Thank you for posting all of these devotionals! I have really enjoyed reading them. Great insights!

"Peace In Christ"

July 10, 2009



Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. . . . But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:13, 16



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 of The Lutheran Hour



Sometimes it may seem we are beyond redemption.

Though the apostle Paul trekked thousands of miles during his missionary journeys of spreading the Gospel throughout the Greek and Roman worlds, before that he worked feverishly to stamp out and destroy those who believed in that Gospel. Having persecuted and been party to the murder of early believers Paul, no doubt, had to grapple with guilt over his previous sins during his new life as a Christian. Yet, God's grace -- and forgiveness -- was greater than this horrendous past. He received Jesus Christ as his Savior and lived a remarkable life for the sake of Gospel.

It is not beyond conceiving that you or I might have a past filled with misdeeds and wrongdoing that may even rival the crimes of Paul's pre-Christian days. Are there sins in your life that it would seem no amount of God's goodness or grace can touch and wipe clean? Think again. God the Father through Christ Jesus forgives you and will heal you from whatever sin haunts your past -- or your present.

Thanks be to God almighty whose grace as revealed in Jesus Christ is sufficient to cover any sin and blot out every wickedness. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah53:6).

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. Please strengthen me through Your Holy Spirit to live a life empowered by Your forgiveness to boldly take Your message of grace to a hurting and dying world. In the Name of Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Biography of Author: Nguyen Huu Dung works with Lutheran Hour Ministries' operations in Vietnam as a volunteer preacher. Known locally at The Voice of Hope, LHM has shared the Gospel in this country of 90 million for ten years via Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), Equipping The Saints (ETS) outreach, puppet shows, and musical performances.

You are quite welcome goinskinny.

July 11, 2009



O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? Declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. Jeremiah 18:6



I once happened to be driving along a country road in upper Michigan.

After a sharp turn on the highway, my eyes were struck with a sight so strange I pulled into a farmhouse yard to examine it more closely. All around the grounds of the old yard were statues of gnomes, animals, birds, and people -- statues that had been carved out of tree trunks.

Soon a group of about 15 people gathered to watch the creator of these sculptures begin a new project with his preferred tool: a chainsaw.

Wood chips and sawdust flew everywhere as the artist managed to carve a reasonable likeness of a bear out of a piece of oak. Using a number of chainsaws, the job took about half an hour. It took the artist only 30 seconds more to put a price tag of $450 on his work.

It occurs to me God sometimes works like that wood sculptor.

Most people think of God, the divine artist of our lives, as always being slow moving, working gently and with delicate instruments. Of course, He can do that. On the other hand, I have observed the Lord often uses the spiritual equivalent of a chainsaw to shape us.

Major surprises turn our lives upside down. Our plans and goals end up flying everywhere as He dramatically shapes us into the people He wants us to be. It may not be the most comfortable experience for us, but God's handiwork does make us more valuable to His purposes.

This is why, right now, if you find major pieces of your life flying around like wood chips, you might want to hold on to that picture of my chainsaw carver. Trust the Lord, whatever tools He is using. He is motivated by an artist's eye, and He will make you more valuable when He's done.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Lord God, You are always in the process of molding me into a new creation. Help me to become a delight to Your eye and empower me to live my life in thanks to the Savior who has died and risen to transform me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Greatest Love"

July 12, 2009



This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13



Although we don't like to admit it, most of us encounter times when we don't want to go to worship.

Is this kind of scene familiar in your home? It's Sunday morning and dad rolls over in bed and mumbles something like, "I don't want to go to church today."

"Why not?" his wife asks.

"Because the people there don't like me. I stayed up too late last night. There probably won't be anybody there this morning, and I just don't want to go." To that litany of excuses the wife counters, "Those are pretty silly reasons. You should go to church. The people at worship do like you. You'll feel better once you get moving, and there will be more than a handful of people at worship. And besides, you're the pastor."

