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Bread of Life

In the Word

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (John 6:51).

Of the Word

The little tremor begins deep down inside and then grows into a full crescendo of nervous twitches and profuse sweating. You know what I’m talking about, the moments before stepping up on the scale so that the doctor can measure your weight.

After the last weigh-in, the doctor put me on the “no-white” diet. He said not to eat anything white, including one of my favorite things, bread. In the morning when seven-grain bread is being toasted to enjoy with butter and coffee, or when the smell of homemade flour tortillas drifts through the air, it is tough to be on this “no-white” thing!

There are so many things that are not good for us, but seem so “tasty and enjoyable.” This can also be the case for our spiritual lives. We can become so addicted to the “food” of this world that when the Lord uses His scales to weigh our lives on the last day, nervous twitches and profuse sweating might come to our minds.

But wait! There is good news! Jesus came to be living bread. He came to suffer and die for all the times we have transgressed. He has given us bread to eat that is heavenly; bread that is good for us and strengthens us for life everlasting. This bread, given to us in the Lord’s Supper, is Jesus’ very own body. He commits this perfect food to energize the task of restoring us, especially when we fall off of our spiritual diets.

God has done all things necessary to restore a fallen world and a sinful humanity by giving His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross of Calvary to accomplish the task. But the story didn’t end there. On Easter morning, there was Christ’s resurrection. As John 6:51a says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” Feasting on the bread in the Lord’s Supper, that is Christ, we receive life.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You that You are the Bread of Life who feeds and nourishes my soul. Keep my mind and heart away from the junk food of life that will only make my soul sick. Help me to daily feed on the Bread of Life, Your dear Son, Jesus — through whom You have given new life to Your creation and to all of us. Amen.

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Happy Anniversary!

In the Word

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12b NIV).

Of the Word

At the 50th anniversary celebration the husband was asked, “What is the secret of your long marriage?” “Well,” drawled the gentleman, “I never tried to hold things together with a thread when I needed a rope.” After the puzzled laughter subsided, he added, “Handling life’s problems alone would have been tough. My wife gave me added strength. But the Lord held us together.”

After God created Adam, He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18 NIV). God formed Eve to be Adam’s earthly partner, a strand of two woven into one flesh.

However, the heart of any marriage is truly defined as A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12b). Christ, the Third Strand, gives strength to husband and wife. A shared faith in Him sustains us in the challenges of life and multiplies the joys of our blessings. The Creator desires to be the center of every marriage.

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, we daily celebrate our marriage union in You. Help us to always look to You for strength and guidance. In Your loving name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 17/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40195

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, 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 by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Betrayal

In the Word

So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel (2 Samuel 15:6b).

Of the Word

The Bible story of King David and his son, Absalom, is a story of family betrayal. Absalom was plotting to overthrow his father and seize his kingship. His conspiracy left a trail of deceit, betrayal, lies, and even plans to murder his father. In the end, it was Absalom who would die, and only his father’s pain remained. “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you …” (2 Samuel 18:33b).

Betrayal in a family exchanges doing for one another with “How could you do this to me?” Trust is destroyed when trust should abound. Forgiveness is withheld when grace is required. Betrayal is devastating but can be overcome when God’s love abounds and hearts are softened.

David never stopped loving his son, as Scripture teaches us all, … keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8b). Forgiveness and reconciliation are found in Christ. 

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, help me in this time of betrayal. Help me to forgive. Help me to reach out. Help me to love. I need Your grace to permeate my life and for healing to begin. In Your holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 17/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Belly Laughs

In the Word

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them” (Psalm 126:2).

Of the Word

There are few things more contagious than the laughter of a young child. That unselfconscious, from-the-toes giggle that expands into a full-blown belly laugh. The cause does not matter because the action takes on a life of its own. Soon, everyone in the room has gotten caught up in the laughter.

Perhaps adults should experience one good belly laugh a month, especially with another person. It could become the next fitness rage! Think of the worries and stress that might be eliminated without a prescription.

Christians have the best reason to express such total joy. Helplessly lost in our sin, we face only sorrow and death. Our merciful God sent Jesus to redeem us from the debt we owed by His death on the cross and glorious resurrection. We experience Easter joy every day, a joy so contagious that those whose lives we touch will say, “The LORD has done great things … ” (Psalm 126:2b).

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, thank You for the laughter You have put into my life. Let my joy in You as my Savior overflow so others may know You, too! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 16/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40195

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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The Race — First Place

In the Word

And He sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

Of the Word

Imagine what would happen if the last runner to cross the finish line was declared the winner of the race. There would be some laughter, questions of sanity, and a reality check at the awards ceremony. The truth is, the last runner in is never the winner.

So imagine the disciples’ confusion when Jesus declared that for anyone to be first in His kingdom, he must, in fact, be last. How is this possible? Jesus placed a “winning” status on those who serve others with humility. Need an example? Jesus humbly served His creation by being born into our midst, feeding us through His Word, healing us, and saving us. By humbly serving our neighbors we follow Jesus’ example.

Walking with my Lord

Christ Jesus, in humility You served all of creation and made the supreme sacrifice by giving Your own life on Calvary’s cross. Help me to follow Your example and humbly serve my neighbor. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 18/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40196

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Continuing to Train — A God-Pleasing Aroma

In the Word

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15).

Of the Word

Let’s face it. When you’re done with a run you’re not only sweaty, but you also stink. The deodorant you put on three miles ago can only do so much to cover the full body odor that emanates from every pore.

You know what else stinks? Sin. And it also emanates from every pore of your body. Deodorant can’t cover it up, and it remains even after a shower. So how do you become the pleasing aroma Paul wrote about in Second Corinthians? Through the sweet smell of the Gospel.

Only the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection can cover the decaying smell of sin. So be cleansed by the Gospel, and let it seep into every pore of your soul. And to your neighbors and friends you will be the aroma of Christ.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, thank You for the sweet message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let it not only cleanse my soul, but emanate to the world around me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 16/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40196

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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A Community Weeps

In the Word

Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep (1 Samuel 30:4).

Of the Word

When a community tragedy strikes, the community weeps. In 1 Samuel 30, David and the people with him had returned to their town of Ziklag to find it burned. Their wives, sons, and daughters had been taken captive. The loss was overwhelming. David was distressed. The people were devastated. They wept until they had no more strength to weep. The people were bitter, and they blamed David. They wanted answers.

The exhaustive emotions, grief, and weeping described in 1 Samuel 30 are common in a community when tragedy strikes. Distress, devastation, and bitterness sweep through hearts and souls. Answers are demanded but seldom given to satisfaction. Who is to blame? How does one endure? What does one do now? In tragic times, the response of David serves well. … David strengthened himself in the LORD his God (1 Samuel 30:6b). Strength is found in God’s Word and Sacraments. In God is strength when we ourselves have no more.

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, my strength is failing. This tragedy is overwhelming. Give me consolation and healing through Your Word and Spirit. In Your holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 16/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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