Kerusso Daily Devotional

Usually, when we’re looking for some kind of emotional lifeline to get us through the day, we only want to know what God can do for us.   How do we get that peace of mind that we desperately need?   One component is obedience. At first, this sounds like a test that’s too hard. We need relief right now!   Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the rene...

A huge benefit of being a believer is the knowledge that we can help others after going through the valley ourselves.   It’s one thing to endure and overcome and find our joy, but it’s maybe even better when you see a friend emerge into the light because you were there for them.   Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”   When you’re in the middle of some...

Whenever we have to overcome an obstacle in our lives, we’re 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...

Have you ever felt without hope? It’s a pretty desperate place to be. It’s been said that hope is the one thing a human being can’t be without.   Beth was once accused of some pretty terrible things. She wasn’t guilty of any of them, but it took two years and serious legal hurdles to clear her name. Her future was uncertain.   In the end, she told reporters that her best ally was the Lord. Her sto...

Billy Joel says that his hit song, “Pressure” really is about the pressures of daily life: providing for your family, putting food on the table, and career obstacles.   Even the way he sings the song, with power and anger, makes the point. It’s quite a statement on life.    And we’ve all felt it.   2 Corinthians 1:8 says, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we...

What is true love? The question has been asked forever. Not everyone agrees. There's a startling answer found in the Bible. The prophet Hosea marries a prostitute named Gomer. She's predictably unfaithful to him, but God tells him something that's strange to us. He told Hosea to take his wife back and restore her.   1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It doesn...

Kyle hurt Jenny emotionally many times, and then he left her because he said he wanted to have fun in life. His young wife could barely function at first, but as she got her bearings, she decided to wait before making a final decision about her marriage.   Then the day came. A series of circumstances left Kyle broken in spirit, and in body. He had burned so many bridges, no one was coming to help...

Have you ever congratulated someone for a huge win in life, and then silently envied them? We all do it. But the problem is that kind of thing can grow into a monster if we're not careful. All of a sudden, we're so focused on what the other person has we lose sight of the wins in our own life.   1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, doesn't boa...

We’ve all known kindness. It might have been a Sunday school teacher, or maybe it was Mom listening to our bad day.   But how often do you actually think about the importance of kindness? Is it an active part of your day? If not, you’re missing the point.   1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others,...

Having the “patience of Job” is a common saying, even if people don’t really know its origins. Job of course was the biblical character that suffered greatly before God restored him.   But if you read the book of Job, it’s not at all clear that he really had much patience!    Because being patient is really, really hard.   1 Corinthians 13:4–5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it...

We “love” all sorts of things. We love a friend’s new hairdo. We love pistachio ice cream and travel to exotic places.   Many times, the word itself loses all real meaning. It’s like homemade chicken soup without the chicken, and without the soup.   1 John 3:16–18 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyo...

You know, someone may have tried to convince you at some point in your life that we're alone in the cold void of the universe, but that has never been true.    It's especially false for the believer who understands what God has done for all people everywhere.    He, the Creator of the universe, formed us long ago, and His Word tells us clearly that He never takes a second off in His purs...

The Bible is famous for speaking in parables and metaphor. One of the most famous is found in one of Paul’s letters, in which he tells us the benefits of a life in Christ.   The “Fruit of the Spirit” is a list of nine attributes that a person filled with the Holy Spirit will model for the world. It’s probably no coincidence that Paul starts with…Love.   Galatians 5:22–23 says, “By contrast, the fr...

One of the richest gifts God has given us is healthy relationships.   A marriage in balance, friends who mutually respect each other, and most of all a strong “God connection” can be the ticket to a healthy, whole life. The full life that Jesus spoke about!   Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselve...

Love is the essence of God. We know that.   At the same time, we can say that there are different kinds of love; we’re talking about that this week. Love for family. Love for our fellow humans. Love for nature.   But we can think of what is called Agape Love as “Big-Tent Love.” Agape is an ancient Greek word meaning “Love of God for people, and of people for God.”   1 Corinthians 13:1–3 says, “If...

Our world has rich diversity. In nature, we see almost countless stunning animal species. We linger on pictures of beautiful landscapes. Even different cultures give us amazing experiences.   There are also many different religions. Some of them offer a measure of peace. Some have reflections that can help us be better people. Today we’re talking about salvation, and that is one thing only Jesus o...

Let’s think about something deep today:   What is the end game?   In this context, we’re talking about what comes after this life we are living now. Believers of course look forward to an eternity with the Living God. And even unbelievers wonder about what comes next after you draw your last breath.   It’s the most important element in our discussion this week.   Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, b...

A farmer, perhaps more than most, knows something about faith.   Harvest time captures much of our attention and all the good press, but the farmer’s careful planning, toil, and belief in the outcome are all necessary to reach that moment of glory.   First, the farmer must decide what to plant in his fields. What do history and the Farmer’s Almanac say about likely weather patterns in a given year...

Of the many gods throughout world history, almost none of them seem to care about individuals. They might alter the weather so that crops can’t grow. Or cause some global upheaval.   But only one claims to care about you.   Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”   Isn’t that amazing? The story is that Jesus left His place of royalty in heaven to come to Ear...

It's that time of year, snowstorms slam the country from west to east. And hey, we love snow, but it can get old. But are we thinking about it the right way? In fact, it's another way for us to see and enjoy God's creation and reflect on just how majestic He is.    Job 38:22 says, “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow?”    What a beautiful picture. In this section of Job, Go...

When Hurricane Katrina destroyed the church and home where E.J. Scott had pastored for 20 years, he and his wife found themselves living a bit like refugees in Dallas, Texas.   After years of being strong for his flock, Pastor Scott needed something to strengthen his own faith. He was devastated.   Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to h...

When we walk with God, we want to see that our relationships are healthy. It’s part of the command to love one another.   Few things are more heartbreaking than damaged relationships. When those linger, the Body of Christ is weakened. Churches split because of it. Families suffer for it.   Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and s...

How many times do we make a plan to boost our health and we’re sailing along for a while…and then everything crashes?   Athletes train year-round. That way, there’s no letdown or drop-off from peak performance.   As believers, we have to have the same mindset. A champion figure skater doesn’t skate for six weeks, then take a few months off. NFL cornerbacks don’t stop watching film and keeping thei...

Janet remembered how alive she had felt when she was disciplined in her prayer life and Bible study. She surprised herself one day when she blurted out, “I could think clearer, before I got mentally lazy!”   Just saying it out loud kicked her out of the that fog she’d been in since forever.   Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, an...

When we look at the amazing diversity all around us in nature, we see that no detail escaped God’s attention. He created all things to live in harmony.   That includes our individual physical bodies. He intends for us to be healthy and whole—mind, body, and soul.   Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your he...