(The angel said) "But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you."[Mark 16:7]
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 afternoon this year, I went to visit a patient lying in a hospital.
I was quite surprised to see the staff of the neurology division and some family members in the patient's room. Soon after my prayer, one of the patient's relatives who works for LHM- Madagascar put on a Lutheran Hour CD and everyone in the room listened to the message about "Arrogance and Humility."
During the listening, the patient wept and at the end, he said, "Today I met Jesus." He was not alone. That message touched others, and now some of the neurology staff follow our Bible studies and listen to our broadcast.
Although they hadn't known it, these people all had had an appointment with Jesus.
Before His death and resurrection, Jesus told His disciples He had an appointment with them in Galilee. When the women went to the empty tomb on Resurrection Sunday, the angels reminded the disciples of that appointment.
In the 21st chapter of John we are told about how Jesus kept that appointment. John shares how the disciples were called to the purpose of sharing the story of salvation. The story begins with the disciples being told to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. This action of faith is blessed by a great catch of fish. Peter, along with the others, recognize the Lord and quickly move to His side.
As we said, the goal of this appointment in Galilee was to prepare Peter and the brothers for the work of "fishing for people." Jesus' actions let the disciples know that such work demands acceptance and obedience. It was a demand the disciples embraced.
The question is do we also have an appointment with Jesus in Galilee?
Well, we haven't received a message from the ladies who went to the tomb, and the Lord hasn't promised us He is going to meet us in Galilee. Historically and geographically, it would seem the text doesn't apply to us.
Or does it?
Look at the Gospels and you will hear Jesus say He has come to seek and save the "lost." The lost includes us.
In so doing, the Lord makes us part of this story. Where then is our Galilee -- our appointment? All true Christians believe the Savior is raised. He "was to put to death for our trespasses and rose for our justification" (Romans 4:25). The long-closed road to paradise has become opened again. Now the risen Lord wishes to meet us in His Word and Sacraments, and in the fellowship of His church. These locations are the places where Jesus wishes to meet us.
They are our "Galilee."
The patient of our opening story was led to Christ by the power of God's Word. His story, in many ways, is ours. Actually, it is the Lord's story that has been replayed again and again as lost souls are given salvation through faith in the risen Redeemer.
The Holy Spirit uses that Word to give us knowledge about God and leads us to the path of salvation, which is Jesus Christ alone. And in this we have our appointment with the Savior.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You that You have fixed an appointment place for us too. We are blessed that the Holy Spirit shall take us to the place and time where You shall meet with us. This we give thanks for in Your Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was authored by Pastor William David Zoulder. Reverend Zoulder is a pastor of the Malagasy Lutheran Church. After his graduation from Lomonossov State University in Moscow, he was appointed to the University of Madagascar as a philosophy lecturer. Pastor Zoulder graduated from the School of Theology of Natal University Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He is currently a parish pastor and is involved with Lutheran Hour's radio program as well as working as a translator for our Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC). He is married to Virginia, who is one of our accountants. Together the Zoulders have three children.
In this country of more than 22 million people, LHM-Madagascar (known in-country as Voice of the Gospel) utilizes radio as the most efficient means of reaching the citizens living in this island nation. A 30-minute weekly FM radio program addresses cultural, spiritual and emotional topics, offering a Christian perspective to listeners. Through outreach conducted in both French and Malagasy, this ministry center -- established in Antananarivo in 1993 -- connects with rural communities through rallies and film showings, which often draw hundreds. Young people in high school and those serving time in detention centers also benefit from these films. As a way to strengthen believers' ability to share the Gospel, Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops provide relational tools, material resources, and trained instruction in conveying the Good News of Jesus Christ. More than 5,000 participants are active in its BCC program too.
You can read about a film showing that LHM-Madagascar did for the students and staff of Amy High School by clicking here.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhm.org/international.
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 afternoon this year, I went to visit a patient lying in a hospital.
I was quite surprised to see the staff of the neurology division and some family members in the patient's room. Soon after my prayer, one of the patient's relatives who works for LHM- Madagascar put on a Lutheran Hour CD and everyone in the room listened to the message about "Arrogance and Humility."
