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July 8, 2026

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Bruce Reyes-Chow   |   Read Psalm 119:108 , Read Matthew 13:18-23

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Lectionary Week
July 6–12, 2026
Scripture Overview

Psalm 119 will serve for us as a pathway of insight into the intertwined and multiple truths that can be revealed when one text is seen through the lens of another. Through a verse of the psalm each day, we’ll explore the failures and successes represented in the other scriptures. In Genesis, Jacob should feed his brother out of care and concern, but he takes advantage of the situation and robs Esau of his birthright. Paul in Romans contrasts the life of the flesh and the life in the Spirit. Without the power of God, we are doomed to repeat our mistakes in the flesh, but the Spirit sets us free. Jesus reminds us in Matthew that the effectiveness of the gospel is not based on our efforts. We sow the seed, but we cannot control whether it takes root.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Psalm 119:105-112. How do you listen and look for how God may be revealing the path that God yearns for you to follow?
Read Genesis 25:19-34. How might you resist the pull to take advantage of another’s desperation (people you know or people with whom you share no adjacency) for your own benefit?
Read Romans 8:1-11. In a world constantly competing for your imagination, intelligence, and integrity, when have you embraced and navigated the divine call to faith that has been gifted to you?
Read Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. Knowing that none of us thrives or “succeeds” one hundred percent of the time, when has your life and faith felt like each of the seeds in this parable?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Psalm 119:108

108 Please, LORD, accept my spontaneous gifts of praise. Teach me your rules!

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Matthew 13:18-23

18 “Consider then the parable of the farmer. 19 Whenever people hear the word about the kingdom and don’t understand it, the evil one comes and carries off what was planted in their hearts. This is the seed that was sown on the path. 20 As for the seed that was spread on rocky ground, this refers to people who hear the word and immediately receive it joyfully. 21 Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away. 22 As for the seed that was spread among thorny plants, this refers to those who hear the word, but the worries of this life and the false appeal of wealth choke the word, and it bears no fruit. 23 As for what was planted on good soil, this refers to those who hear and understand, and bear fruit and produce—in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one.”

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

When Jesus explains the parable of the sower, he is clear that the different types of ground represent different receptions of his message. We often look at this parable to consider where and how we spread the word of Christ’s kingdom. But we can consider how we receive word of...

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Pray a breath prayer. As you inhale, pray, “God, you reveal your path.” As you exhale, pray, “I will follow with curiosity.”


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