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Living in Faith: Grace and Mercy

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Faith is … Relying on Our Heavenly Father’s Grace and Mercy

In the Word

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead … (1 Peter 1:3).

Of the Word

A German submarine sank a British freighter off Africa in 1941. The sub surfaced amid wreckage, lifeboats, and wounded men. When the British were ordered to board the sub, they thought they would be killed or captured. Instead the German captain had his doctor treat their wounds. His crewmen repaired their lifeboats. He gave them food, water, wine, and tobacco, then set them on a course for the nearest land. They were not treated as enemies, but they were shown mercy.

We have not been treated as enemies of God. Because of our sin we deserve hell which is eternal separation from Him. The grave should swallow us, and we should sink into a sea of torment forever.

No, God has not dealt with us as we deserve. He put our sins on Christ and dealt with Christ. Our Father gave us what we have not deserved. God, who is full of grace and mercy, has given us a living hope.

Our wounds have been treated and we have been clothed with Christ’s own holiness. He has set us on a course for heaven. That is the sweetest truth we will ever hear!

Walking with my Lord

I thank You, O God, for Your mercy toward me, a sinner. In Jesus’ most precious name I pray. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 25/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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View the printable PDF of this devotion, Faith is … Relying on Our Heavenly Father’s Grace and Mercy

Living in the Spirit … Gives Me Power

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Living in the Spirit … Gives Me Power

In the Word

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Of the Word

The storm crashed around the house. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, hail pounded against the windows. And then the power went out. The family huddled in darkness, fearing that the fierce winds would demolish their home. When morning came, they inspected the damages and prepared for the day. Breakfast? No power meant no hot coffee, no warm toast. The air was unbearably hot. No power meant no air conditioning. How had the rest of the city fared? No power meant no radio or TV to catch the news. No power to begin the ordinary routines of the day.

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, His disciples were without power. In fear and dismay, they deserted Him and ran. After His resurrection, Jesus met with them. He spoke to them, and their fears dissolved. They believed His words, and power was restored — power from the Holy Spirit.

Electric power outages are to be expected now and then, but never will we experience an outage of Spirit power. This is Jesus’ promise to us, His disciples of the twenty-first century.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. When I feel weak and helpless, remind me of the power that You and You alone can give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 2/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Living in Prayer: Thy Will Be Done!

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Thy Will Be Done!

In the Word

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14).

Of the Word

When the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her she would have God’s Son, she could have doubted His words and run away, but instead she answered, “I am the Lord’s servant … May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). What trust and confidence for such a young person. What an example for us! Have you had opportunities to do as Mary and submit yourself to God’s will?

Even Jesus submitted His will to the will of His Father before He died on the cross. Father, if you are willing, take this cup (of suffering) from me; yet not my will, but yours be done (Luke 22:42). We also need to pray according to God’s will. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him (1 John 5:14–15).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father, help me to understand Your will and to remember to listen for the answers You provide in Your time and according to Your will. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 14/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Living in Praise: Active Praise

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Active Praise

In the Word

[Be] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11).

Of the Word

“Actions speak louder than words.” How true! And actions praise louder — and often more convincingly — than words when God’s love motivates the actions.

God’s love took action in Jesus Christ. Jesus lived God’s love for us in His suffering and death on the cross for our sins. His love brought us redemption and a new, living, and eternal relationship with God, our Father. We rightly praise Jesus for His act of love on our behalf. We doubly praise Him when we put our praise in action by keeping His command to serve others. That’s active praise.

It costs something, however, to practice active praise. It can cost convenience. Time. Resources. Personal preferences. It can cost the opportunity to do something far more glamorous and lucrative. Yet service motivated by praise keeps on serving. Why? Because Jesus’ love neither stopped for His convenience, nor required the recognition and applause of others. Jesus’ example shows what active love looks like. In Him, let your actions show forth His praise!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, work in me Your active love; let everything I do proclaim
My thanks for all You’ve done for me, with praise-in-action in Your name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 3/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Begin with God … He Is Savior

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Begin with God … He Is Savior

In the Word

How do I know I have eternal life?

Jesus said to her [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26).

Of the Word

Jesus spoke these words to Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus. He explained to her that by trusting in Him as Savior one would never die. He didn’t mean that we would not experience an earthly death, because we will. But by believing in Him we will not have eternal death but rather eternal life. And Christ asks us as He did Martha, “Do you believe this?”

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:40).

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).

It is difficult for us to understand why Jesus would leave His home in heaven to come to earth to be persecuted and put to death on a cross. It is even more difficult to believe that He did it for each of us just because He loves us and wants us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. But He did. “Do you believe this?”

Walking with my Lord

Almighty God who gave Your Son to die for my sins, I praise You for this most precious gift. Help me never to doubt Your Word and promise of eternal life. Help me, instead, to say with confidence, “Yes, Lord, I believe!” Because Jesus is my Savior, I pray in His holy name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 3/28 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Living in Faith: Procession of Triumph

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Faith is … Living Life as a Procession of Triumph

In the Word

… thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Of the Word

When the opponents of 17th century British author, John Bunyan, were trying to silence him, they offered him the choice of renouncing his faith or serving a term in prison. He chose the latter and spent twelve years in the Bedford jail. Of that experience he said, “I have determined, the Almighty God being my help and shield, yet to suffer … rather than violate my faith and principles.” Out of Bunyan’s imprisonment came the great literary work Pilgrim’s Progress. What a blessing!

That was what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote, … thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ … (2 Corinthians 2:14a). That was the spirit of Paul. His life was a series of hardships, but he regarded them as blessings. He was able to remain thankful because he knew that God was leading him.

We may be facing all kinds of hardships, yet because of our faith we can be content in spirit. Our reward: God is with us. Our life becomes a triumphal procession when it is lived in Christ.

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, in all situations and circumstances, give me faith that is stronger than steel and more durable than diamonds. In Christ’s name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 21/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Living in Faith: There Will Be Another Day

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Faith is … Believing that There Will Be Another Day

In the Word

… we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37b).

Of the Word

A German minister was accused of high treason by the Nazis and sentenced to death. The godless hangman flaunted his pistol and sneered, “Five minutes yet. Then it’s over. Where is your loving and almighty God now?” With trembling voice but steady heart, the minister replied, “Oh, yes, that you have the power today, each child can see. Maybe you will have it tomorrow, too. But don’t forget, there will be still a third day. And that belongs to God.” With those words, he died.

That is faith — always believing there will be another day. The Friday of Christ’s death looked dark, but the third day belonged to God. Faith always believes in another day, a day when we shall see clearly and all questions will be answered. Poet Matilda Cloer wrote: Why should I fear tomorrow? God’s given me today! I will not troubles borrow; ‘Tis He who plans my way. To fret will cause me sorrow, And tears I need not shed, For God holds each tomorrow; I’ll just trust Him instead!

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, give me faith to see beyond today’s troubles to tomorrow’s blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 13/30 ©2007 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.

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