Kerusso Daily Devotional

Well, the gifts have been opened, the wrapping paper taken to the landfill. Leftovers are in the fridge, and maybe you're feeling a little blue, a little depressed. Christmas is over, or is it?

2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” In the West, we tend to have a letdown when the excitement and rush of Christmas is over, as if at midnight on December 25th, we’re ready to go into emotional hibernation.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Whether it's something as simple as leaving your decorations up for a few extra days, or having a long talk with yourself, you have permission to enjoy Christmas into the foreseeable future. Why not? Whose schedule are we trying to meet when it comes to Christmas?

As believers, we have every expectation that the great gift of Jesus Christ is something to celebrate and be grateful for always. If you have this change of attitude, it'll be noticed by everyone. Go ahead, keep Christmas going as long as you want.

Let's pray. 

Lord, we celebrate this season, the birth of your son. We worship him as our great savior who brought the greatest gift of all. He's changed us, and we thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son as told in Matthew Chapter 1, Verses 18–25

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Because Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, (which means ‘God with us.’)

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

Let’s pray.

Lord, help us to be grateful for the miracle you delivered to us through Mary in a humble stable in Bethlehem. You sent your Son to live among us in the form of the most perfect gift possible, and we are grateful for how much you love us, that you would give your own Son to purchase our forgiveness. Amen.

Over 200 years ago, “Silent Night” was first heard by villagers attending Christmas Eve mass in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Joseph Mohr, the young priest who wrote the lyrics, played the guitar and sang along with Franz Gruber, the choir director who had written the melody.

How did this simple tune, with its quiet words of comfort, become a beloved hymn of peace throughout the world?

An organ builder and repairman working at the church took a copy of the six-verse song to his home village. There, it was picked up and spread by two families of traveling folk singers, who performed around northern Europe.

The composition evolved and was eventually translated into over 300 languages. It was sung in churches, in town squares, even on the battlefield during World War I. During a temporary truce on Christmas Eve, soldiers sang carols from home, including "Silent Night." Known around the world by the wartime Christmas of 1914, the song was sung simultaneously across the trenches in French, German, and English. 

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar;

Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for inspiring us to share the Gospel of peace with our neighbors across the street, and around the world. The miracle of Jesus’ birth is a story worth telling again and again, and we ask you to give us the opportunity, and the words, to share the Good News. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God gives us good gifts all the time. All through the year, not just at Christmas.

One of the truly joyful gifts is the ability to be kind to others. It sounds simple and maybe to some even quaint, but there is power in choosing to be kind.

Choosing to be kind. That’s one of our themes this week.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us to, “Always be joyful.” Paul uses this chapter to describe the heart of a Christian. We are also to “encourage the disheartened,” and “be patient with everyone.”

Although there are studies that prove this, we don’t have to read a study to know that our decision to spread cheer in this world is really important.

Honestly, it also just feels good. Doesn’t it? Have you done this lately?

Minnie Pearl was a fixture on the Grand Ole Opry. Her silly hat and goofy jokes helped make her famous, but the native of Tennessee is remembered for her joyful heart. People who knew her especially felt lifted up just by being around her.

It’s always the season to spread cheer, but especially so during this season of goodwill.

Try it. You’ll help others lean into joy, and it will help you catch the spirit of joy, too.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, the joy we feel as believers is a good, good gift from our Good Father. Thank you for giving us hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Jerry wasn’t very good at a lot of things. He was shy and his grades weren’t stellar. He was bullied at school.

Then he was given a part in the Christmas play at church. No one ever gave Jerry a part, but his Sunday school teacher took God’s Word to heart and knew that if she could help this shy boy, it could change his life. She knew that Jerry was good with mechanical things, so she put him in charge of raising and spotlighting the famous Star of Bethlehem. The result of that defines our discussion this week of letting your light shine bright.

Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.”

When the time came in the play for the Star to be raised, the gleaming silver took everyone’s breath away. There in the shadows of the stage, where no one was looking at him, Jerry did his part. He shined that night, and afterward pats on the back replaced the taunts.

Think of someone you can help shine today.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, we are all weak vessels, yet you use us to tell others about Jesus. Thank you for that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Phillips Brooks was the minister of Holy Trinity Church in Philadelphia and visited Bethlehem in December of 1865.

When Pastor Brooks traveled to the Holy Land, the journey included a horseback ride from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Back then, it truly was a small village, far removed from the bustling city it would later become. By nightfall, he was in the field where, according to tradition, the shepherds heard the angelic announcement. Then he attended the Christmas Eve service at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Years later, the pastor recalled that first visit to the place of Jesus’ birth. “I remember especially on Christmas Eve, when I was standing in the old church in Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born, when the whole church was ringing hour after hour with the splendid hymns of praise to God, how again and again it seemed as if I could hear voices I knew well, telling each other of the ‘wonderful night’ of the Savior’s birth.”

He wrote a poem about his experience, asking the church organist to set it to music for the children’s choir to sing at Christmas time. 

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

Let’s pray.

