Dear
Fellow Children of God,
Have
you ever struggled with, or even been frightened by, the call from Jesus to
share the Gospel with others? Most
Christians know “The Great Commission” by heart. “19 Go therefore
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the
age." (Matthew 28:19-20) But,
making disciples of all nations is a job bigger than any one person, or
even any single congregation can accomplish . . . on their own.
Not
only is this a LARGE calling, many simply feel uncomfortable sharing the
Christian Gospel, or good news, with others.
People have told me, “I don’t understand my Bible well enough.” Or “I’m not sure what to say.” Or, “When I
try to tell others about Jesus, they become angry with me.” There are many reasons Christians can indeed
struggle with sharing the Christian faith about Jesus as our Savior.
Jesus
gave this call to His disciples and to the Christian Church in more than one
way. As Jesus was ascending into heaven
He also spoke these words to His disciples. “But you will receive power when
the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts
1:8) I can understand how people
feel they do not have enough knowledge for a discussion, or even a debate,
about faith. Yet, Jesus does not say
“You will win those arguments.” Jesus
tells His disciples, “. . . you will be my witnesses.” A witness is different than someone who tries
to convince another by argument.
In
all honesty, the best witness a person can give is their example, or their
life. When someone watches the way I
live, do they see Jesus through me?
Peter encouraged such a witness in 1 Peter 3:15. “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” So, do you have hope as a
Christian? What is your hope? How does Jesus make a difference in your
life? When someone sees that you perhaps
live differently than others, and they ask you where your hope lies, you can
share your personal knowledge and experience of our Savior. Perhaps you know your own failings and sin
only too well, but the real forgiveness of Jesus has warmed and changed your
heart. Perhaps you have had struggles in
a task, or a relationship. But you
remember that Jesus persevered and endured to save us. Jesus’ persevering love might have given you
just the strength you needed. THAT kind
of sharing is a ‘witness.’ Often it is
that personal life witness which can touch the hearts and lives of others.
In
1 Thesslonians the Apostle Paul also encourages the witness of a life of faith.
“11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business
and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life
may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on
anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
Did you ever think that a quiet life of faith is a witness to others
about how Jesus lives in you?
I
share these thoughts about witnessing to Jesus because two of the most
impactful testimonies I received in New Orleans at the 2025 LCMS Youth
Gathering came from the example of other Christians.
For
example, my volunteer time at the gathering included time at the booth for
Ysleta Lutheran Mission, a mission effort to share Jesus’ love with the people
of El Paso, TX, and Juarez, Mexico. We
worked to prepare 2000 school backpacks and 2000 health kits for people in that
area. One of those present was a young
lady named Michelle Lynn. Michelle did
not speak English. But from early
childhood she had received a backpack for school, and was nurtured by the local
congregation to believe in Jesus.
Michelle used this encouragement to finish school and go on to college.
She expects to graduate with a bachelors degree in 2026. However, she has also been going to school to
be a Lutheran deaconess, and at 21 years old IS the youngest deaconess in the
Lutheran Church of Mexico. Michelle’s
presence spoke powerfully to me about the power of Jesus’ love, and how God’s
church shares the love of Jesus in life changing ways!
I
received another powerful witness from one of the last groups who came to
assemble backpacks. About 15-20 people
from Kerrville, TX, served by putting these backpacks together in order to help
others in the name of Jesus. Do you
remember the national news in early July?
Around July 4 heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to flood quickly
and destructively. Around 100 people in
the Kerrville area died. Children in a Christian camp in Kerrville were
surprised, and some were washed away and died.
When these youth from Kerrville showed up to work in our booth on July
22, less than 3 weeks after the flooding, I asked about the floods. They just shook their heads silently. But, these people who had suffered this
natural disaster were still in the booth for Ysleta, helping people in need on
the border. Their service in the midst
of personal crisis spoke to me about the power of Jesus’ love.
Jesus
does call us to “make disciples of all nations,” but people often come to faith
one person at a time. I sometimes
wonder, “Can people see the sacrificial saving love of Jesus when they watch my
life?’ Jesus did, after all teach His
disciples, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one
another.” (John 13:34) Can people
see the saving love of Jesus in my life? What kind of witness do I give?
How
about you? Do people see a witness for
Jesus in your life?
A
Child of God, Desiring that my Life Shares the Sacrificial, Saving Love of
Jesus”
Pastor
Rockey
P.S. Here are some pictures from the Gathering
which apply to today’s devotion.
- This is a picture of Michelle,
the young Lutheran Deaconess from Ysleta Lutheran Mission. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9fkwbNfVaNULP8dN8
- This is a picture of the youth
from Kerrville, TX, attentively working to prepare backpacks for children
in El Paso and Juarez. https://photos.app.goo.gl/dimGswyZeif6fxgJ9
P.P.S. I am now serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in
Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor.
- The Our Redeemer Call
Committee
has been formed. It includes Elder
and chairman, Jerry Simpson, also Heidi Enlow, Ruth Keller, Theo Lee,
Jacob Lewis, Scott Roelfs, and Martha Wilkins. They met on June 4, July 1, and July
22. The first step in the call
process will be to complete a congregational self-study. The Northwest District has the study and
tools to help in this study. The
committee targets August 15 for inputs from leaders to the congregational
self-study. The next meeting is on
August 19.
Regular
Bible Studies and Sunday School
- Adult Bible Study continues on
Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. The
class is studying “Basic Christian Teachings.” On August 3 we studied
about the Lord’s Supper. We will
conclude this study on August 10, and start a new topic. Come and join us!
- Summer Sunday School - Children
have an opportunity to study during the summer as well. Leah Rawlins is leading the children in
studying the book of Ruth. At the
end of this study they may put what they learned into expression through
legos. All Children are WELCOME! 😊 (However, there was no Sunday School
on August 31 (Labor Day Weekend!)
- On Sunday, August 3, 5 young
people attended an ‘early communion class.
Those attending included Evelyn Anderson, Hannah Anderson, Clarence
Hall, Broderick McCormick, and Annika Roelfs
- On Sunday, August 10, we will
have a meeting after worship to discuss Confirmation Classes in the
future for youth. We will discuss
schedule and lesson plans. If you
are in 6th or 7th grade, or interested in
Confirmation classes, please attend, or talk to Lauren Johnston or Pastor
Rockey.
- On Sunday, August 24, we will
offer an acolyte class after worship.
Other
Activities of Faith:
- MANY CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH
THE SCRIPTURE WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light
Devotional Bible.” We are now in the New Testament! On Wednesday, August 6, we read Acts
6-8.
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. Fishing!
- 😊
- On Thursday, July 31, I went
fishing on the Little Susitna River.
I had heard that silver salmon were returning, and I wanted to find
out. Gaelen Swigart, grandson of
St. John Palmer musician, Sara Guhl, came along. The fishing was not ‘hot.’ But we did catch one silver and 3 pink
salmon. (Of course, we only kept
the silver!) Here are some
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/adQuaTHXgTWxQrZZ6
- Father and Son Fishing- I went
fishing on the Kenai River with my son, Tim Rockey, on Sunday evening and
Monday, August 3 and 4. After a flat tire in Anchorage requiring roadside
assistance, we got to the river at 10:10 p.m. on Sunday. With an all time
record run of red / sockeye salmon, we did still catch 3 reds on Sunday
night. On Monday, with beautiful
weather, but a ‘flood of fish’, we caught my limit of fish, Tim’s fish,
and Kathy's fish (I have her proxy). It was a worthwhile trip, not only
for great fishing but also great father and son time!!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rbsK7BSuwHmNp64NA
- On Friday and Saturday, August
2 and 3, as we were putting this year’s salmon into the freezer, we took
out the old and I smoked the salmon. https://photos.app.goo.gl/r12F4CAfyiC5FW2m6
- On Tuesday, August 5, Kathy
spent 10-12 hours canning smoked salmon.
I spent 4 ½ hours vacuum sealing the salmon Tim and I caught over
the weekend. Here are a couple of
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MEJkKjzhgrcGS7YQA
*******
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)
