Kerusso Daily Devotional Kerusso

Scores of people today, even in many of our churches, walk around aimless. They work their jobs and take care of their families, but they struggle to understand what it is that God wants them to do.
 
He’s told us in His Word!
 
As with every other situation, His Word speaks directly to our circumstances.
 
Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
 
The Lord requires of us that we have the mind of Christ. That we aim for showing justice and mercy to those we encounter. And notice: we are to love doing these things, not just go through the motions! Finally, we are to remember to be humble. 
 
There’s only One Who is perfect, and that is the Father. In our present state, we are to emulate the qualities that caused His Son Jesus to turn the world upside down for good.
 
If you ever wonder what your purpose is, start with these awesome words from the prophet Micah!
 
Let’s pray.
 
Lord, help us to keep in front of us at all times the simplicity that is in Christ. He shows us the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jill felt like she couldn’t keep up anymore. Four years out of college, she was doing well in her chosen career. But it had not only taken her far from home, it took her away from the values she had known her whole life.
 
This new place she lived in pressed in on her mind and heart.
 
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
 
Burdened by her stresses, Jill realized something had to change. But in that unique way He has, God showed her that she didn’t necessarily have to move home, or even change careers. What she needed to do was continually give her burdens to Jesus.
 
She did that and she continued to do it, and one day, months later, she realized with great joy that she had at some point come back to her place of peace. And her parents and loved ones were still several states away!
 
Let’s pray.
 
Lord, thank you so much for caring about us. For loving us. Teach us to rely on You as our only source of peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Carl loved working on his farm. He loved the solitude and sense of accomplishment. One day though, working alone, he was injured severely. In fact, if he didn’t get to the hospital, he would likely die.
 
So, he banged the door of his old pickup shut and took off. He pulled into the hospital parking lot and lost what little consciousness he had.
 
Waking up 24 hours later after surgery, he realized he remembered nothing of his injury or even getting to the hospital.
 
In effect, the God he loved and trusted had driven him to town.
 
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
 
We can never save ourselves. It’s then that God proves Himself to us and carries us to safety.
 
Let’s pray.
 
Lord, thank you for taking over when we can’t. We’re so eager to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps in the midst of trouble. But the truth is, we’re bound to arrive safely at our destination when we let you take the wheel. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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 many of us 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 nice little bit of wisdom someone put on a greeting card. This is the very Word of God. It has sustained civilization for thousands of years. It’s a proven method for getting your life back under control.
 
It doesn’t work though, unless you can see Jesus taking the wheel. Let him get you to safety and peace.
 
He’s ready and waiting to take all your worries and set you on a smooth and straight path.
 
Will you pray with me?
 
Lord, feeling out of control is not something we want to have anymore. Please take over and guide us in your perfect ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Most of us feel a deep respect in our hearts for those who have sacrificed so that we can remain free. Loving those who have paid the ultimate price is just something we do as people. We pause to remember each year.
 
Isaiah 56:5 says, “To them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.”
 
God instituted the concept of maintaining memorials. He remembers, and so do we.
 
Maybe you’ve had a brother or mother or cousin or uncle that never came home from war.
 
Even before the American Civil War, our citizens were placing flowers at the graves of veterans. It’s one way we can keep their sacrifices front-and-center, so that we don’t forget and become complacent.
 
This year on Memorial Day, stop to take time and pause. Do something tangible, like visit a cemetery. Ask an older relative to give you some insight into a family member who never came home. Then thank the Lord for that sacrifice.
 
Let’s pray.
 
Oh Lord, We remember those who had paid with their lives. It’s the least we can do, but we want to do more by keeping their memories alive in our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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.