The Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour from Saint Louis, Missouri, United States "Friends in Christ" for Sunday, May 1, 2016

The Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour from Saint Louis, Missouri, United States "Friends in Christ" for Sunday, May 1, 2016 

He is my steadfast love and my Fortress, my Stronghold and my Deliverer, my Shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.[Psalm 144:2]
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
In this world there are many people who go through life alone.
An individual may consider himself blessed by the Lord if he finds a friendship that is true and beneficial.
Such a pair of friends is Rosario and Carmen. The two have been friends for 17 years. You can understand that over the years they have had their share of ups and downs. Still the confidence and loyalty they have towards each other has grown over the passing of the years.
Like most young people the two friends made different career decisions. One of the unfortunate results of those choices is that Rosario and Carmen did not visit as they had done in the past. Indeed, there were times when they seldom spoke or visited.
Rosario's path in life became a very personal one. Hers was a religious experience in which the Lord called her to faith. Incredibly happy, she felt compelled to invite her friend Carmen to know the Triune God who had so totally changed her life for the better. In so doing she felt she was following the words of Proverbs 17:17, where the Lord said, "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity."
Rosario knew, as all Christians know, that only in Jesus can we be given true meaning, forgiveness and salvation in our lives, the Lord is our faithful Friend, who patiently calls us to come and meet Him. Even more, in good times and bad He is our best Friend. The Lord is my faithful Friend, my place of safety, my Stronghold and my Deliverer, He is my Shield and I protect myself with Him.
A year after Rosario first spoke to her, Carmen was led to the Lord Jesus by the power of God's Holy Spirit.
As I write this, she has a growing faith and gladly acknowledges Jesus as her faithful Friend and Protector. I rejoice that Carmen continues to grow spiritually and receives Christian guidance through the devotions and worship services offered by the LHM ministry center in Nicaragua.
Now the two friends, each on their own paths, speak to others about Jesus and extend an invitation to faith.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for becoming my faithful Friend, my Deliverer, and my Defender. Please give me the courage needed to witness to others and, above all, keep me close to You. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Yorlene Vargas. She is working as a business administrator in our ministry center in Nicaragua. She started as a volunteer and for many years she has offered counseling for those people who are suffering from any sort of trauma. Along with her counseling, she also shares the Gospel of Christ.
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 offersProject 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 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 more than six million people.
See how LHM-Nicaragua is visiting this country's schools, sharing Jesus Christ, and telling students about the salvation our God freely provides. 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,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read: 1 Samuel 20-21; Psalms 34; Luke 21:20-38

1 Samuel 20: A Covenant Friendship in God’s Name

1 David got out of Naioth in Ramah alive and went to Jonathan. “What do I do now? What wrong have I inflicted on your father that makes him so determined to kill me?”

2 “Nothing,” said Jonathan. “You’ve done nothing wrong. And you’re not going to die. Really, you’re not! My father tells me everything. He does nothing, whether big or little, without confiding in me. So why would he do this behind my back? It can’t be.”

3 But David said, “Your father knows that we are the best of friends. So he says to himself, ‘Jonathan must know nothing of this. If he does, he’ll side with David.’ But it’s true—as sure as God lives, and as sure as you’re alive before me right now—he’s determined to kill me.”

4 Jonathan said, “Tell me what you have in mind. I’ll do anything for you.”

5-8 David said, “Tomorrow marks the New Moon. I’m scheduled to eat dinner with the king. Instead, I’ll go hide in the field until the evening of the third. If your father misses me, say, ‘David asked if he could run down to Bethlehem, his hometown, for an anniversary reunion, and worship with his family.’ If he says, ‘Good!’ then I’m safe. But if he gets angry, you’ll know for sure that he’s made up his mind to kill me. Oh, stick with me in this. You’ve entered into a covenant of God with me, remember! If I’m in the wrong, go ahead and kill me yourself. Why bother giving me up to your father?”

9 “Never!” exclaimed Jonathan. “I’d never do that! If I get the slightest hint that my father is fixated on killing you, I’ll tell you.”

