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The Widow’s Offering — Nothing Left but Hope

The Widow's Story: Luke 21:1–4

In the Word

“ … but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:4b).

Of the Word

All we know is that she was a poor widow who offered her last two pennies to God. Seeing her offering of love, Jesus compared her to the rich and commented, “ … this poor widow has put in more than all of them” (Luke 21:3b). How blessed she was to be so trusting of God! The widow’s hope for the future was centered on her Lord. Being impoverished, her financial situation wasn’t going to change anytime soon. Perhaps she knew and trusted in these words of the psalmist: For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever (Psalm 9:18).

God’s desire is that we, like the widow, would place our hope in Him. Whether our need is physical, financial, or spiritual, God alone has the power to see us through our trials from beginning to end. God alone knows His plans for our future. He wants us to surrender our troubles to Him because He knows we can’t bear them alone. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12).

Walking with my Lord

O God, remind me of the amazing things You have already done in my life. Reassure me that I have no reason to fear because You have heard my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 24/34 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Nesting Instinct

In the Word

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:1–2).

Of the Word

I never experienced the phenomenon of “nesting.” I could say it’s because my house is immaculate to begin with, but I’m not really all that prone to uncontrollable urges to clean. I have heard that “nesting” in the last weeks of pregnancy usually means the baby is on its way.

We might say that Jesus has a nesting instinct. In fact, His nesting instinct was so strong that soon after His resurrection, He went home to heaven to prepare a place for each one of His children to live with Him forever. You don’t know the way? He’s got that covered, too.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6b). Because of His great love for us, Jesus died on the cross and rose, thereby opening the way to reconciliation with the Father. Through faith in Him, we can enter the Father’s presence and live in the eternal home He has prepared for us.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for providing the way for me to live forever with You in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 24/30 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Mary — Hearer of the Word

Mary’s Story: Luke 10:38–43

In the Word

… Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching (Luke 10:39b).

Of the Word

Mary had an opportunity and she took it! She did not allow what was going on around her to come between her and her Lord. Jesus was speaking and she was listening! She sat at His feet in rapt attention. Her focus was on the man she knew to be the Son of God.

How often are we willing to sit quietly and meditate on God’s Word, to listen for His voice, to shut out the world around us? Mary did not allow distractions to come between her and the Savior Who spoke these beautiful words of salvation: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life” (John 5:24a).

In our world we are bombarded with sounds. We become good at ignoring them and the people around us. We become so good at tuning out that we even do it during Sunday sermons. Mary knew hearing and listening go hand in hand. She knew the words Christ spoke were important and she showed her gratitude by listening intently.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me be eager to sit at Your feet and learn. Quiet me down so I can hear You and then, through Your Holy Spirit, show me how to live according to Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 22/34 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Woman with a Discharge of Blood — A Woman of Faith

Her Story: Mark 5:25–34

In the Word

And there was a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse (Mark 5:25–26).

Of the Word

After twelve years of suffering and going from doctor to doctor, the woman still was not cured and her money was gone. Being impure because of the discharge, she was shunned and could not approach Jesus to ask for healing. But the woman believed the reports she heard about this Great Healer and said “… If I touch even his garments, I will be made well” (Mark 5:28b).

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). As Christians we believe in the power of God. We do not fully understand it nor can we explain it, but through the Holy Spirit we have been given the gift of faith to believe in it. Faith is fully trusting God.

Imagine the joy in the woman’s heart when Jesus spoke to her. “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mark 5:34).

Walking with my Lord

Loving Father, forgive me when my faith wavers. Help me remember You are always with me and there is no challenge You cannot overcome. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 23/34 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Prepare!

In the Word

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

Of the Word

Answer honestly. How many times did you rearrange the baby’s room, reorganize the baby’s clothes, and repack your hospital bag before you actually went into labor? Personally, I know I did each a few times at least. And I remember the anticipation I felt each time I walked by the empty room, the closet, and the hospital bag.

In scripture, Jesus spoke about being prepared. He told a parable in which ten virgins were waiting for a bridegroom. Five of the virgins were wise and prepared for a long wait with enough oil for their lamps. The other five, unfortunately, were unprepared. Their oil lamps went out before the bridegroom came, and they missed his arrival while searching for more oil.

Jesus wants us to be prepared for His arrival on the Last Day. Even though we do not know the day or the hour, we can look forward to that day with eager anticipation. How can we do that?

We prepare our hearts for Christ’s arrival by putting our faith and trust in Him. The Holy Spirit sustains us through regular reading of God’s Word and coming often to His altar to receive Holy Communion. We can eagerly wait for Him with joy.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, help me be prepared for Jesus’ return with eager anticipation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 23/30 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Strong Foundation

In the Word

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24–25).

Of the Word

My daughter loves playing with building blocks. She can spend hours stacking and arranging the blocks into structures of her own design. But building the tower is only half the fun. The other half comes with knocking it over.

Christ is our Rock and solid Foundation. Because He is steadfast, faithful, and powerful, we can build our lives on Him. And we can give our children the first building blocks of faith by bringing them to be baptized. Through Baptism they receive God’s forgiveness, life, and salvation.

With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, faith is planted in their hearts and nurtured through Christian education. When the storms of life come — and they will come — God’s children will not fall because they will be founded on the Rock, Jesus Christ.

Walking with my Lord

Almighty God, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit Who gives faith and strength to keep me from falling during the storms of life. Let that same faith be my child’s strong foundation, too. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 22/30 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Wonderful Water

In the Word

And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters”  (Genesis 1:6).

Of the Word

In the beginning God created everything needed for survival including wonderful water. Water makes dirty things clean. Water quenches our thirst on a hot summer day. Water brings life to the seeds planted for our food and the wood used for our shelter.

But this once-perfect creation, and all that is in it, is now fallen because of the lies and deceit of the devil and our own sinful ways. Yet this now fallen creation is being redeemed. Saint Paul writes, … the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God (Romans 8:19b). Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we are made perfect once again.

Water gave life to the wood of Jesus’ cross and to the paper on which God’s Word is printed. Water nourishes the grapes and grains of Holy Communion. Most importantly, the wonderful water of Holy Baptism brings life, new life in Christ.

Walking with my Lord

All-creating Father, You have redeemed me and all of creation through Your Son’s death and resurrection. In this fallen creation, guard and reassure me of the perfected being I am in Jesus. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 21/28 ©2013 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, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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