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Come One, Come All

In the Word

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

Of the Word

You're invited! During the holidays invitations just keep pouring in. Many of them might include the question, "Will you let us know whether or not you can come?"

Through God's angel an invitation was given to the shepherds watching their sheep on the lonely hills near Bethlehem. Their response was "Yes!" as they interrupted their work to see where the newborn Savior lay in a manger. With a star in the east, God summoned the Magi. They, too, said "Yes!" even though it meant traveling far from home to find the Holy Child.

Christmas may bring many invitations, but the most important one is the one sent by our Lord. He invites us to come and hear His voice in the words of Scripture and to join with others in the celebration of His birth. Just as He invited the shepherds and the Magi, He invites us to come to His cradle and worship Him.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming into my life. Thank You for inviting me into Your presence. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 2/32 ©2011, revised 2024 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®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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A Familiar Story

In the Word

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).

Of the Word

The Christmas story is one we've heard time and again. We know about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the angels, the one bright guiding star in the sky, and the Magi on their way to Bethlehem. We know they came to visit the Baby Jesus born in a manger because we hear about it every year.

As often as it's been repeated, however, the Christmas story still has relevance to us. Like Mary and Joseph, we are aware of God's presence, His will, and His work in our lives. Like the shepherds and angels, all of us join our voices in praise to the newborn King. Like the Magi, we follow His light and offer ourselves before Him in humility and gratitude.

The Nativity still takes place in hearts and lives throughout the world. The Holy Spirit brings joy to God's people each time the Christmas story is heard.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, as I hear the story of Your birth in Bethlehem, open my heart and mind to its meaning in my life. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 1/32 ©2011, revised 2024 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®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Begin with God … So We Can Forgive Others

In the Word

"But I [Jesus] say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

Of the Word

How can I learn to forgive?

What motivates us to forgive others? For some it is guilt, for others it is responsibility. Neither is a good motivator. How much better it is for us to be motivated by God’s love! Yet only God could promise to forgive and forget — and then keep that promise! “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more" (Jeremiah 31:34b NIV). Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13 NIV).

But forgiving is sometimes hard. How can we do it on our own? "But I [Jesus] say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

It is difficult to pray for people with whom we are angry. But God will provide us the strength to do so, just as He gives us the strength to forgive. If we follow God’s Word by loving and forgiving each other, peace and joy will be our blessings. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord God, thank You for the assurance that You forgive and forget. I am not like You when I hold grudges and remember hurts. Forgive me, I pray, and help me to be more like You. Send Your Spirit to fill me with love and forgiveness so that I may have peace and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 27/28 ©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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Living in the Spirit … Leads Me to Faithfulness

In the Word

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you … (Proverbs 3:3a).

Of the Word

TRUSTWORTHINESS + RELIABLILTY + LOYALTY = A FAITHFUL PERSON

TRUSTWORTHY.
Can I hardly wait to tell a secret, or can I be trusted with a confidence?

RELIABLE.
Do I make promises and fail to follow through, or do people find that I am reliable?

LOYAL.
Am I always looking for something different or better, or am I loyal?

Because our loving God will be faithful to us through eternity, let us strive to follow His example by: honoring our promises; being faithful to our families; standing up for others; keeping our word; paying our debts; being faithful in our worship and loyal to our Savior Jesus Christ. No words will be sweeter than to one day hear from our Heavenly Father, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23a).

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

Walking with my Lord

Father, through the example of Jesus Christ and the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, help me to become a person others will always trust because they see Jesus in me. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 27/30 ©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 … Helps Me Serve Others

In the Word

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).

Of the Word

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

Goodness is simply showing kindness to others. It is a generous giving of ourselves as well as our possessions. Goodness is the ability to identify with others and their needs and then, whenever possible, help without expecting anything in return.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

Our daily goal should be to do good things for others. But doing good means putting others first, and we aren’t always willing to do that. God, the perfect example of goodness, sent His Son Jesus to teach us how to love and serve others. Jesus, in His goodness, put every one of us first on Good Friday when He went to the cross. The Holy Spirit works in us, helping us to be Christ-like in spite of our human weaknesses.

Walking with my Lord

Gracious God, You have shown goodness to me in all things. Forgive me for failing to follow Your example. Let the Holy Spirit guide me so that others will see Jesus in me. In His name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 26/30 ©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 … Instills Kindness in Me

In the Word

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with … kindness … Bear with each other … (Colossians 3:12–13a NIV).

Of the Word

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

God’s kindness toward us is everlasting; it’s never going to end. In turn, the God of everlasting kindness wants us, His dearly loved children, to act as He does and be kind to one another. He wants us to wear kindness as we would wear our best outfit.

The kindness the Holy Spirit instills in us enables us to bear with each other, to hold each other up as a stake would hold up a plant, to make allowances for others’ faults, to understand our differences.

The ultimate act of God’s kindness to us, His sinful and undeserving children, was to send His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy (Titus 3:4–5a).

Walking with my Lord

Father, I am undeserving of the kindness You have shown to me. In my dealings with others, help me to always remember Christ on the cross, for His loving kindness saved me. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 25/30 ©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

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Together Forever: For better or for worse

In the Word

“I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b).

Of the Word

The phrase “for better or for worse” has been part of traditional wedding vows for many generations. In most cases, the couple assumes (or at least hopes) that life will only get better. However, if you’ve been married for a while, you have probably discovered that the phrase should have read, “for better AND for worse” because both conditions are part of your experience. One day you can’t imagine being married to anyone else; love is flying and passion is deep. The very next day, you wonder why you ever married this person and true love seems like a lost dream.

Contrary to the “…and they lived happily ever after” storybook ending, real life is a constant mix of better and worse. Celebrate the “better” times and communicate through the “worse” ones. Remember that God is there to lean on when things are tough. His promise to you, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b), can be your promise to each other, for better AND for worse!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for Your love, especially when life is tough. Help us to love one another both when life is grand and when it is a struggle. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 26/28 ©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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