Kerusso Daily Devotional

Kerusso

Kerusso® Daily Devotionals help you make more room for Jesus. Here you’ll find faith, hope, and joy — bite-sized moments of inspiration for busy believers. ABOUT THE KERUSSO DAILY DEVOTIONAL — Developed by Kerusso®, makers of Christian apparel, accessories, and gifts, the Kerusso Daily Devotional:● Features personal and historical stories influenced by the Bible.● Uses various Biblical translations including NIV, KJV, ESV, and NLT.● Includes professionally recorded audio of original content.● Connects you to God’s Word through stories and themes you can identify with on a personal level.● Offers 90-second devotional readings to inspire and encourage you. Learn more at www.kerusso.com.

  1. 11 HR AGO

    God’s Gentle Pace

    Today we’re in part five of five, the final chapter of our series on doubt.  If you’re working your way toward belief and away from doubt, by now you must assume that God exists. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering or extraordinarily patient toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.” The cornerstone of the Christian faith is a belief that Scripture is God’s Word. Psalm 138:2 tells us that God has elevated the Word above His own name. So, we have the opportunity to tell God that we accept His promises. Luke 1:77 tells us that He’s raised up Jesus “to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” At some point, faith is just believing God. Some critics say that this is making an idol out of the Bible, it’s called bibliolatry. But in fact, we learn who Jesus is and what He has done for us in Scripture. It is a conscious decision to embrace what God has told us.  Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” It really requires you to at least open your mind to the possibility that it’s true. God’s plan to reconcile people to Himself after sin entered the world, is a start. Decide to be bold. Lay aside your fears and doubts and find that rest you’ve been looking for. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” One of the great metaphors of the Bible is the strong hand or the strong arm of God that rescues us from danger. John 10:28 says, “I give them eternal life. They’ll never be lost, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” No one is saying that you will never have a shred of doubt again, but what we can know is that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, as outlined in the Book of Romans. Jesus Christ is waiting for you, and you can be sure of that.  Let’s pray.  Father, there are so many lonely people in the world, and they want to believe. You’ve put that in our hearts, God. Help them and help us, by your spirit, know that they are loved and that they can have an encounter with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

    3 min
  2. 1 DAY AGO

    God Beyond Measure

    Today we’re continuing our series on doubt. We’re in part four of five.  A political science major at a major university was having coffee with a campus pastor. The pastor knew that the student was wrestling with doubt about the existence of God and said to him, “John, you know all of us wonder at some point if it’s all real or not. For example, there are quite a few stories in the Bible that are just hard to believe. Jonah and the whale and all that.” John smiled and said, “No, that’s not my problem. What I wonder about is how God could care about me. I’ve done some really bad things and have had some really bad things done to me. I just can’t understand the concept of forgiveness.” There you have it. Doubts about the faith come from all directions. While one person cannot bring herself to believe in miracles, another cannot forgive himself for the wrong things he’s done and can’t fathom how God could.  Thomas Jefferson actually cut out the miraculous sections of the Bible. He couldn’t believe in what some would call the God of the Bible. Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of DNA, thought that Christianity was just a collection of mythical stories. And what about those who want to see the proof, they like evidence and feel a need to make an intellectual case for our faith.  The New Testament writer, Luke, was like that. He wrote in Acts and the Gospel of Luke about the importance of eyewitness sightings of Jesus and His miracles. Lots of people debate whether evolution and religion are compatible or not. And this is a big stumbling block to believe for many. We all believe something, but our minds can struggle at times to grasp the big stuff, the infinite universe. While for others who doubt, the struggle is more internal, they’re so grieved by their own sin, they can’t accept that God could love them. Maybe the most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” However, few quote the next verse which says, “For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” It isn’t God’s wish to condemn you. Instead, he loves you and wants to give you assurance that life is more than struggle and molecules.  Whether you’re looking for evidence to believe the Bible or you just need to know that God loves you, try not to focus too much on your objections. Own them, but just tell God as a child would, that you’re struggling to understand it all. Will you pray with me?  Father, your grace saves us from a life of struggle with sin, and we are accepted by you. Thank you for putting up with our up-and-down faith. In Jesus’ name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

