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Faith is … Trusting Without Seeing

In the Word

[Jesus said,] “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29b).

Of the Word

Thomas believed because he saw. Saving faith does not rest upon the evidence of the senses, upon our feelings or even our reason, but solely on the Word of the Gospel. The Word of God brings Christ to us; the Word of God brings us to Christ. As Christians, we believe this.

The resurrection is a reality. We believe this. We need not see Jesus visibly or personally as the early disciples did. Our faith is not some vague dream or wishful thinking. Our confidence rests on the powerful testimony of the Holy Spirit. Can we ask for better assurance or stronger evidence of the reality of our salvation?

Jesus approved the firm confession of Thomas even though he sought some proof of Christ’s resurrection. How much more blessed we are who have not seen Jesus physically and yet believe and trust Him for the forgiveness of our sins and for our eternal salvation.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, allow Your Holy Spirit to work in me so that I can believe. Nourish my faith with Your Word until I share in the fullness of Your glory in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 7/30 ©2007 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, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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The Least of These

In the Word

[Jesus says,] “‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’” (Matthew 25:35–36).

Of the Word

“‘… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40b).

Who did Jesus mean by the least of these? When you work at the community pantry, feed the hungry, or bake cookies for vacation Bible school, you are serving the least of these. When you pour cold water for your toddler, aged parent, or nursing home resident, you are serving the least of these. When you donate time and money at the homeless shelter or the pregnancy center, you are serving the least of these.

When you volunteer your time at the local thrift shop or when you make warm quilts for the needy, you are serving the least of these. When you send a card, make a hospital call, or sit with a dying friend, you are serving the least of these. When you mark Bibles for prisoners or pray for those who are incarcerated, you are serving the least of these.

Serving the least of these may be no more than lending a hand, giving a smile, or sharing a burden. The service is a heartfelt response to the love Jesus has poured on us.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me to look for opportunities to serve others. Help me to remember that my service is actually a gift to You and a response to the love You have given to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Myrna Lou Meyer. 6/32 ©2009 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, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Mentor

In the Word

Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life (Proverbs 22:6 GNT).

Of the Word

A mentor is defined as a trusted teacher or wise counselor. For me, being a mentor means to positively encourage someone in even a small way.

Mentoring preteen girls as they move from childhood into Christian womanhood is full of challenges. Sometimes weeks pass and I see little change in attitude or behavior. My warnings of danger go unheeded. When that happens I ask God to help me walk with them through the consequences. I pray that the final outcome will be that the young women will honor God with their bodies and lives.

What benefit is there to investing so deeply in another person’s life? I grow in faith. I learn to lean on Jesus. I learn to trust His Word. I learn to pray constantly. I learn to thank Him again and again! Finally, I can say along with the Apostle John: It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us (2 John 4). 

Walking with my Lord

Thank You for opening my eyes and heart to see the work that You have entrusted to me for the advancement of Your kingdom. Father, I know that apart from You I can do nothing. Strengthen my faith, for in You I trust. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Mary Smith. 5/32 ©2009 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, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked “GNT” are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992. All rights reserved.

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What Goes Around, Comes Around

In the Word

Love is patient, love is kind. … It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4a, 7).

Of the Word

As my husband and I prepared for an overseas mission trip, an older woman in our congregation gave me her special cross necklace to wear on the trip.

When we returned home, I planned to present her with a gift and also return the necklace. However, with love in her eyes, she told me that the necklace was mine to keep. As time passed, our friendship grew stronger. When her health failed, I spent a good deal of time with her. It was as though I became the daughter that she’d never had.

The story of the precious necklace has been told many times, a witness to the strong friendship that grew from a loving relationship in Christ. My dear friend and I not only remembered Jesus’ words, but lived them: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13: 34–35).

Walking with my Lord

Your love, O Lord, brings depth to my life. May this love be reflected as I reach out to others. May that love continue in an ever-widening circle as I share Your love in all of my relationships. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Kathy Ludwig. 4/32 ©2009 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, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Joy in God’s Love

In the Word

We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Of the Word

Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote the famous words, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways …” Yet when God looked at us, how many ways could He have counted? He saw our sins … red as crimson … (Isaiah 1:18b). And He loved us anyway!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). When He looks at us now — through the cross of Jesus — God sees us as the people He designed us to be: forgiven, loving, serving people. Though we sin daily, God’s love and forgiveness are always available to us. His love never fails, and He never withholds forgiveness from the repentant sinner. In Him we have comfort and joy.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for Your unconditional love. I could not have loved You first, and I could not have brought myself to You. Help me to respond to the love You have given me by sharing it with those whose lives touch mine. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 6/30 ©2005 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, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Joy Through Praise

In the Word

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6).

Of the Word

The mockingbird’s gray plumage is rather bland. Its size, about 10 inches, is just average for a garden bird. Its nest, a bulky cup of sticks and stems, is no architectural wonder. What makes the mockingbird memorable is its amazing song which can last an hour without repetitions. What a song of praise to the Creator!

We have praises to sing to Him, too. But when times are hard, we may ask with the psalmist, Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? (Psalm 42:5a). The solution: Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God (Psalm 42:5b–6a).

From God himself come reasons for praise. He gives us hope through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for giving me life and hope. Accept my praise for Your special gifts to me, especially for the gift of Jesus. Forgive me when I lose hope, and lead me back to a life of praise and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 5/30 ©2005 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, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Living in the Spirit … Shows God's Power

In the Word

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4–5).

Of the Word

Commercials! Radio, television, newspapers, and magazines are full of them. Advertisers pay billions of dollars annually to promote their goods, services, and ideas.

How many times have you been persuaded to buy a product only to be disappointed? Unfortunately, the advertisers’ proclamations are sometimes only empty promises and powerless words.

God’s Word, on the other hand, is filled with power. His promises are always true. Man’s wisdom can and will fail, but God will never disappoint those who trust in His power. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to trust in God’s promises.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the words of truth and power in Your Word. Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit, who enables me to trust in You. Make me strong to resist false words and empty promises in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 4/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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