The Source of Stability

Revelation 1:4 (GNT) - From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace be yours from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits in front of his throne,

I know people who are uncomfortable with the book of Revelation.

Granted, it is the final book of the Bible and is apocalyptic in nature.

Its language is symbolic.

As human beings, we tend to dislike the unknown and it can elicit an uncomfortable response.

But, as I remind my students, there is no need to fear either the book or the unknown.

In fact, John opens the book with a greeting to the seven churches.

He wishes them both grace and peace from God.

He also reminds them about an important aspect of God.

God is unchanging.

Our perspective of time is composed of past, present and future.

We change.

Our circumstances change.

Through it all, God never changes, and I take great comfort in that.

The Psalmist also reminds us that God never changes.

Psalm 127 is a prayer to God from one who is suffering.

He pours out his heart to God.

He begins his prayer by asking God to listen to him.

He recognizes his own mortality.

He agonizes over what has become of his people.

Ultimately, he recognizes the unchanging nature of God.

Psalm 102:27 (GNT) - But you are always the same, and your life never ends.

Like John and the Psalmist, we too find ourselves at crossroads.

We have choices to make.

Will we allow the storms of life to shake our faith?

Will we allow the future and the unknown to instill fear?

Or will we accept both grace and peace?

The grace and peace that comes directly from God.

Circumstances may change, but God never does.

God is, was, and always will be God.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 10, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, February 17, 2023

How Much Is Required

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

As a rule, people dislike change.

There are times when we have a say in matters.

But there are also times we do not.

Having to start all over falls into the second category.

That is the situation in which I unexpectedly found myself.

I quickly reminded myself of several key facts.

The first was that God does not owe me anything.

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

The third was that others were facing even greater challenges.

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

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

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

I was able to assist in troubleshooting.

I was also able to become adept in its use.

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

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

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

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

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

I gratefully accepted the opportunity.

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

I must also develop new ones,

There are also new relationships to be built.

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

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

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

Christ explained this to His followers.

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

We may not be able to choose our circumstances.

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

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

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

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

Love Must Prevail

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

Jeremiah spoke with integrity.

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

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

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

As time moved on, wickedness remained in the world.

Paul addressed this in his letter to the Romans.

Paul stressed the importance of sincere love.

He instructed his readers to retain what is good.

He also reminded them to hate what is evil.

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

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

Evil still exists,

People continue to be cheated.

Oppression is still around.

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

The evils of the world can be overcome.

And the way to overcome them is through love.

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

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

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

We must cling to what is good.

And we must follow the example of Jesus.

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

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

 

Sight Versus Vision

Psalm 38 is a prayer.

It is the prayer of one who suffers.

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

After pouring out his heart, the Psalmist cries out.

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

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

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

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

When Bartimaeus learns of this, he cries out.

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

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

But Bartimaeus cries out even more.

Jesus hears and responds.

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

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

Jesus asks what it is that Bartimaeus wants of Him.

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

What a remarkable exchange.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In his persistence, Bartimaeus is healed.

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

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

What about us?

What about our vision?

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

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

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

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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