A Good Word

Church, first and foremost, must be about worship.

Beyond that, it is also a place where we become refreshed and renewed.

It is when we leave church that the work really begins.

After all, the “Great Commission” is still in effect.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NET) - Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

That is why I always look forward to the benediction.

This is the blessing with which the worship leader dismisses the congregation.

For me, the benediction does not merely mark the end of the service.

Rather, it is a blessing for everyone to help them fulfill the “Great Commission” in the week to come.

The benediction itself can be offered in different ways.

My personal favorite is known as the “Franciscan Benediction”.

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forever more. Amen.

The word benediction comes from the Latin roots bene, meaning "well" and diction meaning "to speak" — literally meaning “to speak well of”.

I look upon it as a blessing that strengthens us to fulfill the “Great Commission” in the days to come.

The “Franciscan Benediction” not only strengthens, it reminds us just how much work there is to be done.

It also reminds us that we do not do this work alone.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 25, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 1, 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.

.

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

Kindness

The other day I found myself behind schedule.

When it came time for lunch I opted to go to the corner store for something quick.

I was in hurry but my plans changed when I arrived.

As I walked from my car to the store entrance I glanced over at the gas pumps.

Something caught my eye.

I saw an older lady standing at the one of the pumps.

She had the pump handle in one hand and her credit card in the other.

She also had a look of confusion on her face.

I walked over to her and asked if she needed help.

She said she needed to put gas in her car but was not at all sure how to go about it.

I offered my help and she accepted.

I explained everything I did along the way.

Once her car had been filled I showed her how to print her receipt.

She thanked me and told me something I could never have expected.

She told me that her husband had recently passed away.

She then stated that he always put gas in the car.

This was the first time she needed to put gas in the car since he passed.

She then thanked me for showing her how it was done.

I believe that this is just one of many firsts for her as she continues her journey without him.

Please understand that I am not posting this for my sake.

It occurred to me that in today’s hectic and fast paced world it is quite easy to overlook others.

Sometimes people need help and do not ask for it.

We must not become so preoccupied with ourselves that we fail to notice.

As I paid the store clerk for my purchase, he thanked me for helping her as well.

It turns out that he was keeping a watchful eye on me as I approached her.

I was grateful for that as well.

It reminded me that God is looking out for her in other ways.

I thought of Paul’s words when he found himself shipwrecked.

Acts 28:2 (NET) -The local inhabitants showed us extraordinary kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to rain and was cold.

There is always time for an act of kindness

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 4, 2017

The Interests of Others

Not long ago, I took my vehicle in for some routine maintenance.

I gave the crew my information and my key and went to the waiting room where it was cool.

A gentleman was already seated there when I took my seat.

A quick glance told me several things about him.

It is summer where I live and the outside temperature was hovering around 100 F.

I could tell by his tan that he worked outdoors.

By his physique I could tell that his work was physically demanding.

I also noticed that this man looked like he might be feeling ill.

I asked him if he was okay,

He confirmed that he was not feeling well.

Before I could ask him anything else, he began speaking to me as if he knew me.

He informed me that he had just gotten some bad news from his doctor about his heart.

He told me more.

He told me that he worked outdoors and the thought of working in the heat concerned him.

He wondered how many hours he would be able to work with his condition.

He told me he worried about providing for his family.

As if things were not difficult enough for the man he was about to get more bad news.

At this point, the mechanic who checked his vehicle came into the waiting room.

He told the man that he could not work on his vehicle and gave him several reasons.

The man was now distraught.

He informed the mechanic that he needed his vehicle to provide for his family.

The mechanic apologized.

He recommended another garage in town that might be able to help him.

By the way the mechanic said “might” I doubted they would be able to fix his vehicle.

As he left, I could not help but feel sorry for the man.

I prayed for him.

I prayed for his health.

I prayed that he would be able to provide for his family without additional damage to his heart.

I prayed that he would be able to find someone to fix his vehicle.

I continue to pray for him today.

It is not necessary to know someone to pray for them.

I do not know the man… but God does.

I do not know what exactly is wrong with his heart… but God does.

