The Daily Devotionals of The Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church of Wichita, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 22 June 2016

The Daily Devotionals of The Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church of Wichita, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Today, Please pray for:

Cindy Karges Hastings Grace UMC Prairie Rivers District

Lee Wigert Holstein Grace UMC Juniata UMC Kenesaw UMC Prairie Rivers District

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Lectionary Readings
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 19, 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
4th Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide – Green
This Week's Lectionary:

1 Kings 19:1-15a
Psalm 42 and 43
 Galatians 3:23-29
Luke 8:26-39

Scripture Texts:
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: 1 Kings 19:1 Ach’av told Izevel everything Eliyahu had done and how he had put all the prophets to the sword. 2 Then Izevel sent a messenger to say to Eliyahu, “May the gods do terrible things to me and worse ones besides if by this time tomorrow I haven’t taken your life, just as you took theirs!” 3 On seeing that, he got up and fled for his life.

When he arrived in Be’er-Sheva, in Y’hudah, he left his servant there; 4 but he himself went a day farther into the desert, until he came to a broom tree. He sat down under it and prayed for his own death. “Enough!” he said. “Now, Adonai, take my life. I’m no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and went to sleep. Suddenly, an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on the hot stones and a jug of water. He ate and drank, then lay down again. 7 The angel came again, a second time, touched him and said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” 8 He got up, ate and drank, and, on the strength of that meal, traveled forty days and nights until he reached Horev the mountain of God.

9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. Then the word of Adonai came to him; he said to him, “What are you doing here, Eliyahu?” 10 He answered, “I have been very zealous for Adonai the God of armies, because the people of Isra’el have abandoned your covenant, broken down your altars and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I’m the only one left, and they’re coming after me to kill me too.” 11 He said, “Go outside, and stand on the mountain before Adonai”; and right then and there, Adonai went past. A mighty blast of wind tore the mountains apart and broke the rocks in pieces before Adonai, but Adonai was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake, but Adonai was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, fire broke out; but Adonai was not in the fire. And after the fire came a quiet, subdued voice. 13 When Eliyahu heard it, he covered his face with his cloak, stepped out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Then a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Eliyahu?” 14 He answered, “I have been very zealous for Adonai the God of armies; because the people of Isra’el have abandoned your covenant, broken down your altars and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I’m the only one left, and they’re after me to kill me too.”

15 Adonai said to him, “Go back by way of the Dammesek Desert. When you get there, anoint Haza’el to be king over Aram.

Psalm 42:(0) For the leader. A maskil of the descendants of Korach:

2 (1) Just as a deer longs for running streams,

God, I long for you.

3 (2) I am thirsty for God, for the living God!

When can I come and appear before God?

4 (3) My tears are my food, day and night,

while all day people ask me, “Where is your God?”

5 (4) I recall, as my feelings well up within me,

how I’d go with the crowd to the house of God,

with sounds of joy and praise from the throngs

observing the festival.

6 (5) My soul, why are you so downcast?

Why are you groaning inside me?

Hope in God, since I will praise him again

for the salvation that comes from his presence.

7 (6) My God, when I feel so downcast,

I remind myself of you

from the land of Yarden, from the peaks of Hermon,

from the hill Mizar.

8 (7) Deep is calling to deep

at the thunder of your waterfalls;

all your surging rapids and waves

are sweeping over me.

9 (8) By day Adonai commands his grace,

and at night his song is with me

as a prayer to the God of my life.

10 (9) I say to God my Rock,

“Why have you forgotten me?

Why must I go about mourning,

under pressure by the enemy?

11 (10) My adversaries’ taunts make me feel

as if my bones were crushed,

as they ask me all day long,

‘Where is your God?’ ”

12 (11) My soul, why are you so downcast?

Why are you groaning inside me?

Hope in God, since I will praise him again

for being my Savior and God.

Psalm 43:1Judge me, God, and plead my cause
against a faithless nation.
Rescue me from those who deceive
and from those who are unjust.
2 For you are the God of my strength;
why have you thrust me aside?
Why must I go about mourning,
under pressure by the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them be my guide;
let them lead me to your holy mountain,
to the places where you live.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and delight;
I will praise you on the lyre,
God, my God.
5 My soul, why are you so downcast?
Why are you groaning inside me?
Hope in God, since I will praise him again
for being my Savior and God.
Galatians 3:23 Now before the time for this trusting faithfulness came, we were imprisoned in subjection to the system which results from perverting the Torah into legalism, kept under guard until this yet-to-come trusting faithfulness would be revealed. 24 Accordingly, the Torah functioned as a custodian until the Messiah came, so that we might be declared righteous on the ground of trusting and being faithful. 25 But now that the time for this trusting faithfulness has come, we are no longer under a custodian.

