Thursday, June 14, 2018

The Lutheran Hour Ministries Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Daily Devotion - Friday, June 15, 2018 "Something Happened"

The Lutheran Hour Ministries Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Daily Devotion - Friday, June 15, 2018 "Something Happened"
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "Something Happened" for Friday, June 15, 2018
1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
Maurice was the name I gave to my first car: an Oldsmobile.
Over the years, Maurice became a faithful, trusted friend who took me from a great many point As to just as many point Bs.
Of course, there are times when something happens, and a vehicle can become more than simple, reliable transportation. Indeed, there can even be an emotional relationship between owner and auto. That was the way it was for Candida Torre of Huntington Beach, California.
Torre loved her car, well actually, the car of her son, Army Specialist Jose Torre. Jose's car became his mother's vehicle of choice when, in 2011, he was killed in Iraq. Understandably, every time she got in that car she thought of her son. It was a place of good memories.
But then something happened. There was an accident. The insurance company totaled the vehicle. Mrs. Torre was heartbroken.
Police Officer John Baggs was one of the men who responded to Mrs. Torre's mishap.
He also responded to her tears. Without letting her know, Officer Baggs got the remnants of the car and made something special happen. With help from AAA, and 120 hours donated by 27 different car repair employees, Officer Baggs bought about a $15,000 repair job.
On Veteran's Day, something special happened when Officer Baggs returned the restored vehicle to overwhelmed Mrs. Torre.
Emotionally, they stood in front of the vehicle and the thankful Mrs. Torre said, "With all my heart, it means a lot to have it back, it really does. It's nice to know that there are people in the world that have good hearts."
In truth, something special happens when an individual receives a precious gift they could not pay for or deserve. That is the way it was 2,000 years ago when, on a Roman cross which had been erected on a skull-shaped hill outside the city walls of Jerusalem, Jesus Christ died. In those days, crucifixions were a dime a dozen. Still, that being said, it should be noted something special happened:
* Something special happened because Jesus was the sinless Son of God.
* Something special happened because Jesus was making repairs on the relationship between God and man which had been totaled by the fall into sin.
* Something special happened because Jesus' life and death were a gift from God to us, a gift we could not afford, a gift we had not deserved.
* Something special happened when three days later Jesus rose from the dead and gave us the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Now we, like Mrs. Torre can give thanks for the Lord's gracious heart and death-defeating Son.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we never take Your gift of eternal life for granted. May we appreciate and share with others. This we pray in the Name of Jesus who made redemption happen. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by the Good News Network on May 31, 2018. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/watch-officer-surprise-mother-of-fallen-soldier-with-sons-prized-possession-tbt/

