Listen to this devotion

Let all that is in me adore Him!

In the Word

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise (Psalm 48:1a).

Of the Word

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

How easily the words flow from our mouths; how easily we sing the beautiful harmonies of the majestic Old Hundredth; and how easily we take for granted God’s daily care and blessings. God deserves and desires our praise. Selfish attitudes disappear when we selflessly praise Him. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he (Deuteronomy 32:3–4).

God smiles when we praise His name! Because of Jesus‘ atoning sacrifice for our sins, Old Testament animal sacrifices are no longer offered. Instead we offer God the “sacrifice of praise.” Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, we praise Your holy name! Help us continually praise You as we live our lives for Your glory! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 5/31 ©2005 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.
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” words by Thomas Ken, music by Louis Bourgeois. Public domain.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Teach me the truth!

In the Word

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth (Psalm 86:11a).

Of the Word

As students, we labored over homework, tests and term papers. What a relief it was to finish a task, earn a final grade, and walk across the stage to receive a diploma! As Christians, our education is lifelong. No matter what age or stage in life, God has many truths to teach us through His Word. He teaches us how to live under Him and with each other. Love the Lord your God … Love your neighbor … (Matthew 22:37a, 39b). He teaches us of His salvation for all people. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

As we read, study and share His Word, the Holy Spirit builds us up in the one true faith. Is there a final test? A final grade? Yes! And God Himself gives us the answer: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved … (Acts 16:31a). Simple statement, simple truth: just believe!

Walking with my Lord

Teach me, Lord, for I have much to learn from You. Thank You for giving Your love to me and to the world through Jesus Christ so that I can be sure of Your final answer, a home in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 3/31 ©2005 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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Pure Praise

In the Word

… judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Of the Word

… judge nothing before the appointed time (1 Corinthians 4:5a). Paul’s instruction to Corinthian believers gave them a practical way to maintain a strong and healthy relationship with their pastor. His advice applies equally well to relationships among all God’s people.

Our Lord, the ultimate judge of all words and actions, has inside information. Inside the heart, that is. He sees the motivation behind words and actions. We cannot, so we judge by appearances. In judging, He uses the right measurement — His Word — while we let opinions, preferences, and feelings determine how we view the behavior of ourselves and others. In addition, God judges with His eyes on eternity. We judge focused on today’s circumstances and the insight of current thinking.

At the appointed time God will judge. Let Him find His people attentive to His will and His Word, examining themselves by the light of Scripture. Let Him find us mindful of our motives as we praise Him and serve each other. At the appointed time let Him find us faithful.

Walking with my Lord

Grant me the gift of purity of heart and soul and mind;
Then when You come in triumph, Lord, a faithful servant find.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 22/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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.

Printable PDF of Pure Praise

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Eternal Praise

In the Word

Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” (Revelation 19:5).

Of the Word

Earthly thinking goes like this:
Big Shot Tom: “I’m on a tight schedule and I must delegate things. My wife and kids do the church-going for the family.”
Humble Hannah: “I don’t have the voice to sing or the education to teach. I let the choir and pastor do that.”

Heavenly thinking goes like this:
God: “Both of you are My servants. And all My servants praise Me.”

Our earthly praise acts as a prelude to the heavenly chorus. As servants of God, we echo the angels and saints when our thoughts, words, and actions work to His glory and praise. Faithful church attendance focuses our praise on God and all He has done for us through Jesus. Daily acts of service share our praise with others. Witnessing through word and work identifies us as servants of the Most High God.

Whether you’re Big Shot Tom or Humble Hannah — or somewhere in between — God calls you “servant.” In what ways do you plan to “sing” your praises today?

Walking with my Lord

I am a servant of the Lord, so let me find the ways
He’s called me to acknowledge Him in everlasting praise!
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 20/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

At last we hear His voice: “Welcome home, pilgrim!”

In the Word

I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing … (Philippians 1:23b GNT).

Of the Word

All who believe in Jesus have eternal life — right now! Jesus described eternal life this way: “And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent” (John 17:3 GNT). Connected to Jesus through His Word and Sacraments, walking with Him daily by faith, we already enjoy a taste of heaven.

At the end of our earthly pilgrimage we step from this life into the next. St. Paul was eager to take that step, I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing… (Philippians 1:23b GNT). We are eager, too, because we trust Jesus’ promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25b–26a).

To leave this life and be with Jesus means at last we will feel His presence, see His face, hear His voice greeting us, “Welcome home, pilgrim.”

Walking with my Lord

Walking with You, my Lord, is my greatest joy! Your presence makes each day of my life a foretaste of the life to come. Help me serve You until You call me home to heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Always walk with Jesus.

In the Word

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5–6).

Of the Word

Traveling alone can be scary. No one else to depend on, to help in an emergency, to fend off danger. It’s different when we travel with a trusted companion and friend.

When God called Abraham to travel to the Promised Land, Abraham trusted God to travel with him. Abraham had a friend in God. When God told Moses to lead His people out of the desert and return to the Promised Land, God assured him: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). Moses had a Friend he could trust to go with him for the journey.

Jesus called His disciples to journey with Him, preaching the Good News that God loved sinners and had sent His Son to save them. Jesus called them His friends. Jesus told them: “The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them (John 15:13 GNT). Jesus did that for all of us.

We were God’s enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son… we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God’s friends (Romans 5:10a, 11b GNT).

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, I trust You with all my heart. Always walk with me, dear Lord. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 29/30  ©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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Special

In the Word

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1b).

Of the Word

One-of-a-kind! Each dear child of the Heavenly Father is indeed irreplaceable! Each child of God is special, unique, precious, and treasured by Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Jesus died on the cross and rose again to save each one of us from sin, death, and the devil.

Christian parenting involves reminding our children how unique and special they are — both in our eyes and in the eyes of their Savior. When we offer them support and encouragement we help them become confident and assured. Telling them “You are God’s special child” reminds them of how important they are. Each one is unique, one-of-a kind, exceptional, a blessing from God.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Each day, remind your children that they are God’s children, loved and cherished by Him and by you.

Walking with my Lord

Precious Lord, You have given me a treasured gift in my child. Remind me of that fact, even when that dear one doesn’t act like such a dear one. Children are precious, special, and dearly loved by You. Help me to give my child daily assurances of the certainty of Your love and mine. In Your wonderful name. Amen.

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

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email