Dear Fellow Children of God,
It seems people today want to be
unique. They want to stand out. They want to be different. I see that desire in
the clothing people wear, in the body art people pay for, in the social media
posts of people today. Maybe in a world
of 8 billion people we can feel like
we just blend in, or are perhaps unimportant.
So, if you have a desire to be unique in today’s world I have a
suggestion: Live as a Christian. Live as a disciple of Jesus.
Instead of living for yourself,
live for Jesus “. . . he died
for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was
raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)
He died for us, so we live for HIM.
Now, that’s unique!
Instead of seeking authority
over others, live as a servant. Jesus taught, "You know that the rulers of
the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over
them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27
and whoever would be first among you must
be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28) Someone who seeks to serve is . . .
different.
Instead of being proud, live in
humility “Do nothing from selfish ambition or
conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2)
Instead of seeking your own will,
live in love, giving of yourself for others. “4 Love is
patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5
or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things. 8 Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 a)
Instead of having your own truth
– trust the truth God gives in love through His Word. “5 Trust in the LORD with all your
heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge
him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
This may sound like an “old-fashioned” lifestyle. But, the life of a child of God always stands
out in a “Me-First world” of pride, and selfishness. First of all, no human has ever been able to
perfectly live a life of faith and love.
No human, that is, except the perfect man, the Son of God – Jesus. And, since Jesus died for us, since the Lord
of the Universe lived in sacrificial service, since Jesus humbled Himself,
since Jesus is the love of God, His life changes our lives. Since Jesus lived the most unique life ever, He
changes our hearts and moves us to follow Him, to follow Jesus in a unique life
of worship, and service, and humility, and love, and faith.
So, if you have a desire to be
unique in today’s world I have a suggestion: Live as a Christian, as a disciple
of Jesus. You will stand out!
A Child of God, Desiring
to Be Different in this World – to Live as a Christian!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. ESPECIALLY FOR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH.
ALTAR CHANGES - Here are some
pictures from recent altar changes at First Lutheran.
·
The altar was decorated for First Lutheran Thanksgiving
Eve service. Thanks to Debbie Jones for this
picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/44ZFm9KvuSq4t34A6
·
The altar was prepared after worship on November
26 for Advent worship beginning on Sunday, December 3. https://photos.app.goo.gl/p3A1WFW2TvZxeAP59
MEMORIAL SERVICE - The memorial
service for First Lutheran member, Diane App, will take place on Saturday,
December 2, at 11:00 a.m.
SPECIAL HOLIDAY WORSHIP - Special
Advent and Christmas worship services will be as follows.
·
Wednesday, December 6 - Open Arms Children’s
Christmas Program
·
Wednesdays, December 13 and 20 – First Lutheran
will use Holden Evening Prayer to consider the Advent theme of “Hope.” Sermons will include a skit by First Lutheran
members.
·
Sunday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Day we will
celebrate Advent 4 in our regular Sunday morning service at 10:00 a.m.
·
Sunday, December 24 - Christmas Eve worship will
be held primarily with children in mind at 5:00 p.m..
·
Sunday, December 24 - Christmas Eve candlelight
worship will be held at 6:30 p.m..
·
Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day worship will
be held at 10:00 a.m.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHOIR - The First Lutheran Choir is practicing on
Wednesdays. They practice at 5:20 on
Wednesday, November 29, and after Advent worship on following Wednesdays. COME AND JOIN THE CHOIR IN LEADING FIRST
LUTHERAN IN PRAISING THE LORD!
READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE? Today’s
Light Bible – Pastor Rockey is inviting you to join him in reading through the
Bible starting January 1, using the “Today’s Light Bible.” This Bible leads a person through Scripture
in 2 years and includes daily devotions.
It may be purchased online at CPH or at Amazon.
MEMORIALS AND SCHOLARSHIP FUND -
If you would like to make a donation in memory of Pastor Robert Besalski, the
Besalski family asks that you either make a donation to First Lutheran Church,
or to Lutheran World Relief. This
information was supposed to be included in the obituary in the Gainesville
Sun. However, it was omitted when the
obituary was printed. Donations to First
Lutheran will help fund a Besalski Scholarship for Church Work Students.
P.P.S. FISHING J I went fishing once this past week. On Friday, November 24 I fished with
brother-in-law, Mark Reaves, on the Suwannee River. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/XbNfe1pFoDcPyHGx8
*******
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. (Currently I am serving as Vacancy
Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)
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, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL
Pastor
Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK
“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