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Phone a Friend

In the Word

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me … (Psalm 17:6a).

Of the Word

A popular TV show allowed contestants to “phone a friend” for help with difficult questions. The friend at the end of the line could give advice which the contestant could follow or ignore.

We, too, can “phone a Friend” — our loving heavenly Father. The lines are never down; the lines are never busy. “This office is closed today. Please call back,” is never heard.

With the psalmist we can say with certainty, … you will answer me … (Psalm 17:6a). The answer will not be a guess about our needs nor a piece of politically-correct advice. It will be an answer from the Friend who knows our needs, our hopes, our hurts, our fears.

God’s answer may be a resounding “Yes,” a loving “No,” or a patience-building “Wait.” But His answer is always the right one, given at the right time for the right reasons.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for hearing my call. Help me to listen for Your answers and to know that they are perfect for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 3/30 ©2009 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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Leaning on the Lord

In the Word

I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing” (Psalm 16:2).

Of the Word

An atheist says, “Religion? A waste of time! A crutch for the weak! A cop-out!”

But think of why a crutch is useful. Without it, how would the patient with a broken ankle be able to walk? For that matter, consider walkers, braces, wheelchairs. Are they only a copout, a waste of time? Of course not, a fact even an atheist knows.

Is leaning on Jesus then a useless waste of time? God’s people trust Him. They know they need the support He provides. They trust His wisdom and power no matter what circumstances confront them.

With St. Paul they confidently say, I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). Will confidence waver and weaken? Yes, because God’s people are sinful humans. But Jesus remains strong, the firm crutch that will never fail.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for being my Help, my Support, my Strength. When I am weak, hold me and draw me closer to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 2/30 ©2009 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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A Spot of Green

In the Word

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures … (Psalm 23:1–2a).

Of the Word

The radio was on as she drove to the hospital. She would spend another long day at her son’s bedside.

Suddenly her ear caught familiar words, He makes me lie down in green pastures … (Psalm 23:2a).

The speaker urged, “Look for a spot of green today. Let it remind you of your Shepherd’s loving care.”

As she sped down the road, she caught a glimpse of a small green field from her car window. She smiled and thanked God for His care and for the lush green reminder of it.

Do you need a tangible reminder of God’s care today? Look for a spot of green — a field, a park, a flower bed — and be assured that your Shepherd knows your need and is caring for you.

Walking with my Lord

Lord God, You are my loving Shepherd, and You provide for me each day. Forgive me when I grow weary, and help me to look for those “green pastures” where I can find rest in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 1/30 ©2009 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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Worldly dreams may not come true, but to know Jesus is enough.

In the Word

… I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:8b GNT).

Of the Word

Sara dreamed of owning a little cottage in the country. There she saw herself curled up before a cozy fire with her favorite books, her ginger cat asleep at her feet. A modest dream, to be sure. Other people have more ambitious dreams — achieving wealth, influence, power, fame.

King David had his heart set on building a temple for the Lord, but God had other plans. The mother of James and John, Jesus’ disciples, had her heart set on positions of honor for her sons. Jesus had other plans.

Jesus warned about worldly dreams and ambitions that lead people off the path of true discipleship. Jesus asked, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).

St. Paul wrote to young pastor Timothy: Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief (1 Timothy 6:10b GW). Instead: Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11b GW).

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, help me to set my mind and heart on You instead of worldly dreams. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 16/30  ©2007 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 GNT are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992.

Scripture quotations marked GW are taken from GOD’S WORD, God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright © 1995.

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With the Lord, we face a bright tomorrow!

In the Word

Don’t be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life. If it is, you have a bright future (Proverbs 23:17–18 GNT).

Of the Word

Carol was prepared for her class reunion. Her designer outfits had been carefully selected. Photos of her beautiful children and grandchildren were tucked in her Armani bag. Brochures depicting her family’s prosperous resort business were packed in her suitcase with enough copies to distribute to old classmates. She planned to point out the family yacht pictured on the front. Surely, she would be the envy of all her friends.

With confidence in all she had acquired, Carol expected a bright future. But God’s Word warns: Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle (Proverbs 23:5 GNT). What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! (1 Timothy 6:7 GNT).

Christians need not envy people like Carol. They trust God’s promises: Trust in the Lord and do good; … Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire. Give yourself to the Lord; trust in him, and he will help you … (Psalm 37: 3a, 4–5 GNT).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, with You I face a bright future. You provide all I need. You walk with me every day. I surrender myself to You, Lord. My joy is in You. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 15/30  ©2007 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 GNT are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992.

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Fishing or forgiving?

In the Word

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matthew 6:12).

Of the Word

Imagine this: God takes billions and billions of sins to the deepest ocean and throws them into it. Then imagine that He posts a NO FISHING sign. The sins are gone, out of sight and out of mind.

What does God do with the sins He forgives? He promises to remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34b). Though we are often reminded to “forgive and forget,” only God can truly forget wrongdoing.

How different it is for us. Though we may speak forgiving words, though we may really want to forgive, our fishing poles are often ready to drag in the sin once more. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God assures us of forgiveness. He will never go fishing for our sins, and He expects us to put our fishing poles away, too.

How can we do that? Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we fully and freely forgive others.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to forgive others just as You always forgive me. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

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

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

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In fervent prayer…

In the Word

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him (Acts 12:5).

Of the Word

The story of Peter’s deliverance from prison is a familiar one. As his friends were praying, God sent an angel to bring Peter out of the prison. Guards were unaware, locks were opened, gates swung wide, and Peter was free. Even he thought that he was having a most wonderful dream! When he arrived at the home of his praying friends, the servant girl answered his knock, but did not admit him. No one believed her excited report that Peter was at the door. They thought the poor girl had lost her mind. Meanwhile, Peter kept knocking. All this after earnest prayer for his deliverance! The Christians couldn’t fathom that God had actually answered their fervent prayers. (Acts 12:1–19a)

Are we sometimes just like them? Do we pray — but then not believe or recognize God’s answers? God invites us to pray, and He promises to hear and answer. His answers are always given at the right time and in the right way because He knows what is best for us, the people He loves.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me pray, believing that Your answers will be revealed in the right way and at the right time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003-2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 28/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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

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