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Fountain of Life

In the Word

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death (Proverbs 13:14).

Of the Word

“Mom, I’m hungry!” Anyone with a teenage boy has certainly heard those words. It’s hard to keep a growing boy filled up!

But what about the times food is a solace or pacifier? An inner hunger that makes us grab for cookies or colas is never satisfied. Why? Because that kind of hunger is deeper than food or drink can satisfy.

When the Samaritan woman came to the well, Jesus asked her for a drink. Then He told her about a special water, “… a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14b).

Jesus, the Son of God, offered her the fountain of life, the living water that would quench her real thirst, the thirst in her parched heart. He has the same offer for us. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37b). Come thirsty! Be satisfied by His love and grace!

A Point to Ponder: What spiritual hunger or thirst can I give to Jesus?

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, You have promised to satisfy my hungry and thirsty heart. Help me to trust in You and be satisfied. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Word: Wisdom for Living. Authors: Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer. 30/32 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40198

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.

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Forever a Student

In the Word

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance … (Proverbs 1:5).

Of the Word

As a student, did you ever close the book, breathe a confident sigh, and say, “I know it! I’m ready for the test!”? Or were you the one who crammed until the last bell rang and with much fear and trepidation took the test paper from your instructor’s hand?

Solomon encourages us to be life-long learners when he says, Let the wise hear and increase in learning … (Proverbs 1:5a). How wise is wise? How much learning is enough already? Solomon indicates that even the wise, those who have knowledge and discernment, are still learning. Perhaps they even say, “The more I know, the more I know I don’t know.”

So what is our source for information? Do we grab the nearest newspaper or quickly check the internet news? For learning that truly guides our ways, fills our hearts, and leads to eternal life, we go to the Source of all wisdom, God Himself. In His Book, the Bible, we learn of His grace, His power; His love.

A Point to Ponder: How can I carve out time to seek true wisdom from God?

Walking with my Lord

All-wise and all-powerful God, I come to You with a humble heart. Fill me with Your wisdom and teach me Your ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Word: Wisdom for Living. Authors: Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer. 29/32 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40198

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.

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One Language or Two?

In the Word

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips (Proverbs 16:23).

Of the Word

Are you bilingual? Many people grew up speaking one language at home and learning another at school. Others left a homeland and were forced to adopt a new language when they resettled in a foreign country. Still others studied hard, immersing themselves in a new language in order to speak it fluently.

But think of a different type of bilingualism — one in which people speak a “church language” and a much different “work language.” The two languages may denote a divided character — a godly one for Sunday, a not-so-godly one for the rest of the week.

Language is an indicator of heart condition. The writer of Proverbs reminds us that the heart of a wise man guides his mouth. Our daily prayer should be that of the psalmist, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

A Point to Ponder: What words can I use to show that Jesus lives in my heart?

Walking with my Lord

Lord, when I am tempted to speak harsh or critical words, stop me. Calm my heart so that people will know that You are in residence there. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Word: Wisdom for Living. Authors: Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer. 28/32 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40198

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.

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Thanksgiving

In the Word

… give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Of the Word

The Apostle Paul reminds us to … give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Christian men and women make thanksgiving to God a number one priority. We thank our Heavenly Father for all that He has done for us. We thank Him for food, clothing, shelter, family, and all that is needed to support this life here on earth. Most importantly, we thank Him for the gift of His Son Jesus who suffered, died, and rose again so that we might receive eternal life.

Children must be taught how to give thanks. They learn thanksgiving from parents who are thankful to God the Heavenly Father for all that they are and have. Thanksgiving = Thanks-living!

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Lead a family prayer with each family member giving thanks for one spiritual blessing and one physical blessing.

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, I give thanks to You for all Your mercies. Bless me with the gift of thankful living in response to Your bountiful giving. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 29/32 ©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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Grand Fun!

In the Word

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, … (Proverbs 17:6a).

Of the Word

Someone once joked, “Grandchildren are the reward for outlasting your children.” It has a grain of truth. Parents want to provide the best for their child just as God in Christ Jesus has provided the best for His children. Even though for earthly parents that desire often turns into a self-imposed obligation to be a “perfect” parent — which may create stress, mistakes, and guilt — this is never the case for our perfect Heavenly Father.

Grandchildren are an entirely different story. A grandparent knows how quickly childhood passes and that perfection is impossible. A grandparent has learned that no chore is more important than playing; no book should remain unread; no paycheck can equal a welcome-home smile. A grandparent just wants to live in the present with this treasured “present” from God, our Father.

When grandchildren run across a room for a hug, when you receive a kiss that tastes like jelly, when they cradle your face in their hands and include you in their prayers, you feel like royalty!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for the gift of grandchildren with whom I can share Your unconditional love. In Your joy-giving name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 25/28 ©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.

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Faith is … Believing in God's Grace

In the Word

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Of the Word

One of the biggest obstacles we deal with as the Holy Spirit calls us to faith is our prideful attitude, our inflated opinion of ourselves. We are tempted to imagine we can manage quite well on our own.

God’s greatest work with us is to constantly teach us that without Him we can do nothing. We are deluded into thinking that because we go to church regularly or give of our tithes regularly, we are self-sufficient and therefore able to manage without the Lord.

Have you ever said, “I do the best I can”? Do we actually think that what we are able to do is good enough to stand before God?

What are you actually able to do by yourself? Convert yourself? Break with sin? Believe? Repent? Pray? Live a God-pleasing life? We fail at all of these without the Holy Spirit and His power working in us through Word and Sacrament. We can do none of these on our own power or strength. When we have come to the place where we see this truth clearly, as it really is, then we can recognize our need for God’s grace.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, I confess I can do nothing without You. Help me each day to recognize my need for You and to believe in Your love for me. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 11/30 ©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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Peter and John, Racing to the Tomb

In the Word

“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him” (John 20:2b).

Of the Word

After Mary stated Jesus’ body was gone, Peter and John raced to the tomb. There was no jogging, no stopping to put their hands on their knees to catch their breath, no chatting to make the time go by faster. It was most likely a full-on sprint with arms pumping and feet barely touching the dirt. And when they arrived at the empty tomb, they didn’t understand what had happened. The journey back home was probably much more subdued.

You have also heard the words of Mary. When you get to the entrance of the tomb, do you turn around and follow Peter and John’s perplexed footsteps back home? You shouldn’t. The Risen Christ isn’t there. He is alive. So after you race to the tomb, keep running. Run to tell your family, your friends, your neighbors. And don’t stop running until you cross that finish line He won for you in the empty tomb.

Walking with my Lord

Christ Jesus, thank You for the empty tomb. In it, I see victory over death and the promise of life everlasting at the end of my race. Help me to share this victory with those around me. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 26/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40196

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.

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