Kerusso Daily Devotional

What does the Bible say about gratitude?   Psychologists and self-help gurus will all tell us that a grateful heart and a positive outlook will do wonders for health and relationships. A person with a heart of gratitude will be seen by others who will want to follow, and see what he has going for him.   Such a person is a magnet for sharing the Gospel, and the greatest source of wisdom has much to...

Solomon was one of the most amazing men in all of history. The King of Israel, the son of the famous David, was so rich he got bored. In fact, some believe he was the wealthiest man of all time. In terms of money, he was the Jeff Bezos of his time.   But the Bible tells us his story, and doesn’t spare any truth in doing it. Solomon accomplished great things, but at great spiritual cost.   After a...

The Bible contains a huge amount of wisdom for us. It’s the Word of God, after all.   Usually, that wisdom is most valuable to us when we are living through tragedy. Those days and nights can be among the hardest we’ll ever have, because the pain seems to be too strong.   Have you ever felt like that?   Our topic this week has to do with Walking By Faith.   Second Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we liv...

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...

Since the beginning of time, millions of people have denied the existence of God. They are called different names: unbelievers, atheists, maybe agnostic. Many of them have quite a bit to say about it, and have even become famous doing so.   God also has something to say about it. A fascinating verse in the Bible speaks directly to this question of the existence of God, and it also speaks to our di...

From earliest times, God has commanded His people to see their national home through His holy eyes. In other words, countries around the world are to follow the Lord. Of course, many don’t.   Jeremiah 30:22 says, “So you will be my people, and I will be your God.”   Many great civilizations have risen, but few last beyond a couple hundred years. Although history is debated, the foundations of Amer...

The Bible has a lot to say about how we are to treat each other on our life’s journey. One story in particular in Genesis shows us how to resist peer pressure, especially when someone’s life is in danger. In fact, this story really captures the essence of what we’re talking about this week.   John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."   Jac...

Charles McGee is one of those improbable heroes. Part of the reason is because he started life with obstacles to overcome — just because of the color of his skin. He is now the last surviving member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. This was an incredible group of pilots made up of African Americans during World War 2.   He pushed to achieve great things, and God was with him every step. Today, Retir...

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. This week we’re talking about having enough grit to get to the glory.   Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,...

It’s interesting watching the outcomes of people who refuse to give in to fear.   Many years ago, while America was going through a severe economic depression and a world war, President Roosevelt told Americans that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.   Those listening over the radio said later that they felt a great sense of relief just from his words!   Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, thou...

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 anyon...

Love is in the air, as they say, and that is our topic this week. Love can be a broad term, but we want to refine it for our time together—at the same time, we are preoccupied with cards, gifts, and candy hearts.   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, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily an...

Have you ever been hurt in a relationship? If you’ve been alive very long at all, the answer is an obvious “Yes!” Reality has shown us that love can be the most wonderful feeling ever…or it can be ugly and brutal. It can feel like your heart has been run over by a truck.   We’re talking about Loving Like Jesus, and as usual, His Word unlocks the secrets of our hearts, and shows us the way to heali...

When it comes to love, the secular world has plenty to say. Turn on the television, radio, or explore the internet, and you’ll find advice on every type of relationship, from friendships to getting along with your parents, and of course — advice on romantic relationships. People are clamoring to figure love out…but what does the Bible say about love?   1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient,...

In an age of technology booms and information-sharing, it’s amazing how lonely we have become. Everything and everyone is connected, but does all that online connection ever leave you feeling disconnected in real life? Do you feel alone?   If you do, you are listening at the right time this week as we are reminded that God’s timing is always perfect.   Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everythi...

We’ve heard of heat-seeking missiles. They are weapons so sophisticated that they appear to have a mind of their own. The missile is launched and finds its target and destruction happens.   Well, what if a heat-seeking missile could be used for good? What if one has been launched…in your direction?   Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be...

At an address in Columbus Ohio in 1900, former slave Booker T. Washington kept the room spellbound. This man, who had built Tuskegee Institute to lift blacks out of economic bondage, was revered around the world.   But he said something that surprised more than a few in the audience. He said that one of his main priorities for the Institute was hiring more Bible teachers!   Washington, who had bee...

Do you find it hard to trust some people? Do you find it hard to trust... anyone? Our society is full to the brim of people who have been hurt, wounded, devastated. It puts up a wall and we live behind it in silence and fear.   After the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the people of that captive country were free for the first time to tell their stories. One woman said that she had been driven nea...

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 cro...

Have you ever had a power outage and pulled out your favorite flashlight, only to discover the batteries are dead? Bummer, am I right?   How about light bulbs? For some reason, they all seem to go at the same time, leaving you in the shadows and looking for that flashlight — you know, the one with the dead batteries!   Light bulbs burn out, tires go flat, umbrellas turn inside out on a windy day,...

Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ means that we don’t just sit in our houses and shut away the world.   Scripture is an action item.   Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”   If the Bible is true—if God’s story intersects with our story—then a hurting world is in need of a Savior. The pain many are enduring will have no end until t...

Are you eager to share Christ? If so, good for you! Your boldness is seen by God our Father, and it pleases him.   Often though, we get a little frustrated, if we’re honest. It seems like not enough people are getting it. We want to see everyone find new life in Jesus!   When we think about sharing the Good News, it’s important to remember that God is responsible for the harvest. We just have to b...

Do you ever feel that you aren’t suited for sharing your faith in Christ? Maybe you’re not comfortable around people. Maybe you’ve encountered some who are hostile to faith.   If so, then we are speaking to you this week as we talk about sharing your light in a dark world.   Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.”   Have you seen the movie, “The Ten Commandments?” It’s doubtful...

Are you comfortable in your life? This is a little different than asking if you are always happy, or living in some sort of paradise. Comfortable just means you are relatively peaceful and content with your situation. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it can be dangerous in a spiritual sense.   Jesus calls us to something more.   Mark 16:15 says, “He said to them, “Go into all the world and pre...

In the Christian life, there is a necessity to be a witness. We are to be witnesses for Christ. His 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 simple Gospel – we are called to get i...