Kerusso Daily Devotional

Have you ever been the new kid at school, or the latest hire at work? Maybe you’ve been first-time visitors at church after a big move, or the newest neighbors on the block. Being the new guy or gal may be a little nerve-wracking, but it’s also an opportunity to reinvent yourself. It’s a chance to cultivate new habits, and build a great reputation without the baggage of your old life weighing you down. 

When we accept Jesus into our heart, we receive a new life. It’s a life that’s filled with hope, purpose, and joy. But embracing this new life also means letting go of our old ways and the things that held us back before we met the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 

It’s not always easy to change our habits and let go of the things that once defined us. But when we surrender to Christ, we receive a new identity in Him. We become new creations, free from the chains of our past.

As believers, we’re called to embrace the new life Christ offers us. God asks us to let go of our old ways, in order to be the person He created us to be. Following Him is both a gift, and a choice we make again and again. 

Let’s pray. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of new life! We don’t have to be tied down by our old ways, or burdened by our former sins, because you have made us new. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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Do you know someone with a true boldness and eagerness to share Christ? Maybe you’re that person. If so, great! Your boldness is seen by God, and it pleases Him. 

Sometimes though, it can be frustrating, honestly. If it seems like not enough people are really getting it, or the message isn’t clicking. We want to see everyone find new life in Jesus! 

When we think about sharing the Good News, it’s important to remember that God is responsible for the harvest. We just have to be willing to be sent as His ambassadors, and share His message. 

John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” 

When Jesus spoke those words, some people believed in Him right away. Others were angry with Him, and others argued.

If you feel pressure to be leading everyone around you to Christ, relax. You are responsible for fulfilling Jesus’ command to go make disciples for Him, but He’ll take care of the numbers. This allows you to simply share His simple message. His spirit will speak through you, and He will light your path if you let Him. And work on the hearts of those you’ve shared the message with. 

Let’s pray. 

Lord, there are so many people that need you. God help us with opportunities, and help us to be willing. We leave the results to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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No one is immune from burnout. It comes in our jobs, friendships, and even in our church life. Sometimes, even our hobbies become dry and tedious! But in Scripture, God gives us hope for the future. 

John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Jesus is telling us that in Him alone is true life. He is always pointing us to the future, to a time when that dry creek bed will be filled forever.

In Revelation 22, He showed John a river flowing with the water of life, crystal-clear and coming from the very throne of God.

The whole picture is one of healing and new life. He promises us that this scene will be very real and very permanent! The key is what we read in John 7:38…we must choose to believe! 

If you long for a new start and a bright future, you will find everything you need and want in the person of Jesus Christ. The living water that He offers is perfect, and the supply is limitless. Jesus is the well that never runs dry.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are calling each of us to follow you and let you lead us to a place of perfect paradise. We eagerly look forward to joining you in your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Who, or what, are you living for? It’s a big question. You might be considering your spouse or children. Maybe your career is a high priority. If you are an artist, writer, or musician, you might feel you live for the pursuit of creativity. 

Today, we want to remind you of the beautiful message in 2 Corinthians 5:15, which tells us Christ died for everyone so that those who receive new life through Him will no longer live for themselves, but for the Lord.

It’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget the bigger picture. We often focus on our own desires, wants, and needs, forgetting that we were created to glorify God. When we choose to make Christ the center of our lives, we find true purpose and fulfillment.

2 Corinthians 5:15 says, “Christ died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

Living for Christ means putting Him first in all areas of our lives. It means making Him the priority in our relationships, careers, finances, and even our thoughts. When we shift focus in this way, we become less concerned with our own desires and more concerned with following His will.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, we are bought and paid for by your blood, shed on the cross to purchase our salvation. Help us to focus not on our own desires, but on your good plan for us. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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Some scholars have believed that the suffering Job of the Bible was sort of a primate thinker who didn’t really understand much about the life beyond this one. But that isn’t true.

Job 33:25–26 says, “Let their flesh be renewed like a child’s; let them be restored as in the days of their youth—then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God’s face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being.”

The Bible tells us elsewhere in Hebrews that God spoke to ancient man in a variety of ways. We know that Job did in fact know much about the life to come. And since he must have felt during his suffering period that every day was like Monday, he learned to trust God. He learned that God would see him through no matter his circumstances, and that Resurrection is coming. 

Just as Job had some understanding that the Messiah was coming, we know that Jesus did in fact defeat death. His victory over our greatest enemy is a wonderful promise of things to come!

Let’s pray.