Dear Lord, what a gift we were given long ago in the form of baby Jesus. The birth of our Savior in a small town stable changed everything, and we are so grateful for His legacy of hope. Help us to focus on the true reason for this season of celebration. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Identifying where our problems originate is one thing, but locating the Divine Healer is key in getting clear of obstacles in our lives. 

At each mile marker in our life journeys, God is standing alongside the road, smiling at us, and holding out his strong hand to guide us. And from the indispensable wisdom of scripture to stories of human triumphs over tragedies, He is always there reminding us we're never truly alone. His grace and mercies begin to overshadow and overwhelm those forces that want to harm us, and it's then that we see God for who He truly is. 

1 Peter 5:10 says, “And after you've suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 

And that is good news! 

Let's pray. 

Lord, it's important to see who our enemy is, but it's more important to look past that and concentrate our focus on you who brings us that peace that passes all understanding, the kind that gets down deep in us and calms us from the inside out. In Jesus' name. Amen.

In our humanness, we struggle at times to achieve peace.

World War 1 ended 100 years ago, and all sides joined together as a League of Nations to make that conflict the “War to end all wars.”

Then World War 2 happened.

Our history is littered with noble attempts to make things right, but only God can bring peace to nations, and to individuals. He has promised both! One day, He will make everything new, forever. While we wait for that great day, He also grants us peace in our daily lives.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

We only have to ask Him for it. Jesus, as He said in Matthew 11:28, gives us peace even in our greatest trials, and when we are exhausted. Then, peace comes to refresh us and give us all the strength we need.

If you don’t have peace in your life, simply ask God for it. He will provide.

Let’s pray.

Lord, let your peace wash over people everywhere in this hurting world. Make them aware of your spirit of peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The diversity of life on this planet is astonishing, good, bad, beautiful, painful. Our world is a place of blessing and it's also a struggle for a lot of people. Each of us has a whole batch of issues to deal with every day, ranging from physical challenges to emotional needs. And a fascinating element in all this is how we see contentment. What is it? Where's it found? Is it lasting?

Matthew 6:32–33 says, “For the pagans run after all these things and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

Our old friend balance is so important. In every aspect of our lives, we should have a goal of keeping steady. Solomon spoke to this in Proverbs 30, when he asked God to give him not too much or too little. He reasoned that if he had great wealth, he might forget God. If he was in poverty, he might be inclined to steal. This effort to find balance is the heart of finding contentment. God is the ultimate source and He gives us the capacity to be content, using scripture as our guide. And as usual, God is a comprehensive plan for you, especially in the area of contentment.

Notice what Proverbs 14:30 says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” 

The actor Chris Tucker discovered all this after the huge success of “Rush Hour” and other projects. But he became a Christian, and now he's selective in what he does, and he keeps it clean and real. It's been estimated that since he turned to faith, Tucker has turned down a hundred million in projects. What's his take on all that? He says, “But I've got a hundred million great experiences.” 

Whether you're hard-charging and ambitious, or you're simply neglecting the pursuit of peace in your life, you're damaging your spiritual health.

Finding spiritual harmony makes you a complete person. Anything short of that, you're flying with a broken wing. Bottom line is, if you look at all the verses in the Bible that speak to being truly content, you'll quickly understand that Christ is the answer. 

Let's pray, 

Father, You've provided the only way to true peace and contentment and we thank You for that. Help us to keep this in front of us every day as we seek to live life well and abundantly, in Jesus' name. Amen.

No one is truly alone. Some people have many relatives and friends, others just a few. Occasionally, someone will have no real friends or family, but all of us interact with humans, and that over time has proven to be dicey. The health of our relationships is one of the biggest factors in how we function each day. 

Turmoil and chaos at home or work or both puts us in emotional quicksand. On the other hand, healthy relationships in our lives improve our overall health and make us more productive.

In Genesis, God modeled right relationships for humans, and this model continues through the Bible right to the end in Revelation. From this, we see that our first priority in relationships is to be in fellowship with our creator. Get that one right and everything else flows. Following close behind is finding harmony in our human relationships, and getting this right is crucial to finding peace. 

Ephesians 4:2–3 says, “Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Most people are familiar with the well-known Bible verses that deal with relationships, such as Paul's wisdom from Ephesians, but Scripture is loaded with helpful and healing relationship commands. We hesitate to call it advice because God doesn't really give advice. He tells us what is good for us and what may be harmful. For example, a fairly obscure passage in Job speaks to mean in any era having healthy relationships with women. In 

Job 31:1 the suffering man says, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.” Wow, so simple, yet very important and profound.

That chapter goes on to say that God sees all that we do. He's watching how we treat people. Job made it clear that a man can decide he's going to treat women with respect. It isn't complicated or beyond our reach. So often, simply deciding to be a decent human being leads to waves of healing and peace of mind for everyone. Lots of books have been written about relationships, from marriage to raising children, but the best book of all has the best wisdom, and if you check that out, your relationships will thank you. 

Let's pray.

Father God, you've given us the gift of interacting with other people. Each is unique and created special. We ask that you send the Holy Spirit to guide our relationships so that they're pleasing to you and to others. In Jesus' name. Amen.