The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, June 24, 2018 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Jesus Stills a Storm
Mark 4:35-41

The Daily Readings

SUNDAY, June 24, 2018 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)

Greeting

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Phillipians 1:2

Prayer of the Day (Collect)

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

Trusting God's promise of forgiveness, let us confess our sins against God and one another.

Eternal God our creator, in you we live and move and have our being. Look upon us, your children, the work of your hands. Forgive us all our offenses, and cleanse us from proud thoughts and empty desires. By your grace draw us near to you, our refuge and our strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lessons

Old Testament

Job 38:1-11
38:1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? 8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?— 9 when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, 11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped’?

The Response

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 Confitemini Domino
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

and his mercy endures for ever.

2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim

that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.

3 He gathered them out of the lands;

from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

23 Some went down to the sea in ships

and plied their trade in deep waters;

24 They beheld the works of the Lord

and his wonders in the deep.

25 Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose,

which tossed high the waves of the sea.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths;

their hearts melted because of their peril.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards

and were at their wits' end.

28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper

and quieted the waves of the sea.

30 Then were they glad because of the calm,

and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.

31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy

and the wonders he does for his children.

32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people

and praise him in the council of the elders.

The Epistle

2 Corinthians 6:1-13
6:1 As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12 There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13 In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.

The Gospel

Mark 4:35-41
Jesus Stills a Storm
4:35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Apostle's Creed

We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

We believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ ore Lord. Amen.

Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

~ Numbers 6:24-26

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.
“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

“Perfect Peace in a Perfect Storm” - The Sermon for SUNDAY, June 24, 2018 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

“Perfect Peace in a Perfect Storm”

The Holy Gospel comes to us this morning from Mark the 4th chapter, beginning at the 35th verse.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Here ends the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ!

Grace and Peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus who is the Christ. Amen

"An artist was commissioned by a wealthy man to paint something that would depict peace. After a great deal of thought, the artist painted a beautiful country scene. There were green fields with cows standing in them, birds were flying in the blue sky and a lovely little village lay in a distant valley. The artist gave the picture to the man, but there was a look of disappointment on his face. The man said to the artist, " This isn’t a picture of true peace. It isn’t right. Go back and try again.

The artist went back to his studio, thought for several hours about peace, then went to his canvas and began to paint. When he was finished, there on the canvas was a beautiful picture of a mother, holding a sleeping baby in her arms, smiling lovingly at the child. He thought, surely, this is true peace, and hurried to give the picture to the wealthy man. But again, the wealthy an refused the painting and asked the painter to try again.

The artist returned again to his studio. He was discouraged, he was tired and he was disappointed. Anger swelled inside him, he felt the rejection of this wealthy man. Again, he thought, he even prayed for inspiration to paint a picture of true peace. Then, all of a sudden an idea came, he rushed to the canvas and began to paint as he had never painted before. When he finished, he hurried to the wealthy man.

He gave the painting to the man. He studied it carefully for several minutes. The artist held his breath. Then the wealthy man said, "Now this is a picture of true peace." He accepted the painting, paid the artist and everyone was happy.

And what was this picture of true peace?? The picture showed a stormy sea pounding against a cliff. The artist had captured the furry of the wind as it whipped black rain clouds which were laced with streaks of lightening. The sea was roaring in turmoil, waves churning, the dark sky filled with the power of the furious thunderstorm. And in the middle of the picture, under a cliff, the artist had painted a small bird, safe and dry in her nest snuggled safely in the rocks. The bird was at peace midst the storm that raged about her."

Peace, tranquility, calmness, these are the emotions which each we seek as we experience the storms of life. We long, we search for peace. We search for the quiet, the calm, the contentment as we experience the storms, the chaos, the uncertainties of life.

As we live with all the brokenness of sin, with all the tension of this sinful world, we cry out, we long for some peace to somehow insulate, or protect us from all the fury around us. We are very much like that wealthy man, searching, dreaming, wanting peace in the middle of the fury of life. We search, we long, for that peace. We even call out as the disciples did to Jesus in that sinking boat, we call out to God for peace, for comfort. We call out to God, wondering if He is around, wondering if He is sleeping while we are searching.

The question asked more often by human beings is always some variation on this theme,’Where are you, God?" Or "God, are you sleeping?" or "God, are you dead?" or God, do you hear me?" or "God, why don’t you answer me?"

And God’s answer, God’s only answer, God’s answer that we can only understand is this: "I am in the midst of you through the crucified Christ" Yes, I am here, I am with you as I was with my Son on the cross of Calvary."

