What Do We Do When Our World is a Mess?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

What do we do when the world is a mess?  What do we do when our world is in deep trouble?  Do you watch or read the local and national news?  Actually, maybe watching the news is not such a good idea.  I remember in the 1980’s, when the country was in deep recession and jobs were hard to find, hearing that the number one suggestion for finding a job was to NOT watch the news.  News reports focus mainly on troubles, problems, crime, and other bad things.  The point at that time was, if someone refrained from focusing on these depressing reports, their attitude would be more positive, and they could spend more time on pursing gainful employment. 

 

However, we do not want to ignore reality.  I confess that I do read and listen to news reports so that I keep somewhat informed.  Many reports ARE bad news.  As I read today, and as I try to determine what is real, I hear of a horrible rise in crime in the big cities of our country.  I hear of a rejection of God’s plan for the healthy use of His gift of sexuality, and of efforts to share this rejection of God even in the lives of our children.  I hear of political tensions in our country, in our communities, and around the world.  I see church attendance declining, even among those who claim to believe in Jesus.  And, then we have our own personal issues.  My prayer list normally has about 150 entries for family and friends, and for myself, concerning issues of health, issues of personal trouble, and issues of faith.  What do we do when the world is a mess? 

 

First, I believe that God’s children, rather than pointing our fingers at others, need to confess our own part in creating the ills of our world. Paul writes in Romans 3, quoting what the Old Testament says about sin and evil in the world. “10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." " . . .  23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:10-12, 23) That is why, as we face the evil in our world, repentance is an appropriate response.  What we can do is to ask, “How did I help cause the problem?  How, as a child of God, can I make our world a better place to live?”  After all, we are in the penitential season of Lent! (You might read all of Romans 3:10-23 and consider how the evil which the Bible describes resembles the evil of our day.)

 

However, remember the advice in the 1980’s about focusing on the bad news.  There is another reality, the reality of our Lord’s power and love, a reality we might miss if we focus only on the bad. I was recently re-reading the book, “Keeping the Sabbath Wholly” by Marva Dawn.  As she talks about the Sabbath and embracing the gifts of God, she referred to Psalm 92.  Listen to how the power and righteousness of God stand against the evil in our world.  (Again, it would be helpful to read the whole Psalm, but these verses stand out to me.)  “6 The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, 7 that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed. 8 BUT you, O LORD, are exalted forever. 9 For surely your enemies, O LORD, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered. . .  12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."  You see, when the world is a mess, instead of only focusing on the troubles created by sin, we can trust in God. God is with us now and eternally!  Ultimately, all evil and sin will be judged, and God’s people will live in the joy and glory of heaven.  And, in Romans 3, the bad news is, “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” But the good news is found in the next verse. “24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24) So, another way to respond to the mess of our world is FAITH in God, in His power, in His righteousness, in His justice and mercy and love, especially found in Jesus!

 

In that same Psalm I also hear one additional appropriate way to respond to the troubles of this world: WORSHIP!  Listen to the first 5 verses of Psalm 92.  “1 A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, 2 to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, 3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. 4 For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. 5 How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts!” Instead of wringing our hands in worry, we can praise and trust God for His victory over evil by His love and righteousness, especially in the saving work of Jesus.

 

What do we do when the world is a mess?  We do NOT bury our heads in the sand.  We do confess our sin. We turn to the Lord and Creator of all and we trust Him and we worship Him, knowing that in Jesus He is already victorious over all the evil we face.

 

A Child of God, Dealing With The Sinful Mess in our World and in Our Lives,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I continue to encourage you to attend worship this Lenten Season, if not in person, then online.  Regular Worship IS a way to fight the evil in our world!

(I preached at First Lutheran in Gainesville, FL on February 26.  I will preach in Soldotna, Sterling, and Funny River, AK, on March 4 and 5.  I am preaching in Chiefland, FL, on March 12, and then again in Gainesville on March 15 and 19.)

 

P.P.S. On Tuesday, February 28, Kathy and I took a day trip to Crescent Beach, FL.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/UmUx77ApaNLjJLpQ9

 

P.P.P.S.  It was a REALLY GOOD week for fishing (and golfing).  I fished on February 22, 24, and 28.

