“How can I (understand),” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” Acts 8:31
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 Offices 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 of The Lutheran Hour
There is a popular African proverb that says, “It’s a great loss of advantage if you live by the river and yet wash your hands with spittle.” Of course, such a tragedy may be born either out of ignorance or rebellion for what is right. This scenario describes a man who lived next door to a large Christian church. He had never attended a church service or even given a thought to learning about Christ until someone invited him.
We often take for granted that a person is a Christian just because they were born into a Christian family, attend a Christian school, or live next door to a church. This is not necessarily true. In the book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 3, God called Samuel, who had lived all his life in the temple. But he did not recognize God’s voice. Three times he ran to his master, Eli, thinking it was his voice. “Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him” (1 Samuel 3:7).
Psalm 34:8a says it all, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” That’s the clarion call to all of us. It is an invitation to us, as well as an instruction to tell others of God, for only He can make a difference. The man who washes his hand with spittle would be pleasantly surprised the day he realizes the refreshment of washing in the river. This is what happens when a lost soul finds rest and direction in Jesus Christ.
In our own neighborhoods, and even in our churches, are many who have not yet had the Word of God revealed to them. That is what we are called to do—share the story of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, help us to realize our need for You, that we may inherit the kingdom of heaven. Grant us grace to happily and freely acknowledge our dependence on You. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 26-27 1 Corinthians 15:1-28
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