Listen to this devotion

How, Lord … can I be Your servant?

In the Word

Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ (Colossians 3:23b MSG).

Of the Word

If we ask God how we can serve Him, He’ll show us. The question is: Are we ready for His answer?

We live in a “me-first, make-yourself-look-good world.” Society would have us believe that life is about position; humble acts of service to others would be beneath us. But Jesus, our servant example, was all about meeting the needs of others. He walked among lepers, touched the unclean, and washed dirty feet. He may not call us to do any of those things, but when He does call us He will search our hearts and know our willingness to do the task at hand.

True servants don’t bring attention to what they do but instead are willing to serve quietly, away from the spotlight of success. While here on earth true servants may never be recognized for their humble service and acts of kindness toward others, but God will remember how they answered when He called for they knew: It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:24b).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, I ask that when You call I will eagerly answer “Yes.” Christ humbled Himself and died on the cross to save me. May I always be willing to serve in His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 5/32 ©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 (MSG) are taken from The Message. Copyright ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

How, Lord … can I stop envying others?

In the Word

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30).

Of the Word

Envy is a gnawing desire to get what we don’t have. Comparing our lives to others will continually make us struggle to keep up. Envy leads us to sin: “You shall not covet … anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17). Envy is also a waste of energy and a source of unhappiness!

God’s love for each of us is just as great as His love for our neighbor or sister or coworker or best friend. Each time we focus on what someone else has, we take our eyes off Him and the good things He has given to us. God desires that our joy comes from walking with Him and not in obtaining material things. What we are and what we have are God’s unique gifts to us.

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. … God assures us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,”… (Hebrews 13:5 MSG).

Walking with my Lord

Forgiving Father, help me be satisfied with what You have given me. Through Your Holy Spirit may I daily be reminded that in the death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus I have been given eternal life. What more could I need? In the saving name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 4/32 ©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 (MSG) are taken from The Message. Copyright ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Sleep Tight

In the Word

He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3–4).

Of the Word

What does “tight” refer to in “Good night. Sleep tight”?
A mattress

This commonly used phrase goes back to a time when mattresses were secured on bed frames with ropes. To have a good night’s sleep, the ropes were pulled tight prior to getting into bed. Tight ropes created a firm, secure place to sleep.

We can have a good night’s sleep because we are safe and secure in God’s care. God is holding us tightly while we sleep. We can rest securely because our sins are forgiven.

Talking to God before going to sleep helps us to relax. Our cares and concerns are in His hands. His promise to supply all of our needs is true whether we are asleep or awake. God reminds us of this in these comforting words, He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3–4).

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, thank You for being with me whether I am awake or asleep. I am comforted knowing I am secure in Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 6/29 ©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

The End, Yet the Beginning

In the Word

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25).

Of the Word

Whose voice became famous for saying, “That’s all, folks!”?
Mel Blanc

Mel Blanc became so famous for saying those words at the end of Porky Pig cartoons that he even had them inscribed on his tombstone. How sad it would be if “That’s all, folks!” were true at life’s end. How wonderful it is to know that life’s end is just the beginning of our eternal life!

Cartoons are fun fiction. They can be trusted to entertain us, but nothing more. The Bible is God’s certain Word. It can be trusted to be totally true. By faith we can join Job in saying, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes — I, and not another” (Job 19:25–27a).

That is not a cute phrase written on a tombstone somewhere. It is the promise of the living Rock Himself. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer … (Psalm 18:2a).

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, God, that You have assured me that life on earth isn’t all there is. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I look forward to eternity with You. In His name. Amen. 

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 5/29 ©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

View printable PDF of this devotion, Simple Trust (The End is Just the Beginning)

Listen to this devotion

Known by the Creator

In the Word

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27–28).

Of the Word

What creature has a tongue as long and as heavy as a full grown elephant?
A blue whale

Imagine how frightening it would be to end up in the mouth of a blue whale. Most likely that will never happen, but we sometimes do end up in frightening situations. In those times we must remember that we are in the hands of the One who created that enormous blue whale as well as each of us. Those hands bring comfort because we know we are safe. Though He is so large even the universe cannot contain Him, in His hands we are at peace because we are secure and protected in His love.

Take a deep breath. Relax. You are in the hands of One who will never let go of you. His hold on you is His great love for you. He does not want to overpower you; He wants to empower you. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27–28).

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, Your loving hands hold me at the same time they hold all You have created. Thank You for Your strength and power! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 4/29 ©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

Away in a Manger

In the Word

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11–12).

Of the Word

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, 
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Jesus our Lord came down from His heavenly throne to be born in a humble manger, to live here on earth as a man, and to experience the same temptations we have. He was sinless, yet died on the cross for the sins of the world. He rose again and lives and reigns in heaven. He is with us and blesses us with His guidance and protection each day of our lives.

Though most often sung at Christmas, this hymn can be used throughout the year in praise to the Savior. This favorite children’s hymn closes with the beautiful prayer: “Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.”

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, Emmanuel, thank You for coming in the flesh, as a humble baby, to be my exalted Savior! Move me, in response to Your love, to live joyfully for You and for others. In Your name, I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 3/31. Hymn Text: LSB 364. ©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.

Away in a Manger devotion — printable version

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Amazing Grace

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

Amazing grace — how sweet the sound —
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see!

When have you felt lost or even blind? When have you lost your way or not gone in the right direction? The inspiring words of this hymn remind us that we once were “lost,” but now are “found”; we were “blind,” but now we “see.”

The Bible tells us that all people have been blinded and lost in the darkness of sin. Jesus came to earth to suffer and die on the cross to save us from sin and its results. We have been rescued from our helpless state only through the amazing grace of our God. We look forward to eternity praising our Lord and Savior. “Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail And mortal life shall cease, Amazing grace shall then prevail In heaven’s joy and peace.”

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense (GRACE) … Amazing!

Walking with my Lord

Gracious God, I praise You that when I was lost in sin, by Your grace because of the cross of Christ, You found me and forgave me and saved me! In Jesus’ loving name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 2/31. Hymn Text: LSB 744. ©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