Trust and Victory

Exodus 14:13-14 (NET) - Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord that he will provide for you today; for the Egyptians that you see today you will never, ever see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still.”

The heading for this chapter in this translation reads “The Victory at the Red Sea.”

I prefer this to other translations that refer to it simply as the crossing of the Red Sea.

The last part of verse fourteen states: “The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still.”

As the Egyptians closed in on God’s people they cried out to Moses.

With their backs to the sea, they were certain they were about to die.

Moses knew better.

Moses knew that God would fight for them.

So, he reminded them of this.

God then instructed Moses to have the people move toward the sea.

He then instructed Moses to raise his staff and divide it.

The sea parted and the people advanced through it on dry ground.

After the people crossed, God instructed Moses to extend his hand toward the sea.

The divided sea then covered the pursuing Egyptians.

The waters covered them, and the people never saw them again.

Exodus 14:31 (NET) - When Israel saw the great power that the Lord had exercised over the Egyptians, they feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Centuries later, Paul understood that the Lord was still dependable.

This is evident in his letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 10:23 (NET) - And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.

Centuries later, we have the same assurance.

At times, the road we travel makes it difficult for us to see this.

During such times we can turn to the Lord.

We can ask for the strength to see.

The Lord will then open our eyes once more.

He will help us find His calling.

He will also help us to see His calling in others.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 13, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, August 20, 2021

Offering First Choice

Genesis 13:8 (NET) - Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no quarreling between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are close relatives.

Friction developed when Abram traveled with his nephew Lot.

Both had an abundance of flocks, herds, and tents.

But the land was unable to support them both.

The herdsmen of Abram and Lot began quarreling.

The only solution was for Abram and Lot to part ways.

This could have been a source of contention as well.

Fortunately, Abram knew just how to cope with the situation.

Abram spoke with Lot.

He said that quarrels should be set aside.

He told Lot that since they must separate, he would give Lot his choice of direction.

Lot looked eastward over the land of the Jordan.

He saw that it was fertile with an abundance of water.

Lot chose this direction.

Abram then traveled in the opposite direction toward Canaan.

By human standards we would say that Lot came out ahead in the transaction.

But God had designs of his own.

He told Abram to look in every direction.

He would give Abram all the land he saw.

He also promised Abram that he would father many descendants.

Abram settled in a good place and built an altar to the Lord.

Paul also understood the importance of reconciliation.

He understood that, for Christians, it is important to place others first.

Romans 12:10 (NET) - Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.

True love is a love without hypocrisy.

True love is a love without condition.

True love is a love with honor.

Yes, true love is a love that gives the other first choice.

We are reconciled with God through Christ.

God did this because He loved us.

We must love God in return.

We must also love others.

That means we should seek to end quarrels and reconcile ourselves with them.

It also means giving them the first choice.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 23, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, August 6, 2021

Faithful to the End

Isaiah 53:1 (NET) - Who would have believed what we just heard? When was the Lord’s power revealed through him?

Isaiah begins this chapter by posing two questions?

He then answers these questions in a prophecy that would be fulfilled by Jesus.

This prophecy would be fulfilled centuries later.

Isaiah describes the pain, rejection and suffering Jesus would endure.

He also explains why Jesus had to endure it all.

Isaiah describes man’s rebellious and sinful nature.

He also clearly describes how Christ would endure this without protest.

He even describes His association with criminals and burial in a borrowed tomb.

All these things happened just as prophesied.

The fulfillment of this prophecy means we are saved!

But it is not enough for us to bask in the light of salvation alone.

Paul understood this.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul explains the responsibility we now have.

1 Timothy 6:12 (NET) - Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses.

Paul states that we must not only claim eternal life, but we must compete well for the faith.

That means making others aware of our transformation as well.

We can certainly do this through our words.

We can also do this through our actions.

It is perhaps our actions that speak loudest of all.

In the end, God has emerged victorious.

He did this through His one and only Son.

Sin has been defeated.

With it, all fear has dissipated.

So, let us turn to God in praise.

Let us also ask to be energized.

Then, we can follow the example of Jesus and remain faithful to the end.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 9, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, July 16, 2021

Love, Mercy, and Grace

Zechariah 3:4 (NET) - The angel spoke up to those standing all around, “Remove his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “I have freely forgiven your iniquity and will dress you in fine clothing.”

Zechariah is considered one of the minor prophets.

This term can be misinterpreted.

It does not refer to the importance of the prophet but rather the brevity of his book.

Zechariah’s importance must not be overlooked.

He clearly and frequently prophesied about the Messiah.

