"The Lord Watches"

August 24, 2009



He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121:3-8



The recent mid-air collision between a helicopter and an airplane over the Hudson River was recorded by an Italian tourist, who was learning how to operate his new camera.

That's how the news programs were able to repeatedly show us the tragic accident that took nine lives.

What they weren't able to show is the area's air-traffic controller talking on the phone about a dead cat. Nor could they show the supervisor who wasn't in the building as is required by law.

Now the Federal Aviation Administration has said they "have no reason to believe . . . that these actions contributed to the accident. . . ." But they also said, "this kind of conduct is unacceptable."

I'm sure that's true. Even so, we'd all very much like to believe that when we're in the air, or on the road, or on a train, or going anywhere, that the people responsible for getting us to our destination are continuously operating at 100 percent efficiency.

That's what we'd like to believe; but we can't.

We don't know anyone -- not even the most dedicated of individuals -- who can stay perfectly on task 24/7. We're all human. We get distracted; we get tired; we forget, and our minds wander.

Truly, our weaknesses bring into sharp definition the complete commitment of our Savior.

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus gave His undivided attention to doing the Father's business. And what was the Father's business? It was nothing less than the saving of our souls.

24/7. That was the time schedule Jesus put in throughout His life. During that time He was misunderstood, rejected, hated, mocked, lied about, spit upon, whipped, and murdered. Satan threw temptations at Him that would make an ordinary man or woman buckle.

Still, Jesus continued on and because He did, because He was never distracted, all who believe on Him are saved and given the knowledge they shall live forever in heaven.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for doing that which we would find impossible, we will always be in Your debt. May we -- faithfully and well -- show our gratitude as we live this day, and as we go through every day. In Your Name. Amen.


This Daily Devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries has been sent to you by someone who thinks you will find them as helpful as they have. There is no cost involved. Please read, or listen to what follows. If you would like the Daily Devotion delivered to your mailbox, you can sign up at this link: http://www.lhm.org/email/register.asp.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


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

"Weak Versus Strong"

August 25, 2009



But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. 1 Corinthians 1:27



There are some stories which simply need to be told, and the mental picture of this Daily Devotion story is simply too precious to let go by.

The story begins in Independence, Missouri, with a nun looking out her convent window at 7 a.m.

Seeing a suspicious man walking through the cornfields, she enlisted the help of another sister and went to investigate. They didn't know if the man was lost or whether he was hunting illegally.

Both ideas were wrong.

The man was a burglar -- a burglar armed with a shotgun. But this burglar armed with a shotgun ran away when the nuns began to question him. Did the nuns breathe a sigh of relief? They did not. One of those nuns, dressed in ankle-length habit and flip-flops, chased the man through the cornfield.

Savor that picture for a moment, won't you? There's a man with a shotgun running from a nun in flip-flops. He did get away. But she was able to give a good enough description for the police to make an arrest.

I wonder if that's what St. Paul had in mind when he wrote, "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." Probably not.

On the other hand, the story does speak to the Scripture. I have seen a loud restaurant suddenly go silent when children bowed their heads in prayer. I've seen a 90-year-old lady give a first class chewing-out to her college-football-playing great-grandson. And now I have seen a nun chasing a man who had a shotgun.

Truly, the Lord does use the weak. He used exiled Moses to free His people; He used young David to bring down a giant; He used a few fishermen and a tax collector to share the Savior's story with the world.

This leads me to believe, if that is so -- and it is -- then the Lord can also use you and me. He can use us to tell others of God's great love as seen in the manger, on the cross, or at the empty tomb.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You do work in mysterious ways, even using the weak to show up the strong. As one of those weak people, I ask that You will let me make a witness to the forgiveness, salvation, and joy I have been given in Jesus. In His Name. Amen.


This Daily Devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries has been sent to you by someone who thinks you will find them as helpful as they have. There is no cost involved. Please read, or listen to what follows. If you would like the Daily Devotion delivered to your mailbox, you can sign up at this link: http://www.lhm.org/email/register.asp.


In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

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

Oh Gary that Nun reminded me how crazy I was when I seen a bunch like around 30 dogs attacking my cows one time. I grabbed a broom and ran out the door like a mad crazy woman , which I was , and screaming at those dogs, slinging that broom, like I was gonna eat them for supper! They all ran for the bushes , but they could of easily turned on me and killed me instead of trying to kill my cows.

I called my husband and He wanted to know what I had been drinking. He called some guys up even his boss and they all came over and they seen them running in the back of the pasture and they counted 26, they all got away and two of those dogs was my sisters and her neighbors ,by road two miles away!! They ran in front of our pickup and we chased them home, course they took a short cut across some pastures and we stayed on the road . We got to Suells house and of course her dog had been there all that time in the back yard. Poor thing must of had a breathing problem then, because it sure was breathing hard! Like maybe it had ran two miles!

