Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
"Big Differences"
April 14, 2015
... the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. John 3:19b
Watch a pride of hunting lions in Africa and you will see they go after the weak, the young, the sickly.
Watch a pack of wolves in North America and you will see they often do the same.
Both groups, separated by an ocean, go after those who are least able to defend themselves. Yes, the pride or the pack could probably bring down a large, strong, healthy victim, but they choose the easy way, the safe way, the way that will produce the fewest injuries to them.
It makes common sense -- for lions and for wolves. In a sick sort of way, it makes sense for some of America's less courageous criminals too. To prove that statement's validity allow me to point to the recent rash of crimes where men stole from ... are you ready for this ... from Girl Scouts who were selling cookies.
* In New Hampshire, a crook grabbed the cash box of the Girl Scouts who were selling to the patrons of a Walgreens drug store.
* Across the country, in California, one coward ripped a cash box out of a Girl Scout's hands.
* In Michigan, in our nation's heartland, a thief stole more than $600 from a Girl Scout who had worked doubly hard for her money. She has cerebral palsy.
Looking through Scripture, you can see the forces of evil also seem to sneak up and prey upon those who are least able to defend themselves. The devil stealthily slithers his way through God's garden and slyly speaks his suggestions, which are designed to separate humanity from its Creator.
Look to the children of Israel who are wandering in the wilderness. Listen to their disobedient complaining, and you will soon realize that evil uses circumstances and situations to drive a wedge between the loving Lord and His people.
What a contrast there is between the forces of evil and God's great goodness.
Evil works in the dark, while Jesus not only brings the light, He is the Light of the world. The devil speaks lies while Jesus is the Truth. Evil works secretly and stealthily, while the Lord is always upfront and open. The devil comes to kill and destroy, but Jesus came so that we might have life and have life abundantly.
These differences will show themselves most clearly after the judgment where those who have aligned themselves with Satan will find their eternity spent in damnation, while Jesus' followers will be granted eternal life.
With the fact thus presented and evident to all, it is amazing that anyone would love the darkness. By God's grace may the Holy Spirit use us to reach them and bring them into the Lord's marvelous light.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may the eyes of the lost be open so they may see the great differences between Jesus' sacrifice which saves and Satan's enticements which damn. In the Savior's Name I pray. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Shimei? Shimei was a man of the Israelite tribe of Benjamin who held a grudge against King David who was of the Israelite tribe of Judah. King David had come to replace King Saul who was of the Benjamin tribe.
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
"Big Differences"
April 14, 2015
... the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. John 3:19bWatch a pride of hunting lions in Africa and you will see they go after the weak, the young, the sickly.
Watch a pack of wolves in North America and you will see they often do the same.
Both groups, separated by an ocean, go after those who are least able to defend themselves. Yes, the pride or the pack could probably bring down a large, strong, healthy victim, but they choose the easy way, the safe way, the way that will produce the fewest injuries to them.
It makes common sense -- for lions and for wolves. In a sick sort of way, it makes sense for some of America's less courageous criminals too. To prove that statement's validity allow me to point to the recent rash of crimes where men stole from ... are you ready for this ... from Girl Scouts who were selling cookies.
* In New Hampshire, a crook grabbed the cash box of the Girl Scouts who were selling to the patrons of a Walgreens drug store.
* Across the country, in California, one coward ripped a cash box out of a Girl Scout's hands.
* In Michigan, in our nation's heartland, a thief stole more than $600 from a Girl Scout who had worked doubly hard for her money. She has cerebral palsy.
Looking through Scripture, you can see the forces of evil also seem to sneak up and prey upon those who are least able to defend themselves. The devil stealthily slithers his way through God's garden and slyly speaks his suggestions, which are designed to separate humanity from its Creator.
Look to the children of Israel who are wandering in the wilderness. Listen to their disobedient complaining, and you will soon realize that evil uses circumstances and situations to drive a wedge between the loving Lord and His people.
What a contrast there is between the forces of evil and God's great goodness.
Evil works in the dark, while Jesus not only brings the light, He is the Light of the world. The devil speaks lies while Jesus is the Truth. Evil works secretly and stealthily, while the Lord is always upfront and open. The devil comes to kill and destroy, but Jesus came so that we might have life and have life abundantly.
These differences will show themselves most clearly after the judgment where those who have aligned themselves with Satan will find their eternity spent in damnation, while Jesus' followers will be granted eternal life.
With the fact thus presented and evident to all, it is amazing that anyone would love the darkness. By God's grace may the Holy Spirit use us to reach them and bring them into the Lord's marvelous light.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may the eyes of the lost be open so they may see the great differences between Jesus' sacrifice which saves and Satan's enticements which damn. In the Savior's Name I pray. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Shimei? Shimei was a man of the Israelite tribe of Benjamin who held a grudge against King David who was of the Israelite tribe of Judah. King David had come to replace King Saul who was of the Benjamin tribe.
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