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Begin with God … He Gives Eternal Life

In the Word

Who will receive eternal life?

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10b).

Of the Word

Jesus says: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment … (John 5:24a). For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:40).

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27–28).

Jesus came to earth to bring life and salvation to all people. Salvation is God's free gift to all who believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again. No believer will be turned away.

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10b).

Walking with my Lord

Dear heavenly Father, You are the God of love! Every day I am reminded of the blessed assurance of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit continue to teach me to listen to and follow Your Word. In Jesus' name, who died for all and gives all believers in Him eternal life. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 8/28 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (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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Begin with God … He Gives Life

In the Word

Who has given me the gift of life?

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well (Psalm 139:13–14).

Of the Word

Living organisms on earth are amazing. From tiny gnat to huge blue whale, from smallest wildflower to giant sequoia, we can see the hand of the Creator. And among all these is God's most wondrous creation: us! God created us to love and serve Him. He loved us even before we were born.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well (Psalm 139:13–14).

Not only did God create us, but He gave us the beauty of the earth and relationships with others. He gave us everything we need to live our daily lives. And yet, all too often we are worried about future events or past experiences. But God tells us not to worry about our daily lives.

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:31–33).

Walking with my Lord

Creator God, I thank You for the gift of life. Lord, I confess that I sometimes worry about material things instead of trusting You to provide for my needs. Remind me to always seek You first. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 7/28 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (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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Living in the Spirit … Is God's Choice for Me

In the Word

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide” (John 15:16a).

Of the Word

Life is filled with choices — what car to drive, what clothes to buy, which TV channels to watch, which foods to eat. Sometimes the choices bring satisfaction, and sometimes they bring great disappointment.

In and of ourselves, there is one choice we cannot make. We cannot choose God. Instead, Jesus assures us, I chose you … It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to hear God’s call.

And what is our response? We know how to handle life’s other choices: we drive the car, we wear the clothes, we laugh and learn from TV, we get nourishment from foods. Our response to God’s choice is to follow His direction, … go and bear fruit …

The fruit may be as simple as smiling at the harried supermarket clerk or helping the toddler get his shoes on the right feet. It may be as difficult as “parenting” an aged parent or working in a special church or community ministry. These are fruits that will last because they are responses to God’s gifts to us.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for choosing me. I know that I could never have chosen You on my own. Thank You for the gifts You have given to me. Help me to use them to bear lasting fruit for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 5/30 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (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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Living in the Spirit … Helps Me Be Thankful

In the Word

Be filled with the Spirit … giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18b, 20).

Of the Word

A certain church member was very critical of his pastor. The pastor had never been able to do much of anything to please that cantankerous parishioner. But the pastor took the high road, never repaying hurt for hurt. He tried, and tried hard, to find good things to say. One day he said with a wry smile, “You know, Joe has the cleanest car in town.” Instead of concentrating on his parishioner’s criticisms, he found one small thing to commend.

“Be filled with the Spirit,” says St. Paul. Spirit-filled people have no room left over for grumpiness, faultfinding, negativity, or thanklessness. Instead, they have an “attitude of gratitude” to God that spills over into relationships with others. And when bad attitudes invade, as they will because of Satan, the Spirit is there to strengthen God’s people once more.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, fill me with Your Spirit so that my life will be a chorus of praise to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 6/30 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (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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Living in the Spirit … Shows God's Power

In the Word

And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4–5).

Of the Word

Commercials! Radio, television, newspapers, and magazines are full of them. Advertisers pay billions of dollars annually to promote their goods, services, and ideas.

How many times have you been persuaded to buy a product only to be disappointed? Unfortunately, the advertisers’ proclamations are sometimes only empty promises and powerless words.

God’s Word, on the other hand, is filled with power. His promises are always true. Man’s wisdom can and will fail, but God will never disappoint those who trust in His power. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to trust in God’s promises.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the words of truth and power in Your Word. Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit, who enables me to trust in You. Make me strong to resist false words and empty promises in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 4/30 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (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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Now Thank We All Our God

In the Word

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! (Psalm 105:1–2).

Of the Word

Now thank we all our God With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, In whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms Has blest us on our way
With countless gifts of love And still is ours today.

One essential part of our worship is thanksgiving. This hymn reminds us to thank our God “With hearts and hands and voices.” We offer our whole selves in thanking Him for all His blessings.

Those blessings include life, home, health, peace, grace, and guidance. Most importantly, we thank God for a new life in Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. We thankfully acknowledge His work of salvation in our lives and look forward to living with our Savior God in heaven forever.

“All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heav’n, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.”

Walking with my Lord

I give You hearty thanks, gracious God, for Your innumerable gifts to me! Thank You for all the people You have given as blessings in my life. Most of all, I thank You for the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life in Jesus. In His bountiful name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 11/31. Hymn Text: LSB 895. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (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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View the printable PDF of this devotion, Now Thank We All Our God

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Romance: Keeping the Spark Alive

In the Word

He: O you who dwell in the gardens, with companions listening for your voice; let me hear it. She: Make haste my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices (Song of Solomon 8:13–14).

Of the Word

“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.” This quote by Martin Luther was written at a time when husbands left the house to work and wives stayed home. Even though this scenario may be less common today, the intended advice is still excellent. It takes two to keep romance alive!

A romantic interaction is not determined by location, food, clothing, or ambiance. These things can certainly add to the experience, but they don’t necessarily add up to romance.

Care for your spouse throughout the day. Speak as the Lover and Beloved did in the Song of Songs, and romance is in the air wherever you are. What makes your mate feel special? How can you show your love? Be intentional in giving those things and watch your romance flourish!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, You created marriage as a relationship of love. Help me to show love to my spouse in meaningful ways throughout the day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 6/28 ©2008, revised 2024 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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

Martin Luther quoted from Proverbia.net.

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