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The Real Meaning of Life

In the Word

… the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b).

Of the Word

Would anyone pay to know the answer to the question, “What is the meaning of life?”
Yes!

Eight bids were placed in an online auction and ultimately the meaning of life was sold for $3.26! While we do not know what the bidder was told for the price he paid, we can know the meaning of life for free if we read God’s Word.

Life is created by God. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). … the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).

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

It would be difficult to trust in words auctioned for $3.26, but we can trust the One who gives life here and in eternity. God’s certain promise is, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10b).

Walking with my Lord

Life-giving God, You made me, redeemed me, and promised heaven to me. Make my life a song of praise to You! In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 20/29 ©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.

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Wise Words

In the Word

A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction (Proverbs 16:23).

Of the Word

What can happen at 90 degrees below zero on the Fahrenheit scale?
Your breath freezes in midair and falls to the ground.

Cold, icy words become the building blocks for icy walls that separate people from each other. The best way to avoid those walls is to be quiet when your heart turns cold. Pause. Ask God to warm your heart and your words. A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction (Proverbs 16:23).

If the icy wall has already been constructed, chisel away at it with God’s Word. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4–5). When God enables us to live out these words, icy walls melt.

Spend time in prayer today. Ask God’s forgiveness for your cold, icy words. Ask Him to help you forgive a person who has hurt you. Then stand back. Watch God change that icy wall into a refreshing mountain stream.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, forgive me for the cold, icy words that come out of my mouth. Help me forgive those whose words have hurt me. In Your forgiving name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 19/29 ©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.

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Take My Life and Let it Be

In the Word

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Of the Word

Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

God has given us the gift of life. He has given us our hands, feet, voice, lips, silver, gold, intellect, will, heart, and even our love for Him. Most importantly, He has given us new life through the waters of baptism and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

These verses encourage us to use all facets of our lives to worship, praise, and serve our God. This is called stewardship. We use the gifts and talents God has given us to tell others the Good News of salvation in Christ.

In the final stanza we pray, “Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store; Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee.”

Walking with my Lord

Giver of all that is good, make me a faithful steward of all that You have given me. Give me joy as I use Your many gifts, not selfishly, but in service to You and to the people around me. In Your gracious name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 17/31. Hymn Text: LSB 783. ©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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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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How, Lord … can I cope with stress?

In the Word

I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Of the Word

A young college graduate was called to teach in a rather remote area. Her first task was to order supplies for her brand-new classroom. She depended upon her pastor to give guidance, but in a matter of weeks he accepted a call to a new congregation. However, before he moved, he preached on the text, I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Weeks rolled by, and she was reminded again and again of those precious words. Caring Christians in the church and community encouraged and prayed for her. Her parents and old friends stayed in touch. Loving children in her class hugged, smiled, and learned. Through him, she did what was required, and she was blessed.

What is your story? What challenges do you face? What promises of God do you cling to?

God is faithful. He promises, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). God’s loving power surrounds His people. We can depend upon Him for all things.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, without You I am weak and helpless. Guide me through the troubles and challenges in my life, and help me to trust in You for every need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 18/32 ©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.

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How, Lord … can I face growing older?

In the Word

… we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Of the Word

Hair color. Creams and lotions. Regenerating formulas. Botox. In our society, advertisements for prolonging youth — or at least holding off the evidences of aging — are all around us. It seems that no one wants to get old or seem old, let alone look old. But aging is a fact of life, and it happens one day at a time.

How does God want us to handle it? St. Paul says, … we do not lose heart. How can that be when wrinkles form, muscles weaken, vigor lessens? Paul reminds us that God renews us day by day.

His Spirit strengthens us, gives us focus, helps us face the future with hope and peace.

Will the wrinkles go away? Perhaps the worry wrinkles will be replaced by smile wrinkles! Will creaky knees cease to ache? Perhaps they will ache after bowing before the Lord in prayer and praise. What a blessed renewal God has promised us!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, no matter what my age is, give me day-by-day renewal. Increase my faith and revive my spirit. Help me trust in You for all I need. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 17/32 ©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.

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How, Lord … can I look to the future?

In the Word

Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it?  (Isaiah 43:18–19a GOD’S WORD).

Of the Word

It is impossible to walk forward if we’re looking back. Sooner or later we will stumble. It is much safer to look to where we are going than to where we have been. Likewise, we won’t ever see what the future holds if we continue to live in the past. How can we possibly have a better tomorrow if we are still living with the troubles of yesterday? The past is past.

God wants us to live joy-filled lives. That is possible if we focus on Him. We receive God’s forgiveness when we go to Him in prayer, confessing our wrongs, fears, regrets, and doubts about the past. God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong (1 John 1:9 GOD’S WORD).

We are forgiven! Now it’s time to move on, time to focus on hopes not fears. It’s time to recognize God is waiting to lead us to a future He has already planned for us. 

Walking with my Lord

Gracious Lord, I am ready to focus on Your promises of forgiveness and love. Help me to grow in faith and be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me where You have planned for me to go. May I recognize Your blessings along the way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 16/32 ©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 (GOD’S WORD) are taken from GOD’S WORD ®, © 1995, God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

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