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Living in Joy: Joy in God’s Changelessness

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Joy in God’s Changelessness

In the Word

I the Lord do not change (Malachi 3:6a).

Of the Word

Grandparents entertain their grandchildren with stories of the olden days. They tell of farming with horses, cooking for threshing crews, butchering and curing meat for the winter. They experienced and adjusted to hundreds of changes over the years. They went from horses to automatic transmissions, from smokehouses to supermarkets. But as Christians, one thing had never changed: their unchanging God. Their faith — His gift to them at baptism — had seen them through and would see them into eternity.

No matter what changes come throughout our lives, our God will never change. His love is permanent and changeless. His promise of salvation is sure. His heaven awaits for all who know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

You, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation (Lamentations 5:19). They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household" (Acts 16:31).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for the gift of faith that enables me to know You. Thank You for being constant and unchangeable in this rapidly-changing world. Help me to accept and enjoy the changes that come into my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 10/30 ©2005 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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Everyday Celebrations: A Big Step

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A Big Step

In the Word

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV).

Of the Word

Confirmation is a special day! Many parents remember the day they brought their child to be baptized into the body of Christ. Now that child is making a personal promise to remain faithful to the Savior throughout life.

For some, confirmation is translated as, “Whew! That’s done!” The fact is, it is not the end. It is just the beginning of a journey of faith. Confirmation instruction provides the foundation of scriptural truths that enables a young person to truly begin the life God has planned. A life centered in the cross of Christ gives strength, courage, and joy to each day.

One’s service to God is not limited because of youth. Remember, Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example … (1 Timothy 4:12a NIV).There are opportunities to set an example at school as well as at church. People see faith in action whether it is in band or orchestra, playing sports, or participating in service projects. Confirmation is an important step in a Spirit-filled life. The adventure has begun!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, confirm my faith, trust, and hope in You every day! In Your name I pray. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 24/28 ©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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Comfort from the Psalms: Good Grief = Relief

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Good Grief = Relief

In the Word

… the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him (Psalm 32:10b).

Of the Word

When things go wrong for poor cartoon character Charlie Brown, he often says, “Good grief!” Can grief ever be good?

Yes! Grief over sin leads to repentance, repentance to confession, and confession to forgiveness. Though the world may advise, “You mess up, you cover it up,” the Word of God says otherwise. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” — and you forgave the guilt of my sin (Psalm 32:5).

How can we be sure of God’s forgiveness? He sent Jesus to live and die and rise again. Over and over in His Word, He promises forgiveness. God’s love and forgiveness are sure.

Walking with my Lord

Loving Father, I have sinned. Forgive me for Jesus’ sake and help me to live according to Your will. Thank You for Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 12/30 ©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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Comfort from the Psalms: Not Alone

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Not Alone

In the Word

… where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1b, 2).

Of the Word

“No! I do it by self!” cried the determined three-year-old. “When I get it figured out, Mom, I’ll let you know,” said the equally-determined teenager when her mother offered help. Both the child and the teen rejected help in favor of “going it alone.”

Do those words and attitudes come from God’s people? Too often, we choose to strike out on our own trying to do it by ourselves. We forget the Lord has promised to share every burden.

He promised Joshua, leader of the children of Israel, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5b). Joshua had served faithfully for years when God assigned him the new and formidable task of taking the Israelites into Canaan. Joshua was an ordinary man but he became extraordinary when God’s Spirit blessed him with strength and courage. What task awaits you? Big or small, you don’t have to “go it alone.” Our heavenly Father stands ready to lead you to it and help you through it.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, sometimes I am like a willful child, stubbornly refusing Your help. Send Your Spirit to soften my heart and remind me of Your promise to be my Helper. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 11/30 ©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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Comfort from the Psalms: Waiting

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Waiting

In the Word

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

Of the Word

Waiting is not fun. We wait in the checkout line. We wait at the traffic light. We wait for test results. Doctors even plan for us to wait by providing a waiting room!

The psalmist says, Wait for the Lord. Waiting for the Lord is not necessarily easy either. Perhaps we’d like to speed up His process. In our impatience, we seek to enjoy the results of our hard work without actually doing anything.

The psalmist also says, My times are in your hands … (Psalm 31:15a). Trusting the Lord, we can live today … today. Trusting Jesus does not remove the waiting, but it means that we can be confident in His plan, His timing, and His ultimate blessing.

As we wait, we can say, … I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God” (Psalm 31:14).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, forgive my impatience and help me to wait for Your perfect timing in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 10/30 ©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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Living in Faith: ... Included with Christ

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Faith is … Remembering that We are Included with Christ

In the Word

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation (Ephesians 1:13a).

Of the Word

“If only I had faith like his!” People are often heard to make such a remark. But in admiring the faith of a fellow Christian, we dare not overlook the fact that we, too, have been greatly blessed by God. You, too, are a part of Christ’s Church. Paul reminds us of this:… you also — as an individual — were included in Christ … What an honor it is to be numbered along with great men and women of faith, people like Abraham, Sarah, Paul, Peter, James, John, Martha, and Mary! With them you also are … included in Christ.

At your baptism, the Triune God entered a covenant with you alone. God’s grace was planned to give you strength in every conflict with sin. God’s grace is given to you to comfort you in the midst of many sorrows in life. You are included in God’s special family! Yes, we may admire other Christians and look up to the Bible’s heroes and heroines of faith. But we must remember we all have the same Savior and the same Word of Truth.

May God’s peace ever dwell in our hearts and cause us to overflow with joy.

Walking with my Lord

“Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!” In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 12/30 ©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.
“Just As I Am, Without One Plea” words by Charlotte Elliott, music by William B. Bradbury – Public Domain.

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Living in Faith: Living One Day at a Time

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Faith is … Living One Day at a Time

In the Word

[His mercies] are new every morning … (Lamentations 3:23a NKJV).

Of the Word

God has a great secret we all need to learn. Do you know what it is? Live one day at a time!

Oh, to be able to do this. It sounds so simple, but it is not at all easy to implement. It seems easier for all of us to borrow a great many troubles in advance. We allow ourselves to become anxious and uneasy about so many things long before they happen — perhaps even about things that will not happen at all.

Why do you fear the harm you may never see? God will not forsake you; that can never be!

We can depend on this: as the day is, so also our strength will be. God does not give His power in advance. Today we receive the power we need today. The power we need tomorrow we will get tomorrow. The grace of God is new every morning. A child of God never needs to live on what once was. We will always be able to draw from God’s inexhaustible well all that we need each day.

“Yesterday is past, tomorrow is unknown, but today the Lord helps” is another way of saying: “Live one day at a time!”

Walking with my Lord

Help me, Lord Jesus, to learn to trust You for each day’s needs. In Your name I pray. Amen. 


Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 10/30 ©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.

Scripture notations marked NKJV are from the NEW KING JAMES BIBLE, © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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