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Begin with God … So We Can Do His Will

In the Word

What is God’s will for me?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23–24).

Of the Word

What is God’s will for me? What does He say about it? How can I do His will? By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John wrote: And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us (1 John 3:23).

Not one person on earth can obey God’s laws perfectly. But Jesus, the perfect Son of God Who came to earth as a tiny baby, lived a perfect life and fulfilled the Law for us. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23–24).

Praise be to God that through Christ we are justified. Because of Christ, we are just and right with God — just right for doing His will. That can begin with the love we show toward one another, a love which responds to the love God has given to us through Jesus.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, God, that I can learn of Your will for me in Your Word. Thank You for sending Jesus to do Your will and to keep the Law perfectly for me. Help me to seek Your will for my life, to joyfully obey You, and to love others as You have loved me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 25/28 ©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.

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Living in the Spirit … Produces Patience

In the Word

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Of the Word

We have become a world of impatient people. We have instant coffee, instant mashed potatoes, fast access to the internet, and instant messaging on our phones. As Christians we know God answers our prayers but often our impatient attitude says, “Lord, please answer my prayer, and I need an answer now.”

The things we cherish the most in this life don’t happen overnight. In this fast-paced world, precious and wonderful things take time to develop — babies, love, friendships, family, and our own relationship with God. These things must be nurtured and fed with care and patience until they develop and blossom and become what God intends them to be.

The fruit of the Spirit is … patience (Galatians 5:22).

Patience is a gift of the Holy Spirit, one that must be practiced so it can flourish. By God’s grace, the Holy Spirit will teach us to be patient, just as our Father God is patient with us.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, I thank You for being patient with me especially when I have failed to be what You would have me be. Through Your Holy Spirit, help me to practice patience with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 24/30 ©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.

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Living in the Spirit … Brings Peace

In the Word

“Why are you troubled … ?” (Luke 24:38b).

Of the Word

The fruit of the Spirit is … peace (Galatians 5:22).

MY TROUBLE IS MY PAST.

Try as we might, it is difficult to forget the past as well as forgive ourselves. We carry around a load of guilt. We yearn for peace and the Holy Spirit whispers,  He [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2 NIV).

MY TROUBLE IS THE PRESENT.

Bills are due and money is short. We are alone and lonely. Our parents are aging. Unemployment is just around the corner. Our teenager is troubled. We cry aloud and the Spirit answers, Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from them all (Psalm 34:19 GNT).

MY TROUBLE IS THE FUTURE.

We don’t even have peace at night because we’re worrying about what may happen. The Holy Spirit gently echoes the words of Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, forgive me for those times that I allow myself to be all tied up in knots from worrying. I know that Your Holy Spirit can bring me peace. Grant me that in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 23/30 ©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 (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

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Living in the Spirit … Gives Me Joy

In the Word

The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad (Psalm 126:3).

Of the Word

The fruit of the Spirit is … joy (Galatians 5:22).

Vacations. Vacation homes. Jobs. Better jobs. TVs. Bigger TVs. Parties. More parties. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Boats. Cars, etc., etc., etc. The list of things we think will bring us joy is endless. But the time, energy, and money spent on the pursuit of happiness are wasted because the material things we want today are not a source of everlasting joy. They will not bring comfort when troubles or sorrows enter our lives.

True joy comes to us as the Holy Spirit leads us into living with Jesus Christ. Through Him we have the precious gift of eternal life. Knowing this helps us to walk through the dark times into the Light of Christ’s love. The things of life are only temporary but God’s promises will last forever. Joy is God caring for us.

Let us shout with loud voices, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” He has come to give us this message: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, what comfort I have knowing the pursuit of spiritual things will never be time wasted. Thank You for the joy You have put in my life through Your Spirit and Your Son. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 22/30 ©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.

(Hymn text: “Joy to the World” — public domain.)

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With Thankful Hearts

In the Word

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37).

Of the Word

One of my favorite holidays falls on the fourth Thursday of every November, Thanksgiving Day! We have an opportunity to be with our extended family. Football contests create friendly family rivalries that allow us to tease each other and to enjoy each other’s company. The little ones in the family, now our grandchildren, squeal with gleeful joy as they run to and fro looking for fun ways to pass the time.

Of course, there are the meals! What bounty the good Lord places before us! Evidence of God’s wonderful provision for us abundantly layers the tables. We give thanks to our God for all of these wonderful blessings and then enjoy time around the table with all of our loved ones.

Yes, we give thanks for a plentiful harvest on Thanksgiving Day. But there is another, even more important, harvest. The fields of this harvest are so full that they are laden with the bounty God has provided. The Lord has commanded that workers bring in this harvest. We need these harvesters to share God’s Word, that more will come to know Him, become His disciples, and join in the work of bringing in the harvest.

With thankful hearts, prepared by God, men and women go out into the harvest fields. Pastors, teachers, deaconesses, and directors of Christian education go into the fields to serve under the direction of the Lord and to bring in the harvest that God has so richly provided. Whatever our profession or season of life, we are all workers in the harvest field wherever God leads us in our daily lives.

Christ, through the work He finished on the cross, richly forgives all who believe in Him and confess their sins. He fills us with His joy and thanksgiving by the power of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God also equips each of us to be part of His harvest. When we are connected to Christ, each one can bear much fruit!

Walking with my Lord

Lord of the harvest, raise up willing workers in this world to bring in Your harvest. Show me how I can best serve You to bring in the ripened sheaves. Let me never forget that each of us can play a part, whether large or small, in this important work. Help me to use my gifts and talents, that many may come to Your banquet table. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Stewardship: Tithes and Offerings

In the Word

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (1 Peter 4:10).

Of the Word

“Why is it that every time we go to church they are talking about money? Makes you wonder if that’s what the church is all about.” Some people become very uncomfortable discussing the topic of stewardship. However, regardless of our attitude in this area, each of us ought to consider how we are to manage the gifts with which God has blessed us.

Our health, talent, money, time, and abilities are all gifts for us to enjoy and to share with God’s people. How can we use His gifts to honor Him and help others? Surprisingly, the more we give back to Him, the more we receive from Him. Of course, this is not why we give; but, it is how God gives!

God wants us to live abundant lives, but not necessarily with an abundance of “things.” Rather, He pours out His abundant love on us through Christ and asks us to consider how we can share this wealth with others.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the many ways You bless us and our family. Help us to not take Your gifts for granted, but rather use them to help others know Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 24/28 ©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.

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Finances: To Spend or Save?

In the Word

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).

Of the Word

“…for richer or for poorer.” It was easy to say at the wedding, but it is sometimes hard to live out in real life. He wants to save for the future; she wants to wear the latest fashions. She’s thinking about college for the kids; he’s eyeing a new boat. How will you decide who “wins”? Start by setting priorities for how your money is to be spent before these questions arise, making sure the marriage is the winner!

Talk through the issues. Does God care how we spend our money? What does it mean to be stewards of what He has given us? How can we use our money to help others and for our own enjoyment? Does this purchase meet our family’s short-term or long-term goals? Do we agree that this is a wise use of our money?

Remember, what you spend your money on is not nearly as important as why you spend it. Ask God for guidance in your money matters.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, help us to be good stewards of Your gifts so that together we can enjoy and share the blessings You give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 23/28 ©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.

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