For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

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



I have a number of reasons why I must thank God for the work of Lutheran Hour Ministries in Uganda.

I first came to know LMMU (as Lutheran Hour Ministries is locally known) when I enrolled for its Bible course many years ago. At that time I was undertaking leadership classes with the church, and I needed more knowledge to conduct my ministerial work. As a help, I enrolled in the Bible study. Later on, that course greatly intensified my desire to know more about God and to serve Him.

Back then it was quite hard for me to share the Gospel. Like many of you, I was always afraid I would be rejected or mocked. Once again LMMU offered me an opportunity to overcome that fear when I was called upon to take part in an Equipping the Saints (ETS). My fearful presentation was blessed by the Holy Spirit and after that my life was never again the same.

Having been inspired to preach the Gospel by the various LHM programs in which I had participated, I realized the Lord was calling me to ministry. It was a calling that was fulfilled as I received seminary theological training for four years in South Africa.

Now I would like you to understand, even after receiving a lot of knowledge at the seminary, that doesn't mean it is always easy to preach confidently. However, ongoing ETS opportunities continue to sharpen my skills so much that I am now able to share the Gospel with people of different backgrounds.

Most importantly, the ETS presentations have also helped me nurture many people in the Christian faith, as the Holy Spirit brings them into His church.

Thinking back to St. Paul, I rejoice that I am no longer afraid or ashamed of the Gospel. Instead, I use the strategies learned from ETS and LHM evangelical tools to present the Savior's story of salvation.

By God's grace I have been able to reach out to schools, villages, and the sick who are hospitalized. By God's grace, the Holy Spirit, has brought many to faith and by His grace, in the last two years, congregations have been planted in Nabwiire and Bwakama.

Perhaps you see why I rejoice in Lutheran Hour Ministries. If not, come with me and see laymen who also have been inspired by our organization. See how gladly they go with me on evangelism visits and door-to-door ministry.

Truly, the Lord is doing wondrous things. If He grants the strength, my vision is to plant more and more churches in the area so the ministry can grow. I am glad that LMMU operates in my area, and I know many more spiritual fruits will be harvested in the future.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may the Lord Jesus Christ bless the work of those who reach out in faith to the lost, and may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire the lost to come to His saving grace. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by the Rev. Bwire Nicholas who is the LCMU regional pastor of the far eastern part of Uganda. He is also pastor of Buhasaba Lutheran congregation, which is located along the Uganda-Kenya border. Rev. Nicholas started his volunteer service in 2004 when he was introduced by a friend to LHM's Bible course. Since then he has been involved in the promotion, distribution, marking and grading of the Bible course, home visitations, door-to-door evangelism, hospital ministry, and the coordination of the ministry center's activities in his district. In this African nation of more than 35 million people, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Uganda, known locally as Lutheran Media Ministry, has connected with more than 250,000 individuals through print, broadcast, electronic and traditional media, including radio and television programming. This outreach has led to the formation of more than 100 Lutheran churches countrywide, working in partnership with the Lutheran Church. Additional efforts include enrolling students in Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), (where more than 130,000 have participated), Equipping the Saints (ETS) distributing Bibles, topical booklets, and other Christian printed materials in its outreach mission. Puppet shows, film presentations, and musical and dramatic performances also draw sizeable crowds where the Gospel can be shared. To learn more about the work being done in this East African country, you can access its blog at lhmuganda.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: 1 Chronicles 13-15    1 Corinthians 9

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