Dear
Fellow Children of God,
In the past week I have had a number of conversations with fellow
Christians. In the Acts Bible Class I
teach on Sunday mornings, we read in chapter 13 about Paul and Barnabas “shaking
the dust from their feet” and asked, “When do we move on from one person or
group of people, and share the good news of Jesus with others?” We looked at Matthew 10:13-14 and listened to
the Lord.
On Sunday afternoon, in a “Basic Teachings of the Bible”
Class, we discussed many topics, including baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We looked at God’s Word for direction and
understanding. We read Ephesians 5:26
and Acts 2:38-39, and Colossians 2:10-12 concerning how God acts in Baptism,
and what this gift of God means to us.
We also considered Matthew 26:26-28 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
concerning the Lord’s Supper. We let the
Lord speak to us as we sought to understand how important these gifts are to Christians
as we seek to follow the call of our Lord.
On Tuesday evening I attended another group. There were a number of questions about
worship and church practice and about calling a new pastor. We discussed Bible verses and sought answers
from the Lord.
Some think a pastor does not want to be confronted with
difficult questions. I will share with
you that I don’t believe I personally have answers to life’s tough
questions. I am weak. My mind is limited. I am sinful.
I do not have wisdom for some of the easy questions in life. Never mind the difficult questions. I don’t personally have the answers, but our
Lord does. I believe in the wisdom and
knowledge of God, I believe in His judgements and His ways. Listen to Romans 11. “33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable a0re his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34
"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his
counselor?" 35 "Or who has given a gift to him that he
might be repaid?" 36 For from him and through him and to him
are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
You see, I need God’s wisdom and His answers. And, I believe that our Lord shares His wisdom
in Scripture. Therefore, an important
verse to my faith and my practice of that faith is 2 Timothy 3:14-17. “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.” Wisdom of God for
salvation comes from the ‘sacred writings.’
Scripture, breathed by God, gives teaching, reproof, correction, and
training in righteousness.”
When it comes to tough questions, I am not sorry to have
them asked. Personally, I enjoy being
asked questions where I have to go to the Bible and let God speak. For over 70 years, He has taught me that He
is wiser than I am. He has taught me His
love. He has taught me that He wants me
to trust Him and follow Him.
Do you have any questions?
I would be glad to hear from you.
I may not have the answers, but we can go to God’s Word together.
A
Child of God, Knowing My Lack of Wisdom – Trusting Our Lord’s Wisdom in
Scripture,
Pastor
Jonathan
P.S. NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT
First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!
THE
FIRST LUTHERAN FISH FRY / COOKOUT, VOLUNTEER AND TIME AND TALENT SUNDAY saw lots of food,
lots of fellowship, and people volunteering to help do the Lord’s work at First
Lutheran. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ej8G2h1ptuvfqsNQ9
CALL
COMMITTEE NEWS – Members
turned in names of potential people to consider as the new pastor for First Lutheran. On Monday, President, Mark Hoyer, sent 8 names
to the FL-GA District Office. District
will check the availability of these men to receive a call, and return a list
to us to consider for the next pastor at First Lutheran. Please keep this process in prayer.
A
STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS continues on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the
Besalski Fellowship Hall. We are currently studying chapter 14, 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. On April 23 we
read Deuteronomy 27, which shares the blessings of serving the Lord and the
curses of forsaking Him.
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 11th,
and finished after the Fish Fry on Sunday, April 21. We expect to receive two unew members for
First Lutheran. We will receive them into
membership the end of June or beginning of July. (We are waiting for a UF
student to return to Gainesville.)
If anyone else is desireing to be
received by transfer or reaffirmation of faith please call the church office or
let Pastor Rockey know.
P.P.S.
PICTURES – AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST – I went fishing once since my last devotion. On Friday, April 19, I went fishing at Orange
Lake to provide the final few fish for the First Lutheran Fish Fry. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/tU6mVYTUgHtLDu9r5
*******
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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