During the listening, the patient wept and at the end, he said, "Today I met Jesus." He was not alone. That message touched others, and now some of the neurology staff follow our Bible studies and listen to our broadcast.
Although they hadn't known it, these people all had had an appointment with Jesus.
Before His death and resurrection, Jesus told His disciples He had an appointment with them in Galilee. When the women went to the empty tomb on Resurrection Sunday, the angels reminded the disciples of that appointment.
In the 21st chapter of John we are told about how Jesus kept that appointment. John shares how the disciples were called to the purpose of sharing the story of salvation. The story begins with the disciples being told to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. This action of faith is blessed by a great catch of fish. Peter, along with the others, recognize the Lord and quickly move to His side.
As we said, the goal of this appointment in Galilee was to prepare Peter and the brothers for the work of "fishing for people." Jesus' actions let the disciples know that such work demands acceptance and obedience. It was a demand the disciples embraced.
The question is do we also have an appointment with Jesus in Galilee?
Well, we haven't received a message from the ladies who went to the tomb, and the Lord hasn't promised us He is going to meet us in Galilee. Historically and geographically, it would seem the text doesn't apply to us.
Or does it?
Look at the Gospels and you will hear Jesus say He has come to seek and save the "lost." The lost includes us.
In so doing, the Lord makes us part of this story. Where then is our Galilee -- our appointment? All true Christians believe the Savior is raised. He "was to put to death for our trespasses and rose for our justification" (Romans 4:25). The long-closed road to paradise has become opened again. Now the risen Lord wishes to meet us in His Word and Sacraments, and in the fellowship of His church. These locations are the places where Jesus wishes to meet us.
They are our "Galilee."
The patient of our opening story was led to Christ by the power of God's Word. His story, in many ways, is ours. Actually, it is the Lord's story that has been replayed again and again as lost souls are given salvation through faith in the risen Redeemer.
The Holy Spirit uses that Word to give us knowledge about God and leads us to the path of salvation, which is Jesus Christ alone. And in this we have our appointment with the Savior.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You that You have fixed an appointment place for us too. We are blessed that the Holy Spirit shall take us to the place and time where You shall meet with us. This we give thanks for in Your Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was authored by Pastor William David Zoulder. Reverend Zoulder is a pastor of the Malagasy Lutheran Church. After his graduation from Lomonossov State University in Moscow, he was appointed to the University of Madagascar as a philosophy lecturer. Pastor Zoulder graduated from the School of Theology of Natal University Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He is currently a parish pastor and is involved with Lutheran Hour's radio program as well as working as a translator for our Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC). He is married to Virginia, who is one of our accountants. Together the Zoulders have three children.
In this country of more than 22 million people, LHM-Madagascar (known in-country as Voice of the Gospel) utilizes radio as the most efficient means of reaching the citizens living in this island nation. A 30-minute weekly FM radio program addresses cultural, spiritual and emotional topics, offering a Christian perspective to listeners. Through outreach conducted in both French and Malagasy, this ministry center -- established in Antananarivo in 1993 -- connects with rural communities through rallies and film showings, which often draw hundreds. Young people in high school and those serving time in detention centers also benefit from these films. As a way to strengthen believers' ability to share the Gospel, Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops provide relational tools, material resources, and trained instruction in conveying the Good News of Jesus Christ. More than 5,000 participants are active in its BCC program too.
You can read about a film showing that LHM-Madagascar did for the students and staff of Amy High School by clicking here.
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
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Psalms 133:(0) A song of ascents. By David:
The Lutheran Hour
660 Mason Ridge Center Dr.
St. Louis, Missouri 63141 United States
1-800-876-9880
www.lhm.org
____________________________
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Psalms 133:(0) A song of ascents. By David:
(1) Oh, how good, how pleasant it is
for brothers to live together in harmony.
2 It is like fragrant oil on the head
that runs down over the beard,
over the beard of Aharon,
and flows down on the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon
that settles on the mountains of Tziyon.
