Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Finding Strength to Face Life Because . . . the Lord Fights For Us!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

A number of the Scripture readings in my devotions this past week have struck me and spoken to me about our loving Lord.  But, perhaps the truth of God which most hit me between the eyes is the promise I read in Deuteronomy 20.  There God promises, 1 "When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 2 And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3 and shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4 for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'” (Deuteronomy 20:1-4)  These four verses set the context.  However, it is verse 4 which really caught my attention.  “ . . . the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'”

 

There are situations in our world, and in my life, which I know are bigger than I am, and beyond my ability to control.  I watch our world turn away from our Lord and turn to sinful behaviors.  I pray about these issues, but . . . People whom I love and care about face cancer and other illnesses.  Others face marriage and family issues, with which I sometimes try to help, but at the same time the issues seem bigger than I am.  There are people on my prayer list who struggle with substance issues.  Some of them have been on my list FOR DECADES! 

 

Perhaps my words are somewhat of a confession.  I know many Scripture verses which tell me that our Lord is my “refuge”, my “strength”, my “rock”, my “deliverer.”  Yet prayer is not like turning on a light switch.  I do not see instant results.  And, though I do trust that God hears and that He always answers in wisdom and love, sometimes I wonder.  The evil and the sin and the trouble of this world are so strong.  Perhaps I even doubt that God is fighting for me.

 

As I personally pondered these promises in Deuteronomy, wondering if and how this promise is true, I remembered.  I remembered the cross and the empty tomb.  Our Lord inspired Peter to teach us of our enemy, 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)  It was God HIMSELF who did fight for me against my enemy.  Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, Jesus who is God Himself, faced all the temptations which Satan could bring against Him.  God tells us in Hebrews that Jesus is “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Jesus was fighting for me! 

 

Jesus faced betrayal, denial, injustice, mocking, torture, and death in order to pay the debt which my sin owes.  Jesus did this willingly.  (John 10:18) Hebrews 2:14 and 15 reveal that, “by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-- that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” On the cross Jesus paid for my sin and destroyed the devil.  Jesus Himself was fighting . . . for me!

 

Jesus rose from the dead and defeated our greatest enemy.  Scripture calls death “the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;” (Isaiah 25:7).  I may wonder at times about the promise of God, and about how and when He keeps His promise, but in Jesus, the beloved Son of my Heavenly Father, it really is true. “ . . . the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

 

So, I do not personally have to understand how God fulfills this promise for my life, nor when He will answer my prayers.  After all, who am I that I should tell the Lord and Ruler of all what to do.  Nevertheless, for my biggest enemies of sin and death and hell, Jesus the Son of God fought for me and defeated these enemies.  Today I know that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)  So, I pray so that I will keep trusting, and keep seeking to love my Lord and love my neighbors, knowing that, even though I do not understand how and when He does it, the “Lord my God fights against my enemies to give me the victory!”

 

What enemies are you facing today?  What a joy and strength to see that in Jesus, The Lord fights for us!!  Let us live in that love, and assurance, and victory!

 

A Child of God, Finding Strength to Face Life Because . . . the Lord Fights For Us!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are the rest of the words of 1 Peter 5:8-11 – “8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

 

NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!

           

VOLUNTEER SUNDAY AND FISH FRY AND COOKOUT

THIS Sunday!

This Sunday, April 21 we will have an opportunity to volunteer for helping with God’s work at First Lutheran.  After worship we will have tables for the various areas of service staffed by people who serve in those areas.  You can get information about these opportunities for service and ministry and sign up to help if you want to do so.

            As encouragement to stay, WE WILL HAVE A FISH FRY AND COOKOUT!!!!  Pastor Rockey is donating fish from his trips this year.  Steve Rockey and Mark Reaves will be frying bass.  Jeff Lee (Leeann’s husband) will be grilling burgers and hot dogs.  We ask those attending bring a side dish or dessert to share in this time of fellowship and ministry.

 

CALL COMMITTEE NEWS – First Lutheran was informed during Holy Week that we would not be assigned Timothy Handrick as Deferred Vicar.  He has been assigned to another congregation.  However, we have completed our self-study, and will begin collecting names of possible candidates for the call of pastor at First Lutheran.  Nomination Forms for possible candidates for a new pastor are included in bulletins from Sunday, April 7 - 20.  IF YOU HAVE NAMES FOR CONSIDERATION, PLEASE TURN THEM IN THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 21.

 

A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS continues on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.  On March 24 we started book 2 of the Acts study, chapter 13, the beginning of Paul’s missionary journeys.  Come and join us in studying about the history of the early Christian Church!

 

WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the Today’s Light Devotional Bible.  As of March 30 we finished Numbers, and start we started reading in Deuteronomy on April 1.  Deuteronomy comes from the Latin word “deuteron” which means “second.”  This book is the second telling God God’s law to His people as they enter the Promised Land.  On April 16 we read Deuteronomy 18 and 19.  Chapter 18 tells of “the prophet” whom God would send. 

Feel free to contact Pastor Rockey if you have any questions at 907-841-4066, or at jonrock53@mtaonline.net

 

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

 

BASIC TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE / NEW MEMBER CLASS –This class began on 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.

We will complete the whole class in a one day lesson THIS Sunday, April 21, after the fish fry and Volunteer time.

 

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

 

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST – I went fishing 3 times since my last devotion.

·       On Thursday, April 11, I took Thomas Dudeck fishing on Orange Lake.  The forecast was for WIND and rain.  We did not fish long.  Thomas called one fish.  Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/WtbBkmgXVycHbxP57

 

·       On Friday, April 12, I took Thomas fishing on Rodman Reservoir. We kept 2 of the fish we caught.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/W8YcwHBufFVs1anH9

 

·       On Sunday, April 14, after worship I went fishing on a favorite lake.  The weather was beautiful, and the fish were biting.  In about 3 hours I caught 4 nice bass, and lot quite a few more.  Here are some pictures.   https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tvfn1GjUrj7SWmbn9

 

 

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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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