Dear Fellow Children of God,
I was at the Palmer Post Office on Monday, October 19. As
I took mail from my box, another man did the same. Both boxes were FULL of campaign
literature. Frustrated, the man next to
me groaned, “I’ll bet I still get these ads even AFTER the election is
over.” What a campaign . . . again! However, since each candidate makes claims
about the other, and since each candidate denies the accusations of the other,
someone must not be telling the truth. As
a child, I was told stories about George Washington admitting he chopped down
the cherry tree. We heard about “Honest
Abe.” MANY years ago (I know), the question about those running for office was,
“Are they honest?” Sadly, I don’t hear
that question today.
In my devotions for October 21, I was reading through the
book of Job, and came across some lies.
Perhaps those who spoke did so without realizing the words spoken were
untrue. In previous chapters Job
expressed his anguish in suffering (chapter 3), followed by a response from
Job’s friend, Eliphaz the Temanite (chapter 4).
(Why not give that name to your oldest son?) 😊Basically, Eliphaz says,
“You must have done something wrong for God to punish you with these
tribulations.” Job protests any guilt in
chapters 6 and 7 and declares his innocence.
Do you hear the subtly spoken untruths?
In a way, the conversation reminds me of our elections.
But
then, in frustration, Job responds to Eliphaz, and even accuses God
Himself. “20 If I sin,
what do I do to you, you watcher of mankind? Why have you made me your mark?
Why have I become a burden to you? 21 Why do you not pardon my
transgression and take away my iniquity? For now I shall lie in the earth;
you will seek me, but I shall not be." (Job 7:20-21)
Because of his personal suffering, which Job doesn’t
understand, he accuses God of punishing him, picking on him, ‘making him his
mark.’ The book of Job teaches about
Satan visiting the Council of God (Job 1 and 2). In those encounters the Lord
spoke well of Job. The Lord ultimately
protected Job. When Job accused God, he is wrong about his Heavenly
Father. God is not marking or targeting
Job. The devil has done that. It is Satan at whom Job should be angry. Job’s words are a perhaps unintentional lie.
In his accusation Job also asserts that God does not
‘pardon’, does not ‘take away iniquity,’ does not forgive! As we know from Scripture, even in the Old
Testament, God is merciful and He DOES forgive.
Consider Psalm 32:5 “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions
to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.’” Or, think about Psalm 103. “2
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives
all your iniquity.” (Psalm 103:2-3) and verse 12 “as far as the east is from
the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
Yet, Job is convinced that, because he is suffering, God is punishing him for
his sins, AND that God does not forgive.
These are untruths. These are
lies, lies which the devil tells us about our loving Lord.
It is interesting how, as I read God’s Word, different
verses seem to speak about the same topic.
Last Sunday, October 18, the Bible class studied Ephesians 6. We considered and discussed a statement of
truth, and a warning. 12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against
the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore
take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having
fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, (Ephesians 6:12-14) Our enemy is not other people. Our enemy is the devil himself and ‘the
spiritual forces of evil.’ Please
consider what that means. We are
encouraged to take the gifts which God gives, to put on the armor of God and to
fight his lies. One of those pieces of
armor is “the belt of truth.” Another is the breastplate of
righteousness, righteousness that is not what we earn, but which God gives
through faith in in Jesus. Do you see
how the truth of God is different from the lies of Satan?
This coming Sunday, October 25, is Reformation
Sunday. The traditional Reformation
Gospel is from John 8. “31
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word,
you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the
truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) Truth sets free. Lies enslave.
No wonder Jesus teaches later in that same chapter, “ . . .
the devil . . . was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own
character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) It is interesting to me, though maybe not a
surprise, that my daily devotions apply to our Sunday study of Ephesians and to
this coming Sunday’s Gospel reading.
Today I hear people say, in response to calamity, “Why is
God punishing me?” That is a lie of the
devil. I hear people say, “God can’t
forgive my sin.” That is a lie. Those
lies harm people’s faith in God, harm their relationship with the Lord, and
steal their hope and joy. The truth is
that God loves us in Jesus.