As I say, there are times when God's saints don't feel like going to church -- even pastors.
Thankfully, there is never a time when God doesn't feel like loving His people. The entire Bible is an ongoing record of how God loves us, how He keeps His promises, and how He sent His Son to save us.

In Biblical times, and still today, God loves His people even when they forget Him. He loves us even when we ignore Him. He loves us even when we disobey Him. His love never ends. To live in the presence of that kind of love is pretty overwhelming. What a wonderful God He is to send His Son to lay down His life to save those whom He loves.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Lord God, the greatest love this world has seen comes from You. Please, show me how to reflect the love of the Savior to others. Help me, Lord, to be more Christ-centered and less me-centered. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

"What's It Worth?"

July 13, 2009



The price of wisdom is above pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. Job 28:18b-19



There aren't many television shows I enjoy as much as Antiques Roadshow. I like to watch the faces of the people, as well as the stuff being appraised.

There's the thrill of victory when someone's garage-residing bric-a-brac is judged to be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

There's the agony of defeat when an individual brings in a cherished and pampered family heirloom and is told the item is a piece of junk.

"A piece of junk" is not what they said to the lady who brought four pieces of carved Chinese jade to the show in Raleigh, North Carolina. She said her father had collected the jade during the 1930s and 1940s, when he was stationed in China.

The experts said the jade was conservatively worth more than a million dollars. It's the first time that figure has been reached in all the years the show has been on the air. Now, it's quite possible the four pieces of jade are beautiful and the result of painstaking and expert craftsmanship. But a million dollars? Wow!

I never would have guessed.

Sometimes it's pretty hard to figure out the value of a thing. For example, take a look at the baby in the Bethlehem feeding trough. What do you think He's worth? Or, take a few moments to see Him being challenged by the religious establishment. They obviously didn't consider Him to be of any value.

Pontius Pilate thought his political career was more important than that Man's life. His good friend Judas considered his Master to be worth . . . what . . . 30 pieces of silver?

No, you can't always tell what something, or someone is worth. I pray most of you, when you look at Jesus, see Him as the most precious Person in your life. Take a good look. See Him being beaten, falsely accused, and nailed to a cross. What do you see? What is He worth to you?

What was Jesus worth? I don't know. What is a person worth who was willing to die so you could live? What is the price on someone who loved you enough to give His entire life as a sacrifice to redeem you from sin, death, and the devil?

What is He worth? Everything is a price far too small.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, You loved me enough to offer Yourself as my substitute. It is a gift undeserved. May that gift never be underappreciated. In Your Name. Amen.


In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

"A Longing Soul"

July 14, 2009



Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things. Psalm 107:8-9



Ten-year-old Colby Curtin was dying of vascular cancer.

Diagnosed in 2005, the disease was doing its worst and Colby's life was limited to hours.
It's not that Colby wasn't ready to die. She was. It was just that Colby had something she wanted to do before she left.

Colby wanted to see the Disney-Pixar movie Up. In April, when she had been feeling better, she saw the previews. Back then she made a commitment to see the film.

But by June, Colby's health had deteriorated and the movie had not yet been released -- not that it would have made much difference. Colby was weak and confined to her bed.

But then some things -- some very good things -- happened.

A family friend called Pixar Studios and told them about Colby and her wish. The folks at Pixar went into a huddle to decide what they should do. It was a short huddle.

The following day a representative of the company showed up at Colby's home. He brought a copy of the film, stuffed animals, and other movie memorabilia.

The movie was played, but Colby hadn't the strength to open her eyes. Her mother had to describe what was happening on the screen.

Colby Curtin died later that night.

I don't know anybody at Pixar, but they did the right thing in satisfying the longing of a dying girl.

According to our text, that's exactly what God does for each of us. "He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul He fills with good things."

Because of the Lord's steadfast love, because of His gracious care, we have been given a Redeemer; we have been brought to faith, and we can look forward to eternity.

