Daily Devotions
And Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 18:3
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
My friend, Melissa, told how one day shortly before Halloween she was standing in line at a restaurant, when a mother walked in with her costumed four-year-old.
The child wore no mask, but her face was fearfully painted; a black cape draped her tiny shoulders, and on her blonde curls was perched a pointed hat.
“Oh my, I am scared!” Melissa exclaimed. “I had better be careful. I’m sure I see a witch.”
Melissa says she will never forget the sweetness, the absolute innocence and trust of those big, blue eyes gazing up at her, or the voice which kindly and gravely reassured her, “Don’t worry. It’s just a little girl in here.”
“Just a little girl in here.” I have thought of those words many times, especially when I give orders to someone, advise a teenager in a counseling session, when I teach a class or am approached by someone who thinks I am far wiser, holier and stronger than I really am.
“Just a little girl in here.” Those words tell me there is in all of us a simple child living in the fearful, complicated and elegant costumes we adults often wear.
How nice if we — embracing the Gospel message of strength, peace and hope — could confess, “It’s just a little girl or a little boy in here.” I’m just a little child, who really needs Christ’s forgiveness, care, comfort and restoration.
If we were to do this, we would, in a most special way, acknowledge the Lordship of God and be giving thanks for His amazing grace.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me never outgrow that little child who desperately needs You, Your forgiveness, Your presence and Your love. This I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today’s international devotion was written by Pastor Charles Bameka. Pastor Bameka served for years as the director of Lutheran Hour Ministries’ outreach efforts in Uganda. From its ministry center in Kampala, volunteers and staff reach out helping people in need through Equipping the Saints (ETS), Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) and the television program, This is the Life. Ministering to those living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda (there are more than 500,000 afflicted with this condition) is a critical aspect of LHM’s mission there.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.