Taking Faith Home

AUGUST 2, 2026 TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST God’s generosity gives us joy. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Tuesday Matthew 14:13-21 Isaiah 55:1-5 Romans 9:1-5 Wednesday Proverbs 28:25-27 Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Psalm 37:18-28 1 Timothy 6:11-19 Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 Matthew 14:22-33 SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: Dear God, we thank you for inviting us to the banquet feast that has no end and is filled with joy and life in your presence through our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: Dear God, the eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. Amen. (Psalm 145:15-16) A Blessing to Give: May God fill you with peace and joy. © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. HYMN OF THE WEEK God Bless to Us Our Bread WEEKLY MILESTONES Take a moment to tell or think about a recent mountain high and/or valley low in your life. CARING CONVERSATIONS Jesus feeds the five thousand Discuss in your home, small group, or use for personal reflections:  What dream have you had that came true?  How do your dreams and desires reflect your faith in Christ? An invitation to abundant life God’s choice of Israel The law of God makes sense Trust the Lord The good fight of faith The Lord is kind and merciful Jesus walks on water DEVOTIONS Read: Isaiah 55:1-5 and Matthew 14:13-21. Feasting is a biblical image of God’s providence and grace. In Matthew 14, Jesus is feeding the masses, not just five thousand people, but five thousand men plus the women and children. This happens right after the beheading of John the Baptist at another feast, the birthday banquet of King Herod. Just as Jesus’ banquet is a far cry from other earthly feasts, so is God’s invitation to eat and drink without payment. God’s offer of this life-giving nourishment is free. Isaiah 55 includes a challenge to all who want glory and feasting: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (v. 2). Isaiah gets to the heart of the dilemma in our lives: pursuing that which is not important, not essential. Since the time when Jesus fed the masses, God has reached out to all people with the promise of true joy envisioned in a banquet feast that never ends. Discuss: What is something you have pursued that is not essential to our lives? Pray: God of abundant joy, help us to remember and believe that your kingdom gives us a joy like no other through Christ our Lord. Amen. SERVICE Jesus calls us to serve our neighbor in love. Based on the Daily Bible Readings and theme for this week, how can you support those who are homeless and in need of food? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS God’s love and care for people is shown in the Bible with stories of meals and feasts. Think or talk about a time you hosted a meal in your home or helped someone else host a meal in your community. In what ways did you care for the guests? When did you feel the presence of God’s love? Write a list of words that describe how you felt and what you enjoyed the most about hosting the meal. Pause for a moment and consider when you could host a meal again for friends or a neighbor. Pray: Lord, help me to find joy in your abundant care for us. Amen. In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org