Prayer for Today, Sunday, July 10

Empowering God,

Much in our culture draws us away from You. We are encouraged to be self-serving, self-centered consumers. Gadgets and trinkets that make life “easy” are waved before us. Those ageing and ill are removed from our sight and many are forgotten. Wealth is worshipped and the dollar has become an idol. Forgive our compliance, O Lord. May we look to Jesus as our model, the One who dealt with outcasts, sinners, the sick and the poor. As Christians, may we critique the values of the dominant culture and become agents of Your peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
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The General Assembly is underway. Centralites present are Valerie Driscoll, Devon McAnally, Nancy Phillips, Carolyn and me. Already we have seen numerous colleagues and friends. Please pray for the Assembly.

Congratulations to Haley Steinert and Justin Williams who were married yesterday in our Sanctuary.

The scripture for today is Romans 3:21-31:
But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

The Psalm for this week is Psalm 11:
In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains;
for look, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
The LORD is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence.
On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore