Menu

Today's Mustard Seed Devotion

RSS Feed

From Quiet Times to Noisy Love: Choose Me!

Mustard Seed Daily Devotions
Listen to this devotion

Choose Me!

In the Word

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you … (1 Thessalonians 1:4).

Of the Word

“Choose me! Choose me!” the teacher hears as she decides who will be first in line. “Choose me! Choose me!” yell the audience members at the game show. “Choose me! Choose me!” is the thought behind every dream house entry placed in the mail.

“It never happens to me,” you may think, when in fact, it already has. From the beginning of time, God chose you to be His own. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you … (1 Thessalonians 1:4). The Father created you specifically. The Son, Jesus Christ, willingly died for you on the cross. The Holy Spirit keeps you in the true faith every day. No random acts of fate. You have been chosen.

If you feel lost in the crowd, remember that you are first in His heart. If life’s prizes pass you by, remember that you have the crown of righteousness in Christ. If your abode on earth is humble, remember the mansion in heaven that awaits you. You are God’s precious child. You have been chosen.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — for the undeserved grace and favor I receive as Your chosen child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, author. 7/30 ©2013 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 ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Daughters of the King: Naomi

Mustard Seed Daily Devotions
Listen to this devotion

Naomi — If and If Only

(Naomi’s Story: The Book of Ruth)

In the Word

“Do not call me Naomi; … for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20b).

Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse (Ruth 4:16).

Of the Word

“If I could … ” “If only I had … ” “If God would … ” Do those words echo in your mind? Let’s be honest! They do — for everyone — from time to time!

In the book of Ruth, imagine her mother-in-law Naomi’s thoughts, “If I could stay here in Bethlehem …” “If I only had my husband and sons beside me again …” “If God would just comfort my aching heart …” God had not forgotten her, though He may have seemed very far away. Moab was not Bethlehem, but Naomi survived there. The men of the family were dead, but two loving daughters-in-law remained. And finally, the “happily ever after” that erased the “if only” once and for all: the marriage of beloved Ruth to Boaz and the birth of little Obed.

In our lives, God is never far away. Even when His plans seem clouded by fears and troubles, we can trust Him. With the psalmist we can say, … I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God,” My times are in your hand; … (Psalm 31:14–15a).

Walking with my Lord

Lord God, forgive my “if” and “if only” thoughts when they are doubtful and fearful. Strengthen and help me trust Your plans for my ultimate good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 9/34 ©2013 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 ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Daughters of the King: Deborah

Mustard Seed Daily Devotions
Listen to this devotion

Deborah — Encourager

(Deborah’s Story: Judges 4, 5)

In the Word

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah … and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment (Judges 4:4–5).

Of the Word

“You want me to do what?” could have been Deborah’s response when Barak, commander of the army, stated, “If you will go with me [into battle], I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go” (Judges 4:8b). After all, it was Barak, not Deborah, God told to go into battle! Deborah had many reasons not to go with Barak. She was a judge; she was needed by the people. She wasn’t a warrior; women didn’t go to war. She was a wife; her household came first. But she used none of these as excuses. She went with the troops, encouraging them, and God gave them victory over the enemy.

God chose Deborah to support Barak and his troops. God also gives us opportunities to support and encourage others. It may be in a card, a letter, or a phone call. It may be at a food bank or at a health center. It may be praying with someone. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works … encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24, 25b).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me answer Your call to encourage others, knowing my support is in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 8/34 ©2013 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 ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

View the printable PDF of this devotion, Deborah — Encourager

Daughters of the King: Rahab

Mustard Seed Daily Devotions
Listen to this devotion

Rahab — Forgiven

(Rahab’s Story: Joshua 2; 6:22–25)

In the Word

And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? (James 2:25).

Of the Word

It has been said one shouldn’t shake the family tree too hard as you never know what may fall out. We might expect our Lord Jesus’ family tree to be impeccable, but listed in the genealogy is Rahab, the prostitute who aided spies sent to survey the land God promised to His people. She is named again in Hebrews: By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient … (Hebrews 11:31a).

With faith and repentance Rahab confesses to the spies “… for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11b). Rahab had heard of the mighty acts God had done in leading the Jews out of Egypt and she believed Him to be the only true God. Rahab’s story is good news for all of us. We are all sinners in need of forgiveness. God does not overlook our sin. But God does love us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross to bear the sins of the world. We have been redeemed through His blood. Like Rahab, we have been justified through our faith.

Walking with my Lord

Father, forgive me for my sins. Through Your Holy Spirit may I be led to confess them, remembering the price Jesus paid for my eternal life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 7/34 ©2013 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 ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Love, Laughter, and Lullabies: Sippy Cups

Mustard Seed Daily Devotions
Listen to this devotion

Sippy Cups

In the Word

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:32–33).

Of the Word

My daughter frequently begged to drink from my water glass. When I gave it to her, a little of the water found its way into her mouth, but most of it landed on her shirt. I learned quickly why moms give their babies sippy cups: they help regulate the flow of liquid a baby receives when drinking.

When God gave His apostles His Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, He did not use a sippy cup. Nor did He sprinkle, trickle, drip, or dribble parts of the Spirit on them. There was no regulating the flow. God poured the Spirit out on the apostles!

As believers, we also have been drenched with this out-pouring of the Spirit. We are dripping with salvation and regeneration along with many other gifts listed in Scripture. Like the apostles on Pentecost, we have received the Holy Spirit in order to deliver the Good News to all who will listen. The Good News is that God wants all people everywhere to receive the outpouring of His good and gracious gifts through believing in His saving Son Jesus Christ.

Walking with my Lord

God, I am ever thankful for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, life, and salvation You have poured out on me. May I be bold in sharing the Gospel with others. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 9/30 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Love, Laughter, and Lullabies: Ultrasound

Mustard Seed Daily Devotions
Listen to this devotion

Ultrasound

In the Word

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. … you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:30–31).

Of the Word

In spite of all the water I had to drink before the big fetal anatomy ultrasound, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of looking at my baby. I thought I would leave the doctor’s office knowing whether the baby was a boy or girl. As it turned out, my daughter was too much of a lady to definitively reveal her gender at that time.

Who needs an ultrasound when the angel Gabriel is delivering the message? Mary was a young virgin when she received some shocking news in an unexpected visit from Gabriel. He not only told her she would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit, he also revealed to her that she would bear a son who she would name Jesus. He would be the Son of God.

Thank God for the Good News Gabriel announced to Mary. Thank God for the willing heart displayed in the young virgin. And thank God for the promise fulfilled in an infant, who did grow to be a mighty King indeed, saving His people and bringing them into His eternal kingdom.

Walking with my Lord

My Lord and Savior, I praise You for entering into this world to save me. May I never be afraid to share this Good News with others. In Your holy name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 8/30 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Candlemas: The Middle of Winter

Mustard Seed Daily Devotions
Listen to this devotion

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.


Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Posts

LWML Resources