The opening verse is from the fourth vision experienced by the prophet.

In this vision, Zechariah describes the complete forgiveness of sin.

This is represented by a change of clothing.

The old, filthy, and perhaps even ragged clothes are removed.

They are replaced with new and fine clothes.

Zechariah’s vision of forgiveness and salvation can be attributed to one thing.

That one thing is grace!

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, also describes forgiveness through grace.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NET) - But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved!

Paul uses the imagery of life and death to describe the effects of grace.

Sin makes us dead.

Through grace we are made alive once more.

We are made alive together with Christ.

On our own, redemption is impossible.

But through grace it is as simple as a change of clothing.

Zechariah saw our filthy rags replaced by fine new clothes.

Paul describes us as being brought back from lifelessness to life.

That is the power of grace!

Every aspect of our being is made new.

Again, we cannot do this on our own.

It is only possible because of God’s love, mercy, and grace.

A love, mercy, and grace manifested in Jesus.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 25, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, July 2, 2021

First and Foremost

1 Samuel 7:3 (NET) - Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really turning to the Lord with all your hearts, remove from among you the foreign gods and the images of Ashtoreth. Give your hearts to the Lord and serve only him. Then he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

There was conflict between the people of Israel and the Philistines.

The people turned to the Lord for help.

Samuel reminded them that they first had to remove all foreign gods and images.

The people listened to Samuel and did so.

One day, the Philistines approached for battle.

Because the people placed the Lord first, He drove the Philistines away.

The Lord expects to be first in our lives.

In fact, He demands it.

He even made this the first of his ten commandments.

Exodus 20:3 (NET) - You shall have no other gods before me.

Jesus understood the importance of this.

He concluded His parable of the steward with a word of caution.

Luke 16:13 (NET) - No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Foreign gods and images are not the only thing that can evict God from His proper place.

Jesus reminds us that money can easily do this.

In fact, there are many things in life that tempt us to place them first.

We live in an age where we are bombarded by distractions.

The moment we place any person or thing above God, we practice idolatry,

Regardless of the circumstances we face, we must keep God first in our lives.

That is what He expects.

That is what He commands.

That is something we must remember.

We must keep God first even as we weather the storms of life.

If we do, we can count on God to impart His blessings upon us.

He did that for the people of Israel in their trials.

He will do the same for us.

When that happens, we must share those blessings with others.

This allows them to see that we have given God his proper place.

It also encourages them to do the same.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 11, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, June 18, 2021

Success

Genesis 39:23 (NET) - The warden did not concern himself with anything that was in Joseph’s care because the Lord was with him and whatever he was doing the Lord was making successful.

Many things occurred during Joseph’s lifetime.

Some could be considered major setbacks.

Others could be considered major successes.

Through the ups and downs one thing was perfectly clear.

Joseph understood that God was at work in both.

Others more easily perceived God’s hand in the successes.

After being sold into slavery, the 39^th chapter of Genesis finds Joseph working for Potiphar.

Joseph found success in this new role and Potiphar saw that God was with him.

Potiphar put Joseph in charge of the household, and it prospered.

Potiphar’s wife then falsely accused Joseph of assault.

As a result. Joseph was sent to prison.

Although in prison, God was still with Joseph.

He found favor in the warden’s eyes.

He put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners and made him responsible for all that went on.

Joseph succeeded in this new role as well.

The warden saw that God was the source of Joseph’s success.

People do not necessarily recognize the Lord’s hand in success.

When this happens, Scripture tells us they need a reminder.

This happened in the church at Corinth.

Paul wrote to them about this.

Some claimed to follow Paul.

Others claimed to follow Apollos.

Paul reminded them that both he and Apollos were servants of the Lord.

He reminded them that their success and growth was due to God.

1 Corinthians 3:6 (NET) - I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow.

God is not just a casual observer.

He is an active participant in our lives in both setbacks and successes alike.

As the threat of the pandemic subsides, we will be presented with new opportunities.

Remember, the Lord is with us.

Let us ask the Lord to make our endeavors bear fruit.

Let us ask Him to bless the church and its outreach.

Let us ask the Lord to make new ministries prosper.

After all, we are but servants.

Our success is due to the Lord.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 28, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, June 4, 2021

Follow Me

2 Samuel 22:19-20 (NET) - 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 book of 2 Samuel discusses David’s reign.

This verse is from a song David sang to the Lord.

It is a song about how God rescued him from his enemies.

God did so when David called out to Him.

Like David, we often call out to the Lord in times of trouble.

Like David, we know the Lord will see us through the tough times.

What happens when the roles are reversed?

