Kerusso Daily Devotional

If you’re working your way toward belief and away from doubt, by now you must assume that God exists. Second 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.” 

A 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 has 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 will 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.

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A political science major at a major university was having coffee with a campus pastor. The pastor knew that the student was wrestling with doubt about the existence of God, and said to him, “John, you know, all of us wonder at some point if it’s all real or not. For example, there are quite a few stories in the Bible that are just hard to believe. Jonah and the whale and all that.” John smiled and said, “No, that’s not my problem. What I wonder about is how God could care about me. I’ve done some really bad things, and have had some really bad things done to me. I just can’t understand the concept of forgiveness.”

There you have it. Doubts about the faith come from all directions. While one person cannot bring herself to believe in miracles, another cannot forgive himself for the wrong things he’s done and can’t fathom how God could.

Thomas Jefferson actually cut out the miraculous sections of the Bible. He couldn’t believe in what some would call the God of the Bible. Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of DNA, thought that Christianity was just a collection of mythical stories. And what about those who want to see the proof? They lack evidence and feel a need to make an intellectual case for our faith. The New Testament writer, Luke, was like that. He wrote in Acts and the Gospel of Luke about the importance of eyewitness sightings of Jesus and His miracles. Lots of people debate whether evolution and religion are compatible or not, and this is a big stumbling block to belief for many.

We all believe something, but our minds can struggle at times to grasp the big stuff—the infinite universe. While for others who doubt, the struggle was more internal: they’re so grieved by their own sin, they can’t accept that God could love them. 

Maybe the most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” However, few quote the next verse which says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

It isn’t God’s wish to condemn you. Instead, He loves you and wants to give you assurance that life is more than struggle and molecules. Whether you’re looking for evidence to believe the Bible, or you just need to know that God loves you, try not to focus too much on your objections, own them, but just tell God as a child would that you’re struggling to understand it all.

Will you pray with me? 

Father, your grace saves us from a life of struggle with sin, and we are accepted by you. Thank you for putting up with our up-and-down faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Because there’s so much easy access to information and ideas today, we can take in a huge amount of stuff. The downside is that much of it is just noise, and a lot of it simply isn’t true. What we hear, even if it sounds good, is not always good for us, especially when we’re talking about spiritual doubt. 

There are many opinions floating around out there on the subject. For instance, some will say that doubt is really something to wrestle with continually, never finding a satisfying answer. While at the other end of the spectrum, some will say that if you doubt, you are permanently cut off from God. Both of those extremes are not helpful at all. The Bible is clear that God gives us a choice whether to believe in him or not.

John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Within each person is a longing to understand our place in the world and to know if there is something or someone beyond this life. 

The Bible says that He has set eternity in our hearts, that curiosity is in all of us. And if you’re wondering about God, then your curiosity is a good starting point. A bedrock truth for Christians is that God sent Jesus in human form to atone for the sins of mankind. This is not an easy concept to grasp, honestly, but it’s what is known as the gospel, the foundation of our faith. Christianity’s exclusive claims are too much for some seekers. In Mark chapter 10, the Bible describes a wealthy young man who asked Jesus what he had to do to be saved, and Jesus replied that besides following the 10 commandments, he should give his money to the poor, and the story ends with that man sadly walking away.

It’s likely that Jesus was helping him to see that his heart was not yet ready to receive anything that would require any sacrifice on his part. In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” Believing in the true God is not a bed of roses. But if you can make the search for God your starting point, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for. 

Let’s pray. 

Father, you’ve given us the knowledge of saving faith in your word. Thank you for giving us a free choice to decide our path in life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever wondered about how convinced well-known Christians are of their faith? We all know they never doubt, right? Wrong.

A well-known preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said of doubt, “I think when a man says, ‘I never doubt,’ it is quite time for us to doubt him.” That is a fact of life for many of us, although most don’t like to admit it. In fact, doubt is mentioned often in the Bible. The Bible is full of great faith stories, but it’s interesting to notice that there are plenty of doubters, too.

Sarah simply didn’t believe God’s promise that she and Abraham would have a child. Peter’s bravado evaporated when he realized it was dangerous to be known as one of Christ’s followers. Job’s wife told him he should curse God and die because of his misfortunes, and Job wished he’d never been born.

Humans can be quirky. Imagine seeing Jesus with your own eyes and watching Him perform miracles. In the book of Matthew, we read about the apostles with Jesus on a mountain in Galilee after His resurrection. You can’t get more miraculous than that, but it says some still doubted.

Mark 9:24 says, “Immediately, the boy's father exclaimed, ‘I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.’” This is the story of a father who sought Jesus to heal his son, and he seemed to believe, and to struggle with belief, at the same time. Amazing, but not so unusual.

As we’re learning, doubting is not the worst thing. Keeping silent about it is worse. Seeking God and trusting a friend or friends to talk it through is healthy. God doesn’t punish us for doubting.

Andrea Lucado, who has been around churches and preachers all her life, understands the struggle. She says, “Most of us at some time or another ask the question, why do I believe what I believe?” Those of us who identify as lifelong Christians sometimes have the most doubt. We’ve grown up in church, memorized scripture, and volunteered at VBS, but that thought: why do I believe what I believe, sometimes hits us in a moment we’d least expect. There are plenty of resources and plenty of believing friends who have gone through the same thing to see you through this. So, when you’re in a season of doubt, remember one thing: you’re not alone.

