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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

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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.

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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.

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Goal and Gift

In the Word

But God will rescue me; he will save me from the power of death (Psalm 49:15 GNT).

Of the Word

“We’ve done all we can do. We’ll disconnect life support in the morning.” The doctor’s quiet words verified what the family already knew. Their loved one’s earthly life would end in a matter of hours. But because Jesus died and rose for their loved one, heavenly life would begin. Their tears of sorrow over losing him were mixed with the joy of knowing that they would someday join him in heaven.

Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms … I am going to prepare a place for you”  (John 14:1–2).

Because of sin, … death is at work in us … (2 Corinthians 4:12a). But for the Christian the resurrection is the doorway to eternity. Fear of death is common, for it is human to fear the unknown. However, no Christian need fear death because God promises, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10b).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, when death draws near — whether for my loved ones or for me — help me to cling to Your promises. Through Your gift of faith in Christ Jesus, I know that heaven is mine. In His name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 6/30 ©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 (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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A Sparrow’s Sermon

In the Word

Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my god, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! (Psalm 38:21–22).

Of the Word

Today’s mail brings bills, bills, and more bills. Both the fridge and the gas tank are nearly empty. So is the bank account. We cry out to God, “I’m worried. Lord, how will I manage?”

Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26).

Are the robins and sparrows preaching a quiet sermon? As they hop here and there, are they worried about finding the next seed or worm? What a silly thought! They simply take what the heavenly Father provides for them.

God provides even more for us. The Father gives us life. The Spirit gives us faith. Jesus promises rest. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, You know that I am weak, weary, and worried. Forgive me and come quickly to strengthen me. Help me to trust in You for every need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 5/30 ©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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Forgiven and Free

In the Word

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered (Psalm 32:1).

Of the Word

The prison chaplain visited the death row inmate whose life would soon end because of his crimes. As they talked, the inmate confessed to beatings, bombings, and murders. The chaplain quietly but firmly assured him that God was willing to forgive every crime. Incredulously the inmate cried, “All of them? How? Why?”

The chaplain told the story of God’s love for all men, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, His death and resurrection. “God assures you through His Word that His grace is for you, so you can believe in Jesus and confess your crimes to Him, knowing you are forgiven. In Jesus Christ, you are a free man.”

No matter what the sin, God is big enough to forgive it. Something perceived as a “small” sin (telling a white lie, wasting company time with long lunch hours) or something thought to be a “big” sin (embezzlement, abortion, addiction) all disappear in God’s sight through His grace and mercy. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned (Psalm 34:22).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, I have sinned against You and against others. Forgive me and help me to live according to Your holy will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 4/30 ©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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Another Reformer Named Martin

A devotion for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
 

In the Word

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

Of the Word

Dr. Michael King, Sr., a prominent preacher in Atlanta, toured the Holy Land and Germany in 1934 through his church, Ebenezer Baptist. Dr. King was deeply moved by his visit to the land of Martin Luther and the reformer’s proclamation of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Scripture alone. When he came home, King changed his name from Michael to Martin Luther.

His oldest son, Michael, was five. He changed his name to Martin Luther King, Jr. 

We praise God for giving us leaders, flawed but filled with faith, to reform the brokenness in our world, churches, and communities. We remember today, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the pastor who preached God’s power to change mankind: 

“Let us not lose faith in man and certainly not in God. We must believe that a prejudiced mind can be changed, and that man, by the grace of God, can be lifted from the valley of hate to the high mountain of love.”

Walking with my Lord

Almighty God, fill us with Your high mountain of love for one another. 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: Another Reformer Named Martin by Christine Weerts, Selma, Alabama.
Copyright© 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
lwml.org

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