Dear Fellow Children of God,
Do you ever become frustrated
over events or circumstance you thought you had planned for, which you had taken
care of, but for which you then ended up encountering trouble or difficulty?
First, let me say that traveling
is often an adventure. I am usually up
for various adventures in life. However,
sometimes in the middle of life’s challenges, I do wonder. I am very capable of making a short story
long. However, let me try in this
devotion to make a long story short. I will simply share that Kathy and I
checked early in for our flights from Orlando to Germany on October 17, assured
that our luggage was checked all the way through to Leipzig. But, when we
arrived in Germany on Friday, October 18, our luggage did not make it with us.
Sigh. A second frustration happened on
Saturday, October 19, as we traveled to Prague. We asked at our hotel desk for
recommendations of a place to eat. When
we arrived at the recommended restaurant, La Republica, we were somewhat
scolded. “It’s Saturday evening. We are
booked all night. You should have made a reservation.” In both of these situations we
thought we had prepared. However, in the
moment, we were frustrated that our plans did not work out as we expected.
Nevertheless, things did ultimately
work for the best in both situations. We
arrived at our hotel in Wittenberg on October 18 around 6:00 p.m., and, while
we were sleeping, at around 10:00 p.m., the airline did deliver our
luggage. Yeah! We didn’t even have to
carry our luggage on the train! J
Similarly, while we did not eat
in Prague at the dining establishment where we planned to eat on Saturday night,
we did find another restaurant, even closer to our hotel. “Café Imperial” might be one of the nicest
places where Kathy and I have ever eaten.
We enjoyed wonderful food, great service, and the price was less than
many American restaurants! Kathy looked up
“Café Imperial” on Google, and their recommendation was to make a reservation at
least 7 days in advance. Yet, they
gladly served us as walk-ins, two nights in a row!
Do you believe the Lord is with
you through life’s adventures and challenges?
When something fortunate happens, is it just ‘good luck?’ Or, could the Lord Himself be taking care of
His stumbling children?
I am preaching this Wednesday, Thursday,
and Friday in Wittenberg, Germany. on Hebrews 4:9-16, the Epistle lesson assigned
for October 20. In many ways, this verse
speaks a Reformation message of God’s grace.
The writer assures us that, in spite of our sin, our failures, we can
count on Jesus. “14
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do
not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one
who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews
4:14-15) God’s law points to our sin.
But, the good news of the Gospel is that Jesus is our high priest. In compassion, Jesus knows our struggles. Jesus’ righteousness covers our sin. Thank you, Lord, for our eternal salvation in
Jesus! Therefore, the writer to Hebrews calls
God’s people, “Let
us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) The
Reformation Message is that we do not earn our own way, but God calls us to His
throne of grace!
But, this
Scripture message from the Lord does not just say that he saves us for eternal
life. In Jesus, we also “receive mercy and find grace to help in
time of need.” Kathy and I could have totally lost our
luggage. Or, we could have ended up like
my brother Stephen, whose luggage chased him around Israel for 5 days in 2022. But, in contrast, our luggage DID arrive. Then, when we were turned away at one
restaurant we could have walked back to the hotel. Yet, we opened the door to a wonderful dining
establishment where we feasted, and where after two nights, we felt like
family! God is good!
Yes, God
is most concerned about our eternal welfare.
Jesus is our Savior from sin and death for eternal life in heaven.
Nevertheless, God also cares for us daily. There are many verses in Scripture which teach
us of God’s loving care. (For example: Psalm
103, Psalm 121, Matthew 6:30, Mark 10, Matthew 10:28-31, Romans 8:28, etc.) Therefore,
I also choose give thanks and praise to my Lord when unexpected blessings follow
troubles in my daily life. Life is full
of unknown challenges. But, because in Jesus we “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need,” we can face
life, and we can praise our Lord, whatever adventures and challenges we face. Thank you, Lord!
A Child of God, Thankful That
When I Stumble Around, God Provides Help in Time of Need!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. We are in Wittenberg
from October 22-31, to serve with Wittenberg English Ministry. But we traveled to Germany early to enjoy
some new (to us) places. From October 23
to 31 I will lead worship 7 times and preach on 3 different texts, all pointing
to the Reformation theme of God’s grace.
Here are some pictures of our daily travels so far. J
·
Here are some pictures from our trip from
Orlando to Wittenberg, October 17 and 18.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/UyyWE2CWfwYBQb4g6
·
Here are some pictures of our trip to Prague,
Czech Republic, and our first night there, Saturday, October 19. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jN2DcksiARHfrsvg9
·
Here are pictures of a day in Prague, Sunday,
October 20. https://photos.app.goo.gl/eQVYJR9xNXGk8BeT8
·
Here are some pictures of our trip back from
Prague to our hotel in Wittenberg, on October 21. https://photos.app.goo.gl/GTaDXnFXf9VYkW3M9
·
Tuesday, October 22, was a day of rest as we
prepare for the next four days of worship.
Here is one picture which is special to me. https://photos.app.goo.gl/f1CRAuHXU1K1ZLTM8
P.P.S. I continue serving as vacancy pastor at First
Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, until First Lutheran receives a
permanent full-time pastor.
NEWS AND
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!
·
While I am in Germany, October 20, 27, and
November 3, Pastor Stephen Lane will be leading worship and teaching Bible
Class.
·
On
Sunday, November 24, after worship, We will have an OKTOBERFEST MEAL, and a
Wills / Estate planning seminar. Diana
Raasch from LCEF will be working with local First Lutheran people to teach
opportunities of faithful Christian Stewardship in our wills and estates. There will be opportunities to talk with
Diana privately, if a person wishes to do so.
PLAN
NOW to attend this festive meal and informative seminar!
·
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.
Our next
study will be the Messianic
prophecies of Isaiah.
·
COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on
Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m. Come and join us! They
are studying “The Case for Christianity.”
·
WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN
2024 and 2025 using the Today’s Light Devotional Bible. On Wednesday,
October 22, we read Job 18-19.
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. So the Congregation has begun a “Raise the Roof”
campaign. Our goal to accomplish these combined repairs is $500,000!
Please
consider how God may lead you toward these needs in the future. (While serving
in Gainesville, I will be donating from each of my checks.)
·
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. We received 21 names and have made contact with 20 of those pastors. The Call Committee met again Tuesday, October
15. We are scheduling zoom interviews
with 6 of these pastors the last week of October and the first week of November.
PLEASE
CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FIRST LUTHERAN CALL PROCESS IN YOUR PRAYERS.
*******
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)
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