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A Modern-Day Martha

In the Word

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality (Romans 12:13).

Of the Word

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him (Luke 10:38).

The concept of hospitality was practiced within Martha’s Jewish community. My husband’s African-American parents were an example of this characteristic, too. They offered their modest home as a stop on the “over-ground railroad.” Dozens of southern friends and relatives stayed for periods of time lasting anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of years as they sought opportunities in the North.

My mother-in-law was often viewed as a Martha in terms of her priorities. Her hospitality was evidence of her strong faith and appreciation of God’s many gifts.

If you are a modern-day Martha, take heart. Continue to offer hospitality as she did. That can be your expression of faith in Christ and thanksgiving to God.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to do everything out of thanks to You for all that You have done for me. In the true spirit of hospitality, grant that I may share with others the gifts You have given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Dr. LuJuana R. Butts. 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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Joy with Christ on Earth — and Forever in Eternity

In the Word

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:4).

Of the Word

We live in a disposable society — disposable plates and cups, disposable wipes, disposable diapers, disposable syringes. What then is permanent? What is lasting?

Someone once said, “Nothing’s sure but death and taxes.” Wryly, we may smile at the thought, but our hearts know better. Hearts blessed with faith know that God is permanent and lasting, the one sure thing in a transient, disposable society. He assures us, I the Lord do not change (Malachi 3:6a). Neither does His plan for us change. Jesus says, For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life (John 6:40a).

Each one of us is part of God’s will and plan. Eternal life is ours through His gift of faith in Christ Jesus. Daily burdens and challenges come and go, but our eternal destiny is certain because of God’s promises to us.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father, thank You for being a permanent force in my life. Thank You for sending Jesus to be my Savior, and thank You for the gift of faith. Help me to face each day with the assurance that You are always with me, leading me to glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 30/30 ©2005 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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Joy — True Joy — Lasts Forever

In the Word

…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5b).

Of the Word

An old gentleman was asked to recite his favorite Bible verse. He replied, “And it came to pass … ” (Luke 2:1a KJV). When encouraged to explain the seemingly odd choice, he said, “When good times came, I knew they came to pass. But the bad times didn’t come to stay, either. They came to pass. I’ve found a lot of truth and comfort in those five words.” It’s hard to be convinced that hard times will pass when we’re in the midst of them. Hours are too long when the baby cries, when the phone brings no news, when the plumber can’t come ‘til Friday.

But joyous euphoria doesn’t last forever, either. Even Jesus’ disciples had to come down from the Mount of Transfiguration to resume their daily tasks. (Mark 9:2–10) Through thick and thin, through tears of joy or tears of sorrow, God is with His people. With the psalmist  the faithful can say, Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken (Psalm 16:8b). 

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, as things come to pass in my life, help me to remember that You are in control. Forgive my uncertainties when troubles come. Thank You for the special blessings You have given to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 29/30 ©2005 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 KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION OF THE HOLY BIBLE. Public domain.

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God Gives Joy and Laughter

In the Word

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

Of the Word

Laughter is good medicine. A good laugh can dispel the worst of moods on the darkest of days.

The psalmist writes, Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them” (Psalm 126:2).

Bible scholars say those words were written about captives who returned to their homeland. Their mouths were laughing and singing, shouting out the joy that filled their hearts. The response of their neighbors was exciting! Not “What’s all that noise about?” but rather, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Think for a moment of the people around you. What witness is being given to you and by you? Thank God for the message that says, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, help me to start each day with a happy heart. Let my face and voice reflect the joy I have in You. Then others will give glory to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 28/30 ©2005 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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God Can Make It Better

In the Word

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).

Of the Word

At times life can be so overwhelming that we feel as if we have fallen into a deep well. We make a few steps of progress, but then we fall down and have to try again. We wonder, “How did this happen to me? This isn’t what I bargained for in life.” We wish our Father in heaven would come down with a quick fix, changing life to the way we want it to be.

The Lord can make it better, but His plan isn’t always our plan. Jesus may not remove the difficulty we face or change the situation that troubles us, but He will show us how to get through it. He will show us a way out of the well of despair we are in. The Spirit knows something we don’t; He knows what is in our future. He knows what is best for us even when we don’t. He knows how to deliver us from our fears.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Walking with my Lord

Holy Spirit, guide and direct my ways so I can listen and heed Your call. Help me to rely on Your promise to deliver me from the troubles that surround me. In Jesus’ name I cry to You for help. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 30/30 ©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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Sleep in Peace

In the Word

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).

Of the Word

Why is the nighttime so difficult? We should be asleep but we toss and turn, our minds racing with thoughts of our troubles and fears. “My dear loved one is gone and I can’t stand the sorrow.” “What will tomorrow bring?” “Why do I have to deal with that situation?” “It’s not fair!” In the dark our fears seem overwhelming.

The psalmist says he can lie down and sleep in peace. “Well that’s not happening to me.”

The hours tick away and we continue to stare at the ceiling. We didn’t really want to turn out the lights in the first place but exhaustion is setting in. Minutes turn into hours and we are still awake.

We can continue to carry the fears with us, but being afraid won’t change our circumstances. It is time to surrender! It is time to take hold of the situation by accepting God’s promise: Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 GNT). Jesus cares! He wants to give us rest! Through the Holy Spirit at work in us, we can lie down and sleep in peace.

Walking with my Lord

Caring Father, I am so weary carrying these burdens. Help me to let go and surrender to Your care. Help me to accept the rest and safety You offer. Help me to trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 29/30 ©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.

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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Strength to Endure

In the Word

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped (Psalm 28:7a).

Of the Word

There are times in life when we cry out “I just can’t handle this. I don’t have the strength to get through another day.” Jesus hears our cries. He knows our anguish. He feels our pain. He acts by sending His Holy Spirit to us with the assurance that our Father is strong enough to shield and protect each one of us. The psalmist’s words encourage us when he writes, my heart trusts in him, and I am helped (Psalm 28:7a).

God’s promise — I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13) — isn’t a magic wand. We can’t change other people or life’s circumstances. We can’t suddenly leap tall buildings in a single bound. It is God’s assurance that He will help us face the challenges of each and every day. He will be our strength when our own strength fails. He will carry us safely through the storms of life.

God’s strength and shield provide us with hope — hope that a brighter tomorrow will eventually come. Because of our God-given hope, we know that “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b).

Walking with my Lord

Mighty God, lead me through my trials and help me to see what You want to do through me. As I hold on to the strength that only Jesus can give, use me even in my weakness. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 28/30 ©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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