The Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries with Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "In Christ We Get Life" for Sunday, October 30, 2016

The Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries with Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "In Christ We Get Life" for Sunday, October 30, 2016


How can you share the Good News in 2017?
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.[Romans 8:2]
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
On one of my Sunday travels from church to a mission located 10 kilometers away, I had the sad experience of watching an accident that resulted in the death of two individuals.
Thinking about the accident, I came to the realization that every day, regardless of age, people lose their life in unexpected and surprising ways. Indeed, if there is something that unites human beings -- both wise and foolish, rich and poor, from north or south -- it is that we can be 100 percent certain we are going to die.
Everybody understands that death is a natural part of life.
Yes, people agree that death is real. How could they not? But that's where the agreement ends. People disagree strongly about what death is.
* Some believe that death is the end of everything.
* Others believe it is a step to a new life reincarnated in another body.
* Many others believe, well, it can get really weird as to what people believe.
But wait, what does the Word of God say?
The Bible informs us that it is destined that man will live once and after that -- the judgment (see Hebrews 9:27). Passages like that were terribly frightening to Luther who was convicted of his sins and terrified of what was coming after he died.
From a child he had been taught we truly are subject to the laws of sin and death, along with God's just judgment. Later in life, by God's grace, he was also given the eternity-changing truth that God has good news for us.
In the Person of His Son, God has paid for our spiritual ransom with the life of His only Son, Jesus. The long-awaited Redeemer is the Messiah sent by God. With credentials undeniable, Jesus tells us, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (See John 11:25-26).
These are words we need to remember anytime we may be affected by the disturbing reality of death. These are the blood-bought words that have taken the sting out of death and the victory out of the grave.
Luther's great discovery was death does not have the last word.
Jesus does.
Now He offers us His forgiveness, and by means of His death and resurrection, we receive a new life through faith. Ours is a new life that says those who are forgiven by the Redeemer will live eternally in heaven with Him.
Now, in Christ, we can join with Paul and say, "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).
THE PRAYER: Beloved Father, we thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to fulfill the Law and die in our place, to thereby deliver us from sin and the power of death and thus have eternal life. In the Savior's Name we give thanks. 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 is also 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 more than 30 million people. Additionally, this ministry center produces radio messages like A Moment with Godand Perspectives to deal with life's everyday issues. Also its website is accessed by many, and visitors can opt to receive Christian devotional messages, as well as inspirational e-mails or text messages.
You can read the latest ministry story from LHM-Venezuela by clicking here to visit its 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
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: Jeremiah 27-29; Hebrews 5

