Dear Fellow Children of God,
Do you remember where you were on July 4, 1976, the
‘bicentennial’, the 200th anniversary of the United States? I guess to ask that question makes me old,
since the occasion was 50 years ago, AND I had to be old enough then to
remember now. I was serving as a ‘summer
vicar’, helping Pastor Paul Albers shepherd God’s people. Paul was pastor at Cross of Christ Lutheran,
and also Circuit Counselor in Chattanooga, TN.
In trying to provide regular worship at St. Philip’s, while still
leading Cross of Christ, Paul reached out for help from a seminary
student. On July 4, I first led worship,
and then I spent the evening alone, at the parsonage for St. Philip’s Lutheran
Church, watching on TV as the nation celebrated.
Fifty years is a long time in a human life. Just think, in 1976 personal computers were
just a rumor. In comparison, this 250th
celebration seems different to me. Our
world has changed in the last 50 years, and so has our nation. If I asked 100 people today what they think
and feel about this country, I expect I would hear more about our problems than
I would hear thanks for our blessings.
However, for God’s children it is appropriate to look at our calling,
our responsibility, as Christians even more than pointing out the challenges of
our nation, or any nation. (I will be
sharing this calling with the people of Anchorage Lutheran Church this coming
Sunday.)
You see, we are created by our heavenly Father, but we
have all rebelled against the Lord and Ruler of all. We deserve the consequences of our sin.
Surprisingly however, God loved us and sent His Son to take our guilt and
punishment on Himself. Because of His
forgiveness and salvation, we are called to respond. “ . . . and 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) You see,
because of Jesus, God’s children are called to live in His grace. This includes remembering that we are first
citizens of heaven, but also called to be godly citizens in this world.
When Jesus responded to questions about citizenship, He
taught the religious leaders of the day, “render to Caesar the things
that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew
22:21) God is Lord. We owe Him our
primary allegiance, our worship and obedience, in response to His love for us
in Jesus. Nevertheless, we are still to
honor and respect our earthly leaders.
In Romans 13 God teaches through Paul, “1 Let every
person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. . . 5
Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for
the sake of conscience.” (Romans
13:1, 5) God has established authorities
to provide law and order (Romans 13:3-4).
As followers of Jesus, because of ‘conscience,’ we are to be subject to
our leaders for the good of our community.
However, there is a limit to this responsibility as a
citizen. Peter and John were called
before the Jewish authorities for preaching about Jesus. When scolded for their sharing of God’s
saving love, they responded, "We must obey God rather than men.”
(Acts 5:29) We submit to the government because authority is established by
God. But, when rulers act against our
Lord and His will, we are bound to follow the “King of Kings and Lord of
Lords.”
There are two ways in which Christians can live as
blessings of God in our nations and communities. First, we PRAY for our leaders. Paul also teaches, “1 First of all, then,
I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made
for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that
we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
(1 Timothy 2:1-2) I have prayed for
Alaska Governor Walker, and for Governor Dunlevy. I have prayed for President Biden, and for
President Trump. All our leaders need
the wisdom of God, the direction of our Lord, in order to work for justice and
righteousness and peace. I am not always
sure our leaders listen to the direction of our Lord, but I continue to pray
for them.
Finally, God also calls us to work for the good of
the country where we live. In Jeremiah
29, God teaches, 4 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of
Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to
Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat
their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives
for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and
daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the
welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the
LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
(Jeremiah 29:4-7) The Israelites were in
exile in Babylon, but were called to live for the good of the nation. We may not always agree with our leaders, but
the Lord gives us direction of what is righteous and just. We seek the good which He teaches in order to
bless the place we inhabit.
On the 250th anniversary of our nation we have
much for which to be thankful. However,
we may also have our list of complaints.
(I personally believe there are more reasons for thankfulness.) Nevertheless, God gives responsibility
to His children, to submit to authorities, to pray for our leaders, and to work
for the good as our nation. We do these things as we first follow our Lord and
Savior. So, I also pray with the
American composer, Irving Berlin, “GOD bless America!”
A Child of God, Working for the Good of our Nation,
Because of God’s Love and Call to Me! God Bless America!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. You might enjoy this video. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y_U5TD_G0s8
P.P.S. I am now
serving as Vacancy pastor at Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
Bible class –
o On
Sundays, June 21 and 28, we had a short study “angels.”
o Beginning
in July, we will begin studying the book of Ephesians with a “Lifelight” Bible
Study. There are still some lesson books available. Class begins at 9:00 a.m. downstairs in the
Fellowship Hall.
·
Lay Ministry Classes? – I offered our Lay
Worship Leaders to teach Lay Ministry Classes on the Sacraments, Worship, and
Preaching – AFTER worship on Sundays.
Tentatively, these classes
would begin on July 12. However,
in addition to our Lay Worship Leaders, others may attend if they wish.
·
250th Anniversary Worship –
Worship on Sunday, July 5, will give us an opportunity to thank the Lord for
His blessings for our country, and to pray for our leaders.
Other Activities of Faith:
I am again taking a two-year
journey with my Lord, by reading through the Scriptures using the “Today’s
Light Devotional Bible.” On Wednesday, July 1, I read 1 Samuel 26.
You are welcome to join in
this journey of reading God’s Word. 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! Last
week I led staff meeting, conducted a wedding, and a funeral, and then
led Bible Class, worship, and held a Lay Worship Leaders’ meeting, BEFORE
driving to the Kenai on Sunday afternoon.
My gardens are looking great, especially after the rain. However, no fishing. (As I slow down, a little, I can spend
one or two hours gardening. Fishing
takes much longer!) (I did golf on Wednesday, June 24).
·
Yard and Garden –
o These
Irises were gifts from Rhoda Olson years ago. These pictures were taken June
25. https://photos.app.goo.gl/FAL4cBdbv3d6kZNx9
o Here
are flower pictures from July 1. https://photos.app.goo.gl/1eqKgLoA9RZbWa596
o GARDEN
- My garden is growing well. The
radishes are lagging this year. But I
expect we’ll have a good crop at the end.
Here are some pictures. (I know
that Jim Summers wants to see Garden pictures 😉). https://photos.app.goo.gl/7graXBZ2fnF5CxS56
·
Family – Here is a new picture from Mary and Brandon’s
wedding. We expect more pictures! 😊 https://photos.app.goo.gl/sibJrNzbLtpMGXNh9
*******
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. (I finished for now serving as Assistant to the Pastor for
First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL. I am now serving Anchorage Lutheran
Church as Vacancy Pastor.)
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.
*******
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. (I finished for now serving as Assistant to the Pastor for
First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL. I am now serving Anchorage Lutheran
Church as Vacancy Pastor.)
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, Anchorage Lutheran Church, Anchorage, 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)
