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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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Living as a Woman in Mission: Light in the ...

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Light in the Darkness

In the Word

I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1–2).

Of the Word

The hill behind my house, not grand by mountain standards, is a challenge for my legs and lungs. One very dreary fall morning when my mood matched the weather, I was sitting at my kitchen table staring out into the backyard. Suddenly I was awed by “fire” in the treetops on the hill. The sun had broken through the clouds and its rays turned the trees to a brilliant orange that blazed against the black sky. It lasted only a few minutes, but what joy filled my heart as my eyes feasted on the beauty!

A greater joy came from remembering the One who made the hill, the trees, and the dark gloomy morning with its spark of beauty. Our merciful God is still in charge. The touch of His love turns darkness into light.

Time spent praying, praising God, and reading His Word helps me remember that though my days are not always sunny and fun, God is with me. His beauty, love, and mercy surround me. When my spirits start to sag, I look to my hill — or better yet, climb it. I find myself praising God for this bit of creation He has given me.

Walking with my Lord

Creator God, help me look for the beauty in my world and in the people You put into my life. Let the joy of hope shine in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Barbara Carlson. 12/32 ©2009 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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