Love Endures

Proverbs 31:26 (NET) - She has opened her mouth with wisdom, with loving instruction on her tongue.

Mother’s Day was a bittersweet time for me.

Mom passed away almost 15 years ago, and I still love and miss her very much.

That is why I was so grateful to receive an email from a friend who is a man of God.

Like me, he too had a wonderful relationship with his mother,

In his email, he reminded me how blessed both of us are for the mothers God gave us.

I readily agreed.

My faith would not be what it is had it not been for my mother.

Some of my earliest memories are of her telling me stories from the Bible.

She told them with great conviction.

Afterward, she took the time to answer the questions a young boy inevitably had.

That is why I always think of Proverbs 31 whenever I remember my mother.

The last half of this chapter describes a good wife.

I believe it also describes a good mother.

This year I wondered how Mom would have dealt with the current situation.

I concluded she would have been concerned.

But her concern would have been for others rather than herself.

In fact, two passages of scripture she cited most often were about concern and where to turn for help.

John 14:27 (KJV) - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Psalm 121:1-3 (KJV) - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Mother’s Day will always be a bittersweet time for me no matter how old I get.

That’s a good thing.

It reminds me how special she was to me.

It also reminds me others thought she was special as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 5, 2020

Cliffhanger

I enjoy old movie serials and television episodes.

Many of these installments ended in what has come to be known as “the cliffhanger”.

Simply put, this is a plot device in which the installment ends with a character in a precarious position.

It is also intended as an incentive for the viewer to want to watch the next installment.

Until then, the viewer is left wondering how the character can possibly escape almost certain doom.

There is an old saying that states life imitates art.

For those who do not know the risen Lord, death appears to be the ultimate cliffhanger.

Is death the end?

Can there be more to come?

Fortunately, Christ makes it very clear that death is not the end.

This happened at His crucifixion.

One of the criminals turned to Jesus.

Jesus gave him a promise.

Luke 23:43 (NET) -  And Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

But these were far more than words intended to comfort a dying man.

This was a genuine promise of hope!

This was not the only time Jesus assured us of eternal life.

Before His crucifixion, Jesus made a promise to His followers.

John 14:1-3 (NET) - “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. 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.

Cliffhangers are fine for movies and television programs.

But, thanks to the risen Lord, the end of our time on earth is not the end at all.

Nor is it something to be feared.

It is a transition of hope made possible through Christ’s love!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 15, 2020

Unrecognized

Although Easter Sunday was several days ago, we are still in the Easter season.

Before COVID-19, the Sundays following Easter would remind us of this.

Sermons, hymns and prayers would help remind us of the importance of the Resurrection,

As such, I find my thoughts returning to one fact about the immediate aftermath of the Resurrection.

People, including those closest to Jesus, did not recognize Him at first,

This started when Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty.

She then told the disciples who came to see for themselves.

After she was left alone, she encountered the risen Jesus.

Initially, she mistook Him for someone else.

John 20:14 (NET) -  When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Soon afterward, Jesus appeared before two others on the road to Emmaus.

They did not recognize Him at first either.

Luke 24:15-16 (NET) - While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them (but their eyes were kept from recognizing him).

Then there was the time the disciples were fishing and did not realize it was Jesus on the shore.

John 21:4 (NET) - When it was already very early morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

I find it more than interesting that those who knew Jesus best did not recognize Him at first.

Scripture does make it plain that they were kept from recognizing Him as in the verse from Luke.

I will not dispute that.

But those He encountered were also caught up in other things at the time.

Mary was caught up in her grief.

Those on the road to Emmaus were caught up in their conversation about current events.

The disciples were caught up in their fishing.

It is easy for us to question how those closest to Him could fail to recognize Jesus.

Do we really fare any better?

Jesus reveals Himself today in many ways including Scripture.

Can we honestly say that we always recognize Him?

Or, are we perhaps too caught up in our own thoughts and actions to notice?

One final thought…

Since COVID-19 has impacted our lives, churches have had to find new and creative ways to worship.

We have also had to find new and creative ways in which to serve.

I hope these trends continue well after the threat of this pandemic has subsided.

I pray churches continue to find even newer and more creative ways in which to worship and serve.

