Kerusso Daily Devotional

The Dead Sea, bordering the countries of Israel and Jordan, is also located at the lowest point on Earth. The landscape is so barren, it looks like a moonscape. Not exactly a place for a vacation or rest stop.

And yet…did you know that one of the valuable things from that area is the vast amount of salt that rings this body of water? Besides the salt content, the minerals in the Dead Sea are valuable for everything from medicines to cosmetics. What initially looks like a terrible place is actually quite rich! In fact, resorts have popped up in the area.

Additionally, this salty sea is one body of water that won’t let you sink! Kind of like a Savior we know.

Matthew 5:13 says, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Sometimes people think the Gospel is difficult to present. It can be thought of as unattractive or cumbersome; the Bible tells us as much.

And yet, it has infinite value to us, and preserves life! Remember that the next time you hesitate to share Christ with someone.

Let’s pray.

Lord, help us change our perspective when it comes to the great privilege we have in sharing the Good News about Jesus. Amen.

Table salt today is so common, it becomes another thing we take for granted. You go to the store, pick a cylinder or jar of salt off the shelf, then go home. You don’t even think about it.

Now, consider that 1,000 and more years ago, if a person wanted to use salt on his dinner, this required some prior work. A lot of work! The Romans boiled seawater in huge, lead-lined pans. So valuable was salt in the Roman Empire, it was used as currency! Mainly, it was used as a critical food preservative.

Matthew 5 verses 13–16 says, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

God tells us we are to be the instrument that preserves and makes known the Gospel, and salt is the analogy.

Let us say to our friends, loved ones, and even strangers: Taste, and see that the Lord’s promises are good!

Let’s pray.

Lord, help us to be salt and light for your Word in this world. Amen.

How many different colors can you name? 

There are seven colors in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. As it turns out, the human eye is capable of discerning color to an incredible degree. According to laboratory tests, humans are capable of detecting a total of 10 million colors. That's a pretty big box of crayons. 

Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." 

Imagine the most colorful painting or photograph you've seen in an art gallery, or come across in your Facebook feed. Our Creator God has every color in the universe to work with, the knowledge of a master craftsman, and the most significant artistic talent in existence. And he calls us, you and me, his masterpiece.

When you look in the mirror and wish you were taller, better looking, or somehow measured up to your ideal, remember — we are created in God's image. When you envy someone else's position or title at work or wish you were better at math, cooking, or public speaking, remember, we are God's masterpiece. And he has a good plan for each of our lives. He has 10 million colors and countless personality traits and unique skills with which to create each of us, and the palette of colors and mix of materials he used to make you is one of a kind. 

Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for making us who you did. We're your children and one-of-a-kind creations. You're so good, and we have so many things to be thankful for. Help us to use our unique skill sets and talents you've blessed us with, to do your work. In Jesus' name. Amen.

As a believer, have you noticed that it’s often easier to stay in God’s will when you’re at home? At work, it gets a little dicey.

It’s at work that people see us, and our decisions can have such impact. Not being in God’s will in that setting can be catastrophic.

Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Terry Looper is the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company. Once, he was negotiating a sale and was at the finish line when he realized he hadn’t sought God’s will in the matter. He stopped, prayed and read the Word for discernment.

He was shocked to find that he wasn’t supposed to sell at all!

Looper learned his lesson. Being in God’s will in every area of our lives is the key. It’s great to be godly and led by the Spirit sitting in your den with a Bible open. But it’s not less important to be led by the Spirit in the boardroom, or on the floor of the plant where you work.

People see you. They see what we do. If we want to be sure success finds us, we’d better make sure we’re looking in the right place.

There are no shortcuts to fully being in God’s will.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you bless us in every area of our lives. Thank you for being on our side, all the time. Amen.

In every generation, it falls to believers to spend some time in defending our worldview as Christians. Honestly, it’s not the nicest part of the gig, but it’s necessary.

Usually, it involves simply explaining what your faith is all about. Followers of other religions do the same thing, but for us, we are sharing the person of Christ with those who don’t know Him. That makes it a big deal.

Jude 1:3 says, “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.”

