Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1

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



Christians know eternal life is theirs because of the sacrifice and victory of Jesus Christ.

Knowing that the Savior gave His life for our salvation, God has asked us to share that good news with our lost and sinful world. In the first verse from Isaiah 55, the Lord tells us how we are to do that sharing.

He says that those who have freely received should also freely give.

It has now been more than 13 years since the Holy Spirit first brought me to Christ for All Nations in Guatemala. In the beginning I was attracted by the Bible study it offered. Being true to the precept give without cost, there was no charge for me to take this study.

I was surprised to see there were many others who also were making use of this transforming search of Scripture.

Understand, I am not exaggerating when I say the class was transforming. It was. The class changed me. At first I was a passive believer, but after the study I became an active Christian -- enthusiastically telling others what Jesus has done for me and all sinners. In the back of my mind was always that precept I had received without paying, so I should share without being paid.

Personal experience had taught me that the Lord, through the forgiveness and salvation that comes through faith, can pluck us out of the frightening desert of death and despair and lead us to an oasis of love and hope.

Today I continue to serve as a volunteer at Lutheran Hour Ministries-Guatemala.

It is my privilege to take part in various activities, including a radio program for adults. Every presentation of that broadcast is motivated by the words of Revelation 21:6, which says, "And He (the Lord) said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment."

It is my desire to let my fellow countrymen know that Jesus is real and He -- through His life, suffering, unfair death, and soul-changing resurrection -- has given us a new life. Jesus has done all that is necessary to transform our world for the better.

In short, Jesus is the fountain of living water. He is the fountain of living water, which is freely given. Now I invite you to join me in freely sharing.

THE PRAYER: Loving Heavenly Father, we thank You for blessing the work of Lutheran Hour Ministries in Guatemala. We ask that all we do may be directed by the Holy Spirit to benefit society and save lost souls. We further pray that there may be peace, and all who hear of Jesus may receive the grace only You can give us. This we pray in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Hugo Mauricio Valle Arias. Reverend Arias was born in Guatemala City on April 16, 1946. In 1998 he studied the following courses at Christ for all Nations: "Knowing Christ," "The life of Paul," and "The Life of Jesus." In 2001 he studied at the Christian institute Verbo de Vida (PIECA), where he obtained his degree in biblical studies and Christian ministries, as a pastor. In 2011 he studied at the World Vision Seminary and graduated as a theology professor. He is currently pursuing his bachelor degree in theology at the World Vision Seminary.

Based in Guatemala City since 1993 and known in-country as Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones ("Christ for All Nations"), Lutheran Hour Ministries-Guatemala works through radio, TV, the Internet, and automated text-messaging media, along with numerous community-based programs, to share the Gospel in this Central American country of nearly 16 million people. Additionally, it employs Project JOEL as a values-based education program to reach thousands of young people in elementary and high schools. Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) also help promote the Gospel message as do Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops, which give laypeople resources and training to help them speak about their faith with others. Conducting vacation Bible schools in cooperation with area Lutheran churches and with the help of U.S. volunteer groups is another LHM-Guatemala activity.

To read about LHM-Guatemala's recent visit to two hospitals, you can click here and check out its blog.


To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhm.org/international.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 25-26    Acts 4:23-37

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