What happens when the Lord calls out to us?

How do we respond?

In the book of Matthew, we read about how the Lord called him.

Matthew 9:9 (NET) - As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow me,” he said to him. So he got up and followed him.

Matthew was a tax collector.

He was doing his job when the Lord called out to him.

He heard the Lord say, “Follow me.”

Matthew responded to the call.

Matthew got up and followed the Lord.

This changed Matthew’s life forever.

The Lord called others to follow Him.

Like Matthew, their lives were forever changed.

The Lord still calls out to us.

He calls out to us every day.

If we listen carefully, we hear Him calling, “Follow me.”

It is comforting to know that we can call upon the Lord in times of trouble.

It can however be a little unsettling when He calls out to us.

This is especially true when that call is: “Follow me.”

Following means leaving our old lives behind,

It means our lives will never be the same again.

But following brings about something else.

In following, we are guided to a place we are meant to be.

Fortunately, we can call upon the Lord for the courage to follow.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 14, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, May 21, 2021

Joy and Loyalty

Psalm 5:11 (NET) - But may all who take shelter in you be happy. May they continually shout for joy. Shelter them so that those who are loyal to you may rejoice.

The Psalmist mentions elation three times in this verse.

He does this in various ways.

He uses the words “happy”, “joy” and “rejoice”.

There are however requirements for true elation.

First, we should take shelter in the Lord.

We should also remain loyal to Him.

Those who followed Jesus understood this as well.

Paul and Barnabas were moved by the Holy Spirit to preach at Pisidian Antioch.

On the Sabbath, they went into the synagogue.

The leaders there spoke of the law and the prophets.

They then invited Paul and Barnabas to speak.

Paul, in loyalty to Jesus, spoke extensively about Him.

Many were moved and they were invited to speak again the following Sabbath.

On that day, “almost the whole city assembled”.

But when some saw the size of the crowd, they were filled with jealousy.

When Paul spoke this time, he was interrupted, contradicted, and reviled.

Paul and Barnabas boldly stated that they were appointed to be a light to the Gentiles.

The Gentiles then began to rejoice.

The word of the Lord was spreading,

But those opposed to their message persecuted them.

Paul and Barnabas were thrown out of the region.

Despite this, Paul and Barnabas traveled on to Iconium.

They were also filled with joy.

Acts 13:52 (NET) - And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Despite persecution, Paul and Barnabas remained happy because of their loyalty to the Lord.

Today, it is easy for us to become discouraged.

But this does not have to be.

We can be happy.

We can find joy.

We can rejoice.

As the Psalmist said, all we need do is to take shelter in the Lord and remain loyal to Him.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 23, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, May 7, 2021

 

Expressions of Love

Matthew 3:16-17 (NET) - After Jesus was baptized, just as he was coming up out of the water, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight.”

When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, God expressed His love for His Son.

God loved His Son, but it was not just for this singular act of baptism.

God loved His Son for who He was,

God also loved His Son for what He came into the world to do and how He would go about it.

Jesus did everything God expected of Him.

That included the one thing He did which we could not do for ourselves.

For God not only loved Jesus, but He also loved us as well.

God loved us so much that He willingly sent Jesus to die in our place (John 3:16).

When the time approached Jesus struggled with this.

He prayed to God about it.

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

Jesus did what God willed of Him.

Jesus submitted Himself to abandonment, scorn, tremendous pain, and death by crucifixion.

He did God’s will by enduring it all.

He endured it all to benefit us.

When Jesus was baptized, God expressed His love for Him.

But this was not the only time God expressed that love for all to hear.

God also expressed it at the Transfiguration of Jesus.

With it, God also expressed a command for us.

We are to “Listen to Him!”

Matthew 17:5 (NET) - While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!”

As we read scripture, we hear the words of Jesus.

But we must do more than hear them.

We must really listen to them.

Jesus also teaches us by example.

We must therefore strive to become more like Jesus every day.

We too can turn to God in trying circumstances.

We too must accept God’s will as opposed to our own.

We must always remember that God loves us.

He proved that through what Jesus endured for us.

He also expressed this in the form of an empty tomb.

Jesus has risen and we now have true hope, and our lives will never be the same again!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 9, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, April 16, 2021

Glimpses

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

Moses wanted to see God.

But God warned Moses that no one could see His face and live.

So, God hid Moses in the cleft of a rock and covered him.

Moses did not see God’s face.

Instead, God allowed him just a glimpse as He passed by.

Moses was not the only one who wished to see God.

The followers of Jesus also wanted to see Him.

This was especially true of Philip.

