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Forgiving Myself

In the Word

Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions (Psalm 25:7a).

Of the Word

Sins of our past can burden us with “what if” questions. “What if I hadn’t fallen into addiction?” “What if I kept the child I chose to abort?” “What if I hadn’t lied?” “What if I hadn’t cheated?” “What if I hadn’t taken what wasn’t mine?” “What if I had tried harder to save my marriage?” We can beat ourselves up with regrets from the past but, the past is the past. Under no circumstances can it be changed.

What can be changed is how we face the future. Christ invites us to come to Him and lay our sins at the foot of the cross, asking with repentant hearts for His forgiveness. And we, God’s very own children, can walk away forgiven. We are forgiven to live a full life in Him, forgiven to be what He wants us to be.

When we leave the foot of the cross, we leave our burdens there. Picking them up again only serves to separate us from God’s good and perfect forgiveness. God says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12 NIV). Holding fast to God’s forgiveness, we can learn to forgive ourselves and move forward in accordance with His will.

Walking with my Lord

Forgiving Father, I am ashamed of the times I have hurt You because of my sin. I come, asking Your forgiveness. Through Your Holy Spirit help me to live a life that honors You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 18/30 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

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An Unchanging God

In the Word

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations … (Psalm 119:89–90a).

Of the Word

Isn’t it amazing how many things have changed in our lifetimes? Travel that may have taken our grandparents days or weeks can now be done in hours. We can be almost anywhere in the world within minutes, thanks to the internet. Things don’t even look the same as they did when we were growing up. Televisions, appliances, and the car in the driveway have all undergone dramatic changes.

Change doesn’t always come easily to us. We may yearn for a slower pace, a simpler lifestyle, or an uncomplicated telephone!! We sometimes ask, “Why can’t things just stay the same?” But change is inevitable!

With all that is changing around us, how wonderful it is to know that God’s Word is the same for all time. What He said yesterday still stands today. His promises to love us, grant us peace, and never leave us are still in effect. God hasn’t changed His plan of salvation for us, and it won’t be any different tomorrow.

“The grass withers, the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1:24b–25a).

Walking with my Lord

Loving Father, I am grateful that Your unchanging Word and love are always there to give me strength. Help me to cling to it in all of life’s situations. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 17/30 ©2009 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®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

An Unchanging God — PRINTABLE VERSION

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Facing the Enemy

In the Word

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge (Psalm 143:9).

Of the Word

No matter what measures we take to avoid them, enemies sneak into our lives. They come in the form of bills, illnesses, or disappointments. They can be what we eat, drink, or put into our bodies. Enemies may be who we associate with, abusive relationships we endure, or simply what we read, listen to, or watch on TV.

The war against enemies cannot be won alone. Therefore, we must never underestimate the promises in God’s Word and the power of God’s answers to prayer. Participating in counseling or a group discussion may help. Taking part in a Bible study or finding a prayer partner may be helpful, too. Seeking God-pleasing help is not a sign of weakness. Instead it is a step toward fighting off the enemy.

For he [God] has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5b–6). We can face any enemy with Christ beside us.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me, this day and always, to know that Your power is stronger than any enemy I may face. Remind me that Jesus faced and conquered Satan, the most terrible enemy of all. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 16/30 ©2009 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®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Faith is … Trusting Jesus to Provide Real Security

In the Word

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19a NIV).

Of the Word

Many people in the world today are desperately searching for security. In their minds, if they could find the right combination of material blessings, such as the perfect job with high pay and a solid retirement plan, they would never need to worry again. If only they would look around them and consider what has happened to others like them who have placed their trust and sought their security in the things of this world! There is no lasting security in the material things of life.

But we, as Christians, do have a secure anchor and His name is Jesus. Our faith rests not in things of this world, but rather in the person of Jesus Christ. He proved once and for all He is the secure anchor we need in this world in which we live. He proved Himself when He showed Himself alive to the disciples. He is our risen Lord.

Our anchor is our faithful God who has provided for us in the past, is doing so now, and will continue to provide for us even into eternity. He provides all of the security we need. Our faithful God is our security from eternity to eternity.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord Jesus, You are my hope and the firm, secure anchor for my soul. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 18/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

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The Restless Soul

In the Word

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him (Psalm 62:5 NIV).

Of the Word

Researchers tell us that adults today don’t get enough sleep. The advent of electricity means we can stay up later than our ancestors. Well into the night we are watching television, reading, or using our computers. “Early to bed and early to rise” doesn’t seem to fit in with today’s lifestyle. Consequently, sleep deprivation and fatigue are common among us. As a society, we just aren’t getting enough physical rest.

Just as common are the people who can find no rest for their souls. Many carry burdens of guilt, hatred, anger, or prejudice. Some are grieving. Others are unable to forgive, whether it is themselves or someone else. Day after day they search for inner peace and it just isn’t there. They look for hope and can’t find it.

Do you have a restless soul? Take to heart the words of Jesus, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. … I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29b). Jesus invites us all to come and rest in Him.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that I can say, “I came to Jesus as I was, So weary, worn, and sad; I found in him a resting-place, And he has made me glad.” In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 19/30 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” words by Horatius Bonar, music by Thomas Tallis. Public domain.

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Faith is … Depending on Our Heavenly Father

In the Word

You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:16).

Of the Word

Some people take the attitude: “God is too great, too busy, too remote to be interested in me personally.” That might be a complaint; it might be false humility. Either way we should not measure God by our standards nor judge Him by our limitations. He is God and so His eye can be on the sparrow and His mind can number the very hairs of our heads. He does not lose sight of our best interests or neglect our needs. He is vitally interested in what we do with the gift of life.

All things depend on God, our Father. The seeds which the sparrow eats, the food for the fish in the sea, the crops which we harvest, and food we gather into carts at the supermarket all come from His generous hand. Food itself, the strength to gather it, and the ability of our bodies to turn that food into energy and strength are all gifts of His goodness. He is not too great to care about these things.

If our Father were to close His hand or turn His face, there would be no life on this earth. Those who refuse to look to Him or acknowledge their dependence on Him could not live. 

Walking with my Lord

Almighty Father, send Your Spirit upon me in rich measure that I may always depend upon You for all things spiritual and physical. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 16/30 ©2007 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®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Be Ready

In the Word

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect … (1 Peter 3:15).

Of the Word

Over the years I have been blessed to lead workshops in which women learned to share their faith in Christ. To allow people an opportunity to talk with one another, each woman worked with a partner. On one occasion a young woman was without a partner, so she and I became a team. As we talked, I learned that she had come at her grandmother’s invitation. To my surprise she said, “I don’t know this Jesus that you are talking about.”

How wonderful it was to share Jesus’ love with her, telling her what He has done for me throughout my life!

To this day, it is with thanksgiving and joy that I remember the young woman seated next to her grandmother on the last pew of the church. It is my prayer that she has learned to know Jesus and that she is now sharing her faith with others. St. Paul writes to Philemon and his message is the same for us: I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ (Philemon 1:6).

Walking with my Lord

Father, I rejoice with thanksgiving that You have called me to be Your child now and forever. Give me the desire and courage to readily share my faith in You with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Ida Mall. 15/32 ©2009 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®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Be Ready — PRINTABLE VERSION

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