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Living in the Spirit … Gives Me Joy

In the Word

The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad (Psalm 126:3).

Of the Word

The fruit of the Spirit is … joy (Galatians 5:22).

Vacations. Vacation homes. Jobs. Better jobs. TVs. Bigger TVs. Parties. More parties. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Boats. Cars, etc., etc., etc. The list of things we think will bring us joy is endless. But the time, energy, and money spent on the pursuit of happiness are wasted because the material things we want today are not a source of everlasting joy. They will not bring comfort when troubles or sorrows enter our lives.

True joy comes to us as the Holy Spirit leads us into living with Jesus Christ. Through Him we have the precious gift of eternal life. Knowing this helps us to walk through the dark times into the Light of Christ’s love. The things of life are only temporary but God’s promises will last forever. Joy is God caring for us.

Let us shout with loud voices, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” He has come to give us this message: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, what comfort I have knowing the pursuit of spiritual things will never be time wasted. Thank You for the joy You have put in my life through Your Spirit and Your Son. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 22/30 ©2007 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.

(Hymn text: “Joy to the World” — public domain.)

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With Thankful Hearts

In the Word

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37).

Of the Word

One of my favorite holidays falls on the fourth Thursday of every November, Thanksgiving Day! We have an opportunity to be with our extended family. Football contests create friendly family rivalries that allow us to tease each other and to enjoy each other’s company. The little ones in the family, now our grandchildren, squeal with gleeful joy as they run to and fro looking for fun ways to pass the time.

Of course, there are the meals! What bounty the good Lord places before us! Evidence of God’s wonderful provision for us abundantly layers the tables. We give thanks to our God for all of these wonderful blessings and then enjoy time around the table with all of our loved ones.

Yes, we give thanks for a plentiful harvest on Thanksgiving Day. But there is another, even more important, harvest. The fields of this harvest are so full that they are laden with the bounty God has provided. The Lord has commanded that workers bring in this harvest. We need these harvesters to share God’s Word, that more will come to know Him, become His disciples, and join in the work of bringing in the harvest.

With thankful hearts, prepared by God, men and women go out into the harvest fields. Pastors, teachers, deaconesses, and directors of Christian education go into the fields to serve under the direction of the Lord and to bring in the harvest that God has so richly provided. Whatever our profession or season of life, we are all workers in the harvest field wherever God leads us in our daily lives.

Christ, through the work He finished on the cross, richly forgives all who believe in Him and confess their sins. He fills us with His joy and thanksgiving by the power of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God also equips each of us to be part of His harvest. When we are connected to Christ, each one can bear much fruit!

Walking with my Lord

Lord of the harvest, raise up willing workers in this world to bring in Your harvest. Show me how I can best serve You to bring in the ripened sheaves. Let me never forget that each of us can play a part, whether large or small, in this important work. Help me to use my gifts and talents, that many may come to Your banquet table. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Stewardship: Tithes and Offerings

In the Word

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (1 Peter 4:10).

Of the Word

“Why is it that every time we go to church they are talking about money? Makes you wonder if that’s what the church is all about.” Some people become very uncomfortable discussing the topic of stewardship. However, regardless of our attitude in this area, each of us ought to consider how we are to manage the gifts with which God has blessed us.

Our health, talent, money, time, and abilities are all gifts for us to enjoy and to share with God’s people. How can we use His gifts to honor Him and help others? Surprisingly, the more we give back to Him, the more we receive from Him. Of course, this is not why we give; but, it is how God gives!

God wants us to live abundant lives, but not necessarily with an abundance of “things.” Rather, He pours out His abundant love on us through Christ and asks us to consider how we can share this wealth with others.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the many ways You bless us and our family. Help us to not take Your gifts for granted, but rather use them to help others know Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 24/28 ©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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Finances: To Spend or Save?

In the Word

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).

Of the Word

“…for richer or for poorer.” It was easy to say at the wedding, but it is sometimes hard to live out in real life. He wants to save for the future; she wants to wear the latest fashions. She’s thinking about college for the kids; he’s eyeing a new boat. How will you decide who “wins”? Start by setting priorities for how your money is to be spent before these questions arise, making sure the marriage is the winner!

Talk through the issues. Does God care how we spend our money? What does it mean to be stewards of what He has given us? How can we use our money to help others and for our own enjoyment? Does this purchase meet our family’s short-term or long-term goals? Do we agree that this is a wise use of our money?

Remember, what you spend your money on is not nearly as important as why you spend it. Ask God for guidance in your money matters.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, help us to be good stewards of Your gifts so that together we can enjoy and share the blessings You give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 23/28 ©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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Religion: When one’s mate is not a Christian

In the Word

For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Corinthians 7:16).

Of the Word

You knew your partner was not a Christian when you married, or perhaps you came to faith after marriage and your spouse has not followed suit. Maybe faith is extremely important to you and you are frustrated that your mate doesn’t share the same passion to learn more about God’s Word.

You may be tempted to be overly critical of yourself because you can’t seem to change the person you married. As a Christian you are called to love, accept, forgive, and care for your mate, following the example of Christ as revealed to us through His Word. He loves us unconditionally, without reservations, completely. Trust that God loves the person you married in the same way. He desires a relationship with your mate even more than you do.

Continue to lift your mate up to God in prayer, always remembering that saving faith is the gift and work of the Holy Spirit. Only God can create faith in the one you love.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Holy Spirit, help me to love and accept my spouse the same way You love and accept me — unconditionally. Work faith in my spouse that we might share the great joy of following You together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 22/28 ©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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Begin with God … So We Can Pray to Him

In the Word

What is prayer?

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us (1 John 5:14).

Of the Word

Prayer has been called the ‘breath of the soul.’ It is a ‘heart-to-heart’ with God. He has promised to hear and answer His people. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us (1 John 5:14).

What is included in “anything”? EVERYTHING! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).

Because we are human, it’s tempting to ask for more and more. It is easy to forget to thank God. Perhaps that is why He reminds us to ask for His help and respond with thanks to Him. Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me (Psalm 50:15).

What a comfort it is to know that God is always available to listen and answer us, His beloved people. He is never too busy; no request is ever too trivial for our God who loves us so much that He gave up His only Son for our salvation.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of coming to You in prayer. Thank You for hearing me, and thank You for answering my prayers in the best way and at the right time. Help me to pray faithfully and wait patiently. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 24/28 ©2007 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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Begin with God … So We Can Trust Him

In the Word

Where can I find someone who is trustworthy and true?

In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 56:11).

Of the Word

Who do you trust? Your spouse? Your children? The banker and tax preparer? All of us can recall times when even those closest to us and most loved by us betrayed our trust. God is the only One in whom we can place complete trust. He will never betray our trust. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation (Psalm 13:5). Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock (Isaiah 26:4).

What does God promise to those who trust in Him? Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord (Psalm 32:10b). May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13).

Trust in God means relying on His love, mercy, and forgiveness — the forgiveness that comes to us through Jesus’ merit. When we trust in Him, we can face any circumstance with confidence.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank and praise You for being the God I can trust. Forgive me for the times I place more trust in people and things than in You. Help me to trust in You for all that I need, and help me to be thankful for all that You provide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 23/28 ©2007 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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