Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

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 Sunday 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

Life should have been exceptional for the young man.

* He had recently graduated from college and received a degree in business administration.

* Then he had landed a position in a prestigious international company.

Everything seemed to be going well, except for the fact he was feeling more alone every day. This was unusual since there were many people who worked next to him in the same department.

The problem was this: even though this young man was doing his job well, he was taking advantage of others. He used unfair practices and fostered rivalries for the sole purpose of looking good to his supervisor.

His attitude and lack of humility were the reasons why he was being isolated.

Thank God one day a person approached him and gave him a small Christian tract that told about the importance of having a moment with the Triune God.

This information was the starting point and did much to help him reflect on his relationship with God. By the Holy Spirit's power, this young man soon came to know and believe in the Savior. His newfound faith gave him a Savior whose love and humility was a wonderful example to follow.

More than that he was given a Savior who forgave His sins and gave him a peace that permeated everything he did.

This faith caused a dramatic change in the young man. Soon the young man understood and began to have compassion, humility, and special love toward others (see Matthew 5:7-8).

The young man's attitude was changed. Each day was marked by an appreciation of his relationship with God and with his colleagues. Soon they began to see him as a member of the team. His skills and theirs allowed their team to be respected and honored.

In short, the young man realized that if he continued to be motivated by envy, selfishness and a lack of humility, his life here and hereafter would be messed up. But with Jesus things would be changed for the better.

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your infinite love and Jesus' example of kindness and humility, which have taught us to respect and encourage our neighbors. Cleanse our hearts and keep us in the faith of Your Son, our Redeemer. This I pray in His Name. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Ricardo Arguello. He has been the Lutheran Hour Ministries director in Nicaragua since 2000. He is married, has three children, and was born in Managua, Nicaragua. He graduated from the University of Diplomats School in Moscow, Russia. He speaks Russian, English, French and Spanish. He worked in the diplomatic field for many years.

Lutheran Hour Ministries-Nicaragua is known in-country as "Christ for All Nations" or Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones in Spanish. Launching its ministry outreach 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 Leon, this ministry center produces a weekly radio broadcast and 30-second on-air announcements. 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 more than six million people.

Check this out! Nearly 800 kids, young people, and adults finished a round of Bible study lessons in the different districts LHM-Nicaragua serves. We thank God for His merciful work in this Central American country. You can check out this and other stories 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: Psalms 7-8    John 7:28-53

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