All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away. John 6:37
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
By all appearances, Geoff had a really good life. He was the CEO of a large and successful company. He owned and piloted an airplane. He was married to a beautiful woman and they had a son. Pleased with his success and with money to spare, he decided to start his own business. However, during this transition he was without medical coverage for one unfortunate week. That's when he was in a terrible car accident that left him brain-damaged and permanently disabled.
After weeks of intensive care, Geoff left the hospital - physically broken and in deep financial trouble. He now required medication just to stay alive. As if things weren't bad enough, his wife filed for divorce and walked out on him and their son. Driven to despair, Geoff stopped taking his medication in an attempt to commit suicide.
Depressed and forlorn, Geoff tried to find a way out of the mess his life had become. He made one desperate plan after another -- only to have them turn to disappointment.
Despite appearances, Geoff still has a good life. That's because God's love for Geoff hasn't changed. God loved Geoff when he was rich and on top of the world and God loves him now. If you are at the point where you want to give up, look to Jesus. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was on His knees in prayer, alone. In bitter anguish, He turned to His Father, the almighty God. He prayed, "Not my will, but Yours be done." There Jesus received the strength to go through the valley of death for our sake. He died on the cross to pay for our sins, so that through faith in His sacrifice we are reconciled to God. Jesus' resurrection shows us that there's more to life beyond what we see now. Jesus' love will never change and, as He promised in John 6:37, whoever comes to Him, He will never turn away. His arms are always open.
THE PRAYER: Father, everything in our lives changes and we thank You that we can cling to You, that You never change, and that Your love for us never changes. Amen
Today's devotion is based on material from Christel Scharlach of South Africa.
Biography of Author:
Christel Scharlach is the director of Lutheran Hour Ministries-South Africa with its office in Johannesburg. In addition to Equipping the Saints (ETS), Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), and a performing arts program, LHM-South Africa conducts an active prison ministry providing spiritual counseling and support.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 15 Psalms 3 Psalms 69 John 4:27-54
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