In my daily
devotions I am now reading God’s word to His people in the book of
Deuteronomy. Last week I read chapter 5,
the second ( “Deutero” means second in Latin.) giving of God’s Ten
Commandments. At this time the children
of Israel were preparing to enter the Promised Land. Yet, the first generation of Israelites had
perished in the wilderness. For a new
generation, at the beginning of receiving the fulfillment of God’s promise
given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses shared again the loving guidance of
our Heavenly Father.
There are sad
reasons Moses needed to share God’s instructions a second time. God told Moses in Deuteronomy 9:13, “ . .
. I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stubborn people.” Moses recounted the many times God’s people
had strayed. Moses was also honest with the Israelites about their relationship
with their Lord. “ . . . you rebelled
against the commandment of the LORD your God and did not believe him or obey
his voice. 24 You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day
that I knew you.” (Deuteronomy 9:23-24)
As I read the Ten
Commandments again, I considered sharing their wisdom in a devotion. Yet, I realize that many today also do not
want to hear the Lord’s commands. We don’t
want someone else telling us how to live, not even God. People do not want someone telling us what to
do.
Therefore, we
may not like what God says about priorities (commandment 1). Nor about our
speech (commandments 2 and 8). Nor concerning worship and rest (commandment 3).
We may not want to hear or do what the Lord says about families and authority
(commandment 4). Nor about caring for others (commandment 5). Nor the Lord’s
commands concerning sex and sexuality (commandment 6). We may not like all God
says about property, and greed (commandments 7, 9, and 10). Unfortunately, perhaps we don’t realize that
when we act in stubborn rebellion, like the Israelites, we are in effect making
ourselves the god we follow!
The Lord’s response
to the stubbornness of the Israelites called for a change to their hearts. “15
Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring
after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. 16
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.” (Deuteronomy 10:15-17) How do we get rid of our stubborn
attitudes and behaviors? How do we
circumcise our hearts?
Perhaps some
reflection helps. First, consider who
God is. “17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of
lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes
no bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17) Our
Lord is the Creator of all! Compared to our weakness, He is Almighty! He is wise beyond our so-called wisdom. God is worth listening to!
Second, God
knows, and perhaps we do, how broken we are.
How many times have we gone our own direction and found failure and
hurt? Do we really want to be the ones
in charge?
Third, God knows
our rebellion and our stubborn hearts.
Yet in love and grace and mercy, our Heavenly Father sent His only Son
to live for us, to suffer and die for us, to rise for us. Such mercy defies
human reason! His love is proved true and real in Jesus’ cross and empty
tomb. For the Ruler of all to love us so
deeply, in spite of our stubborn, rebellious hearts, is AMAZING.
Ultimately, God
forgives and saves us, not because of our obedience, but because of the
sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of Jesus. Yet, if we consider God’s power and wisdom
and love, don’t we want to listen to and follow our Lord?
And here is one
last bit of good news from Deuteronomy.
Why does God give the Ten Commandments a second time? In Deuteronomy 10:13, we are taught, “. . . keep
the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today FOR
YOUR GOOD!” We may not always
understand, but Our Heavenly Father gives us His commands and directions for
life, for our own good! In a
world of selfishness, and hatred, and greed, and violence, and death, following
God’s commands allows us to live in His wisdom and in His power and love.
If we are wise,
we want to follow God’s law, because He is God, not us. We want to obey because our desires and wisdom
have failed us time and again. We want
to live for Him, because God loves and saves us in Jesus. Therefore, we follow God’s commands not
because we have to do so. We follow the wisdom of God, because He loves us,
because He saves us in Jesus.
Do you really
want to be in charge of your life, to be your own god? Or, do you know your sin and weakness? Do you
desire the wisdom and love and salvation of the Almighty Lord of the Universe
found in Jesus? Deep down in my heart
and soul, that is what I want!
A Child of God, Considering the Ten Commandments-Seeking to ‘Let
God be God’ in My Life,
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now in Gainesville, FL, serving as assistant to
Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran.