 

·       On Wednesday, February 22, after many home chores I took a quick run to Rodman Reservoir.  Basically, the gnats ate my legs.  L  But, the scenery was beautiful!  Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jVPHY8CjMxrcXtCX8

 

·       On Friday, February 24, I fished at Orange Lake in Cross Creek, FL.  This is a famous Florida bass lake, and it did not disappoint on this day.  I caught 8 bass (keeping the limit of 5), 2 bream, 1 mudfish (bowfin), and miss many others.  I surprised Kathy by coming home early.  The fish do NOT always bite, but when they do J!  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/gdCkVYnBSFJYtD2y9

 

·       On Monday, February 28, after golfing with friends in the morning, I fished at the Wacassassa River.  The winds were blowing, but this is a narrow, tree-lined river.  Sometimes I do well, sometimes not.  On this evening, in 2 hours, I had four bites, caught 3 fish, and missed the BIG ONE.  I also had a talk with a Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer for the second time in a month, which turned out fine, again.  Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/SpeHj8SKgWDta5P48

 

·       On Tuesday, February 28, Kathy and I went to Crescent Beach, FL.  She read and walked, and I did some fishing.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vdy1smqsoFiPgjL19

 

·       I also golfed on Thursday, February 23 with long-time friend, Pastor Rick Armstong.

 

*****

 

 

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)

  

What Are You Giving Up For Lent?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Last year my wife, Kathy, and I attended worship on Ash Wednesday where we received the imposition of ashes.  This practice of ashes imposed on the forehead is an outward sign of sorrow over the sin which darkens our hearts.  After worship, I attended choir practice and Kathy went to the grocery store.  A checker at the store asked Kathy, “What are you giving up for Lent?”

 

Lent is the church season each Spring, extending from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, when many traditional Christians especially focus and meditate upon the suffering and death of Jesus for the sin of the world, for our sin.  The sacrificial death of Jesus for the world is The event which changed the course of history, and continues to be the greatest gift of love recorded.  That the Creator of the universe would die to pay for the sins of His creation is love beyond any expectation or hope.  But, Jesus’ sacrifice is real!  As God inspired the apostle John to write, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” (1 John 3:16 a)

 

So, if a person sees and believes this ultimate gift of love, how should we respond?  In remembrance and response to Jesus’ suffering and death, Christians have often chosen “give up” something which they enjoy during the season of Lent.  I have heard of friends giving up chocolate, or alcohol, or coffee.  For years our family gave up watching TV shows during Lent.  Sometimes, instead of giving something up, I have heard of Christians adding a faithful practice, such as reading through the New Testament in the season of Lent.  Such self sacrifice, partial fasting, or self-discipline can be a good spiritual exercise, but also comes with some pitfalls.  Giving up something cherished can train our hearts and bodies for the sacrifice required to resist temptation and sin.  It can also remind us of the depth of Jesus’ love that He gave up heaven, and suffered and died for us.  Such growth and self-discipline is good.  Yet, I have often heard people speak of such sacrifices grudgingly, as if this was something I HAD to do, even if I did not want to do so.  Rather than growing in an appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice, we can resent this “requirement” of our faith.  Such practice forgets that God’s love is a free gift – not earned, and forgets what God really wants.

 

In Psalm 51 God tells us how to respond to our sin which is so heinous that He had to send His Son to save us.  “16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:16-17)  God wants a changed heart rather than outward observance.

 

What would God then want us to give up, if we give up anything?  Our Lord would call us to refrain from self-righteousness and sinful pride.  God desires that we realize the depth of our selfishness and our sin, and to realize that Jesus is our only hope.  Consider the truth of 1 John 1.  “5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:5-9)  When we confess our sin, our heart turns from self-righteousness.  When we trust that “the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin,” we grow in gratitude for the gracious love of God shown in Jesus, and He forgives us.

 

Lent is a time set aside to intentionally remember our sin, to repent of such sin, which led Jesus to go to the cross, and to wonder in faith and amazement at the love of God who sacrificed for our sin.  It is good to observe the penitential season of Lent, especially as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin, over death, and over Satan, in His resurrection from the dead.  That is why many congregations have extra mid-week Lenten worship services to help in this discipline.

 

I can ask, “What are you giving up for Lent?”  But, more appropriately I ask, “How will you intentionally turn from self-righteousness and sin, to the gracious and merciful love of God found in Jesus?”  That is what Lent is really about. 

 

A Child of God, Seeking to Turn from Self-Righteousness and Sin, to Turn in Amazement and Wonder at the Sacrifice of Jesus!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I encourage you to attend worship this Ash Wednesday, and every week during the Lenten Season, if not in person, then online.  Worship is a godly discipline which helps to change our hearts.

 

P.P.S. On Thursday, February 16, Kathy and I took a day trip to O’Leno State Park in High Springs, FL.  The Santa Fe River flows through the park and then sinks underground.  It rises 4 miles further south.  We walked along the river to the sink, and visited a small museum about the CCC founded under the administration of Franklin Roosevelt.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/w8ZS17UHwhFv9YmD9

 

P.P.P.S.  I did go fishing last week.   

