Kerusso Daily Devotional

Hers is the greatest motherhood story of all time. You know who she is.

Magnificent Mary!

Her story has been told many times, but how grateful we are that it’s recorded in Scripture. Whatever God’s reasons for choosing this particular woman to give birth to Jesus, we know that she must have loved the Lord with all her heart.

And just think how her head and heart must have been spinning when the angel visited her and told her the special job God was going to give her!

Luke 1:46–48 says, “And Mary said: “‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.’”

We know little about her beyond that, although we are given some fascinating details: she socialized with her Son, as we see at the wedding in Cana.

And of course, she was with Him at His death. No mother should have to endure that, but Mary was very strong. Her toughness and love ring like a bell through time. We remember her way of finding patience and faith.

Maybe the most amazing thing about her is that God trusted Mary with an initial secret that would have floored most people!

She handled it, though. The mother of our Lord was ready when her time came.

Let’s pray.

Lord, the mother of Jesus shows us an eternal love. It is also a mystery of sorts for us, but we know that this amazing mother is experiencing supernatural joy, forever! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Are you a woman blessed with the gift of a wonderful mother-in-law? We can hardly think of a more important relationship. Through the ages, this mentoring friendship has sealed families and nurtured them. Likewise, we easily see the pain inflicted when this relationship isn’t good.

In the Old Testament, we read of a really remarkable mother-in-law. She showed great kindness to a young woman at just the right moment.

After returning home to Bethlehem after a famine is over, Naomi wants the best for her young daughter-in-law, Ruth, whose husband has died. Although she must have longed for security herself and companionship, Naomi encourages Ruth to marry Boaz. Eventually, Ruth has a son, Obed, who would become the grandfather of King David!

Ruth 1:22 says, “So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.”

Naomi’s unselfish act, her encouragement to the vulnerable Ruth, is the model for all such relationships. It is intentionally about the other person. It is the story of a woman mentoring and loving another she sees as her daughter.

So, how will your mother-in-law’s story be recorded? Have you thought about that?

How will the women in your family remember you?

Let’s pray.

Lord, people are watching us in how we treat others. Nowhere is that more important than in our own homes. Help us think of others before we think of ourselves. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be close to Jesus when He was on the earth? It would have been amazing to be in His inner circle.

We know of a remarkable woman, a family member, who would have been able to be around to watch the most amazing life unfold.

Her name was Elizabeth. An aunt of Jesus.

We read in Luke that everyone thought that the time for Elizabeth to become a mother was passed. In those days people thought sin prevented pregnancy, so this godly woman went through great sorrow.

Luke 1:13 says, “But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”

But Gabriel, an angel, told her priest husband that she would conceive. She did, and later, when visiting her cousin Mary, felt her own son jump in her womb! Even he knew the significance of such a woman!

Elizabeth’s son would be named John, and he would be given the privilege of introducing the world to the Man, Jesus. Both mothers would endure great tragedy in their lives, but would enjoy fellowship forever with them in glory.

Elizabeth knew how to be steady during momentous times. A great lesson for all of us.

Let’s pray.

Lord, sometimes you surprise us with great tasks. Help us to always be ready to stand when you call on us to do something great. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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We think of her as a genteel Southern lady, and she was that, for sure.

But Ruth Bell Graham was so much more. While her husband was away so much, preaching to the masses, she was preaching to her own little flock. The result was children who became adults, and in turn shared the Good News of Jesus with others.

Anne Graham Lotz and Franklin Graham didn’t just fall out of the sky!

Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

In their little home in the mountains of North Carolina, while Daddy was in Brussels, New York, and Sydney, Mother Ruth was faithful for years on end to impart godly wisdom to their children. Much iron was sharpened on cold winter nights and long summer days.

Theirs was a home that didn’t always have both parents available, but they thrived.

Use that as an example of how to bring up your own children. You’ll be happy forever that you did.

Let’s pray.

Lord, Your Word is good, and it shines a light on our path. Give us the strength to mentor our own children in your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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If you’ve been fortunate to hold a newborn, you know what it’s like to be thunderstruck by the delicate features. Everything is miniature.

And then the eyes open. You’re in love.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

A baby is a blessing and a gift from the Lord. All life is precious; it doesn’t matter if the parents are famous or completely obscure. In that warm bundle is a whole lifetime waiting to unfold. Will he be adventurous? Will she run the country?

Man is capable of much, but creating life as God creates will always remain outside the borders. Only a great and all-powerful God could give us such a beautiful life, and He makes each one of us truly unique.

