Dear
Fellow Children of God,
While
serving as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran in Gainesville, FL, I attended the
Fall Pastors’ Conference, September 23-25 in Daytona Beach. This conference came at a good time. When Kathy and I arrived in Gainesville from
Alaska on September 10, I hit the ground running. September 22 was a long Sunday. It was good to get away to consider God in
our lives and to consider God in His Church for the world. It was good to get away to see God’s
presence in our midst.
Monday
morning, because the conference was held in Daytona, Kathy walked along the
beach at sunrise. She took beautiful
pictures of the God’s handiwork. Personally,
I was tired, and sort of watched from our hotel room. But Tuesday morning I arose earlier, made a
cup of coffee, grabbed my Today’s Life Devotional Bible, and sat in a bench
alongside the beach so I could give attention to the sun rising on the horizon
of the Atlantic. God’s beauty spoke to
my heart. The words of Psalm 19 came to
mind.
“1
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his
handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals
knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is
not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their
words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man,
runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the
heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from
its heat.”
(Psalm 19:1-6 - To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.) The grandeur and
beauty of our created world witness to the power and wisdom, the order and love
of the Loving Lord of the Universe.
I
do believe my fellow Alaskans look at the world around them and know the truth
of Psalm 19: “The heavens declare the
glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” I personally know that truth as I look
out my front porch in Palmer at Pioneer Peak, or at Lazy Mountain. I know that truth concerning
God’s witness through creation when on a river, or the ocean, and the
beauty of my Lord’s handiwork speaks to me.
But, the beauty of creation is not only seen in Alaska. There is also
beauty, grandeur, and witness in other locations on this globe as well. Kathy and I saw the glory and handiwork of
God on the beach through the sunrise.
Paul
shares our Heavenly Father’s message through creation in 1 Corinthians 1. “19
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to
them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and
divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the
world, in the things that have been made. . .” (Romans 1:19-20)
But,
we do not just see our Heavenly Father in Creation. We also see the Father’s Son. We see Jesus!
Do you know 2 Peter 1:19? ”And
we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to
pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
morning star rises in your hearts.” Peter is talking about Jesus. Jesus is that “morning star” which “rises in
our hearts!” Think about the sunrise we
saw.
Or,
do you know these words from Jesus Himself?
16 "’I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you
about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David,
the bright morning star.’" 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’
And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let
the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:16-17) Our Lord, Jesus, is not only THE Bright
Morning Star – again, think sunrise. Jesus
is coming again. Praise God!
Do
you see God in His creation around you?
Do the mountains and rivers and beaches and plains shout out to
you? The beauty of my Lord’s creation
speaks to me in the mountains and forests, the rivers and lakes, the valleys
and meadows. So, when I go outdoors,
when I go fishing, I’m not running away from my work or from my life. I am running TO my Lord!
On
Monday and Tuesday morning the Lord spoke through His creation to Kathy and to me. Scripture explains our Lord’s message. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and
the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
A
Child of God, Basking in the Power, Glory, and Love of My Lord, Seen in His
Creation!
Pastor
Rockey
P.S. I am in Gainesville, Florida, again where I
am serving as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church until they receive a
permanent full-time pastor.
P.P.S. NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT
First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!
SUNDAY
SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until May. Children begin in worship at
10:00 a.m.. Early in the service, after
the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft, and a snack.
Parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts,
Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to Sunday School.
THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and
staff!
WE
CONTINUE TO STUDY THE BOOK OF ACTS on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the
Besalski Fellowship Hall. If you want to
read ahead, this coming Sunday we will conclude chapter 26 and begin Acts
27. Come study with us about the early
church as we seek to be God’s people in today’s world.
COLLEGE
STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS are now meeting on Tuesday nights in the student house
at 7:00 p.m. Come and join us!
WE
CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the Today’s
Light Devotional Bible. On Tuesday,
September 24 we finished 2 Chronicles. On
Wednesday, September 25, we begin reading the book of Ezra.
Feel free to contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if
you have any questions about these readings.
Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net I have recently received questions and
comments. It is always good to consider
our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God
knows!
FIRST
LUTHERAN HAS BEGUN A “RAISE THE ROOF FUND,” for roof replacement and
air-conditioning repairs. The roofs are still in relatively 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. In addition, our Air Conditioners are old and
need replacing. Our goal to
accomplish these combined repairs is $500,000!
Please consider how God may lead you
toward these needs in the future.
FIRST
LUTHERAN IS BACK IN THE CALL PROCESS. We have
sought nominations and names of pastors who would serve the Lord and His people
well at First Lutheran in Gainesville. The
Florida-Georgia District has sent information on the candidates.
PLEASE
CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FIRST LUTHERAN CALL PROCESS IN YOUR PRAYERS.
P.P.P.S.
PICTURES – AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
I
did not get to go fishing this past week.
But, we did other activities with family and our Lord.
·
Kathy and I
went to a RED SOX game on September
19 in Tampa with my sister and brother in law.
Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/BsoxRjPYELy9QtF5A
·
On the way
to Daytona we ate at a favorite restaurant, Corky Bells. Here
are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/FQTGpBFKFi537Bny5
·
I
did golf in Daytona Monday morning before the conference. These raccoons made a visit. Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ouJELhxFBkm3nPEj6
·
Here
are pictures of the sunrise at the beach which Kathy and I witnessed on
September 23 and 24. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DjxzxEvchNoijtqy7
P.P.P.P.S. Here are a few more verses talking about
God’s glory and power and order and love and witness seen in creation.
Psalm
19:1-14 1 The heavens declare the glory
of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day
pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is
no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their
voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a
bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with
joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to
the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The
law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is
sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the
eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules
of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be
desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and
drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant
warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern
his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back
your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your
sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm
96:10-13 10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yes, the
world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with
equity." 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and
everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
Mark
13:28-29 28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its
branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these
things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
Romans
1:19-22 “19 For what can be known about God is plain to them,
because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes,
namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever
since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are
without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor
him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and
their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they
became fools,”
Romans
2:14-15 “14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do
what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not
have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on
their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting
thoughts accuse or even excuse them”
Romans
8:18-24 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but
because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself
will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the
glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation
has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption
of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is
seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
*******
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. (However, I am currently 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)