I do not know how he will provide for his family… but God does.

I do not know what he will do for transportation… but God does.

I know so very little about this man.

I do not even know his name.

Yet God knows everything about him.

Philippians 2:4-5 (NET) - Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,

Praying for others is important whether we know them or not.

The more I pray for this man and his interests, the smaller my interests become.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 14, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 21, 2017

The Money Box

One thing that can be said about teaching Sunday school is that you never know what questions will arise.

Last Sunday we were discussing the Beatitudes and how in particular they applied to the disciples.

A question arose as to what Jesus and His followers did for money.

Scripture tells us that Jesus and his followers possessed a money box to help the poor.

It also tells us that Judas was the keeper of the box and that he helped himself to that money.

John 12:6 (NET) - Now Judas said this not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money box, he used to steal what was put into it.

Jesus knew that Judas stole from the money box and yet He allowed him to remain in charge of it… but more on that later.

What about money for their own use?

Scripture never tells us that Jesus or His disciples had money of their own.

Rather, it implies that they did not.

When Jesus sent his followers out in pairs, he instructed them not to take any money.

Luke 9:3 (NET) - He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and do not take an extra tunic.

Jesus empowered them to do great things.

Yet they were to be totally dependent on God for even their most basic needs.

Just before Jesus entered Jerusalem he sent his disciples ahead to get a colt for his entry into the city.

Matthew 21:2-3 (NET) - telling them, “Go to the village ahead of you. Right away you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”

When the Passover came, his followers asked Jesus where He wished the meal prepared.

Jesus gave them these instructions…

Matthew 26:18 (NET) - He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’

No money changed hands for either the use of the room or the colt.

The one time that the need for money arose, Jesus instructed Peter how to obtain it.

In Matthew 17, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and asked if Jesus paid the tax,

Peter told them yes and returned to Jesus.

Jesus knew what had transpired.

Although Jesus did not really need to pay the tax, He instructed Peter how to obtain the money.

Matthew 17:27 (NET) – But so that we don’t offend them, go to the lake and throw out a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a four drachma coin. Take that and give it to them for me and you.

Then, there is the matter of His burial.

Luke 23:52-53 (NET) - He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut out of the rock, where no one had yet been buried.

Jesus was laid to rest in a borrowed tomb.

Scripture says practically nothing about Jesus and his followers using money.

That seems to be a message in and of itself.

So, why would Jesus allow Judas, a known thief, to keep the money box for the poor?

Let’s look at Paul’s first letter to Timothy.

1 Timothy 6:10 (NET) - For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

Notice that Paul did not say that “money is the root of all evils”.

Paul stated that “the love of money is the root of all evils”.

Jesus commands us to love God and love our neighbor.

The love of money does not allow us to love either God or our neighbor.

The love of money is all consuming.

It is nothing short of idolatry.

Perhaps that is why Jesus allowed Judas to keep the money box.

Perhaps He simply allowed Judas to decide which master he would serve.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 23, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 7, 2017

Say What?

People do not always mean what they say.

Politicians promise us things to gain our support.

Often those promises are unkept after they are elected.

This is just one example.

A restaurant might have the words “Home Cooking” on their sign.

Yet when we taste the food it may fall well short of the food we ate growing up.

A hotel might advertise its “luxury” accommodations.

Its rooms, however, might be anything but luxurious.

Even place names can be misleading using words like “view” or “vista”.

Once we get there, we may discover that there is not much of a view at all.

Even the people we know can let us down.

They might talk about getting together some day or repaying a loan later.

We often discover that “some day” and “later” meant “never”.

We are not happy when people tell us one thing and mean another.

In all fairness, we do this with others.

Scripture is a quite different.

The gospels tell us exactly what Jesus said.

Our response can be to ask ourselves what Jesus really meant.

For example, Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

When we ask ourselves what Jesus really meant, we are placing conditions on His commandments,

We are not to love our neighbor “if”, “when” or “depending on”.

We are to love our neighbor no matter what,

Our neighbor might not like us.

He might even hate us,

It does not matter.

Jesus told us to love him and that is exactly what Jesus meant.