If we do, perhaps people just might not recognize the church at first either.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 1, 2020

Solitude and Prayer

COVID-19 has changed the way we live.

Like many others, I am working from home now.

I miss not being at work and I certainly miss the friends I have made there.

I long for the day when I can attend church once more,

I think I miss my students on Sunday mornings most of all.

We were not designed to live in perpetual solitude

Yet even for those living with family, there will be times we still find ourselves alone,

But this is not altogether a bad thing.

Scripture tells us time and again that even Jesus went off to be by himself.

Perhaps the clearest example can be found in Luke’s gospel.

Luke 5:16 (NET) -  Yet Jesus himself frequently withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.

Notice the word ‘frequently’.

It reminds us that there were many times that Jesus sought solitude for prayer.

Another example can be found in Mark’s gospel.

Mark 1:35 (NET) - Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer.

Then there is the advice He gives each of us regarding the importance of solitude and prayer.

Matthew 6:6 (NET) - But whenever you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

We are meant to pray and worship together when we can.

One day, hopefully soon, we will again,

But scripture reminds us of the importance of solitude and prayer and how Jesus often sought both.

If Jesus required solitude from time to time, what does that say for us?

We also need solitude for prayer periodically.

Perhaps recent events might serve as a reminder to us.

In the days to come there will be times when we find ourselves without another human being around.

In those times, it is important to remember that we are never truly alone.

Let us put those moments to good use.

Let us remember how even Jesus sought solitude in which to earnestly pray to the Father.

Let us follow His example as we consider what He did for all of us.

In the week to come, we will contemplate the cross that awaited Him.

Just remember that there is a now empty tomb just beyond it!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

Changes and Constants

Those of you who follow my regular offerings will notice this one is in a different format. This is intentional because of all that is going on around us. It is my hope that you will read it anyway.

Our routines have been turned upside down and it is very probable that even more changes are in store. The question then arises: What should we be doing during this period of change?

1.      Do Not Fear. It is important that we do not fear. There are dozens upon dozens of verses reminding us not to fear.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NET) - Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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2.      Love Your Children. This should be obvious, and it seems simple. It should be easier with schools closed and parents working from home. Just remember that children learn from our actions and not just our words. If we show fear, they will naturally pick up on this and it will become their response to the situation as well. Remind your children that you love them! Remind them that God loves them!

Proverbs 22:6 (NET) - Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

3.      Do Not Hoard. We’ve all seen the news items where people have run to the stores and purchased so much more than they needed. People have been injured and even fights have broken out over the simplest of items. Remember those whose lives are already difficult like the elderly and handicapped who may have difficulty just getting to the store. Imagine being in their place and not being able to get what you need most because others chose to panic buy.

Proverbs 3:27 (NET) - Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help.

4.      Be Patient and Kind. Until our lives return to normal, we will still have to do things like wait in line or have the store clerk tell us they are momentarily out of an item. When these and other events like them occur we must continue to love our neighbor as Christ commands us. Yes, this even applies to those who may decide to treat us unkindly.

Colossians 3:12-13 (NET) - Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

5.      More Changes. As much as our routines have changed, we could be in store for additional changes and the sooner we get accustomed to that idea the better. But there are some constants we will always be able to rely upon.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NET) - Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!

6.      Rely Upon God. Things will get better, but we must rely upon God rather than ourselves until they do!

Isaiah 41:10 (NET) -  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you— yes, I help you— yes, I uphold you with my victorious right hand

7.      Jesus Christ Never Changes. No matter how much things change, there is one glorious constant we can always count on. Jesus Christ never changes!

Hebrews 13:8 (NET) - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!

Yes, our lives have changed in some radical ways. Perhaps there are more changes to come. But through it all we can rely upon Christ who never changes. We can rely upon His word. We can rely upon His promise. Things will get better, but until they do, let us remember how He told us to live!

Blessings Always,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 3, 2020

Kept in the Dark

Continuing the journey toward Easter I found my thoughts turning to the hours of darkness.

An eerie and unexpected darkness occurred while Jesus was being crucified.

Mark 15:33 (NET) - Now when it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.

This reminded me of the phrase “kept in the dark”.

To keep someone in the dark currently means choosing not to inform them of your plans.

