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Let all that is in me adore Him!

In the Word

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise (Psalm 48:1a).

Of the Word

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

How easily the words flow from our mouths; how easily we sing the beautiful harmonies of the majestic Old Hundredth; and how easily we take for granted God’s daily care and blessings. God deserves and desires our praise. Selfish attitudes disappear when we selflessly praise Him. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he (Deuteronomy 32:3–4).

God smiles when we praise His name! Because of Jesus‘ atoning sacrifice for our sins, Old Testament animal sacrifices are no longer offered. Instead we offer God the “sacrifice of praise.” Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, we praise Your holy name! Help us continually praise You as we live our lives for Your glory! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 5/31 ©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.
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” words by Thomas Ken, music by Louis Bourgeois. Public domain.

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Exercising Our Right to Vote

In the Word

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God (Romans 13:1).

Of the Word

As United States citizens, we have the right and privilege to vote for candidates running for various national, state, and local offices. Those elected will serve in a position of authority in their respective offices which have been instituted by God.

Just as Christ willfully submitted to His Father by coming to earth to save us from our sins, we should willfully submit to the authorities God has put in place to help provide order in a world plagued by sin and disorder. We submit to the governing authorities until they command us to do something against God’s Word.

We cannot do this on our own. It is only through the Holy Spirit working in us that we strive to submit to our heavenly Father and the governing authorities He places over us. When we fail, we can repent, and He promises to forgive. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit can, and will, strengthen our resolve to honor those in authority. 

Walking with my Lord

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for a government that provides order and protection for us. Help us to respect those who serve in positions of authority. Amen.
 

Mustard Seed: Election Day by Pam Wiederkehr, Enid, Oklahoma. Copyright © 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved. lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible unless otherwise noted. (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Pure Praise

In the Word

Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Of the Word

Judge nothing before the appointed time (1 Corinthians 4:5a). Paul’s instruction to Corinthian believers gave them a practical way to maintain a strong and healthy relationship with their pastor. His advice applies equally well to relationships among all God’s people.

Our Lord, the ultimate judge of all words and actions, has inside information. Inside the heart, that is. He sees the motivation behind words and actions. We cannot, so we judge by appearances. In judging, He uses the right measurement — His Word — while we let opinions, preferences, and feelings determine how we view the behavior of ourselves and others. In addition, God judges with His eyes on eternity. We judge focused on today’s circumstances and the insight of current thinking.

At the appointed time God will judge. Let Him find His people attentive to His will and His Word, examining themselves by the light of Scripture. Let Him find us mindful of our motives as we praise Him and serve each other. At the appointed time let Him find us faithful.

Walking with my Lord

Grant me the gift of purity of heart and soul and mind;
Then when You come in triumph, Lord, a faithful servant find.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 22/32 ©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.

Printable PDF of Pure Praise

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Eternal Praise

In the Word

Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” (Revelation 19:5).

Of the Word

Earthly thinking goes like this:
Big Shot Tom: “I’m on a tight schedule and I must delegate things. My wife and kids do the church-going for the family.”
Humble Hannah: “I don’t have the voice to sing or the education to teach. I let the choir and pastor do that.”

Heavenly thinking goes like this:
God: “Both of you are My servants. And all My servants praise Me.”

Our earthly praise acts as a prelude to the heavenly chorus. As servants of God, we echo the angels and saints when our thoughts, words, and actions work to His glory and praise. Faithful church attendance focuses our praise on God and all He has done for us through Jesus. Daily acts of service share our praise with others. Witnessing through word and work identifies us as servants of the Most High God.

Whether you’re Big Shot Tom or Humble Hannah — or somewhere in between — God calls you “servant.” In what ways do you plan to “sing” your praises today?

Walking with my Lord

I am a servant of the Lord, so let me find the ways
He’s called me to acknowledge Him in everlasting praise!
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 20/32 ©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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At last we hear His voice: “Welcome home, pilgrim!”

In the Word

I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing (Philippians 1:23b GNT).

Of the Word

All who believe in Jesus have eternal life — right now! Jesus described eternal life this way: “And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent” (John 17:3 GNT). Connected to Jesus through His Word and Sacraments, walking with Him daily by faith, we already enjoy a taste of heaven.

At the end of our earthly pilgrimage we step from this life into the next. St. Paul was eager to take that step, I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing (Philippians 1:23b GNT). We are eager, too, because we trust Jesus’ promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25b–26a).

To leave this life and be with Jesus means at last we will feel His presence, see His face, hear His voice greeting us, “Welcome home, pilgrim.”

Walking with my Lord

Walking with You, my Lord, is my greatest joy! Your presence makes each day of my life a foretaste of the life to come. Help me serve You until You call me home to heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 30/30 ©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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Honoring Our Shepherds

In the Word

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages” (1 Timothy 5:17 ̶ 18).

Of the Word

When I was a child, I thought that my pastor had a very easy job because he only worked on Sundays. Although pastors may have a day or two a week scheduled to spend with family and may take vacation time throughout the year, their responsibility for and service to their flock and to the Good Shepherd is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 52 weeks a year commitment. 

Pastors visit the sick, comfort the dying, and counsel the troubled. Many also attend numerous meetings, activities, and events within the congregation and surrounding community. Some supervise large staffs of called, lay, and volunteer workers while others are the sole pastor tasked with meeting a wide variety of needs within a congregation or congregations, including reaching out to the unchurched community members with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All pastors — regardless of the congregation’s size, type, and expectations of their pastor — carry out the most important vocations of preaching, teaching, and administering the Sacraments. Christ uses pastors in His Church to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19b ̶ 20a). Thanks be to God for blessing us with pastors! 

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for faithful shepherds who preach and teach Your Word and administer Your Sacraments. Forgive us for our failure to give them the honor they are due and help us to support them as they carry out Your Great Commission. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 

Mustard Seed: Honoring Our Shepherds by Ruth Badciong, Winona, Minnesota. Copyright © 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved. lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible unless otherwise noted. (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Finally, the Diploma!

In the Word

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come” (Isaiah 46:10a NIV).

Of the Word

After years of schooling, the classes and final exams are completed. What a sense of accomplishment and relief to hold that diploma! The goal is finally attained. And inevitably someone will ask, “So, what are your plans now?”

Some individuals have a job offer firmly in hand. Some might have further education planned. Others might not have the slightest idea what to do next. Confident or fearful, each person can be assured that our heavenly Father has the future in His hands.

The God who created each of us had our purpose in life planned even before we came into being. “I make known the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10a NIV) is His faithful promise to all of His children. Whether our life path unfolds exactly the way it was envisioned or with surprising detours, the Savior who redeemed us is right by our side. We never need to worry about the details of the plan. We only need to pray for guidance in discerning Jesus’ purpose for each of us.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, fill me with the blessed assurance that my life is truly secure in Your hands. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 26/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40195

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) 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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