I am participating as a volunteer in the activities organized by the...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"The Word of God Penetrates the Hearts"
October 29, 2017
For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
~ Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
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
I am participating as a volunteer in the activities organized by the ministry center of Christ for All Nations in Nicaragua.
I can recall one of the talks we offered to a prison in Leon City. While I was making a presentation to a group of women, I saw one lady who was paying special attention, but she was alone, that is, she sat separate from the group. At the end of my presentation, she came to me, asking several questions.
One of those questions is the inspiration of her story and this devotion.
She asked me, "How can I overcome sin in my Christian life?" She was in a very difficult situation. Her crime had been bad, and her treatment in jail had been hard. The most difficult thing of all was she had become resentful of God. As she said, "The Lord has abandoned me."
I shared many Bible stories with her. The most important of those verses were those which came from the Savior's time on the cross. As He carried our sins so we might be saved, He called out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
I told her: "Jesus was forsaken so we would never be alone."
I believe the lady understood. During our conversation, the young woman wept and said she knew God was with her and was confident the Holy Spirit would bring great relief in her life. She said she now properly understood her crime and the nature of repentance.
What I have just shared with you took place some time ago.
Now, when we go back to her prison, she is one of the most active participants. She says she is reading the Bible because it is the Word of God that penetrates the hearts. In addition, she has found a great refuge in Jesus Christ.
You know, my friends, sometimes changes come quickly to an individual; sometimes they come more slowly. But the Lord who sent His Son to forgive and save us has promised He will produce changes in the hearts and lives of those who are brought to faith in Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.
THE PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit to comfort us in the most difficult moments of our lives. Most of all, I rejoice that You offered Your Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and refuge from sin, death, and devil. In His Name I pray. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Laura Miranda. She has been a volunteer with Lutheran Hour Ministries in Nicaragua since 2014. She is involved in different ministry activities, amongst which would be listed Christian and prevention talks in the different places we visit. She is also part of the FM radio team, which broadcasts in the remote countryside as well as the metropolitan areas of Nicaragua.
Lutheran Hour Ministries-Nicaragua is known in-country as "Christ for All Nations" or Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones in Spanish. Launching its Gospel efforts in Chinandega in 1999, LHM-Nicaragua offers Project JOEL, an educational program helping children and young people make healthy lifestyle choices. High school and university students benefit from this program as well. Offering Equipping the Saints (ETS) evangelism workshops to facilitate Gospel conversations and Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) to build up and edify students of Scripture, inroads are being made into people's lives with the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ. Based today in León, this ministry center produces a weekly radio broadcast and 30-second on-air spots. These are augmented with "Radio Cristo Nica," an internet and radio program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and helping others in this Central American country of more than six million people.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
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