(Jesus said) "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

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



An awaiting trial inmate at Johannesburg Correctional Services told me that when he was found guilty, he felt peace within himself and accepted the fact that he has to spend time in jail for the crime he committed.

An unusual statement? For most criminals that would be true. But there is more to this man's story. He continued: "If it were not for the Lutheran Hour Ministries' teachings and counseling, I would have screamed and my life been devastated," he said. He told me this as he was awaiting his day of sentencing.

Yes, Jesus gives us the peace that no one else can. That is because He is the "Prince of Peace" (see Isaiah 9:6).

We need to trust in His Word and promises. The peace that comes from the world cannot be compared with the peace which comes from God. The worldly peace is susceptible to being breached and as such it does not last. When we depend on the world, we will be disappointed because the world's peace is often breached and is temporary. Even when there is outward peace, nations still spy on one another, and they still prepare for war.

In contrast, Christians know that Jesus urges us not to let our hearts be troubled and not be afraid. This we do because the Holy Spirit urges us to fear, love and trust in God above everything. When we let God be God, we receive the peace that transcends all understanding. We possess the peace which, when you are faced with the storms of life, enables you to remain calm and face that storm with confidence. This you can do because you know He is there fulfilling His promise that He will never forsake us (see Deuteronomy 31:6).

The peace of God -- this is the peace we experience when we put aside the selfishness and let God be the center. This is the peace we experience when we give God the glory and not take it for our own satisfaction. This is the peace we experience when the will of God prevails, not ours.

This is the peace which comes when we put aside our mistaken notion that we can do everything on our own, without the help of God. In the words, "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid," we recognize the Lord is in charge, and He is urging us not to fix our eyes on worldly things, but on Him.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the peace which transcends all understanding: the peace which You give to those who believe and trust in Your promises. In Jesus' Name I give thanks. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Sizakele Lugojolo, who is director of the Lutheran Hour Ministries' center in South Africa. Mr. Lugojolo is a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church in South Africa (LCSA). He was the first student who was allowed to attend the LCSA seminary while holding down a full-time job in business. This labor of love for his Lord took him eight years to complete. The Lord has blessed Mr. Lugojolo and his wife with a young daughter. In South Africa, LHM-Africa is known as The Lutheran Hour. Established in the city of Johannesburg in 1961, this ministry center employs emerging technologies in its innovative social media and text message ministries. It also uses LHM's Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) and Equipping the Saints (ETS) in its outreach. Areas of ministry specialization include working in prisons where LHM staff and volunteers regularly visit inmates to share the Gospel. Dramatic presentations are another way people are reached with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Ads in newspapers inviting people to call for counseling, topical booklets, or prayer are effective too. To learn more about what's going on in South Africa, check out its blog at lhmsa.wordpress.com.


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: 2 Samuel 2-5    John 1:1-28

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