Listen to this devotion

How, Lord … can I adjust my life to Your Word?

In the Word

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105).

Of the Word

Bumper sticker wisdom: a picture of an open Bible with the words, “When all else fails, read the instructions.” God did not create us and then leave us on our own to figure out how to get through life. The Bible really is a book of instructions — from the first page to the last.

Just as that bumper sticker subtly suggests, we frequently plow through life believing we can do it on our own. Too often we turn to God’s Word after worry, frustration, or when all else has failed.

God wants us to depend on Him. He gave us His Holy Spirit to lead us into understanding the Bible so we can apply its message to our lives. … the Holy Scriptures … have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus. Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval. They equip God’s servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things (2 Timothy 3:15b–17 GOD’S WORD).

Walking with my Lord

God, make me willing to read Your Word every day and to wait for Your Spirit to guide me. Lord, I want to be obedient to Your will. In Your sovereign name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 12/32 ©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 (GOD’S WORD) are taken from GOD’S WORD ®, © 1995, God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

How, Lord … can I learn to be content?

In the Word

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have… (Hebrews 13:5a).

Of the Word

If only I had a better job, a bigger car, or different clothes I would be satisfied. If I could get new furniture or more jewelry or cosmetic surgery I would be content.

Why would we believe in the promises of the world that tell us if we had enough money we could buy whatever we wanted and we would be content?

Contentment comes when we focus on what God has already given us and forget about the things we want. “Life is not about having a lot of material possessions” (Luke 12:15b GOD’S WORD).

Contentment is realizing that when we have Jesus, we have all we need. Only He can satisfy us with things that won’t fade away as soon as the next worldly fad comes along. No earthly possession can compare with the richness of the spiritual blessings God has for us.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, fill me with Your Holy Spirit so my focus will be on You, for then I know I am blessed. Remind me that focusing on material possessions only brings me discontent. May my priorities always please and serve You. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 11/32 ©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 (GOD’S WORD) are taken from GOD’S WORD ®, © 1995, God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

The Next Step

In the Word

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand (Psalm 37:23–24).

Of the Word

One of the lesser-known meanings of the word graduate is “to take a step.” Graduation is a step forward; a step into the unknown. Graduation is a day to celebrate, to look back on where one has been over the past years. It is a day to remember the best of times. It is also a day to look forward and wonder what is ahead. What is the next step? What will be encountered on that step?

While we never know for certain what the future holds, we do have God’s assurance that we can confidently take each step along the path knowing He is with us and in us. It means never stepping out alone. We have God’s promise, The steps of a man are established by the LORD … the LORD upholds his hand (Psalm 37:23a, 24b).

So as you begin a new phase of your life, hold fast to the promise that is yours through faith in Jesus Christ. The Triune God goes with you. Be confident that as you step out into the world with Him, He will hold you with His mighty hand. 

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, I am excited about graduating, but I know my life is going to be different from now on. Please help me to cling to You for strength. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 12/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40195

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

How, Lord … Can I Remain Strong in Faith?

In the Word

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9b).

Of the Word

God calls His people to stand firm and trust Him and His Word as we encounter the real threats of the world. Wars, terrorism, cultural compromise, financial crisis, disease, political unrest, attacks on Christians, and poverty are only a few of the dangers that invade our lives.

When those invasions come we have a choice to make: we can live in fear and panic or we can choose to remain calm. We can worry about what may or may not happen or we can, through faith, put our trust in a sovereign God and His protection.

Faith is what frees us from the fears that Satan would burden us with. Faith is what links us to God’s peace and power. Faith enables us to trust that our lives are in God’s hands and He has a plan for each of us. … faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).

Walking with my Lord

God, I thank You for the free gift of faith given to me through my Savior and for the Holy Spirit who nurtures that faith within me. When uncertainty and doubt arise, strengthen my faith. Help me remember that You are always near. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 10/32 ©2011 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Just as I am, Without One Plea

In the Word

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).

Of the Word

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

We can approach our loving God just as we are — poor, wretched, blind — with all our conflicts and doubts. We can approach our God because of the redemptive work of Jesus, who shed His blood on the cross for each one of us. He invites us to come to Him with all our fears, both within and without. He assures us that our sins are forgiven and that we are pardoned in the name and for the sake of Jesus.

“Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; … Thy love unknown Has broken ev’ry barrier down; … O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”

Walking with my Lord

Welcoming Savior, You have accepted me just as I am. Please do not leave me as I came. By the power and working of Your Holy Spirit, make me into the person You want me to be so that in all things I may glorify You. I ask this in Your life–redeeming name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 10/31. Hymn Text: LSB 570. ©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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Best Seller

In the Word

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Of the Word

Until 2003 the Bible was the most widely distributed book. What took its place?
The IKEA Catalog

In 2003, 25 million Bibles were distributed, compared to 145 million copies of the IKEA catalog. The purpose of the IKEA catalog is to sell products. The pictures are appealing, the prices are competitive, and some items even come with guarantees. Yet one thing is certain: the catalog was printed and distributed to make a profit for the company.

God’s true Word, the Bible, is made available so that people can learn about God’s free gift. This gift of salvation comes GRACEfully gift wrapped from Jesus Christ Himself. It guarantees eternal happiness in heaven.

You can trust that guarantee because God Himself gives it. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Want to read more? Open your Bible for God’s messages of peace, love, and hope.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word and its message of grace. Thank You for Your guarantee of salvation through faith in Jesus. In His name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 11/29 ©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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Nail Marks

In the Word

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Of the Word

What do one third of Americans do?
They bite their fingernails.

Most people do not like admitting it. Some people can’t deny it because their nails are obviously chewed. The biters may have even tried to break the habit. They know it spreads germs and does nothing for the appearance of their nails, but they still bite their nails. Most say they do this when they are frustrated or nervous. Isn’t there a better solution? Of course there is!

There is no comfort to be found in our own nails, but there is great comfort to be found in the nails that went through our Savior’s hands and feet. We remember how very much He loved us then and how very much He loves us still. He created us, He died for us, and He lives in us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Now that is something worth chewing on!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You died for me. Help me live my life for You. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 10/29 ©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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email