We have been saved, but there is a world out there dying from the cancer of sin. They need to see and hear the story of the Savior, of His life, His death, and His resurrection. Before they die they need to meet the Christ who can satisfy every longing soul.

Now, I know what Pixar would do in such a situation. The question is what will we do?

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, You satisfy the heart's desire of humanity. May I tell Your story to those who are dead in their sins. May they be moved to faith in You as their Redeemer. In Your Name, I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Never Too Late"

July 15, 2009



This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b



Seventy-eight-year-old Bill Fulton of Baker City, Oregon, can remember the good, old days.

Actually, right now, Fulton finds it a bit easier to remember those days. That's because Melanie Trindle, the secretary of Baker Middle School, recently returned the wallet Fulton lost -- in 1946.

Fulton's wallet, along with other assorted items that had disappeared over the years, was discovered when workers detached gymnasium bleachers from the wall of the old school. Those bleachers had been there since 1936. Fulton's wallet found its way behind them about ten years later.

Inside the mini-time capsule, Fulton found the address where he had lived as a teen, his Social Security card, his bicycle card, and a hodgepodge of other items designed to jolt a man's memory.

Now the amazing thing is this: the return of Fulton's wallet has made a difference for the man. But rather than focusing on what is inside his wallet, Fulton has been thinking about his life, his time in the Korean War, his military service in Berlin, and the years he spent working at a local lumber yard.

Fulton summarized his feelings this way: "Where did all the time go? It's hard to believe that the times have gone so fast."

I agree. And I also agree with the texts of today's devotion. This day, every day, is a gift from God. Each day can be used or abused; it can be squandered or appreciated. As far as the Lord is concerned: He prefers we rejoice and be glad for the time He has given us.

Not only does the Lord want it, He has done something to assure it. This takes us to the second passage of Scripture. Jesus came into this world to seek and save the lost and to bring light to those in darkness. He lived, died, and rose to save us from our sins, to assure us of eternal life, and to give us an abundant life.

With all those blessings coming together in this today, we just might be able to rejoice and be glad in it.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, You gave Your days so that my days might be blessed, my life be abundant, and my eternity a joy. For Your sacrifice, this day, every day, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®

"No Stealing"

July 16, 2009



And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Acts 2:44-45



According to the book of Acts, there was a time in the history of the Church when all things were held in common and shared.

Now it appears a woman in Westbury, New York, wants to revive that custom.

Police recently arrested her as she was leaving Our Lady of Hope Church. Apparently, the lady had developed a pattern of stealing from the purses of those who were sitting around her.

When the worshippers knelt down to pray, when the faithful went up for Communion, the woman reached into their purses and swiped their cash.

Since she "had need," this was her own way of having "all things in common" -- a way that was not looked upon with favor by her fellow worshippers.

Now I suppose there are some advantages in stealing while you're in church. If you're caught, people are more likely to be polite, less likely to pull a gun. On the other hand, stealing is still not a practice anyone would encourage.

Now, lest you think this devotion has no rhyme or reason, I have to say, "not so."

The early Church had a good idea in helping those who were part of the family of faith. It occurs to me that, right now, many congregations have somebody -- maybe a bunch of somebodies -- who are in need.

Tough times have almost guaranteed there are those who are unemployed or are worrying about losing a house. Most certainly, people are stressed.

So, what can we do? We who have received so much from the Savior, who gave His all when we had no hope, no future, no salvation, might want to do the same.

You employers, if you're hiring, why not post your position in a church's monthly newsletter? If you have some things you no longer need, why not offer to pass them on for free to someone who could use a boost.

You just never know whom the family of faith can touch when they move forward in thanks to the Redeemer.

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, the forgiveness I enjoy, the eternity You have promised are all blood-bought gifts. If I am in a position to help others, please open the doors and make the connection. This I ask, and do, in Your Name. Amen.


