Candy Hearts is a meditative dfevotion, written by Martha Hartwig, Robins, Iowa. Lutheran Women in Mission. lwml.org

A short devotion about Matthew 10:28–31, exploring our perception of sparrows and emphasizing God's love and care for each of us.

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34).

On Christmas Day, many churches will read the Christmas story from one of the Gospels as well as a section of the book of Exodus. On the surface, it sounds like an odd pairing. This devotion explores why this portion of Exodus is often chosen as the Old Testament reading for Christmas.

His Christmas Presence, written by Michele Doel, Burlington, North Dakota Copyright © 2023 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.

This devotion on struggles and challenges is a hymn study on Abide With Me.

Life has a perplexing way of presenting all kinds of challenges and struggles for us. Though we understand that God is with us every moment of our lives, we, as humans, tend to need support, comfort, and encouragement. The hymn, "Abide with Me," reminds us that there will be challenges and obstacles throughout our life, but Jesus has overcome them all and is always with us!

Struggles and Challenges — Oh, My! written by Sylvia Bean, Clovis, New Mexico Copyright © 2023 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved. lwml.org

Our seasons of life can be much like the seasons of the year. We may have seasons of darkness where it feels as though God is far away and unconnected from what we are going through. These hard seasons may include the loss of a loved one, health challenges, changes in a career, or other things that make life in this world hard.

Relationship Requirements, written by Martha Gregory, Lancaster, California Copyright © 2023 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.

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. Figuring It All Out, written by Allison Maschhoff, St. Louis, Missouri Copyright © 2023 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved. lwml.org Figuring It All Out - Lutheran Women's Missionary League (lwml.org)

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (Titus 3:5–6).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22–23).

Although most of us probably will not be able to surf behind a boat or ride a Hawaiian wave, we can step out of the boat in faith and work in God’s kingdom, creating a wondrous wake.

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.