Our Old Testament Lesson and our gospel lesson focus for us this morning on that question, "Where is God in the tumult of life?" Job asks that question of God as he is suffering, the disciples ask that question of Jesus as they are sinking with their boat into the Sea of Galilee.

"Don’t you care, aren’t you concerned with our plight, why am I suffering like this," are the questions which beg for an answer in our lessons this morning.

Jesus and the disciples were crossing the sea when a sudden storm broke upon them. The disciples became afraid as the wind blew, and the fury of the storm began to fill the boat with water. These were seasoned fishermen, they had experienced these kinds of storms before, but this one was different, it was worse than they had ever experienced. They used their skills, but still they were sinking.

Then in the middle of the storm, they thought about Jesus, where was he. He was in the stern of the boat sleeping on a pillow. Jesus had that sure confidence in the peace of God which allowed Him to sleep even though the storms of life, even this storm of the sea as it was raging all about him.

But the disciples didn’t have that peace, they were afraid, they wondered if Jesus even cared for them as they awoke Him with this question "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?"

They soon saw Jesus’ caring as He awoke and spoke to the wind and the sea saying: "Peace’ Be Still!"’ Then the sea calmed, the winds stopped there was peace.

Then Jesus asked the disciples a question: "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?"

Jesus had peace, he was not afraid because He had faith in the Father to protect and provide for Him.

He wanted His disciples to have that same peace. A peace that knows that no matter what circumstances in life we may find ourselves, God is in control, so there is peace. Peace does come, peace is equal to faith in the power of God to control, to provide. The disciples saw the power of God in nature as Jesus calmed the storm. That same power is present in all circumstances of life. There is peace to life when we believe in and trust in the power of God to be with us, to guide us, to save us from all the storms of life.

The disciples were afraid because they could only see the storm, their eyes we fixed on that storm. It was difficult for them to have any peace when they were focused on the storm. The problem for the disciples and our problem is not the storms of life but where our attention is placed. It’s hard to see the Christ in the boat when our attention is riveted on the waves outside the boat. When our attention is so consumed by the storms of life so that we cannot see Christ, or turn to Him, or trust in Him, then there is no peace, no contentment, but only worry and despair.

For example: "A story from the days of sailing ships, tell about a ship caught in a sudden and severe storm. The passengers became panicky, rushing here and there as the waves beat upon the ship. There was fear and dread on the faces of all the passengers except one little boy, who remained calm and cheerful. When asked why he was so calm, he said,"Why should I be afraid? My father is at the helm." In order words, he was not afraid, because his father was in control..

So, too, with us we face the storms of life. We need not be afraid, or full of despair, because God, through His Son Jesus Christ, is in control. God is at the helm of life. We need to believe and trust in His power to guide our lives.

Job, in our first lesson, learned of this power of God to be in control of life as God encountered Job in the whirlwind. Job comes to God with his questions of why. Why did he have to suffer? Was there something he did wrong that he deserved this suffering? He came to God, he, in a sense challenged God with his questions.

And what does God do? He comes to Job in a whirlwind and God asks Job questions. God asks if Job had been present at the beginning of time, was Job present at creation, did he have a hand in creating the world? God asked Job if he was the one to control the seas, if he was the one who created the rain and clouds? God came to Job in all of His power and reminded Job of that power, reminded him that humankind cannot understand the mind or the workings of God.

The text doesn’t say Job’s reply, but if we read further we see that the only reply Job had was to fall on his knees in humble subjection. When he finally saw and encountered God, Job saw his own helplessness and lack of wisdom. Job remained faithful to God in all of his trials, but he never came to a point where he didn’t trust or believe in God’s power to deliver or save him.

So, with us, as we face the unanswered questions, as we face the whys, the how comes, as we face suffering, as we face the tragedies of life.

It is not that we disbelieve God’s ability to do anything to save. We all too frequently fail to trust the power He has. We come to God with our human condition of sin. We come to God with our inability to really understand God, so we give up. We question, we ask, we search, but we don’t wait for an answer.

"God calls us to faith, but we prefer to hope for miracles..

"Surely we say, "Our Creator, who supports the earth’s foundations, can arrest the storm in a moment. He has before; perhaps he will again."

But if our prayer is a one-dimensional request for a miraculous calm, we may let ourselves in for a large helping of disappointment and despair if God’s plan dictates some thing different from our request.

