Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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 of The Lutheran Hour




"God has been so good to me. I thank Him everyday." These are the words of a woman I visited on the outskirts of Tijuana, Mexico. We sat together in her home. It was a humble structure with a dirt floor. She is raising her children alone since her husband is in jail. She lives with a brain tumor, which, thankfully, hasn't grown but has affected her vision. She belongs to the local Lutheran mission and has come to know about a loving and good God. She understands that she is in His capable hands, and He finds a way to provide for her and her family no matter what. She trusts in His goodness and love. She has found joy-the joy only God can give.

The joy Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians has nothing to do with our circumstances. It has everything to do with our relationship with the Creator of heaven and earth, whose great love kept Him on the cross because He wanted us to be with Him forever in heaven where everything is perfect. With eyes of faith and gratitude, we see the perfection of living in a relationship with Jesus, our King and Savior. With those eyes, our daily circumstances are very small, but our God is big and His promises provide the joy and security we need to thank Him everyday in all circumstances.

THE PRAYER: Thank You, Father, for forgiving me by the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for giving me heaven. It is all I need and it is enough. Amen.

Biography of Author:
For ten years, Melissa Salomón has worked for Lutheran Hour Ministries. Currently, she is director for LHM-Mexico (Cristo Para Todos Las Naciones). She holds an A.B. in political science from Los Angeles-based Occidental College and a doctor of law degree from Loyola Law School in that same city. Melissa is a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Chula Vista, California. She is the mother of Andrés, 19, and Elizabeth, 17.






To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 28-30    Luke 1:21-38

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