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OUT of Darkness INTO the LIGHT OF JESUS!

The HOLY SPIRIT keeps us focused on Jesus, our comfort and joy!

In the Word

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”(John 20:19).

Of the Word

When a dear one dies, fear and despair lurk at our heart’s door. That must be how the disciples felt when Jesus died. Huddled behind locked doors, the temptation to give up hope was strong.

But the night before Jesus was crucified, He promised, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. … He remains with you and is in you. … you will not be left all alone” (John 14:16, 17a, 17c, 18a GNT). And then — the resurrected Lord Jesus Himself came to that locked room to reassure the disciples before He returned to heaven.

Present-day disciples cling to the same promise. The same Holy Spirit lives with us and in us. The Spirit comes to us in God’s Word and Sacraments. The Spirit creates faith and trust. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NIV).

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, thank You for the Holy Spirit. By Your Spirit’s power I know You and trust You. Forgive me when my faith falters and I feel afraid and hopeless. Renew me each day with the warmth of Your love. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 12/30  ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

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Living in the Spirit … Helps Me to Pray

In the Word

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us … (Romans 8:26b NIV).

Of the Word

Sometimes our hearts and minds are unable to put prayers into words. How thankful we can be that the Holy Spirit speaks for us, interceding on our behalf!

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18a NIV). Praying in the Spirit means that we are praying for God's will to be done in our lives. The Holy Spirit guides us, reminding us that God wants us to pray at any time, in any place, about any need. We can be confident that our loving God hears every prayer, no matter how large or small the request may be.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Walking with my Lord

Father God, I rejoice knowing that You are always ready to listen to me, no matter what I bring to You. The Holy Spirit brings my prayers to Your ears. Thank You for this gift. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 17/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

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Living in the Spirit … Brings About Christian Unity

In the Word

"God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you're from — if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open" (Acts 10:34b–35 MSG).

Of the Word

No color, race, or language barriers will exist in heaven. Class distinctions, income levels, and immigration policies will be things of the past. All Christians will be first-class citizens of heaven.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household … (Ephesians 2:19). We will be in heaven because the Holy Spirit brought us to faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

He [God] saved us, … by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior … (Titus 3:5b–6). We will be in heaven because Christ brought us together through his death on the cross (Ephesians 2:16a MSG). We will be one people — God's people!

Walking with my Lord

Father, living with You in heaven in peace and harmony with all who have loved You here on earth is something I can scarcely comprehend. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit and Your Son. In His name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 16/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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Household Chores: Who will do what?

In the Word

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people ...  (Ephesians 6:7 NIV).

Of the Word

You've moved into your first home together, and it doesn't take long until the dishes, the laundry, and the yard all need attention. How will you decide who takes care of each of these responsibilities?

Consider beginning your discussion with how things were done when you were growing up and how they should be done now (since that impacts your view on who should do them). Be prepared to compromise (after all, no one really likes to clean toilets!!), and be flexible. You may need to renegotiate after trying it out for awhile. If you feel you are being put upon or left out, be honest as you share that with your spouse.

When finding it necessary to do one of the chores you particularly dislike, think about the words of the Apostle Paul: Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people … (Ephesians 6:7 NIV).

When you serve your spouse, you are truly serving God, showing love to both through your actions.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for all the material blessings You give to us. Help us to care not only for the things, but for the one with whom we share them. Teach us to serve You by serving one another. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 18/28 ©2008 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

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Finding Peace

In the Word

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

Of the Word

Life can get so busy that keeping up with all I must do sometimes leaves me discouraged, short-tempered, and impatient with everyone, including myself. I try to take control. I become a bulldozer, charging through my days, rolling right over people without listening or showing any concern for them. In my frustration I ask, “Where, O Lord, is Your peace?”

As I spend time in the Word and in prayer, the Spirit reminds me that God put me here to be a listening ear or a helping hand. He reminds me, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a). Then I can concentrate on whose I am and what it is He would have me do.

Peace is a gift from our loving, merciful God. We are blessed with this gift when we slow down and spend time in prayer, in reading the Bible, and in worshipping with others. We are reminded how much God loves us and of all He has done for us. His grace becomes the real focus of our lives.

Walking with my Lord

Loving Father, in the midst of my busy days, help me to be still and know the gift of Your peace. Help me to dedicate my hours to You, seeing all people as Your dear children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Barbara Carlson. 13/32 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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What Color Are You?

In the Word

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you (Jeremiah 1:5a).

Of the Word

If you were a leaf, what color would you be, and from what kind of tree would you come? Each person would answer differently because God made each of us unique, just like all the unique leaves on the trees.

When God looks at His people, He sees our unique “colors” and how we fit into His beautiful world. Our “colors” will vary year-to-year and season-to-season, but we are always special in God’s sight. He knows when there is even the slightest change in our lives. When He looks out at His creation, He sees the big picture and how each of our unique “colors” work perfectly to make a magnificent landscape.

Are there days when you wish you were bright orange instead of sunny yellow, or vice versa? Are there days when you feel you have fallen to the ground and been stepped on by everyone in life? We all do at some time, but praise be to God, for He is in control. He knows what is best for us. We cannot always be a brilliant “color.” However, we can trust God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and body, for He will never fail us. When we give Him our willing hearts and hands through the power of the Holy Spirit, He will use us and our gifts to His glory.

Celebrate where you are, your uniqueness, and the “color” God made you. God loves to hold you in His hand. He made an exact place for you to fit into His wonderful world, and He said, “… it was very good” (Genesis 1:31a).

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for making me just the way You wanted me with all the changing colors of my life. Give me peace about my shortcomings and joy for my strengths. Show me how to use the colorful gifts You have given me to reach someone today for You. Amen.

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Men and Women: Different by God's Design

In the Word

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24).

Of the Word

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus is the title of a book written by John Gray. No matter what you think of the details of the book, the overarching principle is true: men and women are different — and not just physically.

Of course, there is no such thing as a "typical" man or woman; yet there are attitudes and actions that are generally found in one gender and not the other. These differences can be seen as sources of jealousy and frustration or as reasons to celebrate! Consider them as two halves of a whole. Together they make your union complete.

When your differences cause disagreements, take time to consider your spouse's point of view. You might discover a new way of thinking. And you may come to a deeper understanding of who your spouse is and how you complement each other. In marriage, God has made you one. Enjoy the unity that is enhanced by your differences!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, You have created us as individuals, each with our own unique qualities. Help us to rejoice in the gifts You give us and use them to build each other up. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 17/28 ©2008 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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