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Renewed Praise

In the Word

“…I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me” (Isaiah 12:1b).

Of the Word

A pastor liked to remind his parishioners of the burdened soul who approached Christ’s cross in a spirit of sincere repentance. Kneeling, the soul handed the Lord his load of sin and sorrow. So far, so good! Then the soul got up, snatched his burden back, and took it with him as he walked away.

Some sins prove difficult to put down. Guilt’s grip is heavy, even at the foot of Christ’s cross. We think we don’t deserve forgiveness or that others won’t forgive us. Sometimes we find we can’t even forgive ourselves. Though we feel sincerely repentant and have confessed, we continue to carry sin’s burden. God knows the pattern. That’s why He graciously assures us of His forgiveness by showing us His own Son paying the price of sin for us. Our feelings about sin evaporate in the light of God’s fact about sin — He’s taken care of it.

When you approach Christ’s cross with a burden, be prepared to lose weight fast. Leave your load with Him and walk away the free, healed, and redeemed child of God you are.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for lifting up sin’s heavy load
And comforting me by Christ’s body and blood.
In His name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 32/32 ©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.

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Well-Placed Praise

In the Word

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them (Proverbs 28:4).

Of the Word

Our culture invites us to admire people who pay no attention to God’s will. If the person is rich enough or famous enough, we’re supposed to stand back and soak up the glamour of it all. In doing so, however, we’re taking our eyes off God and the truly admirable people who, led by His Spirit, follow Him.

Reflect for a moment on someone you truly admire. For what reasons do you admire this person? If the reasons smack of worldly values, now is the time to refocus in light of what God says about beauty: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30). About power: “…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). About wealth: “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Do you know someone who lives by His Word? Now there’s someone worthy of your admiration!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, let me honor those whose godly lives proclaim
A humble, faithful heart that knows and loves Your name.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 31/32 ©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.

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Grace

In the Word

… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23–24).

Of the Word

Grace is getting what is not deserved. Sinners cannot expect anything from a just God except punishment and ultimately death. The future looks bleak. However, God sent His Son Jesus to save all people from punishment for sin by His death on the cross. All believers in Jesus receive gifts of grace — gifts that are not deserved. These gifts include forgiveness, salvation, love, joy, peace, faith, and eternal life.

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense — GRACE!

Parents can, in turn, give gifts of grace to their children. They can forgive, even if it is difficult. They can love, even when the child is not acting very loveable. They can model grace-filled living to their children. How can this be done? It can only be done as a response to the grace given them in Christ Jesus.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Give unexpected hugs. Share specific “grace gifts” God has given to you.

Walking with my Lord

God of Grace, You shower me with free grace each day. Help me to share Your grace with my family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 6/32 ©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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Daily Praise

In the Word

Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever (Psalm 145:2).

Of the Word

Practice, practice, practice! There’s no substitute for daily practice if we want to master a musical instrument. Or qualify for the team. Or excel in art. But do we have to “practice” being Christian? Yes. Every day? Yes. Not for the purpose of achieving perfection, but to become more deeply and mindfully aware of Christ’s work in us and His will for us.

Busy schedules, however, have a way of crowding out time for prayer, meditation, and reflection. Responsibilities and obligations compel us to attend to others, often at the expense of even a few minutes’ quiet time to ourselves. Yet without a daily pause to “practice” our Christianity — time to focus on Him, recognize His voice, and put ourselves at His command — we lose out on a great deal of Spirit-given insight, wisdom, joy, and maturity.

Daily practice — daily time with God in and with His Word — is a perfect way to grow closer to Him and see for yourself even more reason to praise His name forever.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, let nothing take the place
Of resting in Your love and grace.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 29/32 ©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.

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Mercy

In the Word

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another’” (Zechariah 7:9).

Of the Word

Mercy is not getting what is deserved. All people are born sinful and sin daily by what they do and by what they leave undone. The punishment from God for sin is death. But, God had a plan! He sent His Son Jesus to live a perfect life among mankind and then to suffer and die for the sins of all people. He rose again on the third day and reigns in heaven.

Because of this saving work, all believers in Jesus receive mercy from God. We deserve death, but instead we receive life in Jesus.

God’s people have received mercy and can therefore share that mercy with others. They can love and support their children, even when the children don’t deserve that love and support. A Christian home can be a sanctuary of mercy.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Make a concentrated effort to identify situations when you have been shown mercy. Share that same mercy with your child.

Walking with my Lord

Merciful Savior, thank You for not giving me what I deserve because of my sins. Help me to be merciful toward others. Make my home a sanctuary of mercy. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 5/32 ©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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Healing Praise

In the Word

Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise (Jeremiah 17:14).

Of the Word

Dutch author Corrie ten Boom noted, “Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.” But how often God’s children carry around burdens rather than take them to their heavenly Father in prayer!

Your physical, emotional, and spiritual health matter to God, your Creator. You can trust Him with your concerns, even those you avoid telling anyone else about. When you turn to Him in prayer and give Him your burden — even the smallest burden of your heart — He hears you. And He heals you. How? Sometimes by assuring you of His presence. Sometimes by giving you the courage to face your challenges. Sometimes by healing your body. Always by healing your soul.

Compared to the weight of the world’s problems, maybe you think your problem is pretty light. But if it weighs on your heart, it’s heavy enough for prayer. Heavy enough to let your heavenly Father lift it from you and replace it with the lightness of His grace and mercy.

Walking with my Lord

“Take it to the Lord in prayer.” No sweeter words I hear,
My heart lifts up in praise to know my Savior-Lord is near.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 27/32 ©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.

Hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” – Public Domain (Seed #27)

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Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

In the Word

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:14–15a).

Of the Word

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross.
Lift high His royal banner; It must not suffer loss.
From vict'ry unto vict'ry His army He shall lead
Till ev'ry foe is vanquished, And Christ is Lord indeed.

Christ came into the world and lived a perfect life among us. He suffered and died on the cross to pay the debt for our sins. Then He rose triumphantly to assure us of eternal life. What a Savior! What a message for us to spread to the world!

When Jesus is beside us, we can enter the world with confidence. He gives us the power to overcome evil. We will face daily battles, but God assures us of the ultimate victory.

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus; The strife will not be long; This day the din of battle, The next the victor’s song. The soldiers, overcoming, Their crown of life shall see And with the King of Glory Shall reign eternally.”

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, Savior, be with me and make me bold to stand up for You, witnessing to the hope I have in You. When taking a stand for You is difficult, remind me that You have already won the victory! In Your glorious name I stand and pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 16/31. Hymn Text: LSB 660. ©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.

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