In today’s first reading God uses the Gentile ruler Cyrus to accomplish divine purposes. When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. To gather for worship reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves in the service of God and for the sake of the world.
Prayer:
Sovereign God, raise your throne in our hearts. Created by you, let us live in your image; created for you, let us act for your glory; redeemed by you, let us give you what is yours, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Readings:
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13]
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
This Week's Readings
| Monday | Daniel 3:1-18 Revelation 18:1-10 | Psalm 98 |
| Tuesday | Daniel 3:19-30 Revelation 18:21-24 | Psalm 98 |
| Wednesday | Daniel 6:1-28 Matthew 17:22-27 | Psalm 98 |
| Thursday | Numbers 5:5-10 Titus 1:5-16 | Psalm 1 |
| Friday | Deuteronomy 9:25-10:5 Titus 2:7-8;11- 15 | Psalm 1 |
| Saturday | Proverbs 24:23-34 John 5:39-47 | Psalm 1 |