    3 min
  3. 2 DAYS AGO

    The Crossroads of Faith

    Today we’re continuing our series on doubt. We’re in part three of five.  Because there’s so much easy access to information and ideas today, we can take in a huge amount of stuff. The downside is that much of it is just noise, and a lot of it simply isn’t true. What we hear, even if it sounds good, is not always good for us, especially when we’re talking about spiritual doubt.  There are many opinions floating around out there on the subject. For instance, some will say that doubt is really something to wrestle with continually, never finding a satisfying answer. While at the other end of the spectrum, some will say that if you doubt, you are permanently cut off from God. Both of those extremes are not helpful at all. The Bible is clear that God gives us a choice whether to believe in Him or not. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Within each person is a longing to understand our place in the world and to know if there is something or someone beyond this life. The Bible says that “He has set eternity in our hearts,” that “curiosity is in all of us.” And if you’re wondering about God, then your curiosity is a good starting point.  A bedrock truth for Christians is that God sent Jesus in human form to atone for the sins of mankind. This is not an easy concept to grasp honestly, but it’s what is known as the Gospel, the foundation of our faith. Christianity’s exclusive claims are too much for some seekers. In Mark chapter 10, the Bible describes a wealthy young man who asked Jesus what he had to do to be saved, and Jesus replied that besides following the 10 Commandments, he should give his money to the poor, and the story ends with that man sadly walking away. It’s likely that Jesus was helping him to see that his heart was not yet ready to receive anything that would require any sacrifice on his part.  In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Believing in the true God is not a bed of roses, but if you can make the search for God your starting point, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for.  Let’s pray.  Father, you’ve given us the knowledge of saving faith in your word. Thank you for giving us a free choice to decide our path in life. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

    3 min
  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    A Shared Journey

    Have you ever wondered about how convinced well-known Christians are of their faith? We all know they never doubt, right? Wrong. Today, we’re continuing our series on doubt, we are in part two of five. We’re talking about doubt all week. A well-known preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said of doubt, “I think when a man says, ‘I never doubt,’ it is quite time for us to doubt him.” Doubt is a fact of life for many of us, although most don’t like to admit it. In fact, doubt’s mentioned often in the Bible. The Bible’s full of great faith stories, but it’s interesting to notice that there are plenty of doubters, too. Sarah simply didn’t believe God’s promise that she and Abraham would have a child. Peter’s bravado evaporated when he realized it was dangerous to be known as one of Christ’s followers. Job’s wife told him he should curse God and die because of his misfortune, and Job wished he’d never been born. Humans can be quirky. Imagine seeing Jesus with your own eyes and watching Him perform miracles. In the Book of Matthew, we read about the apostles with Jesus on a mountain in the Galilee after His resurrection. You can’t get more miraculous than that, but it says some doubted. Mark 9:24 says, “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.’” This is the story of a father who sought Jesus to heal his son, and he seemed to believe and to struggle with belief at the same time. Amazing, but not so unusual.  As we are learning, doubting is not the worst thing. Keeping silent about it is worse. Seeking God and trusting a friend or friends to talk it through is healthy. God doesn’t punish you for doubting. Andrea Lucado, who has been around churches and preachers all her life, understands the struggle. She says, “Most of us at some time or another ask the question, ‘Why do I believe what I believe?’” Those of us who identify as lifelong Christians sometimes have the most doubt. We’ve grown up in church, memorized scripture, and volunteered at VBS, but that thought, “Why do I believe what I believe,” sometimes hits us in a moment we least expect. There are plenty of resources and plenty of believing friends who have gone through the same thing to see you through this. So, when you’re in a season of doubt, remember one thing: you are not alone.  Let’s pray. Father, doubt comes to us all at some point, and it’s then that we need each other the most. We need your spirit to bring us comfort and calm. We thank you that you don’t leave us in our time of doubt, but you long to help us through the valley. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