We may not always mean what we say,

Jesus always meant exactly what he said.

There is great comfort in that.

John 14:2-3 (NET) - There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 9, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 16, 2017

Inspection

I recently had my car inspected.

The inspector checks things like the lights, the reflectors and the brakes.

He also checks things like the horn, the tires and the wipers.

There are standards for each item inspected.

Now these things are the driver’s responsibility to maintain.

Unfortunately, when it comes to vehicles, we usually just hop in our cars and drive off.

That is why the state makes this annual inspection mandatory for all vehicles.

It hopes to cut down on the number of unsafe vehicles on the road.

Our lives are a bit like that.

We go through our daily routines often without a thought as to how our words and actions impact others.

From time to time we really need to inspect our words, our actions and our motivations as well.

We need to inspect these to standards as well.

The best standards for this kind of inspection for our lives can be found in “The Sermon on the Mount”.

This can be found in Matthew chapters 5 through 7.

Here Jesus tells us how we are to live.

Jesus begins with The Beatitudes and reminds us who is blessed.

He reminds us we are to be the salt of the earth and a light in this world.

He warns us of the dangers of anger and adultery.

He tells us to let go of revenge and embrace forgiveness.

He reminds us not only to give to those in need but how to go about it.

He tells us how we should pray and how to free ourselves from worry.

He reminds us that we must not judge others.

He tells us we should seek Him.

He warns us that there are true and false prophets.

He also warns us that there are true and false disciples.

He also advises us to be wise and put His words into action.

It is easy for us to get caught up in our daily routines.

When that happens, we need to stop for a moment and inspect our lives using the best of standards.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 26, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 2, 2017

The Beginning Is Near

We see them in comic strips and in the movies.

Bearded men wearing robes and carrying signs that proclaiming “The End Is Near”.

Whether it is or not is a matter of speculation.

The problem with this message is twofold.

First, scripture is very clear on who really knows when the end will occur.

Matthew 24:36 (NET) - But as for that day and hour no one knows it—not even the angels in heaven—except the Father alone.

Second, not many will take this message seriously.

Day after day, channel after channel offer up programming about the coming end.

They warn us about climate change, economic collapse, global conflict and a host of other means by which the world as we know it will end.

These warnings are not new.

They have been around for some time.

In 2012, we were warned about the Mayan calendar.

In the late 1990’s, we were warned about the year 2000.

Time goes by.

New warnings come and go all the while lives remain unchanged.

Maybe the time has come to change the message.

What would happen if we changed the message from “The End is Near” to “The Beginning Is Near”?

After all, a life changed by Jesus Christ is a life that begins anew.

It is a life forever changed.

It is a life changed for the better.

Let us set aside the negative.

Let us embrace the positive and help others to live life as Jesus intended.

John 10:10 (NET) - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 12, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 19, 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

Beyond Dead

I was looking forward to hearing someone speak on Ezekiel 37 and John 11.

The first speaks of Ezekiel and his experiences in the valley of dry bones.

The second speaks of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

Unfortunately, the weather in the area turned quite severe and this was cancelled.

How I would have loved to hear this man speak on these powerful chapters.

Instead, I had to ponder them for myself.

Ezekiel tells us that the Lord had His hand upon him and led him into a valley filled with bones.

Ezekiel did not merely see these bones from a distance.

The Lord made him walk among the bones which must have been quite an experience.

Ezekiel noticed that the bones were very dry.

Bones in and of themselves imply death.

The fact that the bones were dry shows us these individuals had been dead for a very long time.

Then the Lord asked Ezekiel a question.

Ezekiel 37:3 (NET) - He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said to him, “Sovereign Lord, you know.”

The Lord then instructed Ezekiel to prophesy over them.

Ezekiel obeyed the Lord.

Ezekiel first heard a rattling sound as the bones came together.

They were then covered with tendons and flesh.

Even so, the bodies were still not yet alive.

The Lord then instructed him to prophesy over them once more.

At this, the Lord breathed life into them and a living army stood where there was once nothing but death and decay.

Something similar happens in John 11.

A friend of Jesus named Lazarus fell ill.

