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Forgive as He forgives! Forgiven as I forgive!

In the Word

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ (Ephesians 4:32 LB).

Of the Word

Complete forgiveness is shown to us when God says He will remember our sin no more. It’s not that He’s forgotten our sins, but rather that He chooses not to remember them.

How does your forgiveness compare to God’s forgiveness of you? When someone has wronged you, have you followed Jesus’ example of forgiving and then choosing not to remember it again? It’s not the easiest thing to do, but it is God’s will that we forgive each other as He has forgiven us. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us (Luke 11:4).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, when I need to forgive others help me remember that You have forgiven me and have chosen not to keep remembering my sins. Help me in turn to follow Your example as I forgive others in Your name. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 7/31 ©2005 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, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked LB are taken from The Living Bible, Copyright © 1971, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187. All rights reserved.

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Let all that is in me adore Him!

In the Word

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise (Psalm 48:1a).

Of the Word

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

How easily the words flow from our mouths; how easily we sing the beautiful harmonies of the majestic Old Hundredth; and how easily we take for granted God’s daily care and blessings. God deserves and desires our praise. Selfish attitudes disappear when we selflessly praise Him. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he (Deuteronomy 32:3–4).

God smiles when we praise His name! Because of Jesus‘ atoning sacrifice for our sins, Old Testament animal sacrifices are no longer offered. Instead we offer God the “sacrifice of praise.” Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, we praise Your holy name! Help us continually praise You as we live our lives for Your glory! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 5/31 ©2005 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, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” words by Thomas Ken, music by Louis Bourgeois. Public domain.

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Honoring Our Shepherds

In the Word

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages” (1 Timothy 5:17 ̶ 18).

Of the Word

When I was a child, I thought that my pastor had a very easy job because he only worked on Sundays. Although pastors may have a day or two a week scheduled to spend with family and may take vacation time throughout the year, their responsibility for and service to their flock and to the Good Shepherd is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 52 weeks a year commitment. 

Pastors visit the sick, comfort the dying, and counsel the troubled. Many also attend numerous meetings, activities, and events within the congregation and surrounding community. Some supervise large staffs of called, lay, and volunteer workers while others are the sole pastor tasked with meeting a wide variety of needs within a congregation or congregations, including reaching out to the unchurched community members with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All pastors — regardless of the congregation’s size, type, and expectations of their pastor — carry out the most important vocations of preaching, teaching, and administering the Sacraments. Christ uses pastors in His Church to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19b ̶ 20a). Thanks be to God for blessing us with pastors! 

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for faithful shepherds who preach and teach Your Word and administer Your Sacraments. Forgive us for our failure to give them the honor they are due and help us to support them as they carry out Your Great Commission. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 

Mustard Seed: Honoring Our Shepherds by Ruth Badciong, Winona, Minnesota. Copyright © 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved. lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible unless otherwise noted. (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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Listen Up!

In the Word

“And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.” (Proverbs 8:32–33).

Of the Word

“Turn. That. Thing. Down!” came Dad’s sharp words when the radio blared. “Change the channel! Now!” was Mom’s direction when the TV show was too steamy for young minds. Today’s noises come from more sources — movies, video games, and social media. Some noises are so loud they even cause ear damage. How can the world’s noises be turned off before they cause even more damage: heart and mind damage?

God’s instruction is … listen to me (Proverbs 8:32). He directs His people to think of … whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable… (Philippians 4:8b). When these good things fill hearts and minds, God promises His blessings. … the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

A Point to Ponder: What noises are interfering with my time for listening to God?

Walking with my Lord

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to avoid the noises and distractions that pull me away from You. Give me wisdom to choose what is good and right for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Word: Wisdom for Living. Authors: Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer. 20/32 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40198

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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