Philip asked Jesus to show him the Father.

The response Philip received was not what he expected.

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’?

By knowing Jesus, we know God.

But the relationship we now have with God was affirmed by the Father.

This occurred the very moment Jesus died on the cross.

Matthew 27:50-51 (NET) - Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart.

This was a beautiful gesture on the part of God.

The temple curtain was a barrier.

It was a barrier that separated a sinful mankind from the most holy God.

God removed the barrier that separated us from Him the very moment Jesus died,

Just like Moses and Philip, many people today wish to see God.

Yet God gives glimpses of Himself not only in the miraculous but in the day-to-day.

Perhaps we are too preoccupied to notice.

One thing is certain.

As Christians we place our faith in Jesus.

When others see Jesus at work in our lives, they can capture glimpses of Him.

In doing so, they also capture glimpses of God.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 26, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, April 2, 2021

 

True Repentance

Judges 10:15 (NET) - But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. You do to us as you see fit, but deliver us today!”

It has been said that confession is good for the soul.

But it is more than that.

Repentance is scriptural.

It is important that we confess to God the ways in which we have fallen short.

But if God is omniscient, are we really revealing to Him anything new?

Doesn’t God know the ways in which we have fallen short?

Certainly, He does!

So why repent?

First, we admit to ourselves that we have sinned.

We are no longer able to rationalize or justify our actions and words.

Second, we express our sorrow and regret for them.

But repentance does not end there.

True repentance goes beyond this.

It requires one more thing.

It means turning back to God and changing our behavior.

It means changing our actions and words in the future to those He expects from us.

It means changing the way we live.

Thus, we are better able to love both God and our neighbor.

Luke 15:7 (NET) - I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

Confession may be good for the soul.

True repentance draws us closer to God.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 12, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, March 19, 2021

 

Idol Minds

Jeremiah 16:20 (NET) - Can people make their own gods? No, what they make are not gods at all.

What is idolatry?

Simply put, anything or anyone we place above God is an idol.

God both expects and demands to be first in our lives.

This is as it should be especially when we consider what God does for us.

First, God creates.

Everything that comes into being is created by God.

In fact, each of us owes our very existence to God.

Next, God redeems.

Redemption is something we cannot accomplish on our own.

God redeems us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Then, God makes holy.

God makes us better every day.

God does this through the Holy Spirit.

No other person or thing accomplishes this for us.

We must, therefore, keep God first in our lives.

This is what God expects.

This is what God demands.

When you think about it, this is what God deserves.

Yet we may wonder why the world is in such a state of chaos and confusion,

The book of 1 John is a small book when compared to others like Jeremiah.

But its final verses sum things up quite nicely.

1 John 5:19 (NET) - We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Although we live in a fallen world, there is no room for idolatry.

1 John 5:20 (NET) - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us insight to know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and eternal life.

Our world is a fallen world, but we are created, redeemed, and made holy.

We must keep God first in our lives.

The final verse of 1 John reminds us of this.

1 John 5:21 (NET) - Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 12, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, February 19, 2021

 

Our Journey

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NET) - For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love.

Everyone is facing challenges right now.

I receive so many messages stating that these are “difficult times”.

As human beings, we both dislike change and want easy answers.

We just want the challenge to be over.

We want things to be like they were before.

2020 reminds us that answers do not come easy.

Even the beginning of 2021 has brought additional challenges and issues.

In life there are no quick fixes or easy answers.

Scripture reminds us of many people who endured much.

Yet they kept their faith throughout their challenges.

Faith is a wonderful thing.

But having faith does not mean we will get quick fixes or easy answers.

That is why my thoughts turned to the passage above from 2 Peter.

It reminds us that our life on earth is more about the journey than it is the destination.

We begin the journey with faith.

But that is just the beginning of the journey.

Faith takes us to excellence, then knowledge and then self-control.

We then move on to perseverance and to godliness.

Godliness then leads us to brotherly love and unselfish love.

That is quite a journey.

But we do not travel alone.

God is with us every step of the way.

We must therefore experience not only a change of mind but a change of heart as well.

The Psalmist reminds us of that.

Psalm 95:2-3 (NET) - Let us enter his presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout out to him in celebration. For the Lord is a great God, a great king who is superior to all gods.

We must give thanks to God in all circumstances, even difficult ones.

For God is indeed great and He will see us through the difficult times!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 22, 2020.

I will be back here on Friday, February 5, 2021

Come What May

As I write this, 2020 is winding down.

Hopefully 2021 will be a better year, but time will tell.

From our current vantage point, there is room for optimism.

The vaccine for COVID-19 is already being distributed.

