Listen to this devotion

Continuing to Train — Being Consistent

In the Word

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17).

Of the Word

In order to gain the most benefits from running, you must be consistent. If you run a few miles on Monday, but don’t run again until the next Monday, you will find that reaching your fitness goals will be hard. Work, family, illness, or weather may interfere with your plans, but carving out time to run consistently is important.

God knows something about consistency. In fact, from In the beginning, the first words of Genesis, to the last Amen in Revelation, God has been nothing but consistent. He always has and always will continue to condemn sin. He always has and always will continue to reach out with forgiveness and life to those stuck in sin. His words never change. And God sent Jesus, the Word made flesh, into the world demonstrating that He can be trusted because He always keeps His promises.

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, when I am frustrated by unfairness and injustice, help me to continue in prayer, knowing that You are just and good. Thank You for giving me hope. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 10/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40196

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Finishing the Race

In the Word

“ … the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6b–7).

Of the Word

When the Apostle Paul was facing the end of his earthly days, his words reflected his life in the Christian faith. Fighting the good fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith pointed to a life of fulfillment as a Christ-follower. These same Christian markers summarize the lives of faithful Christians today who are facing their last earthly hours and serve as reminders of the Lord’s faithfulness in their lives.

Christian believers know that the Lord Who helped them keep the faith through Word and Sacrament during their earthly run will be there when they cross the finish line of this life. Crossing that line, they collapse in the arms of Jesus, the Finisher of faith and Giver of everlasting life. As Christian believers we encourage one another with these reminders of God’s past faithfulness and the assurance of His promise, Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10b).

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, as You have empowered me to run the race of faith in this life, so prepare me to finish my race of faith in Your loving and everlasting arms. In Your holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 12/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

A Beautiful Thing

In the Word

Jesus said to them, “For she has done a beautiful thing to me. … In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial” (Matthew 26:10, 12).

Of the Word

One day as Jesus ate dinner, a woman approached Him and poured expensive ointment on Him. In this special moment, her anointing was preparing Him for His burial.

Jesus has also given us a special anointing to prepare us for death. Ours is a baptismal anointing in water and the Word. His sacramental grace prepares us and our loved ones for that final hour with the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.

Upon this foundation of God’s grace, we have opportunity to offer special “ointments” to family members who are facing death. Hold them. Kiss them. Sing hymns. Read psalms. Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Remind them of Jesus’ love. Gentle touches and grace-filled words are beautiful ways to prepare family members and yourself for that last hour. These are special moments born from what Christ has done to prepare us for the hour of death. It is a beautiful thing.

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, as You have prepared me for my last hours on this earth, so enable me to do beautiful things for those I love. Fill those last hours with grace and peace. In Your holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 11/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Joy in Sharing the Gospel

In the Word

Philip said to him, "Come and see" (John 1:46b).

Of the Word

“Mommy, Mommy, come and see!” All mommies — and daddies, too — have dropped whatever they were doing to share the excitement of that moment. Whether it was a fuzzy caterpillar, the first fish caught, or a sunny yellow dandelion, the event had to be shared.

When Jesus found Philip, He said, “Follow me.” Philip was so impressed by Jesus that he told Nathanael that He was the One they had been waiting for! When Nathanael was unimpressed, Philip simply said, “Come and see.” (John 1:43–46) He could have debated, might have argued, but he simply extended the invitation. Today we may apply Philip’s words in two ways. First of all, what people have invited us to “Come and see”? Did Jesus use them to bring us closer to Him? Secondly, to whom can we lovingly say, “Come and see”? We are the tools the Master uses, just as He used Philip.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the people who have touched my life in positive ways. Thank You especially for those whose invitations and examples have helped me in my walk with You. Please help me to lovingly, boldly say, “Come and see.” Use me, Lord, to show Your love and spread Your joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Deaconess Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 24/30 ©2005, Revised 2025 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 ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Unknown, but not Alone

In the Word

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).

Of the Word

It is hard to imagine how frightened the young Joseph was when his brothers threw him into that pit, or when they pulled him back out to sell him to those Midianite traders. He had no idea where he was going or what would happen to him. He was leaving the comfort and security of his father’s house and headed to places and circumstances unknown. Could he have even imagined how powerfully God would use him? Years later, after he had saved his entire family, Joseph recalled that even though his brothers had evil intent when they sold him as a slave, God used that to bring about a fantastic good. (Read more about Joseph in Genesis chapters 37–50.)

We all face unknowns in our lives but as followers of Jesus, we do not do so alone. Though we may not know what the future holds for us, we can confidently say, “I know Who holds my future.”

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for saving me from sin and for being with me in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 10/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

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. 

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Now Thank We All Our God

In the Word

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! (Psalm 105:1–2).

Of the Word

Now thank we all our God With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, In whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms Has blest us on our way
With countless gifts of love And still is ours today.

One essential part of our worship is thanksgiving. This hymn reminds us to thank our God “With hearts and hands and voices.” We offer our whole selves in thanking Him for all His blessings.

Those blessings include life, home, health, peace, grace, and guidance. Most importantly, we thank God for a new life in Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. We thankfully acknowledge His work of salvation in our lives and look forward to living with our Savior God in heaven forever.

“All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heav’n, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.”

Walking with my Lord

I give You hearty thanks, gracious God, for Your innumerable gifts to me! Thank You for all the people You have given as blessings in my life. Most of all, I thank You for the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life in Jesus. In His bountiful name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 11/31. Hymn Text: LSB 895. ©2011, revised 2024 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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

View the printable PDF of this devotion, Now Thank We All Our God