Listen to this devotion

Perfect Plans

In the Word

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Of the Word

Few things are as carefully planned as a wedding. From the bride’s dress to the cake and decorations, every detail is thoughtfully selected. Sometimes, despite months of careful planning, things do not go as expected. A flat tire, a fainting bridegroom, or a bad storm can instantly change the carefully thought-out plan. We simply are not able to predict what the day may bring!

The good news is our loving Lord knows the plans He has for us. He reveals them to us when we need to know them and not before. Sometimes we want to take control of the planning, but our plans are best left in God’s loving hands.

Be at peace as you place your marriage in God’s care, knowing you can trust Him. His plans are perfect. His plans are to give you a future and a hope both here on earth and for eternity in heaven through faith in Jesus Christ. When husband and wife as one place their marriage in God’s hands, they can celebrate together the future God has planned for them.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, give me the peace of knowing my future is secure because of Your loving sacrifice. Fill me with hope as I trust Your plans. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 9/28 ©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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

The Always-Open Hand

In the Word

You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:16).

Of the Word

A child takes food from a parent’s hand. An aged parent is fed with a spoon held in the hand of a loving caregiver. A family pet eats from the hand of its master. Each is evidence of a bond, a connection, a trust relationship.

We are fed daily by the hand of our Heavenly Father. He provides seeds for the farmer who plants and harvests. He has equipped the skilled cooks who prepare the food. From His hand to our mouths, God provides. We join the Psalmist in saying, You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:16).

When families gather for a meal, it is important to thank God for all He has provided. He wants us to have that intimate trust relationship with Him. We can share more than food; we can share the hope we have in Jesus Christ as a redeemed child of God.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for opening Your hand and satisfying my needs. Remind me that You are always at my table. Help me to focus on Your goodness and to trust You for all things. In Your gracious name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 8/28 ©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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

View the printable PDF of this devotion, The Always-Open Hand

Listen to this devotion

What’s for Dinner?

In the Word

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:24–25).

Of the Word

Mothers may dread hearing the question, “What’s for dinner?” They know the answer will please some and disappoint others. Family dinners can be a great reminder of God’s goodness no matter what is being served.

God could have had all the food look or taste the same, but He created bright red watermelons and tomatoes, purple grapes and cabbage, green beans and lettuce, orange pumpkins and carrots.

God gave us taste buds so we could experience salty, sweet, and sour. He gave us the desire for food so we could receive the nutrients we need, just as we receive spiritual nutrition through Jesus’ body and blood shed for us on the cross and given to us in the Lord’s Supper. He offers to us both this physical and spiritual nutrition and says, “Enjoy!”

God wants us to recognize and enjoy His goodness when we come together. This will only happen if we see all this as a gift from God. So what’s for dinner? An opportunity to see and taste God’s goodness again!

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for the food You provide from Your bounty. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 7/28 ©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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Faith is Living Life as a Procession of Triumph

In the Word

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Of the Word

When the opponents of 17th century British author, John Bunyan, were trying to silence him, they offered him the choice of renouncing his faith or serving a term in prison. He chose the latter and spent twelve years in the Bedford jail. Of that experience he said, “I have determined, the Almighty God being my help and shield, yet to suffer … rather than violate my faith and principles.” Out of Bunyan’s imprisonment came the great literary work Pilgrim’s Progress. What a blessing!

That was what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote, But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession … (2 Corinthians 2:14a). That was the spirit of Paul. His life was a series of hardships, but he regarded them as blessings. He was able to remain thankful because he knew that God was leading him.

We may be facing all kinds of hardships, yet because of our faith we can be content in spirit. Our reward: God is with us. Our life becomes a triumphal procession when it is lived in Christ.

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, in all situations and circumstances, give me faith that is stronger than steel and more durable than diamonds. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 21/30 ©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. 

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Now Thank We All Our God

In the Word

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! (Psalm 105:1–2).

Of the Word

Now thank we all our God With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, In whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms Has blest us on our way
With countless gifts of love And still is ours today.

One essential part of our worship is thanksgiving. This hymn reminds us to thank our God “With hearts and hands and voices.” We offer our whole selves in thanking Him for all His blessings.

Those blessings include life, home, health, peace, grace, and guidance. Most importantly, we thank God for a new life in Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. We thankfully acknowledge His work of salvation in our lives and look forward to living with our Savior God in heaven forever.

“All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heav’n, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.”

Walking with my Lord

I give You hearty thanks, gracious God, for Your innumerable gifts to me! Thank You for all the people You have given as blessings in my life. Most of all, I thank You for the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life in Jesus. In His bountiful name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 11/31. Hymn Text: LSB 895. ©2011, revised 2024 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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

View the printable PDF of this devotion, Now Thank We All Our God

Listen to this devotion

Romance: Keeping the Spark Alive

In the Word

He: O you who dwell in the gardens, with companions listening for your voice; let me hear it. She: Make haste my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices (Song of Solomon 8:13–14).

Of the Word

“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.” This quote by Martin Luther was written at a time when husbands left the house to work and wives stayed home. Even though this scenario may be less common today, the intended advice is still excellent. It takes two to keep romance alive!

A romantic interaction is not determined by location, food, clothing, or ambiance. These things can certainly add to the experience, but they don’t necessarily add up to romance.

Care for your spouse throughout the day. Speak as the Lover and Beloved did in the Song of Songs, and romance is in the air wherever you are. What makes your mate feel special? How can you show your love? Be intentional in giving those things and watch your romance flourish!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, You created marriage as a relationship of love. Help me to show love to my spouse in meaningful ways throughout the day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 6/28 ©2008, revised 2024 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.

Martin Luther quoted from Proverbia.net.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email

Listen to this devotion

Alone Time: A Time to Refresh and Rejuvenate

In the Word

In these days he [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God (Luke 6:12).

Of the Word

No matter how much you love each other and enjoy being together, there are times when you want (and need) to be apart. That doesn't only mean apart, but alone. “Alone time” gives you time to consider relationships, to pray, to consider what you value most in life. It helps you get “centered.”

For Christians, being “centered” revolves around repentance and forgiveness, understanding that Christ is our very life. Having a period of rest and solitude, in turn, will enrich time spent with your spouse. Encouraging each other to spend time alone is a gift as genuine as any you might give. Allow these special alone moments for God, through His Word, to renew, refresh, and rejuvenate each of you.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord of the Sabbath, You are our Sabbath rest and our hearts will not rest until they rest in You. Give us courage to be alone with You and Your Word. Refresh our hearts through repentance and forgiveness in order that we might enjoy life to the fullest. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: With this Ring. Authors: Rev. Wes and Deaconess Sonja Baumeister. 5/28 ©2008, revised 2024 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

All quoted Scripture is 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.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email