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Faith-filled Parenting: Gratitude

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Gratitude

In the Word

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalm 118:1).

Of the Word

Christian men and women are grateful to the heavenly Father for the gift of His Son Jesus, whose death and resurrection gives them salvation and eternal life. As a result, they want to serve Him in all that they do and say.

Do our actions always reflect our gratitude? When children respond to their parents’ comments with a flippant remark or the classic “rolling of the eyes,” they are showing their disdain — not their gratitude. What is needed is a new attitude — an attitude of gratitude.

When parents model gratitude by readily acknowledging all that God has done, they set an example worth emulating. With the help of the Holy Spirit an attitude of gratitude can become the standard operating policy in the family.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Tell about a spiritual blessing for which you are grateful. Ask your child to share one, too.

Walking with my Lord

Gracious God, fill me with thanksgiving for all the blessings You have poured into my life. Help me to show You my gratitude through both words and actions. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 25/32 ©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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Faith-filled Parenting: Caring

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Caring

In the Word

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him … (Psalm 103:13).

Of the Word

“I really care …” Those words can touch even the most callous of hearts. When Christians are allowed the opportunity to care for one another, they reflect the care that God has given to them. The Father cared so much that He sent His Son to redeem the world from sin, death, and the devil. He sacrificed His only Son!

Caring for another person often requires sacrifice of time and resources. As a response to all God has done, Christian parents want to care for their children, both in good times and bad. Caring is the means to show the love God has given them for their children. This care might require sacrifice of the parents’ time or resources to put the needs of the child before their own. Christian parents care. They really care.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Make an effort to spend extra time with your child this week. Discuss one important thing that happened in your child’s life recently and how God is demonstrating His love in that event.

Walking with my Lord

Compassionate, caring Savior, You show care and compassion in all that You do. Give my child eyes to see that I care, too. Forgive me when I fail, and show me ways to express Your love and compassion. In Your name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 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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Walking with My Lord: I belong to you.

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I belong to you. You belong to me.

In the Word

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:4–5).

Of the Word

Evie gazed lovingly on her newborn baby girl. Four daughters in one family! And each one was a little individual with a temperament and a mind of her own. Evie wondered about the special place her new baby would fill in their growing family. One thing was for sure. She would be cherished, embraced, nurtured, encouraged, and loved. She would always belong.

In God’s family it’s much the same. As brothers and sisters in Christ we belong to each other. We live in harmony, are sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). But just as earthly families sometimes forget they belong to each other, so also members of God’s family sometimes forget. Fear or busyness or indifference may make us hesitate to get involved with the joys and sorrows of fellow Christians. Then the Spirit gently reminds us who we are and Whose we are!

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, You have blessed me with a family of faith. You have given me brothers and sisters, my fellow redeemed, to care for and love. Forgive me when I forget each one is Your precious child. Help me listen, empathize, and reach out to others who need me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 8/30  ©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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Walking with My Lord: No cookie cutters

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God didn’t use a cookie cutter when He created us.

In the Word

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:29–30).

Of the Word

Jill stared in the mirror, examining her limp hair and not-so-perfect teeth. “Why can’t I have curly hair like Amy’s?” she complained. “She’s beautiful, sings solos in the church choir and has loads of friends.” Jill was forgetting her own lovely eyes, her winning ways with kids, and her shrewd business sense.

God didn’t use a cookie cutter when He created us, stamping out everyone to fit the exact same mold. God has made us what we are (Ephesians 2:10a GW). Our Creator knew exactly the best way to put us all together — physical characteristics, talents, and personality. Then, He drew up a plan for us to use His gifts. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared [in advance] for us to do (Ephesians 2:10b GW).

Every person is God’s unique creation. Every life has a purpose. What joy we find in discovering our God-given gifts and following His lead in using them to serve others!

Walking with my Lord

Father, thank You for creating me just as You wished. Forgive me when I compare myself to others and complain about the gifts I lack. Show me how to honor You with the abilities You have given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 7/30  ©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.

Scripture quotations marked GW are taken from GOD’S WORD, God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright © 1995.

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Faith-filled Parenting: Worship

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Worship

In the Word

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness (Psalm 29:2).

Of the Word

Our God is an awesome God! He loved the world so much that He saw its need and sent His Son Jesus to earth to be both God and man. Jesus lived a perfect life, then suffered and died on the cross for the sins of the world. He rose again so that those who believe might live eternally with Him in heaven. God deserves all honor and praise.

Worship is the vehicle the Lord has established to praise and thank the triune God for His love and salvation. There also we receive assurance of Jesus’ love and forgiveness through hearing God’s Word and receiving Holy Communion.

Because children learn by example, it is important that they see their parents frequently and willingly worshipping the Lord by participating in liturgy, song, and prayer. Regular worship can become a habit that provides a lifetime of blessings.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: As a family, make a resolution to attend worship at least once a week and to participate in all it has to offer.

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, help me to live a life that worships and praises You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 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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Walking with My Lord: Does God smile at me?

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Does God smile at me? Yes! Grace is God’s smile upon us!

In the Word

“… the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you …” (Numbers 6:25).

Of the Word

An unexpected smile from a stranger can brighten our day! It’s especially sweet since we’ve probably done nothing to deserve such graciousness. A stranger doesn’t even know us.

Our Lord, the One who knows us best, flashes His gracious smile on us daily! Because of our weakness, failure, and disobedience, we may fear that God is scowling. God assures us, however, that His smile does not depend on us. It’s His free gift. For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it (Ephesians 2:8–9 GNT). Grace is God’s smile upon us.

What’s next? Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it (Hebrews 4:16 GNT).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, Your loving smile lifts me when I’m depressed, comforts me when I’m hurt, encourages me when I blunder. Help me share Jesus my Savior with those who need Him, too. By Your Spirit’s power create and sustain saving faith in all Your children. In Your name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 3/30  ©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.

Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992.

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Faith-filled Parenting: Obedience

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Obedience

In the Word

Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 12:28).

Of the Word

Jesus summarized God’s commandments when He said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30–31). God the Father knew that these commands would be impossible for us to keep, so He sent His Son Jesus to live perfectly and then to die, not for His own sins but for the sins of all people. His obedience to the Law not only fulfills the Law, but also gives us the freedom to love our Lord and love our neighbor.

In the family, parents are given authority to love and discipline their children. That authority carries with it a great responsibility for parents to discipline with love. Discipline done with love and respect can encourage obedience.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Share with your child some of the rules you had when you were a child. Discuss if those rules still apply today. Share how obedience to God brings joy to you.

Walking with my Lord

Obedient Redeemer, give me joy when I do what You want which is also good for those around me. Let all things be done to Your glory. In Your name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 21/32 ©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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