Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – July 25, 2016

matthew26-41

Joshua 7:1–13; Romans 13:8–14; Matthew 26:36–46

A restaurant was recently featured in the news for offering a unique discount. It was not a discount for students or seniors. Instead, if the server observed a customer praying over their meal they received a fifteen percent discount.

St. Paul writes, “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 13:14). Praying (in public or private) is one way to clothe ourselves in thanksgiving and praise to God. Outward expressions of our Christian faith are not for the purpose of drawing attention to ourselves. But, when we engage in holy conversation with God (in public or private), we embrace and display an important garment modeled for us by Christ himself: Love of God and love of neighbor. Whereas an unexpected restaurant discount is always a nice surprise, a debt paid in full because of God’s love for us is worth a lifetime of gratefulness. And it is one-size-fits-all.

Prayer: Let our light so shine before others that they may see our good works and glorify you, our Father, in heaven. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Ken Reed, Pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church, China Grove, NC.

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