Daily Devotions
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:33-35
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 Friday 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
Adelina had many reasons to feel desperate.
Her life had not been a bed of roses. She had health problems. Her husband was an alcoholic and unemployed. One of her children left home without any further contact, and her teenage daughter was battling depression.
She thought all this was God’s punishment for her sins.
We wondered — what could we say or offer a person who is carrying such a heavy burden? It can be difficult to speak to a person in this condition about the hope that Jesus Christ brings to people’s lives. On the other hand, we know Jesus is the only Person who can renew a person’s faith and hope in life.
It was anguish, sadness, pain, anxiety, guilt and questions about punishment from God that brought Adelina to our offices in the center of San Miguel. She was convinced her life could never change, could never get better.
That first visit the Holy Spirit touched her with the good news that God loved her so much He had given His only Son, Jesus Christ, to save her. Even more, there was nothing that could separate her from His eternal company. These facts told Adelina there was no longer any reason to fear God. From that moment on she knew her life would be different and her troubles were not the punishment of a hateful God.
Adelina’s story is no different than many others who are brought to our office immersed in pains, which are caused by sin. But she is also no different than the others who find their chains of sins have been broken by the hope that comes from our crucified and risen Savior.
Adelina’s story is not yet finished.
There have been changes as she has found her son and her daughter have overcome depression. For these things she gives thanks. Still, the most important change is that which you can’t see. Adelina’s heart now belongs to the Lord. Her life is filled with joy because her sins are forgiven, and she is sure nothing can separate her from Christ’s love.
THE PRAYER: Holy Father, by Your eternal grace You have given us the gift of salvation. The blood of Your Son has released us from the chains of sin. Now I ask that You will continue to reassure us that nothing can separate us from Your presence. With that assurance may we serve You in all we do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: This international devotion was written by Lutheran Hour Ministries’ partner, Sergio Rubén Schelske. Rev. Schelske is pastor of the congregation, Josué de San Miguel in Argentina. Since 1947 LHM-Argentina — known locally as Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones — has been serving Argentineans from its ministry center in Buenos Aires. It does this through Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), Equipping the Saints (ETS) programs and Project JOEL, a youth outreach initiative.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.