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Fishing or forgiving?

In the Word

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matthew 6:12).

Of the Word

Imagine this: God takes billions and billions of sins to the deepest ocean and throws them into it. Then imagine that He posts a NO FISHING sign. The sins are gone, out of sight and out of mind.

What does God do with the sins He forgives? He promises to remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34b). Though we are often reminded to “forgive and forget,” only God can truly forget wrongdoing.

How different it is for us. Though we may speak forgiving words, though we may really want to forgive, our fishing poles are often ready to drag in the sin once more. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God assures us of forgiveness. He will never go fishing for our sins, and He expects us to put our fishing poles away, too.

How can we do that? Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we fully and freely forgive others.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to forgive others just as You always forgive me. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003-2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 31/31 ©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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In fervent prayer …

In the Word

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him (Acts 12:5).

Of the Word

The story of Peter’s deliverance from prison is a familiar one. As his friends were praying, God sent an angel to bring Peter out of the prison. Guards were unaware, locks were opened, gates swung wide, and Peter was free. Even he thought that he was having a most wonderful dream! When he arrived at the home of his praying friends, the servant girl answered his knock, but did not admit him. No one believed her excited report that Peter was at the door. They thought the poor girl had lost her mind. Meanwhile, Peter kept knocking. All this after earnest prayer for his deliverance! The Christians couldn’t fathom that God had actually answered their fervent prayers. (Acts 12:1–19a)

Are we sometimes just like them? Do we pray — but then not believe or recognize God’s answers? God invites us to pray, and He promises to hear and answer. His answers are always given at the right time and in the right way because He knows what is best for us, the people He loves.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me pray, believing that Your answers will be revealed in the right way and at the right time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003-2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 28/31 ©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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God’s love reaches others through you and me.

In the Word

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus (John 11:5).

Of the Word

God the Father sent Jesus to love sinners. That was His assignment. He did it so well. He loved not only His close friends — Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and His twelve special disciples — but also thieves and “foreigners,” the learned, the poor, the children, the selfish, and the sorrowing. No distinctions. Jesus loved them all.

His love took Him to the cross where He suffered and died to set free all sinners (including you and me). Before He died, Jesus told His friends: “I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you” (John 13:34 GW). And St. Paul wrote: Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1–2).

Love as Jesus loved! That’s our assignment. Love everyone (even those who are tough to love). Love sacrificially. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). God’s love reaches others through you and me.

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, help me love everyone I encounter today. When it’s hard to love, remind me how much You love me. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 10/30  ©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 GW are taken from GOD’S WORD, God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright © 1995.

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Jesus felt compassion. We do, too.

In the Word

Jesus wept (John 11:35).

Of the Word

Jesus, our Brother, felt the same emotions we feel. He felt pity, sympathy, compassion. He expressed His feelings by caring and loving actions. Sometimes He cried. When He saw how His friends, Mary and Martha of Bethany, grieved for their dead brother, He wept.

What meaning for our own lives can we find in the tears of Jesus? It’s okay to cry. If our Lord Himself emptied the contents of His heart this way, then we who are His disciples, His brothers and sisters, will also feel deeply for one another. Sometimes we’ll cry. We will, in fact, live as St. Paul encourages us: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:12–14).

A second look at Paul’s words reveals that compassion is more than “feeling sorry” for others. It may mean forgiving generously and graciously as well. That’s how Jesus showed His compassion most clearly for us!

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, fill my heart with love for others. Help me love as You love. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 9/30  ©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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It’s time for a new look! A new life! A new self!

In the Word

Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature (Ephesians 4:23–24 TLB).

Of the Word

Ann impatiently flipped through the clothes hanging in her closet. Quickly she evaluated each outfit, dismissing every one — too old, too drab, too tight!

Wardrobe crisis! Changing clothes becomes pretty simple compared to changing our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. God’s Word encourages us: … get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to …  destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness … (Ephesians 4:22–24a GNT). Sound impossible?

God comes to our rescue with His gift of Baptism. By our Baptism, then, we were buried with him [Christ] and shared his death, …  by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life (Romans 6:4 GNT). In our Baptism the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. Now … you do not live as your human nature tells you to; instead, you live as the Spirit tells you to …  (Romans 8:9a GNT). You are not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

Walking with my Lord

Holy Spirit, move in me. Control my thoughts, my behavior that I may be holy and good, reflecting Christ, my Savior. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 6/30  ©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.

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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Show me, Lord!

In the Word

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths (Psalm 25:4).

Of the Word

What is your home state? North Carolina or North Dakota? Oklahoma or Oregon? Maine or Montana? Those who claim Missouri say they live in the “Show Me State.”

According to the psalmist, God would have all of us claim the “Show Me” address. With the psalmist we can pray: Show me your ways … teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:4–5). It isn’t always easy to stay at the “Show Me” address. Sometimes Satan tempts us to try other, more appealing places. Our own sinful nature can pull us in directions that are not pleasing to God. But we are not to fear. Listen and pray to the Lord. Our loving God keeps calling us back. The Holy Spirit helps by creating in us a new, teachable heart and helps us to see God’s roadmap for our lives.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, show me Your ways for my life, the life You have given me through Jesus Christ. Forgive me when I wander onto paths that are not pleasing to You. Lead me back to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003-2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 26/31 ©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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Why Lord, why?

In the Word

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? … Look on me and answer, O Lord my God (Psalm 13:1a, 3a).

Of the Word

Why, Lord? Why is life stolen from the unborn? Why did death come in the midst of a vibrant, productive life? Why doesn’t death come for the one whose eyes no longer see, whose body is wracked with pain? Why is peace elusive in the world, in my country, even in my own heart?

Ever since that fateful day in the Garden of Eden, God’s people have had trouble and heartache resulting from sin. But at the same time, God’s promises are clear. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20b). Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9b). Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine (Isaiah 43:1b). When clouds of uncertainty hang low, when answers seem far away, our loving God has comfort for us. When nothing else makes sense, His love is still strong and sure. When all else fails, God never fails.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, when I am filled with pain, questions, uncertainties, and frustrations, help me to find peace and comfort in Your Word and in Your promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003-2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 24/31 ©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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