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Peter’s Mother-in-Law — Healed to Serve

Her Story: Matthew 8:14–15

In the Word

He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him (Matthew 8:15).

Of the Word

Name. Address. Date of birth. Those important pieces of information are necessary for many business transactions. Without them, neither the doctor nor the car salesman will deal with us.

We know nothing about the woman Jesus healed in Matthew chapter 8 except that she was Peter’s mother-in-law and was sick with a fever. When Jesus came into the house, He went to her, touched her, and healed her. Her healing was complete and instantaneous. How do we know that? Matthew tells us that she arose and immediately began to serve Jesus and His friends. By her willing service, she expressed her thanks to Jesus. Her name, address, and date of birth are not important, but her loving actions set an example for God’s people. His gift of healing from the worst-possible disease — sin — comes to us by grace through faith alone. Our response to His gift is our loving and faithful service.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for all You have done for me, especially the gift of salvation. Help me dedicate my life to serving You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 25/34 ©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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Stress and Anxiety

In the Word

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6–7).

Of the Word

I was very nervous to be a new mom. I sometimes wondered if I was doing the right thing at the right time in the right way. I assumed people were watching me, especially when I was out in public. I even went so far as to seek affirmation from my husband and mom on different occasions.

Maybe you deal with similar anxieties, or perhaps you have others that creep up on you from time to time. Life has a way of stressing us out, bringing us down, and putting us on edge. God, however, will do just the opposite.

When we are weak, God is strong and will lift us up. When we are worried, He promises peace. He replaces stress with strength. In all of life’s trials, God’s love for us is unconditional. We can confidently ask Him for anything we need, and He will never turn away from us.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, help me come to You with all of my anxieties knowing that You care for me and will see me through. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 27/30 ©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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Proper Documentation

In the Word

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30–31).

Of the Word

The ways of documenting my daughter’s development and important milestones are different today than they were was when I was little, but they are just as important. For years to come, baby books, pictures, and videos will provide reminders of those first smiles, giggles, and steps.

No cameras snapped a group picture of Jesus and His disciples. No video camera filmed a miraculous healing. The Sermon on the Mount was not taped for us to hear today. But we do have the New Testament, a collection of writings giving eyewitness accounts of Jesus and the life of the early church. Scripture was recorded so we may believe in Jesus and have life in His name.

For this reason, spend time each day reading the Bible and getting to know Jesus. Become familiar with His words and works. Trust that the faith He began in you will be brought to completion on the day of His return.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the Holy Scriptures in which You make salvation known to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 26/30 ©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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The Right Name

In the Word

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever (Psalm 86:12).

Of the Word

Even though my husband and I picked out our daughter’s name without much trouble, that’s not always the case. Some parents put much study into the origin of a name, its meaning, and even alternate spellings. Others test the initials to avoid an embarrassing spelling, or they check to make sure an awkward rhyme doesn’t result from the name choice.

Unfortunately, these days the meanings of names are not quite as important as they were in biblical times. There was a reason Abram’s name was changed to Abraham and why Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. Abraham was the father of many nations, and Peter’s faith was solid. Their names told people a lot about who they were.

We know a lot about Jesus for the same reason. His name means “the Lord is salvation.” And we are thankful that He lives up to the meaning of His name. Now by His grace and through faith we can take hold of the salvation Jesus won for us on the cross. For this it is only fitting that we should thank and glorify Him with our whole hearts.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, thank You for the salvation won for me through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me glorify His name forever. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 25/30 ©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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Against the Grain

In the Word

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it … (Isaiah 2:2).

Of the Word

One unique property of water is its capillary action in soil. Capillary action is the ability of water to flow into narrow places without any assistance and often times in opposition to natural forces, such as gravity. This is how water can defy gravity, moving upward from the roots of a tree to all of its branches.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of a river of people, acting like water, flowing up the mountain of God. People of all nations are flowing to the house of the Lord.

This is how things will be on the Last Day in the kingdom of heaven. All believers in Christ as Savior will flow to the house of the Lord. And we will do so without any of the toil and trouble, pain and hurt, grief and loss of our sinful world. “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’ ” (John 7:38).

Walking with my Lord

Eternal Father, as I look forward to the Last Day when I will be with You and all believers on Your holy mountain, keep my eyes focused on You so that I will follow the path You have laid out for me. In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 24/28 ©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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Riddle Me This

In the Word

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

Of the Word

Scientific studies show that activities such as solving riddles greatly decreases one’s chance of memory loss. When Nicodemus came to Jesus, he thought Jesus was speaking in riddles, for how could a grown adult enter his mother’s womb and be born again?

Jesus was not referring to our physical entry into this world. Instead, He was talking about Baptism, our spiritual birth through the water and the Spirit. In this new birth, faith is created. We are made children of God and are assured of eternal life. … he saved us, … according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit … (Titus 3:5).

A physical rebirth, or even a hundred of them, could not wash away our sin. Only the water of Holy Baptism along with God’s Spirit can purify us from our sin. And this is no riddle!

Walking with my Lord

Savior Jesus, through my Baptism I have been reborn as a child of God. Strengthen my faith and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may I always confess You as Lord. In Your holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 23/28 ©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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Life in the Blood

In the Word

Thus says the Lord, “By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood”  (Exodus 7:17).

Of the Word

Dye can quickly change the color of water. Though the outward appearance may change, the chemical makeup never does. Even after adding dye, water is still water.

When Moses struck the Nile River with his staff, God did not just change the color of the water. He actually changed the water into blood. The Egyptians had no water for their crops or livestock. They could not use the blood for drinking or cleaning.

Unlike the blood of the Nile, which brought discomfort and death, the blood of Jesus brings life and salvation. Unlike dye poured into water or even water changed into blood, Jesus’ blood changes our whole being. His sacrifice changes both our hearts and our lives.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace … (Ephesians 1:7).

Walking with my Lord

God of all miracles, in Jesus’ blood I now have a new life as Your child. Change me, mold me, and use me in Your service here on earth. In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 22/28 ©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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