Responding to the Coming of Jesus in My Life – TODAY!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

What would you say if Jesus showed up at your home? Your work? Your school?  Would you be glad to see Him?  Perhaps you might be somewhat frightened to be in the presence of the holy and almighty Ruler of all.  How would you react if Jesus came personally to you?

 

It does seem shock was the reaction of Moses in Exodus 3, when God called to Moses from the burning bush to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. Here was Moses’ reply.  "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11)  Isaiah, in his book reacted in fear to having a vision of the throne of God.  "Woe to me! . . I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." (Isaiah 6:5) When Peter was confronted with the miraculous catch of fish, he confessed his sin to Jesus, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8)  What if Jesus, if God, showed up in your everyday life?

 

I ask this question because the Christian Church is now in the season of “Advent.”  We are in a time of waiting and preparation for Jesus to come to us.  We prepare for the Christmas celebration of when the Son of God himself did come to earth to live and to die and to rise as our Savior.  Advent is also a season of preparation and awaiting Jesus’ coming again on the last day to judge the world, and to deliver His people from the pain of this lifeto eternal life in heaven.  But, that is preparation for the past and for the future.  What if Jesus was present right now? What if Jesus was in your world and in your life today?  HOW would you react?

 

The truth is, while Christians do celebrate the loving miracle of Jesus’ birth 2000 years ago, and while Christians do prepare for and await Jesus’ second coming, He IS with us, right now.  When Jesus began His ministry, we are told what He proclaimed and taught at first.  "The time has come, . . . The kingdom of God is near." (Mark 1:15)  The Greek word for “is near” in the original language of the Bible can also be translated “is at hand.”  Another appropriate translation of this verse is “The kingdom of God HAS COME.”  With Jesus in our world, God’s kingdom is not just coming, it is here right now, because Jesus is here. 

 

Do you remember what Matthew says about the angel’s message to Joseph before the first Christmas?  “22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’--which means, ‘God with us.’"  (Matthew 1:22-23) Jesus is Immanuel – God WITH us!  Or, do you remember what Jesus taught and promised His disciples as He left the world?  “ . . . surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) You see, Jesus really is here with His people right now!  He is here by His Spirit, through His Word, in the water and the bread and wine of the sacraments.  Jesus IS here!  So, since Jesus is here, how should we react?  Are we afraid of the presence of the holy Lord of all?  Do we ignore Him? 

 

Actually, when Jesus began His ministry He instructed people on how to respond to His presence.  "The time has come, . . . The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!"  Repentance and faith are still appropriate reactions for God’s people to the presence of Jesus in our world and our lives today.  Jesus is holy and righteous, without sin, and we are all sinners who have offended the Lord of the universe.  We have not always loved God with our whole hearts.  We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.  Fear can be crippling, but repentance is a godly response of faith.  When a person repents, they admit their failings, and seek God’s help to change their lives.  In truth, repentance is practical.  When we act in sinful ways, we not only sin against God, we fail ourselves.  We are not all God created us to be.  For example, it is not wise to keep driving a car with mechanical trouble, hoping it will go away.  We want to identify and address the issue.  When we repent, with the help of God, we identify and address the issue of our failure and our sin.

 

But, thankfully, we don’t just respond to the presence of Jesus with repentance, we also ‘believe the good news.’  We believe the good news that Jesus knew our sin, and came to this world in love, anyway, to save us.  We believe the good news that Jesus lived a righteous life so that His death could pay for our sins.  We believe the good news that Jesus rose from death and is victorious over our enemies in this world; the enemies of sin, and Satan, and death.  Since Jesus is victorious, we can live as God’s children in faith, trusting Him to guide us, to forgive us, to save us.  We can boldly and courageously proclaim Jesus and His kingdom in our words and in our actions because, in Jesus, the kingdom of God is here! Right now! In OUR lives!

 

So, how would you react if Jesus showed up at your home, your work, or your school?  Perhaps a better question is “How do you react, since Jesus is here?”  Really, that is good news.  And, Jesus tells us how to react.  “Repent and believe.”  How are you responding?