With it, we may get a handle on the pandemic.

But, from our current vantage point a great deal about the future remains unknown.

Will those who lost their jobs find employment once again?

Will we find healing for the division we currently experience?

Will the virus mutate and perhaps result in additional setbacks?

So many questions.

So few answers.

In pondering the future, my thoughts turn to two men of God from the Old Testament.

The first of these is Abraham.

God asked Abraham to venture into the unknown.

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

Despite the unknown, Abraham obeyed God and God made him a great nation.

The second of these men is Moses.

God allowed him to see the Promised Land but did not allow him to enter it

Numbers 27:12-13 (NET) - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim range, and see the land I have given to the Israelites. When you have seen it, you will be gathered to your ancestors, as Aaron your brother was gathered to his ancestors.

God gave Moses a glimpse into the future He promised the people,

One thing these men shared was faith.

Each man’s faith in God allowed him to believe there was a future.

The same applies to us.

2021 might be a complete mystery to us.

It might be a time for optimism, new beginnings, healing and recovery.

It might be a time of additional setbacks,

One thing is certain.

God will be there for us.

We must have faith and trust Him.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 8, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, January 15, 2021

 

Finding Joy This Christmas

Christmas is an excellent time for reflection.

In doing so, I find that I have many unpleasant memories of events that involve the Christmas season.

One Christmas season, the person to whom I was closest died.

I had to arrange funeral services.

This was made challenging as no one had cell phones.

Many had left town for Christmas and I had no way of reaching them.

Then there was a young lady I met many years ago.

We got along very well.

As we learned more about each other I discovered her family chose not to celebrate Christmas.

For my family, Christmas was a major event.

We parted ways soon afterward.

Neither of us could ask the other to go against our faiths.

I could list other unpleasant memories associated with the Christmas season.

Due to COVID-19, Christmas 2020 will most probably rank among them for most.

But, unpleasant memories aside, we should still find joy in Christmas itself.

It is the day we set aside to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

This event was foretold by the prophet Isaiah

Isaiah 7:14 (NET) - For this reason the Lord 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.

The Gospel of Matthew confirmed fulfillment of this prophecy.

Matthew 1:21-23 (NET) - She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” This all happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.

Yes, we each probably have unpleasant memories of particular Christmas seasons.

But we should still look for and find joy in Christmas itself.

I like the way Paul stated it in his second letter to Corinth.

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NET) - Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

My prayer is that we each find true joy this Christmas despite any unpleasant circumstances in our lives

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas!

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 25, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, January 1, 2021

 

A Symbol of Hope

 

John 6:30 (NET) - So they said to him, "Then what miraculous sign will you perform, so that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?

Throughout His earthly ministry, people asked Jesus for miraculous signs.

Truthfully speaking, these requests were more like demands.

According to their reasoning, this would cause them to believe.

With all that is going on in the world today, perhaps we desire the miraculous even more.

We would like Jesus to end the pandemic.

We would like for Him to heal all division.

Some might even ask Him to restore the economy.

The list goes on.

But faith neither expects nor demand a miraculous sign or wonder.

Faith simply believes.

That is why I enjoy the season of Advent so much.

We surround ourselves with symbols of the season.

One of my personal favorites is the Moravian star.

It began in Moravian boarding schools in the nineteenth century 

Originally designed as a lesson in geometry, it became so much more.

Carried around the world by missionaries and church workers, it became a symbol.

It is now a symbol of Advent.

It is a symbol of hope.

The hope we have as we approach the day of celebration.

The celebration of the birth of Jesus two thousand years ago.

For in Christ lies real hope.

This, I believe, is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions.

It is not about us reaching up to a distant god.

Christianity is about how the loving God reached down to us.

And he did so in the most surprising of ways.

Christ did not come to us as a general or political ruler.

He did not even come to us as an adult.

Christ came to us as an infant; one born to obedient parents in humble surroundings.

So, do not expect or demand miraculous signs and wonders.

Instead, have faith; have hope!

The reminders are all around us.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 11, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 18, 2020

 

Worry, Worry, Worry

Philippians 4:2 (NET) - Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.

Scripture tells us time and again that we should not worry.

The words “Fear not” immediately spring to mind.

Good advice.

But some have even gone so far as to say that if you worry then you are not really a Christian.

My mother was a worrier.

I used to tell her that if she found herself not worrying, she would worry about that.

Of course, this was in jest and she took it that way.

But frankly speaking, there is a great deal of concern in the world right now.

There is the pandemic.

There is division.

There is the economy.

Many are out of work.

