Dear Fellow Children of God,
Why do people refuse to believe and follow God?
On Sunday, September 14, I participated in a special
worship service. The chosen Gospel
lesson was from John 6. Earlier in this
chapter Jesus had fed 5000 men, and the women and children with them, using
only 5 small loaves of bread and 2 small fish.
Amazing! Then, as Jesus distanced
himself from them, He walked on water to join his disciples on the other side
of the Sea of Galilee. Yet, when those
pursuing Jesus finally caught up with Him, a somewhat surprising conversation
took place. “28 Then they
said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him
whom he has sent." 30 So they said to him, "Then what sign
do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?” (John 6:28-30) Do you follow? Jesus had just performed an amazing miracle,
an almost unbelievable sign, and the people of the day don’t see it. They ask
for another sign. Wasn’t feeding 5000
enough? Why do people refuse to believe in Jesus and follow God?
We should not be surprised by the lack of faith from the
people of Jesus’ day. In Numbers 21 we
learn about the people of Israel in the wilderness. The Lord had miraculously rescued the nation
from slavery in Egypt. He provided manna
and quail daily for food. Yet, they
seemed blind to what God was doing. In Numbers
21:5 we are told, “And the people spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why
have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no
food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.’" The Lord provided food and drink for over 1
million people in the wilderness for 40 years.
Yet, in selfish arrogance the people ignored God’s provision and denied
His claim on their lives.
Actually, such lack of faith is unfortunately a pattern
which we find throughout Scripture. Look
at Isaiah, or Jeremiah, or Ezekiel. Consider
the struggles of the disciples who were constantly with Jesus, yet so often
missed what He taught. God’s people begged for our Lord to send the Messiah. The
Heavenly Father did send His Son. Yet the people missed the goodness of God. They
did not believe in Jesus, nor did they follow His loving guidance.
Why do people refuse to believe and follow
God? Perhaps more importantly, how often
do we receive what we ask for from our Lord, and yet miss the gift? I have often heard people state, “I just wish
God would show me what to do.” Guess what?
Our Lord does give guidance in Jesus.
How often does God call us to healthy and righteous
behavior and we just ignore his loving call?
So, listen to Jesus.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches, “Love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44) Jesus does give direction. Yet today even Christians have trouble
communicating with those with whom they disagree. We can and do have trouble seeing the gift of
God. And we have trouble following
Jesus’ direction.
Also, in The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, “27
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' 28
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has
already committed adultery with her in his heart.’” (Matt. 5:27-29) God’s children seek His guidance. But we can and do miss what Jesus says. How much of our entertainment encourages
lust, never mind acts of sexual impurity?
How about our speech? Jesus also teaches in the sermon on
the Mount, 33 "Again you have heard that it was said to
those of old, “You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what
you have sworn.' 34 But I say to you, . . . 37 Let what
you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:33-34, 37) And listen to Jesus in
Matthew 18. "If your brother sins
against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he
listens to you, you have gained your brother.” (Matthew 18:15) How often do
we miss speaking the truth? How often do
we miss speaking with kindness and understanding to others, even those who hurt
us?
I could go on and on. But, while I am surprised at how
often the people in scripture miss the blessings of God, and refuse to follow
Him, I have to confess the same failure myself.
I am personally convicted. I too miss
the gifts of God. I also ignore His loving
guidance. I am thankful that Jesus
forgives. That is what I really need. I need a Savior who forgives and saves. I DO look for guidance from my Lord, and my
Heavenly Father sends a Savior from sin.
Think what that means!
I pray that Jesus breaks through my hard head and my selfish
and rebellious spirit so that I hear His message and follow His guidance. When I know the gift of the grace of God in Jesus,
I do want to listen and serve.
A Child of God, Knowing that I Need a Savior Who Forgives
and Saves,
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now
serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor.
·
The Our Redeemer Call Committee includes
Elder and chairman, Jerry Simpson, also Heidi Enlow, Ruth Keller, Theo Lee,
Jacob Lewis, Scott Roelfs, and Martha Wilkins.
They have met numerous times.
The first step
in the call process has been to complete a congregational self-study. The Northwest District has shared the study
and tools to help in this study. The
committee has asked for and received input from ORLC for this study. Jacob Lewis is compiling the survey to turn
in to District. Nomination forms for
names for a new pastor have also been distributed.
The goal is to
turn in this self-study, and nominations for pastor, to the Northwest District
by October 1, 2025. Here is a note from
call committee chairperson, Jerry Simpson.
“The Call Committee is
requesting nominations from the congregation for pastoral candidates you would
like to be considered for our new pastor. Part of this process is to request
information from the District regarding eligibility and information for our evaluation.
IF you know of someone, please fill out a nomination form and either put it in
the Nominations box in the Connections Corner, give it to one of the Call
Committee members, leave it in my mailbox, or email me an electronic copy at jerry@amc-ak.org. Nominations
are due BEFORE September 30, 2025. Nomination forms are available at
the Connections Corner or if you would prefer an electronic copy, email me
at the above address. Thank you for your
prayerful consideration of candidates, your prayers for the committee as we
work to discern where God is leading us, and your patience during this process.
Jerry Simpson
970-214-2347
OTHER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT OUR REDEEMER:
·
There are two opportunities a week for exercise
and wellness.
o Matt
Keith leads Chayon Ryu Martial Arts Beginner Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at
9:00 a.m. in the Our Redeemer Fellowship Hall
o Matt
then teaches a Fall Prevention Class, attended mostly by seniors, at 10:00 a.m.
in the fellowship hall.
·
The Our Redeemer Voters will hold the
annual budget and election meeting of the Voters on Sunday, October 5, after
worship.
·
A “Mom’s Group” meets on Mondays, October
6 and October 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer.
·
An Adult Fellowship Potluck is held the
first Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
In October this takes place on the 7th in the library.
·
A Fall Blessings Festival will be
held on Friday, October 10 at 6:00 p.m.
·
There is a “Mind, Body, and Soul Event”
for ladies at Our Redeemer on Saturday, October 18, from 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
·
There are other events planned as well. Watch the Our Redeemer calendar and
newsletter for information.
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.” We have been studying about the 10
commandments and will soon be studying about the church. Come and join us!
· Sunday
School began on Sunday, September 7! This
will be a blessing for ALL children and adults.
·
“Deeply Rooted Small Group” Is held at
Our Redeemer on Sunday evenings, October 5 and 19 at 5:45 p.m.
·
Confirmation classes will begin on
Sunday, October 12, after worship services.
Watch for more information.
Other Activities of Faith:
· MANY
CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using the
“Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” On Wednesday, September 17, we read 2
Corinthians 8 and 9.
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 Fishing! - I have been busy with church work.
- Garden - I did harvest on Saturday, September 13. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/PhbV7dhLKBC4n8yE8
- Fishing - I have not been fishing since Wednesday, September 10.
*******
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)
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