In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

"A Fresh Start"

July 17, 2009



In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:1-2



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 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 of The Lutheran Hour



To put things in order, it is necessary to start at the beginning. The Bible tells us how God put the world in its place and everything was perfect. But Satan enticed man to disobey God and the perfect order was broken. Rather than the harmonious relationship originally instituted between God and man, a broken spiritual union resulted from man's most grievous sin in the Garden of Eden.

Instead of a joyful unity with God, chaos reigned, wreaking havoc on the original state of affairs. But the love of God was revealed when He gave man the promise of a fresh start -- a new and forgiven life that would ultimately be made possible by the atoning work of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

In this world under the devil's vile regime, the effects of our sin are plainly obvious. Our sin mars our relationship with God and those around us. It undermines our best intentions, and even those things we've done that we think are worthwhile in God's sight are tainted because of sin. For as the prophet Isaiah has said, "... all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment" (Isaiah 64:6b).

Corrupt to the core, things don't look very good for man when left to his own devices.

It is faith in God's Son, our Savior, however, that brings full light to lives once lived in darkness and despair. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our light amid darkness, our life amid death, our peace amid desperation. By His death, He took every last one of our filthy sins and bore the horrendous weight of our endless failures. By His resurrection, He forever removed our sins from us.

And by the salvation His Spirit gives us through faith, He dispels all chaos and enthrones Himself as Lord of lords and King of kings in our hearts.

THE PRAYER: God, please create in me a new heart. Make it a heart that each day trusts in Your power alone for the only fresh start possible -- a new life won by Jesus' blood and freely given by Your unfathomable grace. Darkness once covered my life, but now You reign supreme. Amen.

Biography of Author: A volunteer from Lutheran Hour Ministries' operations in Argentina wrote this devotion. Known as Cristo Para Todas las Naciones ("Christ for all Nations" or CPTLN) within this South American country of over 40 million people, LHM has had an office in Buenos Aires since 1947. Principal Gospel programs utilized are Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), Equipping The Saints (ETS) and Project JOEL, a children's outreach ministry.


To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.

Gary, thank you so much for sharing with us. It is appreciated. God bless you and yours.

"Pleasing God"

July 18, 2009



They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:5-6



There is a lot of free advice out there.

All you have to do is listen to the experts and semi-knowledgeable, and you will know exactly what you should do. That's what Charlie Stink found out. Charlie Stink was constantly being told by his friends and coworkers that he should have his name changed to something that sounded better.

Finally, Charlie Stink gave in and went to the court to have the legal work completed. The next day back at work, his associates inquired, "Well what did you have your name changed to?" "I changed it to George Stink," he answered, "but for the life of me I can't see what difference it's going to make!"

I guess that's what often happens when we follow the advice of the world and try to please others. In spite of our seemingly good intentions, things just don't work out the way we, or they, planned.

Maybe that's why most of us stop trying to remake ourselves into the person who pleases everybody all the time. Far better for us is it to please the Lord who has saved us, far wiser to listen to the Lord who knows what is best for us. He, and He alone, has, and is, the Spirit of truth.

There are certain advantages to listening to the Lord. First, the Lord's directions aren't confusing or contradictory. Second, our God doesn't change His mind. Third, and most importantly, since the Father sent His Son to save us, He will always give us wise advice -- advice that is profitable and right and true.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Dear Father, sometimes listening to those around us is easier than listening to You. Give us the discernment to distinguish between Your Spirit of truth and man's spirit of error. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

I get these sent to me everyday but I prefer to come here and to discuss them. On July 14th devotion I know this to be so true.

