Kerusso Daily Devotional

The Office’s Michael Scott once famously said that there’s such a thing as good grief, and it’s a funny line. But could there be some truth behind it?   Christians today celebrate “Good Friday” every year, but what does it really mean?   The date marks the day 2,000 years ago that Jesus Christ willingly died on a gruesome Roman cross for our sins.   Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own l...

Have you ever thought much about grace? We hear the word, but the concept itself might be a little elusive. That might be because it’s hard for humans to understand and embrace.   Grace means simply that someone gives you something with no strings attached. Just for your good.   Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gi...

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,...

One of the extraordinary stories in the Bible involves a young woman named Rahab. This story beautifully expresses God’s love for all people.   Rahab lived in the Canaanite town of Jericho, which was near the border of the Promised land God had promised to His people, who had been wandering for years in search of a home after slavery in Egypt.   Because the Canaanites were powerful, Joshua sent a...

As 2020 began, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Turkey, killing 34 people. Over 1,500 buildings were damaged, and 76 had collapsed.   It was in one of these collapsed buildings that a young mother waited with her baby daughter.   A rescuer heard her cries and said, “Can you hear me? We are coming. We will save you.”   John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the...

Spring is the season of new life. As we finish up our series on the Psalms, we come to the most famous one of all.   Psalm 23:1–2 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”   This psalm contains some of the most famous words ever written. It has everything: beautiful language, a man’s raw honest he...

One of the things that sets 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...

From the time he was a young shepherd in the wilderness, David had a deep relationship with God. He escaped enough dangerous situations to know that God was always with Him, and was his deliverer.   Psalm 91:1–2 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”   This p...

Nothing is more basic to life than creation itself. The Bible tells us that God alone has the power to truly create, and the beauty of language in Psalm 139 explains this fully. Some believe the psalmist was writing in part about the creation of Adam.   Psalm 139:1–3 says, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You dis...

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the collection of songs known as “Psalms,” originally written as music for worship, especially in the Temple in Jerusalem.   Today we celebrate them as prayers for the most part, and they give us a beautiful picture of who God is.   Psalm 1:6 says, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”   T...

Humans were built for language and communication.   It's one of the bits of creative genius God used when He formed His highest creation. And apart from regular communication, whether it's the written word or verbal, we have a great gift from a loving God: prayer. And that's what we're talking about this week in a series we're calling, Prayer 101.   Prayer is an intensely...

Today, just stop and consider that we are talking one-on-one. We’re just talking over coffee.   You seem like something is really getting to you. Are you about to give up on something important? If so, please listen, just for a couple minutes.   Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”   Let’s think boldly for a second. What...

Humans have a problem asking for help. Chalk it up to our proud hearts.   Often, when we are really up against it, that’s when we resist seeking help.   Jesus does away with all that.   Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”   Ask yourself: is my pride keeping me from a huge blessing? If so, mull that over. Take as long as...

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...

Isn’t it funny how we come to certain conclusions in life fairly late? In other words, sometimes the obvious things aren’t obvious until we’ve stumbled around on our own, trying to find a solution.   Take the simple act of asking for help. It isn’t uncommon for a person to be reluctant to ask for help. Then he finds he wasted a lot of time!   That’s what we’re talking about this week.   John 16:24...

Do you feel like you’re falling apart today? It’s okay to say yes.   Life is life, and we all have obstacles to overcome. Maybe your issue is ongoing, or maybe it’s a sudden thing. But please think of it this way: Jesus is alive and He knows who you are and He cares about your problems.   Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”   Jesus is not caught of...

From beginning to end, the Bible tells the story of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His coming is predicted in Genesis, and His glory is revealed in Revelation. It is in Him and Him alone that we are each made whole.   As we wrap-up our time this week, looking at the subject of “All Together,” it is frankly exciting to know that Jesus has our back, even when no one else does.   Philippians 4:19 says, “B...

Life can be overwhelming sometimes, right? A huge wave of despair can come out of nowhere and push us toward disaster.   Anita’s life was like that, growing up in Hong Kong where revolutionary movements brought violence and loss of hope. She couldn’t see how the pieces of her life could be put together. She would ask herself, “How do you make peace with a potential that is frustrated?   That happe...

Have you ever felt a surge of pride because you had it all together? You know, your brain and talent and charm was just dazzling to the whole world?   It sounds funny, but let’s be honest. We’ve all at some point thought quite a lot of our own abilities. Pride—something God hates—trips us up. We are flying high.   Then the crash comes.   Our theme this week is “All Together,” and we explore what S...

When the Apostle Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he wrote to the church at Philippi, a wealthy city on an important trade route. The citizens there had little need of any outside help, but Paul’s wisdom alerted them that trouble comes to every life.   He had suffered many hardships as he preached the Gospel through the Roman Empire. Paul knew very well what poverty and loneliness were.   Phil...

Have you ever spent time in the country? If you’re used to the noise of city life — neighbors coming and going, traffic, dogs barking...then spending a few nights in the country can feel almost too quiet.   A brilliant sunrise without buildings to block the view, the most stars you’ve ever seen shining across the night sky, and a unique feeling of peace can all be found in the country, if you get...

Don’t you just love the nuances and uniqueness God put into the world? He created harmony and balance everywhere, including our individual “best time of the day” to be creative and productive.   Some of us are “up with the chickens,” as they used to say. Others burn a candle late into the night. Whatever time is your time to connect in positive ways, God made you to shine for His purposes.   Isaia...

Jane was the last child to receive a handmade blanket from her great grandmother. Pink and blue, festooned with angels and sprinkled with stars that sparkled in the light, the much-loved blanket was the little girl’s constant companion.   This childhood treasure became even more important when Gramma Ann passed away — a reminder of her love for her family, and her faith in God.   Jane’s blanket ke...

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 Ph...

In the book of Romans, Paul tells us the evidences 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....