Dear Fellow Children of God,
It is absolutely true that Jesus’ Easter resurrection
changes the world, and changes our lives, forever! Jesus has taken the sin of the world, the
judgement and the punishment, and He paid the debt of sin through His suffering
and death on the cross. Yet, even more, Jesus’
resurrection has changed everything.
Yes, sin brings death, but Jesus has risen. He offers eternal life through faith in His
death and resurrection. Yes, sin brings
pain, suffering, guilt and broken relationships. But Jesus’ resurrection also brings us new
life in this world. Yes, we still have
an enemy who desires to destroy God’s creation and His people. But that enemy has been judged, defeated, and
destined to spend eternity in the lake of fire.
So, if life is changed by Jesus’ Easter victory, how
do we live that new life? We rejoiced
in Jesus’ victory on Easter Sunday. We
have heard the accounts of Jesus restoration for His disciples, Thomas and
Peter. Those exciting accounts assure us
that Jesus gives new life even to His doubting and failed children, so that they
might continue to serve the one who died for them and rose again. But now we are in the 50+ weeks after
Easter. If life is changed by Jesus’
Easter victory, how do we live that new life?
In my daily devotions from the Today’s Light Bible on
Tuesday, May 6, I read from Micah 4. In
verse 2, as God calls His wandering sheep back to His grace, we read these
words, “’Come, let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us
his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the
law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
As I read this verse it struck me that our Lord’s path is a road map
teaching God’s people how we can live throughout our days in the wilderness.
We seek the ‘teaching,’ the lessons of our Lord. Our God created this world. Therefore, He knows
best what benefits our relationships, especially our relationship with our
Heavenly Father. As Creator, the Lord knows
best what makes us healthy physically.
Who does not need help and direction?
What does not need the teaching which our Heavenly Father gives?
Micah delineates even more how God gives this help. He gives His law, God’s path for healthy
living. The Heavenly Father gives His Word. Perhaps you remember Psalm 119:105, “Your
word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Through His law and His Word, our Lord
guides us.
However, when Christians read that God gives His ‘word,’
we also think ‘Word.’ “1 In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2
He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through
him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. . . 14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory
as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-3,14)
Scripture names Jesus “The Word of God,” Jesus, is our Lord’s best
communication of who He is, how He loves us, and His relationship with us.
Jesus is our source for grace and truth.
Where do we find this teaching of the Lord. Where do we find His law and His Word. The beginning of Micah 4:2 calls us, "Come,
let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob” God is calling people to His Church. Have you thought about how important God’s
church is, how important worship is, to the health of God’s people? Have you
considered how important worship is to living in Jesus’ Easter victory? Do you ever
struggle with persevering in the new life we have as people who follow a risen
Savior? How is your worship life? There
is an old saying. “If God seems far away, guess who moved!”
When the excitement of ‘near Easter’ is in the past, God
has a plan for how we live in Jesus’ Easter victory. We seek the teaching of God, we seek His guidance
in the law. We seek His Word. We seek
Jesus, in His Church, in regular worship! So, ARE you regular in worship? Are you giving your Lord a chance to teach
you, to guide you with His law, to fill you with His Word?
Imagine finding a plan for Christian Easter living in the
Old Testament book of Micah! "Come, let us go up to the mountain
of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the
law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
A Child of God, Thankful for a Plan for Easter Living
Throughout the Year - God's Church
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I have
concluded my service as part-time assistant pastor at First Lutheran
Church in Gainesville, Florida,
Kathy and I returned home to
Alaska on May 5.
I will now be serving Our
Redeemer Lutheran in Chugiak, AK, as Vacancy Pastor beginning May 16.
·
THANK YOU!!!!
Again, Kathy and I are truly grateful for the opportunity to
serve First Lutheran during the recent vacancy.
This is the church where I grew up and my family made our home. This is the church where Kathy and I worship
when visiting Gainesville. This is the
congregation which encouraged me for ministry and sent me away to study to
become a pastor. First Lutheran has
nurtured me and my family. We are
thankful God gave us the opportunity to serve in this special congregation for
the last 20 months! Again, THANK YOU,
and God’s continued blessings!
·
FAREWELL SUNDAY - I
was not the permanent pastor, simply the Vacancy Pastor at First Lutheran. But that is my home congregation. And, even as a vacancy pastor, First Lutheran
put on quite a farewell celebration.
Thank you. Here are some
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/z6CR7PHLSLgqKEUn6
·
MANY OF YOU CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE
SCRIPTURE WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional
Bible.” On Wednesday, May 7, we read Micah 5, the Scripture which
prophesies that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Good Shepherd, the One
who ‘is our peace.’
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. Family
Fun:
·
Wedding – On Saturday, May 3, Kathy and I
were blessed to attend the Wedding of Elizabeth Rockey and Peter Robbins. Perhaps you know that Elizabeth is the oldest
daughter of my brother, James, and his wife, Martha. Here are some wedding pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/8FsgJpzhKWqWzVaK9
·
No Fishing – My last week in Florida was busy
with preparations to leave, and family events, and busy with . . . golf. I did not fish! O well, we are now in Alaska.
*******
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, 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)
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