Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Thankful for Guidance and Life Found in The Word of God!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Kathy and I recently received a surprise from a purchase she made at a local second-hand resale shop.  Kathy worked 45 years as a registered nurse.  One of the books she spent money to purchase a number of times over the years was The Physician’s Desk Reference.  This is a book which lists drugs used in medical practices and hospitals. It gave information about what these drugs treated, how they helped, and also shared warnings about dangers related to the drugs.  Not only did Kathy buy a number of editions of this book to keep at home, but she told me that there was also always a copy of the Physician’s Desk Reference available for staff on the floors of the hospitals where she worked.

 

The other day as she was walking through a local second-hand resale shop, Kathy saw something that looked familiar.  It was the same navy blue color.  The book had the same lettering and a similar, if not quite the same, title to the book which she had used all these years.  So for $.50 Kathy purchased and brought home the Physicians’ LIFE Reference.

 

On the inside pages of this book was a Table of Contents.  Some of the listed chapter topics were “Questions of the Ages,” “The Body”, “Business and Career”, “Emotions,” and many more.  When we turn to each section we find, Bible references for Scripture verses on that topic.  And then that major portion of this book was The New King James Version of the Bible.  The Physician’s LIFE Reference was the Bible! Maybe we should have expected that surprise.  On the outside cover it says, “Authored by The World’s Greatest Physician.”

 

According to a letter on the inside page of The Physicians Life Reference, the company which published this book, Clint Pharmaceuticals from Nashville, TN, is willing to donate copies to doctor’s offices for patients or staff and waiting rooms.  In fact, if any patient wants their own copy, Clint Pharmaceuticals will donate it through their doctor, or the book can be ordered at clintpharmaceuticals.com.  I looked at their web site and the title on the page with this offer reads, “When Treating Pain just isn’t enough.”  Needless to say, this is not what Kathy expected when she picked up the book at the second-hand store.  It was not what I expected when she showed me the book.  We were both surprised.

 

I do believe the book points to a great truth: God’s Word gives direction and gives life, through God’s love in Jesus. 

 

Psalm 119:105 teaches “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  God’s Word is a guide for our life.

 

In 2 Timothy 3:14-17 St. Paul teaches, 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” God’s word teaches, corrects, and trains in righteousness. More importantly, God’s word makes us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (See also Romans 10:17, 1 Peter 1:23, and Hebrews 4:12.)

 

Of course, THE Word of God, God’s ultimate communication, is Jesus. Consider John 1.  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. . . . 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  In Jesus, THE Word, our Lord best teaches us who He is.  In Jesus, THE Word, God share His love, His salvation, eternal life.

 

I find it interesting that as we have again begun reading Scripture, this time with many friends and church members around the country, that at this time Kathy found this gem, “The Physicians Life Reference,” in that store. 

 

Are you following the guidance, are you living in the love of God’s Word for your life?

 

A Child of God, Thankful for Guidance and Life Found in The Word of God!

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

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

 

·       Call process – PLEASE TURN IN YOUR PASTORAL ATTRIBUTES SURVEY IF YOU HAVE NOT YET DONE SO.  You can turn in the hard copy, or e-mail or text a copy to Leeann or Mark Hoyer. We hope to compile this congregational survey by February 11.

 

·       NEW MEMBER CLASSS –A new membership class will begin THIS SUNDAY, February 11thafter worship in the Besalski Fellowship Hall. This is a good way to learn what the Bible says about Christian faith and life.  It 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.

 

·       A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS continues on Sunday at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.  We are finishing Acts 9 on February 11.

 

·       As you heard above, WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025!  THIS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, we will have a Zoom meeting for people to ask questions and discuss what we have read so far.  Here is the link to that meeting.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81565120503?pwd=R1FsS0dMVDRvcHMwRkI1YnJGUnhHZz09

 

·       SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HELD EACH SUNDAY DURING WORSHIP.  Bring your children and grandchildren!

 

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

 

·       I did go FISHING once this past week.  On Friday, February 2, I went fishing with Thomas Dudeck on Orange Lake.  Even after dropping my boat on my left foot, we went fishing.  AND, after a number of hours of no bites, or few bites, we came home with 9 bass!  Here are some pictures of the fishing!  https://photos.app.goo.gl/nQMx8DjfhaNjK3pT7

Here are some foot pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/KGdmGaKqnWe4LPjy6

 

*******

 

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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