. . . And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14b
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
The Olympics always launch by transferring the flame from the site of the original contests in Olympia, Greece to where the games will be held next. It is a privilege to be chosen as a torchbearer. Athletes, actors, musicians, sports figures, and politicians have all carried the torch, transferring the flame to the next person in the procession as it makes its way to its final destination. It is an impressive sight with millions of people watching the pageant on television. The conclusion to this spectacle is when the fire is transferred to the stadium's torch prior to the games beginning.
Faith is like this. With the atoning work for our sins accomplished by Jesus Christ's death and resurrection two thousand years ago, His message to His disciples was to take the Gospel out into the whole world. He told them, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19). Since then, the fire of faith has spread to the earth's distant corners, and year after year we see many people transferring their torches to another person.
The apostle Paul knew, too, that reaching others with the light of salvation means sharing the Good News of God's love in Jesus Christ: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ," (Romans 10:17). As elected people in this great marathon of faith, preaching is our duty-a blessed opportunity to participate in the growth of God's Kingdom on earth. It is our obligation and responsibility to bring the torch of faith to all we meet along our road of life.
How wonderful it is when people who have received God's Word from us are moved by the Holy Spirit to lives of faith and who can then say, along with the apostle Paul, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
How wonderful when these same people-newly justified by God's grace-take up the torch and join in sharing His story of salvation with others!
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we pray for those who carry the torch of Your Word to a world groping in darkness. Give them strength and purposefulness to share the light of Jesus Christ with all they meet. In His Name, we pray. Amen.
Biography of Author: This devotion was written by Igor Savich, the director of Lutheran Hour Ministries' Russian office. The ministry of LHM-Russia is active in several outreach services: radio, TV, CD and DVD production, booklets, and the Internet. Based in St. Petersburg, LHM-Russia also utilizes Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) and Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Job 34-35 Matthew 14:22-36
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