    3 min
  5. 4 DAYS AGO

    Believing in the Grey

    Some of the most important conversations we have can be the most uncomfortable, and when it comes to faith, doubt is near the top of that list. Today, we’re launching a five-part series on the topic of doubt. Many Christians wrestle with doubt, but who wants to admit that their foundational beliefs are not so firm? Not long ago, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, openly admitted that he’s questioned if God is real. When the head of the Church of England says something like that, it makes news. But something interesting came from Welby’s honesty. He revealed his humanity. It turns out that the archbishop lost a baby girl in a car accident many years ago, and when he was a teenager, he had to take care of his alcoholic father. He’s human with human difficulties. We are human, and we struggle sometimes.  Can we be honest? While a lifetime of doubt is dangerous, periods of doubt simply mark one as being human, but faith can help us overcome doubt. In the Bible, we read in Hebrews 11:1, “Now, faith is the subject of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 continues with many examples of faith in action, and at its core, the Christian faith means we believe God sent Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross, and that God raised Him from the dead. While mountaintop faith is exciting and it makes us feel good, no one experiences that all the time. Sometimes it’s difficult to believe certain things in the Bible. Sometimes we don’t feel faith in our lives. In this first part of our week-long look at doubt, it’s important to remember that simply expressing doubt can lead to healing and a more faithful future. If you’re a struggling believer or a questioning skeptic, this subject is one of the most important you’ll ever wrestle with. Stay tuned. Let’s pray.  Father God, often we push down thoughts that are painful or uncomfortable. We don’t have to do that with you, Lord. Even doubts about our faith are conversations that we can start with you, and we’re grateful for that. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

    3 min
  6. 15 MAY

    The Source of True Peace

    Today we wrap up our series on finding contentment by discussing the source of true peace and happiness.  John MacArthur once wrote a book called Our Sufficiency in Christ. In it, he revealed the path to finding true peace and contentment, and he says there’s a single word that encompasses all the riches we find in Christ: Grace. What a magnificent word it is. It’s used more than 150 times in the New Testament to speak of divine favor, bestowed on undeserving people. It is the means by which we receive every physical and spiritual benefit.  People the world over search all their lives for peace, and who doesn’t want to be truly content? But we look for it everywhere but where it is. Chasing adventure or money or career success will, well—it will leave you empty.  Maybe you’ve been running hard for a long time so that you can advance in a career that you find meaningful. There’s nothing wrong with that. So long as there’s balance, and your life can remain focused on Jesus. The Bible tells us very bluntly that anything else will leave us unsatisfied.  And at the very least, you can start by finding even one or two minutes in your day before sunup or late in the evening and just pray. Tell God that climbing the ladder at work is leaving you strangely empty.  The Bible isn’t some interesting old book. It’s not just some historical treasure; it’s life itself. Why? Because from beginning to end, it points us to Jesus Christ, who made us.  Resolve right now, even as you’re sitting at your desk, to begin getting to know Christ. And sooner rather than later, you will feel your anxiety lessen, and your priorities shift. You’ll discover what many have looked for in the wrong places for centuries. You’ll find peace for your soul. Writing in 2 Corinthians, Paul said of Christ’s message to all of us, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”  Philippians 4:12–13 says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I’ve learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”  Realizing all this, your circumstances might not change, but you will change for the better—for all time.  Let’s pray.  Father God, you are sovereign and that should make us calmer. Your power upholds everything in the universe, and you are good. You are not some impersonal being or one who is indifferent to our needs. Help us seek your son Jesus at every turn. In Jesus’ name, amen.    Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

