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Living in Faith: Relying on Our Heavenly Father’s Grace and Mercy

In the Word

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).

Of the Word

A German submarine sank a British freighter off Africa in 1941. The sub surfaced amid wreckage, lifeboats, and wounded men. When the British were ordered to board the sub, they thought they would be killed or captured. Instead, the German captain had his doctor treat their wounds. His crewmen repaired their lifeboats. He gave them food, water, wine, and tobacco, then set them on a course for the nearest land. They were not treated as enemies, but they were shown mercy.

We have not been treated as enemies of God. Because of our sin we deserve hell which is eternal separation from Him. The grave should swallow us, and we should sink into a sea of torment forever.

No, God has not dealt with us as we deserve. He put our sins on Christ and dealt with Christ. Our Father gave us what we have not deserved. God, who is full of grace and mercy, has given us a living hope.

Our wounds have been treated, and we have been clothed with Christ’s own holiness. He has set us on a course for heaven. That is the sweetest truth we will ever hear!

Walking with my Lord

I thank You, O God, for Your mercy toward me, a sinner. In Jesus’ most precious name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 25/30 ©2007, revised 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Living in the Spirit: Gives Me Power

In the Word

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Of the Word

The storm crashed around the house. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, hail pounded against the windows. And then the power went out. The family huddled in darkness, fearing that the fierce winds would demolish their home. When morning came, they inspected the damages and prepared for the day. Breakfast? No power meant no hot coffee, no warm toast. The air was unbearably hot. No power meant no air conditioning. How had the rest of the city fared? No power meant no radio or TV to catch the news. No power to begin the ordinary routines of the day.

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, His disciples were without power. In fear and dismay, they deserted Him and ran. After His resurrection, Jesus met with them. He spoke to them, and their fears dissolved. They believed His words, and power was restored — power from the Holy Spirit.

Electric power outages are to be expected now and then, but never will we experience an outage of Spirit power. This is Jesus’ promise to us, His disciples of the twenty-first century.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. When I feel weak and helpless, remind me of the power that You and You alone can give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 2/30 ©2007, revised 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Thy Will Be Done!

In the Word

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us (1 John 5:14).

Of the Word

When the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her she would have God’s Son, she could have doubted His words and run away, but instead she answered, “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). What trust and confidence for such a young person. What an example for us! Have you had opportunities to do as Mary and submit yourself to God’s will?

Even Jesus submitted His will to the will of His Father before He died on the cross. Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done (Luke 22:42). We also need to pray according to God’s will. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14–15).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father, help me to understand Your will and to remember to listen for the answers You provide in Your time and according to Your will. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 14/31 ©2005, revised 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Active Praise

In the Word

[Be] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11).

Of the Word

“Actions speak louder than words.” How true! And actions praise louder — and often more convincingly — than words when God’s love motivates the actions.

God’s love took action in Jesus Christ. Jesus lived God’s love for us in His suffering and death on the cross for our sins. His love brought us redemption and a new, living, and eternal relationship with God, our Father. We rightly praise Jesus for His act of love on our behalf. We doubly praise Him when we put our praise in action by keeping His command to serve others. That’s active praise.

It costs something, however, to practice active praise. It can cost convenience. Time. Resources. Personal preferences. It can cost the opportunity to do something far more glamorous and lucrative. Yet service motivated by praise keeps on serving. Why? Because Jesus’ love neither stopped for His convenience, nor required the recognition and applause of others. Jesus’ example shows what active love looks like. In Him, let your actions show forth His praise!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, work in me Your active love; let everything I do proclaim
My thanks for all You’ve done for me, with praise-in-action in Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 3/32 ©2007, revised 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Begin with God: He Is Savior

In the Word

How do I know I have eternal life?

Jesus said to her [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26).

Of the Word

Jesus spoke these words to Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus. He explained to her that by trusting in Him as Savior one would never die. He didn’t mean that we would not experience an earthly death, because we will. But by believing in Him we will not have eternal death but rather eternal life. And Christ asks us as He did Martha, “Do you believe this?”

“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8–9).

It is difficult for us to understand why Jesus would leave His home in heaven to come to earth to be persecuted and put to death on a cross. It is even more difficult to believe that He did it for each of us just because He loves us and wants us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. But He did. “Do you believe this?”

Walking with my Lord

Almighty God who gave Your Son to die for my sins, I praise You for this most precious gift. Help me never to doubt Your Word and promise of eternal life. Help me, instead, to say with confidence, “Yes, Lord, I believe!” Because Jesus is my Savior, I pray in His holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 3/28 ©2007, revised 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Faith is Living Life as a Procession of Triumph

In the Word

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Of the Word

When the opponents of 17th century British author, John Bunyan, were trying to silence him, they offered him the choice of renouncing his faith or serving a term in prison. He chose the latter and spent twelve years in the Bedford jail. Of that experience he said, “I have determined, the Almighty God being my help and shield, yet to suffer … rather than violate my faith and principles.” Out of Bunyan’s imprisonment came the great literary work Pilgrim’s Progress. What a blessing!

That was what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote, But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession … (2 Corinthians 2:14a). That was the spirit of Paul. His life was a series of hardships, but he regarded them as blessings. He was able to remain thankful because he knew that God was leading him.

We may be facing all kinds of hardships, yet because of our faith we can be content in spirit. Our reward: God is with us. Our life becomes a triumphal procession when it is lived in Christ.

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, in all situations and circumstances, give me faith that is stronger than steel and more durable than diamonds. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 21/30 ©2007, revised 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Thanks in Advance

In the Word

In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6b).

Of the Word

The four-year-old was literally bouncing with excitement. He could barely contain himself. His mother handed him the first birthday present with the reminder, “Can you say thank you to Grandma for the gift?” “Not yet,” the little boy innocently responded, “I don’t know what it is!”

Isn’t that just like a kid? The grandmother, who knows him well, chose something just perfect for him. He should have trusted her and thanked her before opening the gift. But wait a minute! Haven’t we responded to our Heavenly Father in the same way?

The apostle Paul tells us to take every request to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6a). We can trust His loving response. Our generous Father, who sacrificed Jesus to make us His own again, most assuredly knows what we need. We need not wait to see what we get before we express our gratitude. It will be the perfect gift from the Perfect Giver.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, every time I come to You with a request, help me acknowledge Your compassion and grace by thanking You in advance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, author. 24/30 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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