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The Perfect Gift

In the Word

… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, … (Romans 3:23–24).

Of the Word

No matter how well we know someone, finding the perfect gift can be a real challenge. Will we give something needed or look for a one-of-kind gift guaranteed to bring delight? Sometimes the perfect gift is just too expensive. Maybe a gift card is the best choice.

Out of love, God sent Jesus, His one and only Son, to give us the gift of forgiveness. He is the perfect size. He easily fits into any heart and can be taken everywhere. He is the perfect gift for any age — from conception through the day we are called home. In fact, He is the only gift that comes with a heavenly guarantee. His lifetime guarantee promises a life with Him for all eternity, and it costs absolutely nothing. However, there was a price, and it was high. It was paid by Christ Himself when He died to take away all of our sins. Lovingly, He sends to us His Holy Spirit to provide the faith to believe in Him. Jesus! Truly the Perfect Gift!

Walking with my Lord

Gracious God, I thank You for the gift of salvation given to me through Your Son Jesus. What comfort it is to know how much I am loved! In His perfect name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 2/28 ©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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A New Kind of Math

In the Word

“‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh” (Mark 10:7–8).

Of the Word

When two separate lives are united by one loving God, the miracle of becoming one flesh occurs. This change can be challenging, but it is all-important.

Perhaps you remember cheering your team with the phrase, “We’re number one!” When you spoke those words, they may have been true or they may have been wishful thinking. In a God-centered marriage the phrase changes to, “We’re one!” These words are not merely wishful thinking. They are God’s truth found in His Word. When a man and a woman marry, they become a life-long team.

When the couple’s new team is coached by God, they will discover day by day how two lives become one flesh. Becoming one flesh means “we” is more important than “me.” God powerfully showed His love for us by sending His Son. It is this love of our Father that makes it possible for us to set aside our own wants and comforts to truly become one in Him.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, draw us closer to You, Your Word, and each other. Make us truly one! Coach us through Your Word so we may be a joy to each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 1/28 ©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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Starting Out – Suit Up

In the Word

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ put on Christ (Galatians 3:27).

Of the Word

Many different kinds of running clothes are made by a variety of companies. These brand names adorn the runner from head to foot and everything in between. Running gear may be chosen for attractiveness, functionality, or price; but chances are, something you wear while running boasts a brand name.

While God doesn’t care about clothing brand names, He does care about what we wear. In fact, He gave us clothing to wear at all times while we run the race of life. Saint Paul wrote those who were baptized into Christ put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). In other words, He clothes us with His own righteousness. We are, in fact, covered head to toe with Jesus!

Jesus has a specific purpose for the clothing He gave us. When we put on Christ each day, we should be showing Him to others. Our thoughts, words, and actions can all reflect His righteousness. So instead of becoming a billboard for popular clothing brands, become a billboard of Christ’s love. From head to feet and everything in between, show the love of Christ to the world.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, through my baptism, You have clothed me with righteousness. As I put on Christ each day, help me to reflect that righteousness to the world around me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 3/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40196

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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Starting Out – Staying Nourished

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

A healthy lifestyle cannot be based on exercise alone. Not too many people would be inclined to eat a bag of chips or a pound of chocolate and then go for a run. Besides the stomachache that would slow you down, it doesn’t make sense to eat unhealthy food while trying to get healthy.

So what is the healthiest, most nourishing, and satisfying food we can eat? No fruit, vegetable, or even Greek yogurt can compare to the food God offers through His Son, Jesus Christ. This food is not the bread and fish Jesus used to feed the five thousand (Matthew 14:13–21), or the breakfast He prepared for His disciples after His resurrection (John 21:1–14). The life-sustaining food God gives us is Jesus Himself.

Jesus said “I am the living bread” (John 6:51a). In the Sacrament of the Altar, believers have the opportunity to partake of this food while receiving the benefits of the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Christ’s body and blood sacrificed and given to us will not only give us strength to live a new earthly life, but it will continue to sustain us on through eternity.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing living bread through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Continue to nourish and sustain me through this life to life everlasting. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 2/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40196

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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Starting Out — Staying Hydrated

In the Word

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10 NIV).

Of the Word

Ask anyone who does any type of physical exercise what the single most important thing needed is and the answer will be … water. Exercise apps and the music playlist are nice to have, but without drinking enough water serious problems can occur.

Jesus also knew this. After walking in the desert heat, He was thirsty and asked a Samaritan woman for water. He told her the kind of water all people should be asking for is living water.

You see, when we drink earthly water we will be thirsty again. But Jesus offers His people everything they need through the gift of the Holy Spirit in the waters of Baptism. In those waters we receive life, salvation, and the forgiveness of sins. And in those waters we are washed clean. And it is in those waters we will be truly refreshed.

Let us follow the advice of Jesus, asking Him for this living water. Not only will we have enough to keep us satisfied on this earth, but it will be enough to last us to eternity.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Jesus, refresh me with Your living water so that I may be strengthened through Your Spirit to share with others the refreshing words of salvation that come from You. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 1/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40196

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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Comfort from Others

In the Word

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

Of the Word

Reaching a new level of pain we cry out, “I never knew I could hurt this much!” It doesn’t matter if it is mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual pain. It hurts! And often in our pain we try to isolate ourselves from others. While this isolation is understandable, it may not be the best thing for us.

God has placed us in caring Christian communities because He does not mean for us to live a solitary life. Those around us may have also experienced hurt and suffering. They may not know exactly how we feel, but having received God’s comfort they are able to comfort us.

This loving comfort is something God expects us to share with each other. When we have been comforted, this enables us to pass it on. In turn, when we are hurting we must learn to allow others to share God’s comfort with us.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, thank You for providing a way for Your people to share Your comfort with each other. Help me to be comforting to others when I can and to willingly receive comfort when I am hurting. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 3/30 ©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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Do Not Lose Heart

In the Word

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Of the Word

It is easy to get discouraged when we hurt. Simply having someone tell us to “hang in there” or “keep a stiff upper lip” is not enough. We may want to be strong, but when the pain comes it can overwhelm us.

How can we not lose heart when we feel like we are wasting away? Paul advised the Corinthian believers to be renewed daily. We, too, can take advantage of the ways in which God makes His grace available.

Remember Baptism. God is at work claiming us as His dearly loved children, putting His name on us, and washing away our sins.

Spend time in His Word. Reflect on the promise and the message of forgiveness, life, and salvation that Jesus accomplished for everyone.

Receive His love and mercy in the Lord’s Supper. In this meal Jesus gives us His body and blood that were offered on the cross, assuring us of the forgiveness and acceptance He earned for us.

God’s strength is available to us, and His desire is for us to be renewed in it.

Walking with my Lord

Renew me, O eternal Light, and let my heart and soul be bright. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 2/30 ©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.

“Renew Me, O Eternal Light” by Johann Fredrick Ruopp. Public domain.

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