Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. Hebrews 9:27

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



Long ago, there was an astonishing and somewhat morbid custom in Egypt.

During some of their festivals or big parties, the servants of the host would bring in a coffin with a corpse inside. The servants would parade the casket around the table and say to the guests: "Look at this corpse! One day you will be the same."

We have no reports on how the guests reacted or how long the party continued after the procession had finished.

Now Scripture encourages no such dinner procession for the Savior's followers. On the other hand, it does tell us we need to inform the world that all have sinned and, without any assistance, will someday be given the sentence of eternal death.

Thankfully, death and a negative judgment need not be the final chapter in our lives.

Please, let me explain: In our day-to-day living, we are often absorbed with the earning of money, the accumulation of power, and all manner of things which have nothing to do with the spiritual. Little attention is directed to the fact that after we die, on the Day of Judgment, we will have to answer to God for what evil we did when we were alive.

The book of Revelation describes that reality in chapter 20: "The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. ... (Revelation 20:12a).

The idea of answering for our actions is a frightening prospect, wouldn't you agree?

It is frightening, unless -- when the Father judges us -- He sees our sins have been covered by the blood-bought righteousness of the Savior. If He sees Jesus' perfection rather than our misdeeds, He will declare us righteous and welcomed into the heavenly home Christ has prepared for us.

This is the truth we at the Vietnam office of Lutheran Hour Ministries are trying to convey to our fellow countrymen. It is not an easy task, especially when the government has placed so many regulations upon what we are allowed to do and say. Even so, we are obligated in every way possible to tell everyone: "Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned ..." (John 3:18a) and "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life ..." (John 3:36a).

The truth of God needs to be shared so the names of our brothers and sisters may be found in the book of life.

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word today. It warns me about my life and teaches me how to be given eternal life in Jesus. Now I know that belief in Jesus Christ is the only way to be freed from condemnation on the Day of Judgment. Thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ my Savior. I pray in His Name. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by our co-workers at the Lutheran Hour Ministries' office in Vietnam. In this Southeast Asian country of more than 90 million people, LHM-Vietnam conducts puppet shows, music evangelism, Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), and Equipping The Saints (ETS) in its efforts to proclaim the saving grace of God as found in Jesus Christ.


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: 1 Samuel 13-14    Luke 19:28-48

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