Listen to this devotion

A Spirit of Enthusiasm

In the Word

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

Of the Word

Who invented the smiley face?
Massachusetts adman Harvey Ball

The merger of two insurance companies in 1963 left many employees unhappy. Mr. Ball was hired to create a spirit of enthusiasm in the newly-formed company. In about ten minutes he sketched out what is now known as the happy face and was paid $45 for his work.

Decades later, the smiley face continues to appear on a host of items. Looking at it brightens us up. Its simplicity makes it easy to duplicate and adds to its charm.

We can have real smiles on our faces when we remember the God who created us. In fact, He wants us to be joyful and happy, fully relying on Him to take care of our needs. Jesus, true God and true Man, gave us this life assurance when He died on the cross for us.

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

Walking with my Lord

Dear Jesus, knowing You enables me to smile, even in the face of adversity. Use me to brighten the lives of others I encounter in my daily life and may I always be willing to share my happiness in knowing You as my Savior. Amen, Lord. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 28/29 ©2011 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

Listen to this devotion

Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise

In the Word

But he [Jesus] was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

Of the Word

Savior, again to Thy dear name we raise
With one accord our parting hymn of praise;
Once more we bless Thee ere our worship cease,
Then, lowly bending, wait Thy word of peace.

By nature we are at war with God, sinning daily against Him. Jesus came to earth to live perfectly, to suffer and die on the cross, and to save us from the punishment for our sins. For the sake of Jesus, we are privileged to approach the Father and ask for His peace and guidance throughout our lives. It is a peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7b).

No matter what life brings — success or failure, joy or sadness — God’s peace is sure. As life draws to a close we can say with confidence: “Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease, Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.”

Walking with my Lord

O Savior, remove my fears and worries and fill me with Your peace, the peace that only You can give. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 29/31. Hymn Text: LSB 917. ©2011  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.

All hymns are public domain with the text reprinted from Lutheran Service Book, ©2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng

In the Word

We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests (Psalm 20:5).

Of the Word

Rejoice, O pilgrim throng! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your festal banner wave on high, The cross of Christ your king.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

We celebrate Jesus who has redeemed us. Because of His death on the cross, our sins have been removed. We are no longer separated from God but can now approach Him with the power of the Holy Spirit in faith and trust. We are pilgrims on a journey to eternal life. It really is something to rejoice about!

We are not alone in this victory march: “With all the angel choirs, With all the saints on earth Pour out the strains of joy and bliss, True rapture, noblest mirth.” We cheer with joy and thanks for our victorious and risen Lord as we repeat the hymn’s refrain: “Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!”

Walking with my Lord

Victorious Lord, with all the company of heaven, we, Your pilgrim throng, rejoice in Your victory for us. Now life is a celebration! Send me, O Lord, to rejoice in You with all whom I may meet! In Your joy-giving name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 28/31. Hymn Text: LSB 813. ©2011  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.

All hymns are public domain with the text reprinted from Lutheran Service Book, ©2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

How, Lord … can I be content?

In the Word

… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11b).

Of the Word

Is your cup half full or half empty? Do rose bushes have thorns, or do thorn bushes have roses? It’s all a matter of outlook, isn’t it? The story is told of a poor woman who wore only one glove on a freezing day. Someone commented sadly, “Oh, I’m so sorry you lost a glove.” “Oh, no,” the woman replied, “I found a glove!” Her attitude made a big difference.

When St. Paul wrote many of his letters, he was incarcerated. Do prisoners usually write letters of advice and encouragement? Are they serving their sentences while saying, “I am content here”? Probably not!

The contentment Paul experienced was God’s gift, a gift that began when He called Paul to Himself on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1–22). He calls us today, offering us faith to trust Him and the gift of an attitude of praise. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD … is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation (Isaiah 12:2–3 NIV 2010).

Walking with my Lord

Lord God, forgive my dark thoughts and sour attitudes. Give me faith to see Your blessings, and help me be content with my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 29/32 ©2011 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 (NIV 2010) are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

How, Lord … can I trust in God’s power?

In the Word

From the LORD comes deliverance (Psalm 3:8a).

Of the Word

“Into each life some rain must fall.” So goes the old saying. Is it raining in your life? Most people could list some troubles dropping around them, and some are enduring a veritable deluge.

Young David was in the latter group. In 1 Samuel 17, David’s brothers were in a dangerous war zone. His people were verbally defeated by Philistines and their champion, Goliath. When David courageously spoke up for God, his oldest brother angrily scolded him. When King Saul offered armor and weapons, David chose instead his own shepherd’s clothing, sling, and five smooth stones. Sounds like an oncoming deluge, doesn’t it?

David’s words to Goliath are the key. … I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty … (1 Samuel 17:45b). David knew that the Lord was his strength.

God has not changed. His power and His love are the same for us as they were for David. He will see us through any storm that befalls us.

Walking with my Lord

Mighty God, when the storms of life are all around me and troubles rain upon me, protect me with Your love and power. Help me trust in Your deliverance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 28/32 ©2011 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

Listen to this devotion

The Mended Life

In the Word

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Of the Word

We know Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall and had a great fall, but who was this egg?
It is believed that Humpty Dumpty was a huge cannon from the English Civil War.

This great weapon was struck by a cannon ball, knocked off the tower wall, and blasted into so many pieces that all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put it back together again.

Ever felt that way? Strong and secure one minute when suddenly the world just falls apart. We just can’t get it back together. Others are either unwilling or unable to help, and we wonder if there is hope. Good news! We are not like Humpty Dumpty!

There is hope for us. No matter how broken and splintered life is, we can be put back together by the King of Kings Himself. His love and forgiveness heal us from the most devastating fall of all, the fall into sin. Though we are fragile, God can make us new again.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Walking with my Lord

Father, I am so fragile and sometimes broken, but You alone are my strength and salvation. Restore me, Lord, and make me Your new creation. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 27/29 ©2011 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.

View the printable version of Simple Trust (Make Us Whole)

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

In the Word

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Of the Word

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine.
Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day Be wholly Thine!

The sacrificial lamb in Old Testament times was pure and spotless, and it symbolically bore the sins of the people. New Testament people celebrate the “Lamb of Calvary,” Jesus Christ, the pure and sinless Son of God. On the cross Jesus took all our guilt away. He gives us grace throughout our lives, and promises eternal life to all who believe.

“Blest Savior, then, in love, Fear and distrust remove; O bear me safe above, A ransomed soul!” Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, Lamb of Calvary, You became sin to take my sin away. Thank You for Your loving sacrifice on the cross. Through Your Word and Sacraments, help me to look to You in faith and to share the Good News with others. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 27/31. Hymn Text: LSB 702. ©2011  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.

All hymns are public domain with the text reprinted from Lutheran Service Book, ©2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email