(Jesus said) ... "And surely I am with you always, to the very 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



A man was dying in the hospital, when he received the visit of a young man escorted by a nurse who told the patient, "Your son is here."

The ill man could not distinguish the young man because of the effects of his disease. Throughout the night the man held and prayed for the dying man.

When the patient passed, the young man called the nurse and waited while she did all she needed to do. When she finished, the young man asked her, "Who was that man?"

Surprised, the nurse replied, "I thought he was your father."

The young man answered her, "No, he was not my father. I have never seen him before last night."

The nurse asked, "Why didn't you say something when I brought you to his side?"

The man countered, "When I saw him, I knew he needed his son very badly, but the son was not here. I knew right then how much he needed me in those moments."

Just as this young man came to this dying man, so Jesus comes to us, offering His love, forgiveness and grace.

Jesus does not care about our background, education or anything else. He only knows that we are dying sinners, who need salvation.

And He knows it was His Father's will that He be offered, so forgiveness and eternal life might be given to all who are brought to faith.

As Christians, we believe Jesus wants to share with us; He wants to keep us company when we cry and when we smile. He wants to understand us. He wants to help us through our pains and make sure loneliness doesn't rule our lives.

Now, because Jesus is our risen Savior, we are blessed with His fellowship, forgiveness, friendship and joy.

THE PRAYER: Beloved Jesus, thank You for Your mission and ministry, which saves us. May I always be grateful that You have given Yourself, so I might be forgiven and have salvation. 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. He has served faithfully with the Lutheran Hour Ministries office in Venezuela. In this country of nearly 30 million people, LHM-Venezuela uses Equipping the Saints (ETS) and Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) and Project JOEL to reach out to South Americans with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Additionally, this ministry center's website offers helpful resources and information, addressing everyday challenges and needs.


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: Jeremiah 25, 45-46    Hebrews 1

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