It’s exciting that God has entrusted this to us. It’s a privilege. Even if you find yourself in an adversarial conversation, remember the main thing: you get to share your faith, and see someone else find freedom in Christ!

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for allowing us to tell others about you. Help us always be ready to give an answer when asked about our faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It's been said that in the Fruit of the Spirit list, all of them collectively practically define the nature of Christ. Even David the shepherd knew his Messiah was coming. Remember what he said about his loving God? He said, "Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life."

We instinctively know what goodness is. It's a kind touch, a gentle word, a gift that was unexpected. Micah 6:8 says, "He has told you, oh man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." 

And in life, we understand the distinction between good and evil. These two, always warring with each other. The key thing to remember in this conflict is that God is good, and infinitely stronger than evil. And that's important to remember as we see injustice. 

What did Micah tell us? That goodness is wrapped up in the choices we make. Oppose injustice, love what is kind and be humble. And the truth is, all of us have been given so much good by our good God, that it should be second nature to model that for those we meet in our journey.

Let's pray. Lord, thank you for your sweet goodness. Sustain us with that goodness for the journey. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Have you ever wondered what your place in this world is?

Of course, you have. That’s the human experience. Alone with our thoughts, we wonder who we even are, and what we are meant to do. It’s a mysterious journey, but the fog lifts and the way becomes clear when we get to know King Jesus.

Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

You were made for something! You were made to do things for your Lord. The truly beautiful thing is, God created a custom plan just for you. If you aren’t a famous athlete like Tim Tebow, you can still share your faith in wonderful ways. Ways that are life-changing for those you encounter.

Think of that verse again. God made you for a purpose! Created to have the mind of Christ in making this world a better place and making disciples for Him. And God prepared it all long, long ago. You are His child.

That’s who you are.

Let’s pray.

Lord, when we begin to understand even a little bit of your love for us, it transforms us and renews our minds and hearts. Thank you so much for that! Amen.

At an address in Columbus Ohio in 1900, former slave Booker T. Washington kept the room spellbound. This man, who had built Tuskegee Institute to lift blacks out of economic bondage, was revered around the world.

But he said something that surprised more than a few in the audience. He said that one of his main priorities for the Institute was hiring more Bible teachers!

Washington, who had been forced to work in an evil system, once felt powerless. Yes, an American president legally freed the slaves. But Washington’s faith in Christ was the real key in lifting him up.

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Are you down and out right now? Are you chained to problems too big for you to overcome? Take Paul’s letter to heart and realize that all things are possible for your future, through faith in Christ. He has perfect strength, all you’ll ever need.

Tell him that today.

Let’s pray.

Lord, your perfect will is more than enough to help us escape a terrible past and future. Our future is what you have told us it will be. Thank you for that blessing. Amen.

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 be faint.”

Besides the soothing beauty of the language, notice that God gives us several elements to meditate on, as we walk the road to peace.

We are clearly told here to hope in the Lord. He will then strengthen us. After this comes the fun part! Close your eyes and see yourself floating on the winds of peace, high above the chaos and troubles below. Finally, we are told that our strengths in the Lord will not wear out.

When God redeems, He does it completely — and with no strings attached!

He loves you that much.

Let’s pray. Lord, you actually make it easy for us to leave the chains that confine us. We praise Your Name. Amen

Sandy was facing some really tough choices. Her daughter needed a life-saving treatment. The girl's father was out of the picture, and she faced this moment without support. Even the doctors didn't seem overly optimistic. So this embattled mom did what moms do. She prayed. She told God she didn't have the strength to see this thing through. 

No bright light appeared, and things didn't get better instantly or even the next day, but God healed her little girl. 

Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Sandy remembered what her own parents had taught her about faith. She remembered that the Apostle Paul, who suffered beatings and imprisonment for preaching the gospel, once said, "I know whom I have believed." 

Belief, that's the key. When your strength is gone, you go to your prayer closet and you pour out your grief to God. And you remember that God's Word tells us that all things are possible through Christ. 

Let's pray. 

Father God, life just hurts sometimes. We feel weak and lethargic, and on our own we’ll never be enough. We praise you for being our strength, all the time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.