Listen to this devotion

Vocation

A devotion for Katharina von Bora Luther’s Birthday
 

In the Word

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:6–8).

Of the Word

We all have vocations in life into which God has placed us. Katharina von Bora Luther is a great example of the variety of vocations God may give us throughout our lives. Katharina was a nun, who later became a wife and a mother. In each of these vocations (as well as others such as daughter, citizen, and friend), Katharina served God by using the gifts and skills He had equipped her with to do the tasks He had placed before her.

We, too, serve God in the vocations in which He has placed us. None are more significant than another, though the responsibilities given to us may vary. A church worker is not more important than a layperson, but the responsibilities of each are different. Similarly, a parent is not more important than a child, though their responsibilities are different. Every vocation is a way to serve God. Remember this and go joyfully to your work. 

Walking with my Lord

Dear Jesus, Your death on the cross freed us from striving to please You. Thank You for delighting in the small tasks we do for You every day. In Your name we pray. Amen. 
 

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

Mustard Seed: Vocation by Deaconess Joanna Lee, McDonald, Pennsylvania
Copyright© 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
lwml.org

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

What Goes Around, Comes Around

In the Word

Love is patient, love is kind. … It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4a, 7 NIV).

Of the Word

As my husband and I prepared for an overseas mission trip, an older woman in our congregation gave me her special cross necklace to wear on the trip.

When we returned home, I planned to present her with a gift and also return the necklace. However, with love in her eyes, she told me that the necklace was mine to keep. As time passed, our friendship grew stronger. When her health failed, I spent a good deal of time with her. It was as though I became the daughter that she’d never had.

The story of the precious necklace has been told many times, a witness to the strong friendship that grew from a loving relationship in Christ. My dear friend and I not only remembered Jesus’ words, but lived them: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13: 34–35).

Walking with my Lord

Your love, O Lord, brings depth to my life. May this love be reflected as I reach out to others. May that love continue in an ever-widening circle as I share Your love in all of my relationships. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Kathy Ludwig. 4/32 ©2009 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

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Joy in God’s Love

In the Word

We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Of the Word

Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote the famous words, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways …” Yet when God looked at us, how many ways could He have counted? He saw our sins … red like crimson … (Isaiah 1:18b). And He loved us anyway!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). When He looks at us now — through the cross of Jesus — God sees us as the people He designed us to be: forgiven, loving, serving people. Though we sin daily, God’s love and forgiveness are always available to us. His love never fails, and He never withholds forgiveness from the repentant sinner. In Him we have comfort and joy.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for Your unconditional love. I could not have loved You first, and I could not have brought myself to You. Help me to respond to the love You have given me by sharing it with those whose lives touch mine. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 6/30 ©2005 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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Joy Through Praise

In the Word

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6).

Of the Word

The mockingbird’s gray plumage is rather bland. Its size, about 10 inches, is just average for a garden bird. Its nest, a bulky cup of sticks and stems, is no architectural wonder. What makes the mockingbird memorable is its amazing song which can last an hour without repetitions. What a song of praise to the Creator!

We have praises to sing to Him, too. But when times are hard, we may ask with the psalmist, Why are you downcast, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? (Psalm 42:5a). The solution: Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God (Psalm 42:5b–6a).

From God himself come reasons for praise. He gives us hope through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for giving me life and hope. Accept my praise for Your special gifts to me, especially for the gift of Jesus. Forgive me when I lose hope, and lead me back to a life of praise and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 5/30 ©2005 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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Called to Obedience

A devotion for The Conversion of St. Paul (Jan. 25)
 

In the Word

And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do” (Acts 9:4–6).

Of the Word

These words are the turning point of the story of Paul’s conversion. It took a bright miraculous light to get Saul’s attention. However, God in His wisdom chose Saul to be His instrument to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles, and He wanted Paul to obey His command. Blinded by the light, Saul’s companions led him into Damascus to wait for further instructions. After his sight was restored, he was ready to obey.

God’s Word and His Spirit within us call and equip us to obey Him in specific ways. Because of our sinful nature we can fail to obey, but by God’s grace we can obey and find joy as David says in Psalm 19:6, the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, thank You for the merciful forgiveness You grant when I fail to obey.  Please give me faith and strength to obey the commands that You have given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
 

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

Mustard Seed: Called to Obedience – The Conversion of St. Paul
by Ladell McWhirter, Kingsport, Tennessee.
Copyright© 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
lwml.org

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Joy in Knowing Jesus

In the Word

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

Of the Word

Paul wrote many of his letters from prison. Accused, berated, beaten, imprisoned, he still practiced what he preached: Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord. In the dark and dank maximum-security cell of the Philippian prison, Paul and Silas found joy in the Lord.

Nothing in their circumstances or surroundings seemed to give reason for rejoicing. But they were able to look beyond those things and hold fast to the promises of God. Those promises gave them reason for rejoicing.

What “prisons” surround God’s people today? Unemployment? Over commitment? Depression? War? Paul’s exhortation, inspired by God, is the same for the 21st century: Rejoice in the Lord. And the Lord says to us … I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you (Joshua 1:5b). What a reason to rejoice in Him!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, no matter what circumstances face me today, help me to find joy in You. When I become weak and anxious, give me strength to endure. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 4/30 ©2005 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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

God’s Healing and Forgiveness

In the Word

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isaiah 1:18b).

Of the Word

The teenage victim of an illegal abortion lay in the ICU. She was not expected to survive. My heart ached to tell her of God’s love and mercy, but no visitors were allowed.

I decided to write a letter. I told her that God loved her and that through Jesus our scarlet sins would be washed as white as snow. I assured her that the members of the church were praying for her.

That night, a Christian nurse read my letter to her and prayed with her. By morning her condition had improved. During her long recovery, prayers continued. Some weeks later, she, her mother, and her brother were baptized.

No matter how severe the ailment or how great the sin, God offers His love, forgiveness, and comfort to all. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:7–8).

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for dying on the cross to save me from my sins. Forgive my sins and empower me with Your love to share the Good News with all I meet. In Your saving name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Marilyn McClure. 27/32 ©2009, revised 2025 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®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email