Devotion: Jesus Is Our Hope

Before the time of Christ, life was very difficult and people searched for something in which to place their hope. They had the Law, but that only came with accusation. No one could fulfill the Law, and the result was death.

This crisis covered all aspects of life: politics, economics, health, even spiritual life. This is similar to the situation today, with one exception: Jesus has brought us the hope of forgiveness and eternal life. Through His death on the cross, He took the condemnation of our sins upon Himself. Through His resurrection from the dead, He gives us complete forgiveness.

The world we live in is ruled by a physical law. Decay is a natural ending to any living thing. But scientists are trying to prolong human life by developing cryogen systems and clone technology, spending huge amounts of money on rich people who are afraid of death and are hoping to avoid it.

There is, however, something very simple - and remarkable -- that gives us hope. Whether you have money or not, faith in Jesus Christ alone provides hope. The apostle John wrote, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

But, how can one believe if they have not heard? This is where God uses us -- to tell others about what He has done through Jesus Christ!

THE PRAYER: Thank You for the love and life You have given us through the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. Give us the opportunities and words to share Your Good News with others. Amen.

Biography of Author:
Igor Savich, director of Lutheran Hour Ministries' Russian office, wrote this devotion. In this enormous country spanning ten time zones, LHM-Russia connects with people through a variety of Gospel-centered programs, such as LHM's Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) that Savich and his staff are now organizing. Such mission work gives people in distant villages a wonderful opportunity to access the Bible and hear the message of Christ as their Savior.

To read more daily devotions please visit the Daily Devotions page or subscribe to receive daily emails.

Devotion: Fragrance On The Hand Of The Giver

The owner of a large estate once gave his gardener some red roses to take home to his wife. The flowers, however, never made it to their intended recipient. On the bus that afternoon, the gardener sat next to a widow who spoke of her loneliness. Knowing his wife would understand, he gave the roses to the lonely widow and brightened up her day.

But the widow didn't get home with them either. At the grocery store, she came upon a tearful young girl. The girl's mother was very ill. "Here," the widow said, handing the flowers to the girl. "Give them to your mother; tell her I'll be praying for her tonight."

Gratefully, the girl accepted them and took them to her mother. The roses cheered the bedridden woman, but even she didn't keep them. "They're too beautiful not to share," she told her pastor when he came to visit the next day. "I'd like the church to have them." So the pastor took them and placed them in the sanctuary where his congregation could see and enjoy them. After the service, the minister gave single roses to some of the church members as they left. The beauty of the flowers was extended once more before they wilted.

There's a beautiful poem entitled, "Flowers Leave Their Fragrance on the Hand of the Giver," and the words are true. Every good deed, every selfless kindness, every thoughtful action which comes from a heart full of faith -- a heart touched by the abundance the Lord has freely given -- has a way of blessing the giver and multiplying the gift. Like the ripple effect of a stone tossed into water, the circles that emanate can reach many unseen shores.

So it is with the greatest love of all. Jesus' redemptive work on the cross comes to us through God's Word. By the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, we are made clean and acceptable to God through faith in the salvation Christ has won for us. God's fragrance, the perfect sacrifice of His Son, is offered to everyone.

It is free. Share it the next chance you get.

THE PRAYER: Thank You, Father, for Your love. Help me today and always to have the courage to pass it on. Amen.

Biography of Author: Pastor Charles Bameka has directed LHM-Uganda since 2002. From an office in Kampala, volunteers and staff help people in need through Equipping the Saints, Bible Correspondence Courses, and the This is the Life TV program. Ministering to those living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda (more than 500,000 are afflicted with this disease) is a critical aspect of LHM's mission there.

LHM—Brazil Director Robbed… Again

Several days ago we reported that Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)—Brazil director, Paulo Warth and his wife Lucia, had been kidnapped and robbed in September. Unfortunately, this past Sunday the couple was robbed once again outside their home.