 

·       On Wednesday, February 15, I fished first Harris-Tsala Chain of Lakes and only had 3 bites, so I went visiting. I ultimately fished at the Suwannee and caught a nice fish.

o   Harris-Tsala - https://photos.app.goo.gl/BPxWgF7LVQPAHfzQ6

 

o   Suwannee - https://photos.app.goo.gl/g3QxtcAxFUZ2ZaH5A

 

·       On Saturday, February 18, I fished at on the Suwannee River with my brother, Stephen.  The river was especially swift, and the weather was cool, and very WINDY!  We had a few bites, but caught no fish.  L  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZSnjJnDwESztDdWv8

 

·       On Tuesday, February 21, I went fishing in a favorite lake.  Again, it was VERY WINDY!  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6mTzm42Rb7RTHmiW6

 

 

*****

 

 

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)

 

  

Sasquatch. . . or Jesus?

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

On January 26 my wife, Kathy, and I were driving along the Interstate when we saw a sign publicizing “The Sasquatch Museum.”  I’m not sure where this museum is.  But, Kathy turned to me and remarked, “Some people will believe anything, but they have trouble believing in Jesus.”

 

Unfortunately, it has always been thus. In Isaiah God chastises the Israelites for their idolatry.  He says that they cut down a tree. “16 Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, ‘Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.’  17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, ‘Save me; you are my god.’"(Isaiah 44:16-17)  Imagine, people would believe in a piece of wood they fashioned into an image.  But, they would not believe in the One who created heaven and earth. They would not believe in the One who saved them in the Exodus.  Why is it easy to believe in the improbable, but difficult to trust God?

 

God knows that we struggle with faith, so He calls us to trust in Him.  In Proverbs we are instructed, “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6) Here is God’s direction for our lives.  Trust the Lord, not ourselves!

 

Or do you remember when Jesus came down from the mountain of Transfiguration and encountered a man whose son was possessed?  The disciples had tried to heal the boy without success.  When Jesus approached, the man explained the situation. “22 ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ 23 'If you can'? said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’ 24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’" (Mark 9:22-24) How easy it is to want to believe in our Savior. Yet, when life becomes difficult, we so easily doubt!

 

John wrote about Jesus in the introduction to his Gospel, “11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” (John 1:11-13)  The world would not receive Jesus, but by believing we become children of God!

 

One of my favorite accounts of Jesus calling for faith includes little children.  In Mark 10 we are told, “13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’” (Mark 10:13-15)  Did you hear that?  “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  Jesus calls us to believe with a child-like trust.

 

Life is full of trouble, which causes us to worry. We try to fix our troubles by ourselves but we often fail.  Because we fail, we even doubt the Lord Himself!  But God created the world. He created us!  Who else would we want to believe in? 

 

Many other voices call us to trust them instead of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  It might be the voice of another religion, or the voice of money, or power, or the voice of popular opinion.  Why is it so easy to believe that there might be a mythical Sasquatch or Big Foot (which might be the case), but reject and doubt the one who made us and loves us?  There is only one Savior! 

 

Nicodemus was a religious man, but he had questions or doubts about Jesus.  Jesus gently reached out, calling Nicodemus to faith with these words, "14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-16)

 

What do you trust when life is difficult, when life is full of questions with no answers?  God calls us to trust His creative power, to trust His sacrificial, saving love in Jesus.  That is where I want to put my trust, in spite of my own struggles with doubt.  How about you? 

 

A Child of God, Trusting My Creator and Savior Over the Options of This World!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Kathy ad I got to spend time with family and friends this past week.

·       On February 9 we attended the funeral of a family member of members of our Florida Church.  It was a good reunion at a sad event.  Here are pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ytz2y1XAAQwvNAC28

 

·       On February 11 my brothers and sister and other family gathered, just to be family.  Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/eXgF7HsSFwDmSxAh7

 

P.P.S.  I went fishing 2 times in the last week.  One trip produced fish in the freezer.

 

·       On Friday, February 10, I fished first Orange Lake and did well.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MPqpq6tKdHb1CPaR6

 

·       On Tuesday, February 14, I fished at a favorite local lake.  I caught and released two fish.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/NWBzdNSFudGjUe6f7

 

 

*****

 

 

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)

 

 

Committed to Come Weekly to God’s Throne of Grace With Fellow Believers

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Last week I wrote about the practice of personal devotions, and said I would mention this topic again.  One of the devotions I regularly read is written by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer.  Dale is not only former speaker for The Lutheran Hour, and former president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, but also a personal friend.  Dale has been writing this short devotion for years.  These short e-mails impress me as timely, thoughtful, and Scriptural.  They often raise ideas and questions in my mind about living my faith in Jesus.  One of the recent “Meyer Minutes” was the beginning of a series of similar thoughts I received from different sources. 