Jeremiah 27:1 At the beginning of the reign of Y’hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y’hudah, this word came to Yirmeyahu from Adonai: 2 “Adonai says this to me: ‘Make yourself a yoke of straps and crossbars, and put it on your neck. 3 Send [similar yokes] to the kings of Edom, of Mo’av, of the people of ‘Amon, of Tzor, and of Tzidon by means of the envoys they send to Yerushalayim, and to Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah. 4 Give them this message for their masters by telling their envoys that Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says for them to tell their masters:
5 “‘“I made the earth, humankind, and the animals on the earth by my great power and my outstretched arm; and I give it to whom it seems right to me. 6 For now, I have given over all these lands to my servant N’vukhadnetzar the king of Bavel; I have also given him the wild animals to serve him. 7 All the nations will serve him, his son and his grandson, until his own country gets its turn — at which time many nations and great kings will make him their slave. 8 The nation and kingdom that refuses to serve this N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel, that will not put their necks under the yoke of the king of Bavel, I will punish,” says Adonai “with sword, famine and plague, until I have put an end to them through him.
9 “‘“You, therefore, don’t listen to your prophets, diviners, dreamers, magicians or sorcerers, when they tell you that you won’t be subject to the king of Bavel; 10 for they are prophesying lies to you that will result in your being removed far from your land, with my driving you out, so that you perish. 11 But the nation that puts its neck under the yoke of the king of Bavel and serves him, that nation I will allow to remain on their own soil,” says Adonai. “They will farm it and live there.”’”
12 Then I spoke to Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah in just the same way: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Bavel, serve him and his people, and you will live. 13 Why would you want to die, you and your people, by sword, famine and plague — which is what Adonai has decreed for the nation that will not serve the king of Bavel? 14 Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Bavel’; because they are prophesying lies to you. 15 ‘For I have not sent them,’ says Adonai, ‘and they are prophesying falsely in my name, with the result that I will drive you out, and you will perish — you and the prophets prophesying to you.’”
16 I also spoke to the cohanim and to all this people; I said, “This is what Adonai says: ‘Don’t listen to the words of the prophets prophesying to you that the articles from Adonai’s house will soon be returned from Bavel; because they are prophesying lies to you. 17 Don’t listen to them. Serve the king of Bavel, and stay alive; why should this city become a ruin?’ 18 But if they are in fact prophets, and if the word of Adonai is with them, then let them now intercede with Adonai-Tzva’ot that the articles still remaining in the house of Adonai and in the palace of the king of Y’hudah will not go off to Bavel. 19 For this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot says concerning the columns, the Sea, the bases and the rest of the articles still here in this city, 20 that N’vukhadnetzar, king of Bavel did not seize when he carried off captive Y’khanyahu the son of Y’hoyakim, king of Y’hudah, from Yerushalayim to Bavel, along with all the leading men of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim — 21 yes, this is what Adonai Shaddai, the God of Isra’el, says about the things remaining in the house of Adonai, in the palace of the king of Y’hudah and in Yerushalayim: 22 ‘They will be carried to Bavel; and there they will stay until the day I remember them, bring them back and restore them to this place,’ says Adonai.”
28:1 That same year, at the beginning of the reign of Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, Hananyah the son of ‘Azur the prophet, from Giv‘on, spoke to me in Adonai’s house in front of the cohanim and all the people, saying, 2 “This is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Bavel. 3 Within two years I will restore to this place all the articles from Adonai’s house that N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel removed from this place and carried to Bavel. 4 Also I will bring back here Y’khanyah the son of Y’hoyakim, king of Y’hudah, along with all those from Y’hudah who were taken captive to Bavel,’ says Adonai, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Bavel.’”
5 Then the prophet Yirmeyahu said to the prophet Hananyah in front of the cohanim and all the people standing in Adonai’s house — 6 the prophet Yirmeyahu said, “Amen! May Adonai do it! May Adonai fulfill the words you have prophesied and bring back from Bavel to this place the articles from Adonai’s house and all the people who were carried away captive! 7 Nevertheless, listen now to this word that I am speaking for you to hear and for all the people to hear. 8 The prophets who were here before me and before you prophesied in times past against many countries and against great kingdoms about war, disaster and plagues. 9 As for a prophet who prophesies peace — when the word of that prophet is fulfilled, it will be evident concerning that prophet that Adonai indeed did send him.”
10 At this point Hananyah the prophet took the crossbar off the prophet Yirmeyahu’s neck and broke it. 11 Then Hananyah, in front of all the people, said, “Thus says Adonai: ‘In just this way will I break off the yoke of N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel from the necks of all the nations within two years.’”
The prophet Yirmeyahu left them; 12 but then this word of Adonai came to Yirmeyahu, after Hananyah the prophet had broken off the crossbar from the neck of the prophet Yirmeyahu: 13 “Go and tell Hananyah that Adonai:says, ‘You have broken the crossbars of wood, but you will make in their place crossbars of iron. 14 For here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: “I have put a yoke of iron on the necks of all these nations, so that they can serve N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel; and they will serve him; and I have given him the wild animals too.”’”
15 Then the prophet Yirmeyahu said to Hananyah the prophet, “Listen here, Hananyah! Adonai has not sent you! You are making these people trust in a lie! 16 Therefore, here is what Adonai says: ‘I am about to send you away from the face of the earth — this year you will die, because you have preached rebellion against Adonai.’” 17 Hananyah the prophet died that same year, in the seventh month.
