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Do You Have the "What Ifs"?

In the Word

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).

Of the Word

“Fear” is a four-letter word that can wreak havoc on a person’s life! The fear of the unknown, the fear of the unseen, the fear that comes from the “what ifs.” These fears can turn a person from a believer into a doubter, or an optimist into a pessimist. Fear turns people into victims.

What do we fear? Often, we fear failure, heights, disease, rejection, war, death, what others may think about us, and on goes the list. Fear in our minds, it seems, lurks around every corner.

The Lord is my light. How often have I repeated the first verse of David’s Psalm 27 when I have encountered fear! The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? He’s the light that shines in the darkness, the light that acts as my guide in times of trouble, my beacon as I go along life’s path.

The Lord is my salvation. Isaiah 12:2a says, Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid. There is no need to fear as our salvation has been secured through Christ shedding His blood on the cross for us. His resurrection assures me that someday I will rise and be with Him forever.

The Lord is my strength. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He holds me in His strong hands whenever I feel weak and afraid. He strengthens me as I put my trust in Him. 

Light. Salvation. Strength. The Lord is all of these and more — so why am I so afraid?

I began to ask the Lord to free me from my fears and to trust Him. God’s Word from Romans 8:38–39 became my powerful weapon against fear: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. God will do away with our fears and the “what ifs” in life. We need only to trust Him. Draw upon Scripture to help chase away fear!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, help me chase fear away. I know You are my light when my world seems so dark, frightening, and depressing. You are my strength when I am weary and feel I cannot go on. Most importantly, You are my salvation and my hope for eternity. Help me to trust You at all times. In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

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Living in the Spirit … Leads Me to God's Word

In the Word

Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens (Psalm 119:89 NIV).

Of the Word

"Do I actually have to READ the Bible?" "I read the Bible once so I know it." "My Bible has old-fashioned words in it and I don't understand them." "I'm not a good reader." "I don't have time to read the Bible."

Would the persons who made the above comments say the same thing about food? "Do I actually have to eat?" "I ate once; I know what it's like." "I'm not a good eater." "I don't have time to eat." We would laugh at that kind of reasoning, but the same kinds of excuses are often used for neglecting the reading of God's Word. It is the Word that provides spiritual nourishment for daily life.

God wants us to READ the Bible so we can learn of His grace. Reading it just once is not enough. Contemporary English versions and Bible audio recordings make reading easier. Is time the issue? Ask God to slow you down so that you make time for Him in your busy schedule. Time with God may just become the best part of your day!

Walking with my Lord

Father God, Your Word tells me Jesus opened the minds of His followers so they could understand the Scriptures. Please fill me with Your Spirit of understanding and give me a burning desire to read Your Word. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 18/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations 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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Bread of Life

In the Word

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (John 6:51).

Of the Word

The little tremor begins deep down inside and then grows into a full crescendo of nervous twitches and profuse sweating. You know what I’m talking about, the moments before stepping up on the scale so that the doctor can measure your weight.

After the last weigh-in, the doctor put me on the “no-white” diet. He said not to eat anything white, including one of my favorite things, bread. In the morning when seven-grain bread is being toasted to enjoy with butter and coffee, or when the smell of homemade flour tortillas drifts through the air, it is tough to be on this “no-white” thing!

There are so many things that are not good for us, but seem so “tasty and enjoyable.” This can also be the case for our spiritual lives. We can become so addicted to the “food” of this world that when the Lord uses His scales to weigh our lives on the last day, nervous twitches and profuse sweating might come to our minds.

But wait! There is good news! Jesus came to be living bread. He came to suffer and die for all the times we have transgressed. He has given us bread to eat that is heavenly; bread that is good for us and strengthens us for life everlasting. This bread, given to us in the Lord’s Supper, is Jesus’ very own body. He commits this perfect food to energize the task of restoring us, especially when we fall off of our spiritual diets.