Lord, the terrible crucifixion of Jesus ended in the most spectacular way possible, with you raising Him to life. Thank you that we also share in that great gift. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Today, we’re talking about the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:18 says, “I am the Living One. I was dead, but look, I am alive forever. I have power over death and hell.” Jesus died on the cross and rose again three days later; even death could not overpower Him. The miracle of His resurrection is life-changing for believers now, and forever. 

In John 11:25–26, Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” This means that through faith in Jesus, we too can have eternal life—even after physical death. 

As believers, we have access to this resurrection power. This power is not only for the future, but also for the present. It gives us the ability to overcome any challenge or difficulty that we face in life. We can have hope even in the midst of trials, because we know that Jesus has overcome death and has the power to give us victory. Nothing we experience in this life is truly the end—because our souls are eternal.

Whatever you face, remember that Jesus has the power to bring you out of it. Call on His name and believe in His resurrection power. Jesus is alive forever, and He brings life to any dead situation.

Let’s pray. 

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. Help us to always remember that we have access to this power and that through it, we can overcome any obstacle. Strengthen our faith and give us hope in every situation. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

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In John 19:30, we read about Jesus’ final words on the cross, “It is finished.” These final words before death signify the completion of His work on earth, but this isn’t the end of His story. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, triumphing over death and sin.

As believers, we too have the assurance of victory over death and sin through the resurrection of Jesus. We can boldly face the challenges of life—even the most impossible-seeming situations—knowing that we have victory in Christ Jesus. 

What can you do today to live in the victory of our Savior’s resurrection? 

Try adding weekly Bible reading to your schedule; meditating on God's Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and sharing the Good News with others—all of these are activities that bring us closer to the Lord. 

And remember, through the resurrection of Jesus, we have the power to overcome any obstacle that comes our way. Praise God!

Let’s pray. 

Oh Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross. Because of you, we can live in victory, and not in fear. We are so grateful for what you’ve done for us. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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No one can ever say life in this world isn’t rich and varied. We take the good with the bad because honestly, we have to. Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. But through it all, we keep going, because our King is up ahead encouraging us. 

On a dark day long ago, Jesus didn’t look like a King. His life was ebbing away on the cross. His followers were distraught as they looked on. Their whole world literally passing away. But, thank God, we know what happened soon after. There is darkness in this world, but we can look ahead to the light waiting for us in eternity. 

Revelation 19:16 says, “On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is history’s greatest moment. Thousands of years of amazing events all bow to that moment in a cool garden. Because Jesus came to earth as a human being and then overcame death, we know that we, too, will live forever with Him.

“He lives!” is the greatest word we’ll ever receive, and it gives us, like His disciples, hope for the future.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for sending your Son to rescue us from a dark future. That is the Gospel itself, and we are forever grateful for it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you been saved by Jesus? 

Salvation is the deliverance from sin and death that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus overcame sin and death, and gave us the opportunity to have eternal life.

Revelation 1:18 says, “I am the Living One. I was dead, but look, I am alive forever. I have power over death and hell.”

As believers, we can have confidence that our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. No matter what happens during our temporary earthly lives, we can be sure of our eternal destiny. This knowledge gives us lasting peace, and hope that transcends our present circumstances.

The power of salvation also gives us, through God’s grace, the ability to overcome sin and withstand temptation. And by obedience to the Holy Spirit, we can daily try to live a life more like Jesus, and grow in our faith. 

If you haven’t yet received the salvation that Jesus offers, we invite you to do so today. Simply believe in Jesus, ask forgiveness for your sins, and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is a gift that lasts for all eternity. 

Let’s pray. 

Dear Lord, thank you for the power of salvation that comes through faith in Jesus. Help us to live a life that is pleasing to you, and to share this message of hope with others. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray, amen.

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No one has ever been able to replicate human life, not in a lab or even theoretically. Humans are capable of much, but creating life is not on the list. And that’s one of many reasons that God is so amazing. 

Think about this the next time you have an insurmountable problem: Jesus’ physical body died on the cross. He was buried in a stone tomb, and three days later, God raised Him from the dead. And this is the one thing that gave the apostles their boldness in sharing the Gospel, a dangerous thing for a Roman subject. They saw Jesus after His resurrection, and knew that no one could separate them from an all-powerful God. 

Revelation 19:16 says, “On His robe and on His thigh, He has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” 

Remember that for God—no miracle is too big or too small. He raised Jesus from the dead to complete His mission for all of us. Because He lives, your future is bright. 

Let’s pray. 

Father God, in seasons of stress, it’s a great comfort to know that you control everything and that nothing is too big for you. We want to share this Good News with the world. 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.