26 For in union with the Messiah, you are all children of God through this trusting faithfulness; 27 because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah, in whom 28 there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor freeman, neither male nor female; for in union with the Messiah Yeshua, you are all one. 29 Also, if you belong to the Messiah, you are seed of Avraham and heirs according to the promise.

Luke 8:26 They sailed on and landed in the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite the Galil. 27 As Yeshua stepped ashore, a man from the town who had demons came to meet him. For a long time he had not worn clothes; and he lived, not in a house, but in the burial caves. 28 Catching sight of Yeshua, he screamed, fell down in front of him and yelled, “Yeshua! Son of God Ha‘Elyon! What do you want with me? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Yeshua had ordered the unclean spirit to come out of the man. It had often taken hold of him — he had been kept under guard, chained hand and foot, but had broken the bonds and been driven by the demon into the desert. 30 Yeshua asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he said, because many demons had entered him. 31 They begged Yeshua not to order them to go off into the Bottomless Pit.

32 Now there was a herd of many pigs, feeding on the hill; and the demons begged him to let them go into these. So he gave them permission. 33 The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, whereupon the herd rushed down the hillside into the lake and were drowned.

34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the town and in the country; 35 and the people came out to see for themselves. They came to Yeshua and found the man out of whom the demons had gone, sitting — dressed and in his right mind — at the feet of Yeshua; and they were frightened. 36 Those who had seen it told how the formerly demonized man had been delivered.

37 Then all the people of the Gerasene district asked him to leave them, for they had been seized with great fear. So he boarded the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged that he might go with him; but Yeshua sent him away, saying, 39 “Go back to your home and tell how much God has done for you.” He went away proclaiming throughout the whole town how much Yeshua had done for him.

John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: 1 Kings 19:1-15

Verse 1

[1] And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

All the prophets — Of Baal.

Verse 2

[2] Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

Jezebel sent — She gives him notice of it before hand: partly, out of the height of her spirit, as scorning to kill him secretly: partly, out of her impatience, till she had breathed out her rage: and principally, from God's all-disposing providence, that so he might have an opportunity of escaping.

Do to me, … — So far was she from being changed by that evident miracle, that she persists in her former idolatry, and adds to it a monstrous confidence, that in spight of God she would destroy his prophet.

Verse 3

[3] And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

Left his servant — Because he would not expose him to those perils and hardships which he expected: and because he desired solitude, that he might more freely converse with God.

Verse 4

[4] But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Into the wilderness — The vast wilderness of Arabia. He durst not stay in Judah, tho' good Jehosaphat reigned there, because he was allied to Ahab, and was a man of an easy temper, whom Ahab might circumvent, and either by force or art seize upon Elijah.

It is enough — I have lived long enough for thy service, and am not like to do thee any more service; neither my words nor works are like to do any good upon these unstable and incorrigible people.

I am not better — That I should continue in life, when other prophets who have gone before me, have lost their lives.

Verse 7

[7] And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

Angel of the Lord, … — He needed not to complain of the unkindness of men, when it was thus made up by the ministration of angels. Wherever God's children are, they are still under their father's eye.

Verse 8

[8] And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

And went — He wandered hither and thither for forty days, 'till at last he came to Horeb, which in the direct road was not above three or four days journey. Thither the spirit of the Lord led him, probably beyond his own intention, that he might have communion with God, in the same place that Moses had.

Verse 9

[9] And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Unto a cave — Perhaps the same wherein Moses was hid when the Lord passed before him, and proclaimed his name.

Verse 10

[10] And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

I have been, … — I have executed my office with zeal for God's honour, and with the hazard of my own life, and am fled hither, not being able to endure to see the dishonour done to thy name by their obstinate idolatry and wickedness.

I only — Of all thy prophets, who boldly and publickly plead thy cause: for the rest of thy prophets who are not slain, hide themselves, and dare not appear to do thee any service.

They seek my life — I despair of doing them any good: for instead of receiving my testimony, they hunt for my life. It does by no means appear, that he was at all to blame, for fleeing from Jezebel. If they persecute you in one city flee into another. Besides, the angels feeding and preparing him for his journey, and the peculiar blessing of God upon that food, indicated the divine approbation.

Verse 11

[11] And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

And behold — This is a general description of the thing, after which the manner of it is particularly explained.

Strong wind — Whereby he both prepares Elijah to receive this discovery of God with greatest humility, reverence, and godly fear; and signifies his irresistible power, to break the hardest hearts of the Israelites, and to bear down all opposition that was or should be made against him in the discharge of his office.

The Lord was not — The Lord did not vouchsafe his special and gracious presence to Elijah in that wind, which possibly was to teach him not to wonder if God did not accompany his terrible administration at mount Carmel with the presence of his grace, to turn the hearts of the Israelites to himself.