It is an inescapable fact that a human being, separate from everyone else in terms of physicality and emotions, becomes fully formed in its mother’s womb. This is perhaps the greatest miracle in all the universe, and one deserving of our awe and respect.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you form us in the womb, and walk with us each step of the way through life. Thank you for your mercies and grace that you freely give each of us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Of all the gifts God gives His children, joy is perhaps the one closest to heaven on earth.

Who isn’t aware just how wonderful it feels to experience true joy? It is as if the Lord has freed a prisoner.

When American POWs returned from captivity in Vietnam, the looks on their faces as they emerged from the planes carrying them to freedom…well, no one will ever forget that!

Psalm 16:9 says, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

Scripture tells us that we don’t escape trouble in this life, but that for the believer, eternal joy waits for us, and the Holy Spirit gives us joy in our daily walk in the here and now.

It is also ours for the taking, to reach up and pick this fruit that feeds our souls. Sometimes simply making the choice to embrace a joyful spirit is the key to having a blessed day.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you did not create us to be defeated or sad. Your Spirit brings joy in big and small moments, sustaining us for our journey. Thank you for joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever been fooled by someone? Doesn’t feel good, does it?

But the absolute worst is when we fool ourselves. We try to manage some problem on our own, or analyze why our boss is so mean.

But the Bible has a better way of thinking about it.

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

We have to do two things here: give total control to God, and de-emphasize our own judgment. Sometimes our gut is wrong. “Following our heart” often ends in heartache.

God doesn’t mess up. He doesn’t get it wrong. And he really longs to make it better for you.

Do you remember a time when you put your life in God’s hands? Maybe it was a really important career choice. Or a relationship needed healing. Maybe your body needed healing. Whatever it was, recall that situation today as you wrestle with a new problem.

Let’s pray.

Lord, every time we learn to trust you, it builds our faith a little more. You are a good God who always has our back. Thank you for that. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Gwen closed her eyes and didn’t dare to even breathe. Japanese troops were right outside her house, looking for her and other missionaries.

It was World War 2, and American forces in the Philippines were nearby. Just when Gwen and her friends thought someone would throw open the trapdoor to their basement hiding place, loud voices began getting dimmer.

The enemy troops were distracted, and left in a hurry!

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

God always shows up at the right time. If we can remember that, and commit ourselves to prayer and reading Scripture, we will not let fear overtake us.

There are times we need to just be still, and wait on the Lord.

He always knows just where we are, and what we need.

Let’s pray.

Lord, help us to be calm when we want to run. By waiting on You, we also practice obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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When trouble is on the horizon, it can be hard to trust in God’s promises and to believe He has a plan for us.

The book of Judges in the Old Testament gives us an awesome example of trusting God in the story of Gideon.

God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle with the Midianites, who had a sizable army of 135,000 men. Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men to battle with the Midianites, but despite odds in favor of the enemy, God told Gideon there were too many men in his army. Through a selection process, God whittled the Israelite army down to just 300 men.

Though Gideon was afraid, he trusted God to fulfill His promise. And God told Gideon they needed a smaller army so people would know God won the battle, and not some large army.

The night of the battle, Gideon and his servant snuck into the camp of the enemy and overheard the telling of a dream. The two Midianites interpreted the dream to mean that Gideon’s small army would wipe out their larger army.

Reassured, Gideon returned to camp to begin the battle. The Midianites were so frightened, many of them began fighting and killing one another, thinking that Gideon’s army was all around them.

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

Gideon trusted God’s plan, even when he didn’t understand. Because of his faith, God helped Gideon and the Israelites to conquer the Midianites with an army a fraction of the size of the enemy’s.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are mighty to save. Help us to trust you in every battle. We love you and believe you have a plan for us. Give us courage to face the challenges in our lives, knowing you are here with us, and you have a good plan. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Life is a process. We know that if we’ve lived very long at all. And this week, we’re talking about the process of trusting God.

John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Could Jesus meet our needs by just giving us something instantly? Of course. He made everything! And sometimes He does that; the miracles he performed that are recorded in the New Testament tell us that he often instantly met a person’s need.

But He doesn’t always work that way. That’s because Jesus loves to teach us.

In the book of John, He is telling us the steps necessary to trust Him for provision. First, we ask. Then we learn to receive His good gifts. Finally, we feel real joy, because we know exactly where it came from.

This process is designed to teach us faith and then to be genuinely appreciative to the Lord for meeting our needs. All through the Bible, we are told that He delights in helping us, in loving us through tough times. The older we get, the more we are able to look back and see that He and He alone brought us through.

There is usually no other explanation.

And that is called a miracle.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, we are dependent on you for everything, and we are blessed that you are our Source. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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