 

First, on January 18, 2023, Dr. Meyer wrote the following about the COVID epidemic and worship attendance:

“’American’s Theological Beliefs Changed to Suit Post-Pandemic Practice.’” That title caught my eye and suggests to me what congregations need to be doing. Lifeway Research surveyed changes in Christian beliefs since the pandemic. Here are two quotations that lead Lifeway’s report. “After months of quarantines and social distancing, however, Americans increasingly believe worshiping apart from a church is as good as attending church services.” “Additionally, most Americans (56%) don’t believe every Christian has an obligation to join a local church. Fewer than 2 in 5 (36%) say this is something all Christians should do.”

To be sure, there are biblical reasons for regular in-person attendance, but here’s a practical, make-a-difference-in-society-reason from another article. ‘Faith community is the foundation of societal good. It builds strong families, cultivates better mental and physical health, and provides for the welfare of communities and of the vulnerable in ways that no other entity does. Some argue that secular institutions can help provide this—antidotes to loneliness, or answers to the human search for purpose. Thus far, however, no secular institution has replicated what the church community does at scale.’ (Erick Andersen, National Review)

How can we make whatever little difference we can make in today’s American society? One Bible class member asked that question, and I answered, ‘In my opinion, we first need to evangelize the members of our church.’”

 

The next day, January 19, I read the following from “The Christian Post.”  “A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows that deaths by drugs, alcohol and suicide—known as "deaths of despair"—dramatically increased among middle-aged white Americans in the late 20th century due to lower participation in organized religion that was preceded by a repeal of blue laws that prohibited commercial activities on Sunday. "We know of no other cultural phenomenon involving such large, widespread changes in participation prior to the initial rise in U.S. mortality, nor do we know of any other phenomenon that matches the seemingly idiosyncratic patterns observed for mortality: seen for both men and women, but not in other countries, and in both rural and urban settings, but driven primarily by middle-aged, less educated white individuals," the researchers explained.” I’m sure you obviously see the correlation to the previous day’s message.

 

Then, on January 27, while reading the book, “Keeping the Sabbath Wholly,” as I teach a class over the computer on Worship, I read the following from author, Dr. Marva Dawn. “Why is it that we pay great attention to the commandments not to murder and steal (and think those terrible sins), but don’t recognize the significance of our failure to obey the commandment to observe the Sabbath day?” (Keeping the Sabbath Wholly, page 43)

 

Having heard similar thoughts again and again caught my attention.  How important is Sabbath observance in your life?  Your Christian family?  A number of Bible verses speak to me.

 

In regular worship we respond to God’s love in Jesus, and receive His mercy and grace. “14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

 

Do you know the encouragement of Hebrews 10?  “23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25) Regular worship is a way to hold onto our hope in Jesus, and a way to hold on to our faithful Lord.  In regular worship we encourage one another in this faith and hope.

 

Do you know the practice of Jesus Himself?  “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.” (Luke 4:16).  Jesus, the Son of God, God Himself had the custom of weekly worship. 

 

I do encourage you to spend time daily with our Lord in His word and through prayer.  This regular exercise of faith will bless you in your relationship with Jesus.  God’s plan to strengthen our faith, and our relationship with other believers, is regular weekly worship.  This practice is intended to be a blessing, not a burden. 

 

How are you doing in your relationship with Jesus?  Is regular worship blessing your faith and your life? In spite of current trends and ideas, would you benefit from worshipping regularly with other Christians?

 

A Child of God, Committed to Come Weekly to God’s Throne of Grace, Encouraging and Being Encouraged by Fellow Believers,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  If you would like to receive The Meyer Minute, you can send an e-mail to meyerd@csl.edu.

 

P.P.S.  I went fishing 3 times in the last week.  One trip produced fish in the freezer.

·       On Saturday, February 4, I fished on the Suwannee River. It was windy and cool, and the water continues to be the LOWEST I have ever seen it.  I only caught small bass, and a number of mudfish / bowfin.  Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MHM9JYQXBVcLSrHSA  

 

·       On Monday, February 6, I fished first at Newnan’s Lake for Crappie.  I had no bites, and saw none of the other 10 boats around me catch a fish.  So, I drove to nearby Rodman Reservoir.  It took a while to get my first bite, and catch my first fish of the day, but I ended up with four nice bass in the freezer.  I also saw a pair of manatees.  Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wk1cKVUHPJkHP1Vq8

 

·       On Tuesday, February 7, I fished with brother-in-law, Mark Reaves, at Orange Lake.  We had some bites, but the only fish we caught was a small bass which we released.  We did see eagles and many other Florida birds, and I finally wore out the battery for my trolling motor after about 200 trips.  I took no pictures.

 

*****

 

 

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)