 

A Child of God, Responding to the Coming of Jesus in My Life – TODAY!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Kathy and I celebrated Thanksgiving in Alaska with our family here for the first time in 3 years.  It was a joyful gathering.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/LVZkhCKGg1dK7HYR7

 

P.P.S.  Since returning to Alaska, I finally did to fishing.  I went ice fishing with friend, Wayne Mize, on the Kenai Peninsula at Egumen Lake.  Egumen Lake is a non-stocked / native lake.  But I did catch a nice 14” rainbow trout.  Wayne caught a small fish too.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/f9DmvBca5ovJ8oom6

 

P.P.P.S.  The state of Alaska is amazingly beautiful, all year round.  Both those living in Alaska, and those who live outside, can and do enjoy God’s created beauty.  Here are some pictures I have taken of the Alaskan Winter since returning.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/3C8mEb6oR9BuNBC58

 

*****

 

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as 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.  (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the 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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

 

“1 John 3:1 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)

 

  

Watching and Praying for Jesus to Come Again

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

When I grew up in Gainesville, Florida, I had a friend, Tommy, whose grandfather had lived in Atlanta.  Since Tommy and I knew each other in the 60’s and 70’s, I guess his grandpa lived in Atlanta around 1900, or earlier.  Tommy once told me that his grandfather shared with him that he had a chance to buy stock in the Coca Cola Company in the very beginning, but did not think it was a safe investment.  So Tommy’s grandpa turned down the opportunity.  It seems his grandfather shared this truth with some regret.  If he had known the truth of what the future held for Coca Cola, Tommy’s grandpa would surely have bought stock.  But, he didn’t know and he missed out.  Perhaps you’ve heard similar stories.

 

If you worship in a Christian congregation which uses the traditional church calendar, this past Sunday was the last Sunday of this past church year.  This coming Sunday, the First Sunday in Advent, is first Sunday of the coming church year, sort of a New Year’s Day.  The assigned Scripture readings for a 3 week period have focused on a topic which Jesus spoke about often, but a topic which is often ignored in our world today.  This topic is His Second Coming, which we sometimes call Judgement Day.

 

Jesus’ final coming was important to Jesus and He taught about it often.  But, there is some discomfort associated with what Jesus tells us the future holds.  At a time when people declare, “No one can tell me what to do,” the idea that there will be a final reckoning is considered close-minded.  The idea that there is such a thing as right and wrong seems old fashioned and un-enlightened to many in our world.  Therefore, this teaching of Jesus’ final coming to judge the world is often ignored or denied by many today. 

 

But God’s children do know Jesus’ promises about the future!  In the readings for this coming Sunday we will hear Jesus speak in Matthew 24.  “35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”  (Matthew 24:35-36)  Whether people ignore or deny what Jesus says, we believe that the end IS coming.  However, we do not know when that will be.  In truth, if we die before Jesus comes, that, in effect, is our Judgement Day.  Most often, we don’t know when that day is either.

 

Since Jesus’ sharing the truth of this final day speaks of consequences and ultimate justice, it is a teaching of God’s law. But, that is not all Jesus teaches about the coming Final Day.  In the assigned Gospel Lesson from Luke 21 in worship two weeks ago, we heard Jesus give a different perspective on His final coming.  He spoke good news, or Gospel. “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28)  Christians, people who believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior, have a different view of Jesus’ Second Coming.  Yes God will finally declare judgement and bring justice.  But, Christians believe that God executed His justice on Jesus when He was on the cross, in order to forgive us and offer mercy to us.  Jesus paid the price for the sins in the world.  All who believe in Jesus are forgiven and are saved.  So when Jesus returns, Jesus who paid for our sins, those who believe in Jesus see His coming as a day of redemption. Jesus comes to take us out of the pain of this world, to heaven.

 

Therefore, those who know and believe in Jesus want to be prepared for this final, ultimate, truth.  Jesus says, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)  We know what the future holds.  The practical side of Jesus’ important teaching is that we want to be ready. We want to be living in faith, following Jesus, when He comes, no matter when that is. 

 

My friend, Tommy, told me the story about his grandfather, implying regret that his grandpa missed his opportunity.  The important message which Jesus teaches is that He is coming again as Judge. The world will come to an end.  This is not just an old fashioned idea, it is God’s truth.  We do not want to miss the opportunity for redemption.  We want to watch and be ready when Jesus comes.

 

A Child of God, Watching and Praying for Jesus to Come Again!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Kathy and I returned home to Alaska from Florida on Friday, November 18.  On Friday and Saturday we did “coming home chores”.  I preached on Sunday, and have served as a substitute teacher Monday through Wednesday.  (Whew!)  It’s good to be home. J

 

P.P.S.  Because of my schedule I have not yet been fishing in Alaska.  But, there are possibilities on the horizon!