10 David asked, “And whom will you get to tell me if your father comes back with a harsh answer?”

11-17 “Come outside,” said Jonathan. “Let’s go to the field.” When the two of them were out in the field, Jonathan said, “As God, the God of Israel, is my witness, by this time tomorrow I’ll get it out of my father how he feels about you. Then I’ll let you know what I learn. May God do his worst to me if I let you down! If my father still intends to kill you, I’ll tell you and get you out of here in one piece. And God be with you as he’s been with my father! If I make it through this alive, continue to be my covenant friend. And if I die, keep the covenant friendship with my family—forever. And when God finally rids the earth of David’s enemies, stay loyal to Jonathan!” Jonathan repeated his pledge of love and friendship for David. He loved David more than his own soul!

18-23 Jonathan then laid out his plan: “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you’ll be missed when you don’t show up for dinner. On the third day, when they’ve quit expecting you, come to the place where you hid before, and wait beside that big boulder. I’ll shoot three arrows in the direction of the boulder. Then I’ll send off my servant, ‘Go find the arrows.’ If I yell after the servant, ‘The arrows are on this side! Retrieve them!’ that’s the signal that you can return safely—as God lives, not a thing to fear! But if I yell, ‘The arrows are farther out!’ then run for it—God wants you out of here! Regarding all the things we’ve discussed, remember that God’s in on this with us to the very end!”

24-26 David hid in the field. On the holiday of the New Moon, the king came to the table to eat. He sat where he always sat, the place against the wall, with Jonathan across the table and Abner at Saul’s side. But David’s seat was empty. Saul didn’t mention it at the time, thinking, “Something’s happened that’s made him unclean. That’s it—he’s probably unclean for the holy meal.”

27 But the day after the New Moon, day two of the holiday, David’s seat was still empty. Saul asked Jonathan his son, “So where’s that son of Jesse? He hasn’t eaten with us either yesterday or today.”

28-29 Jonathan said, “David asked my special permission to go to Bethlehem. He said, ‘Give me leave to attend a family reunion back home. My brothers have ordered me to be there. If it seems all right to you, let me go and see my brothers.’ That’s why he’s not here at the king’s table.”

30-31 Saul exploded in anger at Jonathan: “You son of a slut! Don’t you think I know that you’re in cahoots with the son of Jesse, disgracing both you and your mother? For as long as the son of Jesse is walking around free on this earth, your future in this kingdom is at risk. Now go get him. Bring him here. From this moment, he’s as good as dead!”

32 Jonathan stood up to his father. “Why dead? What’s he done?”

33 Saul threw his spear at him to kill him. That convinced Jonathan that his father was fixated on killing David.

34 Jonathan stormed from the table, furiously angry, and ate nothing the rest of the day, upset for David and smarting under the humiliation from his father.

35-39 In the morning, Jonathan went to the field for the appointment with David. He had his young servant with him. He told the servant, “Run and get the arrows I’m about to shoot.” The boy started running and Jonathan shot an arrow way beyond him. As the boy came to the area where the arrow had been shot, Jonathan yelled out, “Isn’t the arrow farther out?” He yelled again, “Hurry! Quickly! Don’t just stand there!” Jonathan’s servant then picked up the arrow and brought it to his master. The boy, of course, knew nothing of what was going on. Only Jonathan and David knew.

40-41 Jonathan gave his quiver and bow to the boy and sent him back to town. After the servant was gone, David got up from his hiding place beside the boulder, then fell on his face to the ground—three times prostrating himself! And then they kissed one another and wept, friend over friend, David weeping especially hard.

42 Jonathan said, “Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God’s name, saying, ‘God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!’”

David Pretends to Go Crazy

21:1 David went on his way and Jonathan returned to town.

David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the Priest. Ahimelech was alarmed as he went out to greet David: “What are you doing here all by yourself—and not a soul with you?”