Paulo and Lucia were returning from a weekend trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The flight was delayed and the plane arrived in Sao Paulo at midnight. They took a cab from the airport, and when the taxi stopped on the street in front of their home, two men on a motorcycle approached them with guns. The criminals took one of their suitcases containing clothing and gifts they had bought for their children. The men also took their hand luggage, along with documents, credit cards, and money before getting away on motorcycles.

Despite reported improvements, Brazil continues to have some of the highest crime rates in the world. Much of the crime and violence in that nation has been linked to drugs and alcoholism. According to the US State Department robbery and “quicknapping” outside of banks and ATM machines are common. In a “quicknapping,” (which is what happened to Paulo and his wife last month) criminals abduct victims for a short time in order to receive a quick payoff from the family, business or the victim’s ATM card.

"We are really living under fear all the time. It is even affecting my health, which seems to be getting worst,” Paulo said. “But in the midst of all this we are thankful to God for preserving our lives. The rings are gone, but the fingers still remain. God is merciful. Praise the Lord!"

Please join us in praying for the safety of Lutheran Hour Ministries employees around the world.

Paulo and Lucia Warth at the 2008 Int'l LLL Convention.

LHM Employee Kidnapped and Robbed

Every so often we are reminded of the dangers that our staff face in other parts of the world. Last month, for example, Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)—Brazil director, Paulo Warth, reported that he and his wife, Lucia, had been kidnapped and robbed.

Paulo and Lucia were driving to a wedding on a Friday evening, and stopped to pick up a friend. While they were parked on a busy street outside the apartment building, two armed men ordered Paulo into the back seat where he was joined by one of the criminals. The other man drove, with Lucia in the front.

The men demanded cash, jewelry, and credit cards (which they handed off to accomplices in another car). They then drove around the city of Sao Paolo for over two hours. Meanwhile the accomplices used the credit cards. According to Paulo, the robbers even stopped twice to buy drugs.

The ordeal finally ended when, much to the Warth’s relief, the criminal abandoned the car in a rough part of town leaving Paulo and Lucia to drive off unharmed. In all the robbers charged over $2,000 to Paulo’s credit card, but given the circumstances he was glad they still had their lives.

Coming on the heels of this incident was the recent news that Victor Verruck, the director of LHM—Paraguay, was robbed as he boarded a bus to return home from a ministry convention in Asuncion, Paraguay. The thief grabbed Victor’s cell phone and escaped before he could give chase.

Sadly, this is not uncommon in Paraguay.

“While I was waiting to give a police report two people came in saying that one of them had also had their phone stolen,” said Victor. “It is very sad but here you will hardly find someone that has not been robbed of their cell phone or wallet.”

Incidents such as these highlight the problem of crime in Latin America, and the need for programs like LHM’s Project JOEL which reaches out to youth with the Gospel message. JOEL volunteers visit schools, hospitals and organize events where young children and teens learn about and discuss issues such as crime, alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and self-esteem.

Please pray for LHM staff and volunteers around the world as they carry out ministry activities in some very dangerous places.

LHM in Argentina Welcomes New Manager

We would like to welcome a new ministry center manager the Lutheran Hour Ministries family.

Gloria Tolisano is the new Manager of Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, the LHM office in Argentina, replacing Rev. Alberto Groh. She was born in Argentina, and came to the church when she attended Concordia High School, in Buenos Aires. She worked for 12 years as the administrative secretary for the Colegio Luterano Concordia, in the city of Córdoba, and in addition to this she worked on producing radio spots for the Lutheran Hour in Argentina.

From 2002 to 2007, Gloria lived in Montevideo, Uruguay, where she worked at her husband’s Cyber/Internet Café, as well as at the new LHM office, as administrative secretary. She has a professional degree from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral, in Argentina.

Gloria is active in the Lutheran Church and a leader in her congregation. According to her pastor, “Gloria has a mission vision which she has shown in all what is related with the challenge that the congregation has, regarding to the mission and its context.”