The prayer of faith will include a second dimension that God will help us, hear his voice in the storm. His voice which says loud and clear, I am with you, I am with you."

As Job found out, as the disciples found out the only answer to our questions about life comes with a simple but powerful answer, "I am with you, period."

That is all we need to know our God is with us as we face all the why questions of life.

Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Lord, Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of You. Let us be more aware of Your Presence in the now. We fix our eyes upon You Jesus, and rest as You calm our hearts and minds in the midst of whatever storm we are going through. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. Sermon written by Pastor Tim Zingale on June 19, 2006.
Peace, tranquility, calmness, these are the emotions which each we seek as we experience the storms of life.

The Morning Prayer for SUNDAY, June 24, 2018 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Lord, Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of You. Let us be more aware of Your Presence in the now. We fix our eyes upon You Jesus, and rest as You calm our hearts and minds in the midst of whatever storm we are going through. In Jesus Name.

Amen

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, June 24, 2018

Mark 4:40 (NIV) He (Jesus) said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Read all of Mark 4

Listen to Mark 4

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - Mis amigos

Mis amigos

Yo soy el que por amor a mí mismo borra tus transgresiones y no se acuerda más de tus pecados.

~ Isaías 43:25 (NVI)

Dios me ha inquietado de una manera muy especial a tener un acercamiento con nuestros amigos que se encuentran en diferentes centros de corrección.

Con sus cartas, me dicen que se sienten muy agradecidos cuando nos acordamos de ellos, elevamos una oración a su favor o cuando dejamos cualquier cosa que sea importante y vamos a conocerles.

Quiero hacer un reconocimiento a mis nuevos amigos y sé que Dios nos hablará cuando les exprese las cosas que me han conmovido y me han enseñado a sentir misericordia, ternura y cariño por cada uno de ellos.

Víctor ha sido un regalo conocerlo después que me escribiera para informarme que fue cabecilla de las Maras Salvatruchas. En su carta de corazón abierto, me cuenta de todos los pactos que hizo con el enemigo y de qué manera engañan a los jóvenes para que caigan en el mundo cruel de las pandillas. También me explica lo que le llevó a estar en peligro de muerte hasta que cayó preso. Hoy en día, con solo veintiún años de edad y en prisión, se ha reconciliado con Dios y ha comenzado el cambio en su vida.

He tenido el privilegio de conocer a Víctor, de conversar con él, de orar juntos y poder escuchar cómo a gritos quisiera que todos los jóvenes que andan en malos pasos se alejen y no terminen en la cárcel como él.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Dios me ha inquietado de una manera muy especial a tener un acercamiento con nuestros amigos que se encuentran en diferentes centros de corrección.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - STRENGTH FROM THE BIBLE

STRENGTH FROM THE BIBLE

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

~ Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

In Eritrea, the government restricts the freedom of religion of faith groups. The only groupings permitted are the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church and Islam. Everyone who is caught at a meeting of believers outside these four official religious groups, even in a private house, can be arrested, tortured and put under pressure to renounce his faith.

Thousands of Christians are being held at police stations, in containers, at military bases and in prisons. Even though many of them have been held for years, none of them has had a trial. In many cases, Christians are also beaten or abused in some other way.

Isaac is one of these prisoners. He heard about God’s love from soldiers in the military unit in which he was fighting during the war with Ethiopia. On the basis of their testimony, he decided to become a Christian and was secretly slipped a Bible. He buried it in the sand and when he had the opportunity, he read the Word of God somewhere outside the army camp. He tried to do so as inconspicuously as possible, but one day he was discovered.

Almost from his first day as a Christian, he was persecuted. He was tortured and even left out in the burning sun, but he refused to renounce his faith. God’s love and God’s Word had become too important for him. In the end, he was locked up, just like other Christian prisoners in Eritrea. He has become a living legend, because he has held on to his faith.

A number of Christian prisoners, who are being held in containers, have been given Bibles in secret. They have divided them into portions, and in this way, each believer has a small part of the Bible. When the container is closed, it is too dark to read. But as soon as the doors are opened to let in some air or to hand out food, something amazing happens. The prisoners do not immediately run outside for fresh air or to eat. First they inconspicuously hold their portions of the Bible to the light in order quickly to be able to read a few verses and to be strengthened by God’s Word.

RESPONSE: Today I will treasure my freedom to read and meditate on God’s Word.

PRAYER: Lord, I pray Your Spirit of Peace upon my brothers and sisters in prison today in Eritrea. May they be encouraged by Your Word!

