White as Snow

If you live where it snows and are like me, I get excited to see the snowflakes come down and cover the ground. Snow makes everything clean looking. But when the warmer weather arrives the snow melts and the ground may turn into a muddy mess.

Snow truly has a lesson for us because our sinfulness turns us into that “muddy mess.” Our God had an amazing plan to make us “as white as snow.” As His children we are forgiven by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus who died and rose to make us clean.

Today, think of snow and use it to remind you of Jesus and His love for you!

The devotion listed below is based upon these words: Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow (Isaiah 1:18a). You will find encouraging words that will bring back the meaning of being baptized and becoming a child of God.

White as Snow

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18a).

Karol Selle

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Start the New Year with Prayer

Happy New Year 2026!

The New Year is often a time to reflect on daily practices. One daily practice I plan to focus on in 2026 is prayer. The apostle Paul reminds us to be “constant in prayer” and to “pray without ceasing.” I keep a prayer journal next to my computer and jot down prayer requests I receive by email. I often pray for LWML volunteers and Office staff. This year I am committed to praying for each of our 2025–2027 mission grants. Our LWML Mission Grant Committee is writing mission grant resources that include prayer guides for each mission grant. All the information you need and suggestions for prayers are right at your fingertips. Won’t you join me in prayer this year?

I wish you a blessed New Year.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12). Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Debbie Yocky

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Tabernacled among us

John 1:14 says, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 is often translated as, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.,” but instead of the word “dwelt,” a more insightful translation is “tabernacled.” Think of all that happened in that Old Testament tent. It was the traveling presence of God. The Israelites offered sacrifices there. It housed the ark of the covenant. It was known as the tent of meeting, because God met Moses there. Jesus is the embodiment of the tabernacle. Jesus became flesh and tabernacled among us.

Diving into the study of God’s Word gives us new insights. We are drawn into a deeper relationship with God as we study His Word.

I want to encourage you to check out Donna Snow’s Bible study, One Extraordinary Night - Lutheran Women's Missionary League. It’s a great way to get closer to the One who tabernacled among us.

Rev. Michael J. Schmidt

Junior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Something Special this Advent and Christmas

It seems like all I did was blink after the LWML convention and it is Advent! This season of preparation and reflection is one of my favorites in the church year. A time of looking back and looking forward — all centered on Christ and His work on our behalf.

This Advent and Christmas, our daily Mustard Seed Devotions have an added component. They will be ASL-interpreted. The accessibility of having them both read and signed will increase our ways to share the Good News of Jesus this holiday season!

Do you have someone who might like to receive these daily devotions? Please direct them to our website or help them sign up HERE. If you already receive the daily Mustard Seed Devotion and want to hear it read and see it ASL-interpreted, just click on the button in your email.

For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Luke 2:10b).

Eden Keefe

President, 2023–2027
Lutheran Women in Mission

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In Preparation, Be Still

This week we begin the season of Advent, and we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus. Christmas activities fill our calendars, Christmas carols are heard wherever we go, our eyes are filled with beautiful lights and decorations, cookie and candy smells fill the air, and we look to the coming of the Christ Child.

Psalm 46:10a reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” As we remove ourselves from the busyness of Christmas, and read God’s Word, our relationship will grow stronger as we prepare for His birth.

The podcast “Be Still” is just one of the many LWML resources for groups and for personal use during this Advent season. Be Still … During the Holidays - Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Other resources for Advent can be found at LWML Resources for Advent - Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

Dianna Just

Recording Secretary
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Sharing Jesus

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 1:16–18).

Thankful, grateful, blessed — words we think about at this time of year. These are also words I think of when I routinely look at the 33 mission grants that we are supporting this biennium.

The Gospel Outreach Department created new mite calendars specifically geared towards praying daily for mission grants, districts, countries, and many other areas of life. Calendars are no longer tied to the current year.

These calendars are a great tool to not only collect mite donations to support our mission grants, but to also learn about our districts, countries where we have shared the Gospel, and how we can be in His word and pray! Is there a unique way you can use them in your women’s groups and congregations? Make copies, distribute them, and help educate others about the work we do.

Blessings in 2026 as you pray about how you might share LWML with others using these calendars.

Anne M. Hartman

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Our Strength and Shield

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him (Psalm 28:7).

As we enter the holiday season of the year and in our church year, we pause to reflect on God, our Strength and Shield. The Psalmist encourages us to trust in our mighty Lord, recognize His help in our lives, and give thanks to Him.

We can trust in the God who is trustworthy. Our Savior came to earth, lived a perfect life, suffered and died for our sins, and lives and reigns to all eternity. We are forgiven in Jesus! Our God helps us and keeps us in faith as the Spirit works in our lives through Word and Sacraments. By faith, we trust all the promises of God, knowing we will be with Him in the glories of heaven.

Our response? As our hearts exult in praise, we sing a song of thanks for all He has done in our lives and for those faithful who have gone before us. Read or listen to this Mustard Seed, Joyful, Joyful: Now Thank We All Our God, and give thanks!

Shari Miller

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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