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A Family Mourns

In the Word

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21).

Of the Word

The loss of a dear family member leaves a gaping hole in life. When a loved one is suddenly gone, emptiness follows. It fills the house, the schedule, even the heart. If only that dear one would not have died! This is what Martha was feeling. She would not be experiencing this void in her life if only the Lord had kept her brother from dying.

Dealing with death is tough. Emptiness and grief are tough. Jesus knows this and comes to us in those times. His temporary answer for Martha’s brother was to bring him back to life, only to die again. His answer for us lies in His enduring words to Martha — and to us, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25b). Even in grief, Jesus brings life, filling emptiness with resurrection hope day by day unto eternity. Present pain will be erased in heaven on reunion day.

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, help me in my time of grief. The emptiness and sorrow that I am feeling are difficult. Fill me with the hope of Your promise of life and resurrection. In Your holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 14/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197

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

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Dealing with the Shock of Death

In the Word

And there followed [Jesus] a great multitude of people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him (Luke 23:27).

Of the Word

As Jesus was being led away to be crucified, the community was in shock. Mourning and lamenting ensued. From triumph to tragedy, He was being led out of the city to die. Things had changed so quickly.

When news breaks of unexpected, often tragic, deaths in a community, the shock spreads rapidly. The lives of police officers, firefighters, public officials, even innocent children can be ended suddenly while going about their daily routines. Communities are shaken to the core in the wake of such deadly tragedies.

Coping with tragic community deaths is difficult. But Jesus understands such circumstances. He walked in them. He died for them. In the midst of mourning and lamenting He brings hope and consolation. St. Peter reminds us, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). Tragic times call for transcending faith in Jesus who overcame death so we can spend eternity with Him.

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, help me to cope with death and tragedy in my community, looking to You for hope and consolation because You went the way of the cross for me and for my salvation. In Your holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 13/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, 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 by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Unchanging in a Changing World

In the Word

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22–23).

Of the Word

In our modern world we pretty much take for granted that things eventually come to an end. Products we once used and liked suddenly are no longer available. Familiar buildings get torn down. In the technology world, phones, computers, and other devices are continually being replaced with something faster and better. Even loving relationships may come to an end.

But our great God never changes! His love never ends! His mercies go on and on and on! He is always faithful and is always with us! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

God demonstrated His love for us when He gave Jesus as a sacrifice on the cross. By believing in Him we will forever bask in His love in heaven. God loves us so much that He gave us His Holy Spirit to live within us and guide us all of our days. These assurances are to be trusted; they will always stay the same.

A Point to Ponder: I will make time today to meditate on the great love God has for me. 

Walking with my Lord

Loving Lord, so many things in my life have changed. I rejoice that You are unchanging — the same today, tomorrow, and forever. In Jesus’ name I give You thanks. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Word: Wisdom for Living. Authors: Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer. 15/32 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40198

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

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The Power of God’s Peace

In the Word

May the LORD bless his people with peace! (Psalm 29:11b).

Of the Word

In the hurry-up busyness of our world, the peace and quiet we seek is often impossible to find. The relaxation of a vacation ends and soon we are right back to the daily race. We go as fast as we can, but the to-do list we wrote for ourselves isn’t completed before the day ends!

The peace God offers to us is different from the calm and tranquility we seek in our everyday lives. God’s peace is an inner peace that assures us of His protection, the peace that promises He will be with us always, the peace of knowing God hears our prayers. It is the blessed assurance that through Jesus Christ we have eternal life. The peace we search for in the world will never be able to offer us that!

“Peace I [Jesus] leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

A Point to Ponder: How can I make time each day for quiet, peaceful moments with Jesus?

Walking with my Lord

Father, please bless me with the peace that only You can bring into my life, the peace that comes from knowing I am under Your protection. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Word: Wisdom for Living. Authors: Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer. 14/32 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40198

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

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It’s Time

In the Word

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: … a time to keep, and a time to cast away (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6b).

Of the Word

Into everyone’s life comes the day when the realization hits that “stuff” has to go! It can be the attic, garage, kitchen, desk, wardrobe, or whatever else it is that has an overabundance of accumulation. The big decisions now are, “What shall I keep?” and “What shall I cast away?”

Our lives are somewhat the same with accumulated discouragements, resentments, regrets, or angers, all of which lead to spiritual sickness. This is the day to start casting them out of our lives for good. Our faithful Father is waiting to help us do just that because He knows we are helpless to do it on our own.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory… (Ephesians 3:20–21a NIV).

A Point to Ponder: How can I let go of what happened in the past and live in the present?

Walking with my Lord

Lord, through the help of Your Holy Spirit free me from any bitterness in my life. Help me to live with joy for today and trust for the future. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Word: Wisdom for Living. Authors: Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer. 13/32 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40198

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, 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 by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Unexpected Results

In the Word

… grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18b).

Of the Word

What does grace taste like?
A donut

While his classmates enjoyed a field trip, a third grader had to spend the day in the principal’s office because of overdue work. That afternoon, the principal remembered she’d promised a reward to some students, so she quickly ordered donuts.

The principal took one extra to the boy in her office. “What is this?” she asked. Confused, he answered, “A donut?” “No,” she said. “This is grace. You do not deserve it. You did not earn it. But I’m giving it to you.”

Three years later the principal drove the boy home from camp because he had misbehaved. On the long ride home she handed him a snack, she asked, “What is this?” “Grace!” he quickly replied.

We need God’s daily grace. We are changed by it. … grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18b). His eternal grace is better than a donut!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the grace You give me day after day. Help me remember it and share it with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 14/29 ©2011 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, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Forever Clean

In the Word

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4).

Of the Word

Imagine being buried in the sand at the beach. It sounds like fun until the weight of the sand becomes oppressive. When your friends pull you out, your first inclination is to jump into the water to be washed clean of all that sand. But getting clean on a sandy beach is nearly impossible. No matter how many times you dunk under water, the sand still clings somewhere on your body.

Without the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, our lives would be buried in sin. No matter how hard we tried, no amount of washing would make us clean. Sin would cling to us like that beach sand. But through His sacrifice on the cross we have been given a new life.

What a gift we have in Baptism! Through the water and God’s almighty Word we have been washed clean. Christ died to remove the filth of sin forever. We remember our Baptism daily as we enjoy the new life we have been given. We will never be hopelessly buried in sin again!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for cleaning my life in this powerful, mysterious, and effective way. Thank You for daily walking with me in my new life. In Your precious name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 11/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40195

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

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