 

*****

 

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as 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.  (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the 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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

“1 John 3:1 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)

 

  

Seeking a Heart of Thankfulness Even When Life Hurts!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

With the National Day of Thanksgiving approaching, conventional wisdom calls for everyone to be “thankful.”  (‘Conventional wisdom,’ however, is not always wise!)  People often make lists of blessings as a reminder to give thanks.  I have led congregations to make lists during Thanksgiving worship services.  Our family, at times, has gone around the Thanksgiving dinner table and shared reasons each has for thankfulness. 

 

In truth, all of us have blessings in our lives which call for thankful hearts. Some of us do seem to have more blessings than others.  But, it is easy to be thankful when we are considering the good times of life.  Yet, God has a different standard.  God’s direction is not to only “Give thanks when life goes well.”  Please listen to a couple of verses in which God calls His children to an unexpected heart of thankfulness. 

 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 God calls Christians to, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Did you hear that?  God does not just call for thanks when life seems to be going well.  God’s call is to “give thanks in all circumstances!”  Then, in Colossians 3:15 God instructs us.  “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (See also Ephesians 5:20.)  We give thanks, not just in happy times, but in “whatever you do.”  Also, please notice, we do this “in the name of the Lord Jesus!”

 

So, how do we give thanks when life is difficult? One of my greatest earthly blessings, if not the greatest, is my family.  On Wednesday, November 16, I visited the grave of my parents.  At the cemetery, I noticed close by the grave of young man who had died at the age of 33.  His family had included a Bible verse on his marker.  “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 125:2)

 

Yes, life has blessings.  But we are also faced with challenges, disappointment, failure, loss, suffering, and much more pain.  We are sinful people in a sinful world.  The results of sin are empirically evident through the evil in our world.  But, this family knew that, not only in the good times of life, but also in the gut-wrenching loss of a beloved family member to death, God is still there surrounding His people.  The goodness and love of God are greater than the sin and pain of life.  The goodness and love of God in the midst of life’s pain is truly reason for thanks.

 

Christians can begin to understand this reason for thankfulness even in the midst of life’s trials.  Jesus came to earth, not in spite of sin, but because of sin.  Jesus lived in a sinful world, suffering death because of the weight of sin.  The Lord of Life died to deal with the sin of the world, the guilt of my sin and the guilt of your sin.  THANKFULLY, Jesus rose from death, defeating our enemies of sin, Satan, and death.  Even when the sin of this world brings injustice and trauma, suffering and pain, Jesus is present in love and victory.  So, those who know the Lord and believe in Jesus can “give thanks in all circumstances.”

 

I do believe that it is a good spiritual exercise on Thanksgiving to name the many blessings God lavishes upon us, partly because the pain of life can lead us to forget the good gifts of our Lord.  But, maybe it is also worth naming the trials and the evil of life and to then declare, with St. Paul, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)  That is truly reason for thanks!

 

A Child of God, Seeking a Heart of Thankfulness Even When Life Hurts!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  As I wrote above, one of my greatest earthly blessings is my family.  On Wednesday, November 16, I visited the grave of my parents.  The cemetery is still picking up after last week’s storm.  But, here is a picture of their grave from that day.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/4gPj3TtT8y1kRQCXA

 

P.P.S.  Fishing, well, my pattern while vacationing in Florida has been to fish on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  However, I did not fish this past Thursday, November 10, because Hurricane / Tropical Storm Nicole was passing over.  So, instead I fished Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday in the past week.  J I have MANY reasons for THANKS!

·       On Friday, November 11, I fished with my brother Stephen in the Tsala - Apopka Chain of Lakes.  We did well.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jjYiwmRrrRdSeuLKA

 

·       On Saturday, November 12, I tried a new spot, and went fishing below the Rodman Dam.  I caught two small bass and saw LOTS of big gators.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6cVvWDd7kV1NeJb26

 

·       My last fishing trip for this Florida visit - on Tuesday, November 15, I went fishing with brother-in-law, Mark Reaves.  It was a great way to end this visit to FL.  We caught about 20 bass, kept 6, and even released the biggest, and other nice fish.  Here are pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/JokCXy83VGnfDc2d8

 

 

*****

 

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as 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.  (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the 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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

“1 John 3:1 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)

 

 

Seeking God's Best for My Country . . . and Trying to LIVE It!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

I am thankful that the 2022 election cycle is over. I am thankful that I no longer need to watch or listen to commercials telling how bad another candidate or person is.  I remember when honesty was at least expected of elected leaders and officials.  But, it does not take much to see through twisted truths in campaign advertisements throughout America. 

