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Living in the Spirit … Gives Me Self-Control

In the Word

A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out (Proverbs 25:28 MSG).

Of the Word

The fruit of the Spirit is … self-control (Galatians 5:22–23a).

A house without windows or doors indicates a dwelling exposed to the elements and vulnerable to intruders. Without self-control we are like this house — wide open for the intrusion of sin.

We chuckle and say, “I just have no self-control when it comes to _____.” We can fill in the blank with our own answers: chocolate, television, shopping, eating, working. Or we may have a lack of self-control over things we don’t so readily admit: rage, swearing, lust, jealousy, alcohol, abusive speech, or gossip. Lack of self-control, no matter how trivial we may perceive it to be, leads us away from God’s direction for us.

Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control; … For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5b–6a, 8).

Walking with my Lord

Merciful Father, send Your Spirit to strengthen me so that I may persevere in my desire for self-control. Lord, lift me up when I am falling. Help me keep my eyes upon Jesus. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 29/30 ©2007 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 MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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Living in the Spirit … Produces Gentleness

In the Word

Let your gentleness be evident to all (Philippians 4:5a NIV).

Of the Word

The fruit of the Spirit is … gentleness (Galatians 5:22–23a).

Our perfect model of gentleness is Jesus. He has shown us how to deal with one another in a caring, considerate, and sympathetic manner. Whether He was feeding the hungry (Mark 6:30–44), treating others with respect as He did the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1–26), or grieving with friends over the death of a loved one (John 11:17–37), Jesus responded with loving concern and in a gentle manner.

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand (Philippians 2:1–4 MSG).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, forgive the times I have been too busy or didn’t care enough to comfort others. Send me a spirit of gentleness so that Christ may be reflected in all that I do. I ask in His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 28/30 ©2007 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

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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Aging: Growing Older Together

In the Word

“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12 NIV).

Of the Word

In his hit song, “Forever and Ever, Amen,” Randy Travis shares how he feels about his wife’s hair turning gray, “Well, honey, I don’t care, I ain’t in love with your hair, and if it all fell out, I’d love you anyway.” In a culture that values youth and fights hard to cover or reverse any signs of aging, this kind of love is exceptional!

No doubt your spouse’s physical characteristics played a role in your initial attraction, but time will eventually change these features. Fortunately as we mature, so does our perspective on life and our perspective on our spouse. In the gray hair and “smile lines” we see not only the personality and character of the person whom we love, but also the joys and sorrows that have been experienced in a life lived by God’s grace. Our understanding of our spouse deepens and the physical changes — instead of being regretted — are welcomed. Growing old together is a gift of God to be cherished in each other.

Walking with my Lord

Unchanging God, if it is Your will that we grow old together on this earth, give us grace and understanding through all the changes aging will bring. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 28/28 ©2008 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

“Forever and Ever, Amen,” words and music by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet. ©1987 Screen Gems- EMI Music Inc., Scarlet Moon Music, Don Schlitz Music and Universal – MCA Music Publishing, A Division of Universal Studios, Inc. All rights reserved.

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In Sickness and in Health: Working Through Health Issues

In the Word

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2 NIV).

Of the Word

Why do we call it a funny bone when there’s nothing funny about hitting it? Nothing is funny about a serious health problem, either. A serious illness puts pressure on both spouses. Time, effort, and attention are needed to cope with the illness. Financial stresses may be heavy. Guilt for “causing” the strain may be an added burden. Other problems may include uncertainty about the future, worries about intimacy, and feelings of resentment and entrapment. Any combination can challenge even the strongest marriage.

Communicating feelings, sharing words of appreciation, and restating one’s commitment are all ways of helping to alleviate the pressure. God walks with us in our illnesses, and spouses who do the same are acting out the very essence of God.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Healer, have mercy on us as You had mercy on those who needed healing. Give us patience in our time of affliction. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 27/28 ©2008 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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Begin with God … So We Can Love Others

In the Word

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you (1 Thessalonians 3:12a).

Of the Word

How can I show God’s love to others?

Unconditional love describes God’s love for all sinners. This love began with Adam and Eve, whose sin spoiled the perfect world God had made for them, and continues through the present day.

In love, God promised us a Savior. He renewed that promise over centuries and fulfilled it by sending His Son. Jesus demonstrated love in word and action, culminating with His death on Calvary and His resurrection three days later.

How can we as mere mortals respond to such love? Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can demonstrate His love to others. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1b–2). May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you (1 Thessalonians 3:12a). And when we fail to love, as human beings always will, God accepts our repentance, forgives us, and enables us to begin again.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, You are the perfect example of love. You have spoken of love and You have demonstrated it through Your Son Jesus. Lord, I do not love You or others as I should, and I beg Your forgiveness. Give me, I pray, a greater measure of Your unconditional love so that I am able to share it with Your people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 28/28 ©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, revised 2025 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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It's a Revelation

In the Word

"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2).

Of the Word

Epiphany, meaning revelation, begins on January 6. It celebrates the revelation of the Son of God to the Gentiles, reminding us that Jesus came to bring forgiveness to everyone, to make the world right with Himself.

Epiphany continues today as God reveals Himself to us through the words of Scripture and strengthens our faith through the power of His Sacraments. The Holy Spirit works in us, increasing our faith and understanding of the plan and purpose of God for our lives. Responding to His love, we share it with others in both words and deeds.

As God's Epiphany work continues in us, we become God's revelation to others of what it means to follow Him. Our Spirit-inspired words and actions have the power to draw others to ask, as the Magi did, "Where is this Jesus? We, too, want to come and worship Him."

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, send Your Holy Spirit into my heart so Your life may be revealed in me. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 32/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©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.

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The Face of God

In the Word

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him (Matthew 2:11a).

Of the Word

The Magi, intelligent and educated men, put aside their own understanding to follow a star in the East. When they came to the place where the Child was, they knelt before Him, worshiped Him, and poured out their treasures at His feet. The learned men, by looking to the wisdom of God, recognized the face of God in Jesus Christ.

The Bible shows us the face of God in Jesus when we approach His Word. We come with humility, putting aside our own visions of Him and discovering what He truly does look like. We come with gratitude, love, and praise because God has given us the Good News of salvation in Christ Jesus. Finally, we come with willingness to allow God to lead us where He would have us go, confident that He is always drawing us closer to Himself.

Today, wise men (and women) are those who look for the Lord not by the light of their own understanding, but by the light of His Word.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, show Your face to me that I may see and believe. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 31/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©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.

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