I have seen the Lord work through a-lot of people, like each one of you. My friends, those old men who sit around and drink coffee in the morning at my husbands business. Not just people though I have seen God work through an animal to a human, he is so amazing, he can do anything, and at any moment. I have seen children, that are un able to walk or some other difficulty and riding a horse and that horse is so careful with that child. A cat or dog and an older person what a difference they make in their lives.

My Dear friend Bootsie, I love you to death. I wish you were my neighbor!

Thanks Gary for the wonderful picture, it made me laugh.

Love, Kelli

"God Is Faithful"

August 26, 2009



But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3



This Daily Devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries has been sent to you by someone who thinks you will find them as helpful as they have. There is no cost involved. Please read, or listen to what follows. If you would like the Daily Devotion delivered to your mailbox, you can sign up at this link: http://www.lhm.org/email/register.asp.



The up-and-down economy has caused considerable pain for a lot of folks.

On the other hand, for those who are prepared, these monetary tough times have offered some great buys -- buys which seem almost too good to be true.

Such was the case a few days ago when Best Buy® put a 52-inch TV up for sale on its Web site. The price was $9.99.

Now you may not have done much shopping recently for a new television. Even so, almost everyone should know $9.99 is an unbelievable price. People put in their orders and when they were done, they called their friends who put in their orders.

That's when Best Buy said, "Oops!"

Well, they didn't actually say, "Oops!" They did say something like "We made a mistake. The TV should sell for $1,179.99, and that's still a very good price." I'm sure it is, but the people who thought they had a real bargain were disappointed. Some joked about the quick switch; others said Best Buy should honor its price.

This all goes to show it's pretty hard to find anybody who will keep his word all the time and without exception.

This is just one reason why the Triune God is so wonderfully unique. When God makes a promise, it's a promise that will be kept.

· If He says He is going to send His Son to be our Savior, He does it.
· If He says all who believe on Jesus as their Redeemer will not perish, that's something you
can take to the bank.
· And, if He says He will guard you against the evil one, that's an absolutely reliable
commitment.

You don't have to worry. God isn't going to say, "Oops!" He isn't going to say, "I made a mistake." As St. Paul said, "The Lord is faithful."

I like having a Lord who can be trusted no matter what the circumstance or situation.

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being the one person who is absolutely reliable. When everything else is shifting and everyone is scrambling, You remain steady. Because You are faithful, I am given forgiveness, peace, and the sure knowledge of salvation. In Jesus' Name, I give thanks. Amen.


In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


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

"They Knew What Was Coming"

August 27, 2009



(Jesus said) "If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19



WARNING - THIS DEVOTION DEALS WITH TOPICS THAT ARE DISTURBING AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR THOSE WHO ARE YOUNG. PLEASE REVIEW BEFORE SHARING WITH A MINOR. RESPECTFULLY, PASTOR KLAUS



Last month the International Christian Concern (ICC) reported Somali Islamic extremists had kidnapped four Christians who worked at an orphanage.

This month the report comes those four Christians were beheaded by a fellow who calls himself, "seiful Islam," the "sword of Islam."

Having beheaded the Christians, the radical group informed the martyrs' families the bodies will not be returned "as Somalia does not have cemeteries for infidels."

A terrible story? Absolutely!

A wonderful story? Most certainly!

Wonderful? Yes, once you hear what happened. According to an eyewitness, all four of these Christians -- people who had once been Muslims -- were given the opportunity to return to Islam.

They were told their lives would be spared, and they would be released if they returned to their old faith.

The eyewitness says, "they all declined the generous offer."

It's impossible for anyone to guess what those four were thinking during their last moments. Did they remember the words of Jesus, which serve as the Scripture for today's Daily Devotion? Did they remember the passage of Romans that says our present sufferings are small when compared to the glory of heaven? Did they think on Revelation 2:10b, which encourages Christians to be faithful unto death so they may be given Jesus' blood-bought crown of life?

I don't know what they were thinking, but I am proud to follow the same wonderful Savior they did. I wish I could follow Him half as well.

By God's grace, let us try -- both in thanks to the Savior and in gratitude for the four who, in spite of knowing what was coming, remained faithful to the end.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, the world hated You, but Your faithfulness has won my salvation. Now may I be faithful to You. May my life be an ongoing song of praise to You who have told us to love -- not behead our enemies. In Your Name. Amen.


In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

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

Now that is faith!

"Christ, My Companion"

August 28, 2009



(Jesus said) ". . . Yet I am not alone, for My Father is with Me." John 16:32



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



Most people do not like being alone. Some people want to keep away from other people, groups, functions, or programs, but most people want to identify themselves with other people or groups.

The real situation that prevails among people is loneliness. Even though loneliness can become unbearable, it can also provide an experience of calmness and contentment for many.

