Beneficent God,
Create in us a clean heart, O God. And renew a right spirit within us. The words of love and forgiveness easily roll off our tongues, but the actions are more difficult. It is easy to identify and criticize the sins of others. It is easy to stand in judgment, but may we always be reminded of Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee recounts all his righteous acts in his prayer and thanks You, O God, that he is not a sinner like the tax collector. The tax collector simply prays for mercy because he is a sinner. Jesus said the tax collector went away justified, not the Pharisee. Forgive us, O Lord, when we presume our righteous acts place us above the known sinner. Humble us, Dear Lord, to realize our actions show others: the unchurched, the marginalized, and the “sinners” the nature of our Christianity. May our words, thoughts and deeds draw them closer to You, not drive them away. May we exhibit the true nature of the Christian faith rooted in the life of Jesus. It is in His name we pray. AMEN.
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Both Barb Lund and Gene Brintnall had outpatient surgery yesterday. They are recovering in their homes.
Maggie Bartlett and Willo Clark are improving.
Please pray for all our hospitalized.
The men’s Walk to Emmaus is progressing nicely.
Please bring a friend to church with you tomorrow.
The scripture reading for today is Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17:
Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.” She said to her, “All that you tell me I will do.”
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
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