Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Seeking to Use Gifts Given me by My Lord to Serve Him!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Last weekend, June 7 and 8, I attended a reunion for the 53rd anniversary of my high school graduation in May of 1971.  It was good to see long-time (surely not old) friends again.  However, one of the more sobering displays at the Saturday night banquet was a list of class mates who had passed away.  In 2016, at the 45th reunion of our graduation, that list included 88 members of our class of 964 students.  But this year, the number of those who have died since graduation has increased to over 150.  Kathy and I have recently commented numerous times to one another how blessed we have been to have good health.  We have friends and family who have suffered various illnesses and ailments.  Like my graduating class, a number of family and friends, even those younger than we are, are no longer with us.  Yet, we are still here and we have been relatively healthy.  Thank you, Lord!  This is NOT a gift to take for granted.

 

The other side to this blessing, which Kathy and I also often share with one another, is the question: “How are we using this blessing of life and health?”  In 2015 Kathy and I served as adult leaders at the LCMS National Youth Gathering in New Orleans.  Kathy had traffic duty.  Her volunteer work was summer hot in New Orleans, and required a lot of walking.  Yet, another volunteer working beside Kathy was an 85 year old lady.  Kathy talked with the lady about her active life.  This woman’s response to Kathy was, “I tell my friends, ‘You are still alive.  Get out of your easy chair.  God has still something for you to do!’”

 

So, Yes!  SINCE God has blessed us with life and health, how are we using these gifts to serve our Lord?  In Matthew 25 Jesus shares God’s truth in  “the parable of the talents.”  The master in this parable gave 5 talents (a large sum of money) to one servant, 3 talents to another, and 1 talent to another.  The first two servants doubled the investment of their master and returned it to him.  The master’s response was similar for both.  His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'” (Matthew 25:21) However, the third servant was not so diligent with His master’s gift.  When asked by the master for an accounting, the third servant replied, “I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.” (Matthew 25:25) Jesus tells of God’s response to those who do not use His gifts faithfully,  26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.’” (Matthew 25:26-28)

 

When I looked at retiring, for many understandable and good reasons, I nevertheless considered this parable.  I did not want to “bury my talents in the ground.”  I did not want to have gifts from the Lord, yet neglect to serve Him.  And, as I look at the list of all those who did not make it to my 53rd graduation reunion, knowing that I have made it, and knowing that I am healthy, I am again led to ask that question.  “SINCE God has blessed me with life and health, how am I using these gifts to serve our Lord?”

 

My answer to this question is a little different than the question asked.  Rather than responding to the question “How am I . . . ?”, my response is that, “in my heart I DESIRE to serve my Lord and Savior.  In 2 Corinthians 5:15, God teaches us through St. Paul,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) I WANT to live for Jesus, BECAUSE Jesus died and rose for me!  Jesus did not wait for me to use my gifts from Him, and then die to save me.  In spite of my sin He died and rose for a sinner like me, one who like the servant can be wicked and slothful (lazy).  But, because Jesus loves me in His cross and the empty tomb, I want to live for Him.  I want to use the gifts of life and health he has given to serve Him as I am able.

 

Interestingly, a friend just recently asked me about the parables of Matthew 25 after a round of golf.  My answer to His questions was, “When we know the undeserved grace and love of God, we want to serve Him and our lives show our thanks and praise.

 

I laughed at a recent story I read following the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, on June 6.  A man named Harold Terens first visited Normandy as a U.S. Army Air Forces corporal right after the invasion.  Many of his friends died in the battle to establish a beachhead.  Last weekend Terens, who is 100 years old, returned to Normandy and married his 96 year old fiancee’, Jeanne Swerlin.  He said they’re looking forward to “a long and happy life together.”  Terens is not wasting the gift of life.  I appreciate his example!!

 

Not everyone is 71 years old as I am.  Many are younger, and many, like Terens, are also older than I.  Nevertheless, in each life there are blessings from our Lord.  We have the eternal blessings of forgiveness and eternal life as we believe in Jesus.  We have the earthly blessings of who God has made us to be, and the people and other gifts He puts in our lives. 

 

So, I ask you, “SINCE God has blessed you in this life, how are you using His gifts to serve our Lord?”

 

A Child of God, Seeking to Use Gifts Given me by My Lord to Serve Him!

Pastor Jonathan 

 

P.S.  I have a confession to make.  Last week I talked about the 45th anniversary of my ordination, supposedly on June 2.  While the first Sunday of June in 2024 was the 2nd, in 1979 that first Sunday was on the 3rd!  After seeing conflicting information, I went back and looked at a 1979 calendar.  O well!  I am still thankful for the blessings of 45 years of ministry.

 

 

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

 

 

IN WORSHIP ON SUNDAY WE WERE ABLE TO THANK GOD WITH BOB AND DOTTIE MOUNTS.  They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.  God is good!  Here is a picture of Bob and Dottie in worship on Sunday, June 9th.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/RS7L4KEh11FGcQp58

 

CALL COMMITTEE NEWS – First Lutheran received a list of names from the FL-GA District Office on Friday, May 17.  We have phoned all those on the list to see who is actually available for a call. Now we begin the process of asking God’s guidance as to whom He is calling to be pastor at First Lutheran.  The call committee is meeting Wednesday evening, June 12, to discuss interviews.  Please keep the process in prayer.

 

FIRST LUTHERAN HAS BEGUN A ROOF FUND. In an announcement at the May 19 Voters’ Meeting we learned that to put a new roof on the sanctuary, the office building, the fellowship hall, the preschool, and the student housing will cost about $200,000.00  The roof is still in good shape.  But we have had leaks, and it has been about 20 years since the roof was last replaced.  First Lutheran leaders want to act before the roofs fail.  Please consider how God may lead you toward this need in the future.

 

ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH, OCALA, Installed a new pastor on Sunday, June 9, Rev. Timothy Mehl.  Interestingly I saw a number of friends I had not seen in years.  Here is a picture of the new pastor and of those pastors who attended the installation. https://photos.app.goo.gl/BAnueFZFGYrwnpAP8

 

MUSIC DIRECTOR, STEPHANIE SMITH IS STARTING GUITAR CLASSES.  We found a number of guitars when the church was cleaned for the fire inspection.  We will use these guitars for the class.  THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE.  Classes are starting.  If you are interested, please contact Stephanie.

 

WE CONTINUE TO STUDY THE BOOK OF ACTS on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.  We have been studying Acts chapter 16, and consider mission work in pagan Philippi.  On June 16 we will start chapter 17.  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.  This week we are learning about King Saul.

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

 

VBS TAKES PLACE AT FIRST LUTHERAN JULY 22-26!  Please remember these dates and invite children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends!

 

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

 

MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS CELEBRATED A 53/71  REUNION on Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, this past weekend. 

            53 because most of our class was born in 1953, AND it is the 53rd anniversary of our graduation.  71 because we graduated in 1971, and most of my class is now 71 years old.  There was a gathering at a local restaurant on Friday night.  On Saturday we took a tour of our old high school in the morning, and had a banquet in the evening.  Here are a couple of pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/EQ4gWQpdCo3f9t4n9

 

KATHY AND I WENT TO CRESCENT BEACH ON MONDAY EVENING (missing the heavy afternoon heat and sun)  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/WwM3CrXnXGDLgCPj8

 

I DID GO FISHING ONCE THIS PAST WEEK with my brother Stephen at Little Orange Lake on Friday, June 7.  Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/YjuojUTJSNzwRs8L7  

 

 

*******

 

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)

 

 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment