Today's Mustard Seed Devotion

Comfort from the Psalms: The Restless Soul

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The Restless Soul

In the Word

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him (Psalm 62:5 NIV).

Of the Word

Researchers tell us that adults today don’t get enough sleep. The advent of electricity means we can stay up later than our ancestors. Well into the night we are watching television, reading, or using our computers. “Early to bed and early to rise” doesn’t seem to fit in with today’s lifestyle. Consequently, sleep deprivation and fatigue are common among us. As a society, we just aren’t getting enough physical rest.

Just as common are the people who can find no rest for their souls. Many carry burdens of guilt, hatred, anger, or prejudice. Some are grieving. Others are unable to forgive, whether it is themselves or someone else. Day after day they search for inner peace and it just isn’t there. They look for hope and can’t find it.

Do you have a restless soul? Take to heart the words of Jesus, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. … I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29b). Jesus invites us all to come and rest in Him.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that I can say, “I came to Jesus as I was, So weary, worn, and sad; I found in him a resting-place, And he has made me glad.” In Your name I pray. Amen.

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

“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” words by Horatius Bonar, music by Thomas Tallis. Public domain.

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Posted on February 06, 2026 3:00 AM by System Administrator

Living in Faith: Depending on Our Heavenly Father

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Faith is … Depending on Our Heavenly Father

In the Word

You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:16).

Of the Word

Some people take the attitude: “God is too great, too busy, too remote to be interested in me personally.” That might be a complaint; it might be false humility. Either way we should not measure God by our standards nor judge Him by our limitations. He is God and so His eye can be on the sparrow and His mind can number the very hairs of our heads. He does not lose sight of our best interests or neglect our needs. He is vitally interested in what we do with the gift of life.

All things depend on God, our Father. The seeds which the sparrow eats, the food for the fish in the sea, the crops which we harvest, and food we gather into carts at the supermarket all come from His generous hand. Food itself, the strength to gather it, and the ability of our bodies to turn that food into energy and strength are all gifts of His goodness. He is not too great to care about these things.

If our Father were to close His hand or turn His face, there would be no life on this earth. Those who refuse to look to Him or acknowledge their dependence on Him could not live.

Walking with my Lord

Almighty Father, send Your Spirit upon me in rich measure that I may always depend upon You for all things spiritual and physical. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Posted on February 05, 2026 3:00 AM by System Administrator

Living as a Woman in Mission: Be Ready

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Be Ready

In the Word

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect … (1 Peter 3:15).

Of the Word

Over the years I have been blessed to lead workshops in which women learned to share their faith in Christ. To allow people an opportunity to talk with one another, each woman worked with a partner. On one occasion a young woman was without a partner, so she and I became a team. As we talked, I learned that she had come at her grandmother’s invitation. To my surprise she said, “I don’t know this Jesus that you are talking about.”

How wonderful it was to share Jesus’ love with her, telling her what He has done for me throughout my life!

To this day, it is with thanksgiving and joy that I remember the young woman seated next to her grandmother on the last pew of the church. It is my prayer that she has learned to know Jesus and that she is now sharing her faith with others. St. Paul writes to Philemon and his message is the same for us: I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ (Philemon 1:6).

Walking with my Lord

Father, I rejoice with thanksgiving that You have called me to be Your child now and forever. Give me the desire and courage to readily share my faith in You with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be Ready — PRINTABLE VERSION

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Posted on February 04, 2026 3:00 AM by System Administrator

Living in Faith: Looking Up and Above

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Faith is … Looking Up and Above

In the Word

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1–2).

Of the Word

A great deal of wisdom is contained in this poem by an unknown author: If your nose is close to the grindstone rough, And you hold it down there long enough, In time you’ll say there’s no such thing, As brooks that babble or birds that sing. These three will all your world compose: Just you and the stone and your poor nose.

Sometimes we keep our nose so close to the grindstone we see nothing but sparks! A wise doctor advised a patient who was facing a nervous breakdown, “Go away and look at something big!”

Faith is just that. It is looking at the One who is above all and in all and through all. It is looking beyond His wonderful creation and seeing the Creator Himself. The Creator not only made the mountains but also allowed His only Son to die on one of those hills outside Jerusalem.

Faith is looking beyond our present circumstances and seeing something bigger than our problems, bigger than our circumstances. Oh, the blessings of looking up and above!

Walking with my Lord

“My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine. Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away; Oh, let me from this day Be wholly Thine!” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“My Faith Looks Up To Thee” words by Ray Palmer, music by Lowell Mason – Public Domain.

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Posted on February 03, 2026 3:00 AM by System Administrator

Candlemas: The Middle of Winter

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Candlemas: The Middle of Winter

Most of us mark February 2 as the day we jokingly put our trust in a little ground hog (Ground Hog Day). In jest, we call upon this furry little fellow to predict our winter fate, and like many other things that we might falsely rely on, the ground hog certainly cannot be trusted. While we know Ground Hog Day will come and go without any real hope concerning the arrival of spring, we do have a Savior whose light and promise of new life in Him is always certain.

This second day of February, situated right in the middle of winter, is also celebrated by many Christians as “Candlemas.” Candlemas is 40 days after Christmas and marks the Feast of the Purification of Mary and the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. It is in the second chapter of Luke that we hear how Mary presented herself and the Christ child in the Temple according to the Law of Moses. Luke also presents to us these certain words of salvation in Christ Jesus proclaimed by faithful Simeon:

Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:29–32).

Historically, Candlemas is also the day that the candles of the church are blessed. Candles give us light and remind us of Christ our Savior. Through the Word of God, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit who creates faith in our hearts to believe in Christ and proclaim Him as our true source of light and salvation. This same Holy Spirit was upon Simeon as he proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah there in the Temple.

We never really know what that groundhog will do as February 2nd rolls around. However, when Candlemas comes, we hear and can be certain of Simeon's proclamation. This day, positioned right in middle of winter and spring, shines the light of hope, a hope that truly breaks the cold darkness of our sin and false winter hopes. Candlemas brings us a true and trustworthy proclamation of what is and what is to come. Only Christ Jesus breaks the darkness of sin and uncertainty and shines His everlasting light of salvation for all people!

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, you reveal to us Your light found in Mary’s Child. Thank you for sending this Light of salvation for all people. May Simeon’s proclamation also be ours as we fully put our trust and hope only in Jesus. Amen.

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Posted on February 02, 2026 3:00 AM by System Administrator

Living in Faith: Trusting Without Seeing

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Faith is … Trusting Without Seeing

In the Word

[Jesus said,] “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29b).

Of the Word

Thomas believed because he saw. Saving faith does not rest upon the evidence of the senses, upon our feelings or even our reason, but solely on the Word of the Gospel. The Word of God brings Christ to us; the Word of God brings us to Christ. As Christians, we believe this.

The resurrection is a reality. We believe this. We need not see Jesus visibly or personally as the early disciples did. Our faith is not some vague dream or wishful thinking. Our confidence rests on the powerful testimony of the Holy Spirit. Can we ask for better assurance or stronger evidence of the reality of our salvation?

Jesus approved the firm confession of Thomas even though he sought some proof of Christ’s resurrection. How much more blessed we are who have not seen Jesus physically and yet believe and trust Him for the forgiveness of our sins and for our eternal salvation.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, allow Your Holy Spirit to work in me so that I can believe. Nourish my faith with Your Word until I share in the fullness of Your glory in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Posted on February 01, 2026 3:00 AM by System Administrator

Living as a Woman in Mission: The Least of These

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The Least of These

In the Word

[Jesus says,] “‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me’” (Matthew 25:35–36).

Of the Word

“‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did to me’” (Matthew 25:40b).

Who did Jesus mean by the least of these? When you work at the community pantry, feed the hungry, or bake cookies for vacation Bible school, you are serving the least of these. When you pour cold water for your toddler, aged parent, or nursing home resident, you are serving the least of these. When you donate time and money at the homeless shelter or the pregnancy center, you are serving the least of these.

When you volunteer your time at the local thrift shop or when you make warm quilts for the needy, you are serving the least of these. When you send a card, make a hospital call, or sit with a dying friend, you are serving the least of these. When you mark Bibles for prisoners or pray for those who are incarcerated, you are serving the least of these.

Serving the least of these may be no more than lending a hand, giving a smile, or sharing a burden. The service is a heartfelt response to the love Jesus has poured on us.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me to look for opportunities to serve others. Help me to remember that my service is actually a gift to You and a response to the love You have given to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Posted on January 31, 2026 3:00 AM by System Administrator

LWML — Lutheran Women in Mission

Comfort from the Psalms: The Restless Soul

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The Restless Soul

In the Word

Of the Word

Walking with my Lord

Living in Faith: Depending on Our Heavenly Father

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Faith is … Depending on Our Heavenly Father

In the Word

Of the Word

Walking with my Lord

Living as a Woman in Mission: Be Ready

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Be Ready

In the Word

Of the Word

Walking with my Lord

Living in Faith: Looking Up and Above

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Faith is … Looking Up and Above

In the Word

Of the Word

Walking with my Lord

Candlemas: The Middle of Winter

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Candlemas: The Middle of Winter

Living in Faith: Trusting Without Seeing

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Faith is … Trusting Without Seeing

In the Word

Of the Word

Walking with my Lord

Living as a Woman in Mission: The Least of These

Listen to this devotion

The Least of These

In the Word

Of the Word

Walking with my Lord

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