 

I do have a registered political party affiliation in Alaska.  But, and this is a BIG ‘but,’ I find my main identity as a child of God.  God gave me life. He has saved me and given me eternal life.  That defines who I am.  Yes, I am also a husband, a father, a pastor. In my home country I identify first as an American, before my political leaning or party affiliation.  With that in mind, in this time of electioneering and elections a question arises for me.  With our national division and name calling, how can a Christian act in order to live out our calling as a child of God?  Some Scripture verses guide my path.  Maybe you have heard these verses, but perhaps not.

 

First, God inspired King Solomon to give guidance in regard to dealing with contentious people.  “7 "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. 8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. 9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. 10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Provers 9:7-10)  In other words, if a person gets into an argument with someone who is unreasonable, that person, because of their lack of reason and wisdom, will not listen.  In fact, disputing with a person who will not listen will bring insult and abuse.  The person of reason may even be tempted to stoop to the level of the one lacking wisdom.  So, why argue?  Simply act with integrity!  Ultimately, knowing the Lord, the Creator and Savior of all, is the source of true wisdom. This gives me direction for life in this world.

 

Also, in the book of Hebrews we are told about Old Testament people of faith and the wisdom they had concerning life in this world.  “13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)  This world is not our final home.  Our true home is with our Heavenly Father, and comes through faith in His Son, Jesus.  We should not be surprised when life in this world gives trouble, difficulties, and challenges.  While we live in this world, we look forward to our home in heaven.

 

So, how does a child of God, a citizen of heaven, live in a world of sin, which is not really our home?  God gave the nation of Judah, instruction when they were in exile in Babylon, when they were not at home.  “4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 "’Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’"  (Jeremiah 19:4-7)  In other words, rather than isolate ourselves from the world around us, God’s people still work to make our communities better places.  Of course, there are disagreements as to what is best.  Again, I refer to Proverbs 9:10.  For me, God and His Word tell me what is best and wise for the people He created.

 

Finally, however, we are called to treat others as people whom God also created and loves. In Galatians 6:10, God instructs us, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  Even if we disagree with others, we can do so respectfully, with understanding, and even seeking the good of the other person.  Most likely, we will find most agreement with other Christians.  But, God’s children also have a responsibility to those who do not know Jesus.  If we live doing good to all, we make our world a better place to live, until we get to heaven.

 

This year’s election cycle is almost over.  Perhaps Jesus’ words in The Sermon on the Mount give the best direction. “. . . let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16)  Our lives (especially the life of Jesus) are the best advertisement there is! 

 

A Child of God, Seeking God’s Best for My Country . . .and Trying to Live It!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  From October 30 to November 5, I golfed 3 times, and fished 4 times!  I feel a little guilty.  But, that may be why I retired.  I did preach at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, on November 6. Anyway, here are some fishing pictures if you are interested.

·       On the morning of Tuesday, November 1, I went fishing with my brother in Oxford, FL, before a funeral for a friend.  We caught 4 bass.  Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/XEqw9FjEhBnLgPgi9

 

·       On Thursday, November 3, I went fishing on the Suwannee River.  I had to be home for an appointment, but I did catch a number of fish, and kept two.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/QateAUvZDUqtMxqh7

 

·       On Saturday, November 5, because of previous success on the Suwannee River, I went fishing there again, with no need to return home early.  I caught 8 or 9 fish, and kept a limit of 5.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/fs58mJXbQaN1DyuX6

 

·       On Tuesday, November 8, (Election Day), I went fishing in a local lake. The wind was blowing and I hoped I could hide near the shore sheltering from the wind.  I fought the wind all day, but caught 10 bass, and kept a limit of 5.  Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/w5DqVhX8zEEmyn7E7

 

 

*****

 

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as 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.  (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the 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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

 

“1 John 3:1 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)

 

 

"Blessed by a Great Cloud of Witnesses"

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

I have a thought provoking question for you.  What do Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets of the Old Testament have to do with Dorothy Wolf, Sam Campbell, Al Altschuh, and others from the first church I served, St. Paul Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO?  What do those Biblical characters have to do with Martha Albanito, Millard James, Alene Lederman, Carl Witthoft, Carol Williams, Bert and Ruth Guittar from my second congregation, Our Redeemer Lutheran in Jacksonville, FL.  What do these “heroes” of the faith from Scriptures have to do with Shirley Kelpe, Val Holtom, Lillian Stamm, Al Brooks, Eleanor Brooks, Armand Kolberg, Dave Miranda, and others from St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK?  And, what do these Old Testament people have to do with my grandfather, my parents, my Uncle Heinie, my Uncle Sonny, my Aunt Geri, my mother-in-law, Alice Tobin?