29:1 Following is the text of the letter Yirmeyahu the prophet sent from Yerushalayim to the leaders remaining in exile, as well as to the cohanim, the prophets and all the people N’vukhadnetzar had carried off captive from Yerushalayim to Bavel. 2 This was after Y’khanyah the king, the queen mother, the officers, the leaders of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, and the artisans and skilled workers had left Yerushalayim. 3 The letter was entrusted to El‘asah the son of Shafan and G’maryah the son of Hilkiyah; Tzidkiyah king of Y’hudah sent them to Bavel, to N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel. The letter said:
4 “Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says to all those in exile, whom I have caused to be carried off captive from Yerushalayim to Bavel: 5 ‘Build yourselves houses, and live in them. Plant gardens, and eat what they produce. 6 Choose women to marry, and have sons and daughters. Choose wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage to men, so that they can have sons and daughters — increase your numbers there, don’t decrease. 7 Seek the welfare of the city to which I have caused you to go in exile, and pray to Adonai on its behalf; for your welfare is bound up in its welfare.’ 8 For this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: ‘Don’t let your prophets who are living among you and your diviners deceive you, and don’t pay attention to the dreams you urge them to dream. 9 For they are prophesying falsely in my name; I have not sent them,’ says Adonai.
10 “For here is what Adonai says: ‘After Bavel’s seventy years are over, I will remember you and fulfill my good promise to you by bringing you back to this place. 11 For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai,‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. 12 When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly; 14 and I will let you find me,’ says Adonai. ‘Then I will reverse your exile. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have driven you,’ says Adonai, ‘and bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’
15 “You say that Adonai has raised up prophets for you in Bavel. 16 But here is what Adonai says about the king occupying David’s throne and about all the people living in this city, your kinsmen who did not go into exile with you — 17 thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: ‘I will attack them with sword, famine and plague; I will make them like bad figs, so bad they are inedible. 18 I will pursue them with sword, famine and plague and make them an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth; and they will bring on themselves cursing, astonishment, ridicule and reproach among all the nations where I have driven them; 19 because they have not paid attention to my words,’ says Adonai, ‘which I sent to them through my servants the prophets. I sent them frequently, but you refused to listen,’ says Adonai.
20 “So pay attention now to the word of Adonai, all of you in exile, whom I sent away from Yerushalayim to Bavel. 21 Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says about Ach’av the son of Kolayah and Tzidkiyahu the son of Ma‘aseiyah, who prophesy lies to you in my name: ‘I will hand them over to N’vukhadretzar king of Bavel, and he will put them to death before your eyes. 22 In fact, all those exiled from Y’hudah who are in Bavel will take up this formula for cursing: “May Adonai make you like Tzidkiyahu and Ach’av, whom the king of Bavel roasted in the fire!” 23 because they have done vile things in Isra’el, committing adultery with their neighbors’ wives and speaking words in my name, falsely, which I did not order them to say. For I am he who knows; I am witness to this,’ says Adonai.
24 “To Sh’ma‘yah the Nechelami you are to communicate this message: 25 ‘This is a word from Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, because of the letters you sent in your own name to all the people in Yerushalayim, including Tz’fanyah the son of Ma‘aseiyah the cohen and all the cohanim. 26 Your letter said, “Adonai has made you cohen in place of Y’hoyada the cohen, in order to have officials in Adonai’s house who will arrest any crazy person who makes himself out to be a prophet, so that you can restrain him in stocks and collar. 27 So why haven’t you rebuked Yirmeyahu of ‘Anatot, who makes himself out to be a prophet for you? 28 He even sends word to us in Bavel saying that the exile will last a long time; so build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat what they produce.” 29 Tz’fanyah the cohen read this letter to Yirmeyahu the prophet, and afterwards 30 the word of Adonai came to Yirmeyahu, 31 instructing him to send to all those in exile this message: “Here is what Adonai says about Sh’ma‘yah the Nechelami: ‘This Sh’ma‘yah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has caused you to put your trust in a lie. 32 Because of this,’ Adonai says, ‘I will punish Sh’ma‘yah the Nechelami and his offspring. He will not have a man to live among this people, and he will not see the good I am planning to do for my people,’ says Adonai, ‘because he has preached rebellion against Adonai.’”’”
Hebrews 5:1 For every cohen gadol taken from among men is appointed to act on people’s behalf with regard to things concerning God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and with those who go astray, since he too is subject to weakness. 3 Also, because of this weakness, he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor upon himself, rather, he is called by God, just as Aharon was.
5 So neither did the Messiah glorify himself to become cohen gadol; rather, it was the One who said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”[Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7]
6 Also, as he says in another place,
“You are a cohen forever,
to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.”[Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4]
7 During Yeshua’s life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions, crying aloud and shedding tears, to the One who had the power to deliver him from death; and he was heard because of his godliness. 8 Even though he was the Son, he learned obedience through his sufferings. 9 And after he had been brought to the goal, he became the source of eternal deliverance to all who obey him, 10 since he had been proclaimed by God as a cohen gadol to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.
11 We have much to say about this subject, but it is hard to explain, because you have become sluggish in understanding. 12 For although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the very first principles of God’s Word all over again! You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who has to drink milk is still a baby, without experience in applying the Word about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by continuous exercise to distinguish good from evil.

