Reminded again that ‘The Lord Provides!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

Why is it that I need to be reminded again and again that. . . the Lord Provides!???

 

At the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans one of my assignments as a volunteer was to assist those attending the Gathering to build school backpacks and health kits for distribution through Ysleta Lutheran Mission in El Paso, TX, and Juarez, Mexico. The goal was to build and box 2000 backpacks and 2000 health kits.  It seemed like a big job to accomplish, even though, we had Gathering participants at the work area from 10:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, July 20-22. We estimated that we accomplished about a quarter of our goal on Sunday.  We did better on Monday.  However, it took heroic efforts, and extra volunteers to approach our goal on Tuesday.  Then when we were deep in the middle of our work, Luz Soto, our team leader from Ysleta, told us we would be moving and stacking the boxes for shipment.  Our core team consisted of two adult “Ambassador” volunteers,  and 3 Young Adult Volunteers to carry what I counted as over 250 large boxes.  We ultimately had at least 100 more!  I wasn’t sure how we would finish boxing all the backpacks and health kits.  Moving the boxes seemed impossible.

 

However, then we mentioned to a group of church volunteers from Minnesota that we would like help in moving the boxes.  The team of about 20 youth and adults got to work.  They finished the big job of moving all our boxes in about 15-20 minutes!  I was amazed.  I felt like I had seen the feeding of the 5000.  Luz reminded me, “See, the Lord always provides!”

 

The first incident in Scripture which has impressed me about God providing is found in Genesis 22.  This is the chapter where Abraham is about to sacrifice his son, Isaac.  However, the Lord stops Abraham, and a ram for the sacrifice is found in the thicket on top of the mountain.  We read in Genesis 22:14, “So Abraham called the name of that place, ‘The LORD will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.’"  See, like Luz reminded me, “The Lord always provides!”

 

Do you know that God provided again on that same mountain?  The site of Abraham’s intended sacrifice is considered to be the site of the city of Jerusalem, and the site of the temple of the Lord for the Jews.  On that mountain, on a hill called Golgotha, God provided again.  Abraham did not sacrifice his son, but our Heavenly Father “gave His only-begotten Son” to die on the cross, on that same mountain, to provide for our greatest need.  Our sins have separated us from God and stolen our eternal life.  But Jesus’ death provides forgiveness.  Jesus’ resurrection provides eternal life. On that mountain our Lord provides reconciliation with our Creator and God.  The words of Abraham were even more true 2000 years later.  “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."  

 

The Apostle Paul also teaches us about this provision by our Heavenly Father in Romans 8:32.  “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)  Thankfully, the Lord of the universe has provided for our greatest need in Jesus’ life and death and resurrection!  Because He has provided for this most urgent need, He is able to provide, and does provide for our other wants and needs.

 

I had another area where I recently felt a need for provision.  Last summer I was in Florida serving First Lutheran Church in Gainesville and I did not get any salmon into our freezer.  With the king fishery now being shut down for the most part, and the failure of silver salmon the last two years, I was hoping to harvest some reds, since our freezer was empty of fresh salmon.  But, Kathy and Mary and I had volunteered to serve at the LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans, July 15-23.  The sockeyes started to return when we were in Louisiana. I was wondering if we would miss out on salmon for our freezer again this year.  However, do you know that from July 16 when we were at the gathering, to July 28 over 2.3 million red salmon have passed the ADFG counter?  2.3 MILLION!  Kathy and I hit our bed in Palmer at 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24.  But, I found a way to fish 4 times on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  We now have 29 red salmon processed and vacuum sealed in our freezer.  This is a much smaller need or want, but . . . the Lord provides!

 

The saying teaches that the furthest distance from one place to another is that 12” from our head to our heart.  Even though we have learned that our Lord does provide, sometimes, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this life, we forget.  That showed up for me with worry about providing salmon for my family and for our freezer.  But, I learned . . . AGAIN.  The Lord provides!

 

So, how is God providing for you?  Do you always remember our Heavenly Father’s provision?  Or do you sometimes doubt and worry.  St. Paul would call on us to remember the words of Abraham, ‘On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." 

 

A Child of God, Reminded again that ‘The Lord Provides!’

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures of my service in the Experiential Center at the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans, July 19-23.  I worked in the booth for Ysleta Lutheran Mission, which serves needy in El Paso, TX, and Juarez, Mexico.  We packaged boxes with backpacks full of school supplies, and with health kits.  These are handed out by the mission in the name of Jesus.  (They also built the frame of a house to be donated to a needy family.)  https://photos.app.goo.gl/1nk1JiafQJnjWPsR6

 

P.P.S.   I am now serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor. 