 

First of all, perhaps you recognize that list of Scriptural characters.  The list comes from Hebrews 11. These are people we are told “lived by faith,” looking forward to the promises of God to be fulfilled in the promised Messiah.  The church in the book of Hebrew was experiencing persecution and trial.  So the writer of this book reminds God’s troubled children about those of the past, and gives this encouragement about facing their own struggles.  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  (Hebrews 12:1) 

 

In other words, the Hebrew church was encouraged in their time of trial to learn, and to find encouragement in the faith of these people of the Old Testament.  The message was, “Persevere as they did, through faith in the promise of God’s Savior.”  But, these people from the Old Testament did not endure by their own strength.  They all had their faults, failures, and weaknesses.  These Old Testament saints looked forward to the promise of God’s Savior.  Their faith in this promise gave them strength through personal attack, through floods, through betrayal and slavery, and more. 

 

Therefore, the people of the Hebrew church are encouraged, even more. “2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Jesus is the Son of God, now sitting at the right hand of the throne of God.  Yet, the Son of God Himself endured opposition and crucifixion in order to accomplish our forgiveness and salvation.  The writer to the Hebrews is saying, “consider not only what others endured as you yourself face the trials of faith and life.  Fix your eyes on, meditate especially on the fact that Jesus faced trials, and endured.  You are, after all, surrounded by ‘a great cloud of witnesses,’ which includes even the saving example of Jesus Himself.  If they trusted the coming Savior, you trust Jesus as you face life’s trials.”

 

Tuesday, November 1, was a somewhat overlooked major festival of the church year, “All Saints Day.”  (However, many congregations will celebrate All Saints Day on November 6.) It is a day to remember those who are no longer with us, who have gone before us, facing the trials of life while trusting in Jesus.  We give thanks for their faith which points us to fix our eyes on Jesus.

 

I consider myself especially blessed to have been present to see the faith of my parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts.  They were NOT perfect!  But, in spite of their failures, they trusted Jesus, and His sacrificial death, and His saving resurrection, and they kept going.  The people in churches I served have looked to their pastor for example and guidance.  But, so many times I gained from their example!  When life was too big, these believers prayed to God, they trusted His love in Jesus, and they kept going.

 

I remember my dad’s uncle, my great uncle, Uncle Heinie.  (He preferred Henry.)  I went with him to the hospital when his wife, my Tante Edie, was deep in depression.  I was with him as she underwent shock treatment.  This could have been an overwhelming personal trial.  But, he trusted that when he, and even the doctors, could do little or nothing, God was present in love.  Uncle Heinie is part of my cloud of witnesses.  What an example!

 

I remember Martha Albanito, the 80 year old mother of our church organist in Jacksonville.  Not all members made it to worship each Sunday.  But, in her 80’s, having been treated for cancer, and with a cast on her broken arm, Martha was in church every week.  It was not because she felt God would strike her down for not worshiping that she worshiped so regularly.  She knew and loved her Lord. So no cancer, nor broken arm, could keep her home.  What an example!  And for every name above I have stories of faith!

 

Do you have a cloud of witnesses?  Are there people in your life who showed you how to face the trials of life, and how to keep going because of the love of Jesus?  If so, then you are truly blessed.  If you have such a cloud, then you are strengthened to persevere, and to be a witness for those who are watching you.

 

A Child of God, Blessed by A Cloud of Witnesses!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Among the examples of faith in my life are Pastor Bob and Elaine Besalski.  Pastor B. was my pastor beginning in 1965.  I still consider him my pastor.  Kathy and I had lunch with the Besalskis on Thursday, October 27 at Cedar Key, FL.  We then drove around and got a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/BNC9y323Sf2qxmWu8

 

P.P.S. Thursday, October 27, was my daughter, Mary’s, birthday.  She is my fishing buddy, travel companion, and J my favorite daughter!  Here are some pictures I put together of Mary.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yw8CnyMHk2RbweRn6

 

P.P.P.S.  I a little fishing in Florida this past week.

·       On Sunday afternoon, October 30, I went fishing at Rodman Reservoir late in the afternoon. I caught this one 15” largemouth bass, which I released.  Here is a picture.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mb3SMQozkCRVTPb28

 

·       On the morning of Tuesday, November 1, I went fishing with my brother in Oxford, FL, before a funeral for a friend.  We caught 4 bass.  Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/XEqw9FjEhBnLgPgi9

 

 

*****

 

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as 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.  (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the 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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

cell phone - 907-841-4066

Home phone - 907-746-5131

 

“1 John 3:1 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)