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Bad Hair Moment

In the Word

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14a).

Of the Word

The one thing worse than a bad-hair day is a bad-hair week! Not one piece of clothing fits, our hair-do has become a hair-don’t, and nothing about us meets our expectations. Everyone has had those times when looking in the mirror is unthinkable. Not one redeeming feature is visible.

That is very true. No amount of change to our outward appearance can make us right under God’s Law. We are sinful creatures and can never redeem ourselves. Thanks be to God that He sees us through the sacrifice on the cross of His Son, Jesus. He sees us as He created us — fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14b). We are righteous through Christ’s resurrection and beautiful in His sight. The bad-hair days will still happen, but reading Psalm 139 will remind us that our outward appearance does not determine who we are. We are precious children of God! Because of the grace of Jesus Christ, we can be renewed in this truth and be a mirror of God’s love to others.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, in moments when I am very critical of myself, assure me that through Jesus my Redeemer I am a new person, created in Your image. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, author. 3/30 ©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 ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Sarah — God’s Time or Mine?

In the Word

(Sarah’s Story: Genesis 17:15–21)

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” … God said, “ … Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac” (Genesis 17: 17, 19a).

Of the Word

Have you ever prayed long and hard for something you believed was good and right for you? How long did you pray? A week? A month? A year?

Can you imagine praying for decades? When Abraham and Sarah were young, they prayed for a child. God answered, “Wait.” They waited. They prayed. Years passed, and — humanly speaking — Sarah’s child-bearing years were over.

But finally it was time for God’s “Yes!” In His time — not Abraham’s, not Sarah’s — God gave them the son they had longed for.

Sarah’s story is much like women’s stories today. Ups and downs; joys and frustrations. God asked Sarah and He also asks us, “Is anything too hard for Me?” A faithful heart knows that God is all powerful. A faithful heart asks to be able to wait for His timing and His answers.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, I am sometimes impatient, frustrated, and fearful. Forgive me and fill me with Your love, Your power, Your strength. Give me faith to trust Your timing for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 3/34 ©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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A Sweet Tooth Craving

In the Word

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103).

Of the Word

Cravings — we hear of all sorts of unusual cravings pregnant women experience. Mixing ice cream and pickles or chicken and jelly are some of the more unique ones. Me? I developed a sweet tooth during my pregnancy.

I know I’m not alone when it comes to having a sweet tooth. The prophet Ezekiel and the apostle John each had one. They fed their sweet tooth with something more unusual than pickles and ice cream. God commanded them to eat scrolls! (See Ezekiel 3:1–3, Revelation 10:8–10.) The bizarre thing — aside from actually eating the scrolls — was they tasted like honey to them.

Perhaps just as bizarre is the fact that God would like us to do the same thing! Not by ripping pages from our Bibles and eating them, but by craving the sweet, nourishing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A craving for ice cream or chocolate can’t be satisfied with celery just as a craving for God’s Word isn’t satisfied by any other means. But unlike the other sweet tooth cravings, this is one indulgence we can afford to splurge on day after day.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, God, for the sweet message of salvation found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 3/30 ©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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Friends: Who? When? Where? How often?

In the Word

"Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good" (Job 34:4).

Of the Word

Bowling night, Bible study, ladies night out, a hunting trip, a quick get-together after work — and suddenly time with friends is crowding out time together. It is easy for one spouse to feel jealousy or resentment toward the other spouse's friends. The perception might be that there is more fun to be had with friends than with each other. It is good and healthy to spend time with friends outside of the marriage; but when that time begins to infringe upon "couple-time," an adjustment is in order.

Setting boundaries that are comfortable for both of you can ease much tension. Giving permission for your spouse to spend time away from you sends the message of trust. Being open with your feelings keeps your mate informed of your concerns. Every now and then cancel plans with friends and tell your spouse that you would rather spend time together. Sacrifices like that can do a lot of good for a marriage.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, You give us friends for support and enjoyment. Help us to balance our time so that our love and support for everyone grows. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 7/28 ©2008, revised 2024 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Begin with God … He Gives His Word

In the Word

Why did God give us His Word?

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

Of the Word

When driving to a new place we can easily become lost and confused because we are in unfamiliar territory. God knew we would need a road map for our life and He gave it to us in His inspired Word, the Bible.

But these [words] 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 20:31).

The Bible is truly the greatest “self-help” book ever written. God’s Word tells us the Good News of Jesus and it teaches us how to love and forgive. It gives directions for living confidently, for relating to those around us, and for solving life’s problems. Best of all, God’s Word is constant and true.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, I am grateful for the Bible. Through it You assure me of Your faithfulness, guidance, and forgiveness. Help me to study Your Word daily for direction in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 9/28 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Begin with God … He Gives Eternal Life

In the Word

Who will receive eternal life?

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10b).

Of the Word

Jesus says: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment … (John 5:24a). For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:40).

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27–28).

Jesus came to earth to bring life and salvation to all people. Salvation is God's free gift to all who believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again. No believer will be turned away.

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10b).

Walking with my Lord

Dear heavenly Father, You are the God of love! Every day I am reminded of the blessed assurance of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit continue to teach me to listen to and follow Your Word. In Jesus' name, who died for all and gives all believers in Him eternal life. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 8/28 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Begin with God … He Gives Life

In the Word

Who has given me the gift of life?

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well (Psalm 139:13–14).

Of the Word

Living organisms on earth are amazing. From tiny gnat to huge blue whale, from smallest wildflower to giant sequoia, we can see the hand of the Creator. And among all these is God's most wondrous creation: us! God created us to love and serve Him. He loved us even before we were born.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well (Psalm 139:13–14).

Not only did God create us, but He gave us the beauty of the earth and relationships with others. He gave us everything we need to live our daily lives. And yet, all too often we are worried about future events or past experiences. But God tells us not to worry about our daily lives.

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:31–33).

Walking with my Lord

Creator God, I thank You for the gift of life. Lord, I confess that I sometimes worry about material things instead of trusting You to provide for my needs. Remind me to always seek You first. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Begin with God. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 7/28 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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