Listen to this devotion

Gift Giving: To gift or not to gift, that is the question

In the Word

"Freely you have received, freely give"  (Matthew 10:8b NIV).

Of the Word

That special day is coming and you really want to do something impressive for your spouse. Or maybe it's the opposite. You don't like society telling you when and how to express your love so you're planning to ignore the day and choose another time to do your gift giving. In whichever situation you find yourself, before you act (or don't act), consider the expectations your spouse has for the event. How will your gesture be interpreted? How can you best express your love in a way that will be received in the manner you intended?

Everything about giving a gift should be centered on the receiver. That may mean you will have to set aside your own preferences in order to give the way your spouse will enjoy most. Talk about how and why you like to give and receive gifts. Share what a gift means when you're the giver and when you're the receiver. This will help your giving be meaningful and enjoyed to the fullest. 

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, You gave up everything to show Your love for me on the cross. Help me to consider what brings joy to my spouse as I seek to show my love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 20/28 ©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

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Not Who I Married: Who is this person?

In the Word

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Of the Word

"Who are you, and what have you done with the person I married?" Do you ever find yourself wishing you could ask that question out loud? You thought you knew your spouse inside and out. Now it seems your mate reveals something new every day.

As these discoveries are made you have two options: panic and second guess your choice of partner, or rejoice and realize that life is bound to bring change. Like death and taxes, change is impossible to avoid, even in marriage. However, couples who are not willing to change and grow with one another will probably find themselves feeling frustrated, angry, and cheated.

So take time to talk about it. Be patient with each other and find ways to face the differences together. In prayer, place each other into the loving arms of the only changeless being in the universe, the God who walks with you through every change. 

Walking with my Lord 

Dear Lord, life brings change whether we like it or not. Thank You that You do not change and that You are with us as we do. Teach us patience and grace as we walk with You and each other through whatever life brings. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 19/28 ©2008 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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Begin with God … He Helps Ease Loneliness

In the Word

How can I ease my loneliness?

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Of the Word

Loneliness is not just being alone. It is feeling alone and unloved. But are we ever truly alone? No, for Jesus promises: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).

When lonely feelings do come, how can we cope with them? Jesus' comforting words bring reassurance. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

What is our response to Jesus' promise and His loving invitation to rest in Him? Inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. Peter wrote, As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10a).

Knowing that we are never truly alone — even though our human nature would have us believe otherwise — we can trust fully in God and then reach out in love to others.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Savior, thank You for Your promise to be with me always. When dark and lonely times come, help me to believe without a doubt that You are close beside me. Show me ways of service that will ease my loneliness and bring joy to others. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 21/28 ©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 by Crossway, 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

Begin with God … He Helps Us Calm Anger

In the Word

Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:19b–20).

Of the Word

"He has a short fuse." "She was really steamed." "She's mad as a hornet." "I was about to blow up." Many figures of speech are used to describe anger. What does God have to say about it?

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice (Ephesians 4:31).

"Think before you speak." "Get rid of angry words." How easy to say, but how hard to do! Our help comes from God. Through His Spirit He helps us to recognize and confess our sinful anger. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy (Proverbs 28:13).

Pray for the Holy Spirit's gifts. He brings anger management skills! But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22–23).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Heavenly Father, anger — my own or that of others — has caused hurt, frustration and separation in many lives. Forgive me for my sinful outbursts and quiet grumbling. Help me to remember Your love for me. Help me to show kindness, patience and a forgiving spirit to those around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 20/28 ©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 by Crossway, 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

Exercising Our Right to Vote

In the Word

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God (Romans 13:1).

Of the Word

As United States citizens, we have the right and privilege to vote for candidates running for various national, state, and local offices. Those elected will serve in a position of authority in their respective offices which have been instituted by God.

Just as Christ willfully submitted to His Father by coming to earth to save us from our sins, we should willfully submit to the authorities God has put in place to help provide order in a world plagued by sin and disorder. We submit to the governing authorities until they command us to do something against God’s Word.

We cannot do this on our own. It is only through the Holy Spirit working in us that we strive to submit to our heavenly Father and the governing authorities He places over us. When we fail, we can repent, and He promises to forgive. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit can, and will, strengthen our resolve to honor those in authority. 

Walking with my Lord

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for a government that provides order and protection for us. Help us to respect those who serve in positions of authority. Amen.
 

Mustard Seed: Election Day by Pam Wiederkehr, Enid, Oklahoma. Copyright © 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved. lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible unless otherwise noted. (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, 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

Handmade

In the Word

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13–14a).

Of the Word

One of my daughter’s favorite songs to sing with me is “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.” I like to add the prefix “God made Ella” to the song. As an infant she enjoyed my voice and my touch. Now, as she nears toddlerhood, she enjoys pointing to her body parts all by herself.

The psalmist is clear that each of his tendons, muscles, and bones were put together by God’s own hands. We are all wonderfully handmade by God, and because of that we each have great value. In fact, God loved what He made so much that a lofty price was paid to buy us back from eternal death: His Son’s own life! God works to sustain us in this earthly life through all of the good gifts He gives to us each day.

What a privilege we have to share this Good News with our children — God the Father created them, God the Son redeemed them, and God the Holy Spirit sanctifies them. Praise God for the works of love He has done in our lives and in the lives of those most precious to us.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, enable me, through Your Holy Spirit, to share the wonderful works of love You have accomplished for all of Your children. In Jesus’ blessed name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 2/30 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

 Out in Faith

In the Word

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus (Matthew 14:28–29).

Of the Word

Have you ever been on a search when someone said, “Keep your eyes peeled”? You did not literally peel your eyes, but you stayed focused on the task at hand.

When Jesus came walking on the water, Peter wanted to join Him. Peter responded to the Lord’s invitation and in faith stepped out of the boat, walking on the water toward Jesus. But all too soon the winds were a distraction and taking his eyes of faith off Jesus, Peter began to sink.

How often do we look away from Jesus and focus on our problems? When we do, we may feel like we are sinking in over our head. Jesus lovingly rescued Peter asking him, “Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31b). Through the Holy Spirit Jesus guides us to keep our focus on Him. His words are for us, too. “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27b).

Walking with the Word

Holy Savior, only in You am I able to step out in faith. Help me keep my eyes fixed on You so that I may find comfort in Your peace. In Your saving name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 2/28 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email