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How, Lord … can I defeat temptation?

In the Word

Because he [Jesus] himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).

Of the Word

Temptations come in so many ways that it would take a long, long time to list them all, and even then some would be missed. Whether we consider the temptations small or large, they all lead us away from what God desires for us.

Satan knows our weakest point so he aims directly for it. If he can’t disable us by one method, he’ll try for another. Satan is sly as well as subtle, but in no way can he be stronger than our all-powerful God. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Breaking away from temptation can be achieved when we fill our minds with God’s promise to strengthen us and by remembering the Holy Spirit is great enough to overpower any threat to us.

Walking with my Lord

Jesus my Savior, open my eyes so I will not be blinded by deception for I know only You can lead me out of temptation. Help me change the focus of my thoughts so that I will rely on Your strength instead of my weakness. In Your forgiving name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 8/32 ©2011 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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How, Lord … can I cope with hardships?

In the Word

“… And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17b).

Of the Word

Life doesn’t always unfold the way it was planned. Expectant parents don’t plan for babies born with birth defects or mental handicaps. Accidents that leave loved ones paralyzed were not part of the plan for their future. Loved ones living alternate life-styles so different from the way they were raised isn’t part of the happily-ever-after life envisioned for them.

The complications that accompany any of these situations, along with dozens more we could name, can become overwhelming because we can’t change anything! We question God … “How can I cope with this?” God knows our heartache and assures us that [we] … can do everything through him who gives [us] strength (Philippians 4:13).

Life’s challenges may not change, so we must believe that there are no limits to what God can do in and through us. We will face adversity; how we deal with it is what is important. Learning to rely on God, in good times and bad, will be our source of comfort and strength.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, forgive me for being fearful during difficult times. In my frailty please make me strong. Lift me up, Father, so I can give You glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 7/32 ©2011 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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Lighten the Load

In the Word

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29–30).

Of the Word

How can you weigh less without counting calories?
Step on a scale during a full moon.

It’s true! You weigh less during a full moon. But what about the weight we carry with us that has nothing to do with calories? Those burdens which weigh us down — burdens like sin and guilt? It takes more than a full moon to get rid of them!

To lose those ugly sins that weigh us down, to leave behind the guilt and shame Satan tries to give us, we need more than a full moon. We need the Son, Jesus, the Son of God. He came to earth to live, to die, and to rise again. He conquered Satan forever.

How can that be? What’s the trick? There is no trick. It is the absolute truth. To lighten your burdens, trust Jesus’ words, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29–30).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me and for taking my load of sins away from me. I am happy and free because of Your love. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 9/29 ©2011 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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Rejoicing

In the Word

“… I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10b).

Of the Word

Between 2005 and 2007, how much loose change was left behind at airport metal detectors?
A little over a million dollars

Hard to believe that people would leave behind more than a million dollars, but according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration that is how much change was collected in three years. Of course, chances are no one person left behind much money — a penny here, a nickel there, some quarters and dimes. Together they added up to a hefty sum.

Though it takes the same amount of effort to pick up a penny, a quarter, or even a hundred dollar bill, many people won’t stoop to pick up a coin. “It isn’t worth it,” they say.

God’s view, however, is different. To God, all people have equal value. When a wayward sinner repents, the Bible tells us that even the angels are thrilled. “… I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10b).

God will never leave you behind. Whether you walk with Him daily or try to run from Him at every turn, He is always looking out for you because He knows exactly where you are. 

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father, thank You for loving me and making me Your special child. Help me live confidently, knowing You will never leave me behind like unwanted change. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 8/29 ©2011 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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The Seed of Faith

In the Word

“… I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20b).

Of the Word

What is the only fruit with seeds on the outside of its skin?
A strawberry!

Most fruits have their seeds on the inside. Only when they are cut open can the seeds of dozens of other fruits be seen.

People can be a lot like those fruits with hidden seeds. God’s Holy Spirit plants the seed of faith deep within our hearts. He reminds us of the importance and power of that small seed of faith that makes such a huge difference in our lives. Jesus told His disciples, “… I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20b).

The seed of faith that God’s Holy Spirit plants within us bears fruit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23a). Once people see this fruit in our lives, they are very likely to know about the seed of faith inside us.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father in heaven, thank You for the seed of faith planted in my heart. Fill me with the Holy Spirit’s power so that I can be a fruit-bearer for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 7/29 ©2011 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 Loves Me Dearly

In the Word

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9–10).

Of the Word

God loves me dearly, Grants me salvation,
God loves me dearly, Loves even me.
Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly,
God loves me dearly, Loves even me.

In simple words, this ageless hymn tells the story of salvation granted to us in our Lord and Savior Jesus because we were “in slav’ry, Sin, death, and darkness.”

We were in bondage to sin and blinded by it and we could not save ourselves of its consequences. However, God “sent forth … Jesus, my Savior,” who “Paid all I owed.” We have been redeemed and set free from the slavery of sin. Our chains have been loosed and we are no longer blind! We look forward to praising our Savior and spending eternity in heaven with Him.

How amazing it is that “God loves me dearly, Loves even me”!

Walking with my Lord

I praise You, O God, for Your unconditional, impartial, incomprehensible love that has set me free. By Your powerful Spirit move me to dwell in that love and then to spread the Good News about You and Your love to others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 6/31. Hymn Text: LSB 392. ©2011  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.
All hymns are public domain with the text reprinted from Lutheran Service Book, ©2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.

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Glory be To God the Father

In the Word

… to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 25).

Of the Word

Glory be to God the Father,
Glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit:
Great Jehovah, Three in One!
Glory, glory While eternal ages run!

This joyful hymn opens with these words of praise to the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is mysteriously Three Persons in One God.

God — the Father who created us, the Son who redeemed us, the Spirit who gives and keeps us in faith — deserves all our honor and glory! The word glory is used 19 times in this hymn. The words also urge us to glorify and praise our Lord every day of our lives.

“Glory, blessing, praise eternal! Thus the choir of angels sings; Honor, riches, pow’r, dominion! Thus its praise creation brings. Glory, glory, Glory to the King of kings!”

Walking with my Lord

Triune God — Father, Son, and Spirit — move me to give all glory, honor, and praise to You, through what I say and think and do. Build my faith in You through Your Word and make my life a hymn of praise to Your glory. In Jesus’ worship-inspiring name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 5/31. Hymn Text: LSB 506. ©2011  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.
All hymns are public domain with the text reprinted from Lutheran Service Book, ©2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.

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