This was certainly not the case with Jesus.

Jesus told His disciples exactly who He was.

He told them exactly what He came to do.

He even told them He would rise on the third day.

But the truth is the disciples’ reactions were like those who had been “kept in the dark”.

As He was crucified, they kept to a distance.

Luke 23:49 (NET) -  And all those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, and the women who had followed him from Galilee saw these things.

After Jesus died on the cross, these men went into hiding.

But there was one man who understood.

He was not a disciple.

In fact, one might think this man would have been the last to understand.

But He did understand.

Mark 15:39 (NET) - Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

One cannot overlook the difference between the centurion and the others who knew Jesus personally.

Those who were supposed to have known Jesus best chose to keep their distance.

They reacted as if they had been kept in the dark.

Others stood close by and some of them, even the most unlikely, really understood.

The days leading up to Easter can be uncomfortable.

This is especially true when we consider what Jesus did for us.

But He does not want us to stand at a distance,

He wants us to draw near to Him.

What better time is there than Easter to do just that?

Matthew 6:21 (NET) - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

We are only kept in the dark if we choose to be.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 13, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 20, 2020

Completed

Election time is drawing near in my country.

There are many people vying for the highest office in the land.

Experience has taught me two things.

The first is that candidates will usually promise anything to get elected.

The second is that some of their statements are simply wrong.

One candidate’s recent claim can fall into the second category.

According to him, he has earned his way into heaven based on something he did,

Politics aside, such a statement is incorrect when viewed in the light of scripture.

Salvation cannot be earned.

It is not our doing.

Salvation is only possible through God’s grace.

It has nothing to do with our actions - no matter how “good” we think they may be.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NET) - For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.

As such, we should do the things we were “designed” to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (NET) - For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.

The things we do by faith are fruits of the spirit,

They are the evidence by which others see God’s presence in our lives.

They are the steps we take within our journey.

Steps we take with the Lord that benefit others.

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.

Our salvation was made possible by Jesus during His crucifixion.

John 19:30 (NET) - When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

That was the moment.

There is nothing more that you nor I nor anyone seeking office can do to add to it.

We can’t even take away from it.

It is completed!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

Not By Chance

We live in a marvelous universe.

A universe that testifies to the existence of a designer.

Yet there are still those who cling to the notion that the universe and all in it are the result of chance.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

God created everything.

Genesis 1:1 (NET) - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

He created us in His image.

Genesis 1:27 (NET) - God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.

The Psalmist understood that he was part of a designed creation.

Psalm 139:16 (NET) - Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me were recorded in your scroll before one of them came into existence.

The prophet Jeremiah understood that his role was part of that design.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NET) - The Lord’s message came to me, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”

In fact, all life points to a divine hand.

Job 12:7-10 (NET) - But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you. Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all the human race.

Yet people still cling to the notion that the entire universe is governed by chance.

But God is a god of reason.

1 Corinthians 14:33 (NET) - for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace.

Even the forms of technology we use daily remind us of the importance of design.

It takes teams of people to design complex pieces of technology.

Everything from cell phones to space stations are planned and executed down to the smallest detail.

These things cannot come into existence by chance.

What does that say for us?

We are more complex than any form of technology.

We simply cannot be products of chance.

Nor are those with whom we come into contact.

Jesus reminded us to love our neighbor.

Perhaps recognizing that our neighbor was designed by God would help.

After all, we were both made in His image.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

Learn to Be Wise

My class is currently studying a Christian allegory from the 1600’s.

It was written by a theologian who was also an educator.

He began one of his books for education with the phrase: “Come, boy, learn to be wise.”

I think that is brilliant.

The author chose the word wise instead of intelligent.

Although many use the words interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing.

Intelligence is the ability to acquire new knowledge.

Wisdom takes the acquired knowledge and puts it to discerned use.

As an example, intelligence tells me my car can go extremely fast.

Wisdom tells me I should obey the speed limit.

The world has produced many that could be called intelligent.

But not all those labeled intelligent have wisdom.

Scripture has a great deal to say when it comes to wisdom.

Wisdom can be found in the Old Testament.

Proverbs 2:6 (NET) - For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

Notice that the word wisdom is used rather than intelligence.

