“YOUR LIGHT” Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words. In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours, Kenneth R. Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour In our state, power brownouts and blackouts are a common issue in our daily lives. Especially during the summer season electricity can go off for long durations of time. Even though the government spends huge amounts of money on new projects to generate electrical energy, the shortage of power remains a big issue. You can understand when I say it is very hard to live without light in the nighttime and without power when you are trying to live in the day. When God created this universe, He created day and night. He made it so light would be very important in our lives. Even so, all natural and artificial lights are transient. When the sun sets, the world is put into darkness; when the electricity fails, we are put into darkness. Obviously, these are not eternal. But God says He is our eternal Light. He called the people of Israel, led them, helped them, and directed them by His presence. During the 40 years of their sojourn in the wilderness and again during the time of exile when they were put into darkness, the eternal God guided them. He made their lives to shine again after the exile from Babylon. He led them and guided them to a new life after a period of exile. The people of Israel saw the unfailing light of God even in the hardest times. In the New Testament era, this world has seen the light of God, the greatest Light, which is Jesus Christ. He declared, I am Light of the world (see John 8:12). He showed Himself as the Light in towns and villages through the Good News He preached. Even today He brightens us and the entire world through His Light. When St. Luke narrated the story of the birth of Jesus, he said Now there were shepherds in that region, living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flocks. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shown around them (Luke 2:8-9a). The shepherds darkness was dispelled by Gods Good News about the Savior. Similarly, we are also blessed; we are blessed because the glory of the Lord has also illuminated our world. Because that is so, the Lord Jesus told us, You are the light for the world (see Matthew 5:14). The question is are we shining as lights? A light which is on the light stand gives light to its surroundings, but when it is hidden under a vessel or pot, it wont give light to anyone. (See Matthew 5:15-16.) Is this not true? It is only because God is our eternal Light that we can shine. King David says, The Lord is my Light (see Psalm 27:1). Learning from David, when we are confronted by the darkness of sin, the darkness of Satan, the darkness of sickness and death, we can hold fast to Christ who is our light. We no longer need to be overwhelmed by the darkness around us. He has given us His Word and Sacrament to illuminate our dark path. By Gods grace the Holy Spirit will help us walk in that Light, which is Jesus Christ. THE PRAYER: Lord, our God, You gave Your only Son Jesus Christ as the Light to the people who lived in darkness. Help us overcome the fear of darkness and fear of evil with the help of the illumination of Your Holy Word. In Scripture may we see and faithfully follow the Savior who has redeemed us from all the darkness of life. This I pray in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Biography of Author: Todays international devotion was written by Indias Rev. D. Eben Titus. Reverend Titus received his degree from Serampore University in 1953. He is married to Beril, and they have been blessed with a son, Rogamark, and a daughter, Evenlyne. He has served 16 years at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and four years at Calvary Lutheran Church, both in Nagercoil. Since 2001, he has been at Grace Lutheran Church, Vallioor, Nagercoil Synod. Pastor Titus has written numerous devotions and articles for the Christian Media Centre in India. In this country of 1.2 billion people, Lutheran Hour Ministries-India is known as Christian Media Centre and began operations in 1951. Using Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) in six languages -- Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi Marathi, Gujarati and English, this ministry center reaches out with the Gospel. It also utilizes the Internet to broadcast around-the-clock radio messages of love and hope. Beyond this, short dramas, devotional songs, stage plays, and dance are offered to convey the Gospel to audiences in remote villages and cities. To read more about whats going on in India, you can click here to visit its blog. To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit lhmint.org. Check out Lutheran Hour Ministries video sermon series, Footsteps of Paul. Click here! In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 11:05:38 +0000
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