2-3 David answered Ahimelech the Priest, “The king sent me on a mission and gave strict orders: ‘This is top secret—not a word of this to a soul.’ I’ve arranged to meet up with my men in a certain place. Now, what’s there here to eat? Do you have five loaves of bread? Give me whatever you can scrounge up!”

4 “I don’t have any regular bread on hand,” said the priest. “I only have holy bread. If your men have not slept with women recently, it’s yours.”

5 David said, “None of us has touched a woman. I always do it this way when I’m on a mission: My men abstain from sex. Even when it is an ordinary mission we do that—how much more on this holy mission.”

6 So the priest gave them the holy bread. It was the only bread he had, Bread of the Presence that had been removed from God’s presence and replaced by fresh bread at the same time.

7 One of Saul’s officials was present that day keeping a religious vow. His name was Doeg the Edomite. He was chief of Saul’s shepherds.

8 David asked Ahimelech, “Do you have a spear or sword of any kind around here? I didn’t have a chance to grab my weapons. The king’s mission was urgent and I left in a hurry.”

9 The priest said, “The sword of Goliath, the Philistine you killed at Oak Valley—that’s here! It’s behind the Ephod wrapped in a cloth. If you want it, take it. There’s nothing else here.”

10-11 “Oh,” said David, “there’s no sword like that! Give it to me!”

And at that, David shot out of there, running for his life from Saul. He went to Achish, king of Gath. When the servants of Achish saw him, they said, “Can this be David, the famous David? Is this the one they sing of at their dances?

Saul kills by the thousand,

David by the ten thousand!”

12-15 When David realized that he had been recognized, he panicked, fearing the worst from Achish, king of Gath. So right there, while they were looking at him, he pretended to go crazy, pounding his head on the city gate and foaming at the mouth, spit dripping from his beard. Achish took one look at him and said to his servants, “Can’t you see he’s crazy? Why did you let him in here? Don’t you think I have enough crazy people to put up with as it is without adding another? Get him out of here!”

Psalm 34: A David Psalm, When He Outwitted Abimelech and Got Away

1 I bless God every chance I get;

my lungs expand with his praise.

2 I live and breathe God;

if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:

3 Join me in spreading the news;

together let’s get the word out.

4 God met me more than halfway,

he freed me from my anxious fears.

5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.

Never hide your feelings from him.

6 When I was desperate, I called out,

and God got me out of a tight spot.

7 God’s angel sets up a circle

of protection around us while we pray.

8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—

how good God is.

Blessed are you who run to him.

9 Worship God if you want the best;

worship opens doors to all his goodness.

10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,

but God-seekers are full of God.

11 Come, children, listen closely;

I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.

12 Who out there has a lust for life?

Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?

13 Guard your tongue from profanity,

and no more lying through your teeth.

14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.

Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!

15 God keeps an eye on his friends,

his ears pick up every moan and groan.

16 God won’t put up with rebels;

he’ll cull them from the pack.

17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,

ready to rescue you.

18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;

if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

19 Disciples so often get into trouble;

still, God is there every time.

20 He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;

not even a finger gets broken.

21 The wicked commit slow suicide;

they waste their lives hating the good.

22 God pays for each slave’s freedom;

no one who runs to him loses out.

Luke 21: Vengeance Day

20-24 “When you see soldiers camped all around Jerusalem, then you’ll know that she is about to be devastated. If you’re living in Judea at the time, run for the hills. If you’re in the city, get out quickly. If you’re out in the fields, don’t go home to get your coat. This is Vengeance Day—everything written about it will come to a head. Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard. Incredible misery! Torrential rage! People dropping like flies; people dragged off to prisons; Jerusalem under the boot of barbarians until the nations finish what was given them to do.

25-26 “It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.

27-28 “And then—then!—they’ll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!”

29-33 He told them a story. “Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter. When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner. The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here. Don’t brush this off: I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.

34-36 “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”

37-38 He spent his days in the Temple teaching, but his nights out on the mountain called Olives. All the people were up at the crack of dawn to come to the Temple and listen to him.

The Lutheran Hour
660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63141, United States
1-800-876-9880
www.lhm.org
---------------------