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Rejoicing

In the Word

“… I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10b).

Of the Word

Between 2005 and 2007, how much loose change was left behind at airport metal detectors?
A little over a million dollars

Hard to believe that people would leave behind more than a million dollars, but according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration that is how much change was collected in three years. Of course, chances are no one person left behind much money — a penny here, a nickel there, some quarters and dimes. Together they added up to a hefty sum.

Though it takes the same amount of effort to pick up a penny, a quarter, or even a hundred dollar bill, many people won’t stoop to pick up a coin. “It isn’t worth it,” they say.

God’s view, however, is different. To God, all people have equal value. When a wayward sinner repents, the Bible tells us that even the angels are thrilled. “… I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10b).

God will never leave you behind. Whether you walk with Him daily or try to run from Him at every turn, He is always looking out for you because He knows exactly where you are. 

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father, thank You for loving me and making me Your special child. Help me live confidently, knowing You will never leave me behind like unwanted change. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 8/29 ©2011 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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The Seed of Faith

In the Word

“… I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20b).

Of the Word

What is the only fruit with seeds on the outside of its skin?
A strawberry!

Most fruits have their seeds on the inside. Only when they are cut open can the seeds of dozens of other fruits be seen.

People can be a lot like those fruits with hidden seeds. God’s Holy Spirit plants the seed of faith deep within our hearts. He reminds us of the importance and power of that small seed of faith that makes such a huge difference in our lives. Jesus told His disciples, “… I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20b).

The seed of faith that God’s Holy Spirit plants within us bears fruit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23a). Once people see this fruit in our lives, they are very likely to know about the seed of faith inside us.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father in heaven, thank You for the seed of faith planted in my heart. Fill me with the Holy Spirit’s power so that I can be a fruit-bearer for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 7/29 ©2011 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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God Loves Me Dearly

In the Word

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9–10).

Of the Word

God loves me dearly, Grants me salvation,
God loves me dearly, Loves even me.
Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly,
God loves me dearly, Loves even me.

In simple words, this ageless hymn tells the story of salvation granted to us in our Lord and Savior Jesus because we were “in slav’ry, Sin, death, and darkness.”

We were in bondage to sin and blinded by it and we could not save ourselves of its consequences. However, God “sent forth … Jesus, my Savior,” who “Paid all I owed.” We have been redeemed and set free from the slavery of sin. Our chains have been loosed and we are no longer blind! We look forward to praising our Savior and spending eternity in heaven with Him.

How amazing it is that “God loves me dearly, Loves even me”!

Walking with my Lord

I praise You, O God, for Your unconditional, impartial, incomprehensible love that has set me free. By Your powerful Spirit move me to dwell in that love and then to spread the Good News about You and Your love to others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 6/31. Hymn Text: LSB 392. ©2011  Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
All hymns are public domain with the text reprinted from Lutheran Service Book, ©2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.

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Glory be To God the Father

In the Word

… to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 25).

Of the Word

Glory be to God the Father,
Glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit:
Great Jehovah, Three in One!
Glory, glory While eternal ages run!

This joyful hymn opens with these words of praise to the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is mysteriously Three Persons in One God.

God — the Father who created us, the Son who redeemed us, the Spirit who gives and keeps us in faith — deserves all our honor and glory! The word glory is used 19 times in this hymn. The words also urge us to glorify and praise our Lord every day of our lives.

“Glory, blessing, praise eternal! Thus the choir of angels sings; Honor, riches, pow’r, dominion! Thus its praise creation brings. Glory, glory, Glory to the King of kings!”

Walking with my Lord

Triune God — Father, Son, and Spirit — move me to give all glory, honor, and praise to You, through what I say and think and do. Build my faith in You through Your Word and make my life a hymn of praise to Your glory. In Jesus’ worship-inspiring name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 5/31. Hymn Text: LSB 506. ©2011  Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
All hymns are public domain with the text reprinted from Lutheran Service Book, ©2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.

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Crown Him with Many Crowns

In the Word

… God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9–11).

Of the Word

Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless king Through all eternity.

This majestic hymn shows us visions of heavenly grandeur. The King of the Universe is sitting upon His heavenly throne and we give Him all glory and praise.

King Jesus is identified specifically throughout the hymn. He is the Lamb who died for our sins. He is “the virgin’s Son, The God incarnate born” and the “Lord of love.” He is the “Lord of life, Who triumphed over the grave” and He is the “Lord of heav’n, Enthroned in worlds above.”

What a wonderful Lord He is! How privileged we are to be the people of Christ’s kingdom! “Crown Him with many crowns As thrones before Him fall; Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, For He is king of all.”

Walking with my Lord

Lord, I ask You to keep me strong in faith so that I may use the gifts You have given me to help spread Your kingdom of grace and love. In Your royal name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 4/31. Hymn Text: LSB 525. ©2011  Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
All hymns are public domain with the text reprinted from Lutheran Service Book, ©2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.

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How, Lord … can I be more loving?

In the Word

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

Of the Word

Jesus did not suggest we love each other — He commands we do it. So does that include showing love to the car mechanic who swears and smells bad, the check-out girl with all the tattoos and piercings, and the woman in the office who gossips about each of us, and my enemies? Yes, it does. The command is “love each other” (John 15:12b).

In His command Jesus is not talking about emotional love. He is talking about love in action: the kind of love that is more patient and forgiving, a love that will not react in anger to the gossip in the office, a love that uses kind words and shows a smile to the car mechanic and check-out girl, a love that is not prejudiced, a love that is not too busy to listen to someone who is hurting.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). This love in action is a learned love and our teachers are a loving Father and His Son who show us how love can be accomplished: We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, when I am confronted with people I find hard to love, show me how I can be loving. Remind me that in spite of all my sins You still love me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 6/32 ©2011 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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How, Lord … can I be Your servant?

In the Word

Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ (Colossians 3:23b MSG).

Of the Word

If we ask God how we can serve Him, He’ll show us. The question is: Are we ready for His answer?

We live in a “me-first, make-yourself-look-good world.” Society would have us believe that life is about position; humble acts of service to others would be beneath us. But Jesus, our servant example, was all about meeting the needs of others. He walked among lepers, touched the unclean, and washed dirty feet. He may not call us to do any of those things, but when He does call us He will search our hearts and know our willingness to do the task at hand.

True servants don’t bring attention to what they do but instead are willing to serve quietly, away from the spotlight of success. While here on earth true servants may never be recognized for their humble service and acts of kindness toward others, but God will remember how they answered when He called for they knew: It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:24b).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, I ask that when You call I will eagerly answer “Yes.” Christ humbled Himself and died on the cross to save me. May I always be willing to serve in His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 5/32 ©2011 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (MSG) are taken from The Message. Copyright ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

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