Let’s pray. 

Father, doubt comes to us all at some point, and it’s then that we need each other the most. We need your Spirit to bring us comfort and calm. We thank you. You don’t leave us in our time of doubt, but you long to help us through the valley. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Some of the most important conversations we have can be the most uncomfortable. And when it comes to faith, doubt is near the top of that list. 

Today, we’re launching a five-part series on the topic of doubt. Many Christians wrestle with doubt, but who wants to admit that their foundational beliefs are not so firm? Not long ago, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, openly admitted that he’s questioned if God is real. When the head of the Church of England says something like that, it makes news. But something interesting came from Welby’s honesty. He revealed his humanity.

It turns out that the archbishop lost a baby girl in a car accident many years ago. And when he was a teenager, he had to take care of his alcoholic father. He’s human, with human difficulties. We are human, and we struggle sometimes. 

Can we be honest? 

While a lifetime of doubt is dangerous, periods of doubt simply mark one as being human, but faith can help us overcome doubt. In the Bible, we read in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the subject of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 continues with many examples of faith in action. And at its core, the Christian faith means we believe God sent Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross, and that God raised him from the dead.

While mountaintop faith is exciting and it makes us feel good, no one experiences that all the time. Sometimes it’s difficult to believe certain things in the Bible. Sometimes we don’t feel faith in our lives. In this first part of our week-long look at doubt, it’s important to remember that simply expressing doubt can lead to healing and a more faithful future. 

If you’re a struggling believer or a questioning skeptic, this subject is one of the most important you’ll ever wrestle with. Stay tuned. 

Let’s pray. 

Father God, often we push down thoughts that are painful or uncomfortable. We don’t have to do that with you, Lord. Even doubts about our faith, or our conversations that we can start with you, we’re grateful for that. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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One of the richest gifts God has given us is healthy relationships.

A marriage in balance, friends who mutually respect each other, and most of all, a strong “God connection” can be the ticket to a healthy, whole life. The full life Jesus spoke about!

Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching.”

With the fast pace of life, sometimes we forget to squeeze all the gratitude we can out of a great relationship. Remember to regularly tell the people in your life how much they mean to you, and to give thanks to God for sending these loved ones your way. Write them a note, even a text, to tell them what they mean to you.

Let’s pray.

Lord, it’s not about the number of relationships we have, but the quality. Thank you for giving people who are loyal and love us in return. Encourage us to love others in word and in deed. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Geraldine Mock became the first woman to fly around the world in 1964. Landing for a short stop in Saudi Arabia, she watched as a man approached her plane. When he saw her, he shouted to his friends that this was no man.

They applauded!

Jerrie Mock’s steadiness at the wheel and in her encounters on the ground were the very picture of self-control. Her journey was wildly successful.

Titus 2:11–12 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly…”

In order to navigate this crazy world, we have to be steady, and the Fruit of the Spirit ends with a reminder to practice self-control in all we do. Be steady. As Scripture reminds us, don’t look right or left, but ahead. God sees real value in this trait, because He knows we cannot possibly succeed if we let our emotions rule us, or we run ahead on our own instincts.

Let’s pray.

Lord, help us practice discipline and love doing good as we walk through life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Fighting one day in the tough Iraqi city of Fallujah, a Marine sergeant decided to put himself at risk in order to get a frightened family to safety. He stepped into a courtyard and spoke quietly for a few minutes with the father. He took time to make sure the kids had water, and the toys his men gave them.

Then it was back to the war.

Gentleness can be misunderstood. Too often we think, for example, that a man is not masculine if he’s gentle.

Not true. This Fruit of the Spirit is a real strength, no matter one’s gender. But for men, it can be more than that; gentleness can be an asset.

Romans 15:7 says, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

No matter where we are, we are to conduct ourselves with a gentle nature. In every encounter, we are to model the love of Christ, to show a damaged world that good is stronger than evil.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are so gentle with our tangled spirits! In our sin, you look at us with love. Thank you so much for that. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Emma used her hand to brush her husband’s white hair from his forehead…Edgar was near death.

Their marriage had been happy, and now she was saying goodbye. The nursing staff talked about the love between the two. Only three days after Edgar went into eternity, Emma joined him.

The Bible often uses marriage as a backdrop for what God has done for us. We know that in earthly marriages, it’s important to persevere. When we think of the Fruit of the Spirit, patience is very closely linked to faithfulness. It is the act of sticking with someone or something, all the way to the end.

Proverbs 3:3 says, “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Our loving Father has been with us every step of the way. The faithfulness of God is an awesome thing to see and experience, and we know His promises always come true.

He is waiting for us at the end, with outstretched arms. In the tough times, think about that—imagine Him there. It makes the wait worth it.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are faithful to your people all the time, in every circumstance. We are grateful that you love us this much. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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It has 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 following his loving God? “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life!”

We instinctively know what goodness is. It is a kind touch, a gentle word, a gift that was unexpected.

Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O 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. That’s important to remember as we watch injustice unfold.

What did Micah tell us? That goodness is wrapped up in the choices we make: oppose injustice, love what is kind, and be humble. 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 journeys.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for your sweet goodness. Sustain us with that goodness for the journey. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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