 

·       On Sunday, July 27, Justin Hall and his son, Clarence, were baptized at Our Redeemer.  Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/hNYhesSE79mV6KjJ7

 

Regular Bible Studies and Sunday School

 

·       Adult Bible Study continues on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m.   The class is studying “Basic Christian Teachings.” On July 6 we studied about heaven and hell.  On July 27th we studied about baptism.  On August 3 we will study about the Lord’s Supper..  Come and join us!

 

·       Summer Sunday School - Children have an opportunity to study during the summer as well.  Leah Rawlins is leading the children in studying the book of Ruth.  At the end of this study they may put what they learned into expression through legos.  All Children are WELCOME! 😊  (However, there was no Sunday School on August 31 (Labor Day Weekend!)

 

·       In August we will have meetings to discuss upcoming confirmation classes, and perhaps some early communion classes. 

o   On Sunday, August 3, we will have a class for those desiring early communion.  If you are interested the class will be held after worship.

o   On Sunday, August 10, we will have a meeting to discuss Confirmation Classes in the future for youth.

o   On Sunday, August 24, we will offer an acolyte class after worship.

 

The Our Redeemer Call Committee has been formed.  It includes Elder and chairman, Jerry Simpson, also Heidi Enlow, Ruth Keller, Theo Lee, Jacob Lewis, Scott Roelfs, and Martha Wilkins.  They met on June 4, July 1, and July 22.  The first step in the call process will be to complete a congregational self-study.  The Northwest District has the study and tools to help in this study.  The committee targets August 15 for inputs from leaders to the congregational self-study.

It is good for a congregation to be patient in the call process.  Please PRAY that as our Lord leads this committee and Our Redeemer in this process, we will follow His guidance.

 

Other Activities of Faith:

·       MANY CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.”  We are now in the New Testament!  On Wednesday, July 30, we read John 18 and 19.  On Thursday, July 31, we will finish the book of John, and finish reading the 4 Gospels, which books are the CENTER of the Scriptures!

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!

 

P.P.P.S. Family and Friends: -

 

·       Our family had 3 generations of Rockeys at the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans.  We are thankful.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/JxeqGdR9vtY3cU2m9

 

·       While we were in New Orleans, Josh and Erin returned from a trip to Japan, and drove to Olympia, WA, where they will now work and live.  Here are REALLY some pictures from their trip.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/cqjRs8HCeYk2TZis8

 

·       My garden was still in good shape when I returned home from the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans.  Here are some picture of our yard and garden.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/hsj2sCzcPoj7fZjb7

 

 

P.P.P.S.  Fishing!  - I returned home to my bed at 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24.  I then fished and dipnetted on the Kenai Peninsula, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  Here are some pictures.

 

·       On Thursday, July 24, I picked up my boat from the shop and put it in the water at the “Rakos cabin.”  As I tested it out, somehow 3 fish jumped onto my line.  😊  Here are some pictures from ‘the rockpile.’  https://photos.app.goo.gl/L86kTSRKwn37stTm9

 

·       On Friday, July 25, Wayne Mize and I arose at 2:30 a.m. to dip net on the Kasilof.  We did ok.  However, those 19 red salmon, added to the 7 I had left in my freezer from an earlier trip, gave me 26 from dipping, and 29 total.  While I was worried about not having fish for 2 years in a row, we are now in really good shape.  God is good!  THANKS to Fred and Kelly Vasilie for allowing us to use their vacuum sealer while ours was in the shop!  No pictures, however.

 

·       On Friday, July 25, my son, Tim, arrived around 9:00 p.m.  We fished some and came back with 4 fish.  😊 https://photos.app.goo.gl/VfM5aehUKXU2FiVZA

 

·       On Saturday morning, we shopped, and then fished again.  3 more fish jumped into our cooler.  Here are some more pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/dJWXs6KKKCE36pxo9

 

·       I returned home on Saturday evening and unpacked.  On Sunday afternoon our meal was fresh red salmon, a Caesar salad from our garden, and Kathy’s homemade bread.  😊  Here is a picture. (Then I CRASHED!) https://photos.app.goo.gl/rkw2i7nt8ACMuSbr7  

 

 

*******

 

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 Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Chugiak, AK.)

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, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Chugiak, AK

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)