    4 min
  7. 14 MAY

    Start with Basic Steps

    Today’s message is really about taking the long view.  The human attention span is short, like really, really short. Between the world wars, Winston Churchill warned Europe that Hitler was a threat to the continent at least, but people ignored him. And then, when the Nazis turned violent, the people turned to Churchill as their prime minister.  Having led the country through another costly war to preserve freedom, Churchill was defeated for reelection in the last days of World War II. It’s like the people had forgotten his priceless contribution to world peace. He knew the war would take a long time and that it would be costly, and the people wanted to avoid thinking about it, and even later wanted it over quickly. And that’s rarely how life works. Churchill returned as Prime Minister in the 1950s, but his experiences show that people mostly want short-term solutions.  Working for the long goal is rarely popular.  Jeremiah 15:15 says, “Lord, you understand. Remember me and care for me, avenge me on my persecutors. You are longsuffering. Do not take me away. Think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.”  Here God is reminding us that often, we’re required to stay in it for the long haul. Nowhere is this more true than in the pursuits of peace and contentment. That kind of thing is not built quickly, and not surprisingly, too many people don’t stay with it, and they stumble along looking for solutions in the wrong places. If you’re in a bad place today, you’re going to have to start with basic steps. Talk to Jesus and tell Him you’re struggling. Maybe you have a vague sense of depression and just can't locate the direct cause. Take the example of people who did understand the source of true happiness and were committed to seeing it through, no matter how long it took.  Abraham knew the value of prayer, and he waited for decades to have a son. Hannah was also unable to have children, but she prayed and stayed faithful, and eventually, God gave her a child, and she felt fulfilled. Joseph spent years in exile in prison because of his brother’s actions, but his faith didn’t waver. He actually found his contentment in the middle of these trials, and eventually, God restored his family, and all he had lost.  If you’re depressed or ground down from money worries, or facing some other huge challenge—go to God right now and tell Him you need peace for your soul. Tell him you fully trust Him and will wait with as much patience and faith as you can. It’s then you start the clock ticking on your difficult circumstances, and while you wait, your heart will be at rest.  Let’s pray.  Father, thank you for the good gifts that we already have. Help us be grateful for those things that sustain life. We fully trust you to bring about our delivery from life’s circumstances precisely the moment you have chosen. Sustain our spirits on this journey, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

    4 min
  8. 13 MAY

    On the Right Road

    The big question for today is, can we find contentment in things?  Have you ever listened to a very successful person complain about the fact that his wealth doesn’t make him happy? How the success of life has left him or her empty? Of course, you have. We’ve all heard stories like that, but pay attention to that—because it’s really important.  Watch people roll their eyes when they hear those stories. Why do they do that? Because they’re thinking, “Yeah, just give me some of that emptiness. I’d like to live on that side of town for a while,” but that attitude misses the point that’s trying to be made. From the past to now, there have been at least multiple millions of these stories, these laments from very successful people who would trade it all to be content. Millions and millions of successful, but unhappy people.  It’s when we’re confronted with numbers like that, that we should say to ourselves, “Wait a second…I need to think that through. Maybe having things and fame and success really doesn’t satisfy.” It’s then we start walking the right road to contentment.  April Motl is a writer in California who works with her husband in ministry. Recently, she made a fascinating point. She said, “About six months ago, my husband said he thought the Lord was trying to teach him to be content with mediocrity. ‘Mediocrity? Never! We should always be striving for the best,’ I thought to myself. But in light of a few life lessons of my own, I think I now understand what my husband was saying. It’s easy for us to want the best life has to offer, but sometimes ‘the best’ is learning to be content with what we have.”  Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have. Because God has said, never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.”  You don’t actually need to hear another story of unfulfillment from someone you’ve admired to know that stuff doesn’t ultimately satisfy. You have only to think about your own life and realize that what God has given you materially is not the ultimate prize. It’s only when you’re in harmony with Him that you begin to know a life of contentment.  Let’s pray.  Father, we know in our hearts that things don’t bring fulfillment. That fact is plain to us, no matter how much we have. Help us be mindful that in you alone, we find the desires of our hearts. Remind us daily not to pin our hopes for the future on what we can acquire today. In Jesus’ name, amen.  Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

    3 min

About

Kerusso® Daily Devotionals help you make more room for Jesus. Here you’ll find faith, hope, and joy — bite-sized moments of inspiration for busy believers. ABOUT THE KERUSSO DAILY DEVOTIONAL — Developed by Kerusso®, makers of Christian apparel, accessories, and gifts, the Kerusso Daily Devotional:● Features personal and historical stories influenced by the Bible.● Uses various Biblical translations including NIV, KJV, ESV, and NLT.● Includes professionally recorded audio of original content.● Connects you to God’s Word through stories and themes you can identify with on a personal level.● Offers 90-second devotional readings to inspire and encourage you. Learn more at www.kerusso.com.

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