... "I am with you always, even unto the end of the age." Matthew 28:20b

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



The nurse took a young man to the bed of an older man and told the patient, "Your son is here."

The man could not identify the boy because of the effects of a sedative medication. The youth held the hand of the patient all night and prayed for him at the same time.

In the morning, with the rising of the sun, the patient died.

The young man called the nurse and waited until she did all those things that are necessary at such a time. When she was done and as they walked down the hallway, the young man asked the caretaker, "Who was that man?"

Shocked, the nurse responded: "I thought he was your father."

The young man answered, "No, he wasn't my father. I have never seen him before."

She asked, "But why didn't you tell me that when I took you to him?"

The fellow could only reply, "From what you said, I knew that fellow needed to have his son right there, right now. That son wasn't there. That's when I understood how much that man needed me."

It occurs to me that Jesus does much the same thing.

By that I mean Jesus comes into our lives to give us fellowship, forgiveness and bless us with His own gracious love. He doesn't worry so much about our talents and abilities; He's far more concerned with our sins, our shortcomings and our eternal destiny.

It is there that we -- the sinfully sick -- need our Physician the most. It is then that His love shows itself most clearly, His presence is felt most nearly.

Please understand that Jesus wants to be with us in times of happiness and in times of sadness. As one of us, He understands us and takes away or helps us endure the pain and loneliness in our lives.

Because of all He has done, it is right that we keep Him in mind and live in a way that will glorify the Savior, who comes to us in our need.

THE PRAYER: Beloved Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness and great kindness that You always give to us. In Your Name. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Alexander Jesus Perez Leon, who is an insurance executive but also works with the Association for the Assistance of Helpless Children and has served faithfully with the Lutheran Hour Ministries office in Venezuela. In this Latin American country, LHM-Venezuela uses Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops and Project JOEL to serve the citizens in this nation of 30 million.


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: Leviticus 26-27    Mark 11:19-33

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