Proverbs 16:16 (NET) - How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

The New Testament also speaks to the importance of wisdom.

More importantly, it tells how to acquire it.

James 1:5 (NET) - But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.

Jesus speaks on the importance of wisdom.

Matthew 7:24 (NET) - Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.

When it comes to wisdom, my favorite example from scripture is found in Matthew 2.

Matthew talks about the “wise men” who came to worship Jesus.

He does not call them the “intelligent men”.

I am certain that there were others who saw the star and recognized it as significant.

They were intelligent.

But these men acted on it.

They sought Jesus out to worship him.

That was a very wise thing to do.

The truly wise still seek Jesus today.

Let us learn to be wise!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

Truth Revisited

I decided to write this in the closing hours of 2019.

For the last several weeks the discussions in my class gravitated toward one topic: Truth.

The search for truth is nothing new.

When Jesus was brought before Pilate, Pilate asked Him a question we could ask in the modern era.

John 18:38 (NET) - Pilate asked, “What is truth?”

The age in which we live has blurred the truth so much that many are walking in darkness.

We live in an age of “fake news”.

The media, which is supposed to be nonbiased, often has an agenda.

Politicians make promises to get elected never intending to keep them.

Regimes willingly lie to the people to keep them in check.

Even the business world clouds the truth justifying it with “It’s just business”.

Truth is absolute, yet people try to make it relative.

They say that what is true for one person may not be true for another.

In my opinion, this is one of the most dangerous lies we can spread.

Abandoning truth, for whatever reason, is wrong.

The prophet Isaiah had an ominous warning for those who abandon truth.

Isaiah 5:20 (NET) - Beware, those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter.

So, where can we turn in an age that wants us to ignore truth.

Is there an answer to Pilate’s question: “What is truth?”

Fortunately the answer is yes.

About five years ago, I visited a church that was 150 years old.

Over time, the congregation grew and built a new church but kept the original as it was.

There is a sign above the door taken from scripture.

John 14:6a (NET) - Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

The sign also includes “- words of Jesus Christ”.

Those who passed beneath this sign on their way inside knew what awaited them.

Even after 2,000 years, these words can be trusted.

John 1:14 (NET) - Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.

My prayer for the New Year of 2020 is that we will regain the courage to stand up for the truth.

There are those who will say we are intolerant.

We must expect that.

Remember that Pilate asked, “What is truth?” even when Jesus stood right in front of him.

We must re-learn that it is okay for us to disagree.

It is not, however, okay for us to be disagreeable in the process.

After all Jesus, the source of truth, also tells us to love our neighbor.

Even those who disagree with us!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

Why Do It?

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes.

But the best gifts of all are those that do not come in boxes.

Days ago, I received just such a gift.

It came on the day of our annual Christmas Program.

For the last several years, I have participated in our Sunday School Christmas Program.

Although the program is comprised mostly of children, several adults are involved.

Having neither children nor grandchildren, there is one question I am asked every year.

“Why do it?”

A few, it seems, just cannot wrap their minds around why I would invest my time and energy in this.

There are many reasons why I do so.

Most of the year I work with adults.

Once a year, twice if I am fortunate, projects like this allow me to work alongside the young.

Their spiritual needs are different than our own.

In fact, their needs are a bit different than were mine at the same age.

Today’s youth live in a different world than the one I grew up in.

Technology is inescapable.

There are more organized activities.

There is a virtual bombardment of information.

In short, for good or bad, there are far more distractions and demands on their time.

I also understand that there are two primary ways to teach.

We can teach with our words or we can teach by example.

When it comes to teaching the young, teaching by example is the most effective way.

Having once been young, I remember that the young look for cracks in our armor.

One bad example can undo years of teaching.

That is why I invest my time and energy in the Christmas program.

This year, on the day of the program, I received a special blessing.

A mother with two children told me that they thought a lot of me.

That is the best gift I will receive this Christmas.

Next year, when someone asks me “Why do it?” I will recall that moment.

Matthew 19:14 (NET) - But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Philippians 4:9 (NET) - And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 27, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, January 3, 2020

Giving

Giving is one of the things people associate with Christmas.

