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Living in Prayer: Believe it! God cares!

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It’s true! Believe it! God cares!

In the Word

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Of the Word

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Have you ever found yourself so anxious about the “what if’s” that you closed your eyes to today’s blessings? Anxiety runs high in our society today. We’re anxious about world peace, financial security, family relationships and so much more. God gives us a simple plan to deal with our anxiety: pray about it! Yes, in everything, at all times, in all circumstances, bring your anxious thoughts and concerns before the Lord in prayer. And then leave them there because God’s peace, which is beyond our human understanding, will keep us focused on what truly is important, Jesus our Savior.

Walking with my Lord

Gracious Heavenly Father, when this world’s concerns and my personal frustrations bring about only anxiety and stress, lead me through the difficult times and grant me Your peace. Help me to remember Your promise to supply all my needs so worrying is unnecessary. You’ve got it all covered! In the saving name of Jesus. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 10/31 ©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.

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Faith-filled Parenting: Patience

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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

Isn’t it strange that patience is often tested most in the family setting? So much is expected from loved ones, and many times we do not meet expectations. It is assumed that family members should know what to say, how to react, or when to stay silent.

Isn’t it a blessing that God is patient with us? He forgives us, even when we repeat the same wrongs over and over again. He loves us for the sake of His Son Jesus, the Savior of the world. God patiently works in our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit, teaching us through His Word and guiding us along the way.

Christian parenting involves much patience: parents with their children and children with their parents. All of us can say, “Please be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet!”

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Identify those times when you have lost your patience. Ask God to give you more patience in similar situations in the future.

Walking with my Lord

Patient Christ, move me to draw on the Spirit’s fruit of patience, especially when that gift is wearing thin in my life. Remind me of how patient You are with me. In Your blessed name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 10/32 ©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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Living in Prayer: Wash me, Cleanse me, I am clean!

 

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Wash me … Cleanse me … I am clean!

In the Word

… no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you clean as freshly fallen snow (Isaiah 1:18b LB).

Of the Word

When the prophet Nathan confronted King David about his adulterous affair with Bathsheba, David broke down and confessed his grievous sin before God. He said, Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin (Psalm 51:1–2).

Have you ever just had a “great cry” — one in which your soul poured out all your deepest sorrows and your tears cleansed your heart? Perhaps that was David’s experience when he was confronted with his sinfulness. After confession, David’s spirit was cleansed. That is what happens to us, too, when we come before our Lord in confession, seeking His forgiveness. God’s forgiveness brings us a cleansing, a washing that rejuvenates and restores our relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Walking with my Lord

Cleanse my heart, O Lord, and draw me close to You so I may teach others Your ways and Your praise will be ever on my lips and in my heart. In Jesus’ forgiving name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 8/31 ©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.

Scripture quotations marked LB are taken from The Living Bible, Copyright © 1971, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187. All rights reserved.

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Faith-filled Parenting: Humility

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Humility

In the Word

… he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8b).

Of the Word

Jesus delivered us from sin in a state of humility, … he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8).

Jesus told a parable about two men praying in the temple (Luke 18:9–14). The first, a proud Pharisee, thanked God that he was not as sinful as the other man. He recited his good deeds to God. The humble tax collector simply prayed, “‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner’” (Luke 18:13b). Jesus concluded the parable by saying that the humble tax collector’s sins were surely forgiven.

Parents strive to be humble examples in the home as they serve, forgive, and confess their own sins and shortcomings. They do not use their position of authority as a weapon, but rather find opportunities to show loving humility.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Ask your child for a definition of humility. Discuss Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, recorded in Luke 18:9–14.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Savior, remind me that in Your humility You delivered me from sin. Encourage me to remain humble as I express Your forgiveness to my family. In Your name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 9/32 ©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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Living in Prayer: Thank You! Thank You, God!

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Thank You! Thank You! Thank You, God!

In the Word

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalm 118:29).

Of the Word

He is so good! Thank You, God! This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9–10). Wow, what a gift!! God loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son, so that we might live with Him in eternity.

We want thankfulness to be at the center of our lives, but how easy it is to forget about being thankful when things go wrong. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18) … God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). With that promise we can face each day with a thankful heart and live our lives according to God’s will.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, two little words, “Thank you,” do not seem adequate to express my gratitude for the many gifts You have given me, especially the gift of Your only Son. Help me to be thankful whatever my circumstances and to remember that You give perfect gifts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 6/31 ©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.

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Faith-filled Parenting: Justice

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Justice

In the Word

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

Of the Word

Picture a courtroom scene. God, the Judge, is ready to pronounce judgment against the sinner. Every sin deserves a punishment. … all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The punishment is death, and this is justice.

Thanks be to God that He sent His Son Jesus to suffer and die for the sins of mankind so that justice would be satisfied! Believers in this saving work of Jesus are justified (meaning “just-as-if-I’d never sinned”) before God. God, the Judge, declares His people “not guilty” for Jesus’ sake.

Justice is important in the Christian home, too. Parents and children alike suffer the consequences of sin. Discipline must be rendered fairly among all family members. Yet punishment must always be tempered by the knowledge of the salvation that Jesus paid for with His death on the cross.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Say a prayer of thanks with your child for the saving work of Jesus.

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, You are just, but You look at me through the merit of Jesus, my Savior. Help me to be just and fair in all that I do. In His name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 8/32 ©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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Living in Prayer: I come into your presence!

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O Lord, I come into your presence!

In the Word

Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:8a).

Of the Word

Practice silence before God. Have you tried that lately in our loud, chaotic world? Find a special quiet place. Close your eyes; picture yourself in His presence. In fact, you are! Try to describe how you feel. The writer of Hebrews tells us: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). But don’t wait until you have a pressing need to come into His presence; come into His presence daily to learn of His grace, mercy and peace.

The psalmist wrote: I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1–2). So, no matter where we are or what time of day or night it is, God promises we can come directly into His presence and find help.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, I thank You that I can come into Your presence to find grace, mercy and peace each day. Help me to seek You first in my life, Lord, so that I will be prepared for whatever comes my way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 4/31 ©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.

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