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Quiet Time

In the Word

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed (Mark 1:35).

Of the Word

Life with a newborn can be overwhelming! After time spent diapering, feeding, playing, and sleeping when the baby sleeps, I still need to go to work, clean house, make meals, and spend time with my husband. With only twenty-four hours in a day, I find that my priorities needed to be reevaluated.

There is no question Jesus had plenty to do, but He gives us a great example of putting first things first. One day Jesus spent until well after sundown healing people in Capernaum, yet He rose early the next morning and went alone to a place to pray privately to his heavenly Father.

Although Jesus was busy doing good things for deserving people, He never lost focus on His highest priority: accomplishing His Father’s will to save the lost. But in order to do that, Jesus needed to spend time in prayer.

Even though, as a new mom, you may find yourself much busier now than you were before your child was born, make it your priority each day to spend quiet time with God.

Walking with my Lord

Loving Savior, forgive me when I have been too busy to spend quiet time with You. Help me reevaluate my priorities so You are first in my life. In Your blessed name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author.  4/30 ©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.

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A River Divided

In the Word

A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers (Genesis 2:10).

Of the Word

Many have attempted to find the exact location of the Garden of Eden because they believe finding it will enable mankind to return to perfection. Locating the four rivers mentioned in Genesis 2 — Pishon, Cush, Tigris, and Euphrates — would certainly be the key, but only two of them are identifiable in this modern era. We will never know for sure where God placed the garden that was home to Adam and Eve.

Our God’s presence is not merely limited to a singular earthly location. Jesus tells us, “My kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36b). We do not have to go out looking for the Garden of Eden or search for God’s presence in our lives. Through the waters of Holy Baptism and the words of the Bible He has already come to us.

God comes to us, His children, so that by His grace we would believe in His holy Word. By His grace through our faith in Jesus Christ we will one day be with Him in heaven … God’s perfect Kingdom of Glory.

Walking with my Lord

Creator God, You have come to me with love, grace, hope, and peace. Guide, guard, and protect me as I await the coming of Your Kingdom of Glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 1/28 ©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.

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In All Things

In the Word

I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Of the Word

Meeting a friend to exercise early each morning had seemed a great idea during the summer. As the daylight decreased, it got more and more difficult. If only the crack of dawn came at noon, it would be manageable. “I just don’t have the strength!” became the daily excuse.

Christians know exactly where to turn in times of crisis. We believe God alone has the power to change our situation; we alone can do nothing. We forget He is the Lord of our entire life, even the average times. The apostle Paul stated firmly, I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Those “things” include our routine struggles to serve Him and do His will. God is our strength at all times.

We do not need to evaluate the worth of our concerns. The Holy Spirit welcomes our prayers to help us make healthy lifestyle choices or refrain from participating in office gossip or use our computer time wisely. He wants us to seek and trust His guidance in our every weakness. He is the God of every faltering step in our walk of faith.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, may I always acknowledge You as the only source of strength in my everyday, ordinary life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, author. 1/30 ©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 ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Eve — Who Do You Trust?

In the Word

(Eve’s Story: Genesis 2:18 – 3:24)

He [the serpent] said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1b).

Of the Word

“Sell now! Top prices for gold!” “Did your dad really say you had to be home by midnight?” “Lose 20 pounds in 20 days or your money back!” Who can you trust?

It began in the Garden of Eden when Satan talked to Eve — and she listened. Adam and Eve, the perfect human beings God created, chose Satan’s words over God’s words. When they listened to Satan, they lost sight of God.

Sin followed sin; and ever since that fateful day, sin has been part of our world. Temptations of all shapes and sizes surround us, but we can look to the Lord for truth and power. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7a). Only He gives us strength to defy Satan and refute his lies.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father in heaven, temptations come at me from every direction. Give me strength and courage to reject Satan. Help me choose what is good and right in Your sight. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 1/34 ©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.

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Faithful Leaders

Commemorating C.F.W. Walther’s birthday, October 25

In the Word

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7).

Of the Word

This verse reminds us to be faithful followers of Christ. We are reminded to look at Christian leaders and learn from their life. Following their example will help us stay true to God’s Word.

C.F.W. Walther was one of those faithful leaders. Born in Saxony, Germany, in 1811, Walther came from a Lutheran family with generations of Lutheran pastors. He started learning of Martin Luther and his teachings at a young age. 

Ferdinand (C.F.W.) Walther and his brother Otto, both Lutheran pastors, left Germany for America when they were in their twenties. Their goal was to be free to preach God’s Word. Just as Luther, they wanted everyone to know salvation was a gift of God to all who had faith. Because of man’s sinful nature, one’s works were never enough. 

The brothers’ ship brought them to New Orleans. From there, they traveled north on the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Missouri, and then Perry County, Missouri. It was there that the first seminary initially began before being moved back to St. Louis where Trinity Lutheran Church and Concordia Seminary were built, and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was established. C.F.W. Walther was named President of Concordia Seminary and the first President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. C.F.W. Walther maintained it was imperative that both Law and Gospel were necessary for understanding salvation.

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, thank You for faithful leaders like C.F.W. Walther. May we always remember we cannot be saved through our own works. Our salvation is only through Your grace. Give us opportunities to share this vital information with others. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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.

Mustard Seed: Faithful Leaders by Martha Hartwig, Robins, Iowa
Copyright© 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
lwml.org

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Baby Monitor

In the Word

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:22).

Of the Word

Any morning you wake up laughing is a good day. I had one of those mornings when, through the baby monitor, I heard my daughter say, “All done!” She was done sleeping, ready to get up, and confident I could hear her and would act to free her from the confines of the crib.

Much like the baby monitor that allows me to hear my daughter in her room, we have a direct line to God’s ear: prayer. Speaking to God is a privilege He gives believers. Prayer is powerful.

Joshua prayed and the sun stood still for a whole day. (Joshua 10:12–13) Jonah prayed and the very large fish that swallowed him spit Jonah out onto dry land. (Jonah 2) When Abraham prayed, a few people were saved from destruction in Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 18:22–33) Joshua, Jonah, and Abraham prayed with confidence, knowing God would act for them.

In the same way, we can be confident in our prayers. God hears and God acts when we come before Him with our requests. And as Joshua, Jonah, and Abraham proved, nothing is too big or too small to bring before God in prayer.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of speaking to You in prayer. Help me be confident as I come before You with my requests. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 1/30 ©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.

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Begin with God … He Helps Us Eliminate Envy

In the Word

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice (James 3:16 NIV).

Of the Word

Sweet is to bitter as contentment is to envy. Most of us would choose a sweet flavor over a bitter one, and we would certainly choose feelings of contentment over feelings of envy or jealousy. Unfortunately, envy is often a part of human relationships because of sin.

What happens when envy rules? God's Word says, … where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice (James 3:16). God directs, So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander (1 Peter 2:1).

How can we rid ourselves of the evil of envy? First, we must recognize it; then we must confess it. If we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive us our sins … (1 John 1:9).

God's Word gives us strength to live content with all that He provides for us. But godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, envy can cause divisions and ruin relationships in homes, churches and workplaces. Help me to recognize it and fight against it in my life. Forgive me when I fail, and help me to be content with the blessings You have showered upon me. Help me to rejoice with others when they, too, are blessed. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 19/28 ©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

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