Daily Devotion

Voice: Shivdas

Today is Monday, 14th of July. Take a moment to be still in His presence.

We pray:

Almighty and everlasting Father,
we thank you that you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day.
Keep us from falling into sin or running into danger;
order us in all our doings;
and guide us to do always what is right in your eyes:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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We join the psalmist in praying the words of Psalm 82:1-4

God has taken his place in the divine council;
    in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
² “How long will you judge unjustly
    and show partiality to the wicked? 
³ Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
    maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
⁴ Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.

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Scripture Reading is Romans 14: 13-19

¹³ Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. ¹⁴ I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. ¹⁵ For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. ¹⁹ So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

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Reflection

Is Anything Spiritually Unclean?

Is there any food or drink that is spiritually unclean for the Christian?

The answer from Romans 14:14 is clear:

“I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.”

In Christ, no food or drink is inherently unclean. We are not under Old Testament dietary laws. Eating or drinking something, in and of itself, is not a sin. For a believer, there is no spiritual contamination that comes from what we consume. The heart, not the stomach, is what matters before God.

Yet Paul adds an important qualification:

“But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.” (v.14b)

This is where the principle of love over liberty comes in. Even if something is permissible for you, if it causes someone else to stumble, grieve, or weaken in faith, then love calls you to refrain—not for your sake, but for theirs.

This principle applies far beyond food and drink. Consider this:
You may be a mature Christian who no longer sees Sunday attendance as absolutely essential. But a newer believer, or a younger family member, is watching. Your choices may shape their understanding of faith and community. If your freedom becomes their excuse to drift away, then you’ve unknowingly become a stumbling block.

In today’s culture of hyper-individualism, it can feel strange to say:
“Yes, I am my brother’s keeper.”

But Scripture teaches us that we do not live to ourselves alone. We belong to Christ—and to each other. Our freedoms are real, but so is our responsibility to walk in love.

“If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.” (Romans 14:15)

So let us ask ourselves:

• Does my behaviour build others up—or quietly tear them down?
• Am I using my freedom for love—or for self?
• Can I joyfully give up what is permissible—for the sake of what is eternal?

Christian maturity is not seen in how much freedom we claim, but in how much love we show.

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We pray the Collect for today:

Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts
whereby we call you Father:
give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, 
that we and all creation may be brought
to the glorious liberty of the children of God;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

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Be blessed by this song, Love One Another

Love one another as I have loved you.
Care for each other, I have cared for you.

Bear each other′s burdens. Bind each other’s wounds;
and so you will know my return.
My friends, do you know what I have done for you?
I have washed your feet with my hands.

If I, your Lord, have knelt at your feet,
you should do at each other′s feet as I have done for you.
Love one another as I have loved you.
Care for each other, I have cared for you.

Bear each other’s burdens. Bind each other’s wounds;
and so you will know my return.

When the world will hate you and revile you
when they laugh at your care for the poor,
when they hold you in darkness and imprison your tongues,
remember how they listened to me.

Love one another as I have loved you.
Care for each other, I have cared for you.
Bear each other′s burdens. Bind each other′s wounds;
and so you will know my return.

Link to today’s Morning Office

About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen.

Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.

For feedback, please write to us at info@mpcc.org.sg