Our Lord Jesus Christ often took time to be by Himself in silence and loneliness. According to John 7:53 and 8:1, everyone was leaving to go home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. He spent His alone times with God.

New ideas and useful thoughts about life and the future come when we spend time with God. For example, many of our great leaders were raised in God-fearing families. We can also stress the fact that, without the companionship of God, we can do nothing and we are nothing.

In the beginning, God created man and woman. God felt it was not good for Adam to be alone so He created Eve to be a companion, partner, and helper. How many of us feel this way? Many young people shout, "Leave me alone!" as they struggle with tension and confusion about finding a true companion.

Many of us fail to realize we are not alone. God, our heavenly Father, gave His son Jesus Christ as our companion. He is with us always. Jesus is also named "Immanuel, which means God with us" (Matthew 1:23b). God sent His Son in the flesh, however, not merely to be our companion but to be our Savior. Without Christ's sacrifice, without His all-atoning work on the cross on our behalf, we would be lost forever -- friendless and doomed by our sins.

But God through His Son has made a better way -- an eternal way that begins in faith in Jesus' work and trusts He will never fail or forsake us. Our Lord also says, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20b). Since Christ is with me, how can I say I am alone?

Dear friends, let us determine who should be our best companion today. The companion we decide upon must be sufficient for us in every aspect of life. Christ is the only one who can dispel our loneliness.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for being our constant companion and for sending Your one and only Son to conquer our loneliness. Teach us to trust in You. Amen.

Biography of Author:
Rev. E. Eben Titus has pastored three Lutheran churches during a 25-year ministry in India. He assists Lutheran Hour Ministries-India at the Christian Media Centre in Chennai. Using radio and television broadcasts, Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), Equipping The Saints (ETS), and rallies, the Gospel goes forth in this country of more than one billion people.


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

"Be Content"

August 29, 2009



Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5



My wife asked me to pick up some necessities at the grocery store yesterday.

As I waited in line, I observed the lady in front of me. She was doing her best to referee a battle royal between two children who appeared to be about three and four years old.

Seeing my amused smile -- amused because I was remembering those times when our children had such public disagreements -- she looked at me, rolled her eyes toward heaven, and gave out a most frustrated sigh.

Her opening made me bold enough to ask, "What seems to be the problem?"

She answered: "The same thing that's wrong with the rest of the world. I've got three pieces of candy in my purse, and each of my children wants two."

The truth of her words didn't give me a whole lot of comfort. She was right.

Nations, communities, individuals -- all want what's coming to them -- and they want a little bit extra, too.

How hard it is to learn to be content.

I confess that's a lesson I haven't quite mastered yet. How about you? You know, if we're ever going to get better as individuals, or as a race, we're going to have to get some outside assistance.

Obviously, we can't get it from another individual. Everybody else is in the same boat we are.

This is why we need to be turned to God. That's what the author of Hebrews did. Knowing he was living in the presence and care of a gracious God and victorious Savior, he was inspired to encourage God's people to "keep your life free from love of money and be content with what you have."

It's impossible without the Lord, but it's the right direction to go when you love and are loved by the Savior who endured so much that we might be forgiven and be at peace.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, sometimes it's tempting to find contentment through things or other people. Please help me remember the only way to be given true contentment comes from trusting Your love and guidance. This I ask in the Name of my Savior who died so I might live -- who rose that I might never die. Amen.


In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


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

Thanks Gary needed to hear that tonight.

"Reflection"

August 30, 2009



Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16



When you look back on your life, is there anything you'd like to change?

That was a question asked a number of years ago. The only thing special about the survey was that the question was only given to people who were over the age of 95 years.

It was an open-ended question. Those who responded could reply with any answer they wanted.

There were no religious overtones, no anticipated or encouraged responses. All they had to do was give their reply to the question: "Is there anything you'd like to change about your life?"

There were many answers given, but most of them fell into three categories:

1. I would reflect more. (This was one of the most popular answers.)
2. I would risk more.
3. I would do more things that would live on after I'm dead.

Now, I'm not 95 years old -- not yet. Odds are you aren't either.

Even so, I've found myself trying to answer that question. What would I change in my life up until this point? What would I do differently if I could do things over?

After some mulling of the question, I've concluded those golden-agers have come up with a good idea.

I would indeed spend more time reflecting about the grace of God and how blessed I am to have a Savior. I would risk more things on those battles where the Savior is being maligned or put down.

Lastly, I would do more things that will have a positive impact for the Lord's Kingdom. I would try to leave a heritage for the generations who are coming after me -- for those who will be persecuted and put upon for holding fast to Jesus, the Savior.

Yup, those older folks have given me some good ideas. I don't think I'll wait until I'm 95 to try them out. Maybe you shouldn't wait, either.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, as I grow older, I pray my times of reflection may be focused on You and how I can give thanks for a Savior who has rescued me. Grant me the grace to live a life, which, long or short, may please You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


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