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Thanks in Advance

In the Word

… in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).

Of the Word

The four-year-old was literally bouncing with excitement. He could barely contain himself. His mother handed him the first birthday present with the reminder, “Can you say thank you to Grandma for the gift?” “Not yet,” the little boy innocently responded, “I don’t know what it is!”

Isn’t that just like a kid? The grandmother, who knows him well, chose something just perfect for him. He should have trusted her and thanked her before opening the gift. But wait a minute! Haven’t we responded to our Heavenly Father in the same way?

The apostle Paul tells us to take every request to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6a). We can trust His loving response. Our generous Father, who sacrificed Jesus to make us His own again, most assuredly knows what we need. We need not wait to see what we get before we express our gratitude. It will be the perfect gift from the Perfect Giver.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, every time I come to You with a request, help me acknowledge Your compassion and grace by thanking You in advance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, 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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Surrounded Every Moment

In the Word

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me (Psalm 139:5).

Of the Word

It was the little girl’s first trip to the state fair, and she was excited when her father offered to buy funnel cakes. There were hundreds of people in the way, and each one towered over her. She pushed forward on her own. Then, overwhelmed by the crowds, she cried out in panic, “Daddy!” She felt his hand on her shoulder, and heard his reassuring voice, “I am right here.”

There are many moments in our lives when the world is crushing us. Each worry or problem seems to loom so large. We struggle to find our own solution, but finally — in desperation — we pray “Abba” (Daddy). As promised, we feel His hand of peace on us.

Yet, God provides even more! The psalmist states, You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me (Psalm 139:5). God surrounds us with His presence; we don’t make a move without His protection. In moments of fear and panic, what blessed assurance it is to know we are never alone. God’s love and grace shield us from every danger.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, in the moments when my fears try to crush me, give me the firm assurance that I am surrounded by Your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, 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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One Day at a Time

In the Word

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life …” (Matthew 6:25a).

Of the Word

“The family is healthy, my new job is good, and I actually have a positive balance in my checkbook,” muttered Heather. “Then why the sour face?” responded a friend. Without hesitation, Heather wailed, “I’m worried because there is nothing to worry about!”

If worry was an Olympic sport, some of us would win a medal every day. Constant anxiety robs us of sleep and peace of mind. Most importantly, it is a reflection of our lack of trust in God’s care. Jesus spoke about worry at great length, assuring us that the Heavenly Father generously provides for all His creation. God values us so much He sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross for our redemption. We can never worry our way to a solution! Instead, we must place our trust in God’s loving provision.

Jesus tells us we cannot serve two masters — worry and trust. The old saying is true: “If you pray, why worry? If you worry, why pray?” With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can learn to trust in God every day.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me let go of my worries and place my cares into Your tender hands one day at a time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, 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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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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