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This is Jesus, my New Morning!

In the Word

“One shall come who rules righteously, Who rules in the fear of God. He shall be as the light of the morning; A cloudless sunrise When the tender grass Springs forth upon the earth; As sunshine after rain” (2 Samuel 23:3b–4 TLB).

Of the Word

Bev rolled over, stretched, and opened one eye. Brilliant sunshine flooded the room. She smiled to herself and prayed, “Thank You, Lord, for this new morning.” Just as a new day promises a fresh start, so also, Jesus comes into our hearts with His renewing love, lighting the darkness of sin, forgiving us fully. By faith we depend on Him as our Morning Light. At the end of his life, King David was conscious of God’s Spirit speaking to him, reminding him that the Messiah was “as the light of the morning” (2 Samuel 23:4a TLB). Years before, David had written, The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1a). Now we need not cling to the sins, pains, and disappointments of yesterday. With Jesus we begin anew. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22–23).

Walking with my Lord

Joined to You in Baptism, dear Lord, I am a new being. You made me Your child. You forgive me and set me on my path today. I praise and thank You for this fresh start. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 22/30  ©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.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from THE LIVING BIBLE, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL. Copyright © 1971.

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Blessed Praise

In the Word

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Of the Word

Long before identity theft became a widespread concern, people attempted to steal Jesus’ identity. A crowd wanted to make Him their bread-producing king. Temple leaders wanted to prove Him an associate of Beelzebub. A few of His disciples wanted to cast Him as the liberator of Jews from Roman oppression.

People today who identify Jesus as solely a “great teacher” reveal they’re willing to accept as a teacher someone who claimed first-hand knowledge of the mansions of heaven, declared He would rise from the dead and called Himself “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6b). Yet in denying that Jesus identified Himself as divine, they also ignore the fact He forgave sins, demonstrated power over nature, rose from the dead, and promised His presence “to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b). As 20th century author C.S. Lewis said, “Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse.” Let no one steal His true identity from you. Praise Him by calling Him your Savior, Redeemer, and Friend.

Walking with my Lord

My praise is faith in Jesus, Savior, Lord, and Friend,
For He is truly Son of God, and truly Son of Man.
In His name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 16/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Glad Praise

In the Word

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent (Psalm 30:11–12a).

Of the Word

Before-and-after photos present the benefits (at least to the models!) of using a certain brand of wrinkle cream or of swallowing a particular diet pill. Advertisers want to convince us to buy the product capable of making such a difference in our lives.

The Bible says we — all of us — were born into sin. Before Baptism, before Spirit-given faith in Jesus Christ, we were dead in our sins with no hope of change. After Baptism, after Spirit-given faith in Jesus Christ, we became alive in Him. After Him and in Him, we’ve changed. We know God loves us. We know Jesus won our salvation. We know He continues to nurture faith in us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. What a difference!

But is it a visible difference? Would anyone looking at God’s “after” people be able to differentiate them from “before” people? Do your words and actions praise and proclaim the difference He has made in your life? Would your “after” photo convince others to find out more about Jesus Christ?

Walking with my Lord

Thanks be to You for the price You have paid — Let my actions exhibit the difference You've made! 
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
 

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 15/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Courageous Praise

In the Word

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25 KJV).

Of the Word

“Hey, wait a minute, God! It’s not supposed to happen like this!” At one time or another, we’ve all had that feeling. Our godly hopes and plans shatter in the reality of job loss, financial woes, disabilities, divorce. We’re not at all where we want to be. In response, we can either dismiss God and sit down and pout, or engage Him in serious conversation as we continue to walk His way.

The latter choice takes courage. First, courage to set aside our expectations — no matter how reasonable and well-founded they were — and listen to what God tells us in His Word. Second, courage to separate our preferences from God’s plans, discerning His will in our present situation. Third, courage to invite His Holy Spirit to fortify our faith. Only in Him can we find courage to accept reality, control what we can control, and identify new ways to serve Him and His people.

When it’s not supposed to happen like this — but it does — keep walking. The scenery has changed, but your Companion remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Walking with my Lord

When things aren’t going my way, let me go in Yours…
Walk with me, Lord Jesus, in these troubled hours.
In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 13/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. Public Domain.

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When I’m filled with the pain of living, God restores my soul.

In the Word

He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever (Revelation 21:4 TLB).

Of the Word

Waiting silently in the law offices of her divorce lawyer, Lois looked out the window. The bright sunshine, the traffic noises, even sounds of distant laughter made her feel more alone than ever. “The rest of the world minds its mundane business while I weep,” she thought. The death of her marriage, her tears of sorrow, her bleak future overwhelmed her. Then, words from Psalm 23 came to mind: “…he restores my soul,” she whispered. God does that and more when the pain of this life seems unbearable. Our Good Shepherd provides for us, leads, guides, comforts, and protects us. He is constantly at our side. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, the psalmist says, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6). In heaven, the house of the Lord, our God will wipe away our tears and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. He will, indeed, restore our souls.

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, You are my Good Shepherd. You provide all I need. You love me and forgive me. You comfort and strengthen my faith with Your Word and Sacraments. Lead me to my home with You in heaven. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 21/30  ©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.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from THE LIVING BIBLE, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL. Copyright © 1971.

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What identifies me as a Christian?

In the Word

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world (John 15:19a).

Of the Word

Everyone wants to belong. Rejection is a universal fear. In our quest for acceptance we may be tempted to compromise our Christian values and hide our Christian identity at times. What a mistake! God’s Word encourages us: Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God — what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect (Romans 12:2 GNT). The Holy Spirit, alive in our hearts by faith, works the inward change. Our human nature shows up in immorality, false worship, fighting, jealousy, anger, drunkenness, and excesses of all kinds. However … the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control … And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives (Galatians 5:22, 23a, 24, 25 GNT). When He does, the world will know to Whom we belong!

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, forgive me when I’m tempted to keep my love and commitment to You a secret. When I’m faced with difficult choices, remind me I belong to You. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 18/30  ©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.

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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Simple Praise

In the Word

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger (Psalm 8:2).

Of the Word

Jesus connected with children. Jesus blessed them, telling grown-ups who seek His blessing: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14b). Jesus summoned a child, announcing to grown-ups who seek holiness: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Jesus went further, declaring to grown-ups who seek wisdom: “‘You must be born again’” (John 3:7b).

Little children believe what grown-ups say simply because a grown-up said it. That’s the kind of faith Jesus asks of His children of all ages. He invites you to come to Him in full confidence that He will bless you. He tells you to take His forgiveness in complete certainty that He has won it for you. And He shows you how in the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Simple praise comes from the lips of children — and you are His child, no matter how many candles it takes to light your birthday cake!

Walking with my Lord

“Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.”
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 12/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Song “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” — Public Domain

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