This is inspired by the wise men who brought gifts to Jesus in the forms of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Others have written much about the significance of these gifts, so I will pass on that aspect.

Scripture does not specify how many wise men there were.

Since it specifies these three gifts, people easily assume that there were three wise men.

We really cannot say how many wise men made the trek to worship Jesus.

This got me thinking about giving at Christmas.

For instance, my colleagues and I purchased and wrapped gifts for some children in need.

Members of my church marked the days in Advent by purchasing food items for the local food bank.

Volunteers ring bells for the Salvation Army encouraging people to give.

Sometimes, people give in unexpected ways like paying for someone else’s order at the drive thru.

People even donate their time and talents for Christmas programs and the like.

For some reason, giving just seems to come more easily to us at Christmas.

Do not get me wrong.

I encourage giving in these ways and others.

I gladly do so myself.

But, in a matter of days, Christmas 2019 will be but a memory.

Giving, broadly speaking, can all too easily become just a memory as well.

This is unfortunate as the need for giving will still be there when Christmas is gone.

Just as we should not limit the number of wise men to three, we should not limit our giving to Christmas.

There is scriptural basis for this.

Proverbs 3:9 reminds us to give from our first fruits and not from what is left over.

1 Chronicles 29:14 reminds us that everything (even what we give) belongs to God.

2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us to give from the heart and God loves those who give cheerfully.

Luke 6:38 reminds us that the spirit in which we give is the spirit in which we will receive.

In the days remaining until Christmas we will each find many ways in which to give.

Perhaps enough ways to inspire us to continue into the year to come.

When it comes to gifts, God gave us the best gift of all.

Christmas is not about how a fallen mankind reached up to God.

It is about how God reached down to a fallen mankind through Jesus.

That gift is so very special that it has continued to give daily for 2,000 years!

That should be the best inspiration of all.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 13, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 20, 2019

All That He Did

I do many things for many people.

This happens both professionally and personally.

I certainly do not mind.

The downside is that people tend to be aware only of what I am doing for them.

They easily overlook the fact that other people turn to me also.

Jesus understands that only too well.

Many came to him.

Most probably were unaware of all He did.

Many came to him to be fed.

Jesus once fed a crowd of over 5,000 with a small boy’s lunch.

Moreover, there was food left over.

This was the only miracle of His to be documented more than once.

In fact, all four Gospel writers documented this miracle.

These were not the only people who came to Jesus.

Some came to Him to be healed.

In Luke 17, we read of ten lepers who called out to Jesus to be healed.

Jesus healed these outcasts from society.

Only one returned to thank Him.

Some came to Him for the healing of another.

In Matthew 8 we read of the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant.

This man understood that Jesus could perform this miracle without even going to the servant.

Jesus could do this from a distance and Jesus was amazed by the Centurion’s faith.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus healed many people.

He did many other things as well.

He cast out demons.

He even raised the dead.

Despite all the miracles, many were probably unaware of what He did for others.

Fortunately, we have scripture and hindsight to our advantage.

We know the things Jesus did and for whom He did them.

Thanks to the Book of John, we know something even more astounding.

John 21:24-25 (NET)- This is the disciple who testifies about these things and has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 22, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 6, 2019

A Bigger Plate

On Sunday, one of our young people was confirmed.

I enjoy Confirmation services for many reasons.

First, they remind me of my own Confirmation service many years ago.

Second, the words written by those confirmed give me hope for the future.

Third, it is always interesting to see which passages of scripture mean the most to them.

Finally, it is interesting to hear their responses to two questions.

One, what do you expect the church to provide you?

And two, what do you expect to provide the church?

Frankly, those are questions we need to ask ourselves as we journey through life.

As time goes by our answers will undoubtedly change,

This makes for an excellent barometer for our spiritual walk throughout life.

I was delighted to hear this young lady’s responses.

I was also delighted in her choice of scripture.

Among them is one I would have chosen myself.

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

This young lady, indeed, all our young people give me hope.

Through that hope, I remain optimistic about the future.

As I reflect on my own Confirmation service decades ago, I think about something else.

One day, these young people will look back.

I hope they remember these days… and us… fondly.

One more thing.

I wonder if this young lady holds another passage of scripture as highly as I do.

Luke 12:48b (NET) - 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.

