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Be Ready

In the Word

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect … (1 Peter 3:15).

Of the Word

Over the years I have been blessed to lead workshops in which women learned to share their faith in Christ. To allow people an opportunity to talk with one another, each woman worked with a partner. On one occasion a young woman was without a partner, so she and I became a team. As we talked, I learned that she had come at her grandmother’s invitation. To my surprise she said, “I don’t know this Jesus that you are talking about.”

How wonderful it was to share Jesus’ love with her, telling her what He has done for me throughout my life!

To this day, it is with thanksgiving and joy that I remember the young woman seated next to her grandmother on the last pew of the church. It is my prayer that she has learned to know Jesus and that she is now sharing her faith with others. St. Paul writes to Philemon and his message is the same for us: I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ (Philemon 1:6).

Walking with my Lord

Father, I rejoice with thanksgiving that You have called me to be Your child now and forever. Give me the desire and courage to readily share my faith in You with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Ida Mall. 15/32 ©2009 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.

Be Ready — PRINTABLE VERSION

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Faith is … Looking Up and Above

In the Word

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

Of the Word

A great deal of wisdom is contained in this poem by an unknown author: If your nose is close to the grindstone rough, And you hold it down there long enough, In time you’ll say there’s no such thing, As brooks that babble or birds that sing. These three will all your world compose: Just you and the stone and your poor nose.

Sometimes we keep our nose so close to the grindstone we see nothing but sparks! A wise doctor advised a patient who was facing a nervous breakdown, “Go away and look at something big!”

Faith is just that. It is looking at the One who is above all and in all and through all. It is looking beyond His wonderful creation and seeing the Creator Himself. The Creator not only made the mountains but also allowed His only Son to die on one of those hills outside Jerusalem.

Faith is looking beyond our present circumstances and seeing something bigger than our problems, bigger than our circumstances. Oh, the blessings of looking up and above!

Walking with my Lord

“My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine. Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away; Oh, let me from this day Be wholly Thine!” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 9/30 ©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.

“My Faith Looks Up To Thee” words by Ray Palmer, music by Lowell Mason – Public Domain.

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Candlemas: The Middle of Winter

Most of us mark February 2 as the day we jokingly put our trust in a little ground hog (Ground Hog Day). In jest, we call upon this furry little fellow to predict our winter fate, and like many other things that we might falsely rely on, the ground hog certainly cannot be trusted. While we know Ground Hog Day will come and go without any real hope concerning the arrival of spring, we do have a Savior whose light and promise of new life in Him is always certain.  

This second day of February, situated right in the middle of winter, is also celebrated by many Christians as “Candlemas.” Candlemas is 40 days after Christmas and marks the Feast of the Purification of Mary and the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. It is in the second chapter of Luke that we hear how Mary presented herself and the Christ child in the Temple according to the Law of Moses. Luke also presents to us these certain words of salvation in Christ Jesus proclaimed by faithful Simeon:

Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:29–32).

Historically, Candlemas is also the day that the candles of the church are blessed. Candles give us light and remind us of Christ our Savior. Through the Word of God, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit who creates faith in our hearts to believe in Christ and proclaim Him as our true source of light and salvation. This same Holy Spirit was upon Simeon as he proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah there in the Temple. 

We never really know what that groundhog will do as February 2nd rolls around. However, when Candlemas comes, we hear and can be certain of Simeon's proclamation. This day, positioned right in middle of winter and spring, shines the light of hope, a hope that truly breaks the cold darkness of our sin and false winter hopes. Candlemas brings us a true and trustworthy proclamation of what is and what is to come. Only Christ Jesus breaks the darkness of sin and uncertainty and shines His everlasting light of salvation for all people! 

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, you reveal to us Your light found in Mary’s Child. Thank you for sending this Light of salvation for all people. May Simeon’s proclamation also be ours as we fully put our trust and hope only in Jesus. Amen. 

The Middle of Winter by Patti Miller, St. Louis, Missouri
Copyright © 2022 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
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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Faith is … Trusting Without Seeing

In the Word

[Jesus said,] “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29b).

