Kerusso Daily Devotional

There is a movement in our society for a return to simple living. We might not want to give up all our technology—much of it is wonderful and helpful. But it is true that we want to quiet our minds and find some peace. This week we are talking about the simplest, sweetest truth around: Jesus Saves.   With that knowledge in hand, we can all find peace that the Bible says is from another world.   Lu...

Humans have limited understanding of our world and the world beyond; not that we’re unintelligent—far from it. The Bible makes it clear that God gave man a sound mind, and from the beginning, people were capable of accomplishing amazing things. The construction of the great pyramids, modern scientific advances, and our knowledge of the cosmos is a testament to how much humans can know and achieve....

Part of God’s unchanging nature is that He is sovereign and does things His way. In Isaiah 55, we read that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. In other words, He’s infinitely more powerful than we are, especially when it comes to perspective.    We read in the Old Testament that sometimes other nations mocked the Israelites when they were exiled from their homeland...

Tribes usually think a lot of themselves, exclusive groups are sometimes arrogant. Even whole nations can be this way. In the 19th century, several European countries felt they were the descendants of the first people in the world.    With religion, this can be infinitely worse with Christianity. Critics often say the exclusive nature of it is just unfair. They cite the Christian view that the onl...

Truth makes an appearance in the Bible right at the start, and it sets the stage for everything that comes after it.    The opening scene, if you will, takes place in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve have been placed there in a perfect setting. No worries. Every need is taken care of. It’s hard to imagine that kind of harmony now, but it once existed. Briefly, we’re told that a once beautiful bein...

It’s been said that in the Fruit of the Spirit list, all of them collectively practically define the nature of Christ.   Even David the shepherd knew his Messiah was coming. Remember what he said about his loving God? He said, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” We instinctively know what goodness is. It’s a kind touch, a gentle word, a gift that was unexpected.   M...

Do you ever worry you might not measure up?   Sam was a fourth grader with a big problem: he left his homework at school, and he was so worried he’d be in trouble with the teacher, he could hardly stand to go to school the next day.   In the car on the way to school, Sam’s mom explained the concept of grace, asking, “Sam, do you know about the idea of grace? Grace means even if we aren’t perfect,...

In the book of Romans, Paul tells us the evidence for the existence of God are so numerous in nature that anyone can believe in God. Surely one of the most compelling examples is in our night sky. When we look up at the heavens, it takes our breath away. The twinkling lights are like our own personal message from God.   All those stars…   Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.”...

There’s something fresh about the love of Jesus. As we begin a new year, it’s your chance to start really new, not in the way we often make resolutions. It’s a tossup, whether those will see the end of the year or even the end of the month. But if you’re really tired of struggling, trying to make it on your own, commit yourself right now to knowing Jesus, who He is, why He came to earth, and most...

Happy New Year! New Year’s stuff is beneficial in several things. We make resolutions—and we might even stick to some of them, but it’s what God does that really matters. He’s in the renewal business, making broken things whole again, especially people.   2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and behold the new has come.” It’s gr...

Beryl Markham could have given up on her aviation dreams after crash-landing in Nova Scotia. But she didn’t.   Instead, this determined woman became the first person to fly from England to North America. She later said that in order to move forward, we can’t stay in the past. In fact, she said, “Leave it the fastest way you can!”   This pioneer knew that staying stuck was not inevitable—that we mu...

Are you like a lot of people when it comes to the instruction booklet with a new item? We stare at it and eventually just toss it, guessing we can just figure it out.   Yeah…that usually ends like dropping a carton of eggs.   The Bible is there for a reason. God’s Word is healing and light and a guide for each of us. That’s why it’s important to read it, and meditate on the words.   To the church...

God gives us good gifts all the time. All through the year, not just at Christmas.   One of the truly joyful gifts is the ability to be kind to others. It sounds simple and maybe to some even quaint, but there is power in choosing to be kind.   Choosing to be kind. That’s one of our themes this week.   1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us to, “Always be joyful.” Paul uses this chapter to describe the hea...

We’re all a little bit nicer at Christmastime, aren’t we? Admit it. Starting around December 1st, our steps are a bit lighter and we even greet people with a smile. But as night falls on Christmas night, for some weird reason some of us begin to turn back into a grumpy neighbor. In this, we’re missing a great opportunity.   Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life. You will fill me...

This is the day of days. While the exact day is unknown, what we do know is that 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ came to earth as a child to rescue us from sin.    Christmas is a date on the calendar that literally quickens our hearts. Everyone understands the significance of it. It’s why hateful people behave differently for at least 24 hours.    Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us, a child is born. To us,...

Celebrating Christmas with family and friends is a great time of the year, but do we know how all this started? This observance of the holiday?    We’re pretty sure Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th. There are clues in scripture that put the date more in the springtime.    In ancient times, the winter solstice occurred on December 25th. Sometime early in the 4th century, the church fathers set th...

O Holy Night is a well-known Christmas carol that began as a French poem celebrating the opening of a new church. The beloved song we know today was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight, an American minister and abolitionist, in 1855.   This poignant carol reflects on the birth of Jesus as humanity’s redemption.   O holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear...

Charles Wesley, an English Methodist leader in the 1700s, wrote more than 6,000 hymns—more than any other male writer.   His goal was to teach the poor and illiterate sound doctrine. God used the writing talents of Charles Wesley to bring the Good News to people in a memorable way; even those who couldn’t read, could hear and understand a beautiful song, and even sing along.   Think about the song...

A remarkable prophecy in the little book of Micah predicted the Messiah's birth in great detail.   Micah 5:2 says, “But you oh, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”   Most of us know the basics. Jesus was born in humble surroundings. His...

Did you know that “Joy to the World” was not written as a Christmas carol? In its original form, it had nothing to do with Christmas. It wasn’t even written to be a song.   Isaac Watts was one of the great hymn writers in church history, and nothing shows that better than the fact that he wrote one of his most famous hymns entirely by accident. In 1719, Watts published a book of poems in which eac...

Clive Staples Lewis was successful. A British writer and theologian, his work has become very famous. When Lewis wrote his classic “Surprised by Joy,” he was emphasizing the fact that true joy comes from a place we cannot create, but only claim and receive.   His story really brings a point to our weeklong series about asking the Lord for help when we are at the end of our rope.   John 16:24 says,...

We look for things and stuff to make us happy, don’t we? Especially in the United States, where we are blessed with abundance. People from all walks of life look for more and more.   That can bring us to an empty place. Spiritually and emotionally, we look in the wrong places. But as we’ve discussed this week, that spark of joy we look for can be found only in Jesus. Everything else is—yes—clutter...

Part of the joy of being a believer is that we can share the Good News with literally anyone and everyone. And how we share that faith is often critical for the other person’s future.   Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”   As we share this week about holding fast...

Do you remember the last time you laughed? Do you remember the last time you laughed from sheer joy?   Many of us don’t. The weight of life presses down on us…it weakens us.   Proverbs 31:25 says this of a godly woman: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”   Did you know that God means for you to be strong? He wants you to have dignity. You are a child of t...

Watching little kids perform on stage at school or at church is quite entertaining, isn’t it? There are always a couple of shy violets, but many of them sing their hearts out, fidgeting with excitement and performing actions to accompany the songs with gusto.   If Grammy awards were doled out based on sheer enthusiasm, kids in elementary and Sunday School programs would probably win every year. Th...