What draws you to art? Is it the colors? the images? Have you ever been drawn to a work of art because of the words—not just the meaning of them, but how prettily the words are written?

The Old Testament Reading for the day is Genesis 15:1–6, where God promises Abraham that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the heavens. Our devotion comes from Day by Day in Genesis: 365 Devotional Readings from Martin Luther.

This Old Testament Reading for the day comes from the first two chapters of Ecclesiastes. Our devotional reading explores verse 2 of chapter 1, and comes from Ecclesiastes, Concordia Commentary.

Think back to when you were a child. Your day likely consisted of being woken up by your parents, playing with your toys, and eating grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. When the day was over, mom or dad might have read you a bedtime story, and that book may have been a book with an arch in the corner. For many Lutherans, this was a childhood staple.

Overview

The Book of 1 Thessalonians calls believers to live in the Gospel and fulfill their calling in the joy of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of Christ’s return—a tricky passage to interpret—but also reminds them to simply follow Christ’s example while they await His coming.

On July 30, the Church commemorates Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr. Barnes was a sixteenth-century Protestant born in 1495 in England. Our devotional reading comes from The Protestant Reformation: 1517–1559.

This Gospel comes from Luke 11, where Jesus introduces the Lord’s Prayer to His disciples. Our devotional reading comes from Luke 9:51–24:53, Concordia Commentary.

It is a complicated question. What makes a Lutheran? Belief in grace alone, faith alone, and Scripture alone is often used to describe the essence of a Lutheran. These three “solas” are a good overview of what Lutheranism is and what defines our relationship with God. Dr. Daniel E. Paavola addresses this and other questions about his new book Grace, Faith, Scripture: Portrait of a Lutheran.

Today we focus on the Old Testament Reading, Proverbs 31:10–31.

Today’s Gospel is Luke 10:38–42, which is the account of Jesus’ interaction with Mary and Martha. We focus on this text with a devotion from the Arch Book Jesus Visits Mary and Martha.