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The Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries with Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "Keeping It Short" for Saturday, October 29, 2016


How can you share the Gospel in 2017?Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart![Psalm 32:11]
Here's a question for you: what is the shortest verse in the Bible?
Do you know?
I'm impressed. A lot of you are saying that "Jesus wept" is the shortest verse found in the Bible. Congratulations! Now, the next question is going to identify the real Bible scholars: where is the shortest verse in the Bible found? Hands up, please!
Hmmm, the number seems to have gone down considerably. That's because there aren't so many of us who know that "Jesus wept" is found in John 11:35. That's the good news; here's the bad.
In the Greek, "Jesus wept" is not the shortest verse in the Bible.
In the Greek there is another verse which is shorter. You get an "A" for the day if you can tell me what that verse is -- and where it's located. I'll give you a clue: in the Greek "Jesus wept" is three words, 16 letters, and this new verse is two words, 14 letters.
Have you got it yet?
Here's the answer: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 -- "Rejoice evermore."
Think about it. If, through some terrible catastrophe, the entire Bible was taken away from us, those two short verses would preach a wonderful sermon: Jesus wept, so we might rejoice evermore. Jesus wept. It's true. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, wept when death came to His friend, Lazarus; He wept when He saw the future that awaited the unrepentant city of Jerusalem.
He cried out upon the cross as He died to remove the spots of sin, the terrible, tragic transgressions of our souls. Jesus wept so that His people might rejoice. Believers can rejoice.
* Because their sins are taken away, they can rejoice.
* Because they know they are not alone, they can rejoice.
* Because their friends and family members who died believing are in heaven with their Savior, they can rejoice.
We can rejoice because we know there is a reunion in heaven. We can rejoice because we know the day is going to come when we will be with the Lord in that place where the Lord will wipe away every tear from their eyes, where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (see Revelation 21:4).
Jesus wept, so we don't have to.
Knowing that, Martin Luther, a pretty astute scholar, said, "God is not a God of sadness, death, but the devil is. Christ is a God of joy, and so the Scriptures often say that we should rejoice. ... A Christian should and must be a cheerful person."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, with a repentant heart I regret those sins that sent the Savior to the cross. Still I rejoice that through His suffering I have been forgiven and saved. May my life be spent rejoicing ever more. In the Savior's Name I pray it. Amen.

