Kerusso Daily Devotional

Sharing our faith should be exciting to us. It is exciting. When we consider the free grace God gave us through His Son, telling others about Jesus should be on our priority list every day. For whatever reason, many find it very awkward to talk to others about Jesus. We can talk about just about anything else, though. That’s why it’s crucial that we look at sharing the Gospel as an intentional thing we do. 

Intentionality is a great way to overcome our hesitancy, and let’s be honest, sometimes fear keeps us from sharing. 

Truth is, each personality requires a customized approach to sharing about Jesus. Some are outgoing, and others are shy. A blogger for God TV has written that he admired a friend who told every seatmate on every plane he’d been in about Jesus.

The blogger went on to write that, “Even if my fellow passengers desperately wanted to know Christ, they likely couldn’t even get my attention with a jackhammer drill or a pie in the face.” Kind of funny…and also kind of sad. Also, very common. 

Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” So, if we’re looking for ways to overcome our mediocre Gospel sharing, what can we do? 

Let’s look at a few tips. 

The first is prayer. Get honest with God and tell Him you’re not so great at evangelism. I mean, He already knows, anyway. Ask Him specifically to give you both opportunities and an intentional plan for communicating the best news anyone will ever hear.

Two—plan, think ahead. Are you a person who’s good at conversation? Go over a mental checklist that provides you with enough scripture and short sentences to make your pitch when the time comes. However, if you’re not outgoing, maybe you’re a writer. Consider communicating with a card to let the person know you’re thinking about him or her. Play to your strengths, not your weaknesses. 

Number three, listen before you talk. How many times do we jump into a conversation or meeting without taking a breath? Train yourself to be quiet for a bit until you hear where the other person is coming from. You’ll learn about your friend or acquaintance, and you can then think through the best way to approach them about the saving gift of Jesus. But also, don’t just wait for your turn to talk. Hear them. Meet them where they are, and listen to the Holy Spirit to see how you can speak Jesus into that person’s life. 

Very few of us are Billy Graham. That doesn’t mean we can’t share the gospel. Somebody’s depending on it. 

Let’s pray.

Father, whatever our personality and our experiences, give us a passion for loving unbelievers and caring about their well-being. The world is full of diversity. Help us embrace that. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Do you ever feel that you aren’t suited for sharing your faith in Christ? Maybe you’re not comfortable around people. Maybe you’ve encountered some who are hostile to faith.

If so, then we are speaking to you about sharing your light in a dark world.

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

Have you seen the movie, “The Ten Commandments?” It’s doubtful the real Moses looked and talked like Charlton Heston. And do we really think God looks for His witnesses among people who have that perfect British accent in a Jesus movie? Nope. 

If we think we have to look or act a certain way, then we’re doing it wrong. God doesn’t ask our permission when giving us our marching orders for sharing the Gospel of Jesus. Instead, He approaches us as He did Job: Stand up and listen to what I have to tell you.

You are called to shine a light for Christ in a world full of dark things. You are equipped, just as you are. God has called you. Be bold in Christ.

He is the Star. We are just lights along the way.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, the time is now. So many need you. God, would you help us to shine for you every day? In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Some of the greatest stories of believers down through time have involved those who really studied God’s Word. These people have gone before us to show us the way. From Charles Spurgeon to a missionary mother in China, daily study of the Word and prayer prepared them to mentor entire generations.

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

We also read in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We have to do it so that others know how. Remember, there is no substitute for spending time in God’s Word.

In order to properly train an apprentice, you need to obviously be prepared and adept. Anything less leads to weak faith, or no faith at all.

This is what the Great Commission, sharing the Gospel, has always been about. Duplicating disciples. Grounding your own faith in the Bible and then imparting that to others. That is the essence of true iron sharpening iron.

Let’s pray.

Lord, keep us about your work by daily reminding us to spend time with you in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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The Bible’s book of Daniel tells us that one day, knowledge and innovation will increase exponentially in our world. And it could be surmised that the prophet was looking ahead to our day, but maybe he was looking even further. The technological advances of the 21st century are no secret. In the ancient world, an ocean voyage could take months. Now, a person can have breakfast in New York City and dinner in Paris.

Communication is beyond anything our grandparents could have imagined. The number of mobile devices at this moment stands at 7.22 billion, a slightly bigger number than the human population of our planet. There are more than two billion personal computers around the globe. People in Asia can chat in real time with friends in Chicago or anywhere else. Such communication is instant and constant. Consider that as recently as World War II, whole armies could be on the move before the enemy was aware.

Travel is easier, too. There’s a wonderful story from our friends at Our Daily Bread, in which a teen on a mission trip shared the Gospel with an elderly man in Jamaica. He was disabled but listened intently when she described new life in Jesus and the hope of a new body in heaven. He asked her, “Will you dance with me up there?” He accepted Christ.

Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” We have almost limitless ways to get a Bible into someone’s hand. According to The Bible Society, between 1816 and 1975, 2.5 billion Bibles were printed. Many people, of course, still prefer to hold a book and read the printed word, and that method has been responsible for many millions of conversions over the years.

It’s exciting to think that now, 100 million Bibles are being printed every year. Technology brings advancement here as well. That remarkable YouVersion Bible App has been installed on 300 million devices around the world.

Knowledge is increasing drastically. We have the greatest opportunity in all of history to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. God has given us the means to use technology, prayer, and one-on-one conversations to bring people to Jesus. What will you do with your finite amount of time? It’s up to you.

Let’s pray.

Father God, your provision for us is wonderful. You’ve made it possible for each believer to share their faith with close friends and family, as well as those around the world. Give us a sense of urgency. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Kerusso exists to tell people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but somehow in our information-jacked world, culture has moved further away from understanding who the most famous person in history really is. Millions of books and articles have been written about a carpenter who lived in the Middle East 2000 years ago, and Jesus has been identified as anything from a desert mystic to God Himself. 

Historically, He was born into a Jewish family in Judea at the time the Roman Empire controlled the area. Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, Jesus was 30 before He gained a reputation as a great teacher, but He was much more than that. The Bible tells us that He was sent into the world by God the Father, to stand in our place and take the penalty for our sin. 

According to Genesis, man defied God’s template for living and because He is holy, God requires that someone is accountable for sin. Had Jesus not entered the world, we’d be left without a way to reconcile with God. Long story short, Jesus Christ is much more than just a wise teacher. He’s also the Son of God. 

The Bible also tells us Jesus is one with the Father. Remember, when Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he asked God how to identify Him to the people, and God replied, “I am who I am.” And that was in the Old Testament.

In John 8:58 in the New Testament, Jesus tells the people, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus Christ is a divine being. And John 1:29 says, “The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’” This description of Him is not embraced by most people around the world. 

The Bible tells us that man’s heart is wicked. It isn’t like billions are rushing to churches so that they can have their sins forgiven. The human mind and heart don't want to focus on the messier side of the Gospel. 

We’re imperfect. We sin. And our sin is an offense to God. Who wants to hear that? We don’t want to be told that we’re not good. We want to be told we’re good, and worthy of God’s love. And the Good News, the Gospel in the person of Jesus Christ, is that we have the pathway to be like Him. 

Romans 8 tells us that it is God’s desire that we become like Jesus. And that’s a goal worth reaching for. 

Let’s pray. 

Father, thank you for providing us with your Word that tells us exactly who Jesus is, and what His life means to us. You could have abandoned us to sin, but you didn’t. The praise and the glory belong to you alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Do you especially need the gift of peace right now? Is your life so busy that you can’t find time to take a breath? There is Good News for you: Jesus already knows.

Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”

When Jesus ascended to heaven, He told the apostles, “My peace I leave with you.” Because He lives, we know for sure that this peace is available to us anytime, anywhere. Even in the busy part of your life, when you think you’re going crazy, you can call on Him, and He will answer.

This is our theme this week: that peace is attainable. It comes from God, first and last. You might need to get away for even five minutes and close your eyes to call on Jesus. Let Him know you are beaten down and tired. Remember the verse we just read: peace is not just something for the glorious future Jesus is preparing for us. It is for the here and now.

Claim that for your busy life today!

Let’s pray. 

Lord, when chaos seems to rule over us, you tell us differently. Thank you that we can simply ask and you will settle peace over us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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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 most 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.

Let’s pray.

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.

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Life can be overwhelming sometimes, right? A huge wave of despair can come out of nowhere and push us toward disaster.

Anita’s life was like that, growing up in Hong Kong, where revolutionary movements brought violence and loss of hope. She couldn’t see how the pieces of her life could be put together. She would ask herself, “How do you make peace with a potential that is frustrated?

Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Over time, Anita saw that God had always been shaping her to find her calling in Christ. She did that, and today operates a ministry that helps women see that they are daughters of the Living God! Truly, Anita didn’t always have it together, but her life is living proof that God puts us back together for His purposes!

Let’s pray. 

Lord, someone listening today needs a dramatic move from you in their life. Please bring your peace and comfort to them today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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First Peter 5:6–7 says, “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”

These two short verses tell us several things: One, if we submit to God’s power by acknowledging we can’t solve our problems, He is strong enough to intervene and bring about the outcome we really want.

Second, He does this in his own time, on His own timetable.

Third, we are to leave our problems at His feet. There is nothing wrong with getting an image in your mind where you actually do this and then walk away, your burden lifted.

Key in getting on track is recognizing that you might have a trust problem. If you’ve been deeply hurt by, say, a family member, you might subconsciously be failing to trust God himself.

And this is a first step in getting free of fear for good.

Know that an unburdened mind is not usually gained quickly, or without what we would call maintenance. The only thing predictable about our world is that it’s unpredictable. If you think you’re going to have one great afternoon and then every day after that is carefree, you’re deluding yourself.

We’ve already established that a daily time of prayer, reading your Bible, and focusing on God’s love for you is a combination that our enemy can’t overcome. Choosing to believe God’s Word is practical, and it works. That can’t be emphasized enough!

Jesus said in John 16:33 that we will absolutely have trouble in our lives, but that He has already overcome the world. This fact will help to keep you on that straight path that will ultimately one day lead to paradise with the One that created you, sustains you, and loves you forever.

Let’s pray.

Lord, having the discipline to daily rely on you is something we often lack. When we focus and concentrate our minds and our hearts on your good gifts, fear leaves and can be replaced with courage and peace. Thank you for providing for all of our needs, all the time. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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The prophet, Isaiah, lived during a difficult period for the ancient Israelites. Turning away from faith in God and under the control of corrupt kings, the nation entered a period of darkness. They needed hope more than anything.

In our discussion this week, we will talk about this human condition. Today, we are really no different from people in ancient times: We all need a relationship with our Creator.

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.”

Don’t those words give you a feeling of peace and calm? You can say them to yourself, with no one around, and begin to feel God’s strong arms wrapping you in love. He wants you to be free from all the strongholds that keep you from your destiny.

Wouldn’t you like to spend the rest of this week at rest emotionally and mentally? You can. This is the Lord’s will for you, as we heard in this famous passage from the book of Isaiah

Let’s pray. Lord, your perfect love always comes through for us. Just as you didn’t abandon your people long ago, we know you will remember us. 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.