Blessed and Thankful to be A Member of the Family of God!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

On Tuesday, January 3, I was shopping at our Palmer Fred Meyer store, and ran into many members and friends.  One of those with whom I had a long visit was St. John member, Pat Martin.  Pat was sharing with me her thanks for the St. John congregation.  I shared my thoughts with Pat.  As I read Scripture, I have come to understand the Christian church on earth to be the family of God.  There are no perfect families on this earth.  But I suggested to Pat that any congregation, St. John included, is at it’s best when it lives as “The family of God.”

 

Scripture gives this picture and description of God’s church as family in many verses.  In Galatians 6, Paul instructs the people in the church of Galatia, “9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)  Family, when it is working well, treats one another with kindness and love. 

 

In the same book God identifies us as His children.  “4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”  (Galatians 4:4-6)  Fathers, when acting according to God’s plan, love, protect, and provide.  God gives us the best picture of how a father loves their children, when He sent Jesus.  We are children of the Heavenly Father.

 

In fact, the writer to the Hebrews teaches us that Jesus is our brother.  “10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.” (Hebrews 2:10-11)  Jesus is not only the Son of God, but Jesus is also a man who took on human form to keep God’s law and to pay for our sins with His suffering and death.  Jesus suffered for us, and gave us the kind of love we are called to give one another.  Scripture calls the man, Jesus, our ‘brother.’  Because Jesus is our brother, and because God is our Father, we are brothers and sisters with one another.  We are family!

 

Even if family members disagree, family remains family.  Family rejoices together, suffers together (1 Corinthians 12:26), encourages one another, and loves one another.  We are there for each other.  In the family of God none of us are perfect.  We all struggle with the results of our sin.  But, we rely on our heavenly Father.  God’s family does not ignore the fact of our sin.  But, as family, trusting in our Lord and His Word, we walk beside one another through our struggles, looking to God for direction and help.  When Jesus’ church lives in this manner, it is a blessing.

 

Also, in answer to prayer, St. John Lutheran Church has a new pastor.  In December 2022, St. John called Rev. Jeremy Davis to be it’s new settled pastor.  Pastor Davis and family arrived in Palmer on January 3, 2023.  So, think of this, the Davis’ and St. John are now family.  God is the head of His family.  But, we are brothers and sisters in that household.  In a world that is a mess, what a blessing that we belong to the family of God and that we can share the love of Jesus with one another. What a blessing that we can share the love of Jesus in our community.

 

A Child of God, Blessed and Thankful to be a Member of the Family of God,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I enjoyed a number of fishing trips this past week. 

 

·       On Wednesday, January 4, a number of St. John adults took the St. John confirmation classes, and some others, fishing.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/7dh9Zn3dMPcsdLcv6

 

·       On Friday, January 6, I tried a new way to ice fish.  I put up a tent and used Christmas gifts of a heater.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/4nogyrDNHbvbmL2d6

 

·       On Monday, January 9, I went fishing for winter king salmon out of Homer, AK, with friends, Fred Vasilie and Wayne Mize.  Fred was the expert.  We fished off of his boat.  Thanks, Fred!  Mary and Kathy and I enjoyed the fresh king salmon as it it melted in our mouths on Tuesday evening.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/PbiHmUJxe7fHgg8D6

 

 

 

*****

 

 

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)