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: Jeremiah 23-24; Hebrews 4

Jeremiah 23:1 “Oh no! The shepherds are destroying and scattering the sheep in my pasture!” says Adonai. 2 Therefore this is what Adonai, the God of Isra’el, says against the shepherds who shepherd my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away and not taken care of them. So I will ‘take care of’ you because of your evil deeds,” says Adonai. 3 “I myself will gather what remains of my flock from all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their homes, and they will be fruitful and increase their numbers. 4 I will appoint shepherds over them who will shepherd them; then they will no longer be afraid or disgraced; and none will be missing,” says Adonai.
5 “The days are coming,” says Adonai
when I will raise a righteous Branch for David.
He will reign as king and succeed,
he will do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Y’hudah will be saved,
Isra’el will live in safety,
and the name given to him will be
Adonai Tzidkenu [Adonai our righteousness].
7 “Therefore,” says Adonai, “the day will come when people no longer swear, ‘As Adonai lives, who brought the people of Isra’el out of the land of Egypt,’ 8 but, ‘As Adonai lives, who brought the descendants of the house of Isra’el up from the land to the north’ and from all the countries where I drove them. Then they will live in their own land.”
9 Concerning the prophets:
My heart within me is broken,
all my bones are shaking;
I am like a drunk,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of Adonai,
because of his holy words.
10 For the land is full of adulterers;
because of a curse the land is in mourning —
the desert pastures have dried up.
Their course is evil, their power misused.
11 “Both prophet and cohen are godless;
In my own house I find their wickedness,” says Adonai.
12 “Therefore their way will be slippery for them;
they will be driven into darkness and fall there.
For I will bring disaster upon them,
their year of punishment,” says Adonai.
13 “I have seen inappropriate conduct
in the prophets of Shomron —
they prophesied by Ba‘al
and led my people Isra’el astray.
14 But in the prophets of Yerushalayim
I have seen a horrible thing —
they commit adultery, live in lies,
so encouraging evildoers
that none returns from his sin.
For me they have all become like S’dom,
its inhabitants like ‘Amora.”
15 Therefore, this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot says concerning the prophets:
“I will feed them bitter wormwood
and make them drink poisonous water,
for ungodliness has spread through all the land
from the prophets of Yerushalayim.”
16 Adonai-Tzva’ot says:
“Don’t listen to the words of the prophets
who are prophesying to you.
They are making you act foolishly,
telling you visions from their own minds
and not from the mouth of Adonai.
17 They keep reassuring those who despise me,
‘Adonai says you will be safe and secure,’
and saying to all living by their own stubborn hearts,
‘Nothing bad will happen to you.’
18 But which of them has been present at the council
of Adonai to see and hear his word?
Who has paid attention to
his word enough to hear it?”
19 Look! The storm of Adonai,
bursting out in fury,
a whirling storm, whirling down
upon the heads of the wicked!
20 Adonai’s anger will not abate
till he fully accomplishes the purpose in his heart.
In the acharit-hayamim,
you will understand everything.
21 “I did not send these prophets; yet they ran.
I did not speak to them; yet they prophesied.
22 If they have been present at my council,
they should let my people hear my words
and turn them from their evil way
and the evil of their actions.
23 Am I God only when near,” asks Adonai,
“and not when far away?
24 Can anyone hide in a place so secret
that I won’t see him?” asks Adonai.
Adonai says, “Do I not
fill heaven and earth?
25 “I have heard what these prophets prophesying lies in my name are saying: ‘I’ve had a dream! I’ve had a dream!’ 26 How long will this go on? Is [my word] in the hearts of prophets who are prophesying lies, who are prophesying the deceit of their own minds? 27 With their dreams that they keep telling each other, they hope to cause my people to forget my name; just as their ancestors forgot my name when they worshipped Ba‘al.
28 “If a prophet has a dream,
let him tell it as a dream.
But someone who has my word
should speak my word faithfully.
What do chaff and wheat
have in common?” asks Adonai.
29 “Isn’t my word like fire,” asks Adonai,
“like a hammer shattering rocks?
30 So, I am against the prophets,” says Adonai,
“who steal my words from each other.
31 Yes, I am against the prophets,” says Adonai,
“who speak their own words, then add, ‘He says.’
32 “I am against those who concoct prophecies out of fake dreams,” says Adonai. “They tell them, and by their lies and arrogance they lead my people astray. I didn’t send them, I didn’t commission them, and they don’t do this people any good at all,” says Adonai.
33 “When [someone from] this people, a prophet or a cohen asks you, ‘What is the burden of Adonai?’ you are to answer them, ‘What burden? I am throwing you off,’ says Adonai. 34 As for a prophet, cohen or [someone else from] this people who speaks about ‘the burden of Adonai,’ I will punish him and his household.”
35 So, when you speak with your neighbor or brother, ask, “What answer has Adonai given?” or “What has Adonai said?” 36 Don’t use the expression, “burden of Adonai” any more; for every person’s own word will be his burden. Must you twist the words of the living God, of Adonai-Tzva’ot, our God? 37 So, when speaking to a prophet, ask, “What answer has Adonai given you?” or “What did Adonai say?” 38 But if you talk about “the burden of Adonai,” then here is what Adonai says: “Because you use this expression, ‘the burden of Adonai,’ after I have already sent you the order not to say, ‘the burden of Adonai,’ 39 I will lift you up, burden that you are, and throw you off, away from my presence — you and the city I gave you and your ancestors. 40 Then I will subject you to everlasting disgrace — eternal, unforgettable shame.”
24:1 It was after N’vukhadretzar king of Bavel had carried Y’khanyahu the son of Y’hoyakim, king of Y’hudah, along with the leaders of Y’hudah, the artisans and the skilled workers into exile from Yerushalayim and brought them to Bavel, that Adonai gave me a vision. There, in front of the temple of Adonai, two baskets of figs were placed. 2 One of the baskets had in it very good figs, like those that ripen first; while the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they were inedible. 3 Then Adonai asked me, “Yirmeyahu, what do you see?” I answered, “Figs — the good figs are very good; but the bad ones are very bad, so bad they are inedible.” 4 The word of Adonai came to me: 5 “Here is what Adonai the God of Isra’el says: ‘I will regard the exiles from Y’hudah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Kasdim, as good, just as I do these good figs.
6 “‘I will look after them for their good,
I will bring them back to this land;
I will build them up and not tear them down,
plant them and not pull them up.
7 I will give them a heart to know me
that I am Adonai.
They will be my people,
and I will be their God;
for they will return to me
with all their heart.’
8 “But concerning the bad figs that are so bad as to be inedible, Adonai says: ‘I will make Tzidkiyahu the king of Y’hudah and his leaders resemble them, likewise the rest of Yerushalayim remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt. 9 Everywhere I drive them I will make them an object of horror, repulsive to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace, a byword, a laughingstock and a curse; 10 and I will send sword, famine and plague among them until they have disappeared from the land I gave them and their ancestors.’”
Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, let us be terrified of the possibility that, even though the promise of entering his rest remains, any one of you might be judged to have fallen short of it; 2 for Good News has also been proclaimed to us, just as it was to them. But the message they heard didn’t do them any good, because those who heard it did not combine it with trust. 3 For it is we who have trusted who enter the rest.
It is just as he said,
“And in my anger, I swore
that they would not enter my rest.”[Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11]
He swore this even though his works have been in existence since the founding of the universe. 4 For there is a place where it is said, concerning the seventh day,
“And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”[Hebrews 4:4 Genesis 2:2]
5 And once more, our present text says,
“They will not enter my rest.”[Hebrews 4:5 Psalm 95:11]
6 Therefore, since it still remains for some to enter it, and those who received the Good News earlier did not enter, 7 he again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David, so long afterwards, in the text already given,
“Today, if you hear God’s voice, don’t harden your hearts.”[Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7–8]
8 For if Y’hoshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of another “day.”
9 So there remains a Shabbat-keeping for God’s people. 10 For the one who has entered God’s rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience.
12 See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. 13 Before God, nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
14 Therefore, since we have a great cohen gadol who has passed through to the highest heaven, Yeshua, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we acknowledge as true. 15 For we do not have a cohen gadol unable to empathize with our weaknesses; since in every respect he was tempted just as we are, the only difference being that he did not sin. 16 Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne from which God gives grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.