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Devotion - June 24, 2018 - Little Things Add Up

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Little Things Add Up"

June 24, 2018

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

~ Romans 5:15-17 (ESV)

Whenever I think of plastic drinking straws, and I seldom do, it seems to me the straw is a small, an almost insignificant and inconsequential, item.

Which is why I was quite shocked to hear the response of environmental leaders when they were told that, as of September, in Ireland and the United Kingdom, McDonald's is going to begin using paper drinking straws. Countries like France, Norway, Sweden, Australia, and the United States are going to be conducting tests to see if they can do the same.

Amazingly, environmentalists called this a "significant contribution" to going green. I wondered what do they know that I don't? A little research showed

1. the McDonald's of Ireland and England use 1.8 million plastic straws every day;

2. it can take straws hundreds of years to decompose;

3. only one percent of straws are recycled and, worldwide, plastic straws are the sixth most common type of litter.

In earthly or in spiritual matters, there are times when making changes in little things can make a big difference. For example,

1. when Adam and Eve chomped down on the forbidden fruit, they probably thought their disobedience was a little thing. It wasn't. It was a very big thing. Indeed, their act of disobedience introduced sin and death into the world.

2. when Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness, Satan's suggestion to turn stones into bread might have seemed like a trivial thing. Yes, Jesus could have felt that way, but He didn't. He knew that to disobey one part of the Lord's Laws is to disobey them all.

Because the Lord resisted that temptation -- along with everything else the devil and the world threw up against Him during the course of His life -- He was able to fulfill the Law and do for us that which we could not do for ourselves.

Jesus has completed the work of redemption the Father had entrusted to Him. Because He has, there is now forgiveness and salvation for all whom the Holy Spirit brings to faith in the risen Redeemer.

And that, my friends is not a small thing!

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I rejoice in the sacrifice made by the Savior. In little things and large, He has successfully completed the work given to Him. Through His work I am forgiven, granted salvation and life eternal. In Jesus, I give thanks. Amen.

The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Jen Gidman for Newser on June 15, 2018. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://www.newser.com/story/260674/plastic-straws-on-their-way-out-at-mcdonalds.html

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Whenever I think of plastic drinking straws, and I seldom do, it seems to me the straw is a small, an almost insignificant and inconsequential, item.

Notre Pain Quotidien - Le réconfort d’une amie

Le réconfort d’une amie

Lisez : Job 2.7-13

La Bible en un an : Job 1 – 2 ; Actes 7.22-43

Et ils se tinrent […] sans lui dire une parole, car ils voyaient combien sa douleur était grande. (V. 13)

J’ai lu quelque chose au sujet d’une mère qui s’était étonnée de voir sa fille rentrer de l’école couverte de boue de la taille jusqu’aux pieds. Celle‑ci lui avait expliqué qu’une amie avait glissé dans une flaque de boue. Tandis qu’une autre compagne de classe courait chercher de l’aide, la fillette s’était sentie désolée pour son amie assise toute seule à tenir son genou. La fille de cette dame était donc allée s’asseoir dans la flaque avec son amie jusqu’à l’arrivée d’une enseignante.

Lorsque Job a vécu la perte dévastatrice de ses enfants et que des ulcères douloureux lui ont couvert le corps, sa souffrance était accablante. La Bible nous dit que trois de ses amis avaient voulu le consoler. Après être allés le retrouver, « ils élevèrent la voix et pleurèrent. Ils déchirèrent leurs manteaux, et ils jetèrent de la poussière en l’air au‑dessus de leur tête. Et ils se tinrent assis à terre auprès de lui sept jours et sept nuits, sans lui dire une parole, car ils voyaient combien sa douleur était grande » (JOB 2.12,13).

Au début, les amis de Job lui ont témoigné une compréhension remarquable. Ils ont senti que tout ce dont Job avait besoin, c’était que quelqu’un s’assoie et pleure avec lui. Les trois hommes se mettront à parler dans les chapitres suivants. L’ironie, c’est que lorsque ces amis ouvriront la bouche, ce sera finalement pour mal conseiller Job (16.1‑4).

Le mieux à faire pour consoler un ami qui souffre consiste souvent à s’asseoir avec lui et à partager sa douleur.

La présence d’un ami est d’un grand réconfort pour celui qui souffre.

par Lisa Samra

© 2018 Ministères NPQ
J’ai lu quelque chose au sujet d’une mère qui s’était étonnée de voir sa fille rentrer de l’école couverte de boue de la taille jusqu’aux pieds.