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: Proverbs 13-15; Acts 2:1-21
Proverbs 13:1 A son who heeds his father’s discipline is wise,
but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 A [good] man enjoys good as a result of what he says,
but the essence of the treacherous is violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
but one who talks too much comes to ruin.
4 The lazy person wants but doesn’t have;
the diligent get their desires filled.
5 A righteous person hates lying,
but the wicked is vile and disgraceful.
6 Righteousness protects him whose way is honest,
but wickedness brings down the sinner.
7 There are those with nothing who pretend they are rich,
also those with great wealth who pretend they are poor.
8 The rich man may have to ransom his life,
but a poor man gets no threats.
9 The light of the righteous [shines] joyfully,
but the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.
10 Insolence produces only strife,
but wisdom is found with those who take advice.
11 Wealth gotten by worthless means dwindles away,
but he who amasses it by hard work will increase it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 He who despises a word will suffer for it,
but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise man is a fountain of life,
enabling one to avoid deadly traps.
15 Good common sense produces grace,
but the way of the treacherous is rough.
16 Every cautious person acts with knowledge,
but a fool parades his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into evil,
but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame are for him who won’t be taught,
but he who heeds reproof will be honored.
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but turning away from evil is abhorrent to fools.
20 He who walks with the wise will become wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer.
21 Evil pursues sinners,
but prosperity will reward the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren,
but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.
23 The fields of the poor may yield much food,
but some are swept away because of injustice.
24 He who fails to use a stick hates his son,
but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25 The righteous person eats his fill,
but the belly of the wicked is empty.
14:1 Every wise woman builds up her home,
but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2 A person with upright conduct fears Adonai,
but a person who is devious scorns him.
3 From the mouth of a fool sprouts pride,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean;
but much is produced by the strength of an ox.
5 An honest witness will not lie,
but a false witness lies with every breath.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge comes easily to someone with discernment.
7 Keep clear of a fool,
for you won’t hear a sensible word from him.
8 The wisdom of the cautious makes him know where he is going,
but the folly of fools misleads them.
9 Guilt offerings make a mockery of fools;
but among the upright there is good will.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There can be a way which seems right to a person,
but at its end are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart can be sad,
and joy may end in sorrow.
14 A backslider is filled up with his own ways,
but a good person gets satisfaction from himself.
15 One who doesn’t think believes every word,
but the cautious understands his steps.
16 A wise person fears and turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and overconfident.
17 He who is quick-tempered does stupid things,
and one who does vile things is hated.
18 Thoughtless people inherit folly,
but the cautious are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are disliked even by their peers,
but the rich have many friends.
21 He who despises his fellow sins,
but he who shows compassion to the humble is happy.
22 Won’t those who plot evil go astray?
But grace and truth are for those who plan good.
23 In all work there is profit,
but mere talk produces only poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
but the folly of fools is just that — folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a liar misdirects [judgment].
26 In the fear of Adonai is powerful security;
for his children there will be a place of refuge.
27 The fear of Adonai is a fountain of life
enabling one to avoid deadly traps.
28 A king’s glory lies in having many subjects;
if the prince’s people are few, it is his ruin.
29 Being slow to anger goes with great understanding,
being quick-tempered makes folly still worse.
30 A tranquil mind gives health to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
31 The oppressor of the poor insults his maker,
but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked are brought down by their wrongdoing,
but the righteous can be confident even at death.
33 Wisdom is at rest in a person with discernment,
but in fools it has to call attention to itself.
34 Righteousness makes a nation great,
but sin degrades any people.
35 A king shows favor to a servant with good sense,
but his wrath strikes one who shames [him].
15:1 A gentle response deflects fury,
but a harsh word makes tempers rise.
2 The tongue of the wise presents knowledge well,
but the mouth of a fool spews out folly.
3 The eyes of Adonai are everywhere,
watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but when it twists things, it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but he who heeds warnings is prudent.
6 The home of the righteous is a storehouse of treasure,
but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.
8 Adonai detests the sacrifices of the wicked
but delights in the prayers of the upright.
9 Adonai detests the way of the wicked
but loves anyone who pursues righteousness.
10 Discipline is severe for one who leaves the way,
and whoever can’t stand correction will die.
11 Sh’ol and Abaddon lie open to Adonai;
so how much more people’s hearts!
12 A scorner does not like being corrected;
he won’t go to the wise [for advice].
13 A glad heart makes a face happy,
but heartache breaks the spirit.
14 The mind of a person with discernment seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 For the poor, every day is hard;
but the good-hearted have a perpetual feast.
16 Better little with the fear of Adonai
than great wealth coupled with worry.
17 Better a vegetable dinner with love
than a stall-fattened ox with hate.
18 Hot-tempered people stir up strife,
but patient people quiet quarrels.
19 The lazy person’s way seems overgrown by thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.
20 A wise son is a joy to his father,
and only a fool despises his mother.
21 Folly appeals to one who lacks sense,
but a person of discernment goes straight ahead.
22 Without deliberation, plans go wrong;
but with many advisers, they succeed.
23 People take pleasure in anything they say;
but a word at the right time, how good it is!
24 For the prudent, the path of life goes upward;
thus he avoids Sh’ol below.
25 Adonai will pull down the houses of the proud,
but preserves intact the widow’s boundaries.
26 Adonai detests plans to do evil,
but kind words are pure.
27 The greedy for gain brings trouble to his home,
but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking,
but the mouth of the wicked spews out evil stuff.
29 Adonai is far from the wicked,
but he listens to the prayer of the righteous.
30 A cheerful glance brings joy to the heart,
and good news invigorates the bones.
31 He who heeds life-giving correction
will be at home in the company of the wise.
32 He who spurns discipline detests himself,
but he who listens to correction grows in understanding.
33 The discipline of wisdom is fear of Adonai,
so before being honored, a person must be humble.
Acts 2:
The festival of Shavu‘ot arrived, and the believers all gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
5 Now there were staying in Yerushalayim religious Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered; they were confused, because each one heard the believers speaking in his own language. 7 Totally amazed, they asked, “How is this possible? Aren’t all these people who are speaking from the Galil? 8 How is it that we hear them speaking in our native languages? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Y’hudah, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome; 11 Jews by birth and proselytes; Jews from Crete and from Arabia. . . ! How is it that we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things God has done?” 12 Amazed and confused, they all went on asking each other, “What can this mean?” 13 But others made fun of them and said, “They’ve just had too much wine!”
14 Then Kefa stood up with the Eleven and raised his voice to address them: “You Judeans, and all of you staying here in Yerushalayim! Let me tell you what this means! Listen carefully to me!
15 “These people ar en’t drunk, as you suppose — it’s only nine in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken about through the prophet Yo’el:
17 ‘Adonai says:
“In the Last Days,
I will pour out from my Spirit upon everyone.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my slaves, both men and women,
will I pour out from my Spirit in those days;
and they will prophesy.
19 I will perform miracles in the sky above
and signs on the earth below —
blood, fire and thick smoke.
20 The sun will become dark
and the moon blood
before the great and fearful Day of Adonai comes.
21 And then, whoever calls on the name of Adonai will be saved.”’[
Acts 2:21 Joel 3:1–5(2:28–32)] (Complete Jewish Bible).
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Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 
CHANGE THEIR WORLD. CHANGE YOURS. 
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING.
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