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The Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries with Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "Pointing to the Savior" for Friday, October 28, 2016


I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel -- not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ.[Galatians 1:6-7]
The pastor at Toronto, Canada's, West Hill Congregation says she is on the receiving end of an inquisition. Even so, the pastor wants to keep the position, which has been held since 1997.
The pastor is 58-year-old Gretta Vosper, and she was ordained in the United Church.
Recently, in a split decision, a church review panel has recommended that Vosper be removed. The majority position said, "Although the United Church of Canada is a big tent, welcoming a diversity of theological beliefs, Ms. Vosper is so far from centre of what holds us together as a United Church that we have concluded she is not suitable to continue as an ordained minister."
The minority side said, "The church has evolved since its founding and must continue doing so to meet the spiritual needs of Canadians."
Now you may be wondering what is the difficulty. What does Pastor Vosper believe that has caused such controversy? Well, it might be easier to tell you what she doesn't believe. For example, she doesn't believe in
* the Father, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit;
* the primacy of Scripture;
* conducting the Sacraments;
* praying to the Lord.
Pastor Vosper does believe that in helping and caring for each other, people "create this positive power within ourselves and that's God, but that it's entirely dependent upon us. It doesn't come from the supernatural realm; we can't make things better by praying to another realm."
Now here's the thing. I'm not surprised that someone holds such beliefs. We know that false prophets arise in every generation. What shocks me is the committee to evaluate these teachings was not unified in its condemnation of such obviously false doctrine.
All of this leads me to encourage our pastors and parishes to hold fast to the truth of Scripture.
Even more, if you are blessed to have a preacher whose messages clearly point to the Savior and the blood-bought salvation that was won for us through Jesus' life, His suffering, death, and wonderful resurrection from the dead, then give thanks to God.
In public, speak well of the work the Holy Spirit is doing in your church, and occasionally let your pastor know you appreciate his messages, which show to all "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (see John 1:29).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, send Your Holy Spirit upon the church so that both pastors and people may tell a sinful world that there is salvation through faith in Your Son, who gave His life so we might be forgiven and be granted life eternal. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Lutheran Hour MinistriesToday's Bible in a Year Reading: Jeremiah 49; Hebrews 3
Jeremiah 49:1 Concerning the people of ‘Amon, here is what Adonai says:

