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Joy — an attitude of the heart

In the Word

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17–18).

Of the Word

Where do we find joy? Commercials would have us believe it is found in the latest anti-aging cream, the newest diet, the finest automobile. If that were true, what happens when the wrinkles appear, the pounds don’t drop off, or the car breaks down?

Young Mary knew the source of true joy when she sang … my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:47).

Joy is not dependent on having or not having things. It is an attitude of the heart. When we rejoice in the Lord, environment and possessions take their proper places in our lives.

Today’s woman might reword Habakkuk’s words in this way: “Though gasoline prices are higher than I like, though my hours at work are long and stressful, though my responsibilities weigh heavily upon me, though my house is too small and my bills are too big, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”

Walking with my Lord

Lord, when earthly things block my heavenly view, remind me that You are God. Help me to find my greatest joy in You. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 25/30 ©2005 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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Rejoice!

In the Word

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Of the Word

What were your first thoughts this morning? “I woke up so I must still be alive.” “I dread going to work because I hate my job.” “Just another day of pain.” “Where will the money come from to pay all of my bills?” “Why can’t I just hide from the world and stay in bed all day?”

The psalmist tells us to rejoice and be glad because today is a gift from God! What we choose to do with it is up to us. The question then becomes what will our response be to Jesus? How will we let others see that God is at work in us? Are we sharing with others the love God the Father lavishes upon us so graciously? What will our attitude show in spite of the circumstances that surround us?

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation (Psalm 118:13–14). The psalmist is telling us that the Holy Spirit does help us through the day. God is stronger than anything we face; strong enough to carry us through any situation. He is our salvation. With God at our side we can begin the day rejoicing in this Good News.

Walking with my Lord

God of my salvation, help me to learn to say, “Yes! With Your help I am ready to face today. There is nothing I will face today that will be too tough for You to help me handle.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 27/30 ©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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God Knows Me

In the Word

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. … you are familiar with all my ways (Psalm 139:1, 3b).

Of the Word

God knows us intimately. He is familiar with each one of us. He walks with us and calls us by name. The Holy Spirit knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows everything about us. He knows when we rest or work, laugh or cry, what we say and think. As humans we find this too difficult to comprehend; it boggles our minds. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain (Psalm 139:6).

… you knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13b). Our Father knew us before our parents knew us. From the beginning His desire was for us to be His children. Nobody loves us like God loves us.

The God who created us, loves us, and knows us will forever be at our side. Not one minute in the span of our lives will go unnoticed by Him. While we are still on this earth we will never fully understand the awesomeness of God, but we can honor Him with praise and thanksgiving for what He has done and continues to do in our lives. We can be ready to tell others of our omnipresent Father who desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4 ESV).

Walking with my Lord

What comfort it is, dear Lord, to know that I do not face this day alone. You are with me to protect and guide me. Thank You for being ever present in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 26/30 ©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 ESV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Finding the Way

In the Word

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105).

Of the Word

Owning a Bible and never using it is like preparing for a vacation, packing your suitcases, and never leaving your living room. Or like a skier, all geared up and never leaving the ski lodge. The Bible was given to us to be read, not just set on a shelf.

God gave us His Word to light the way for our journey on earth. He gave us His Word to give us eternal life. Through God’s Word He lavishes His love upon us, giving us the joy of knowing Jesus Christ and the peace we have from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God does not intend to keep Himself a mystery. He wants us to learn of Him, know Him, love and trust Him.

God’s Word is truth. Every Scripture passage is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16a GW). The Holy Spirit gave the writers the words He wanted them to write, the words that we can turn to today to light our path through life. And God knows we need all the light we can get!

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, how often I stumble down life’s path not certain of where I am headed. Help me to faithfully turn to the message of the Bible to find light for my way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 25/30 ©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 GW are taken from GOD’S WORD, God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright © 1995.

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Faith is … Trusting Our Heavenly Father

In the Word

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Of the Word

A group of naturalists searching in the Alps for rare specimens of flowers discovered a beautiful flower on a rock ledge they could not reach. Calling to a nearby shepherd boy, they offered him several shiny coins if he would allow himself to be let down by a rope to secure the flower.

The boy very much wanted to earn the money. He looked at the strangers, and he looked at the precipice. He declined their offer, but they continued to plead with him. Then the boy had a bright idea. “Wait here until I come back,” he said, and he darted away to a mountain cabin. Soon the lad returned with another man. The lad said, “I will get the flower for you now if you will let my father hold the rope.”

We can safely go anywhere if our Heavenly Father holds the rope. Faith is trusting the strong arms of our faithful God. He will never let loose. His love will not allow it. He holds fast! God’s promise is I will never leave you nor forsake you (Joshua 1:5b).

Walking with my Lord

Thank You dear Father in heaven for Your love and faithfulness so that I can trust You for everything in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 27/30 ©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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Faith is … Depending on Our Never-Failing Source of Strength

In the Word

The Sovereign Lord is my strength … (Habakkuk 3:19a).

Of the Word

Two men once visited a factory. The tour guide showed them the huge rooms where the machines were running and making a great deal of noise. Then the guide led them to a much smaller room where it was very quiet. One of the men said, “There isn’t much going on in here, is there?” The guide smiled and replied, “This is the most important room of all. This is where the power comes from to run the great machines.” With that the visitors looked in wonder at the huge, almost noiseless dynamos.

Our lives are often like a factory with its noise and activity. But perhaps sometimes we forget where the power source is and that if the power were not on we couldn’t produce a thing. The Lord is our power source. The same power He used to create the world He uses today to keep all things in existence. God is not resting somewhere in the heavens, but He is constantly and actively present with us each day.

Dynamos can break down. Batteries can die. But the Lord is a never-failing source of strength. The greatest thing of all is that by His strength the Lord redeemed us. So we can depend on Him always.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, keep me mindful that without You I can do nothing. Keep my faith alive and well, and give me strength to serve You faithfully. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 26/30 ©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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Beyond Tears

In the Word

"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:3b–4a).

Of the Word

Our nine year old daughter Carrie lay in pediatric ICU, my husband and I at her bedside. The doctor’s words were devastating! “She is in heart failure. We can’t give you any hope for her survival. We’ll do everything we can. We don’t know what caused this or how to treat it.”

We knew all we could do was to cry out to God. Beyond tears, I turned to Him and prayed, “What did I miss? What could I have done, Lord? Through Baptism we know Carrie is Yours, so take her if You must, but we love her so much.” Softly these words came to mind: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:2b–3).

God answered our prayers with a magnificent “Yes!” Today Carrie is an active woman, pastor’s wife, and mother of two. She has known difficult days and has had three dangerous heart surgeries, but she shines with the glory of God as He faithfully displays His work in her life.

Walking with my Lord

Thank you, Lord, that in moments of hopelessness I can rely on You to hear my prayers and work everything for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Helen Roenfeldt. 24/32 ©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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