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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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Paul, Finishing the Race

In the Word

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Of the Word

While sitting in jail, believing his death was imminent, the Apostle Paul penned his final letter, the second letter to Timothy. Paul knew his Savior, had remained faithful to Him, and confidently stated he had finished the race.

His race route took him far away from home, shipwrecked, beaten, chased out of towns, bitten by snakes, and jailed multiple times. Yet Paul rejoiced in all that Christ had done in him and through him. He was ready to finish his earthly race.

While believers have the same finish line destination, we each have our own obstacles and celebrations along the race route. In all of those things, be like Paul. Let God lead. Praise Him in all circumstances and encourage others until you arrive in God’s eternal rest.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, thank You for the encouragement and work of Paul. Help me run my race like he did — following You wherever You may lead. At the end of the race, let me also confidently say, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 25/28 ©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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God is Always Near

In the Word

“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Of the Word

It was 3 a.m. and Shelly had been awake for hours. Her mind raced and would not let her rest. There was always so much to do and she felt burdened by the relentless grind of daily living. The feeling of loneliness began to settle in and make itself at home in her heart. And then Shelly felt the hand of her husband reach out and gently rest over hers. She didn’t face life alone! God had given her the love of a caring helpmate.

We live in a fast-paced world where the demands of everyday life can overwhelm us. Fear can take over and convince us that we are all alone in our struggles. It is then that we have to slow down, tune out our worries and frustrations, and quietly listen for the voice of our Heavenly Father. No matter our situation, God is never far away — He is always with us! He is our everlasting Helpmate.

Our daily agendas may be full, but the most important to-do on it should be setting aside quiet times to spend in devotion, praise, and prayer with our Lord. During these times of togetherness is when we often sense the loving presence of our Savior. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18).

Walking with my Lord

Blessed Savior, thank You for the assurance that You are always with me and that I never have to face life alone. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 27/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197

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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If Only …

In the Word

For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world (1 John 2:16).

Of the Word

How many times have those two little words been uttered, “If only”? “If only I can get that raise … that new car … that new outfit … the right diet … the right exercise plan.” Well, then what? Will everything be okay? Will I really be happy? Will I be safe? Will I live forever?

The world relentlessly chases after such things in the hope that once that certain “something” is attained, then everything will be fine and all anxieties will fade away. Christ Jesus gives a better answer.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:25b “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

You are worth more than the consumption of food or the wearing of clothes. You are so precious that Jesus came into this world and died on the cross that you might be forgiven of sin and freely receive God’s unfailing love. Worrying about material things does not add one hour to your life, but the grace of Jesus gives us life and life eternal!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for caring for me in this life and in eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 26/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197

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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