Beginning each day with the Lord

O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; (Psalm 5:3).

My husband had hip replacement surgery in June. We were required to be at the surgical center by 4:30 a.m. Early by our internal clock. What a Friend we Have in Jesus was the Mustard Seed Devotion that popped up on my phone email as we drove to town. How appropriate to remind us to carry everything to God in prayer! And we did.

Often the Mustard Seed Devotion for the day seems like it was specifically picked for me. Do you think the same thing as you take a moment to read the daily devotion? If you do not receive the daily Mustard Seed Devotion, please sign up at www.lwml.org/stayintouch. Beginning each day with the Lord reminds us that we can take all our cares and concerns to Him.

Arlene Naasz

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

View past messages

Give it Free!

Some stories bear repeating and, as we celebrate our freedom this week, I believe this is one of those stories. A very good lesson about giving was shared by my grandson when he was about 3 years old. Each Sunday, before worship, he would ask me to help him write his name on the offering envelope found in the back of the pew. He’d carefully put his money inside and take great pains to make sure it was sealed properly. One Sunday, we forgot to get his offering envelope ready and as the ushers walked to the front of the sanctuary, I whispered to my grandson, “Hurry, Sweetie, let’s get your name on the envelope.” He held out his hand, palm facing up, and said, “No, Grandma, today I’m going to give it free!” Understanding warmed my heart. He didn’t want credit for his offering. He wanted to give it free — no strings attached, no thank you required. He just wanted to give something to Jesus.

Jesus suffered and died on the cross to save us from our sin. He did this freely, out of His love for us. Because of His great gift of redemption, we take joy in giving our mite offerings freely so others may hear of God’s mercy and grace.

You may give an offering here as you celebrate freedom — in this country and in Christ.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, (Luke 6:35a).

Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace,

Debbie Larson

President, 2019–2023
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

View past messages

Patriots for Christ!

The Fourth of July is next week! America will be celebrating with barbecues, parades, and fireworks. We will observe the founding of our nation in 1776 when the constitution was signed. Did you know that the Bill of Rights was not added until December 15, 1791?

Of critical importance to Christians, the first amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” We are free to worship our Lord without restrictions or fear of persecution.

Let us use this freedom to put our LWML mission statement to work. Boldly proclaim Christ as you walk in His light, spreading the Good News. Be a patriot for Christ! This freedom is a gift from God and truly something to celebrate!

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Use this devotion about Christian patriotism as motivation.

Susan Donnelly

Public Relations Director 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

View past messages

Be Jesus’ Servant

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

Does your LWML group take a break in the summer months? Try a different approach this year. Organize two activities that involve families in service for their community. Start out with a short devotion from the LWML website, and then go out into your neighborhood. Here are some ideas:

• Join together to make a boxed lunch for your local firefighters, police officers, or nurses.
• Pass out popsicles at a laundry mat to children waiting on their parents to finish their clothes and possibly pay for a load or two.
• Take the children to a nursing home to sing VBS or camp songs to the residents.

What would make this different than any other social event? Share the reason you are doing it. Tell the people you are doing it to share the love of Jesus. Be the light. Be a servant.

Check out the Jesus, The Servant devotion from lwml.org.

Cheryl Mattil

Christian Life Committee
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

View past messages

Observing God’s Awesome Creation

June has arrived and in the Great Lakes states winter is finally behind us! For those in the Midwest, early crops are being harvested from your gardens. For those in warm coastal areas, the air conditioning makes the heat and humidity bearable.

No matter where we live, we have the wonderful opportunity to see God’s amazing beauty that is all around us. The devotion “God’s Everyday Treasures” (page 260-261 in Faith Building Help for Groups 2021–2023) offers a simple guide for observing God’s awesome creation. Scripture passages are interwoven with guided observations to help the participants rejoice in the beauty of nature.

If physically going out for a walk doesn’t work for you, check out the devotion “Let’s Take a Walk” (pages 227-228 in Faith Building Help for Groups 2021-2023). The author describes the different physical postures she observes from her window and connects them to our faith walk.

Leading devotions for your local group is easy when you have Faith Building Help for Groups 2021–2023. Download a copy today.

Deaconess Betty Knapp

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

View past messages

Everlasting Love

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you (Jeremiah 31:3b).

During difficult seasons in our lives, it is important to be reminded that God loves with everlasting love. As I write this article, my daughter-in-love who is pregnant with our first granddaughter is in the hospital for the fourth week trusting that God will provide her the strength needed to deliver her precious baby girl. My father, after being on hospice for two weeks and saying goodbye to his family, is now experiencing life everlasting.

You may be dealing with difficult seasons in your life as well — or have in the past. No matter what we are experiencing, it is important to know that God continues his faithfulness to us and loves us with an everlasting love.

Often God shows this love through our Christian sisters and brothers. Sometimes, God uses us to show this love to those who need to hear of His love. The devotion, I Have Loved You With An Everlasting Love, shows how God loves us and uses us to love others.

Michelle Jenks

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

View past messages

Assisting our Pastors and Church Workers

How many of you had the opportunity to participate virtually in the Concordia Seminary Call Day services in April? Students received their first calls to ministry or received their assignments for vicarages and deaconess internships. It was an exciting time for both the students and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:15).

So what can we do to support and encourage these new pastors and all church workers as they answer God’s call?

• We can pray for them.
• We can show respect, love, and thoughtful consideration for all they do.
• We can assist them as they work with God’s people.
• We can recognize their efforts and show thankfulness and appreciation.

Did you know?

The LWML has resources for church workers to use in their vocations: Bible studies, devotions, service resources, retreat packages, sketches, and more!! The Church Workers in Mission brochure has been updated and can be found at lwml.org/church-workers-in-mission. Download and share with your favorite church worker!

Nancy Heredia

Church Workers in Mission Committee Chairman
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

View past messages