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Humility

In the Word

… he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8b).

Of the Word

Jesus delivered us from sin in a state of humility, … he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8).

Jesus told a parable about two men praying in the temple (Luke 18:9–14). The first, a proud Pharisee, thanked God that he was not as sinful as the other man. He recited his good deeds to God. The humble tax collector simply prayed, “‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner’” (Luke 18:13b). Jesus concluded the parable by saying that the humble tax collector’s sins were surely forgiven.

Parents strive to be humble examples in the home as they serve, forgive, and confess their own sins and shortcomings. They do not use their position of authority as a weapon, but rather find opportunities to show loving humility.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Ask your child for a definition of humility. Discuss Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, recorded in Luke 18:9–14.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Savior, remind me that in Your humility You delivered me from sin. Encourage me to remain humble as I express Your forgiveness to my family. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 9/32 ©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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Thank You! Thank You! Thank You, God!

In the Word

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalm 118:29).

Of the Word

He is so good! Thank You, God! 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). Wow, what a gift!! God loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son, so that we might live with Him in eternity.

We want thankfulness to be at the center of our lives, but how easy it is to forget about being thankful when things go wrong. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18) … God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). With that promise we can face each day with a thankful heart and live our lives according to God’s will.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, two little words, “Thank you,” do not seem adequate to express my gratitude for the many gifts You have given me, especially the gift of Your only Son. Help me to be thankful whatever my circumstances and to remember that You give perfect gifts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 6/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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

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Justice

In the Word

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

Of the Word

Picture a courtroom scene. God, the Judge, is ready to pronounce judgment against the sinner. Every sin deserves a punishment. … all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The punishment is death, and this is justice.

Thanks be to God that He sent His Son Jesus to suffer and die for the sins of mankind so that justice would be satisfied! Believers in this saving work of Jesus are justified (meaning “just-as-if-I’d never sinned”) before God. God, the Judge, declares His people “not guilty” for Jesus’ sake.

Justice is important in the Christian home, too. Parents and children alike suffer the consequences of sin. Discipline must be rendered fairly among all family members. Yet punishment must always be tempered by the knowledge of the salvation that Jesus paid for with His death on the cross.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Say a prayer of thanks with your child for the saving work of Jesus.

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, You are just, but You look at me through the merit of Jesus, my Savior. Help me to be just and fair in all that I do. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 8/32 ©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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O Lord, I come into your presence!

In the Word

Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:8a).

Of the Word

Practice silence before God. Have you tried that lately in our loud, chaotic world? Find a special quiet place. Close your eyes; picture yourself in His presence. In fact, you are! Try to describe how you feel. The writer of Hebrews tells us: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). But don’t wait until you have a pressing need to come into His presence; come into His presence daily to learn of His grace, mercy and peace.

The psalmist wrote: I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1–2). So, no matter where we are or what time of day or night it is, God promises we can come directly into His presence and find help.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, I thank You that I can come into Your presence to find grace, mercy and peace each day. Help me to seek You first in my life, Lord, so that I will be prepared for whatever comes my way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 4/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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

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Forgiveness

In the Word

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13).

Of the Word

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) includes the words, Forgive us our debts (sins) as we also have forgiven our debtors.

When people sin, they incur the debt of punishment and death. To satisfy that debt, God sent His own Son Jesus to suffer and die for the sins of all people. Jesus satisfied the debt of sin. God forgives sin in the name of and for the sake of Jesus. Forgiveness may be defined as granting relief from the payment of a debt. Believers in Jesus are forgiven; they are debt-free.

Parents model repentance in the Christian family when they intentionally speak the words, “I’m sorry.” Forgiveness in the Christian family is delivered when parents intentionally speak the words, “You are forgiven.”

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: The next time your child apologizes, speak the words, “You are forgiven,” rather than “Oh, that’s OK.” Explain what forgiveness means.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, You have forgiven all my sins, even though I don’t deserve it. Help me to deliver that same forgiveness to my family. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 7/32 ©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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Renewed Praise

In the Word

“…I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me” (Isaiah 12:1b).

Of the Word

A pastor liked to remind his parishioners of the burdened soul who approached Christ’s cross in a spirit of sincere repentance. Kneeling, the soul handed the Lord his load of sin and sorrow. So far, so good! Then the soul got up, snatched his burden back, and took it with him as he walked away.

Some sins prove difficult to put down. Guilt’s grip is heavy, even at the foot of Christ’s cross. We think we don’t deserve forgiveness or that others won’t forgive us. Sometimes we find we can’t even forgive ourselves. Though we feel sincerely repentant and have confessed, we continue to carry sin’s burden. God knows the pattern. That’s why He graciously assures us of His forgiveness by showing us His own Son paying the price of sin for us. Our feelings about sin evaporate in the light of God’s fact about sin — He’s taken care of it.

When you approach Christ’s cross with a burden, be prepared to lose weight fast. Leave your load with Him and walk away the free, healed, and redeemed child of God you are.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for lifting up sin’s heavy load
And comforting me by Christ’s body and blood.
In His name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 32/32 ©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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Well-Placed Praise

In the Word

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them (Proverbs 28:4).

Of the Word

Our culture invites us to admire people who pay no attention to God’s will. If the person is rich enough or famous enough, we’re supposed to stand back and soak up the glamour of it all. In doing so, however, we’re taking our eyes off God and the truly admirable people who, led by His Spirit, follow Him.

Reflect for a moment on someone you truly admire. For what reasons do you admire this person? If the reasons smack of worldly values, now is the time to refocus in light of what God says about beauty: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30). About power: “…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). About wealth: “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Do you know someone who lives by His Word? Now there’s someone worthy of your admiration!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, let me honor those whose godly lives proclaim
A humble, faithful heart that knows and loves Your name.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 31/32 ©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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