(Jesus said) "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30

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



Manuel was tired of his daily problems. With a sick mother and assorted other difficulties, he had come to believe nobody could make his life easier or better. That's the way he felt until Manuel heard our broadcast, which offered him a booklet entitled Hard Times.

Through that booklet Manuel understood that Jesus Christ was the solution!

Yes, Manuel learned to trust in the Savior. His favorite Bible passage became Matthew 11:28-30. In that passage the Redeemer invites us to come to Him. To those who do, He promises He will respond and give them rest.

Now you know what Manuel did, but what do you do when you cannot deal with any more problems and difficulties? What kind of solution do you need? Is it possible you have thought that friends or drink or even drugs can be of help?

Those paths don't take you anywhere. Indeed, they often add to our problem.

Thankfully, there is Someone who can help: Someone who offers us more than a temporary solution. That Someone is Jesus: God's Son, our Savior.

When He was among us, He promised: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your soul." It's true. Jesus is always ready to help you, to give you strength, and provide guidance so you may face the daily struggle.

He is ready to listen to all who come and have their hearts opened to share their problems.

Because of the salvation He has won for us, Jesus Christ is your best Friend. He died on a cross to forgive your sins and give you eternal life. What greater proof of love can we ask for than that?

This is why we can confidently encourage you to listen to the Lord when He says, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

THE PRAYER: Lord, I want Your help in my day-to-day problems. Guide me and enable me to do everything because I wish to glorify Your Name. This I ask in the Name of my crucified and risen Savior. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Luisa Ferrufino. She is an active volunteer who teaches Bible courses in the rural areas of León and in our office in Nicaragua. She has been a participant and leader in many of our programs. Ferrufino is a professionally trained psychologist, who offers spiritual assistance to those in need.

Lutheran Hour Ministries-Nicaragua is known in-country as "Christ for All Nations" or Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones in Spanish. Launching its Gospel efforts in Chinandega in 1999, LHM-Nicaragua offers Project JOEL, an educational program helping children and young people make healthy lifestyle choices. High school and university students benefit from this program as well. Offering Equipping the Saints (ETS) evangelism workshops to facilitate Gospel conversations and Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) to build up and edify students of Scripture, inroads are being made into people's lives with the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ. Based today in León, this ministry center produces a weekly radio broadcast and 30-second on-air spots. These are augmented with "Radio Cristo Nica," an Internet and radio program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and helping others in this Central American country of six million people.

See how LHM-Nicaragua -- supported by rice and bean supplies from Orphan Grain Train of Norfolk, Nebraska -- helped supplement the nutritional needs of a number of Nicaraguans. You can check this out by clicking here and visiting this country's 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: Isaiah 37-38    Romans 5

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