Of the Word

Thomas believed because he saw. Saving faith does not rest upon the evidence of the senses, upon our feelings or even our reason, but solely on the Word of the Gospel. The Word of God brings Christ to us; the Word of God brings us to Christ. As Christians, we believe this.

The resurrection is a reality. We believe this. We need not see Jesus visibly or personally as the early disciples did. Our faith is not some vague dream or wishful thinking. Our confidence rests on the powerful testimony of the Holy Spirit. Can we ask for better assurance or stronger evidence of the reality of our salvation?

Jesus approved the firm confession of Thomas even though he sought some proof of Christ’s resurrection. How much more blessed we are who have not seen Jesus physically and yet believe and trust Him for the forgiveness of our sins and for our eternal salvation.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, allow Your Holy Spirit to work in me so that I can believe. Nourish my faith with Your Word until I share in the fullness of Your glory in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 7/30 ©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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The Least of These

In the Word

[Jesus says,] “‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me’” (Matthew 25:35–36).

Of the Word

“‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did to me’” (Matthew 25:40b).

Who did Jesus mean by the least of these? When you work at the community pantry, feed the hungry, or bake cookies for vacation Bible school, you are serving the least of these. When you pour cold water for your toddler, aged parent, or nursing home resident, you are serving the least of these. When you donate time and money at the homeless shelter or the pregnancy center, you are serving the least of these.

When you volunteer your time at the local thrift shop or when you make warm quilts for the needy, you are serving the least of these. When you send a card, make a hospital call, or sit with a dying friend, you are serving the least of these. When you mark Bibles for prisoners or pray for those who are incarcerated, you are serving the least of these.

Serving the least of these may be no more than lending a hand, giving a smile, or sharing a burden. The service is a heartfelt response to the love Jesus has poured on us.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me to look for opportunities to serve others. Help me to remember that my service is actually a gift to You and a response to the love You have given to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Myrna Lou Meyer. 6/32 ©2009 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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Mentor

In the Word

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Of the Word

A mentor is defined as a trusted teacher or wise counselor. For me, being a mentor means to positively encourage someone in even a small way.

Mentoring preteen girls as they move from childhood into Christian womanhood is full of challenges. Sometimes weeks pass and I see little change in attitude or behavior. My warnings of danger go unheeded. When that happens I ask God to help me walk with them through the consequences. I pray that the final outcome will be that the young women will honor God with their bodies and lives.

What benefit is there to investing so deeply in another person’s life? I grow in faith. I learn to lean on Jesus. I learn to trust His Word. I learn to pray constantly. I learn to thank Him again and again! Finally, I can say along with the Apostle John: I rejoice greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father (2 John 4). 

Walking with my Lord

Thank You for opening my eyes and heart to see the work that You have entrusted to me for the advancement of Your kingdom. Father, I know that apart from You I can do nothing. Strengthen my faith, for in You I trust. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Mary Smith. 5/32 ©2009 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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Vocation

A devotion for Katharina von Bora Luther’s Birthday
 

In the Word

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:6–8).

Of the Word

We all have vocations in life into which God has placed us. Katharina von Bora Luther is a great example of the variety of vocations God may give us throughout our lives. Katharina was a nun, who later became a wife and a mother. In each of these vocations (as well as others such as daughter, citizen, and friend), Katharina served God by using the gifts and skills He had equipped her with to do the tasks He had placed before her.

We, too, serve God in the vocations in which He has placed us. None are more significant than another, though the responsibilities given to us may vary. A church worker is not more important than a layperson, but the responsibilities of each are different. Similarly, a parent is not more important than a child, though their responsibilities are different. Every vocation is a way to serve God. Remember this and go joyfully to your work. 

Walking with my Lord

Dear Jesus, Your death on the cross freed us from striving to please You. Thank You for delighting in the small tasks we do for You every day. In Your name we pray. 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: Vocation by Deaconess Joanna Lee, McDonald, Pennsylvania
Copyright© 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
lwml.org

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