Very probably.

They go hand in hand.

Sometimes, when you think you cannot fit one more thing on your plate, God surprises you.

He doesn’t remove anything from your plate.

Sometimes, He simply gives you a bigger plate.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 8, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 15, 2019

Who Is Truth?

One of the most profound questions in scripture can be found in John 18.

In this chapter Jesus is brought before Pilate.

In verse 38, Pilate asks this question.

John 18:38 (NET) - Pilate asked, “What is truth?”

That question is just as profound today.

Perhaps more so.

In today’s world, truth is considered a relative concept.

It has been stated that what is truth for one, may not be truth for another.

This is impossible as truth, by its very essence, means it must be absolute rather than relative.

As I tell my students: The truth is the truth… and that is that.

Perhaps the better question to ask is: “Who is truth?”

That is the explanation Christ gave Pilate just before the question was asked.

John 18:37 (NET) - …Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world—to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus is the source of truth.

He said it here and elsewhere.

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

That’s as absolute as it gets.

John 1:14 (NET) - Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.

Understanding that Jesus is truth and this truth is not relative is important.

What of it?

What does this achieve?

A great deal, actually,

This sets us free.

John 8:32 (NET) - and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Freedom?

From what?

Will life suddenly be trouble free?

Jesus was clear on this as well.

Matthew 16:24 (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.

Jesus never promised us an easy way through this world.

But He told us He is the truth and what is required of us.

And… life is certainly better with Him than without Him.

What of those who disagree with us?

Jesus told us that we must love them.

That is also true.

We do not have to agree with everyone.

To do so makes truth relative.

We must be willing to take a stand for the truth.

But… we must do so with love.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 25, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 1, 2019

Reflecting His Light

It’s that time of year when it gets dark earlier.

Sometimes the sun is just setting behind me as I drive home.

At these times the setting sun can cause buildings to have a soft glow.

At the same time the sky behind them can be quite dark.

The contrast between the two is often quite remarkable.

This never lasts more than a few minutes at best.

Just moments later, the sun dips completely behind the horizon and darkness begins to reign again.

My thoughts turn to the light of God we are supposed to reflect to a darkened world.

Turning on the news or scanning the headlines reminds us of how much darkness there is.

This darkness is not impacted by the time of day,

It is always there.

That is why it is imperative that we reflect the light the Lord shines on us.

Matthew 5:16 (NET) - In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Sharing God’s light with others may not be as difficult as we think.

We start by thinking of others rather than ourselves.

We may not always find this easy.

Each of us encounters difficult people.

Yet the people we find most difficult to love are the ones who need love the most.

Scripture reminds us that we are to love them.

Luke 6:31 (NET) - Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.

Some refer to this as the Golden Rule.

Whether we call it that or not makes no difference,

Our actions speak louder than our words.

Paul said this…

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET) - And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Now faith is a wonderful thing.

Who among us doesn’t like hope?

But love is the greatest of these.

Love is the key.

Through it, we reflect God’s light to others.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 11, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 18, 2019

Gone Too Soon

I have experienced several deaths this year.

Most of these have occurred within my church family.

Losing someone is never easy, but two of these were especially difficult because they were young.

Both died in accidents.

The first was a young lady of 19 who attended my church.

As such, I knew her for a very long time and watched her grow up within the church.

She was an absolute joy to be around.

She made sharing the love of God look natural and effortless.

This is as it should be, so she was one up on many of us,

The second was a young man of 21.

I only knew him briefly over the summer as an intern where I work.

I found him pleasant, agreeable and he too was a joy to be around.

About a month after his internship ended, we received word that he was gone.

While these young people were with us, I was struck by the amount of potential they had.

It would have been nice to see where that potential would have led them in their journeys.

Sadly, we will never know what might have been.

That perhaps is why it is so hard to say farewell to the young.

One moment we expect them to be around for a long time.

The next, we find out they are gone.

And as deeply as we feel grief, we know their parents and siblings feel it more.

Some will point to events like this and question the existence of God.

Yet scripture reminds us that there is good in what we perceive as tragedy.

Romans 8:28-29 (NET) - And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

As for grief, we find both comfort and blessing in the Beatitudes.

