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Ashes

A devotion for Ash Wednesday
 

In the Word

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:13–14).

Of the Word

The flames shot hundreds of feet high, lighting up the night sky. At 3 a.m. the bright-as-day sky woke us up. Our neighbor’s house was on fire! Thankfully, no one was living there; the owner had moved away.

The fire was frightening in its ferociousness. The century-old home built with resin-filled heart pine seemed to explode with red-hot flames. Firefighters blasted the blaze with water, but the fire burned out of control. We stood there powerless, watching the beautiful home burn to the ground. For days, wiry tendrils of smoke rose from the wet pile of acrid ash.

Smelly, dirty ash will be smeared on our foreheads today in the sign of the cross. As we begin our Lenten journey, we remember those repugnant, smelly sins we are powerless to extinguish. We look in faith to our sin-bearing Savior, whose Lenten journey led to the cross and to final victory over death. Jesus saves us with His life-giving, love-flowing, sin-quenching water (John 4:14).

Walking with my Lord

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy (Psalm 103:2–4). We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
 

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.

Mustard Seed: Ashes by Christine Weerts, Selma, Alabama.
Copyright© 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
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Mardi Gras — A Day for Cleansing

A devotion for Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
 

In the Word

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Of the Word

Today is Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the last day of the season of Epiphany. The name is likely a reference to the way Christians used up their cooking fat and other perishable ingredients, cleansing their homes in preparation for the Lenten fast. Today some celebrate by making and eating donuts or pancakes. For others, it is a day for partying and even debauchery, but for Christians, the festivities of this day are a reminder of the forgiveness we have in Christ.

Another name for Mardi Gras is Shrove Tuesday. On this day, penitents confessed their sins and received absolution. We have the clear promise of God in 1 John 1:9 that when we confess our sins to Him, He not only forgives us but cleanses us completely. Mardi Gras celebrations and preparations are temporary; God’s grace, forgiveness, and cleansing through Christ’s sacrifice are eternal!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, You are faithful and forgiving. Lead us to repent of our sins and receive Your forgiveness and perfect cleansing through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.
 

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.

Mustard Seed: Mardi Gras – A Day for Cleansing by Ruth Badciong, Winona, Minnesota
Copyright© 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
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A Peaceful and Quiet Life

A devotion for Presidents’ Day
 

In the Word

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

Of the Word

Today is a day when we can remember with thanksgiving former leaders of our country who served faithfully in their vocations. It is also a day when we remember to pray for our current leaders. It can be tempting at times to agonize over what our leaders will or will not do. It can also be tempting to think that our safety, security, and future are subject to the right or wrong decisions that our leaders make. This is not true.

God is the one we trust with our safety, security, and future. God uses godly and wicked leaders alike to care for His people. This sets us free to live peaceful and quiet lives while we pray for our leaders. We have no need to worry over what our leaders will or will not do. We can commend them to God’s care and direction and live the lives into which God has placed us. We can serve in our vocations peacefully because Jesus has put us at peace with God through His death and resurrection. 

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, thank You for the leaders You have given to care for us. Guide them to do Your will and guide us to live peacefully in the vocations in which You have placed us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
 

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.

Mustard Seed: A Peaceful and Quiet Life by Deaconess Joanna Lee, McDonald, Pennsylvania
Copyright© 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
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Strength for the Caregiver

In the Word

I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Of the Word

The psalmist asks, From where does my help come? As a caregiver I frequently come to a low point and wonder the same thing as the psalmist: What next? The psalmist answers his own question, My help comes from the Lord … (Psalm 121:1b–2a). My courage returns when God reminds me that He is my Help.

Staying immersed in God’s Word buoys my spirit as a caregiver because of the surety of God’s promises. God assures me, “call upon me in the day of trouble,” then promises “I will deliver you” (Psalm 50:15a). God is not promising us that trouble will go away, but He is promising His help. I can accomplish even the most difficult tasks with Him by my side.

The words of the psalmist were the hymns of his day. Today’s hymns and spiritual songs flow with words of trust, confidence, and praise. I am comforted as I read them, sing them, or pray them. I hold them dear because they remind me that God does indeed promise to give me strength.

Walking with my Lord

Loving God, You are my Help and Strength. I call upon You in every need. May I always be anchored to the truth of Your Word that assures me I will, with Your help, be able to accomplish what I must do. May my actions reflect Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Marilyn Sagehorn. 16/32 ©2009 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®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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This is Love

A devotion for Valentine's Day
 

In the Word

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).

Of the Word

Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14, is a day to show love to others. Thoughtful gifts, candy, flowers, cards, or a romantic dinner are often part of our Valentine’s Day celebration. Confusion results from investigating facts from the third century BC since there seems to have been multiple Saint Valentines. The commonly held theory is that Roman Emperor Claudius II thought more men would volunteer for his army if they were not married, so he outlawed marriage. In sympathy with the love-struck soldiers, Saint Valentine was known to conduct weddings secretly at night. All these stories end with Saint Valentine being executed on February 14. This is not exactly what we associate with love and Valentine’s Day today!

Thankfully, we have clear descriptions of love in the Bible. 1 John 4:10 tells us the one true God is full of love for us. He sent His Son to resolve His anger with man by being the perfect sacrifice for our sins. In Baptism, we have put on Christ’s death and resurrection making us God’s beloved children. As His children, we will spend eternity with Him in heaven. That is love!

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, we thank You for showing us Your love by forgiving our sins and welcoming us as Your children. Help us to love others by sharing Your plan for salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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.

Mustard Seed: Valentine’s Day by Martha Hartwig, Robins, Iowa.
Copyright© 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
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Joy in forgiveness

In the Word

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).

Of the Word

Joseph’s brothers hated him enough to plan murder. He felt their hatred as they taunted him about his dreams, threw him into a deep pit, accepted the traders’ coins, and sent him into slavery (Genesis 37). Years passed and God did not forget Joseph. Instead He elevated him to a high position in Egypt. How easy it would have been for Joseph to repay evil for evil when his hungry brothers appeared before him. Instead, he forgave them. Yes, he tested their hearts and motives, but he forgave them and remained faithful to God. Only because of God’s grace could he forgive all that his brothers had done (Genesis 45).

How can we forgive those who hate us and hurt us? It is only by God’s grace. It is only because in Christ, God has forgiven us. The sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary gives full coverage for our sins — for all of our sins. We are forgiven by God in order to be forgiving to others.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, forgiving others is not easy for me. I often want to pay back and hold grudges. Give me a kind and compassionate heart so that I, by Your grace, can forgive others as You have forgiven me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 18/30 ©2005 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®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Joy in our differences

In the Word

They had no further objections and praised God … (Acts 11:18b NIV).

Of the Word

Every eye was upon the young man as he walked into the church. His clothing was black and loaded with chains, his hair spiked and brightly dyed. What was he doing here? First impressions often reflect personal fears and prejudices. That fact is neither new nor unique to our society.

In the time of David his youthfulness was used as an excuse to doubt his success against Goliath (1 Samuel 17). During Jesus’ ministry His message was discounted because of His father’s occupation. Is not this the carpenter’s son? (Matthew 13:55a). What then makes “good” Christians? What do they look like?

Consider Galatians 3:26–28: For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Christians have faith in Christ. They look like God’s people, whether in boots or sandals, bald headed or braided.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, forgive me when I forget that all people are precious to You. When personal prejudices and poor first impressions turn me away from loving my neighbor, remind me that, in Christ, we are one. In His name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 17/30 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

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