Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Trusting the Lord When Life Changes!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

As Kathy and I finish our time serving in Florida, and as we prepare to return home to Alaska, there are lots of things we want to accomplish.  We are working on observing Holy Week and celebrating Easter.  There is a lot to do for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.  Such celebration is important!  For example, Kathy purchased food on April 7 for the Passover Meal on April 17 because . . . she is cooking!  We have a family Easter celebration planned.  And there is a family wedding on May 3.  And please don’t forget, we have our “annual fish fry” planned for Saturday, April 26.  Those are just some of the jobs and activities we plan to accomplish before leaving Florida.  We know what we have to do, and we are ready to accomplish those tasks.

 

However, maybe you have seen the oft-quoted saying.  “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”  That is not a verse from Scripture.  But, let me share with you a few verses from the Bible about how God deals with our plans. 

 

Do you know Proverbs 16:9?  The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.  Or, have you read God’s wisdom from Provers 19:21?  “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.  In other words, we may have plans for what we want to do.  But we are not Lord – He is!  God has a say in our lives.

 

The book of James also shares similar thoughts.  13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"-- 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:13-15) In other words, we may have plans, but God is LORD of all things.  He is Lord of our lives.  Humble acknowledgment that “God is Lord” is wise!

 

Part of the plans I have for our fish fry is that I want about 20 more fish for this occasion.  We have hosted between 35-60 people.   I am looking forward to catching those fish.  Therefore, it was not in my plans to have someone drive into the back of my vehicle when I was stopped at a traffic light on Saturday afternoon, April 5.  The other driver and I are both fine, and I drove my vehicle home thinking about fishing that afternoon.  However, because of damage I did not see, I should not have driven the car home.  It is now truly undrivable with my rear driver’s side wheel bent in, and my brakes leaking fluid.  On Monday a tow truck brought my car to the shop for repairs.  And who knows how long that will take!  In addition, Kathy left Tuesday morning for her yearly quilting conference.  Have you tried to work with an insurance company to get a vehicle which will tow a boat?  If I shared everything about my conversations with insurance, this devotion would take many more pages!

 

Now, I know that my home was not destroyed by war.  No tornado took away family members.  I do not have a terminal diagnosis for cancer.  The accident did not take my life, nor that of a loved one.  But, I did have plans, as did Kathy!  The accident was not our mistake.  Our plans must change.  How do we deal with life when life changes our plans?   I do hear my Lord speaking from Scripture.

 

First, our plans may change, but God does not.  Please consider Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  (See also Malachi 3:6 a)

 

Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted out of context, but the Lord promises His love in these verses to people whose lives are different than they desire.  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

 

What are those plans which our Lord has for His children?  Listen to Romans 8:38-39.  38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Did you hear that promise?  Nothing “in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!”

 

Therefore, knowing that our Lord and His love for us does not change, the wisdom of Proverbs 3 speaks to my heart.  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) When life changes, I can trust the Lord who does not change.  I can trust in the Lord who loves me eternally in Jesus.  I can trust in my Lord, and He will guide me through unexpected changes in life.

 

Yes, life is unsure.  Such uncertainty can mean life, or death.  Such uncertainty can even affect fishing plans. 😊 Nevertheless, the Lord and His love for us in Jesus are sure.  In a world of uncertainty, when life and plans do change, we can we can count on the Lord and His love. 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.”

 

A Child of God, Trusting the Lord When Life Changes!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.   I continue to serve as part-time assistant pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, with Pastor Chris Kollmann. Kathy and I will return home to Alaska on May 5.

 

·       LENTEN SERVICES 2025  conclude on Wednesday evening April 9th.  Our Mid-Week Lenten Sermon series this year was “Conventional Wisdom vs. God’s Wisdom.  The Sermon for Lent 6, April 9 is “God=s Wisdom Concerning Death”

 

·       MID WEEK LENTEN MEALS - Each Wednesday during Lent at 5:00 p.m. First Lutheran families will serve meals before our mid-week Lenten worship.  These meals provide an opportunity for fellowship and make it easier for people to attend Wednesday Lenten Worship, since we don=t have to bring anything after work for a potluck meal, and there is no cost.  Come and enjoy the meals and the time with God’s people! Sayer Kahlaf is serving on April 9.  THANKS to all who have prepared these meals for God’s children at FLC.

 

·       HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

 

Palm Sunday

10:00am with Communion

(Gather in the courtyard at 9:45am with your Palms.

Palms will be available at the Welcome Table located by the main door under the breezeway)

Open Arms Children will have a special message during the Children’s Message

 

Maundy Thursday

Noon and 7:30pm Worship (both services with Communion)

Passover Dinner at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall

 

Good Friday

Noon and 6:30pm Worship (no Communion either service)

(No dinner this evening.)

 

Easter Morning Worship

8:30am Worship with Holy Communion

9:30am Easter Morning Breakfast

10:00am Easter Egg Hunt

11:00am Worship with Holy Communion

 

·       A ‘Basic Teachings of the Bible’ / ‘New Member Class began at First Lutheran on March 2   Seven people have attended, but others can join us.  ON SATURDAY, APRIL 12 AT 9:00, WE WILL CONDUCT AN ALL DAY MAKE UP / STUDY AHEAD class.  If someone wants to learn more, or to refresh their knowledge, come and join us.  There is no commitment to join FLC just because a person attends the class. 

 

·       First Lutheran is re-activating the Stephen Ministry program! - Stephen Ministry is an organized and supervised plan for Christian caring.  Stephen Ministers are trained to listen, to bring Jesus to people’s troubles.  They are trained to walk alongside others as Christian friends, bringing the saving love of God.

Angie Burr, Jean Halabrin, and Dana Lucas have been trained as leaders.  We commissioned our leadership team in worship on April 6!

 

·       SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until May, and GROWING! Children begin in worship at 10:00 a.m..  Early in the service, after the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft, and a snack. 

Parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to Sunday School. 

THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and staff!

 

·       COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m.  We are studying “The Case for Christ” and discussing defending our Christian faith in a world of doubt.  Come and join us!   

ALSO, FLC serves College Lunch for students in the Fellowship Hall after worship each Sunday of the school year.

·       WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.”  On Wednesday, April 9, we read through Daniel 12.

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.P.S. Fishing and Family Fun:

 

·       Friends – Some members of our former church in Jacksonville, where I served 1983-1991, came to visit on Friday, April 4.  Here is a picture of Kathy and me with Everett and Edie Conaway and Mary Herrera Jones.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Xf5TmtxxVqsSPGbP9

 

·       Automobile Damage – Here are some pictures of my vehicle after I was hit while stopped at a traffic light.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/3aHH5T62Xzhq5iKQ7

 

·       Fishing

o   I went fishing on Thursday, April 3, and caught a few bass for the fish fry. Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/32RX7k7avQpkjdVr8

 

o   On Sunday, April 6, I took Pastor Chris Kollmann and his oldest two boys fishing.  We had one bite.  We caught no fish.  But, from the smiles, I think the boys enjoyed the trip.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/BzKWwpoZsKmoHucG8

 

*******

 

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 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

 

 

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)

 

 


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