Matthew 5:4 (NET) - Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

We also have the promise that grief is with us but for a time.

Revelation 21:4 (NET) - He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more—or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.

But, for now, it is okay for us to mourn the passing of the young.

It reminds us how special they were.

May it also remind us that we now have even more work to do.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 27, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 4, 2019

Keeping Busy-ness in Perspective

It seems these days I just don’t have enough time.

True, we did have a holiday this week.

But somehow that turns into getting five days’ worth of work done in four.

Then things cropped up at home requiring my attention.

Next, my physician reminded me it was time for my annual physical.

I also have a speaking engagement at the end of the month for which I am still preparing.

Also, I am facing another deadline at the end of the year that requires prep work now.

Then, there are my other ministries (like this one) that cannot be ignored.

I am sure anyone reading this can relate to the feeling that there just isn’t enough time.

Fortunately faith, helps us cope in times that could otherwise appear overwhelming.

Perhaps that is why my “go to” verse in these times can be found in Philippians.

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

I know I can get through all this because I do not go through it alone.

As for health, we have a role to play in maintaining it which includes annual physicals.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NET) - Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Scripture also reminds me the importance of being prepared to serve my fellow man.

This applies both to my speaking engagement and other deadlines.

1 Peter 4:10 (NET) - Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

Yes, I will be able to do all things through the One who strengthens me.

We all can.

But I must set aside some quiet time along the way for God and acknowledge Him.

Psalm 46:10 (NET) - He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”

Through it all, no matter how busy we get, we must keep God first in our lives.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 13, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 20, 2019

Comfort in Troubled Times

It seems that I cannot turn on the news without hearing about violence.

This is especially true about gun violence.

Just two weeks ago, a mass shooting took place in the state in which I live.

Within 24 hours, another mass shooting took place in a different part of the country.

On Wednesday, in another state, six police officers were wounded while serving a warrant.

That same evening, I received word that shots had been fired in the neighborhood where I live.

Frankly, this kind of news is enough to frighten anybody.

Fortunately, God provides words of comfort in troubled times.

Perhaps the most comforting of all can be found in the 23^rd Psalm.

Psalm 23:4 (NET) - Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.

There are others.

John 16:33 (NET) - I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.

Christ tells us that in the world we will have trouble and suffering.

But He also tells us to take courage for He has conquered the world.

What about those who have lost loved ones to violence?

Christ provides these words of comfort in the Beatitudes.

Matthew 5:4 (NET) - Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Comfort after the fact is all well and good, but what about the here and now?

John 14:27 (NET) - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.

It is a comfort to know that we can rely on the kind of peace that only Jesus can give.

Finally, there are words from an old hymn that can also ease our minds in these troubled times.

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he watches me

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 23, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 6, 2019

Dual Roles

I recently watched two old programs that had something in common.

In each there was an actor or actress who played two parts.

In the first there was an actress who portrayed both the head of a corporation as well as the woman trying to take it away from her.

In the second, an actor portrayed both a ruthless dictator and a man trying to put an end to his regime.

The use of a single actor for dual roles was quite effective in each case.

This put me in mind of one of my favorite Christian allegories written in the 1600’s by John Amos Comenius.

It is entitled The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart.

One of the devices employed by Comenius in his work was the use of masks.

In his book, people go about in public wearing masks.

They try to pass themselves off as beautiful, hiding their true ugliness behind their masks.

Comenius used this device to illustrate that people go about pretending to be something they are not.

They try to cover up things like greed, jealousy and pride.

They do so in order to fool the people with whom they interact daily.

They try to fool others into thinking more highly of them.

But there is a danger in this attempt to deceive.

If we practice it long enough ourselves, we might begin to believe the mask rather than the truth.

We might even convince ourselves we are the illusion rather than the reality.

One thing is certain.

We will never be able to fool God.

Galatians 6:7 (NET) - Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows,

There is a way to make the make the mask completely unnecessary.

Isaiah 1:18 (NET) - Come, let’s consider your options,” says the Lord. “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool.

This is possible through Jesus.

Hebrews 7:25 (NET) - So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Performing dual roles may be fine for actors.

But it is certainly no way for us to live.

Galatians 6:8 (NET) - because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 9, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 16, 2019