For many years,
when the Alaska pastors from our Lutheran tradition would gather, we would
spend time sharing. Our practice was
that we each shared a high and a low in our lives at that time. Then we would pray for each other. In this way we worked to keep connected and
to encourage each other in life and in faith and in ministry of our Lord. However, while this was mostly a good idea,
there was a drawback. Some ministries
were smaller, or more difficult. When
some pastors shared month after month of how well things seemed to be going in
their congregations and in their lives, others felt that they only had
struggles to share. In fact, this became
a problem for some of the pastors. The
truth is that we all have struggles in this sinful world. We all experience good times and bad
times. Yet, it can seem that life is
somehow easier for some. Those who may
face more trials and difficulties can be discouraged.
I have written
these weekly devotions now for more than 13 years. In sharing the truths of God, as I seek to
share His love in my life, I have told stories that often come from my own
experience. I have chosen to share
mainly the blessings I experience.
However, I understand that people can read my devotions and think everything
in my life is good and easy. Please let
me assure you, EVERYONE goes through struggles, serious struggles. I am a sinful person in a sinful world. I need a savior. I need Jesus, as we all do. No one is immune to the struggles of life.
On Sunday, August
1, in our weekly adult Bible class, we studied about Daniel. We looked at the first seven chapters of this
book and considered Daniel’s life. This
prophet faced temptations to deny faithful religious eating practices. He was threatened with death by the
king. Daniel and his companions were confronted
with the demand to worship an idol.
Daniel had to bring bad news to King Nebuchadnezzar, and to his son,
Belshazzar. Ultimately, Daniel was even
thrown into a den full of lions. Considering
all the challenges, all the dangers, all the struggles that Daniel faced, our
class discussed that life as a child God is not easy. Somehow, people can think that following the
Lord, that being a child of God, will mean everything will go well in our lives,
all the time. The truth is that,
throughout time, followers of the Lord have faced the same struggles, losses,
temptations, and disappointments others face.
In fact, living as a child of God can even make someone a target for
ridicule and persecution.
In
Acts 14, as Paul and Barnabas traveled through the cities of Lystra, Ionium,
and Antioch, we are told in verse 22 that they were, “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the
faith. ‘We must go through many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”
‘Hardships’ are
part of life as a Christian.
In
Romans 5 we read some words that might surprise us about the blessings and
struggles of the Christian life of faith.
“1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by
faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the
glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we
know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and
character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out
his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
(Romans 5:1-5) We may stand in
the grace of God, in the undeserved love of God, through faith in Jesus, but we
face sufferings. Nevertheless, God assures
us He can use these sufferings, these hardships, to strengthen us.
Our world is
broken because it is in rebellion against its Creator and Lord. We should not be surprised when trouble
arises. As in the life of Daniel, we
should not be surprised at suffering. As
Paul said, ‘We
must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ Thankfully, through the trials of life we
have our Lord and Savior beside us, strengthening, directing, forgiving, and
saving. When we look at Jesus and His
love, we can endure the trials of this life, rejoicing in God’s saving love.
When I share with you the love of God in my life,
seeking to strengthen and encourage, I do so focusing on the Lord, His love and
His grace. Yes, I am blessed. We are blessed, no matter the trials. We are blessed as we live trusting God and
His eternal, saving love for us in Jesus.
A Child of God, Focusing
on the Saving Love of God Through the Trials of Life,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. We had
some family time at the cabin July 26-29.
Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DL4VPh9hKxmvT3Zp7
P.P.S. On Saturday, July 31, Sandy Kolberg and Caleb
Hyldahl were married at St. John. Here
is a picture of the newly married couple.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PC5E8RdcKmsPUuWf9
P.P.P.S. – I
had a number of fishing trips during the last week.
·
Here are some pictures of our family fishing for
red salmon on the Kenai River on Tuesday, July 27. https://photos.app.goo.gl/rB8E983W1rDXeXob8
·
Here are a couple of pictures of my fishing trip
on Thursday, July 29. (Mary and I fished
on July 28 and saw a LOT of fish, but
did not land one legally. L ) https://photos.app.goo.gl/9oYoP2qnW97UvUZYA
·
On Monday, August 2, a large group of St. John
folk went fishing in my boat on the Little Susitna River. Sara Guhl and grandson Gaelen Swigart, Mary
Rockey and Alexis Barfield, Jake Colberg, and I went fishing. We caught 9 salmon, 5 silvers, 2 chum, and 2
pinks. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/CtKuaSq16ddCYBdRA
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at
the end of August 2019 from serving as 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. (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John
as assistant to the pastor.)
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
Pastor Emeritus,
St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
cell phone -
907-841-4066
Home phone -
907-746-5131
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