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Life in the Blood

In the Word

Thus says the Lord, “By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood” (Exodus 7:17).

Of the Word

Dye can quickly change the color of water. Though the outward appearance may change, the chemical makeup never does. Even after adding dye, water is still water.

When Moses struck the Nile River with his staff, God did not just change the color of the water. He actually changed the water into blood. The Egyptians had no water for their crops or livestock. They could not use the blood for drinking or cleaning.

Unlike the blood of the Nile, which brought discomfort and death, the blood of Jesus brings life and salvation. Unlike dye poured into water or even water changed into blood, Jesus’ blood changes our whole being. His sacrifice changes both our hearts and our lives.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).

Walking with my Lord

God of all miracles, in Jesus’ blood I now have a new life as Your child. Change me, mold me, and use me in Your service here on earth. In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 22/28 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Yes! Praise

In the Word

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Of the Word

“We’re never quite sure what you’re saying,” staff members told their manager. The manager, eager to please everyone, rarely uttered an outright “yes” or “no” to employees’ questions. Her failure resulted not in a pleased staff, but employees left to guess what she wanted.

Christianity is clearly a “yes” religion. It doesn’t leave us wondering what it offers or where we stand with God. Jesus came not as “perhaps” the Messiah, but as “I am” the Messiah, the Christ. His “yes” to death on Calvary and His resurrection from the grave gives us certainty in our relationship with God, the Father. Jesus’ “yes,” His unchangeable and eternal “yes,” means His answer is still “yes” today. Yes to His Word. Yes to His forgiveness. Yes to His promise to remain with us, to work all things according to His will, to give us every spiritual blessing we need for this life.

Our Spirit-inspired response leads us to wholeheartedly respond “Amen” to His “yes.” “Amen” — yes, yes, it is so! — lets the lips of believers return glory and praise to God, the everlasting and unchanging “Yes.”

Walking with my Lord

Your “yes” gives me my confidence.
Your “yes” is my secure defense.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 14/32 ©2007, revised 2025 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®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Living in Faith: Looking to the Future

In the Word

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God" (Job 19:25–26).

Of the Word

Job was in agony. His strength had left him; all hope of recovery was gone. What was left? His only comfort was the living hope of seeing his Redeemer with his own eyes.

Perhaps Job could see himself, clothed with flesh, listening to the invitation of Christ, “'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'” (Matthew 25:34b).

Nothing helps a Christian through difficult days more than knowing that Jesus lives. Gloom may weigh us down, but glory waits. Job’s faith is the same faith we need when everything seems to fall apart. Can we look beyond our problems? Can we fix our thoughts on the day when we will see the Lord with eyes that see only misery and suffering today? Job looked into the future. We can, too!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, let me see Your Son on the glorious day of the resurrection and hear His invitation to the blessings of heaven. In His name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 30/30 ©2007, revised 2025 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®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Living in Faith: Relying on Our Heavenly Father’s Grace and Mercy

In the Word

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).

Of the Word

A German submarine sank a British freighter off Africa in 1941. The sub surfaced amid wreckage, lifeboats, and wounded men. When the British were ordered to board the sub, they thought they would be killed or captured. Instead, the German captain had his doctor treat their wounds. His crewmen repaired their lifeboats. He gave them food, water, wine, and tobacco, then set them on a course for the nearest land. They were not treated as enemies, but they were shown mercy.

We have not been treated as enemies of God. Because of our sin we deserve hell which is eternal separation from Him. The grave should swallow us, and we should sink into a sea of torment forever.

No, God has not dealt with us as we deserve. He put our sins on Christ and dealt with Christ. Our Father gave us what we have not deserved. God, who is full of grace and mercy, has given us a living hope.

Our wounds have been treated, and we have been clothed with Christ’s own holiness. He has set us on a course for heaven. That is the sweetest truth we will ever hear!

Walking with my Lord

I thank You, O God, for Your mercy toward me, a sinner. In Jesus’ most precious name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 25/30 ©2007, revised 2025 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®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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View the printable PDF of this devotion, Faith is … Relying on Our Heavenly Father’s Grace and Mercy

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Living in the Spirit: Gives Me Power

In the Word

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Of the Word

The storm crashed around the house. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, hail pounded against the windows. And then the power went out. The family huddled in darkness, fearing that the fierce winds would demolish their home. When morning came, they inspected the damages and prepared for the day. Breakfast? No power meant no hot coffee, no warm toast. The air was unbearably hot. No power meant no air conditioning. How had the rest of the city fared? No power meant no radio or TV to catch the news. No power to begin the ordinary routines of the day.

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, His disciples were without power. In fear and dismay, they deserted Him and ran. After His resurrection, Jesus met with them. He spoke to them, and their fears dissolved. They believed His words, and power was restored — power from the Holy Spirit.

Electric power outages are to be expected now and then, but never will we experience an outage of Spirit power. This is Jesus’ promise to us, His disciples of the twenty-first century.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. When I feel weak and helpless, remind me of the power that You and You alone can give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 2/30 ©2007, revised 2025 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®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Thy Will Be Done!

In the Word

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us (1 John 5:14).

Of the Word

When the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her she would have God’s Son, she could have doubted His words and run away, but instead she answered, “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). What trust and confidence for such a young person. What an example for us! Have you had opportunities to do as Mary and submit yourself to God’s will?

Even Jesus submitted His will to the will of His Father before He died on the cross. Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done (Luke 22:42). We also need to pray according to God’s will. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14–15).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father, help me to understand Your will and to remember to listen for the answers You provide in Your time and according to Your will. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 14/31 ©2005, revised 2025 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®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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Active Praise

In the Word

[Be] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11).

Of the Word

“Actions speak louder than words.” How true! And actions praise louder — and often more convincingly — than words when God’s love motivates the actions.

God’s love took action in Jesus Christ. Jesus lived God’s love for us in His suffering and death on the cross for our sins. His love brought us redemption and a new, living, and eternal relationship with God, our Father. We rightly praise Jesus for His act of love on our behalf. We doubly praise Him when we put our praise in action by keeping His command to serve others. That’s active praise.

It costs something, however, to practice active praise. It can cost convenience. Time. Resources. Personal preferences. It can cost the opportunity to do something far more glamorous and lucrative. Yet service motivated by praise keeps on serving. Why? Because Jesus’ love neither stopped for His convenience, nor required the recognition and applause of others. Jesus’ example shows what active love looks like. In Him, let your actions show forth His praise!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, work in me Your active love; let everything I do proclaim
My thanks for all You’ve done for me, with praise-in-action in Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 3/32 ©2007, revised 2025 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®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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