Dear Fellow Children of God,
When I served as full-time
pastor, I always wanted to do a great job, to hit a “home run” with my sermon,
on the big holidays of Christmas and Easter.
Somewhere along the way, however, I realized that the Good News of God’s
love and salvation for us in Jesus is so good that it does not need
embellishment. Somehow, as the Holy
Spirit worked in me, I learned on these special days to simply share God’s
simple truth. It speaks for itself. Please listen with me to God’s plain Good
News of Easter.
While preparing His
disciples for His coming crucifixion and death, and for the trials God’s
children face in this life, Jesus assures them, “ . . . Because I live, you also
will live.”
(John 14:19 b)
As Paul confronts the pain
and reality of death in the church at Thesalonika, He declares, “We believe that
Jesus died and rose again and so
we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14) Death is
NOT the last word! Jesus is!!
As Paul
discusses the guilt we face for our rebellion and sin, He declares that Jesus
is not only risen, but in heaven pleading with His Father for us. “33 Who will bring any charge against those
whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns?
Christ Jesus, who died-- more than
that, who was raised to life--
is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans
8:33-34)
Paul also
declares that the love of God, which caused Jesus to die and rise for us, gives
us purpose for this life, a reason to live.
“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for
themselves but for him who died
for them and was raised again.” (2
Corinthians 5:15)
The plain truth is that
our sin against God and our brothers and sisters deserves judgement, death, and
hell from our Holy Creator. But, in
sacrificial love, Jesus died to pay for the sin of the whole world. In His resurrection, Jesus defeated the power
of sin and death. The Good News of
Jesus’ Easter victory through His rising from the dead is that, God not only
gives eternal life in heaven to all who believe in Jesus, He changes our lives
for good in this life. We can live in
courage, because death is not the end, God’s children have heaven coming. We can live in peace and assurance, because
God knows our sin and still loves us – Jesus pleads for us in heaven. We can live with purpose in a world which has
lost its bearing, because Jesus died and rose for us!
No wonder the people of
God have a tradition of proclaiming the Good News each Easter, “Christ is
Risen! He is Risen Indeed!! Hallelujah!
A Child of God, Thankful to Live in Jesus’ Resurrection
Victory!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. We spent time with friends and family this
week.
· On Thursday, March 30, Kathy and I visited long-time
friends, the extended Conaway family, in Callahan, Florida, near
Jacksonville. Before visiting with our
friends we spent time at Little Talbot Island State Park. I wish we had taken pictures with our
friends. We did take pictures at the beach,
and a restaurant along the St. John’s River.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/axwtDLrQrDyjf6DD9
· On Saturday, the extended Rockey family worked to
prepare the travel trailer of my brother, David, for sale. We have taken some pictures of the trailer. https://photos.app.goo.gl/TU52cSQSFc1kxBt58
P.P.S. We have been taking
pictures of wildlife in Florida. This
week Kathy got a picture of a hawk on our bird feeder, and I took pictures of
some lizards, and a pileated wood pecker.
I have compiles an album of wildlife pictures. Here they are. https://photos.app.goo.gl/c364bntf4pnQ71N5A
P.P,P.S. This past week I went fishing a number of
times.
· On Friday, March 31, I went fishing with neighbor,
Pastor Tom Reed, on the Wacassassa River.
We did not catch many fish, but we had a good time. In addition to turtles and birds on the river,
we also saw a turkey and a deer on the road to the boat ramp. Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/62dQ7TuUYo7UnLBN8
· On Sunday, April 2, after worship and grocery
shopping, I fished at Orange Lake, FL, by myself. I caught 6 bass (kept 4), and a mudfish. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/yGWR5P4VyuXTChAh9
· On Tuesday, April 4, I spent some time fishing at Rodman
Reservoir. Early on I saw a gator, a
manatee, and caught a fish. Two bald
eagles also played in the air over my head.
I only caught one fish on this day, but it was an enjoyable day. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/W8GkWnaLWa862kAD6
· We are preparing for a family and friend FISH FRY on
Saturday, April 29. I have 40 bass in
the freezer waiting for the fish fry.
But, I’m hoping to have about 50 to “feed the masses.” J
*****
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
“1 John 3:1 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)
No comments:
Post a Comment