their words and teaching, it is God that provides our spiritual growth,

He then uses us to teach and perhaps inspire others.

These are duties we dare not shirk.

But even when we do these things, we must bear this in mind:

It is God who provides for their spiritual growth just as He provides for ours.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I will be back here on Friday, September 6, 2024

Generations of Faith

Recently, I came across an old photograph of my mother’s older siblings.

It made me consider the faith of the previous generation of my family,

It also made me consider my own faith as well.

In Ezekiel 20, the prophet first discusses the continuing rebellion of the people.

He then turns his attention to the fact that God will restore them.

Ezekiel 20:41-42 (NRSVue) - As a pleasing odor I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations. You shall know that I am the Lord when I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your ancestors.

In Hebrews 11, Paul writes on the faith of Abraham.

Hebrews 11:8 (NRSVue) - By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, and he set out, not knowing where he was going.

God told Abraham to go to a new land.

This was a land Abraham had never been to before.

Abraham did not question God.

Abraham simply obeyed.

We have scripture to remind us of the witness of generations long past.

Some of us are blessed enough to recall the faith of our previous generation.

But what will the next generation say of us?

Will they remember our obedience, faith, and witness?

If not, the fault is entirely our own.

But it is never too late.

We can begin today by listening.

We can then hear God’s call to us.

Then, we can obey that call.

And in doing so, we can demonstrate our faith.

May we be the next in a continuing legacy of faith for the next generation.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I will be back here on Friday, September 6, 2024