“Has Isra’el no sons?

Has he no heir?

Then why has Malkam inherited Gad,

with his people settled in its cities?

2 Therefore,” says Adonai, “the days are coming

when I will sound the battle alarm

against Rabbah and the people of ‘Amon;

it will become a tel of ruins,

her villages burned to the ground.

Then Isra’el will inherit from them

who disinherited him,” says Adonai.

3 “Wail, Heshbon, for ‘Ai is doomed!

Cry out, daughters of Rabbah!

Wear sackcloth and mourn,

running here and there among the sheep pens.

For Malkam will go into exile,

together with his priests and officers.

4 Why do you take such pride in the valleys,

your well-watered valleys, rebellious daughter?

You trusted in your riches

and thought, ‘Who can attack me?’

5 I am bringing terror on you,”

says Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot, “from every side.

Each of you will be driven out headlong,

with no one to gather the fugitives.

6 But afterwards, I will bring back

the exiles of ‘Amon,” says Adonai.

7 Concerning Edom, this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot says:

“Is there no wisdom left in Teman?

Have her wise men forgotten how to counsel?

Has their wisdom vanished?

8 Flee! Turn back! Hide yourselves well,

you who live in D’dan;

for I am bringing calamity on ‘Esav,

when the time for me to punish him comes.

9 If grape-pickers came to you,

they would leave no grapes for gleaning.

If thieves came at night,

they would destroy until they were satisfied.

10 So I, for my part, have stripped ‘Esav bare,

I have exposed his hiding-places;

he will not be able to hide himself.

He is doomed — sons, brothers and neighbors —

so that he is no more.

11 Leave your orphans; I will keep them alive;

let your widows trust in me.”

12 For this is what Adonai says: “Those who do not deserve to drink from this cup will have to drink it anyway, so should you go unpunished? No, you will not go unpunished; you will certainly drink it. 13 For I have sworn by myself,” says Adonai, “that Botzrah will become a ruin and an object of astonishment, reproach and cursing; all its cities will be ruins forever.”

14 I have heard a message from Adonai:

“A messenger is sent among the nations, saying:

‘Gather together, and march against her!

Prepare for battle!’

15 Here! I will make you least among nations,

the most despised of people.

16 Your capacity to terrorize

has deceived you and made you arrogant.

You make your home in the rocky crags

and seize the top of the mountain;

but even if you build your nest high as an eagle’s,

from there I will drag you down,” says Adonai.

17 Edom will become an object of horror;

everyone passing by will whistle

in astonishment at all its disasters.

18 It will be like the overthrow of S’dom,

‘Amora and their neighboring towns,” says Adonai.

“No one will settle there any more,

no human being will live there again.

19 It will be like a lion coming up from the thickets

of the Yarden against a strong settlement:

in an instant I will chase him away

and appoint over it whomever I choose.

For who is like me? Who can call me to account?

What shepherd can stand up to me?”

20 So hear the plan of Adonai

that he has devised against Edom,

and his purpose that he will accomplish

against those who live in Teman:

the least of the flock will drag them away;

their own pasture will be in shock at them.

21 The earth quakes at the sound of their fall;

their cry can be heard at the Sea of Suf.

22 Like a vulture he will soar, swoop down

and spread out his wings against Botzrah.

On that day the hearts of Edom’s warriors

will be like the heart of a woman in labor.