God has done all things necessary to restore a fallen world and a sinful humanity by giving His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross of Calvary to accomplish the task. But the story didn’t end there. On Easter morning, there was Christ’s resurrection. As John 6:51a says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” Feasting on the bread in the Lord’s Supper, that is Christ, we receive life.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You that You are the Bread of Life who feeds and nourishes my soul. Keep my mind and heart away from the junk food of life that will only make my soul sick. Help me to daily feed on the Bread of Life, Your dear Son, Jesus — through whom You have given new life to Your creation and to all of us. Amen.

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OUT of Darkness INTO the LIGHT OF JESUS!

The HOLY SPIRIT keeps us focused on Jesus, our comfort and joy!

In the Word

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”(John 20:19).

Of the Word

When a dear one dies, fear and despair lurk at our heart’s door. That must be how the disciples felt when Jesus died. Huddled behind locked doors, the temptation to give up hope was strong.

But the night before Jesus was crucified, He promised, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. … He remains with you and is in you. … you will not be left all alone” (John 14:16, 17a, 17c, 18a GNT). And then — the resurrected Lord Jesus Himself came to that locked room to reassure the disciples before He returned to heaven.

Present-day disciples cling to the same promise. The same Holy Spirit lives with us and in us. The Spirit comes to us in God’s Word and Sacraments. The Spirit creates faith and trust. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NIV).

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, thank You for the Holy Spirit. By Your Spirit’s power I know You and trust You. Forgive me when my faith falters and I feel afraid and hopeless. Renew me each day with the warmth of Your love. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 12/30  ©2007 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

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

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Living in the Spirit … Helps Me to Pray

In the Word

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us … (Romans 8:26b NIV).

Of the Word

Sometimes our hearts and minds are unable to put prayers into words. How thankful we can be that the Holy Spirit speaks for us, interceding on our behalf!

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18a NIV). Praying in the Spirit means that we are praying for God's will to be done in our lives. The Holy Spirit guides us, reminding us that God wants us to pray at any time, in any place, about any need. We can be confident that our loving God hears every prayer, no matter how large or small the request may be.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Walking with my Lord

Father God, I rejoice knowing that You are always ready to listen to me, no matter what I bring to You. The Holy Spirit brings my prayers to Your ears. Thank You for this gift. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 17/30 ©2007 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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Living in the Spirit … Brings About Christian Unity

In the Word

"God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you're from — if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open" (Acts 10:34b–35 MSG).

Of the Word

No color, race, or language barriers will exist in heaven. Class distinctions, income levels, and immigration policies will be things of the past. All Christians will be first-class citizens of heaven.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household … (Ephesians 2:19). We will be in heaven because the Holy Spirit brought us to faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

He [God] saved us, … by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior … (Titus 3:5b–6). We will be in heaven because Christ brought us together through his death on the cross (Ephesians 2:16a MSG). We will be one people — God's people!

Walking with my Lord

Father, living with You in heaven in peace and harmony with all who have loved You here on earth is something I can scarcely comprehend. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit and Your Son. In His name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 16/30 ©2007 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 MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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Household Chores: Who will do what?

In the Word

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people ...  (Ephesians 6:7 NIV).

Of the Word

You've moved into your first home together, and it doesn't take long until the dishes, the laundry, and the yard all need attention. How will you decide who takes care of each of these responsibilities?

Consider beginning your discussion with how things were done when you were growing up and how they should be done now (since that impacts your view on who should do them). Be prepared to compromise (after all, no one really likes to clean toilets!!), and be flexible. You may need to renegotiate after trying it out for awhile. If you feel you are being put upon or left out, be honest as you share that with your spouse.

When finding it necessary to do one of the chores you particularly dislike, think about the words of the Apostle Paul: Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people … (Ephesians 6:7 NIV).

When you serve your spouse, you are truly serving God, showing love to both through your actions.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for all the material blessings You give to us. Help us to care not only for the things, but for the one with whom we share them. Teach us to serve You by serving one another. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 18/28 ©2008 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations 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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