Today's Mustard Seed Devotion

The Joy of Christmas: Family Ties

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Family Ties

In the Word

"For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:35).

Of the Word

The ties of family, the ties of friendship, the ties of love and affection keep us in relationship with one another. Where there is relationship among us, feelings and experiences are shared. Care and concern are shown. Help, support, and encouragement are given whenever they are needed.

Jesus was born among us to bring us into relationship with Him. When He stepped down from heaven and took on human form, He forged eternal ties between Himself and us. He came to express God's love, share the Good News of forgiveness and salvation, and show us how much our heavenly Father desires a vibrant, living bond with us. To make sure we know what kind of relationship He means, He calls us His brothers and sisters. He assures us of His friendship and His presence in our lives. He promises us His love and affection now and forever.

Our connection to Jesus opens another magnificent relationship, too, and that is an eternal relationship with one another. Through the glorious ties of faith in Him, we are more than friends today. We are family forever. What glorious ties! What a magnificent relationship!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, keep me ever connected to You in faith and love. Amen.

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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Posted on December 30, 2024 3:00 AM by System Administrator

The Joy of Christmas: Show and Tell

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Show and Tell

In the Word

Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous (1 John 3:7b).

Of the Word

Little children love show and tell at school. Even adults enjoy opportunities to show their projects at fairs and in hobby clubs.

In a way, Jesus was God's version of show and tell. He was born to tell us how our heavenly Father feels about us, how He wants us to live, and how we receive eternal life through Him. Along with the telling, Jesus showed us the character of God as He walked among people, healing them, feeding them, and caring about them. He told, and He showed. Many heard, saw, and believed. They brought the Gospel to others by telling them about Jesus Christ and by continuing His work of love, service, and compassion.

We are God's walking, talking show and tell. The special things we do for others show them God's presence. Our words of encouragement, kindness, and compassion tell of God's care and concern. Show and tell — it's the best gift we can give someone this Christmas or anytime.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, let my words and actions reflect Your unchanging love. Amen.

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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Posted on December 29, 2024 3:00 AM by System Administrator

The Joy of Christmas: Golden Opportunity

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Golden Opportunity

In the Word

Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11b).

Of the Word

We've heard the saying, "All that glitters is not gold." For sure, the holiday season has plenty of glitter! There's the glitter of ornaments, ribbons, and lights. There's the glitter of sequined clothes and sparkly jewelry, and the glitter of garlands draped across mantles and doorways.

Only a week or so after Christmas, though, the holiday glitter goes away. It's not gold, after all, and it's a far cry from the treasures laid at the feet of the newborn King by the Magi who had come to worship Him. These God-fearing Gentiles gave their treasures to express reverence and honor. Their gifts were the real thing.

Of exceedingly more value than their treasures, however, was the message the travelers brought back to their home country. They had met the Messiah! They had worshiped and adored Him! They had seen beyond the glitter of the world, beyond the value of their riches, education, and learning, and now they possessed the true treasure of the Gospel. The King of Kings was born!

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, bless me with the gift of knowing the true meaning of Your birth. Amen.

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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Posted on December 28, 2024 3:00 AM by System Administrator

The Joy of Christmas: Signs of Christmas

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Signs of Christmas

In the Word

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19).

Of the Word

Some will get to it sooner than others — putting away all the Christmas decorations, that is. The efficient will have everything Christmas back in storage right after New Year's or the day after Epiphany; the procrastinators may be packing ornaments and hiding Easter eggs at the same time. In either case, sooner or later, all signs of Christmas are gone.

Spiritually the same thing happens when the message of Christmas disappears, too. After the holidays, our attention shifts from the miracle of the Christ Child born among us to the daily routine of work and responsibilities. Goodwill may morph into negative feelings and strained relationships. Charity to the needy may take second place to generosity to ourselves.

No matter when the Christmas decorations are put away, the Holy Spirit makes a permanent place in our hearts for the true meaning of Christmas. He calls us to believe in the miracle of Jesus' birth, live in the love He gives, and serve with humility and joy. God's love in Jesus is the one thing we want to have with us all year long.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, let Your presence dwell in my heart at Christmas time and always. Amen.

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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Posted on December 27, 2024 3:00 AM by System Administrator

The Joy of Christmas: Family Time

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Family Time

In the Word

As God has said: "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Corinthians 6:16b).

Of the Word

Christmas is a family time. It can be seen in the number of cars parked in our neighbor's driveway or the extra groceries piled in baskets at the supermarket. When families gather for worship on Christmas they bring generations together, often filling up an entire church pew.

Throughout the Bible, God speaks of His desire to live in a family relationship with us. He invites us to call Him Father, and He continually calls us His sons and daughters, His children and heirs. He promised a Messiah to be born, the only One who could bring us into God's family through His death and resurrection. God's promise was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus and in His life, death, and resurrection. Through faith in Jesus, our place in God's family is secure, not just for the holidays, or until death, but forever.

For God's children, there's no such thing as an absent family, a broken family, or no family. At Christmas time and always, He is our loving Father and we are His beloved children. Because of Him, we have everything in the world to smile about.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for bringing me into the family of my heavenly Father. Amen.

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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Posted on December 26, 2024 3:00 AM by System Administrator

The Joy of Christmas: Christ is Born!

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Christ is Born!

In the Word

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

Of the Word

We love to hear about people of power and influence. We admire them and are inspired by them, but we often have a hard time identifying with them. We just can't imagine ourselves, with our weaknesses and limitations, being in their positions!

We can imagine ourselves, however, being born, living in a family, and experiencing joy and sorrow, companionship and loneliness, achievement and failure. After all, we're human! And so was Jesus. Though fully God, He was also fully human. It is through His humanity that we can embrace Him as our brother and our friend.

Christ is born! Because He was true man, He understands what it means to possess little influence and power in the world. He knows what it's like to feel pain and anxiety. He is Immanuel — God with us!

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, You are my brother and my friend. I cling to You for peace and comfort. Amen.

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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Posted on December 25, 2024 3:00 AM by System Administrator

The Joy of Christmas: The Message of Angels

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The Message of Angels

In the Word

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:13–14).

Of the Word

The Scriptures speak often of angels. The angel Gabriel announced Jesus' birth to Mary, and a chorus of angels sang praises in the skies over Bethlehem. Later, an angel warned Joseph to run to Egypt to escape King Herod's soldiers. The Bible often tells of angels protecting, guiding, warning, and informing God's people.

Angel means messenger, describing well the mission of the immortal spirits God created to carry out His will. God's people are also His messengers, sharing His Word and speaking messages of love and forgiveness. They help and encourage by reaching out to others, assisting in word and deed.

As children of God, we can use the gifts God has given us, touching lives in need and sharing His love and comfort.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, thank You for the times I'm privileged to be Your messenger to others. Amen.

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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Posted on December 24, 2024 3:00 AM by System Administrator

LWML — Lutheran Women in Mission

The Joy of Christmas: Family Ties

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Family Ties

In the Word

Of the Word

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The Joy of Christmas: Show and Tell

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Show and Tell

In the Word

Of the Word

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The Joy of Christmas: Golden Opportunity

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Golden Opportunity

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Of the Word

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The Joy of Christmas: Signs of Christmas

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Signs of Christmas

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The Joy of Christmas: Family Time

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Family Time

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Of the Word

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The Joy of Christmas: Christ is Born!

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Christ is Born!

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The Joy of Christmas: The Message of Angels

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The Message of Angels

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