Speaking for myself, many things have changed due to circumstances beyond my control.

I personally know several people in the same predicament.

I stated earlier that my mother was a worrier.

But her concern was not for herself, rather it was a concern for others.

Mother proved to me very early on that you can be concerned and be a Christian.

Especially when that concern is for others.

Galatians 6:2 (NET) - Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.

I cannot change the circumstances that are outside my realm of control.

But being concerned for others does three things for me.

First, I am far less concerned about myself.

Second, this is what scripture demands.

Third, it makes me glad that God gave me such a great Christian mother and teacher.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 4, 2020

 

Moving Forward an Hour Back

Matthew 11:29-30 (NET) - Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.

People in my part of the world recently set our clocks back one hour.

I am still getting accustomed to the time change,

Frankly, I wish we could leave the time alone rather than change it twice each year.

It always takes time for me to adjust to the new time.

I find the time change this time of year particularly unsettling.

That is human nature.

By the time I have finished my workday the sun is already in the process of setting.

In practically no time at all, nightfall sets in.

With things still left to be done, it can be hard to get motivated to do these things after dark.

That is why I love these words from Jesus at this time of year.

He reminds us that our load does not have to be heavy.

That is because the work He gives us is easy to bear.

Furthermore, He reminds us that we can still find rest.

How can a load, any load, be easy to bear?

We find this in His answer to a Pharisee also found in Matthew’s gospel.

Matthew 22:37-39 (NET) - Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

In the end, it does not matter that it gets dark shortly after the workday ends.

We not only have Christ’s words. we have His example.

When the work we do expresses our love for God and neighbor, the load is easy to bear.

This even applies to the work we refer to as our profession.

This also makes the rest we find afterward true rest.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 6, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 13, 2020

 

Comfort and Peace

Leviticus 26:5 (NET) - I will grant peace in the land so that you will lie down to sleep without anyone terrifying you. I will remove harmful animals from the land, and no sword of war will pass through your land.

A young friend recently called me.

He had just experienced the death of his mother.

I understood the loss only too well as I experienced it personally years ago.

Although much time has passed for me, I remember only too well the initial shock and pain.

Unfortunately, the pandemic prevents me from putting my arm around my friend.

The only comforts I could offer him were words spoken over the phone.

But I trust that God will comfort my young friend just as he comforted me.

Philippians 4:7 (NET) - And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

True comfort can be found in Jesus.

Thanks to Him, death is not the end but merely a transition.

True peace can be found in God; the peace that exceeds all understanding.

One day, my young friend will truly discover this just as I did.

He will also learn something else.

The love we have endures.

No matter how much time passes, we continue to love those who have died.

Not even death has the power to alter that.

In reflection, one thing does concern me.

Although the LORD provides true peace and comfort, we are meant to comfort others as well.

We were meant to be part of a community.

One day the pandemic will be but a memory.

Will we have grown comfortable with distance?

I certainly hope not.

I pray God will help us truly be close once more to comfort one another.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 23, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 6, 2020

 

The Good Shepherd

Psalm 23:3 (NRSV) - he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23 is something special.

It is among those passages of scripture we memorize very early on.

We find comfort in its words.

We turn to it when we are grieving the loss of a loved one.

We have heard it recited at funeral services time and again.

Psalm 23 begins with these timeless words…

“The LORD is my shepherd.”

That is why my attention currently turns to the third verse.

Particularly the phrase, “He leads me in right paths.”

After all, that is exactly what a good shepherd does for his sheep.

He leads them where he wants them to go, to places where they need to be.

These may not necessarily be places where they would go on their own.

I know people who have raised sheep.

Being compared to them is not necessarily a compliment.

Sheep are stubborn.

Left on their own. they can quickly find themselves in trouble.

That is why sheep require a good shepherd in order to thrive… and so do we.

Jesus reminds us that He is the Good Shepherd.

John 16:14 (NRSV) - I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

Christ knows us and we know Him.

Just like a good shepherd guides his flock, so Jesus guides us.

His is the voice that tells us to love God and to love our neighbor.

In a world full of uncertainty, we can take comfort.

We can completely rely on our Good Shepherd to guide us.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 9, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 16, 2020

Best Plan Ever

Psalm 71:17 (NET) - O God, you have taught me since I was young, and I am still declaring your amazing deeds.

Since the beginning, God has done the miraculous.

He spoke the universe into existence.

From the farthest flung galaxies to our neighboring moon, the universe declares God’s glory.

The Earth itself is also a testament to God’s glory from one extreme to the other.

For example, the wings of a butterfly are frail and delicate.

The wings of an eagle, however, are strong and sturdy.

