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Faith is … Trusting Our Heavenly Father

In the Word

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Of the Word

A group of naturalists searching in the Alps for rare specimens of flowers discovered a beautiful flower on a rock ledge they could not reach. Calling to a nearby shepherd boy, they offered him several shiny coins if he would allow himself to be let down by a rope to secure the flower.

The boy very much wanted to earn the money. He looked at the strangers, and he looked at the precipice. He declined their offer, but they continued to plead with him. Then the boy had a bright idea. “Wait here until I come back,” he said, and he darted away to a mountain cabin. Soon the lad returned with another man. The lad said, “I will get the flower for you now if you will let my father hold the rope.”

We can safely go anywhere if our Heavenly Father holds the rope. Faith is trusting the strong arms of our faithful God. He will never let loose. His love will not allow it. He holds fast! God’s promise is I will never leave you nor forsake you (Joshua 1:5b).

Walking with my Lord

Thank You dear Father in heaven for Your love and faithfulness so that I can trust You for everything in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 27/30 ©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.

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Faith is … Depending on Our Never-Failing Source of Strength

In the Word

The Sovereign Lord is my strength … (Habakkuk 3:19a).

Of the Word

Two men once visited a factory. The tour guide showed them the huge rooms where the machines were running and making a great deal of noise. Then the guide led them to a much smaller room where it was very quiet. One of the men said, “There isn’t much going on in here, is there?” The guide smiled and replied, “This is the most important room of all. This is where the power comes from to run the great machines.” With that the visitors looked in wonder at the huge, almost noiseless dynamos.

Our lives are often like a factory with its noise and activity. But perhaps sometimes we forget where the power source is and that if the power were not on we couldn’t produce a thing. The Lord is our power source. The same power He used to create the world He uses today to keep all things in existence. God is not resting somewhere in the heavens, but He is constantly and actively present with us each day.

Dynamos can break down. Batteries can die. But the Lord is a never-failing source of strength. The greatest thing of all is that by His strength the Lord redeemed us. So we can depend on Him always.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, keep me mindful that without You I can do nothing. Keep my faith alive and well, and give me strength to serve You faithfully. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 26/30 ©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.

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Beyond Tears

In the Word

"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:3b–4a).

Of the Word

Our nine year old daughter Carrie lay in pediatric ICU, my husband and I at her bedside. The doctor’s words were devastating! “She is in heart failure. We can’t give you any hope for her survival. We’ll do everything we can. We don’t know what caused this or how to treat it.”

We knew all we could do was to cry out to God. Beyond tears, I turned to Him and prayed, “What did I miss? What could I have done, Lord? Through Baptism we know Carrie is Yours, so take her if You must, but we love her so much.” Softly these words came to mind: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:2b–3).

God answered our prayers with a magnificent “Yes!” Today Carrie is an active woman, pastor’s wife, and mother of two. She has known difficult days and has had three dangerous heart surgeries, but she shines with the glory of God as He faithfully displays His work in her life.

Walking with my Lord

Thank you, Lord, that in moments of hopelessness I can rely on You to hear my prayers and work everything for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Helen Roenfeldt. 24/32 ©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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Conquering Our Fears

In the Word

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:35a, 37).

Of the Word

After years of struggle and suffering, my husband’s debilitating illness was finally named. It was bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic depression. We learned that the ailment is genetic, hereditary, and permanent. There are medications and treatments, but no cure. We had to learn to live with it.

With the diagnosis came other questions: Christians don’t have mental illness, do they? What will our friends and family think? Why did God allow this to happen? Who should we tell?

We decided to be honest and open, to share the good days and the bad. We decided that God can use us to help others face the pain and uncertainty of living with brain disorders. We accepted the fact that the disease is a permanent part of our lives, but so is a loving God, who will help us conquer our fear. “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid” (John 14:27b).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for always being with me. Nothing can keep me from Your love. You share each moment of my life, the good and the bad, the joyful and the tearful. Thank You that You love me and can use me just as I am. Take me, wrap me in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and send me out to show the world that God is love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Helen Roenfeldt. 23/32 ©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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Patience and Forgiveness

In the Word

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13).

Of the Word

Providing physical care for a loved one who is sick, disabled, or injured is a very difficult task. Many patients are not easy to care for. They can be cranky, demanding, or abusive and may not even be aware of the pain and discontent they are causing for the caregiver.

Sometimes I act the same way with God, even using prayer to make demands of Him. Then I must confess my sinfulness and selfishness to God. I can be sure of His forgiveness each and every day. He is patient with my shortcomings, my crankiness, and my impatience.

How can I respond to my sick and hurting loved one? St. Paul writes, Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13b). Only by God’s grace can I forgive and patiently continue the role of caregiver. Will that be easy? Maybe not. But God will be my strength. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, forgive me when my patience wears thin and I want to lash out in anger and dismay. Calm me and strengthen me so that I can serve You with a loving heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Dianna Jenkins. 22/32 ©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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Joy in Sharing the Gospel

In the Word

“Come and see,” said Philip (John 1:46b).

Of the Word

“Mommy, Mommy, come and see!” All mommies — and daddies, too — have dropped whatever they were doing to share the excitement of that moment. Whether it was a fuzzy caterpillar, the first fish caught, or a sunny yellow dandelion, the event had to be shared.

When Jesus found Philip, He said, “Follow Me.” Philip was so impressed by Jesus that he told Nathanael, “He’s the One we’ve been waiting for!” When Nathanael was unimpressed, Philip simply said, “Come and see.” (John 1:43–46) He could have debated, might have argued, but he simply extended the invitation. Today we may apply Philip’s words in two ways. First of all, what people have invited us to “Come and see”? Did Jesus use them to bring us closer to Him? Secondly, to whom can we lovingly say, “Come and see”? We are the tools the Master uses, just as He used Philip.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the people who have touched my life in positive ways. Thank You especially for those whose invitations and examples have helped me in my walk with You. Please help me to lovingly, boldly say, “Come and see.” Use me, Lord, to show Your love and spread Your joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 24/30 ©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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Joy in God’s Many Spiritual Blessings

In the Word

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose … If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:28, 31b).

Of the Word

Have you had days when everything went wrong, when it seemed that the weight of the world was on your shoulders? Occasionally, everyone has those days. Then it’s time to hear God’s comforting words.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:3–4).

We were chosen! God chose us before creation. He redeemed us on Calvary. And today the Holy Spirit calls us to faith and gives us daily strength.

Bad days come and go, but If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31b). Even the weight of the world is nothing compared to the power of our loving God.

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, forgive me when I am weak and full of doubts. Help me to remember that You chose me, redeemed me, and sanctified me. Give me the joy of living for You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 23/30 ©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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