Kerusso Daily Devotional

Do you especially need the gift of peace right now? Is your life so busy that 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 us anytime, anywhere. Even in the ...

Does your life feel out of control? Are you experiencing that common feeling of weaving down a busy highway, about to crash?

It’s a metaphor for life that most internalize at some point. All of a sudden, what you were sure of isn’t there anymore. You might as well be behind the wheel of a fast car that’s heading into oncoming traffic.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

This isn’t some n...

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?

Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply al...

First Peter 5:6–7 says, “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”

These two short verses tell us several things: One, if we submit to God’s power by acknowledging we can’t solve our problems, He is strong enough to intervene and bring about the outcome we really want.

Second, He does this in his own time, on His own ...

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 Creator.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those wh...

In Christ, we experience peace that is so remarkable, it isn’t naturally part of this world. As we think about the power forgiveness has for us and others, let’s think about how forgiving someone lifts a huge burden off our minds. 

Matthew 5:23–24 says, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be ...

How much can one person take, and still choose to offer kindness?

In Genesis Chapter 37, verses 12–36, 17-year-old Joseph is sent by his father to visit his brothers, who were tending the family’s flock of sheep in the countryside.

Rather than the friendly check-in he expected, Joseph’s brothers initially plotted to kill him out of jealousy, but instead sold him into slavery to a group of Ishmaelites heading for Egypt. Among the brot...

Is there someone in your life whose forgiveness you need? 

Legendary cowboy actor Roy Rogers said something profound. He said that sometimes it hurts to do the right thing, but afterwards, you’ll feel better. 

When it comes to forgiveness, this certainly applies to choosing to forgive someone who has wronged you. But have you considered that it can be even tougher to ask for someone’s forgiveness? Humans hate to fail, and most of us ...

One of the most corrosive elements in the human character is unforgiveness. Bitterness and fighting in relationships is really a drain. Physically and emotionally, we’re simply not wired to survive long-term problems in this area. 

According to Dr. Michael Berry, 61% of cancer patients have forgiveness issues. And Dr. Karen Schwartz of the Johns Hopkins Hospital confirms that the hurt and disappointment associated with forgiveness i...

Even though most U.S. homes have at least one copy of the Bible, few know what’s in it.

There are all sorts of things: wisdom for living, history, spiritual food. It’s the Bible’s practical value that hooks most people who read it. The Bible says a lot about money, how to raise kids, and even how to strengthen your marriage.

It also tells us a lot about forgiveness. Forgiveness is mentioned dozens of times in the Bible. 

In Genesis 33...

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 never give up.”

Passing the torch, or trainin...

Have you ever watched a war movie and realized that the actors didn’t know how the conflict would turn out? World War 2 movies are like that. When they filmed “Casablanca,” Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman weren’t sure whether the Germans would win or lose.

Life can be like that.

Matthew 28:20 says, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In your own life, you might be facing some really serious stuff. And it’...

Living life as though your cup is brimming over isn’t a matter of circumstance. It’s a matter of choice. 

Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.”

God promises bountiful blessings when we follow Him, but what about when times are tough? Nowhere does the Bible suggest we should wallow in misery when things don’t go our way. Instead, we should slow do...

Today, we’re talking about grit and determination, which go a long way in helping find success in life. And they’re contagious.

Winston Churchill was almost 70 when his country needed him most, when he stared down Hitler’s war machine. The British Prime Minister’s signature line was, “We shall fight on the beaches,” but the essence of his message came with these words, “We shall go on to the end.” 

Luke 18:1 says, “Then Jesus told hi...

Games and sports aren’t real life, but they often give a pretty accurate picture of how we can choose to face life.

 Imagine that your profession is on a national stage. You have the ball with less than two minutes to go, and your team is behind. Standing behind center and looking out at the defense, how many of us could even think? Then, imagine throwing the ball with any kind of accuracy, knowing you have to win the game.

Most of u...

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 anyone has material possessions and sees his b...

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 angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

I...

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 healing.

1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is ...

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, love is kind. It does not envy, it does...