Kerusso Daily Devotional

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 gift o...

Our world has rich diversity. In nature, we see almost countless stunning animal species. We linger on pictures of beautiful landscapes. Even different cultures give us amazing experiences. There are also many different religions. Some of them offer a measure of peace. Some have reflections that can help us be better people. Today we’re talking about salvation, and that is one thing only Jesus off...

Have you heard the name Sydney Carton? This character in Charles Dickens’s acclaimed novel “A Tale of Two Cities” has everything to do with sacrificial grace. Carton is a man during the French Revolution who has a chance to stand-in for a condemned man. In this way, the man will be free to go on and live his life. Carton takes the other man’s place, and is executed. It was common for Charles Dicke...

People are goal-oriented. Even if you think you’re not, you really are. Maybe you don’t have a burning ambition to work in finance on Wall St., or you aren’t going to be a pro athlete any time soon. But you do want to earn a living for your family. Hey, you even want to get your chores finished before your favorite show comes on TV. Sometimes, this love of goals can trip us up when it comes to ete...

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 be wi...

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 l...

It sounds like the beginning of a Stanley Kubrick movie. A mass of matter—rock, dust, water—is swirling all around. Everything is mixed up. And nothing can really be seen because there is darkness everywhere! This of course is the beginning of the Bible, in Genesis. The creation of the world is being described. It all begins with chaos. But, the Spirit of God is hovering over the water. John 8:12...

The Bible uses light as a symbol and metaphor for various things. Christ Himself is the light of the world. He illuminates the darkness and the corners and hiding places we all find ourselves in. This is where it starts in our story. Jesus loves the individual. When we fall into depression or our behavior causes us and others problems, He is there with His warm light. John 8:12 says, "When Je...

It’s not pretty watching the whole world lose its collective mind. A crisis is like that. As believers though, we have a duty to be different. We are supposed to stand out for Christ. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This is one of the most beautiful verses in all of Sc...

Do you get tired of being alone or afraid? Have you had enough of feeling like you can’t take any more stress? If you’re honest with yourself, there are times when you think you’re just going to lose it. The cares of this world can be like that. You stress about not having enough money each month just to pay your bills. You can’t sleep at night because your mind is racing, striving to create a wor...

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 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 the Lord your God will be...

For some of us, nothing is scarier than the thought of being vulnerable on the open ocean. Bobbing around on a raft or lifeboat, if you’re not used to sailing, would be frightening. Our current dilemma with the Coronavirus seems a little like that. In the 1944 film, Lifeboat , a group of people tried not to let fear overtake them in a small lifeboat after their ship was torpedoed. God knew what ou...

Let’s just get to it. For the first time in any of our lifetimes, the whole world is facing a common enemy. One that threatens our way of life. But it’s not a dangerous person, or a hostile nation. It’s a virus. Literally overnight, we might be faced with disruptions in our lives that no one has experienced before. It all seems to have come from nowhere. Fear is cropping up everywhere. It matters...

Do you tend to be a fair-weather friend? Do you stay strong when times are good, but run away if things are difficult? Nothing will ruin a relationship more than that. Let’s be honest here: There is someone in your life who needs your help and strength. Maybe you need to step it up in that area. Jesus is a perfect example of loyalty to others; by following His lead, we can learn what genuine loyal...

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 to...

One of the biggest criticisms of those who follow Jesus Christ is that such a model is very exclusive. In other words, it seems on the surface that Jesus leaves some people out of the salvation plan, because He says that He is the only way to God. But what is He really telling us? John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through m...

Rakeem Boyd is a special football player. A star high school running back from Houston, Boyd now plays for the University of Arkansas. In 2019, he had more than a thousand yards rushing. Because of rules changes in the last several years, he was eligible to declare for the NFL draft. Such a player can be set for life financially, signing a multi-million-dollar contract. On Christmas Eve last year,...

Trust issues. Lots and lots of people have trust issues. Someone has hurt you in the past. Maybe it’s been multiple times. This world can be a dangerous place. But stop and think about how much your damaged trust affects your relationships now. Is there a way out of this long, dark tunnel? John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except...

An eagle screams near the summit at Masada, near the Dead Sea. Once Herod’s summer palace, it was later the scene of a terrible incident in which Jews chose suicide rather than enslavement to Rome. When Roman soldiers breached the defenses at the top, they were met by silence, the wind, and perhaps a lone eagle, watching. We are talking this week about your place on the winds of history. Where do...

There’s a reason the Bible uses so many metaphors. The wisdom God has for us lends itself well to short narratives, and we learn much from stories. A famous passage from Isaiah we’ve been discussing this week uses a powerful mental image to convey deep truths from God. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and n...

Are you a person that has walked away from your faith? Maybe you believed once, very much, but it faded over time. Maybe you accepted the promises of God for a little, while but then something else caught your eye. That’s not uncommon. Starting out on fire for God and then becoming weary is something many of us have dealt with. To use a flying analogy for our talk today, sometimes your flight of f...

If you’re like most people, the more chaotic life gets, the more you need a solution broken down in easy-to-understand concepts. We’ve been discussing what happens when people move away from God, and the consequences that impact us. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not...

The prophet, Isaiah, lived during a difficult period for the ancient Israelites. Turning away from faith in God and under the control of corrupt kings, the nation entered a period of darkness. They needed hope more than anything. In our discussion this week, we will talk about this human condition. Today, we are really no different from people in ancient times: We all need a relationship with our...

Solomon was king after his famous father, David, in ancient Israel. He also became insanely wealthy. According to the world’s standard, he had everything. Everything except peace later in life. In this way he was like a modern person, because truthfully, people’s natures never really change over time. It’s one of the things we have talked about this week. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made every...