Kerusso Daily Devotional

As we wrap up our series on precious jewels, it is kind of fun to spotlight one last gemstone. One that isn’t immediately beautiful or desired. But it is the rarest! Discovered in East Asia by British mineralogist Arthur Pain, the so-called “Painite” gemstone can be found in several colors, and the various hues seen as light hits them give an uncommon view. Incredibly, only 25 such stones exist to...

In its natural state, the jaw-dropping gem known as emerald often resembles an ancient barrel-shaped decree from a king. It tells us things nothing else can. Today, the glittering green stone stops an onlooker. It takes our breath away. When set against a backdrop of shimmering gold, it is something that transfixes us. The calming color of an emerald actually gives the eyes a rest after working fo...

We don’t have direct evidence, of course. The Bible doesn’t tell us this exactly… But tradition says that the Ten Commandments were carved from a solid slab of sapphire. It’s a beautiful thought, isn’t it? The rich blue of the sapphire gemstone reminds us of royalty, and the regal King Jesus. It fits! Proverbs 31:10 says, “She is far more precious than jewels.” When a woman admires a sapphire neck...

Diamonds. The very word calls to mind something so beautiful and rare, people everywhere immediately form a sharp mental image. Who hasn’t dreamed of handfuls of these sparkling, valuable gemstones running through their hands? Nothing speaks of high value more than a diamond solitaire. Such a piece of jewelry signals to the world that a couple considers their relationship to be both priceless and...

Everyone loves the beauty of nature’s gems. The greens, blues, and reds of natural gemstones have set apart jewelry since the beginning of time. These precious jewels are relatively rare, and desired by people from all walks of life. None more than the ruby. The second hardest gemstone, rubies have always been striking for their deep reds that flash in the light. They have been used in the crowns...

It’s harder to visualize during the hot summer months, but during Christmas of 1944, American soldiers were dug in against the Germans. The dark, frozen Belgian forest added to the bleak atmosphere. Morale was low, ammo was low, and food supplies were low. But just when things looked the worst, General Patton’s Third Army showed up almost out of nowhere. The men who fought in the Battle of the Bul...

You probably know whether you’re a morning or night person. Science has some good news for you early risers: Apparently, the early bird really does get the worm. In a study of early risers versus night owls, researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered strong connections in the regions of the brain that can predict better performance and lower sleepiness; these areas were significantly s...

Few of us enjoy chaos. It’s just too...chaotic, right? The human mind needs order and peace, yet we live in this messy world. Stuff is flying by all the time, and we duck. Our relationships are a mess, and we have to schedule that root canal...while simultaneously making dinner and cleaning the house. Is there a way out? Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. No...

Most of us assume that if Jesus had a driver’s license, His listed name would be “Jesus Christ.” That’s kind of funny, but as usual, our puny human perceptions can’t define Him and box Him in. The Bible tells us, in fact, that Jesus has many names, each a shining facet of Who He is. He is called the Alpha and Omega—the beginning and the end. Elsewhere He is referred to as the Prince of Peace. Roma...

It’s kind of fun in those moments when the kids are in bed and the dishes are done to think about the Big Questions. You know the list. Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? A question that people from ancient times to now have asked is, why in the world, literally, did God create people? We are a handful, as past generations used to say. We mess up. Sometimes we’re on our way to being smart...

We think of her as a genteel Southern lady, and she was that, for sure. But Ruth Bell Graham was so much more. While her husband was away so much, preaching to the masses, she was preaching to her own little flock. The result was children who became adults, and in turn, shared the Good News of Jesus with others. Anne Graham Lotz and Franklin Graham didn’t just fall out of the sky! Proverbs 27:17 s...

Some of the greatest stories of believers down through time have involved those who really studied God’s Word. These people have gone before us to show us the way. From Charles Spurgeon to a missionary mother in China, daily study of the Word and prayer prepared them to mentor entire generations. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” We also read in Romans 10 that...

Have you had an experience in your life that has prepared you for helping others? Has life dealt you circumstances that speak to a situation in a younger person’s life? If so, you might be ready to help in such a way that will bring honor and glory to God. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” The apostle Paul suffered much for his faith in Christ. A dramatic ship...

Do you struggle with being humble, and yielding to God’s will? Most of us do. This extends to accepting an iron-sharpening-iron relationship that God has set in our path. And yet the benefits are so good for us. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” Make no mistake, God sets people in our path for a reason. That Bible teacher in your church might have words of wis...

The Bible is full of wonderful analogies, and one of the best is found in Proverbs, which paints a picture of godly mentoring and accountability. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” The idea is that as pieces of iron are drawn against the other, each piece becomes sharper. A further application is made in Hebrews 4:12, which talks about Scripture as being a dou...

Honestly, sometimes as Christians, we think things are going to be easy. After all, when Jesus saves you, it doesn’t get any better than that! The joy we feel is genuine, and lasting. But that doesn’t mean we escape this world. Bad things can and do happen.  Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, cha...

Standing in the door of the plane, with a fierce wind whipping his whole body, Curtis wondered why he’d volunteered for the paratroopers. It was glamorous, they said. It’ll make a man out of you, they said. Shutting his eyes, Curtis prayed the most honest prayer of his life. He stretched out his hands and took a step… Lamentations 3:25–26: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the on...

Whenever we have to overcome an obstacle in our lives, we are thinking about a million different things. Our minds race. We might even be aware that our Creator is there to help. But have you ever considered that even when life gets tough, you can still have joy? Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Sheila Walsh has said that what got her through a bou...

We all screw up. We all fail in some way. We fall short of goals, or get embarrassed in some kind of career implosion or other events. It’s easy then to feel like we’ll never win again. That is not how God sees you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”    Hope and a future. Th...

Our world needs many things. We have environmental concerns, broken relationships, and disease that still stalks too many countries. It is also true that God doesn’t leave us in despair. He doesn’t allow our problems to overcome us, if we trust Him. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Ho...

The most influential ruler of all time, the greatest king to ever walk the face of the earth, is also mankind’s greatest example of humility. Jesus may have been born in a stable, but the Son of our Creator God was anything but ordinary. He lived a humble life, but performed miracles along the way, and showed us what it means to be a humble servant leader among men. Jesus selflessly took human for...

Picture what it would look like to lose everything in one fell swoop. Your house burns to the ground. The stock market plummets, and all your money is gone. Worst of all, your children fall ill and die. Suddenly, you’ve lost not only your material possessions, but your family, too. When people refer to someone as having “the patience of Job,” they say that for a reason. Job was a man of immense we...

In Luke 7:1–10, Jesus heals the servant of a centurion soldier at Capernaum. These verses illustrate the faith this soldier has that Jesus can heal his favorite servant. We also learn in these verses that the Jewish people of the city knew of this particular centurion and put in a good word for him with Jesus, because he had built the Jewish temple in Capernaum on their behalf. Imagine that! A gen...

Have you ever recorded minutes for a meeting? Whether you were taking notes at work or for a volunteer organization, such as the PTA at your child’s school, taking minutes and reporting on them at a follow-up meeting is an important responsibility. What ideas were discussed? How were those ideas followed up on? Who, including yourself, agreed to complete certain tasks before the next meeting? And...

Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates is credited with saying, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This line of thinking, developed nearly 2500 years ago, applies to our lives as Christian believers today. Let’s examine the question: What does it mean to be a godly man?” There are many characteristics that come to mind when thinking about godliness and living the kind of life the Lord wants fo...