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Sleep in Peace

In the Word

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).

Of the Word

Why is the nighttime so difficult? We should be asleep but we toss and turn, our minds racing with thoughts of our troubles and fears. “My dear loved one is gone and I can’t stand the sorrow.” “What will tomorrow bring?” “Why do I have to deal with that situation?” “It’s not fair!” In the dark our fears seem overwhelming.

The psalmist says he can lie down and sleep in peace. “Well that’s not happening to me.”

The hours tick away and we continue to stare at the ceiling. We didn’t really want to turn out the lights in the first place but exhaustion is setting in. Minutes turn into hours and we are still awake.

We can continue to carry the fears with us, but being afraid won’t change our circumstances. It is time to surrender! It is time to take hold of the situation by accepting God’s promise: Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 GNT). Jesus cares! He wants to give us rest! Through the Holy Spirit at work in us, we can lie down and sleep in peace.

Walking with my Lord

Caring Father, I am so weary carrying these burdens. Help me to let go and surrender to Your care. Help me to accept the rest and safety You offer. Help me to trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 29/30 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992.

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Strength to Endure

In the Word

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped (Psalm 28:7a).

Of the Word

There are times in life when we cry out “I just can’t handle this. I don’t have the strength to get through another day.” Jesus hears our cries. He knows our anguish. He feels our pain. He acts by sending His Holy Spirit to us with the assurance that our Father is strong enough to shield and protect each one of us. The psalmist’s words encourage us when he writes, my heart trusts in him, and I am helped (Psalm 28:7a).

God’s promise — I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13) — isn’t a magic wand. We can’t change other people or life’s circumstances. We can’t suddenly leap tall buildings in a single bound. It is God’s assurance that He will help us face the challenges of each and every day. He will be our strength when our own strength fails. He will carry us safely through the storms of life.

God’s strength and shield provide us with hope — hope that a brighter tomorrow will eventually come. Because of our God-given hope, we know that “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b).

Walking with my Lord

Mighty God, lead me through my trials and help me to see what You want to do through me. As I hold on to the strength that only Jesus can give, use me even in my weakness. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 28/30 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Faith is … Remembering Whose We Are

In the Word

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1a).

Of the Word

The story is told of a boy who was leaving home for college. At the breakfast table his father asked God to protect him and to grant success in his career. Rising from the table, the young man expected to receive some final bit of advice or instruction. He was surprised when the older man merely placed a hand on his son’s shoulder, looked at him with love, and said, “My boy, remember whose son you are!”

We Christians, too, are children temporarily away from our Father’s House. We need to be reminded of whose we really are: His sons and daughters. With faith in Jesus we know we are adopted into God’s holy family. He has given us His name in Baptism. Faith is that wonderful father-child relationship into which God’s Spirit has brought us.

What a blessing for us!

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Father, for reminding me of who I am. Help me to remember that I belong to You and that You have placed me here for Your glory. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 29/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

View this devotion, Remembering Whose We Are, as a printable PDF

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Faith is … Resting in the Hands of Our Heavenly Father

In the Word

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:27–29).

Of the Word

The old sailor knew his Bible well. When asked if he was not afraid when the winds blew stiff and strong and his ship seemed at the mercy of the surging waves, he gave an answer each of us might well remember. “No, I’m never completely afraid,” he said. “The Good Book tells me that the Lord holds the waters in the hollow of His hands. So, even if my ship was wrecked and I’d fall into the sea, I’d only drop into my Father’s hands.”

What a wonderful way of expressing one’s faith in the loving and powerful nature of God. No matter what the adversity or difficulty, when the adversity is over, we will still be in our dear Father’s hands.

So let tragedy or misfortune come. Yes, let death come and snatch us out of the land of the living. It can only drop us into the hands of our Father. 

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of eternal life that no one can take from me. Help me always to rest in the hands of Your Father and mine. In Your name. Amen. 

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 28/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Contagious Faith

In the Word

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes … (Romans 1:16a).

Of the Word

Grandma Ruffin coordinated after-school activities for Kid’s House at our inner-city church. She walked the children from their schools to the church, fed them, taught them good manners and behavior, and helped them with homework. This silver-haired African-American woman did not have college preparation to be a teacher, but teaching was her vocation.

Grandma Ruffin was also a model for the children’s parents. Using God’s Word she gave advice and instruction in parenting and in coping with other challenges. She was a woman of faith who prayed with parents and encouraged them to bring their children to church and Sunday school.

St. Paul says, I remember the sincere faith you have, the kind of faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice also had. I am sure that you have it also (2 Timothy 1:5 GNT). By God’s wonderful grace and the power of His Holy Spirit, I pray that I model Grandma Ruffin’s sincere faith to my students and others. Grandma Ruffin was my mother.

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Help me proclaim the gift of His salvation in everything that I do and say. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Dr. LuJuana R. Butts. 28/32 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked “GNT” are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992. All rights reserved.

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God’s Loving Protection

In the Word

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go …” (Genesis 28:15a).

Of the Word

Years ago I was returning home after taking my husband to the airport. I had been delayed once by a flat tire which I had replaced with the spare. Suddenly, a second tire hit a deep rut and blew out. I was stranded. I managed to get a ride to a service station, but I had to find a way to get the repaired tire back to my van.

The service station attendant found some men to give me a ride, but I soon realized they had been drinking. Fear came into my heart. Why hadn’t I been more careful? As I silently prayed for God’s protection, one of the men laughingly asked, “So what is a young woman like you doing alone on the road at night?” Remembering God’s promise, I replied, “Oh, I’m never alone. My Lord is always with me and watches over me wherever I am.” The men fell silent. I was dropped off unharmed at my van and left to change the tire by myself.

How thankful I am that God’s words to Joshua were also true for me. “… the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9b). God watched over me on that lonely road, and He surrounds me daily with His loving care and protection.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, when I am afraid, give me the reassurance of Your loving protection. Keep me safe always in Your loving arms. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Marilyn McClure. 26/32 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Christian Parenting

In the Word

Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction (Ephesians 6:4 GNT).

Of the Word

Parents — even well-meaning Christian parents — can get caught up in the fast-paced lives we live today. Not only do we deal with work and school, but also sports, dance class, piano lessons, meals, and homework. At the end of the day we’re just thankful for bath time and bedtime.

We’re proud when our children make the A honor roll, the varsity team, or the cheerleading squad. But are those the most important things? What about family devotions, mealtime prayers, Sunday worship? Those godly practices have significance for life and for eternity.

God commands that parents instruct their children in His ways. Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life (Proverbs 22:6 GNT). God’s Word clearly shows His will, and His rewards are everlasting. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand (Psalm 16:11).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me to teach my children about You, their loving Savior. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may I set an example of Christian living that my children will follow throughout their lives. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Robin Oblander. 25/32 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked “GNT” are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992. All rights reserved.

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