For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
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
One Sunday, as I traveled from my church to a mission located 10 kilometers away, I had the sad experience of seeing an accident. The outcome of that accident was two dead.
Thinking about the accident, I came to the conclusion that every day, regardless of age, people lose their lives in a multitude of different ways. If there is something which unites human beings, both wise and foolish, rich and poor, it is this: we can be 100 percent certain we are going to die.
Everybody understands that death seems to be a natural part of life.
Of course, that doesn't mean there is universal agreement in all things concerning what happens in a person's last moments. For example, people disagree about what happens when we die. Some believe death is the end of everything, while others believe it is a step to a new reincarnation go-around. There are a multitude of opinions about what happens when we die.
Of course, if we want to really know what is going to happen, we need to consult God's Word.
There we are told: "It is destined that man will live once and after (that) the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). What a frightening thought. We are subject to the law of sin and death and on our own we are helpless and lost.
Thankfully, the light of the Lord shines in that darkness.
It's true. Scripture also has good news for us. That Good News says the Lord has paid the ransom price necessary to win our salvation. In the Person of Jesus Christ, the Messiah sent by God, we are blessed to know Him who is "the Resurrection and the Life." He tells us, "The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (See John 11:25-26.)
These are God's words which ought to be remembered when we are confronted by the reality of death.
Because of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection we know death does not have the last word. In Jesus we are offered forgiveness and a new life. Through Holy Spirit-given faith we are offered a life which assures that those who are forgiven by Christ will live forever.
Owning such a faith we can join with Paul in saying, "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15: 54b-55).
THE PRAYER: Beloved Father, we thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to fulfill the Law and die in our place. By His sacrifice we have been delivered from sin and the power of death. May we share this wonderful light with all those who are still in darkness. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Pastor Edgar Martin Coronado of Venezuela. Pastor Coronado is supportive of Lutheran Hour Ministries' work in his country, and we thank him for his devotions. Currently, he is serving at La Fortaleza Lutheran Church in Maracay, and as a missionary pastor in Aragua State. He also is professor of philosophy at Pedagogico de Caracas.
Known in Venezuela as Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones ("Christ for All Nations"), LHM-Venezuela uses Equipping the Saints (ETS) and Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) to reach out to South Americans with the Gospel, in this country of more than 33 million people. Furthermore, this ministry center produces radio messages like "A Moment with God" and "Perspectives" to deal with life's everyday issues. Its website is accessed by many, and there visitors can choose to receive Christian devotional messages, along with inspirational e-mails or text messages.
You can learn more about what goes on at LHM-Venezuela by clicking here and reading its fact sheet.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhm.org/international.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 20-22 Ephesians 5:1-16
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