For it was there that Adonai ordained
the blessing of everlasting life.
134:(0) A song of ascents:
(1) Come, bless Adonai, all you servants of Adonai,
who serve each night in the house of Adonai.
2 Lift your hands toward the sanctuary,
and bless Adonai.
3 May Adonai, the maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Tziyon.
135: Halleluyah!
(1) Give praise to the name of Adonai!
Servants of Adonai, give praise!
2 You who stand in the house of Adonai,
in the courtyards of the house of our God,
3 praise Yah, for Adonai is good;
sing to his name, because it is pleasant.
4 For Yah chose Ya‘akov for himself,
Isra’el as his own unique treasure.
5 I know that Adonai is great,
that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Adonai does whatever pleases him,
in heaven, on earth, in the seas, in all the depths.
7 He raises clouds from the ends of the earth,
he makes the lightning flash in the rain
and brings the wind out from his storehouses.
8 He struck down Egypt’s firstborn,
humans and animals alike.
9 He sent signs and wonders among you, Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his subjects.
10 He struck many nations,
and slaughtered mighty kings —
11 Sichon king of the Emori,
‘Og king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Kena‘an.
12 Then he gave their land as a heritage,
to be possessed by Isra’el his people.
13 Adonai, your name continues forever,
your renown, Adonai, through all generations.
14 For Adonai will vindicate his people,
he will take pity on his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are mere silver and gold,
made by human hands.
16 They have mouths, but they can’t speak;
they have eyes, but they can’t see;
17 they have ears, but they can’t listen;
and they have no breath in their mouths;
18 The people who make them will become like them,
along with everyone who trusts in them.
19 House of Isra’el, bless Adonai!
House of Aharon, bless Adonai!
20 House of Levi, bless Adonai!
You who fear Adonai, bless Adonai!
21 Blessed be Adonai out of Tziyon,
he who dwells in Yerushalayim!
Halleluyah!
1 Corinthians 2:1 As for me, brothers, when I arrived among you, it was not with surpassing eloquence or wisdom that I came announcing to you the previously concealed truth about God; 2 for I had decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Yeshua the Messiah, and even him only as someone who had been executed on a stake as a criminal. 3 Also I myself was with you as somebody weak, nervous and shaking all over from fear; 4 and neither the delivery nor the content of my message relied on compelling words of “wisdom” but on a demonstration of the power of the Spirit, 5 so that your trust might not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power.
6 Yet there is a wisdom that we are speaking to those who are mature enough for it. But it is not the wisdom of this world or of this world’s leaders, who are in the process of passing away. 7 On the contrary, we are communicating a secret wisdom from God which has been hidden until now but which, before history began, God had decreed would bring us glory. 8 Not one of this world’s leaders has understood it; because if they had, they would not have executed the Lord from whom this glory flows. 9 But, as the Tanakh says,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard
and no one’s heart has imagined
all the things that God has prepared
for those who love him.”[1 Corinthians 2:9 Isaiah 64:3(4), 52:15]
10 It is to us, however, that God has revealed these things. How? Through the Spirit. For the Spirit probes all things, even the profoundest depths of God. 11 For who knows the inner workings of a person except the person’s own spirit inside him? So too no one knows the inner workings of God except God’s Spirit. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God, so that we might understand the things God has so freely given us. 13 These are the things we are talking about when we avoid the manner of speaking that human wisdom would dictate and instead use a manner of speaking taught by the Spirit, by which we explain things of the Spirit to people who have the Spirit. 14 Now the natural man does not receive the things from the Spirit of God — to him they are nonsense! Moreover, he is unable to grasp them, because they are evaluated through the Spirit. 15 But the person who has the Spirit can evaluate everything, while no one is in a position to evaluate him.
16 For who has known the mind of Adonai?
Who will counsel him?[1 Corinthians 2:16 Isaiah 40:13]
But we have the mind of the Messiah!
____________________________The Lutheran Hour
660 Mason Ridge Center Dr.
St. Louis, Missouri 63141 United States
1-800-876-9880
www.lhm.org
____________________________
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