May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - Romans 15:13
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our international ministry centers to write our Sunday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Every Saturday afternoon Mrs. Sumalee faithfully listens to the "Home for Love" live radio program produced by Lutheran Hour Ministries-Thailand.
And, every Saturday afternoon during the radio program Mrs. Sumalee faithfully calls in to talk with the staff. She always says that she wants to learn more about this message of hope she hears during the program.
Mrs. Sumalee works at a medical clinic in Bangkok.
Lately, she finds herself becoming depressed because of her constant interactions with people who are suffering. Mrs. Sumalee tries to help her patients by giving them medicines, but she doesn't know what to say to give them encouragement. Mrs. Sumalee is a Buddhist, as are more than 92 percent of Thai people. Buddhism teaches that all suffering is deserved; it's the result of a person's wrong actions, words, thoughts, attitudes or desires.
According to Buddhist beliefs, suffering must be endured patiently to earn good karma.
When Mrs. Sumalee first heard this message of hope, she wondered -- is there really a God who forgives sins? Could it be possible that such a God is here in Bangkok, but I never saw Him or heard of Him before?
Thai people typically don't share their problems with others, especially with people they don't know. However, Mrs. Sumalee called the LHM-Thailand staff and began pouring out her heart. She talked about her struggle trying to encourage her patients. She told the staff about her own lack of joy in the midst of the suffering she encountered each day.
As Mrs. Sumalee learned about God's grace through faith in Jesus and the forgiveness that He gives as a free gift to sinners, she began to have hope.
She started telling her patients what she heard on the radio program and from the LHM-Thailand staff. As she continues to listen to the LHM-Thailand radio program and talks with the staff each Saturday, she has more to share with her patients. Mrs. Sumalee is eager to keep learning about God, so she looks forward to listening to the radio every Saturday afternoon.
The LHM-Thailand staff has connected Mrs. Sumalee with a local church and encourages her to attend often. They continue to pray that soon she will come to faith in Jesus.
THE PRAYER: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for drawing Mrs. Sumalee to Yourself, through the live Saturday afternoon radio program, and for creating that spark of hope in her heart. Give her the gift of faith and continue to use her to share the story of hope through Jesus with her patients. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Dennis Denow, a missionary in Thailand with the LCMS Office of International Missions. Pastor Denow is the husband of LHM-Thailand Director, Monta Ekwanit Denow. He volunteers to teach English classes for the LHM-Thailand staff and to assist with their school outreach program.
Lutheran Hour Ministries-Thailand focuses on sharing the Gospel and making contacts with local people through various community radio programs, Equipping the Saints ( ETS ) evangelism training, Bible Correspondence Courses ( BCC ), print, Internet, and Gospel text-messaging. The staff also conducts special children's activities and does presentations in many government schools.
In this country of 67 million people, LHM-Thailand is known in-country as Journey into Light. It was established in 1991 in Bangkok, where it has its ministry center today. It broadcasts three different 25-minute radio programs and follows up with listeners who respond for assistance or more information. Through "listener gatherings" it brings people together and helps build a sense of community. Relationships with school children and educators are established through presentations delivered at public schools. Staff members and volunteers also connect with people through music, camp-style activities, sidewalk events held outside the ministry center for neighbors and passersby, and by teaching about Christianity and culture.
You can read about LHM-Thailand's contribution to Children's Day when you visit its blog by clicking here.
To learn more about our International Ministries, visit www.lhm.org/international.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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