Today is August 2.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of Romans, chapter 3.   
  

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.   
  

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans is filled with rich and robust theological statements. How do you engage with ideas that are so complex? Do you feel overwhelmed by them? Or are you drawn to the work of understanding them? Think for a moment about how you tend to engage with scripture: more reflectively, or more studiously? With the head, or the heart? 
   
If I were summarizing this rich and complex passage, I would put it like this: When I could do nothing to get to God, God did everything to get to me. As you listen to this passage again, I wonder if you could summarize it in your own words. What stands out to you in these words?  
  
Paul writes deep truths out of a knowledge of who God is. Paul didn’t just know about God… Paul had an encounter with God… and that encounter spoke to both Paul’s heart and his mind… Do you have a sense of needing an encounter with God today?  As we close, talk to your heavenly Father as a child might talk to their good and gracious Father… asking for what you you need from Him.   
  
Music: As Children - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)