Cherish Memories

After more than 40 years of living in the same home, we decided to embark on the daunting task of moving into a new one. As boxes were filled, taped, and then transported to our new address, I learned a great lesson. There is no substance to the memorabilia you collect throughout the years that compares to the love of Christ, to the joy of spending precious time with loved ones, and to creating fond memories embedded in your heart.

At the end of our moving days, we took time sharing photographs recalling the blessings of our old home and getting excited about the anticipation of the memories to come.

Be blessed by listening to LWML’s devotion Photo Memories and hear how you’re never forgotten but are cherished and chosen by God. “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16a).

Linda Guteres

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Share the Joy

Rejoice always, (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

My grandson, Simon, is known for his unique sayings. His latest Simonism, "Sometimes when I hear a song it makes my eyebrows want to dance." Have you ever felt such joy that people can watch your eyebrows dance? You have been given faith by the Holy Spirit; belief in Jesus’ perfect life, death, and resurrection. Jesus’ love and redemptive act has led you to the assurance of life everlasting in heaven. What now? Share the joy!

If you want to schedule a retreat for this year, check out lwml.org. Lutheran Women in Mission offers a three-part retreat/Bible study as a free download titled, Experience the Joy ─ Then Share It! Check out this resource, celebrate our forgiveness, and be encouraged to witness to those around you.

You could even have an “eyebrow” dance contest!

Cheryl Mattil

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women in Mission

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What is next for me, Lord?

When the blessed celebration of our Lord’s birth as well as the new year’s celebration has been completed, I have often asked, what is next for me, Lord? How best can I serve You? Have you too asked this question?

One way we each can gain a little insight into how best to serve the Lord is to study our spiritual gifts and to contemplate how we are to live out our Christian life. We can dive into His Word and seek His direction with the Bible study by Cheryl Mattil, Gifts, Chosen for You - Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them (Romans 12:4-6a).

Leslie Colligan

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Imperishable Wreath

Athletic events are major news stories. The college football playoffs just finished. The Superbowl is coming soon, then the Winter Olympics, the World Cup, and on and on. We hear how these athletes spend hours every day preparing for the big event.

How much time do we spend every day preparing for our biggest event – eternity? Do you have a daily Bible study routine? Many resources are available to help you be ready for whenever God calls you home. On our LWML webpage under the Shop tab, you can find Bible Reading Plan Bookmarks. This packet contains five sets of reading the Bible in one year. Order the set and encourage four others to begin a yearly journey through the Bible. Athletes have coaches to help them train, and you and your friends can help keep each other stay on track for your imperishable wreath.

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (1 Corinthians 9:25).

Arlene Naasz

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women in Mission

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White as Snow

If you live where it snows and are like me, I get excited to see the snowflakes come down and cover the ground. Snow makes everything clean looking. But when the warmer weather arrives the snow melts and the ground may turn into a muddy mess.

Snow truly has a lesson for us because our sinfulness turns us into that “muddy mess.” Our God had an amazing plan to make us “as white as snow.” As His children we are forgiven by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus who died and rose to make us clean.

Today, think of snow and use it to remind you of Jesus and His love for you!

The devotion listed below is based upon these words: Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow (Isaiah 1:18a). You will find encouraging words that will bring back the meaning of being baptized and becoming a child of God.

White as Snow

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18a).

Karol Selle

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Start the New Year with Prayer

Happy New Year 2026!

The New Year is often a time to reflect on daily practices. One daily practice I plan to focus on in 2026 is prayer. The apostle Paul reminds us to be “constant in prayer” and to “pray without ceasing.” I keep a prayer journal next to my computer and jot down prayer requests I receive by email. I often pray for LWML volunteers and Office staff. This year I am committed to praying for each of our 2025–2027 mission grants. Our LWML Mission Grant Committee is writing mission grant resources that include prayer guides for each mission grant. All the information you need and suggestions for prayers are right at your fingertips. Won’t you join me in prayer this year?

I wish you a blessed New Year.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12). Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Debbie Yocky

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Tabernacled among us

John 1:14 says, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 is often translated as, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.,” but instead of the word “dwelt,” a more insightful translation is “tabernacled.” Think of all that happened in that Old Testament tent. It was the traveling presence of God. The Israelites offered sacrifices there. It housed the ark of the covenant. It was known as the tent of meeting, because God met Moses there. Jesus is the embodiment of the tabernacle. Jesus became flesh and tabernacled among us.

Diving into the study of God’s Word gives us new insights. We are drawn into a deeper relationship with God as we study His Word.

I want to encourage you to check out Donna Snow’s Bible study, One Extraordinary Night - Lutheran Women's Missionary League. It’s a great way to get closer to the One who tabernacled among us.

Rev. Michael J. Schmidt

Junior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women in Mission

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