Dear Fellow Children of God,
I recently received a call from a Christian friend. This lady and I caught up a little, and then
she shared the real reason for her calling.
She was concerned for a young man we both know and care about. He has faced some life challenges. But what really
concerned her was that, when she talked and listened to him, this young man
told her that he was no longer a Christian believer. She asked me to pray for him. I am praying.
Considering what Scripture teaches, lack of faith in
Jesus is concerning. Most people know
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Martin Luther called this verse “the Gospel
in a nutshell,” teaching about the eternal love of God shown in the gift of His
son, Jesus. We receive eternal life ‘by
faith’, through believing. However, many forget the next words of truth from
Scripture in John 3:17-18. “17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order
that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in
him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” God is so good and gracious and loving
that, in order to save the world, He even sent His Son! We are saved by grace, because of Jesus, as
we believe in Him. Yet, not believing
rejects God’s gift of love, and can lose eternal life.
Therefore, especially when we care about someone, we
desire that they know God’s love for them, personally, in Jesus. And, we are concerned when anyone, especially
those whom we love, struggle with trusting our Lord. That is one reason that my wife has often
shared that her favorite Bible verse is 3 John 4. “I have no greater joy than to hear that
my children are walking in the truth.” Kathy
desires God’s eternal love for those whom she loves.
I have shared before through these devotions that in my
daily prayer list I have different categories for my prayers. I pray for those who are seriously ill now,
for those with cancer, and for those who are chronically ill. I also pray for those with troubles, for our
country, for God’s church, for families and for my family. In the midst of all those prayers I also have
a list of people whom I pray for, praying that they return to faith, or come to
faith. I looked closer at this list
today. There are 16 names, and of those
people, 9 have faced a major loss or tragedy in recent years. I understand their hurt, and their questions,
at least in part.
I too wonder at times about where God is in the losses
and the tragedies of this life. However,
what I read in Scripture, and what I trust, is that our Lord is wise when we
are confused. I believe that God acts in
wisdom and in love, even when I don’t understand. Our Heavenly Father has especially shown His
love in Jesus, and in His cross and empty tomb.
But sometimes life so painful that people also doubt, or they can even lose
faith in God.
In my devotional Bible readings we are currently in the
book of Hebrews. The editor of this
devotional has mentioned in recent devotions that there are 5 warnings in this
book about falling away from a life of faith.
This epistle warns those in God’s church about the danger of falling
away from the grace of God. The writer
cared about these believers and desired their eternal salvation. His final blessing is “20 Now
may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great
shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21
equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that
which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever
and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
He prays for their faith and their eternal welfare.
I also believe that the best witness to those who do not
know our Lord’s grace, or who doubt the love of God, is not found in the
correct words of a finely crafted argument.
My experience tells me that a life of faith and love may catch the attention
of another person and lead them to ask the reason for the peace and hope a
Christian has. As Peter writes, “But
in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do
this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15) A gentle and
respectful example and answer can help someone who is struggling with faith.
Along with Kathy, my daily prayer for my immediate family
is for “active Christian faith,” faith that Jesus acts in love and wisdom,
faith that the life and death and resurrection of Jesus are God’s answer to all
our failures and all of life’s hurts.
You may may rejoice to know that there are quite a number
of folks for whom I have prayed in the past for their faith, who are no longer
unbelievers, but who have returned to trusting God’s love and saving
grace. Praise the Lord!
What are you struggling with? For whom are you praying?
A Child of God, Praying
Saving Faith for All, Especially Those on My Heart!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. The 5
warnings of Hebrews - While the editor of my “Today’s Light Devotional
Bible” has mentioned the 5 warnings of the book of Hebrews, I found a short
summary on the internet (of all places).
“The five main warnings in the Book of Hebrews are: the danger
of neglecting salvation (Hebrews 2:1–4), the danger of disobedience and
unbelief (Hebrews 3:7–4:13), the danger of spiritual immaturity (Hebrews
5:11–6:20), the danger of deliberate, willful sin (Hebrews 10:19–31), and the
danger of rejecting God's grace and discipline (Hebrews 12:25–29). These
warnings are often summarized with the "D" words: Drifting, Doubting,
Deformity (or immaturity), Despising, and Denying.”
P.P.S. I am now
serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor.
·
The Our Redeemer Call Committee includes
Elder and chairman, Jerry Simpson, also Heidi Enlow, Ruth Keller, Theo Lee,
Jacob Lewis, Scott Roelfs, and Martha Wilkins.
They have met numerous times.
The first step
in the call process has been to complete a congregational self-study. The Northwest District has shared the study
and tools to help in this study. The
committee has asked for and received input from ORLC for this study. Jacob Lewis has compiled these survey to turn
in to District. Nomination forms for
names for a new pastor have also been distributed. We have about 8 names.
The self-study,
and nominations for pastor, were indeed sent to the Northwest District by
October 1, 2025.
The last meeting
was Friday evening, October 24. The
committee discussed questions to ask candidates when the congregation receives
names from the Northwest District.
We are now
waiting for the Northwest District to return names for possible future pastors
for Our Redeemer.
OTHER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT OUR REDEEMER:
·
There are two opportunities a week for exercise
and wellness.
o Matt
Keith leads Chayon Ryu Martial Arts Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00
a.m. in the Our Redeemer Fellowship Hall
o Matt
then teaches a Elder Momentum Class, attended mostly by seniors, at 10:00 a.m.
in the fellowship hall.
·
A “Mom’s Group” meets on the first and
third Mondays at 10:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer.
·
An Adult Fellowship Potluck is held the
first Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
In December this takes place at Bobby’s Café..
- Youth Group
metes after worship on one Sunday each month. On November 30 Youth Group will be a
cooking class.
·
There are other events planned as
well. Watch the Our Redeemer calendar
and newsletter for information.
Regular Bible Studies and Sunday School
·
Adult Bible Study continues on Sunday
mornings at 9:00 a.m. The class FINISHED
studying “Basic Christian Teachings.” We will now be enjoying Bible Study’s
based on Garrison Keillor monologues, specifically for holiday issues. Come and join us!
· Sunday
School is held each Sunday beginning at 9:00 a.m.! This is a blessing for ALL children and
adults.
·
“Deeply Rooted Small Group” Is held at
Our Redeemer on the first and third Sunday evenings at 5:45 p.m.
·
Confirmation classes began on Sunday,
October 12, after worship services. Subsequent
classes will be held on November 16 (this Sunday), 23, and December 7. Watch for more information.
Other Activities of Faith:
· MANY
CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using
the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” On Wednesday, November 5, we read
Hebrews 4.
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
and Fishing! - I tried to fish 3 times this
past weekend.
·
On Friday, November 7, I drove north and
looked for ice. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zo4hxCMVsibH5Wnw7
·
On Saturday, November 8, drover north, and
actually tried fishing at Knob Lake. However, I caught no fish. Here are some
pictures of this trip. https://photos.app.goo.gl/3PSnfbrcHi2v17Wx7
·
On Monday, November 10, I did find a safe
lake and actually fished and caught fish for the first time this fall. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6V3ZW4ZGAxbL7iuk7
·
We did see Northern Lights on Tuesday,
November 11. Somehow the I-phone camera makes
the pictures even more spectacular. But,
here they are. https://photos.app.goo.gl/F9PyScugYKFnaqFC6
*******
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
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Chugiak, AK.)
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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