Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Filled With the Spirit to Serve My Lord - ALL WEEK LONG!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

On Tuesday evening, February 27, as my wife, Kathy, and I were talking at the end of the day about some important characters we have been reading about in our daily devotions from the Today’s Light Bible.  From Exodus 31-38 the names of Bezalel and Oholiab are mentioned as craftsmen who would spearhead the building of the tabernacle, the traveling center of worship for the children of Israel in the wilderness.  Kathy joked, “Maybe we should have used those names for our children.”  In all honesty, when our children were born, I was willing to be a little more ‘adventurous’ in how we named them.  But Kathy had “the back porch test.”  She wanted to be able to call their names from our back porch and feel good about what she said.  We did not name anyone ‘Bezalel’ or ‘Oholiab!’

 

However, what strikes me about the description of these men is how God blesses them, how He equips them, and how He fills them with the Spirit for these tasks of craftsmanship.  30 Then Moses said to the people of Israel, "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, 32 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, 33 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. 34 And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. (Exodus 35:30-34)

 

When I think of the abilities and talents which the Holy Spirit gives, my mind first goes to New Testament verses about fruits of the Spirit (Galatian 5) or the gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12).  Galatians 5 tells us, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)  These fruits and gifts are descriptions of the person’s spiritual character and personality.  The deal with interpersonal relationships between God’s people.

 

But in Exodus, God gives skills of craftsmanship by His Spirit. Bezalel and Oholiab could work with wood and precious metals and fabrics.  They could create art in these media, and this art would help the Israelites in their worship. (If you want more information about these men, you could read Exodus 31:2 and 6, 35:30 and 34, 36:1-2, 37:1, and 38:22-23)  I personally believe the Lord also fills some with His Spirit for composing and playing music for worship as well.  The fact that God blesses people as craftsmen and artists tells me that our faith affects our whole life.  Our faith not only impacts our worship on Sundays.  The blessings of God shine through in our daily lives, at home and at work.

 

On of my favorite Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 5:15.  I assign this verse for memory to all of my confirmation students.  15 “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15) Please notice that this verse instructs us for living – We are to live FOR HIM, FOR GOD.  This verse also teaches us how our Lord calls us, or why we would want to live FOR HIM – because Christ died and rose for our sake!

 

When I hear God’s call, not just to worship on Sundays, but to live for Him at all times, I am blessed by knowing about men like Bezalel and Oholiab.  The Lord filled them with the Spirit to do the daily tasks of their work. 

 

What jobs face you all week long, at work and at home?  Do you see how you can approach these tasks as opportunities to praise and worship our Lord and even share His love?  What a wonderful lesson to learn that God gave His Spirit to Bezalel and Oholiab, and that He blesses us so that we may LIVE FOR HIM!

 

By the way, have any of you named one of your children Bezalel or Oholiab???

 

A Child of God,  Filled With The Spirit to Serve My Lord – ALL WEEK LONG!

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

P.S.  NEWS CONCERNING FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH - Gainesville.

 

 

CONREGATIONAL MEETING THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 3, AFTER WORSHIP -  On Tuesday, February 20, the call Committee interviewed a potential “deferred vicar,” Timothy Handrick, a man who would serve as vicar for one year and then be eligible for remaining at First Lutheran.  Candidate Handrick has been a DCE for 17 years, and is now finishing seminary.  The call committee is recommending First Lutheran consider requesting this vicarage candidate.  PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING THIS SUNDAY.

 

FEBRUARY FOOD DRIVE – Thanks to all who donated for the food drive at First Lutheran this past month.  Ken Dudeck and Laura Hoyer took our food donations to Gainesville Community Ministries on Monday, February 26.  Two big blue bins were filled with the donations from First Lutheran .  Here is a picture.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/VDzdNj4j3iTa1br86

 

BLOOD DRIVE –First Lutheran held a blood drive, last Sunday, February 25.  16 people gave blood on Sunday, and two others donated later in the week!  THANK YOU to all who helped others in this effort.  The blood bank told us this blood could save over 40 lives!  But . . . we know who gave HIS blood for us.  😊

 

MID-WEEK LENTEN WORSHIP CONTINUES each Wednesday with worship services at 6:30 p.m.  These services are held at 6:30 each Wednesday in Lent, until March 20. A Lenten meal is held each Wednesday evening at 5:00 p.m.  The Theme of our Lenten worship is “The Blessings of Suffering.”

 

BASIC TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE / NEW MEMBER CLASSS –A new membership class began  February 11thafter worship in the Besalski Fellowship Hall. But, we have only just begun. There is still time to join the class.  This is also a good way to refresh you knowledge of God’s Word.  PLEASE NOTE,   JUST BECAUSE A PERSON ATTENDS THE CLASS DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE COMMITTED TO JOINING FIRST LUTHERAN.  If you are interested in learning and growing, we would love to have you join us. (Because of the Congregational Meeting and Pastor Rockey’s travel, the next class will be March 17!)

 

A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS continues on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.  We will finish Acts 10 this week, and then start studying Acts 11.  In Acts 11 we learn of the church in Antioch, where disciples of Jesus were first called Christians.

 

WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the Today’s Light Devotional Bible.  –We held a zoom meeting on Wednesday, February 7, to discuss what we have been reading.  A total of 4 people, plus the pastor, participated.  We talked for about an hour, reviewing readings through Genesis and into Exodus.  We may hold another such Zoom meeting. As of February 27 we had read through Exodus 36.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HELD EACH SUNDAY DURING WORSHIP.  PLEASE bring your children and grandchildren!

 

P.P.S.  PICTURES – AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

 

I went FISHING twice this past week.  

·       On Saturday, February 24, I fished on the Suwannee River.  I had a few bites, caught no fish, but saw a 3 gators.  Here is a picture of the biggest gator!  https://photos.app.goo.gl/NHAUgh19jCugEYiJA

 

·       On Sunday, February 25, after worship, I went fishing till dark.  I caught 2 fish.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ms1RyYbwr2dpQnkR7

 

 

*******

 

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.  (Currently I am serving as Vacancy Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

        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, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

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)

 

 


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