Kerusso Daily Devotional

In Autumn 2019, Hurricane Dorian became the most intense tropical cyclone on record to strike the Bahamas. In fact, this single storm is regarded as the worst natural disaster in the country's history. Many of us worried about the east coast of our own country, but the Bahamas were hit especially hard, with the storm basically stationary for many hours. Residents there hunkered down and sough...

Colossians is a very informative book. Originally, it was a letter written by Paul and Timothy to believers in a small city. Chapter One tells us that Jesus made everything we see (and plenty we don’t see!). The universe was brought into being by Him.   That’s kind of a comforting thought! This great source of Love also made it all and He sustains it all.   Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all...

Does the future scare you? If it does, that’s understandable, from a human standpoint. After all, so much is unknown.   And yet, God gave us His Word as a guidebook. The Bible tells us certain specific things that bring great comfort.   Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”   For the most part, we know the past. We are navigating through the present....

Carol had really messed up in her personal life. The career wasn’t going so well, either. But it was one particular relationship that kept her up at night, and she felt like things were coming apart.   Instead of going to lunch with co-workers one day though, she ducked into a coffee shop and found an empty seat in the back. There she pulled out her phone and fed her soul by looking up Scripture....

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...

“Mom — I broke something! I’m so sorry!”   Benjamin had slipped on the wet bathroom floor and managed to take down the shower curtain and the curtain rod, in one fell swoop.   His mom’s concern wasn’t the state of the shower curtain, but whether the broken something was an arm or leg. Thankfully, her son wasn’t hurt, and fixing the curtain was a lot easier than mending a broken bone. A reassuring...

A loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter. What’s on your shopping list this week?   It’s been an interesting few months in our country, and chances are you’ve gone to the store for the items on your list sometime this year, only to find the shelf empty of your favorite cleaning product, food staple, or toilet paper.   These shortages have been temporary, thank goodness. Those em...

Have you ever played Hide-and-Go-Seek in the dark? What about flashlight tag? Or the grownup version of these childhood games: trying to find candles or flashlights in the midst of a sudden power outage.   Sight begins when light enters the eye. This light triggers light-sensitive cells in the retina at the back of the eye. As a result, signals zoom along the optic nerve to the brain. The brain th...

You probably know whether you’re a morning or night person. Science has some good news for you early risers: Apparently, the early bird really does get the worm.   In a study of early risers versus night owls, researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered strong connections in the regions of the brain that can predict better performance and lower sleepiness; these areas were significantly...

Kerrie sat down at the optometrist’s office and admitted sheepishly that this was her first eye exam in a few years.   “I think I’m doing okay though, doc. I don’t have any trouble reading, but I guess it is a little harder than it used to be to see the tv screen, and sometimes when I’m driving at night, things look a little fuzzy…”   The doctor nodded, asking questions as he ran through a series...

There is a movement in our society for a return to simple living. We might not want to give up all of our technology—much of it is wonderful and helpful. But it is true we want to quiet our minds and find some peace. This week we are talking about the simplest, sweetest truth around: Jesus Saves.   With that knowledge in hand, we can all find peace that the Bible says is from another world.   Luke...

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

Beryl Markham could have given up her aviation dreams after crash-landing in Nova Scotia.   But she didn’t.   Instead, this determined woman became the first person to fly from England to North America. She later said that in order to move forward, we can’t stay in the past. In fact, she said, “Leave it the fastest way you can!”   This pioneer knew that staying stuck was not inevitable, that we mu...

As we talk through the Good News of Jesus this week, we must always make it personal. In other words, deciding to believe in Christ is a very personal thing.   We all come from different backgrounds and belief systems. In the end, though, what will you do with the story of Jesus? Do you believe it is true?   Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”   Over and...

Have you ever wondered what your place in this world is?   Of course, you have. That’s the human experience. Alone with our thoughts, we wonder who we even are, and what we are meant to do. It’s a mysterious journey, but the fog lifts, and the way becomes clear when we get to know King Jesus.   Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God...

It's almost universally believed that tech guru, Steve Jobs, floated into mega success with Apple, the company he co-founded with Steve Wozniak.   Job’s first go around with Apple didn't end well — in 1985, he was forced out. His next effort wasn't a home run either, yet Job puts his head down like a fullback and plowed ahead. Next up for him was founding Pixar and finally, more tha...

Do you struggle to wonder what God’s will is for your life?   Many of us do.   Although it isn’t a quick answer, the best way to find God’s will for your life is to read His Word. The Bible will tell you the answer to that question.   Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”   Actually, finding God’s will isn’t the hardest part. Deciding to follow His will is where we get t...

In thinking about different kinds of love, it’s a beautiful thing to realize that God has placed certain people in our lives for specific reasons.   Friendship is one of His greatest gifts to us, all-time.   Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”   Do you have someone in your life that’s not blood-related, but it sure feels like it? In fact, beauti...

History tells us that God exists. Really, it does. And even if you aren’t interested in history, you might be interested in a few quick examples.   At the battle of Gettysburg, when the United States was about to be ripped apart by civil war, General Lee’s attack plans were lost by an officer and found by Union soldiers. This helped turn the tide of the battle, and led to victory and reconciliatio...

Have you ever heard someone recall a tough time and be happy about it? Not often, right?!   We all go through stuff we’d rather forget. When tough times hit us without warning, it’s natural to just wish it could all be over —  immediately! Humans are built to run from trouble, and that’s actually our theme this week: How do you grind through when it’s so bad you want to die?   Romans 5:3-4 says, “...

Have you seen the movie “Napoleon Dynamite”? The character of Kip is one of the offbeat people in an Idaho town. But he is also one of the neediest in terms of peace in his life. Kip sort of defines our theme of peace this week. At one point, he changes his persona and his signature line is, “Peace out!” It’s hilarious, but also poignant because the peace he found came about because someone chose...

Do you especially need the gift of peace right now? Is your life so busy, you can’t find time to take a breath? There is Good News for you: Jesus already knows. Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” When Jesus ascended to heaven, he told the apostles, “My peace I leave with you.” Because He lives, we know for sure that this peace is available to u...

Have you ever thought of yourself as a catalyst for peace? It’s something to think about as we continue our discussion this week about peace.   Donna and Betty were sisters, but in mid-life they were both tired of the fighting and mistrust and hurt. Each had their grievances. Both were stubborn.   Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”   At one par...

Being positive really is a mindset. As we talk about “pockets of peace” around the world this week, we will notice some amazing examples.   Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”   God pulls wins out of the most difficult challenges, and one of the toughest was the ongoing conflict between Egypt and Israel. Both nations are mentioned for blessing i...

It’s all in how you see it.   The world we live in has plenty of problems, and they are huge. Don’t need to list them all here, but it’s fair to say we even suffer from some existential threats.   And yet, God’s Word tells us that this present life can have, and does have, peace. That’s our connection this week.   Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward m...