Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Praying for Our Lord’s Strength and Blessings on Today’s Young Christians!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

On Sunday, May 19, two young men will be confirmed at First Lutheran Church where I am serving as vacancy pastor.  Kennon and Ryland Brown have studied with me by Zoom throughout the school year.  We worked through 40 different chapters to learn about Jesus, to learn about their Christian faith, to prepare for Christian life.  I met with these young men on Tuesday, May 14, to go over the ceremony, and to talk about what will happen.  But, in our assigned Gospel lesson for last Sunday, from John 17, Jesus prayed for His disciples because, the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14) So, in this world which hates Jesus’ disciples, what will happen to the faith of these two young men after Confirmation Day?

 

Lutherans do not see faith in Jesus primarily as OUR decision for God.  We believe, as we heard Jesus say in John 15:16 two weeks ago in worship, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide . . .” Our faith in Jesus begins when God calls us.  He calls us in baptism.  He calls us by His Word, through His Spirit.  Our faith begins with our Lord reaching out in grace toward us.

 

Nevertheless, on Confirmation Day, after being called to faith by God in baptism, after opportunities to learn at home, at church, and even in confirmation classes, these young followers of Jesus publicly declare their faith.  Jesus taught His disciples, So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 10:32) As we practiced on Tuesday, as these young men again affirmed during practice, they will share publicly that they believe Jesus is God’s Son, their Savior. 

 

It is perhaps the ultimate understatement to declare that living a s a Christian is not easy.  Living as a faithful disciple of our Lord has NEVER been easy!  On Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, we will learn of God’s help for our faith by His Spirit.  However, there is another kind of help I would like you to consider.  On the one hand, it is parents who are called to teach their children about God’s love.  Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6) (See also Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Deuteronomy 11: 18-19, Ephesians 6:4, and others) But, please also consider, parents need help too!  The help I ask you to think about is to please assist these parents by personally encouraging these two young men in their Christian faith.

 

I don’t know about your kids, but sometimes my own children were not sure Mom and Dad were all that smart.  However, if someone else, another adult they respected, told my children the same thing which I had said, it was amazing how my kids listened.  Moses mentored Joshua.  Paul mentored Timothy.  Peter mentored Mark. Have you ever thought about speaking a word of encouragement to a little child or to a young person?   I was 3 years old when my pastor’s wife first suggested I might become a pastor.  Children do listen to other adults.  Have you encouraged faith, or mentored a young person?

 

I encourage you to speak to the young people of your congregation about their faith in Jesus, about their Christian life.  Thank them for attending worship.  (That’s not a normal practice in today’s world.) Tell the children and young people in your congregation that you appreciate their faith, their participation.  Thank them for their service.  Ask them if they have any questions.  Teach them in Sunday School or VBS.  Suggest they might become a a pastor, or a DCE, or professional church worker.  Welcome them into your home.  Include them in home devotions.  Ahem . . . take them fishing.  😊

 

While we celebrate Pentecost and Confirmation Day this coming Sunday, last Sunday was Mother’s Day.  A number of years ago, on Mother’s Day, my wife received a message from a young man who is a friend of one of my sons.  The message read, “It took a lot of Moms to raise me.  Thank you for being one of them.”

 

This Sunday the confession of faith by Kennon and Ryland will bless the members of First Lutheran Church.  What a joy to hear and see young people who truly believe in Jesus in today’s world.  Please make a point, on Sunday or in the coming weeks, to thank them for their faith and encourage them to continue.  Their parents will appreciate your help.  Someday these young men may thank you themselves, perhaps like that message my wife received.

 

A Child of God, Praying for Our Lord’s Strength and Blessings on Today’s Young Christians!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here a few of many words of encouragement from Scripture

·       Mark 10:14b – 15 "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

 

·       Philippians 1:6  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

 

·       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.

 

P.P.S.  NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!

 

CONFIRMATION DAY IS THIS SUNDAY, PENTECOST SUNDAY, MAY 19 for Kennon and Ryland Brown.  Come and rejoice with them in worship at 10:00 a.m.!

 

CALL COMMITTEE NEWS – Members turned in names of potential people to consider as the new pastor for First Lutheran.  On Monday, April 22, 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 of potential pastors to us to consider as the next pastor at First Lutheran.  We are expecting to hear back from District NEXT WEEK.  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 still studying Acts chapter 15.  Chapter 15 is a very important chapter about the direction of the early church.  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.  We will finish the book of Joshua on Thursday, May 16.  In Joshua 24:15 Joshua makes a declaration many of us have chosen for our own “. . . as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.". 

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

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS BEEN HELD EACH SUNDAY DURING WORSHIP DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.  However, Sunday School is soon coming to an end as the school year ends. 

Keep the dates of JULY 22-26 OPEN FOR VBS!

 

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

 

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST –

 

·       MY GARDEN CONTINUES TO GROW.  Here are some recent pictures.  (I’m sorry for the incorrect link last week.) https://photos.app.goo.gl/MKdnCSHZY5CFHk3A9

 

·       THANK YOU to all who sent cards and wishes on my birthday!  It was overwhelming!!

 

·       On my birthday, May 10, I was busy.

o   I went golfing early, until the rain stopped our game.  However, on hole #4 at Turkey Creek, a par 3 150 yard hole, this was my tee shot.  I made the putt for a birdie.  That good score followed some not so good.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6iKibd4MHuWcXsGg7

 

o   Kathy and I went out to eat with my sister and brother in law, Martha and Mark Reaves, at a place we found in Lake City, FL.  The Marion Street Bistro is a renovated pharmacy in the old downtown.  Here is a picture.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/w6EWtJidKM3CgocH6

 

·       On Sunday, May 12, Mother’s Day, Kathy and I attended the last FL Gators home baseball game of the year.  They have a great player that we wanted to see again.  Here are a couple of pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/EQddRfkFq55Qf3ox8

 

·       I went fishing twice since my last devotion. 

o   On Saturday, May 11, I went fishing on the Ocklawaha River out of Gore’s Landing in the Ocala National Forest.  The current was strong, but I caught a number of smaller bass, keeping 3.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/XRMGgTHyworrWuZr7

 

o   On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, after Bible Study, worship, and a baseball game with Kathy, I went fishing in Little Orange Lake.  I probably left too late.  I caught one bream, and saw a number of gators, in addition to this guy.  I missed a big fish.  Here are two pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/z5x14bk8owT6iubf7

 

 

*******

 

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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