First Lutheran Activities
·
SUNDAY BIBLE CLASSES - Pastor Kollman and I are
teaching separate Sunday Bible classes on Sundays at 8:45 a.m.
o
On Sunday, March 22, Pastor Kollmann began teaching
an Adult Member Class in the library.
o
I began teaching a separate class in the
Besalski Fellowship Hall.
§
We started with a study of Galatians. We finish Sunday, April 19, with Galatians 5:16
– 6:18.
§
Beginning on April 26 we begin a Lutheran Hour
Ministries study of Christian citizenship, “We the People.”
·
STEPHEN MINISTRY - We started Stephen
Ministry classes at First Lutheran on Thursday, February 12. Stephen
Ministers are trained Christian care-givers. A Stephen Minister is not
a pastor, and not a counselor. But they are Christians who are
trained to bring Jesus and His love to another Christian person facing a
difficult time.
Open Arms Director, Angie Burr, is a trained
Stephen Leader. Susan Lucas will also begin training to serve as a
Stephen Leader for FLC.
We have 7 people who have committed to train
and serve as Stephen Ministers, as Christian care-givers. Training
happens on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. and will end in April.
Please pray for our Lord to use these
Stephen Ministers to serve His people.
·
Young People Activities at FLC
o
Our first youth activity was held at the
Kollmann residence on Sunday afternoon, February 22.
o
On SUNDAY, March 29, we took a trip to
Devil’s Millhopper state Geological site.
Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/PLfYALXRCwjuTcSo7
o
On April 11, a small group attended the
Orange and Blue Game. 😊
o
If your children are going into 3rd
grade, or older, please consider participating in these fun activities of
growth.
Other
Activities of Faith:
·
I have again started my two-year journey with my
Lord. On Wednesday, April 15, I read Deuteronomy 10, where Moses is
sharing the wisdom of God about the law. Feel free to join me again if you
wish. You may also contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any
questions about these readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net
I have received questions and comments about the readings. 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.S. Family
Fun and Fishing! - It was another FULL WEEK for the Rockey
family!
·
On Friday, April 10, a group from First Lutheran
played in the 2026 Young benefit Golf Tournament. Pastor Chris Kollmann, District President James
Rockey, Elder Jeff Thinschmidt, and Pastor Jonathan Rockey played to support this
worthwhile ministry. Here are a few
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ucfy9SU8QQojarTw7
·
On Saturday, April 11, I went fishing with
brother, James, at Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes.
We caught some NICE fish! Here
are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/S5ffBSMWGnExSrWRA
·
On Sunday, April 12, after worship, I took
nephew, Jayden Pruim, fishing on the Suwannee River. We saw LOTS of mullet jumping, lots of
gators, a manatee, and a raccoon, and caught a few fish. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/nUqFuwDWBtDmcVkMA
·
On Monday, April 13, I went golfing with friends
at Hawkstone Golf and Country Club.
Friend, Mike Abernathy, had a GREAT game. He not only had 5 birdies, he then had a hole
in one on the 135 yard par 3 hole number 13.
Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/u31DKMhT9quncd8j7
·
Monday night, April 13, Kathy returned from a
week long trip. She drove to her annual
quilting conference, this time in Little Rock, Arkansas. Also, she got to stop and visit with her
brother, Patrick Tobin, and his family on the way to the conference, and on the
way home.
o
Kathy arrived in Memphis at 7:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, April 7. Our niece, Lauren, delivered
a new baby, Robert Stephen Lies, at 8:30 that night. Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lmg4r4QaNd3m2LVf9
o
Kathy and family also visited some family graves
while she visited. Here are some
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9a8XrGtw6BY1cZff8
o
Kathy also received the 1946 discharge papers
for her dad, James. A. Tobin, from the military. These papers include some interesting
information. Our parents are a real
blessing! Here is a picture! https://photos.app.goo.gl/ytH5ePbobqYzjme36
·
On Tuesday, April 14, friend and First Lutheran
Congregational President, Mark Hoyer, took me fishing at Cedar Key. We caught a lot of fish, including speckled
trout. I have caught these fish before,
but have never before caught a speckled trout I was able to keep. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DDXvMY7PXUEsrVdo8
What a Great
Week! God is good!!
*******
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 currently serve as Assistant to the 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
Assistant to the
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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