Dear Fellow Children of God,
What about your life is troubling you right now? If you could change where you are, or what
you are facing, or the people you encounter, how would you make life
better? However, did you ever think how
God might be using your struggles for His purposes, for your growth, and even
to help others?
My devotions on Saturday, August 8, including reading from
Acts 21:17 through Acts 23. In this
section of Scripture we see Paul suffering for the Gospel. He is accused, incorrectly and unjustly of
bringing a Gentile into the temple where only Jewish people were allowed. Paul was then beaten and arrested. He faced charges before a tribunal, defending
himself against his accusers. Paul then appeared
before the Roman governor, Felix. In the
end of this reading, Paul remains in prison, even though the governor realizes
Paul has done nothing deserving such punishment.
However, God had a plan to spread abroad the good news
that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Our Lord intended for Paul to go to Rome to continue
spreading the gospel. (Acts 23:11) God was using the unjust suffering of Paul for
the good of the world. The Lord worked
through Paul’s plight, calling people to life changing faith, to saving faith
in Jesus.
Actually, although I have read these verses many times
before, and even as I remembered this history of Paul and the early church, the
impact of God working through Paul’s suffering did not hit home until I read
the devotion at the end of the Bible reading for that day. Jane L. Fryar wrote these devotions over 20
years ago, and I continue to use them to help me in my walk through the trials
of this life. Let me share with you the devotion
at the end of the reading from last Saturday.
“It was a miscarriage of justice. Anyone today jailed and held as Paul was
would no-doubt accuse the authorities of false arrest-rightly so! And yet, Paul saw all of it not as an interruption
in his service for the Lord, but as an open door of witness, a divine
appointment, as it were. Paul was the
tool chosen by the Lord to carry the Gospel to many, even to the Gentiles and
their kings (Acts 7:15). From heaven’s
perspective, Paul was exactly where he needed to be.
Perhaps today you find yourself cruising
life’s highway. But maybe instead you
lie bogged down in what appears to be a senseless detour. Job loss, Money problems. Chronic Illness. Relationship challenges. Depression or anxiety. Maybe, like Paul, you did nothing to cause
your difficulties. Or perhaps you did, and
now guilt feelings pile themselves on your stack of burdens too.
In any case, let the Savior that Paul
proclaimed comfort and encourage you.
You do not struggle alone. The
God who forgives for Jesus’ sake also strengthens. Secure in that truth you can with confidence
look for doors of witness your Savior may open.” (Today’s Light Bible, page 1520)
Over twenty five years ago I was visiting a man paralyzed
in an accident. Glen had been a Lutheran
Christian and we visited monthly. According
to the doctors, Glen’s paralysis was not going to change. And, he remained paralyzed until his death. One day when Glen was asking “why” this
happened, I asked Glen, “How might God use your new situation for His good?” He was now living in a group home in Palmer instead
of working as a halibut fishing guide. I
watched as Glen’s attitude changed. He
entered some of his art in the state fair.
He became more positive. In many
ways Glen was a blessing in a place where there were many people with life
problems. Glen did not want the accident,
nor its affects on his life. But, somehow
God used his accident to work His purpose.
I also believe that God used Glen’s accident to bring him back to faith
in Jesus.
In Romans 8:28 God promises, 28 And we know that for those who
love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according
to his purpose. . . 35 Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your
sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be
slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither
death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord. (Romans 8:28, 35-39)
God’s love for us in Jesus’ life and death and
resurrection cannot be taken from us!
Even in the gravest trials of life God is with us. Even in death, the love of God is victorious,
as by faith in Jesus God gives eternal life.
Through Jesus and His saving life “we
are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
What are your struggles right now? Have you thought how God might be using those
struggles to strengthen your faith in His love, and to share Jesus with
others?
A Child of God, Looking to See God’s Purpose and
Opportunities in Life’s Struggles,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. I helped organize the Palmer Kiwanis Golf
Tournament on August 7. Here is a
picture of the Rockey golfers. J https://photos.app.goo.gl/V6gos34u62RexDdg7
P.P.S. Here is a
picture of some harvest from our garden on Saturday, August 8. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MUwMzYL2j4ATbHfb7
P.P.P.S. Pastor Craig
Schultz of St. John and I were blessed to bring God’s grace through baptism to
Isadora K Remele, daughter of Brett and Hadley Remele, at their home on Monday,
August 10. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/da4GCRgbunA8XDSz8
P.P.P.P.S. I got
to do quite a bit of fishing this past week.
We went fishing for silvers. They
didn’t seem to arrive until Monday.
·
Fishing on Wednesday, August 5, with daughter,
Mary, and friend Patrick Garley. We
caught 3 pinks and one chum. https://photos.app.goo.gl/gEGhM1djNP4CRUqw7
·
Fishing on Sunday, August 9, with Jim Stanley and
son, James Stanley. We caught 3
pinks. https://photos.app.goo.gl/2HhB2K88hrkzPyY7A
·
Fishing on Monday, August 10, with Sara Guhl,
grandson, Gaelen, and DCE Ethan Mirly.
We caught 4 silvers and many pinks.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/AxUTGUjB4TPVko1G7
·
Kathy and I smoked some of last year’s fish as
this year’s fish starts coming in. We
canned 40 pints of smoked salmon. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jaY9Wb6fzCoEfReu5
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now
retired from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer,
AK. My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the
Pastor." However, with life's changes I now call the devotion
"Journeys Through Life as a Child of God." I am only sending
this message to those who have asked to receive it. If you know someone
else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.
I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on
my Facebook page.
HOWEVER, A NUMBER
OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS. Since I’m only sending these e-mails to
people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving these messages. BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to
receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to
receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add
you to my distribution list.
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
907-841-4066 – cell
907-746-5131 – home
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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