Forgiven for Our Ignorance

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34a).

One can only imagine what it would have been like to have been there and hear Jesus utter these words. In bitter anguish with nails going through His hands, Jesus isn’t angry … He forgives. What is most striking is that He is forgiving us for the things that we don’t even know we are doing. We are blinded to our own sin and blinded by what it actually does to us.

Jesus takes all of that sin on Himself, bears it willingly through pain and tears, and then utters a final cry to the Father as the price is paid for sin in His death — for you. In Jesus’ crucifixion, all your sin is forgiven. By Christ’s death, death has been defeated. We may not know what we are doing, and may be ignorant to what that means for Jesus, but by His grace, we are forgiven before the Father and we await the day we know is coming — the Day of Resurrection and the joy of life with Christ forever.

The Rev. Brian Noack

Senior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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For Many

“… poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt 26:28b). On that Holy Thursday, 33 A.D., Jesus took the symbolism of the Passover Meal and elevated it to the highest level for any church rite, save Baptism. In Baptism, the gift of faith is given, a magnificent gift by which the riches of God flow to a person. In the changed Passover Meal, the symbols of the foods, henceforth, included the real thing.

The real thing is the actual body and blood of the Messiah Himself. When the believer partakes of this new meal, he receives the richest of riches, the forgiveness of sins. Even more, God the Spirit, through that gift, empowers the believer with a stronger faith, so that when departing from the Sacrament with peace and joy, he might be used by God for God’s kingdom. The Service for Holy Thursday is a service of joy and celebration for what God does for believers who partake of the meal.

The Rev. Gary Piepkorn

Junior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Fear not

Have you ever noticed that at each of the major moments of Jesus’ life, there is always God’s Word of encouragement to “fear not”? At the Annunciation, Gabriel tells Mary to “fear not.” The angels tell the shepherds in the field, “fear not,” the night when Christ was born. At the empty tomb on Easter morning, the angel says to the sorrowful women, “fear not.” And here on Palm Sunday, we hear those words again through the prophet Zechariah, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!” (John 12:15).

Even though the crowds’ lips shout “Hosanna!” their hearts are burdened by sin, as are ours. Fear not! From the start to finish of His life, Jesus is making His way to the cross as the true king to take your sin from you and to give you life by His resurrection. Jesus takes away all causes of fear from us so that we may be filled with heavenly joy, now and always. Hosanna to our Savior and King!

The Rev. Brian Noack

Senior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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LWML — a Buffet of Resources for You

As Lutheran Women in Mission, we offer opportunities for mission education, mission inspiration, mission service, and mission giving — opportunities, not obligations! LWML is a buffet of resources, support, comfort, and encouragement for all women.

We are in the Word. We love to serve God’s people. We give our time, share our talents, and give donations to missions. We do this in response to all our Savior has done and given to us.

Take time now to look through the pages of this website. Find a devotion or prayer that touches your heart. Join in the buffet of God’s love and mercies found in the available resources. You are His child, cherished and bought by Jesus’ blood and sacrifice and you are welcome!

Click here and contact your district. Ask for the name and congregation of an LWML member near you. Find acceptance and a place to belong.

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

Debbie Larson

President 2019–2023
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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During this Season of Lent

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection. It is a time to observe and commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. It is a time to reflect. What are your reflections during Lent?

Have you watched the film The Passion of the Christ? When I see the scenes of Christ’s suffering on the cross, I can’t help my tears. What He did for me, and you is beyond our comprehension. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, I know I am saved. I know that Jesus died for my sins and for yours.

I take comfort in the words of Paul, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

You, too, can be comforted with devotions for the season of Lent. Read one of my favorites What God Sees on the LWML website here. God bless your time of reflection.

Susan Donnelly

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Seek His Face

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! (Psalm 105:4).

Have you ever felt that the weight of the world was resting on your shoulders? On days like that, when our burdens seem too hard handle, we may want to close our eyes and ears and hide from all that is happening around us. We find comfort in the words of Psalm 105:4 that remind us to keep our eyes on Jesus, seeking Him continually, for Jesus is where we find our strength.

In this season of Lent, with incredible wonder and awe, we see our Savior bearing our burden—the sins of the whole world—and loving us so much that nothing would stop Him until He could say, “It is finished.” He knows the burdens of this life and will give us the strength to bear whatever comes our way.

To help you as you seek the Lord each day, go to lwml.org and search devotions, Bible studies, or podcasts. You will find great resources that will continue to point you to the One who gives you strength for each day.

Mary Smith

Chairman of Christian Resource Editors
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Nearly Spring

Where I live in the northern most part of the country, we’ve entered the season of mid-winter. Spring doesn’t come here until May. Even though there are flowers waiting to pop through the soil — if they tried — they might have a few feet of snow packed on top of them.

In other parts of the country, spring has sprung. Trees are leafing out. Flowers are blooming. Grass needs cutting. What a glorious world we live in where one can find beauty in every season.

Two LWML devotions caught my eye in this “mid-winter” season. Both focus on the beauty of God’s green earth but from different perspectives.

New Growth – Again helps us to see how God gives us “another chance for our love to ever bloom and grow in Christ.”

Green Pastures reminds us that we are “handpicked by God to be His child.”

Enjoy these devotions and remember how the beauty of God’s Word draws us closer to Him as He calls us to live lives of faith and service every day.

Deaconess Betty Knapp

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

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