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Living in the Spirit … Produces Patience

In the Word

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Of the Word

We have become a world of impatient people. We have instant coffee, instant mashed potatoes, fast access to the internet, and instant messaging on our phones. As Christians we know God answers our prayers but often our impatient attitude says, “Lord, please answer my prayer, and I need an answer now.”

The things we cherish the most in this life don’t happen overnight. In this fast-paced world, precious and wonderful things take time to develop — babies, love, friendships, family, and our own relationship with God. These things must be nurtured and fed with care and patience until they develop and blossom and become what God intends them to be.

… the fruit of the Spirit is … patience … (Galatians 5:22).

Patience is a gift of the Holy Spirit, one that must be practiced so it can flourish. By God’s grace, the Holy Spirit will teach us to be patient, just as our Father God is patient with us.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, I thank You for being patient with me especially when I have failed to be what You would have me be. Through Your Holy Spirit, help me to practice patience with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 24/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations 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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Living in the Spirit … Brings Peace

In the Word

“Why are you troubled … ?” (Luke 24:38b).

Of the Word

… the fruit of the Spirit is … peace … (Galatians 5:22).

MY TROUBLE IS MY PAST.

Try as we might, it is difficult to forget the past as well as forgive ourselves. We carry around a load of guilt. We yearn for peace and the Holy Spirit whispers, He [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

MY TROUBLE IS THE PRESENT.

Bills are due and money is short. We are alone and lonely. Our parents are aging. Unemployment is just around the corner. Our teenager is troubled. We cry aloud and the Spirit answers, Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from them all … (Psalm 34:19 GNT).

MY TROUBLE IS THE FUTURE.

We don’t even have peace at night because we’re worrying about what may happen. The Holy Spirit gently echoes the words of Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, forgive me for those times that I allow myself to be all tied up in knots from worrying. I know that Your Holy Spirit can bring me peace. Grant me that in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 23/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations 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.

Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) Copyright © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.

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Living in the Spirit … Gives Me Joy

In the Word

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy (Psalm 126:3).

Of the Word

… the fruit of the Spirit is … joy … (Galatians 5:22).

Vacations. Vacation homes. Jobs. Better jobs. TVs. Bigger TVs. Parties. More parties. shopping, shopping, shopping. Boats. Cars, etc., etc., etc. The list of things we think will bring us joy is endless. But the time, energy, and money spent on the pursuit of happiness are wasted because the material things we want today are not a source of everlasting joy. They will not bring comfort when troubles or sorrows enter our lives.

True joy comes to us as the Holy Spirit leads us into living with Jesus Christ. Through Him we have the precious gift of eternal life. Knowing this helps us to walk through the dark times into the Light of Christ’s love. The things of life are only temporary but God’s promises will last forever. Joy is God caring for us.

Let us shout with loud voices, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” He has come to give us this message: “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, what comfort I have knowing the pursuit of spiritual things will never be time wasted. Thank You for the joy You have put in my life through Your Spirit and Your Son. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 22/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations 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.

(Hymn text: “Joy to the World” — public domain.)

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Stewardship: Tithes and Offerings

In the Word

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).

Of the Word

“Why is it that every time we go to church they are talking about money? Makes you wonder if that’s what the church is all about.” Some people become very uncomfortable discussing the topic of stewardship. However, regardless of our attitude in this area, each of us ought to consider how we are to manage the gifts with which God has blessed us.

Our health, talent, money, time, and abilities are all gifts for us to enjoy and to share with God’s people. How can we use His gifts to honor Him and help others? Surprisingly, the more we give back to Him, the more we receive from Him. Of course, this is not why we give; but, it is how God gives!

God wants us to live abundant lives, but not necessarily with an abundance of “things.” Rather, He pours out His abundant love on us through Christ and asks us to consider how we can share this wealth with others.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the many ways You bless us and our family. Help us to not take Your gifts for granted, but rather use them to help others know Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 24/28 ©2008 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Finances: To Spend or Save?

In the Word

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).

Of the Word

“…for richer or for poorer.” It was easy to say at the wedding, but it is sometimes hard to live out in real life. He wants to save for the future; she wants to wear the latest fashions. She’s thinking about college for the kids; he’s eyeing a new boat. How will you decide who “wins”? Start by setting priorities for how your money is to be spent before these questions arise, making sure the marriage is the winner!

Talk through the issues. Does God care how we spend our money? What does it mean to be stewards of what He has given us? How can we use our money to help others and for our own enjoyment? Does this purchase meet our family’s short-term or long-term goals? Do we agree that this is a wise use of our money?

Remember, what you spend your money on is not nearly as important as why you spend it. Ask God for guidance in your money matters.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, help us to be good stewards of Your gifts so that together we can enjoy and share the blessings You give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 23/28 ©2008 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Religion: When one’s mate is not a Christian

In the Word

How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Corinthians 7:16).

Of the Word

You knew your partner was not a Christian when you married, or perhaps you came to faith after marriage and your spouse has not followed suit. Maybe faith is extremely important to you and you are frustrated that your mate doesn’t share the same passion to learn more about God’s Word.

You may be tempted to be overly critical of yourself because you can’t seem to change the person you married. As a Christian you are called to love, accept, forgive, and care for your mate, following the example of Christ as revealed to us through His Word. He loves us unconditionally, without reservations, completely. Trust that God loves the person you married in the same way. He desires a relationship with your mate even more than you do.

Continue to lift your mate up to God in prayer, always remembering that saving faith is the gift and work of the Holy Spirit. Only God can create faith in the one you love.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Holy Spirit, help me to love and accept my spouse the same way You love and accept me — unconditionally. Work faith in my spouse that we might share the great joy of following You together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 22/28 ©2008 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Begin with God … So We Can Pray to Him

In the Word

What is prayer?

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14).

Of the Word

Prayer has been called the ‘breath of the soul.’ It is a ‘heart-to-heart’ with God. He has promised to hear and answer His people. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14).

What is included in “anything”? EVERYTHING! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).

Because we are human, it’s tempting to ask for more and more. It is easy to forget to thank God. Perhaps that is why He reminds us to ask for His help and respond with thanks to Him. … call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me (Psalm 50:15).

What a comfort it is to know that God is always available to listen and answer us, His beloved people. He is never too busy; no request is ever too trivial for our God who loves us so much that He gave up His only Son for our salvation.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of coming to You in prayer. Thank You for hearing me, and thank You for answering my prayers in the best way and at the right time. Help me to pray faithfully and wait patiently. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 24/28 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations 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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