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How, Lord … can I trust in God’s power?

In the Word

From the LORD comes deliverance (Psalm 3:8a).

Of the Word

“Into each life some rain must fall.” So goes the old saying. Is it raining in your life? Most people could list some troubles dropping around them, and some are enduring a veritable deluge.

Young David was in the latter group. In 1 Samuel 17, David’s brothers were in a dangerous war zone. His people were verbally defeated by Philistines and their champion, Goliath. When David courageously spoke up for God, his oldest brother angrily scolded him. When King Saul offered armor and weapons, David chose instead his own shepherd’s clothing, sling, and five smooth stones. Sounds like an oncoming deluge, doesn’t it?

David’s words to Goliath are the key. … I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty … (1 Samuel 17:45b). David knew that the Lord was his strength.

God has not changed. His power and His love are the same for us as they were for David. He will see us through any storm that befalls us.

Walking with my Lord

Mighty God, when the storms of life are all around me and troubles rain upon me, protect me with Your love and power. Help me trust in Your deliverance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 28/32 ©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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The Mended Life

In the Word

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Of the Word

We know Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall and had a great fall, but who was this egg?
It is believed that Humpty Dumpty was a huge cannon from the English Civil War.

This great weapon was struck by a cannon ball, knocked off the tower wall, and blasted into so many pieces that all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put it back together again.

Ever felt that way? Strong and secure one minute when suddenly the world just falls apart. We just can’t get it back together. Others are either unwilling or unable to help, and we wonder if there is hope. Good news! We are not like Humpty Dumpty!

There is hope for us. No matter how broken and splintered life is, we can be put back together by the King of Kings Himself. His love and forgiveness heal us from the most devastating fall of all, the fall into sin. Though we are fragile, God can make us new again.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Walking with my Lord

Father, I am so fragile and sometimes broken, but You alone are my strength and salvation. Restore me, Lord, and make me Your new creation. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 27/29 ©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.

View the printable version of Simple Trust (Make Us Whole)

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My Faith Looks Up to Thee

In the Word

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Of the Word

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine.
Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day Be wholly Thine!

The sacrificial lamb in Old Testament times was pure and spotless, and it symbolically bore the sins of the people. New Testament people celebrate the “Lamb of Calvary,” Jesus Christ, the pure and sinless Son of God. On the cross Jesus took all our guilt away. He gives us grace throughout our lives, and promises eternal life to all who believe.

“Blest Savior, then, in love, Fear and distrust remove; O bear me safe above, A ransomed soul!” Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, Lamb of Calvary, You became sin to take my sin away. Thank You for Your loving sacrifice on the cross. Through Your Word and Sacraments, help me to look to You in faith and to share the Good News with others. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 27/31. Hymn Text: LSB 702. ©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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Jesus, Lead Thou On

In the Word

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

Of the Word

Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow calm and fearless.
Guide us by Thy hand To our fatherland.

Christians look to God to lead us in the way that He would want us to go. Our loving Father has given His own Son to suffer and die on the cross for each one of us. In baptism, we are given new life and made God’s own children by the power of the Holy Spirit. We want Him to lead us.

God is often symbolized in church artwork by the use of a hand reaching down from the heavens. It is a hand that grasps and leads us, just as a loving father hangs on to his child. God never lets us go; He directs, supports, consoles, and protects us. Our God cares enough about us to lead us through this earthly life and finally home to heaven … “Till we safely stand In our fatherland.”

Walking with my Lord

Precious Lord, I praise You that You hang on to me, even though I have sometimes tried to run away from You! Thank You for bringing me back, taking me by the hand, and leading me where You want me to be! In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 26/31. Hymn Text: LSB 718. ©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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Jesus Loves Me

In the Word

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

Of the Word

Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

“Jesus Loves Me” is often thought of as a children’s hymn, but it is really for God’s children of all ages! The words remind us that the Bible, God’s Word, is the source of our faith in Jesus.

What does the Bible tell us? It tells us that we sin and do things that build a wall between us and God. God’s Word also shows us our Savior, the “wall-breaker,” the One who saves us from our sin. God’s Word in its entirety points to Jesus, who died for us, washed away our sin, and opened wide the gates of heaven for us. “Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”

Walking with my Lord

Loving Savior, You paid the bitter price for sin! Give me the desire to pass Your love on to others. Together we will sing, “Yes, Jesus loves me!” In Your name, Amen. 

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 25/31. Hymn Text: LSB 588. ©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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How, Lord … can I replace bad habits with good ones?

In the Word

… on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read (Luke 4:16b).

Of the Word

We are creatures of habit. We read a certain section of the newspaper first. We shop at our favorite stores. We patronize our favorite restaurants, and their menus are always appealing. Other habits take more effort or determination. Adopting an exercise routine or starting a weight-loss plan require breaking old habits and substituting new and better ones. How about habits that involve drugs, alcohol, or tobacco? They require the utmost determination, maybe even medical assistance.

Jesus had a habit that was evident to His friends and enemies alike. It was a good habit, that of going to His place of worship, the synagogue. The Gospel writers Mark and Luke both record His habit, one that He would have His people adopt.

Meeting God at your place of worship, hearing His Word, and fellowshipping with His people are habits worth forming. Come. Be blessed. Who knows what other good habits will follow?

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, help me gain control over my bad habits. Replace them with good habits such as regular worship and study of Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 26/32 ©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 work with joy?

In the Word

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men … (Colossians 3:23).

Of the Word

This sign was posted on the inside of the church door: “The Mission Field Starts Here.” Where else could that sign be placed?

A teacher could paste it into her daily plan book. A farmer could put it on the steering wheel of his pickup. Parents could stick it on the bathroom mirror. Why? Because each one of us has a mission field right in front of us.

How do God’s people approach their respective mission fields? Do their attitudes reflect the love of God? Do their faces show the joy of serving Him? Is the work done half heartedly or with all your heart, a heart responding to the love of the Lord?

Think of your personal mission field. Thank God for it. Then evaluate how you worked in it during the past 24 hours, the past week, the past month. Did the people you served see the Lord in you and in your work?

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, help me remember that my work is my mission field. Forgive me when I have a poor attitude. Help me serve You with a joyful heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 27/32 ©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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View the printable PDF of this devotion How Lord … Can I Work with Joy?