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Mini-Worship
July 2-7, 2024
Take a few deep breaths and center yourself and quiet down.
Entering the presence of God
(M) Cast your cares on the LORD
(W) Lord is the one who sustains me
(All) Surely the Lord is my help.
Adoration :
God, praise your unceasing mercy toward us. You have given us a love in Christ and nothing could separate us from this love in our all circumstances. At the time when we do not know how to pray, you still have the Holy Spirit pray for us Thanks for your constant care. We can find calmness in you. We praise you. Amen.
Scripture Reading
Mark 4:35-41(NIV)
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Thoughts to share and to ponder
It was the end of the day. Jesus and his disciples had a fruitful day. By that time these disciples had heard many about the teachings of kingdom of God. They had seen many miracles of kingdom of God. Surely being with Jesus was an awesome experience.
Now they were on a familiar water way in their business trip. They were tired. Jesus was especially so. He fell to sleep easily. Then a storm came all sudden. Waves rushed into the boat and quickly water almost filled up it. These disciples who had been fishermen quickly recognized its immediate threatening to their safety and lives. In crisis, they by instinct called upon Jesus in sleeping, "Don't you care if we drown?"
They were brought into a new learning. In their shock, fear, panic, urgency, they learned to know and feel how those people who came to Jesus in their vulnerable, desperate, confused and troubled moments. They became able to extend empathy, respect, and genuine to those who would come to them. They also entered a personal knowledge of Jesus and of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God was no longer either a lecture to others or a remote utopia. The kingdom of God was indeed here and now for everyone. The kingdom of God came in the person of Jesus. The one who calmed the wind and hushed the waves was the same one who cared for their life and living.
We live in a world and time with so many storms-natural disasters, economic fluctuations, health crises, relation discords, policy changes, emotional outbursts etc... These storms push us into a storm in our souls. Are we having tomorrow? Can we keep going on? What to do with this mess? Where do we find help to sustain us? Oftentimes, we turn our frustrations to a God-quest. Where was he? Where is he? Did he sleep? Is he sleeping? Will it be too late to call him? This scripture reminds us that Jesus has great mercy on us. He is with us even in our difficult moment. And he sees our misery and urgency. He is much willing to save us. We can look up to him, pouring our fears, calling for help, hearing his words and experiencing the calmness that his disciples experienced. We will be able to get out of storm, come to safe land and continue our life journey with faith and strength.
The kingdom of God has come in the person of Jesus. It is not impersonal. It is not lofty and remote. Indeed it is active and very near to us. We naturally are weak. But we can become strong because this kingdom of God is with us and in us as we confess that Jesus is our Savior and our Lord. Being the children of God in the place where we are placed, we can become the instruments of calming storms and giving hope to the people around us through the presence of the kingdom of God in our knowledge, skills, characters, and entire person.
Prayer Suggestions:
In the storm of life, we have a loving God who knows the storm and who is able to calm it. Come to have faith and do not fear to call upon for help. He cares.
The Lord of Gospel, we realize that the peace in our lives and the calmness of our living are from you. They are the manifestation of your sovereign caring grace. Thanks. We pray in the name of Jesus.
Benediction
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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