Mensagens de Esperança - Hora Luterana
Jacson Ollmann
Mensagens de Esperança - Hora Luterana |
Posted: 26 Jun 2014 07:30 PM PDT Para quem está em uma jornada, estar na companhia de outras pessoas, além de ser um alento, é um auxílio valioso. Sozinhos, ficamos mais vulneráveis aos perigos externos (desvios, erros de rota, ataques) e também internos (tristeza, desânimo, solidão). Percebemos, então, como Jesus foi sábio e amoroso ao unir os cristãos, formando sua Igreja. Em Jesus, podemos contar também com o amor dos seus seguidores. Como disse o apóstolo Paulo: "Por estarem unidos com Cristo, vocês são fortes, o amor dele os anima, e vocês participam do Espírito de Deus. E também são bondosos e misericordiosos uns com os outros" (Fp 2.1). Caminhemos juntos! Oração: Querido Jesus, salvador, obrigado por me dar a oportunidade de conviver com outros cristãos. Em seu nome. Amém. Leia em sua Bíblia Filipenses 2.1-4 http://www.sbb.org.br/interna.asp?areaID=71 |
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"God's Word is Time Proof"
June 27, 2014
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater. Isaiah 55:10
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
A few months ago, CNN showed how some thousand-year-old seeds found in Siberia and planted by Russian scientists had sprouted into beautiful flowers. Those flowers now are producing their own seeds.
In spite of the many years they had been dormant, their ability to grow and bloom was still intact.
Through His prophet, Isaiah, God tells us that His Word also has the power to create, to transform, and to save those who hear it, even though sometimes it looks like it takes forever!
Those of us who serve as missionaries understand very well what the prophet is talking about. We have learned God wants us to trust in Him because His Word will always accomplish His purpose. Allow me to give you an example:
Two years ago an elderly lady came to worship at one of our mission posts. At the end of the service when I was talking with her, I asked her how she had discovered us.
She replied, "Pastor, I was here two years ago, and at that time I promised I would be back."
It was true. God had brought the lady, 90-year-old Ana, back to our worship. Two years earlier she had stopped at our Lutheran Center, where our Lutheran Hour ministry center is located, and asked for some printed materials. At that time we talked, we read the Bible, and we prayed for her needs. After that visit, time passed, and so did our hopes of ever seeing her again. Indeed, so much time had gone by that I didn't recognize her when she showed up at the worship service.
How fast we lose our hope! How easily we get so wrapped up in statistics, measurements and numbers, while the Word of God keeps silently working in the lives of so many.
Ana's return reminded me of Isaiah's words. The Word of the Lord always brings forth fruit.
We just need to proclaim it and to share it with every person we meet. It doesn't matter how much time has gone by. God wants us to always trust in His Word where the Holy Spirit shows us the Savior, His sacrifice, and resurrection, which were done for our forgiveness and salvation.
So, to you and me, I extend this word of encouragement: don't lose hope in what God can do. Proclaim His Word and, at the right time, it will bear fruit.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks You have done all that was necessary to save me. Now may I be bold in making my witness to others. At the same time, let me have faith that Your Word accomplishes what You intend. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.