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Prepare!

In the Word

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

Of the Word

Answer honestly. How many times did you rearrange the baby’s room, reorganize the baby’s clothes, and repack your hospital bag before you actually went into labor? Personally, I know I did each a few times at least. And I remember the anticipation I felt each time I walked by the empty room, the closet, and the hospital bag.

In scripture, Jesus spoke about being prepared. He told a parable in which ten virgins were waiting for a bridegroom. Five of the virgins were wise and prepared for a long wait with enough oil for their lamps. The other five, unfortunately, were unprepared. Their oil lamps went out before the bridegroom came, and they missed his arrival while searching for more oil.

Jesus wants us to be prepared for His arrival on the Last Day. Even though we do not know the day or the hour, we can look forward to that day with eager anticipation. How can we do that?

We prepare our hearts for Christ’s arrival by putting our faith and trust in Him. The Holy Spirit sustains us through regular reading of God’s Word and coming often to His altar to receive Holy Communion. We can eagerly wait for Him with joy.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, help me be prepared for Jesus’ return with eager anticipation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, 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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Strong Foundation

In the Word

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24–25).

Of the Word

My daughter loves playing with building blocks. She can spend hours stacking and arranging the blocks into structures of her own design. But building the tower is only half the fun. The other half comes with knocking it over.

Christ is our Rock and solid Foundation. Because He is steadfast, faithful, and powerful, we can build our lives on Him. And we can give our children the first building blocks of faith by bringing them to be baptized. Through Baptism they receive God’s forgiveness, life, and salvation.

With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, faith is planted in their hearts and nurtured through Christian education. When the storms of life come — and they will come — God’s children will not fall because they will be founded on the Rock, Jesus Christ.

Walking with my Lord

Almighty God, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit Who gives faith and strength to keep me from falling during the storms of life. Let that same faith be my child’s strong foundation, too. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, 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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Wonderful Water

In the Word

And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters”  (Genesis 1:6).

Of the Word

In the beginning God created everything needed for survival including wonderful water. Water makes dirty things clean. Water quenches our thirst on a hot summer day. Water brings life to the seeds planted for our food and the wood used for our shelter.

But this once-perfect creation, and all that is in it, is now fallen because of the lies and deceit of the devil and our own sinful ways. Yet this now fallen creation is being redeemed. Saint Paul writes, … the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God (Romans 8:19b). Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we are made perfect once again.

Water gave life to the wood of Jesus’ cross and to the paper on which God’s Word is printed. Water nourishes the grapes and grains of Holy Communion. Most importantly, the wonderful water of Holy Baptism brings life, new life in Christ.

Walking with my Lord

All-creating Father, You have redeemed me and all of creation through Your Son’s death and resurrection. In this fallen creation, guard and reassure me of the perfected being I am in Jesus. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 21/28 ©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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New Clothes

In the Word

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you” (Ezekiel 36:25).

Of the Word

How good it feels to put on clean clothes after being in dirty, sweaty clothes all day! How about wearing a new outfit for the first time? We all like putting on new clothes, especially if they feel comfortable and look nice.

In the Old Testament, this is what the priests would do during their rites of purification. After they washed themselves, they would change out of their old robes and clothe themselves with new, clean, white robes. Then they would be ready to serve in the temple.

This Old Testament rite of purification foreshadows the cleansing power of Baptism. In Baptism we have been sprinkled with water, cleansed from all unrighteousness. Filthy, sin-covered robes are removed, and we are clothed with the robes of Christ’s righteousness. … let us draw near with a true heart … sprinkled clean … washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).

Walking with my Lord

Righteous One, in my Baptism You clothed me with the robe of righteousness. Remind me daily of my Baptism and what it means to be Your child. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 20/28 ©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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Blood and Water

In the Word

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water (John 19:34).

Of the Word

In a famous painting of Jesus entitled “Divine Mercy,” He is clothed in a white robe with one hand raised and the other on His breast. From His chest flow two rays of light, one white and one red. At the bottom of the painting is the phrase, “Jesus, I trust in You.”

The red ray represents Jesus’ blood, and the white ray reminds us of the water that flowed from His side. Some compare the red and white rays to both sacraments of the church: Jesus’ blood of the new covenant in Holy Communion and the cleansing waters of Holy Baptism. Both the blood and the water bring life and salvation.

For unbelievers, Jesus’ death is a moment of defeat and disgrace, not glory. But hidden beneath Jesus’ suffering and death is His work of redemption: the work of God bringing His fallen creation back to Himself, the work of God redeeming His creation through His Son. Jesus, who instituted the sacraments, is the entrance into eternal life.

Walking with my Lord

King of Mercy, through the spilling of Your blood and the water of Holy Baptism, I am made Your forgiven child. Keep me in the true faith. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 19/28 ©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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On the Same Team

In the Word

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone (1 Corinthians 12: 4–6).

Of the Word

Bankers, lawyers, and retail clerks in hot debate, coveys of screaming parents, marching bands: it is the fall phenomenon of Friday Night High School Football. Fans, young and old, gather to show their team spirit.

Christians also see this unifying spirit within their congregations where members come with an assortment of backgrounds, abilities, ages, occupations, and skills. Sometimes it may seem as if some groups are working toward vastly different goals, but remembering that the cross is at the center of Christian service can bring unity again.

The apostle Paul reminds us we must constantly acknowledge our purpose and unity are in … the same Spirit … the same Lord … the same God who empowers them all in everyone (1 Corinthians 12:4–6). Our worship, projects, and goal statements are meaningless if not Christ-centered. We are able to share the Gospel only through the power of God and the unity of our hearts, minds, and spirits. We are one body in Christ! We are, after all, on the same team.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, empower me to work with others as we serve together in Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, author. 21/30 ©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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Patience, Patience

In the Word

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14).

Of the Word

She thought she was mentally prepared for six weeks on crutches. Instead, she discovered she was not a “patient” patient. The wait for healing was intolerable and she was in constant pain. Her prayers turned into whining! Then a card arrived in the mail with a much-needed message: “Patience does not mean waiting. Patience is how we behave while we are waiting.”

We often give our request to God in faith, but forget the response will come in His time. Waiting for the Lord’s answer can be difficult. God knows how stubbornly impatient we can be! Perhaps that is why David, who wrote Psalm 27, instructs us twice in verse 14 to Wait for the Lord, as well as being strong and letting your heart take courage as you wait.

Our God is gracious and loving. He knows what is best for us and when the time is right. In a world that expects instant gratification, we can be witnesses to the faithfulness of our Lord by our confident patience and trust in Him.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, forgive my times of impatience. Instead give me the peace that passes all understanding as I wait with hope for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, author. 20/30 ©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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