Kerusso Daily Devotional

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...

Carissa was having one of those days. Instead of hitting the snooze button on her alarm clock, she had turned it off. Now the kids were late for school, she was late for work, and the tone for the day was one mad rush — emphasis on the mad.    As the day wore on, she thought about her impatience and frustration with her children as everyone got dressed and grabbed a granola bar on the way out the...

When you're having a bad day, a run-in with an immensely cheerful person doesn't always turn that frown upside down, does it? Commiserating with someone else though, a word literally defined by two or more people wallowing in misery together, that can be a balm to an anxious and worried mind, sometimes. The relief though is temporary.    Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in...

Tim closed his laptop and wondered what to do next.   He had a degree. Great job experience. Enthusiasm and passion for his work… But the job market was tough in his new hometown, and his savings was running out fast.   “Lord,” he prayed, “please help me find a job. You know my talents, and what I need to help support my family. Please provide.”   He’d been praying this same prayer daily, but no j...

Who likes to wait for what we need or want? Basically — nobody.    Of those nine elements that make up the Fruit of the Spirit, patience may be the hardest.    Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” And patience is learned, which makes it one of the sweetest fruits the Spirit gives us. Waiting for a payoff of some kind makes the end result that muc...

1 Peter 5:6–7 says, “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”   These two short verses tell us several things: One — if we submit to God’s power by acknowledging we can’t solve our problems, He is strong enough to intervene and bring about the outcome we really want.   Second, He...

I’m not sure where you’re at today. You might be angry at God. Something happened, maybe in your life, that has damaged your faith. If we live in the world long enough, it can happen to any of us.   How you respond is really important. If you’ve listened previously, you know we are talking about how to live by faith.   Having perseverance when we’re miserable is really, really hard. Don’t make the...

Even during times of calm and security, the honest truth is, there are very few examples of really strong and steady leaders.   It’s a given then that when times are scary, brave leaders that reassure us are really needed…but really rare!   The Bible speaks of one such person.   Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for th...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three young men from Judah who found themselves in a heated situation.   They were brought into the court of King Nebuchadnezzar II, and ordered to bow before the king’s golden image. The alternative was a one-way ticket to the fiery furnace.   The king’s command would have been easy for these guys to follow, but their own King of Kings had already commanded th...

Are you the kind of person everyone looks at and assumes you are strong and together?   You too, huh? Many of us look fine on the outside, but the human condition is often much different on the inside.   Proverbs 31:25 says this of a godly woman: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”   But the thing is, God did not make us to have a spirit of fear. He never...

Today we're talking about the emotional benefits of forgiveness.   In Christ we experience peace that is so remarkable, it isn't naturally part of this world. As we think about the power forgiveness has for us and others, let's think about how forgiving someone lifts a huge burden off our minds.   Matthew 5:23–24 says, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and ther...

Today, we're talking about the physical benefits of forgiveness. There are several stories in the Bible that tell us when God's people obey Him, they are in better physical and emotional shape. Remember, Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the rich food sent by the king. After several weeks of their own diet, they emerged healthier than other young men in the Babylonian kingdom. So, too...

Is there someone in your life whose forgiveness you need?    Legendary cowboy actor Roy Rogers said something profound. He said that sometimes it hurts to do the right thing, but afterwards, you'll feel better.    When it comes to forgiveness, this certainly applies to choosing to forgive someone who has wronged you. But have you considered that it can be even tougher to ask for someone'...

Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive? No matter what your worldview is, it's obvious to all that the world just hurts. And for the Christian, the knowledge that we live in a fallen world is an explanation, but that doesn't soothe the pain.   Matt Swatzell was driving home one morning after a shift as a firefighter in EMS. He'd only slept 30 minutes in the previous...

Even though most U.S. homes have at least one copy of the Bible, if you know what's in it, there are all sorts of things. Wisdom for living, history, spiritual food. It's the Bible's practical value that hooks most people who read it. The Bible says a lot about money, how to raise kids, and even how to strengthen your marriage. It also tells us a lot about forgiveness.   Forgiveness...

David, the giant-slaying boy who would eventually become king of Israel, is mentioned over 1,000 times in the Bible. The youngest of eight children, David grew to become a powerful king, and some say he was also the original pop star, penning most of the 150 psalms included in the Bible. These songs were the hymnbook for Old Testament Jews, and continue to inspire well-known musical works today, i...

Who is the most loyal person you’ve ever known? A parent? Spouse? Friend?   Truthfully, we all crave loyalty. It gives us a sense of safety. We feel that if there is some loyalty in our world, it’s like a warm blanket on a cold night. Life seems less scary.   As we discuss the role of Jesus in our personal stories, it is good to remind ourselves often of ultimate loyalty. In turn, it encourages us...

What would you think is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for us as we try to live our lives with integrity?   If you said “pride,” you win! The Bible tells us that the sin of pride can lead to a whole range of bad outcomes.   Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”   Walk humbly? Wow, that can be the most difficult p...

Jesus is always our standard.   Moments after He picked the 12 disciples, Jesus was standing at the base of a mountain, teaching the people. He told them many things, but one thing really stands out: He told them how to treat each other.   Jesus had a way with stories. Narrative was the way He told people what He wanted them to remember. And it was then that Jesus used an image of the good gifts G...

Would it surprise you to know that God has always been interested in you? Did you know He knew you before you were born? He has a vested interest in how your life turns out.   Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”   He isn’t some remote deity. God doesn’t pay attention only most of the time. He doesn’t form His plans here and there. He is there for us all the time.   The...

One of the things that set God apart from all others is His ability to tell us what is going to happen. We read about this in Isaiah 46, where He says only He knows the end from the beginning.   An amazing example of this is found in Psalm 22, and it’s almost surprising how many people are not aware of it.   Psalm 22:11 says, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help....

In a world full of manmade gods and goddesses, the Creator God stands alone. He is a King of the first order, and everything was made by Him. His majesty and power are awesome.   Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”   Usually, when people are in the presence of royalty, they get nervous. Kings and queens make us...

Are you like a lot of people when it comes to the instruction booklet with a new item? We stare at it and eventually 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 at P...

We're all a little bit nicer at Christmas time, 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....

Well, the gifts have been opened, the wrapping paper taken to the landfill. Leftovers are in the fridge, and maybe you're feeling a little blue, a little depressed. Christmas is over, or is it?   2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” In the West, we tend to have a letdown when the excitement and rush of Christmas is over, as if at midnight on December 25th, w...