His sisters sent Jesus a message to come at once.

Jesus delayed, but for a reason.

Lazarus died before Jesus departed for Bethany.

When Jesus and his followers arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

The sisters came out to meet Jesus; first Martha and then Mary.

Jesus wanted the stone removed which covered the tomb.

John 11:39 (NET) - Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, replied, “Lord, by this time the body will have a bad smell, because he has been buried four days.”

Again, just as in Ezekiel, this implies a state beyond death as decay had already set in.

The stone was removed.

Jesus prayed to the Father and then commanded Lazarus in a loud voice to come out of the tomb.

John 11:44 (NET) - The one who had died came out, his feet and hands tied up with strips of cloth, and a cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.”

In both cases life was brought back to the lifeless and every trace of decay was completely reversed.

As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, let us be reminded that Jesus conquered death.

For beyond the cross there is another tomb - a tomb that was occupied for days.

A tomb that now lies empty because it former occupant has arisen.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 14, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 21, 2017

Damage Control

Romans 3:10-18 (NET) - just as it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one, there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves, they deceive with their tongues, the poison of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood, ruin and misery are in their paths, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

These words from the book of Romans spell out the human condition quite clearly.

They hold nothing back.

The opening words set the record straight.

“There is no one righteous, not even one, there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God.”

This is clearly a set of circumstances we should address.

Where do we begin?

Perhaps Nehemiah can give us some insight.

When he arrived in Jerusalem he knew what God wanted him to do.

God wanted him to rebuild the wall that lay in ruins.

Nehemiah did not begin by gathering materials or assembling workers.

His first response to God’s call was to assess the damage.

He got up during the night and took a few men with him but he informed no one of God’s plan,

He examined where the wall had been breached and the gates burned.

Only after this assessment did he make the plan known.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NET) - Then I said to them, “You see the problem that we have: Jerusalem is desolate and its gates are burned. Come on! Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that this reproach will not continue.” Then I related to them how the good hand of my God was on me and what the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let’s begin rebuilding right away!” So they readied themselves for this good project.

Just like the wall in Nehemiah’s day, we are broken.

As we continue our journey through the season of Lent let us assess our damage.

Let us also turn to the One who can repair that damage and put us right.

Romans 3:23-24 (NET) - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 7, 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

It is of God

In Acts 17 we read of the troubled times of Paul and Silas.

Some of those who heard their message followed their teaching.

Others were not pleased caused trouble.

They formed a mob and spread turmoil.

Failing to find Paul and Silas, they turned upon Jason and those with him.

Acts 17: 6-8 (NET) - When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, screaming, “These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world have come here too, and Jason has welcomed them as guests! They are all acting against Caesar’s decrees, saying there is another king named Jesus!” They caused confusion among the crowd and the city officials who heard these things.

Jason and those with him had to post bail before the city officials would release them.

While this was going on, Paul and Silas traveled to Berea.

At first the people of Berea were open minded and welcomed them.

They examined the scriptures carefully to make certain their message was true.

The message in Berea was accepted but trouble was on the way.

Acts 17:13 (NET) - But when the Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul had also proclaimed the word of God in Berea, they came there too, inciting and disturbing the crowds.

Wherever the Good News was spread, trouble always followed.

This was true in the world of Paul and Silas.

It is true in our modern world as well.

Try as people might, the message was not silenced in ancient times.

Nor is it silenced today.

Persecution is not only confined to the past.

Every day, Christians around the world spread the Good News.

Some risk a great deal.

Some even die.

Yet the message lives on and continues to spread.

How is this possible?

Even a Pharisee who was among those who opposed the apostles in Acts 5 understood this.

Acts 5:38-39a (NE) - So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing, but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found fighting against God.”

The message continues to spread.

It continues to spread because it is from God.

May those who are persecuted for spreading the message take comfort in the words of the Psalmist.

Psalm 18:17-20 (NET) - He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me,

for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD helped me. He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me. The LORD repaid me for my godly deeds; he rewarded my blameless behavior.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I’ll be back here on Friday, February 17, 2016

Closing the Distance

Sometimes disobedience is intentional.

Sometimes it is not.

Disobedience, whether intentional or not, puts distance between ourselves and God.

In the book of Acts we learn of a magician named Elymas who intentionally tried to turn the proconsul from his faith.

There would be consequences for this disobedience.

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, told Elymas that he would pay a terrible price.

Acts 13:11 (NET) - Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind, unable to see the sun for a time!” Immediately mistiness and darkness came over him, and he went around seeking people to lead him by the hand.

When the proconsul saw this, he believed.

In fact, he was astounded.

Acts 13:12 (NE) - Then when the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was greatly astounded at the teaching about the Lord.

Sometimes disobedience in unintentional.

That does not mean there are no consequences,

When David and those with him decided to move the ark, they knew they were never to touch it.

The oxen pulling the cart stumbled.

A man named Uzzah simply reached out his hand to steady it.

1 Chronicles 13:10 (NET) - The LORD was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him, because he reached out his hand and touched the ark. He died right there before God.

It appears that Uzzah did not intentionally disobey God.

Even so, there were consequences for Uzzah.

David’s reaction was quite different from that of the proconsul.

David became angry with the Lord.

He was also afraid of Him.

He decided not to move the ark but instead leave it at the home of Obed-Edom,

1 Chronicles 13:14 (NET) - The ark of God remained in Obed-Edom’s house for three months; the LORD blessed Obed-Edom’s family and everything that belonged to him.

Obed-Edom must have obeyed God’s instructions.

God not only wants our obedience, He expects it.

Every disobedience, whether intentional or not, puts distance between us and God.

That is why confession is so important.

That is also why are fortunate to have a mediator between ourselves and God.

There is no better mediator to whom we can turn than Jesus.

He can mediate every disobedience of ours, even the unintentional ones.

He closes the distance we create between ourselves and God.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 27, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, February 3, 2016

Focus

We tend to think of the New Year as a time for a clean slate.

We make resolutions and all too quickly abandon them.

Some of this can be attributed to our human nature.

Some can also be attributed to our focus.

Asking what we should do for ourselves is one thing.

Asking God what He desires of us and our service to others is another.

The opening of the very first Psalm provides us with some valuable insight.

Psalm 1:1-3 (NET) - How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers! Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night. He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts.

Notice the Psalmist’s words that “it yields its fruit at the proper time”.

This reminds us that it even when our focus is on His will we might not necessarily see results right away.

This is something we struggle with as impatient human beings.

Examine those who followed Jesus throughout His life.

They eventually became powerful witnesses.

But this did not happen right away.

The opening of the book of Acts reminds us of what transpired between the resurrection of Jesus and His ascension.

Over the course of forty days, Jesus appeared to the apostles many times.

He offered them proof that He had conquered death.

He gave them very specific instructions.

He also promised them what was still to come.

Acts 1:4-5 (NET) - While he was with them, he declared, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The apostles then asked if this was the time that God would restore the kingdom to Israel.

Jesus reminded them that timing rested solely in God’s hands.

He also told them of what was to be theirs.

Acts 1:8 (NET) - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”

Jesus then ascended into Heaven.

Those who followed Jesus went into hiding after his crucifixion.

They feared for their very lives.

Once Jesus ascended into Heaven, they found themselves alone once more.

But now they had a new promise.

A promise that was dependent on God’s timing instead of their own.

This was realized on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon each one.

Only then would they become powerful witnesses.

If you have made a resolution and failed to keep it, don’t feel bad.

Focus on God and trust in His timing.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 13, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, January 20, 2016

Look and Live

Exodus 33:18 (NET) - And Moses said, “Show me your glory.”

Moses wanted to see God’s glory.

God gave Moses just a glimpse.

At the time, no one could see God’s face and live.

Not even Moses.

All that changed when God reached down to a fallen world through Jesus.

Those who saw Jesus, saw the Father.

Yet even those closest to Jesus did not comprehend this.

John 14:8-9 (NET) - Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be content.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

Those who saw Jesus saw the Father.

They saw the Father and lived.

These verses remind us of two very important things.

First, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are One.

Second, those who see Jesus see the Father.

Moreover, they see the Father and live.

Every one of us are fallen.

This includes Moses, Philip, you and me.

Despite everything Moses did, he still could not look upon the face of God and live.

That changed when Jesus came into the world.

When Philip looked upon the face of Jesus he did not realize he was looking upon the face of God.

Yet he looked upon the face of God and lived.

We believe that Jesus ascended into Heaven and will come again.

Like Moses, all we are now afforded are glimpses until He returns.

If we fail to catch these glimpses the fault is our own.

As we continue our journey through Advent let us set aside the things that distract us.

If we do, we will better able to catch these glimpses… and live.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 23, 2016.

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

What to Do

Many people suffer from stress around Christmas.

Speaking from personal experience, I can see why.

It seems like everyone gets busier around Christmas.

Being a Christian certainly helps us cope. 

As we continue our journey through the season of Advent, I thought I might share a few things that some might be helpful in coping with holiday stress.

Above all, keep the focus where it belongs.

Christmas is about Jesus.

It is not about us.

Tasks and activities that bring Him glory should be given top priority.

Christmas is also an excellent time to love others.

Helping those less fortunate is important.

Christmas is also an excellent time to bring others to Him.

Just about everything else comes next.

Before embarking on a task, check your motivation.

Ask yourself why you are doing it.

Answering this question honestly will be very helpful.

Scripture is also an excellent guide.

It reminds us that the more we are blessed, the more is expected of us.

It also reminds us that whatever we do, we do not do alone.

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

Another thing I have learned is that sometimes we must say “No” to the requests of others.

It doesn’t mean we don’t love them; it simply means “no”.

Finally, a truly amazing thing happens when we put the Lord first.

He helps us prioritize everything else.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 9, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 16, 2016

I Just Don't See It

Over the past few months I have observed a building under construction.

I passed by it every day during my commute.

I observed the excavation.

I saw the foundation laid.

I watched the steel girders go up.

I observed additional concrete poured.

I saw men at work inside the building busy at various tasks.

Each day I passed by I could see the progress that was being made.

What made this interesting was that I only saw this building from a corner view.

When work began on the exterior of the building, workers started on the side of the building to my left.

That phase completed they began working on the side of the building to my right.

Once that was complete, I could no longer see inside the building.

I also could not see the exterior work on the far side of the building.

Looking at things only from my perspective, it appeared that all work had stopped.

All the while work continued.

I just could not see it based on my limited view.

That is often how it is with God.

We are certainly aware of the problems in our lives.

We are also aware of some the problems in our world.

Sometimes we can easily see God at work.

Sometimes, from our limited view, it appears that no progress is being made at all.

At such times, it is very easy for us to assume that God is not doing anything about them.

In truth, He is.

We just can’t see it from our limited human perspective.

Hebrews 11:1 (NET) - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.

God is not a distant and casual observer.

He is an active participant in all our lives.

This is also true during those times when we see no progress.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 25, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 2, 2016

Sin is Overt

There is a car dealership I pass every morning and every evening.

What is most noticeable about it during the daytime is their large sign which displays their family name of Covert.

At night, the dealership is even more noticeable.

Lights are turned on and their facility is flooded with light.

Even their sign lights up.

In this state, both the sign and facility can be seen from quite far away.

The dictionary defines the word covert as “not openly displayed”.

I find it more than a bit interesting that a place that attracts so much attention could have the word “covert” attached to it.

This forced me to consider how sin impacts our relationship with God.

Each of us, myself included, is guilty of sin.

1 John 1:8 (NET) - If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Whether a sin we commit is intentional or not, we would prefer to hide it.

Hiding it from others is one thing.

Given enough time, we might eventually be able to hide it from ourselves.

We might even think about hiding it from God.

That simply is not possible,

Sin impacts our relationship with God and there is absolutely no way to hide it from Him.

It is no more hidden from Him than that car dealership and its large sign that are both lit up at night.

That is why confession is so important.

It is confession that mends our relationship with Him.

1 John 1:9 (NET) - But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 11, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 18, 2016