Saint Louis, Missouri, United States - Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries "Rest in God" Friday, 30 May 2014

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States - Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries "Rest in God" Friday, 30 May 2014
(Jesus said) "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."(Matthew 11:28)
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
The situation was a frightening one.
Gustavo, a young boy, was trapped on the second floor of his home, which was on fire. In desperation, the boy kept screaming from the window, "Daddy, save me! Save me, Daddy!"
Down below his son's window, the caring father called up, "Jump, son! I will catch you!"
While his father's voice was reassuring, the smoke kept Gustavo from seeing his father's location. Understandably, the lad called out, "Where are you? I can't see you! I'm frightened! It's too high!"
Speaking in a measured tone the father tried to sound calm. He said, "I know you are frightened, but I am here. I can see you. You aren't too high for me to catch you."
It took a bit of time, but the boy did jump.
He jumped, and the father caught him in his arms. The hug shared by the two showed their relief and their joy about being reunited. The father's face shown and the boy snuggled in, feeling safe and protected by his father's arms.
Quite often we find ourselves caught up in the difficulties of life. It is easy to let the feelings of anxiety and fear overpower us. Desperately we search for a solution but, if we are being honest, we realize it is impossible for us to find a solution to help us escape our situation.
It is especially at these difficult times which produce such a high level of anxiety that we should remember Jesus is by our side. He -- whose love is so great that He willingly died for each one of us and then to show His victory rose on the third day -- is able to deliver us. All who are given faith in the Redeemer find they have been delivered by grace. Their sins are forgiven, and they have been blessed with a new and eternal life.
That is what Jesus is telling us when He says, "I will be with you everyday." It is a promise we can trust. Indeed, we can be sure that even in pain or during the most intense distress, the Lord will never abandon us.
He will give us peace and comfort; He will guide us in difficult times; He will hold us in His arms.
THE PRAYER: Beloved Lord, give me the light in the midst of my distress, give me Your love and peace and guide me according to Your holy and loving will. This I ask in the Name of my risen Redeemer, Jesus. 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 30 million people. Additionally, this ministry center produces radio messages like "A Moment with God" and "Perspectives" to deal with life's everyday issues. Also its website is accessed by many; there visitors can opt to receive Christian devotional messages, as well as inspirational e-mails or text messages. You can learn more about what's going on in Venezuela by visiting its blog site at lhmvenezuela.wordpress.com.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org. 
In Christ I remain His servant and yours, 
Pastor Ken Klaus 
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® 
Lutheran Hour Ministries
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Lutheran Hour Ministries
660 Mason Ridge Center
St. Louis, MO 63141 United States
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