In this season of elections, when it seems that lies are
flying everywhere, I encourage you to hold onto our Lord’s love for us in
Jesus, who assures us, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) God’s love in Jesus
is truth which gives life!
A Child of God, In This Election Season of Accusations, Seeking
the TRUTH of God in Jesus!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now serving as vacancy pastor at Anchorage
Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
Call Committee – The Executive Leadership
Team (ELT) of Anchorage Lutheran has re-started the call process. This
committee consists of Lynn Boots, Danielle Bowman, Caleb Fluege, Tim and Genae
Meerstein, Alexa Mix, Joel Mix, Joe Pollock, and Karen Quintieri. Also attending meetings will be ELT
President, Steve Fibranz, DCE Matthew Murphy, Vacancy Pastor Jonathan Rockey,
and Circuit Visitor Tony Schultz. The
committee met on September 10 for a beginning meeting, and again on Sunday,
September 27 after worship to evaluate our self-study. For the last 3 Sundays
members of Anchorage Lutheran have filled out surveys to give feedback a) on
the qualities which Anchorage Lutheran desires in a pastor, and b) what kind of
ministry happens at Anchorage Lutheran.
The Call
committee will meet again soon to go over the congregational responses and determine
the next steps in the call process.
PLEASE PRAY
FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS ON THE CALL PROCESS AT ALC!
·
Consecration (Stewardship) Sunday – The
ELT also voted to conduct a Stewardship Emphasis which will provide education
on God’s plans for Christian Stewardship, and will give ALC members an
opportunity to consider and plan ways to respond to God’s grace in their
lives. In November worship we will
consider a) God’s many blessings in our lives, and b) consider God’s plan for
Stewardship. In worship on November
15, ALC members will have an opportunity in worship to respond to God’s
love, and we will celebrate with a special meal after worship: apple pork
loin, au gratin potatoes, garlic parmesan green beans, salad, rolls, and apple
crisp ala mode!
Please plan
now to be part of this growth opportunity.
Bible classes –
·
In our Sunday morning Bible Study we have finished
studying the book of Ephesians. On Sunday, October 25 we begin a study
on “The Lord’s Prayer.” As part of this
study we will also discuss ways to encourage prayer opportunities and ministry at
Anchorage Lutheran.
PLEASE FEEL
FREE TO JOIN US IN BIBLE STUDY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS in the fellowship hall at
8:45 a.m.!
·
New Member Class? –On October 4, I began teaching
an Adult Membership Class after late worship.
The class is being held in my office.
So far we have studied creation, and the origin of sin, and the person
of Jesus, salvation, and heaven and hell.
On October 25 we will study about the Word of God.
This class is not
only a way for non-members to join Anchorage Lutheran, but also a good
refresher for current members.
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, October 21, I read
Job 6-7. The book of Job considers the
question of the source of sin and evil in our world.
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, Friends, and Fishing!
·
Hiking – My dog, Mat, and I went hiking
again in Hatcher Pass on Saturday, October 17.
Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/iAhAPhMya3d4iy536
·
FISHING - I did NOT go fishing this past
week. The weather did not cooperate, and,
unfortunately, my hip is giving me trouble
·
We did have our first Fall snow of the
year on Tuesday, October 20. Here is a
picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/98kVKT5b4EEJ1chD6
P.P.P.S. Travel
to Lutherland? – I mentioned in a previous devotion that I have been asked
again to serve with Wittenberg English Ministry, leading English worship
services in Wittenberg, Germany, where Martin Luther did much of his
ministry. This time Kathy and I will
serve from June 15-29, 2027.
When I mentioned our plans, a
number of people asked if we would be leading a tour. Actually, we had NOT planned to do that. But we consulted with our friends at Luther
Tours, and Donna Taylor worked up 2 tours beginning at the end of our service
and going for about another week. IF we
have 15 or more people, Kathy and I would consider leading a tour. Here is a brochure in case you are interested
in going. (I can
send an attachment. However, I hope this
link works.) 11-Day
Germany Tour June 2027.pdf
However, we need to make a
decision soon. If you are interested, please let us know.
*******
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)
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