Yet, God created both.

God created both the depths of the oceans and the highest mountain tops 

Personally, I am quite fond of the mathematical and scientific formulas I use daily.

The fact that they work time after time tells me that God is behind everything.

A growing number of scientists now concur that there is an intentional design to the universe.

That means that there must be a master designer as well.

In short, God is the master planner.

But of all God’s plans, one outshines them all.

In Luke’s gospel we read of a man named Simeon.

The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Redeemer.

This happened when Joseph and Mary brought the young Jesus to Jerusalem.

The moment Simeon took Jesus into his arms, he knew the Redeemer had come.

Luke 2:28-30 (NET) - Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying, “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation

Of all the wonders planned and brought about by God one outshines them all.

That wonder is none other than Jesus.

For in his eternal wisdom, God knew we could never save ourselves.

Therefore, He planned for our salvation from the beginning and brought Jesus into His creation.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 25, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 2, 2020

 

Fruits of the Spirit

Nehemiah 9:20 (NET) - You imparted your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths; you provided water for their thirst.

The Holy Spirit is the least understood member of the Trinity.

But the same Holy Spirit who helped those who came before us helps us as well.

Moreover, we do not need to fully comprehend the Holy Spirit in order to know Him. .

That is because He has been given to us,

John 14:17 (NET) - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.

It is the Spirit that enables us to learn and do things for God.

It is the Spirit that enables us to learn and do things for our fellow man,

But there is a difference.

God is omniscient, so He knows absolutely everything we do.

Our fellow man however is not omniscient.

He is most likely aware only of what we specifically do for him at the time.

He might even identify us that way.

For example some know me as an employee, a coworker, a teacher, an author and so on.

In fact, a friend at church recently identified me as a “tech guy”.

I am sure everyone can relate.

We might even feel frustrated by this from time to time, but this does not have to be so.

We just need to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us in everything we do.

Then the things we do become “fruits of the Spirit”.

This means that they become evidence of the Holy Spirit to others.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NET) - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Doesn’t today’s world need to witness more of these things?

Just remember that Jesus reminds us of something important in one of His parables.

Luke 12:48 (NET) - But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.

There are times when we might feel like there is no room on our plate to do one more thing for anyone.

That is when the Holy Spirit can truly surprise us.

He can choose to make our plate bigger and surprise others as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 11, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 18, 2020

 

Good One

 

Psalm 100:5 (NET) - For the Lord is good. His loyal love endures, and he is faithful through all generations.

We use the word "good" frequently.

Late in the day, we say "good evening" or "good night".

Early in the day, we say "good morning" or "good day".

Considering current events we may find ourselves asking "What's good about anything?"

There is division among races and politics.

There is a global pandemic with no end in sight.

There is violence in the streets of our cities.

People are persecuted for their religious beliefs.

We are forced to remain distant for health reasons.

We might even choose to remain distant once the health crisis has passed.

No wonder it is tempting to ask what is good about anything.

But that is the wrong question.

The best question to ask is "Who is good?"

If we think about it, the answer might surprise us.

If I am to believe scripture, it certainly is not me.

It is not any elected official nor one seeking public office.

It is not any expert in health care.

It is not even a member of law enforcement.

The truth is that not one of us can call ourselves "good".

There is however One that truly is good.

Jesus explained this to a wealthy man.

Mark 10:18 (NET) - Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone."

That is the truth of the matter.

God alone is Good.

Yet God can bring about good things through us regardless of profession.

That includes elected officials, experts in health care and members of law enforcement.

It even includes people like you and me.

God can use each of us to help remedy the problems the world faces.

We must first recognize both His goodness and our shortcomings.

We must cease being stubborn and allow the One who is good to work within us and through us.

Then and only then will we see real and permanent change.

Romans 8:28 (NET) - And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 28, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 4, 2020

Weathering the Storm

Psalm 26:12 (NET) - I am safe, and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord.

It seems a bit ironic to open with this verse these days.

The pandemic has managed to do on a global scale what nothing in recent memory has.

Worshipping in our own churches stopped.

In some cases it restarted only to stop once again.

In some cases it has resumed but with a limited number of worshippers.

Obviously, those in high risks groups should not attend.

We must also understand that some will remain uncomfortable attending in person again for quite some time.

Understanding is, after all, part of what loving one’s neighbor is all about.

Through it all, we must continue to encourage one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NET) - Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.

A wise pastor once reminded me of something at a special worship service.

He stated that the church was not the building, it was the people.

Reflecting on these words reminds me that every believer has been given gifts by God.

