Kerusso Daily Devotional

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 your 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 som...

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, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”   We also read in Romans...

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...

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...

In all the world, there are almost countless ways people try to find God. Some people are drawn to the mystical, while others chase after the practical. Does it work?   God knew we would all look to fill the void in our spirits, the one put there when man first sinned. He also already knew what our escape route would be, the path back to Him.   Romans 10:9–10 says, “If you declare with your mouth,...

God’s Word is a collection of individual books about the history of the world, poetry, worship songs, letters, and the beginnings of the Church.   But it’s also all about Jesus!   Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”   J...

Did you know God’s Word is indestructible?   Many ancient books have been lost to history. Others sit still buried under the sands of the Middle East. But after thousands of years, the Bible is more widely read than ever.   Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges t...

The world is full of interesting ancient books. The Indian Vedas, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, even ancient clay tablets from Sumeria.   In the Bible though, we read that God’s Word is alive, not dead.   Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and at...

People have different views on just what God’s Word actually is. Some think it’s an ancient book of wisdom. Others think it’s just kind of an interesting piece of historical literature.   But the Word itself tells us that it has amazing benefits for those who read it and believe it.   Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates ev...

The Bible.   Audaciously, it’s been called the foundation of our civilization, a sacred book, even our guide for life.   And actually, it’s more than that.   Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”   From ancient times, God...

Today, we have a special Father's Day episode for you. The week leading up to Father’s Day is traditionally the time to give dads and granddads in your life an extra thumbs-up, and we've created a list of specific ways for you to pray for dads, any time.    Number one, pray for a loving nature. John 13:34–35 says, “A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you m...

Noah was far from perfect, but he was a humble man, and protective of his family. He stands out among fathers in the Bible as a man who remained loyal to God, in spite of the wickedness of the world around him.   Doesn’t that sound a lot like life today? Fathers who choose to follow a life of faith are surrounded by temptation and downright evil in this world, but God is pleased by our devotion, a...

Moses was the father of two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and he also served as a father figure to the entire Hebrew people as they escaped from slavery in Egypt.   He loved his people, and helped discipline and provide for them on their 40-year journey to the Promised Land. Imagine leading a frustrated, tired, hungry group of travelers through the desert — without air conditioning or handheld electr...

One of the things that mark a healthy society is the consistency between generations. In other words, adults who care about the future for their children will invest the time to make sure tomorrow is bright.   God the Father is the ultimate parent, and we would do well to model His love for us.   Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and nev...

Adam, a first time father, looked down at his newborn son with love. Adam and his wife had made mistakes in the past and suffered greatly for it, but this child, their firstborn, was a chance to start fresh. The new family didn’t have the support of friends or relatives, but they did their best, and figured it out as they went along.   When the family was blessed with another son a few years later...

Where are you headed, friend?   Psalm 25:4 says, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.”   Whether you've lived in the same place your entire life, or you've been blessed to travel the world, each and every life is a journey. An opportunity to learn, grow, and impact others as we follow the path God has planned for us.    Moses and the Israelites must have been expert travelers b...

When God asks us to love our neighbor as ourselves, what exactly does He mean?   In Luke 10 verses 25–37, Jesus shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate what it means to love our neighbors the way Jesus loves us.   “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.    A prie...

As followers of Jesus we are meant to be witnesses, and Christ’s majesty and power are meant to blanket our world. He is also intimately aware of you, and where you are in life.   Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”   When we trust Christ—when we believe the Gospel—we’re called to get in the game. If you’ve been changed, and if you b...

The story of the Prodigal Son is one we can all relate to.    The Bible tells the story of a brash young man who leaves his home after asking for his inheritance. His loving father complies and let’s just say the son learns some valuable lessons on his travels.   Eventually, he humbles himself and comes home; he needs his father and his family.   It’s really a story of Jesus and us.   Matthew 7:7,...

Have you ever been lost?    For the directionally challenged among us, being lost is terrible.    Imagine a time before Google Maps, before cell phones, and even before boxy little GPS devices for the car. Now imagine a time, way, way back — before every square inch of our world had been mapped. And those who journeyed far weren't sure what they'd encounter, or whether they'd even m...

The USA does celebration very well. As a rich and varied nation, we have the resources frankly to host great celebrations. Our veterans are honored, which they very much deserve.   We glory in our past and look forward to the future. Flags fly and flap in the breeze that sweeps across the land. The recent Memorial Day recalled our nation’s fallen, those who willingly went into the danger zone and...

America has always acknowledged God. Sometimes though, our devotion to faith comes and goes. Sometimes we get too comfortable, and forget who keeps us upright every day.   Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”   Whenever a person questions God’s goodness, or the path He has set for us, it’s good to go to the Bible....

We are often inspired by epic war stories. Great battles over time become so epic, they almost seem a part of myth. We put warriors on a pedestal and usually, rightly so. They make it possible for the rest of us to live in peace and freedom.   Have you ever considered there is only one perfect warrior? His name is Jesus, and He forms the backdrop of our talks this week spotlighting warriors.   1 J...

Do you ever stop and think about the routine things you do every day? Buying detergent so that you can wash your family’s clothes. Fixing a couple of boards on your deck. We even grind through staff meetings at work. All this of course mixed with life, laughter, and love.   But do you think about why you can do these things in our country?   Primarily it’s because of the sacrifices of our fallen s...

Most of us feel a deep respect in our hearts for those who have sacrificed so that we can remain free. Loving those who have paid the ultimate price is just something we do as a people. We pause to remember each year.   Isaiah 56:5 says, “To them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure fo...