My Mama loved the Lord and her one request was to be buried in the snow, with red roses on her casket. Now it never hardly snows in central Texas , and during those times you could not find any red roses! On the day of her funeral, it snowed 5 inches and we found some red roses in Lafayette Indiana of all places, cousins had them shipped in!
My Daddy was a joker always up to meanness in a nice way and always pulling something on my Aunt Faye and cousin Wayne or any of us. He said that he was going to come in as a whirl wind raise that Tabernacle up and blow it right over the top of Aunt Faye and Wayne s head just for the fun of it . I did not see the fun in that but all during the funeral i kept waiting, nothing happen. I went and got in the pickup and left and went to the community center were they had prepared a dinner for the family.

Aunt Faye and Wayne walked in wild eyed and said Did you see what happen as you went out the gate? No Aunt Faye I did not, what happened? Wayne said a whirl wind came out from no where and lifted the tabernacle straight up in the air and came right toward us as we was getting in the car! We had to duck! I said it didn't hurt you are the car did it? Aunt Faye said, No but it almost made me wet my pants!

I just said Oh Daddy you did it again....I could just hear my Daddy laughing when Aunt Faye said that! I truly believe that God does gives us our last
wish especially if we love him.

In July 18th devotion

Maybe that's why most of us stop trying to remake ourselves into the person who pleases everybody all the time. Far better for us is it to please the Lord who has saved us, far wiser to listen to the Lord who knows what is best for us. He, and He alone, has, and is, the Spirit of truth.

There are certain advantages to listening to the Lord. First, the Lord's directions aren't confusing or contradictory. Second, our God doesn't change His mind. Third, and most importantly, since the Father sent His Son to save us, He will always give us wise advice -- advice that is profitable and right and true.

Thank You Gary I needed to read this today, it is so amazing how our Loving Lord Jesus has been talking to me through devotions and church today. I praise his name and love him and I know he is guiding me , that makes me feel safe and loved by him.

"Reaching Out"

July 19, 2009



Do to others as you would have them do to you (NIV). Luke 6:31



Being a collector of stories, I find them to be interesting things with a life of their own. By that I mean, some stories are told, then they are modified, then they are forgotten, and then some are resurrected for a retelling.

Recently, someone sent me a story about Dave and John who were hiking in the Rockies. As they walked, they spotted a mountain lion. Similarly, the mountain lion's hungry look said he had also spotted them. John froze in his tracks, but Dave sat down on a log, tore off his hiking boots, and quickly began lacing up his running shoes. John whispered, "For crying out loud, you can't outrun a mountain lion!" Dave smiled, "I don't have to outrun the mountain lion, I just have to outrun you."

Now that story, as near as I can tell, is on its fifth or sixth telling. Sometimes the pals are running from a mountain lion in the Rockies, sometimes they're fleeing a bull in a pasture. The story keeps changing, but the moral always remains the same: to survive we only have to outrun the other guy.

Is that the way life really is? We don't have to care about the other guy as long as we're safe? I suppose it sounds good, until we're "the other guy."

How different our present and our eternity would be if Jesus thought that way. How sad would be our lives if Jesus decided to save Himself and not us. Thankfully, the cradle, the cross, and the empty tomb tell us Jesus didn't think that way.

And He doesn't want us to think or live that way either. In a beautiful and incredibly concise way He tells His people: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." If everyone followed Jesus' rule, this world would be transformed, and we'd have a whole lot less over-fed mountain lions around.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, it's such a blessing when we encounter people that are a reflection of You. Make me one of them. Help me treat others in such a way that when people see or hear me, they will see the presence of the Redeemer who sacrificed Himself for my salvation. In Jesus' Name. Amen.







In Christ I remain His servant and yours,



Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

Originally Posted by bargoo:
Gary, thank you so much for sharing with us. It is appreciated. God bless you and yours.

Originally Posted by Bootsie:
....Thank You Gary I needed to read this today, it is so amazing how our Loving Lord Jesus has been talking to me through devotions and church today. I praise his name and love him and I know he is guiding me , that makes me feel safe and loved by him.

You are quite welcome GALS :) I am a little late posting today. Angie and I went to church last night then headed out to the beach for a long walk and breakfast, with the mutts, at the beach cafe.