Those gifts can build up the church even if a believer cannot attend services at this time.

Some will use their voices.

Some will use their instruments.

Others will use brush and canvas.

Some will even use a computer and the Internet.

1 Corinthians 14:26 (NET) - What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.

All these things, and others, will continue to edify the church until the pandemic passes.

That is because the work we do is not our own.

It is granted to us and inspired by God.

Philippians 1:6 (NET) - For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

The pandemic has certainly changed the current landscape of worship.

These changes, and others still to come, might change the landscape permanently.

We will not know exactly how much until the pandemic has passed.

We might find these changes stressful along the way.

People, as a rule, do not like change.

But working together with God’s help we can weather the winds of change

Let faith, hope and love guide our actions and our words.

Hebrews 12:14 (NET) - Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.

  

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 14, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 21, 2020

 

Power in the Blood

I accidentally cut myself this weekend.

It was much more than a slight wound.

Fortunately, I kept calm and remembered my first aid training.

This combination saved me a trip to the emergency room.

The incident, although painful, reminded me just how important our blood is.

When I was a boy, I knew an elderly man who had a blood disease.

This disease prevented his blood from clotting properly.

Even a small cut that most would take for granted could have proved fatal to him.

I had another friend with a similar condition.

His was due to the medication he was taking.

Our blood is necessary for survival.

In fact. I currently have a friend who donates blood faithfully and regularly.

He has done so for many years and I can only imagine how many lives his blood has saved.

Yes, our blood is a precious thing.

But as precious as it is, there is something far more precious.

Something far more powerful.

That is the blood of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 13:12 (NET) - Therefore, to sanctify the people by his own blood, Jesus also suffered outside the camp.

Each of us has been saved by the blood of Jesus

Ephesians 1:7-8 (NET) - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight.

By His blood, we are made right with God.

Isaiah 53:5 (NET) - He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed.

Every one of us, regardless of background, has been brought nearer to God by His blood.

Ephesians 2:13 (NET) - But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

As time goes by, the scar from my injury will fade.

Hopefully it will serve to remind me to be more careful in the future.

It will also serve as a physical reminder; a reminder of the importance of the blood of Jesus Christ.

It will remind me why the sharing of the bread and the cup is so vital to us.

1 Corinthians 11:25 (NET) - In the same way, he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Human blood is a precious thing.

We could not survive without it.

But the blood of Jesus is even more precious.

Because of it, we truly live!

The old hymn says it so well: There’s Power in the Blood.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 24, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 7, 2020

For Sale

I decided to take a drive Sunday afternoon,

It’s one of the few activities one can indulge in with the current COVID-19 restrictions in place.

With no specific destination in mind, I decided I would first drive by the church I attend.

With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, worshipping together has been suspended once more.

Fortunately, our services will still occur and be streamed online.

Many churches have chosen this option at least until the pandemic has subsided.

I remembered twice finding a note on our church door from a youth group.

The note said that they stopped by and prayed for us,

Each young person had signed their name to it,

I recalled thinking what a remarkable gesture this was.

Being familiar with the many churches in the community, I decided to make this the focus of my journey.

I made a mental list of all these churches and proceeded to drive from one to the next.

I paused my journey at each one and said a prayer on behalf of those who call that church home.

Luke 18:1 (NET) - Then Jesus told them a parable to show them they should always pray and not lose heart.

I prayed for their worshippers and the day that they would be able to gather once again.

So I traveled from one to the next, pausing at each to pray.

Things proceeded as I expected until I was taken by surprise.

One church to which I traveled had a “For Sale” sign.

I suddenly became quite sad,

There could be any number of reasons as to why this church had permanently closed its doors.

Perhaps it was the pandemic.

Perhaps the number of worshippers had been in decline.

Perhaps there was a disagreement that led to division.

Whatever the reason, this church and its congregation was no more.

Its doors will remain closed until a buyer comes along.

What will occupy the building remains to be seen.

Now, I know the Church is not the building.

It is the entire body of believers with Christ as the head.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (NET) - And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and gave him to the church as head over all things. Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Still, I could not help but feel sad as I thought of all that happened within its walls over the decades.

All the sermons that were preached.

All the hymns of praise that were sung.

Al the prayers that were lifted.

All the weddings, baptisms and funerals that united generations of people.

Now, the lights are turned off and silence fills an empty space.

It will remain that way even after the pandemic is over.

I know that those who worshipped there did so differently than I do.

That does not matter.

I continue to pray for them.

My prayer is that they will find a new church that they can call home.

That prayer turns my sadness into hope.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NET) - God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 10, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 17, 2020