23 Concerning Dammesek:

“Hamat and Arpad are confused;

having heard bad news, they dissolve in fear,

like the churning sea, which cannot calm itself.

24 Dammesek, weakened, turns to flee;

trembling has seized her;

anguish and pain take hold of her

like the pains of a woman in labor.

25 How can a city so praised be deserted,

a city that gave me such joy?

26 Therefore her young men will fall in her squares,

and all her warriors be silenced on that day,”

says Adonai-Tzva’ot.

27 “I will light a fire inside Dammesek’s walls

which will consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.”

28 Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hatzor, which N’vukhadretzar king of Bavel struck, Adonai says:

“Set out! March against Kedar!

Plunder the people of the east!

29 They will seize their tents and their flocks,

their tent curtains and all their equipment;

their camels too they will take for themselves

and shout at them, ‘Terror in every direction!’

30 Flee! Leave your homes! Hide yourselves well,

you who live in Hatzor,” says Adonai;

“for N’vukhadretzar king of Bavel

has devised a plan against you;

he has formed a scheme against you.

31 Get up! March on a nation at ease,

that lives secure,” says Adonai.

“They have neither gates nor bars;

they live in isolation.

32 Their camels will be booty,

their many cattle a spoil.

I will scatter to the winds

those who shave the sides of their heads;

From every direction I will bring

their disaster on them,” says Adonai.

33 “Hatzor will be a place for jackals to live,

desolate forever;

no one will settle there any more,

no human being will live there again.”

34 This is the word of Adonai that came to Yirmeyahu the prophet concerning ‘Eilam at the beginning of the reign of Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah: 35 “Adonai-Tzva’ot says:

‘I will break ‘Eilam’s bow,

the mainstay of their might.

36 I will bring against ‘Eilam the four winds

from the four quarters of the sky

and scatter them to all those winds.

There will not be one nation to which

the dispersed of ‘Eilam will not come.

37 I will break ‘Eilam before their foes,

before those who seek their lives;

I will bring disaster on them,

my burning anger,’ says Adonai.

‘I will send the sword to pursue them

until I have finished them off.

38 I will put my throne in ‘Eilam

and destroy their king and leaders,’ says Adonai.

39 ‘But in the acharit-hayamim,

I will bring back the exiles of ‘Eilam,’ says Adonai.”

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, brothers whom God has set apart, who share in the call from heaven, think carefully about Yeshua, whom we acknowledge publicly as God’s emissary and as cohen gadol. 2 He was faithful to God, who appointed him; just as

“Moshe was faithful in all God’s house.”[Hebrews 3:2 Numbers 12:7]

3 But Yeshua deserves more honor than Moshe, just as the builder of the house deserves more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God.

5 Also, Moshe was faithful in all God’s house, as a servant giving witness to things God would divulge later. 6 But the Messiah, as Son, was faithful over God’s house. And we are that house of his, provided we hold firmly to the courage and confidence inspired by what we hope for.

7 Therefore, as the Ruach HaKodesh says,

“Today, if you hear God’s voice,

8 don’t harden your hearts, as you did in the Bitter Quarrel

on that day in the Wilderness when you put God to the test.

9 Yes, your fathers put me to the test;

they challenged me, and they saw my work for forty years!

10 Therefore, I was disgusted with that generation —

I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,

they have not understood how I do things’;

11 in my anger, I swore

that they would not enter my rest.”[Hebrews 3:11 Psalm 95:7–11]

12 Watch out, brothers, so that there will not be in any one of you an evil heart lacking trust, which could lead you to apostatize from the living God! 13 Instead, keep exhorting each other every day, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you will become hardened by the deceit of sin. 14 For we have become sharers in the Messiah, provided, however, that we hold firmly to the conviction we began with, right through until the goal is reached.

15 Now where it says,

“Today, if you hear God’s voice,

don’t harden your hearts, as you did in the Bitter Quarrel,” [Hebrews 3:15 Psalm 95:7–8]

16 who were the people who, after they heard, quarreled so bitterly? All those whom Moshe brought out of Egypt. 17 And with whom was God disgusted for forty years? Those who sinned — yes, they fell dead in the Wilderness! 18 And to whom was it that he swore that they would not enter his rest? Those who were disobedient. 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of lack of trust.

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