Dear Fellow Children of God,
On Friday, July 4, the United States will celebrate the 249th
anniversary of the official signing of the Declaration of Independence. Many nations have longer histories than this
country. But, how do you think the nation
where we live is doing? Is America
healthy? Is the direction of this nation
going in a good, or bad, direction?
Many older people who remember this country in the 40’s,
or 50’s, or even the 60’s, may look back on what they consider ‘the good old
days,’ and point to problems which America faces today. Americans may be better off financially than
even before, even if they deny the fact.
However, families are not as stable, and often broken. Drugs and substance abuse continue to be a
growing problem hurting families and taking lives. Most people distrust institutions, including
the government and the church. Instead
of living as “one nation under God,” we are terribly divided. What are Christians to do when the direction
of their country seems contrary to the will of God for His people?
First, it is important to remember that Jesus came to
save people, not governments. Jesus told those eating in the house of
Zacchaeus, “ . . . the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
(Luke 19:10) Jesus came to save people,
to save sinners, not to save nations!
Second, scripture does teach that, at times, the Lord has
His hand in the affairs of nations. For
example, in Mary’s hymn of praise which we call The Magnificat, these are her
spirit-inspired words: “50 And his mercy is for those who fear
him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his
arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he
has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble
estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the
rich he has sent away empty.” (Luke 1:50-53) God does accomplish His
purposes among the nations in order that people may come to Jesus.
So, what should a Christian do when a nation seems to
turn away from the Lord? I know people
who feel betrayed by the changes in this nation. Yet we should not be surprised when leaders
become proud because of their power, nor when people turn away from the Lord
toward their own thoughts and desires.
That is the history of our sinful world.
Nevertheless, the Lord does call His children to work for
the good of their communities and their nation.
The Lord encouraged such behavior from the people of Israel when they
were in exile in Babylon. Remember,
Babylon was a nation whose ‘gods’ were not the true God. In spite of this fact, please listen to His
instructions. 4 "Thus
says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent
into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in
them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have
sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in
marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not
decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you
into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will
find your welfare.” (Jeremiah
29:4-7) Are you seeking the
welfare of the community and nation where you live? Do you pray for your country, your
state, your city, and its leaders?
When Jesus conducted His ministry, Herod Antipas was king
of Judea. Herod caused some issues for Jesus’
work. The king arrested John the Baptist
and had him put to death. When Jesus
heard of John’s execution, we are told Jesus “withdrew to a desolate place.”
(Matthew 14:13) In Luke 13:31 the Pharisees, of all people, warned Jesus about
Herod. Yet, Jesus still cared about the
nation and it’s people. Listen to His lament, “37 "O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are
sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen
gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew
23:37) Jesus does not just mention the people, He cares about the city. He wanted to give His love. But Jerusalem resisted the love and guidance
of the Savior, at least at that time. So,
they crucified Jesus. He died for their
sins, and for those of all the world.
In his inaugural address in 1961, President John F.
Kennedy is famous for encouraging Americans, “Ask not what your country can do
for you. Ask what you can do for your
country.” I’m not sure that is a common
thought in America today. Nevertheless,
the Lord encouraged the Jews in the foreign nation of Babylon, and He
encourages His church today, even if people still do not want to listen to Him,
7 . . . seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you . . . ,
and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your
welfare.”
Are you seeking the welfare and praying for the city and the
nation where you live?
A Child of God, Praying for and Seeking the Welfare of
the Nation and Community Where I Live!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in
Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor.
- Regular Bible Studies and Sunday School
- Adult Bible Study continues on Sunday mornings
at 9:00 a.m. The class is
studying “Basic Christian Teachings.” On June 29 we studied about the
person and the work of Jesus, and how He saves us. Come and join us in
the library. On July 6 we begin
studying about who heaven and hell, and about the Word of God.
- Summer Sunday School - Children have an
opportunity to study during the summer as well. Leah Rawlins is leading the children in
studying the book of Ruth. At the
end of this study they may put what they learned into expression through
legos. All Children are WELCOME! 😊 (However, there will be no Sunday
School on July 6 (4th of July weekend), nor on August 31
(Labor Day Weekend!
- The Our Redeemer 4th of July parade cookout
happens this Friday, July 4. You
can arrive at noon and help set up and cook. The parade begins at 2:00 p.m. The road re-opens again at 4:00 p.m. Come and help serve our community!
·
The Our Redeemer Call Committee has been
formed. It includes Elder and chairman,
Jerry Simpson, also Heidi Enlow, Ruth Keller, Theo Lee, Jacob Lewis, Scott
Roelfs, and Martha Wilkins. They met on
June 4, and again on July 1. The first
step in the call process will be to begin a congregational self-study. The Northwest District has the study and
tools to help in this study. The
committee will meet again on July 22, and has targets around August 15 for
inputs to the congregational self-study.
It is good for
a congregation to be patient in the call process. Please PRAY that as our Lord leads
this committee and Our Redeemer in this process, we will follow His guidance.
· MANY CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE
SCRIPTURE WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” We are now
in the New Testament! On Wednesday, July
2, we read Luke 2 and 3, the account of Jesus’ birth and baptism.
Feel free to contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any
questions about these readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net I have recently received
questions and comments. It is always good to consider our Lord’s love and
guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God knows!
P.P.S. Family and Friends:
· On Sunday night, June 29, all 4 of
our children, and most of the family gathered for the last time while Josh and
Erin live in Alaska. They will drive out
to Olympia, WA, on July 19. Please pray
for their upcoming adventures. Here are
pictures of our get together. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ErPFSbxv2SkvVFGW9
· My garden and yard are finally looking
good. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/8xMAywwkuy5fHpwq9
·
Fishing - Last Saturday I took an AMC mission team from Zimmerman, MN,
fishing at Long Lake. They caught lots
of trout. Here are some pictures. 😊 https://photos.app.goo.gl/paCV3BT2KdPTiamJ6
*******
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of
August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church
in Palmer, AK. I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled,
"Thoughts from the Pastor." When I retired many asked me to
continue writing these devotions. So I have continued writing.
However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys
Through Life as a Child of God." Since I am no longer senior pastor
at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to
receive it. (However, I am currently as Vacancy Pastor for Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church in Chugiak, AK.)
So, if you stopped receiving
these devotions and wondered why, now you understand. And, if you are now
receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know,
and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list. My e-mail
address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.
My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in
your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.
*******
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Vacancy Pastor, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Chugiak, AK
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK
How
great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)
