"Searching for Purpose"

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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).  "Searching for Purpose" October 11, 2013 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 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 Our daily work in Uruguay takes place at the Lutheran mission and the office of Christ for All Nations. This is a small and cozy location situated in the heart of the capital city, Montevideo. Our unique site allows us to look out upon the many folks who pass by. You should know many of those folks seem to be hopeless, tired, depressed and lonely. There is little doubt they are looking for meaning to their lives, which will take them above a pointless routine. Past experience tells us our contact with these people will be short term. In the brief time we are allowed to minister to them we will be fighting against illegal drugs, a system set against them, and appalling living conditions. Common sense tells us we should not be able to make a lasting, a tangible difference in their lives. Such a skeptical attitude must be put aside in favor of God's promise and past experience, which has taught us that a smile, a handshake, a friendly word, a reassuring gesture, and the wonderful story of the Savior and the grace of God can touch souls in a profound way, a way beyond our imagining. The best way I can explain our work is by saying this: when you are laboring for the Lord, it is possible, even easy to get bogged down with difficulties and problems. Sometimes we can lose perspective on that which the Lord would have us do. At times we can become frustrated. Since the clock and calendar dictate we must move on quickly, we seldom know if our specific prayers for specific individuals have been answered. Most certainly we don't get to see the miracles that have been accomplished by our great God, as He works in the hearts and lives of people. All of this explains why we must rely on the Word of God. We build all we do on passages like that which serve as the basis for this devotion: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Knowing the Lord Jesus is beside us, we hold fast to the power of God. The Lord is guiding us, supporting us, and giving us the confidence to keep on going. May I tell you it is a wonderful blessing to know we are not alone in this work, which shares the love of God with those who have not yet experienced the joy of Jesus, the gladness which comes from His forgiveness, and the hope of heaven which He offers. And now, as this devotion closes, I invite you to once again read our Bible passage and pray for us. Do so knowing we are praying for your witness also. May all our work be done gratefully and with a wonderful dedication to our crucified and ever-living Redeemer. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to refocus, readjust and rejuvenate me. Make me steadfast, immovable, always doing that which pleases You and points the lost to the Christ. And, if it is Your will, may I be given a glimpse of the changes which says our labor has not been in vain. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Maria Gabriela Silveira. She is a Lutheran as well as a student of communication sciences in UDELAR University (Uruguay). Since 2011 she has served with the Lutheran Hour Ministries office in Uruguay and the downtown mission in the capital city of Montevideo. Since 2001 our office has supported the Lutheran Church of Uruguay, with evangelistic projects focusing on the production of reading materials, workshops and activities in order to bring Christ to people. Established in 2001 in Montevideo, LHM-Uruguay (known in-country as Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, "Christ for All Nations") utilizes Bible Correspondence Courses(BCC) and Equipping the Saints (ETS) to train people in the basics of the Christian faith while giving them tools for personal evangelism. Another outreach method is the center's celebration of special days like Children's Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas, allowing staff and volunteers the chance to share the Gospel as they build relationships. To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org. In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries