Daily Devotions
It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
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 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
We live our lives trying to stay current in a world where technology demands we constantly keep up, if we are to be productive. Sadly, the minute we think we are in control of a certain technology we are confronted by the fact that it has advanced, and we have not.
Its Christmas 2012 and I can remember my mother writing Christmas cards to friends and family, both here and abroad. For her this simple act was a personal labor of love. Today, the handwritten card is falling victim to technology and efficiency.
“Mom, you need to be in Facebook, so you can keep in touch with everybody,” my children tell me. Maybe they’re right. It certainly would be more efficient, but I don’t know if it is better. Maybe that is why I like my job where I can see the faces of my students as I teach them German and math, and they try to keep me informed about all the technology I’m missing. I’m glad they learn better than I do.
Most certainly, technology is a wonderful thing. But as a Christian I know there is no human technology that can save us. Technology can help us deliver the message of salvation, but it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven, and we become part of God’s family of faith.
Let me explain: after many years of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my friend Ana, by the Holy Spirit’s power she became a Christian. That was about a year ago. This past November she called and asked if I could give her some Advent devotions she could share with her children and grandchildren. I searched, but I could not find the booklets I had used in years past.
The first week in Advent came, and Ana called and thanked me for the Advent devotions. She also asked if I personally knew Rebeca de Franco, the director of Christ for all Nations – Guatemala. When I said I did, Ana encouraged me to thank Rebecca and her organization, whose work was so richly blessing her family.
I made that call and Rebeca was appreciative of the kind words. Still, we didn’t know exactly how Ana had been put on the mailing list. Eventually, we discovered I had once addressed a letter to both women and the computer had — pretty much on its own — added Ana’s e-mail to the mailing list. Another example of the wonders of technology!
This all goes to prove that the Lord works. Sometimes He works because of us and sometimes He works in spite of us. This time He used my limited knowledge of technology to deliver His message of hope to a new Christian family. Thankfully, and always, the Lord knew what He was doing, even when I, His servant, did not.
THE PRAYER: Dear Father, I thank You for Your infinite mercy and immeasurable love, which Jesus has shown to me and everyone. In Jesus’ Name I pray it. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today’s international devotion was written by Judith de Midence, who is a member of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Guatemala City, Guatemala. A friend and supporter of Lutheran Hour Ministries in that country, we thank her for this contribution and apologize for not running her devotion during Christmas week. In Guatemala, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Guatemala, known locally as Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, uses Project JOEL, Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) and Equipping the Saints (ETS) in its outreach to the citizens of this Central American country of nearly 14 million people.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.