Verse 12

[12] And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

A still voice — To intimate, that God would do his work in and for Israel in his own time, not by might or power, but by his own spirit, Zechariah 4:6, which moves with a powerful, but yet with a sweet and gentle gale.

Verse 13

[13] And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

He wrapped, … — Through dread of God's presence, being sensibly that he was neither worthy nor able to endure the sight of God with open face.

And stood, … — Which God commanded him to do; and as he was going towards the mouth of the cave, he was affrighted and stopped in his course, by the dreadful wind, and earthquake, and fire; when these were past, he prosecutes his journey, and goeth on to the mouth of the cave

Psalm 42

Verse 1

[1] As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Panteth — After the enjoyment of thee in thy sanctuary.

Verse 2

[2] My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Thirsteth — Not after vain useless idols, but after the only true and living God.

Appear — In the place of his special presence and publick worship.

Verse 4

[4] When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy-day.

Remember — My banishment from God's presence, and mine enemies triumphs.

In me — I breathe out my sorrows and complaints to God within my own breast.

The multitudes — Israelites, who went thither in great numbers.

Holy-day — Or that kept the feast, the three solemn festival solemnities, which they kept holy unto the Lord.

Verse 5

[5] Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

For — Heb. for the salvations of his face, for those supports, deliverances and comforts which I doubt not I shall enjoy both in his presence and sanctuary, and from his presence, and the light of his countenance.

Verse 6

[6] O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Therefore — Therefore that I may revive my drooping spirits.

Remember — I will consider thy infinite mercy and power, and faithfulness.

Mizar — From all the parts of the land, to which I shall be driven; whether from the parts beyond Jordan on the east: or mount Hermon, which was in the northern parts.

Verse 7

[7] Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Deep — One affliction comes immediately after another, as if it were called for by the former. A metaphor taken from violent and successive showers of rain; which frequently come down from heaven, as it were at the noise, or call of God's water spouts.

Verse 8

[8] Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

Command — Will effectually confer upon me.

Loving-kindness — His blessings, the effects of his loving-kindness.

Verse 10

[10] As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

As — As a sword, which cutteth the very bones, so painful are their reproaches.

Psalm 43
Verse 1
[1] Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
Nation — So he calls the company of his enemies for their great numbers.
Man — Probably Achitophel or Absalom.
Verse 3
[3] O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Send out — That is, actually discover them.
Truth — Thy favour, or the light of thy countenance, and the truth of thy promises made to me; or the true-light, the illumination of thy spirit, and the direction of thy gracious providence, whereby I may be led in the right way, to thy holy hill.
Hill — Of Zion, the place of God's presence and worship.
Galatians 3:23-29

Verse 23

[23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

But before faith — That is, the gospel dispensation.

Came, we were kept — As in close custody.

Under the law — The Mosaic dispensation.

Shut up unto the faith which was to be revealed — Reserved and prepared for the gospel dispensation.

Verse 24

[24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto Christ — It was designed to train us up for Christ. And this it did both by its commands, which showed the need we had of his atonement; and its ceremonies, which all pointed us to him.

Verse 25

[25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

But faith — That is, the gospel dispensation. Being come, we are no longer under that schoolmaster - The Mosaic dispensation.

Verse 26

[26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For ye — Christians. Are all adult sons of God - And so need a schoolmaster no longer.

Verse 27

[27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

For as many of you as have testified your faith by being baptized in the name of Christ, have put on Christ - Have received him as your righteousness, and are therefore sons of God through him.

Verse 28

[28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

There is neither Jew nor Greek — That is, there is no difference between them; they are equally accepted through faith.

There is neither male nor female — Circumcision being laid aside, which was peculiar to males, and was designed to put a difference, during that dispensation, between Jews and gentiles.

Verse 29

[29] And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

If ye are Christ's — That is, believers in him.

Luke 8:26-39

Verse 26

[26] And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1.

Verse 29

[29] (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

For many times it had caught him — Therefore our compassionate Lord made the more haste to cast him out.

Verse 31

[31] And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

The abyss — That is, the bottomless pit.

Verse 32

[32] And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.

To enter into the swine — Not that they were any easier in the swine than out of them. Had it been so, they would not so soon have dislodged themselves, by destroying the herd.

Verse 37

[37] Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

Matthew 9:1; Mark 5:18.

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Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States

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Today's Daily Devotion is:
1 John 4:7 Beloved friends, let us love one another; because love is from God; and everyone who loves has God as his Father and knows God. 8 Those who do not love, do not know God; because God is love. 9 Here is how God showed his love among us: God sent his only Son into the world, so that through him we might have life. 10 Here is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the kapparah for our sins.
11 Beloved friends, if this is how God loved us, we likewise ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains united with us, and our love for him has been brought to its goal in us.
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Link to GBOD Devotional
Contact Information:
Great Plains Episcopal Office
9440 East Boston, Suite 160
Wichita Kansas 67207, United States
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org
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