Kerusso Daily Devotional

We’ve all known kindness in our life. Think about someone who’s been kind to you; it might’ve been a Sunday school teacher, or maybe it was mom listening to our bad day. But how often do you actually think about the importance of kindness? Is it an active part of your day? If not, I think you’re missing the point. 

1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.” 

Real love compels us to practice kindness, a daily routine, and for the right reason. And what is the right reason? God tells us to be kind. The choice doesn’t depend on what the other guy is doing. 

Be that person who does a lot of kind things—and his only audience is God. Give it a shot. Try a random act of kindness and don’t let others see you do it. Then reflect on how good it makes you feel. That’s the best kind of kind. 

Let’s pray. 

Father God, your Word shows us that we’re blessed with kindness from you in countless ways. Help us to start giving back to those around us. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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Forgiveness is mentioned dozens of times in the Bible. 

In Genesis 33, Esau forgives his brother’s treachery in stealing his birthright. And the most famous example is the forgiveness Jesus chooses on the cross as His accusers and executioners mock Him. Think about how hard that was! It gives some perspective on our own situations in life.

When you think about it, the entire theme of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is one of forgiveness. 

Man chose to bring sin into the world, and defy God’s perfect plan. Yet God didn’t leave us in that state. He made a way for our sins to be put away forever. Jesus Christ became the vessel through which forgiveness could be extended on an epic scale.

One of the most difficult passages in all the Bible is found in the New Testament. Matthew 5:43–45 says, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and you hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.”

In the here and now, is there anything more difficult than forgiving a mocking enemy?

There are people in the world who delight in making others miserable their whole lives. But Jesus is telling us forgiveness is possible. The key is when we take the long view. We must mentally and emotionally take ourselves out of the pain we’re experiencing right now. Think of the future. Begin imagining the most wonderful healing that can take place between enemies.

That’s what God did for us. The Bible tells us He is holy, and cannot look on sin. Yet in Genesis Chapter 3, God began the process of grace. In the Gospels and in Paul’s letters, we see Him continuing to be patient with us. And then in Revelation, the long view: God takes our acts of forgiveness and makes a powerful, redemptive new world. And we can look forward to that.

Let’s pray.

Father, thank you for having mercy on us in every way. Sometimes we need to forgive someone, and sometimes the shoe is on the other foot. Help us to read your Word, and act on your commands to forgive. Especially when it hurts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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When we walk with God, we want to see that our relationships are healthy. It’s part of the command to love one another. And few things are more heartbreaking than damaged relationships. When those linger, the Body of Christ is weakened. Churches split because of it. Families suffer for it.

Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”

Notice that we are to walk in all His ways. And what did the Lord do in every situation in the Bible that involved relationships? He provided the very best.

That’s our mandate. Do excellence in your relationships. Has someone wronged you, or do they mock you? Take your eyes off their smug expressions and “walk in all His ways.” You’ll be surprised how some people will react—in a good way!

Just as we read that spouses can choose to pray for an unbelieving spouse in the hopes they come to repentance and wholeness, so too can we simply choose to want the best in all our relationships.

Let’s pray.

Lord, relationships are difficult! But how blessed we are by You, that You created them for us. Most of all our relationship with You, our Creator. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever wondered why the Samaritan from the book of Luke was called “good?” 

In the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, he stops and helps a man lying on the road who had been beaten and robbed. Jesus told his disciples this story to illustrate how they are to treat one another—how we are to treat one another. 

Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” 

That’s it. Not difficult—and not even a very long list. The world…pretty much a mess. And how much better can we leave our little corner of it if we have compassion on all people, no matter their circumstances? 

Make it your priority to do this one thing: Love mercy. If you do, you will bring healing, and be filled with joy unspeakable. 

Let’s pray. 

Lord, you have always been merciful to us. Help us to model that love to those we come in contact with in all times and places. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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The Bible is famous for speaking in parables and metaphor. One of the most famous is found in one of Paul’s letters, in which he tells us the benefits of a life in Christ.

The “Fruit of the Spirit” is a list of nine attributes that a person filled with the Holy Spirit will model for the world. It’s probably no coincidence that Paul starts with…Love.

Galatians 5:22–23 says, “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”

Love defines what it means to be Christian. Jesus taught that we are to love others, even to pray for our enemies. John wrote that true love is obedience to Christ. This dimension of the Fruit of the Spirit causes people to turn from evil, husbands to cover their wives in love and protection, and many, many more benefits for the world.

Let’s pray.

Lord, Your Word tells us that healthy fruit is a benefit to everyone; inspire us to offer the fruit of love to all we come in contact with. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Carl loved working on his farm. He loved the solitude, and the sense of accomplishment. One day though, working alone, he was injured severely. In fact, if he didn’t get to the hospital, he would likely die.

So, he got in his old pickup and took off. He pulled into the hospital parking lot and lost what little consciousness he had. Waking up 24 hours later after surgery, he realized he remembered nothing of his injury or even getting to the hospital.

In effect, the God he loved and trusted had driven him to town.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

We can never save ourselves. It’s then, that God proves Himself to us and carries us to safety.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for taking over when we can’t. We’re so eager to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps in the midst of trouble. But the truth is, we’re bound to arrive safely at our destination when we let you take the wheel. Thank you. 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 a situation gone awry.

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 that 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. 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 to get dimmer.

The enemy troops were distracted, and they 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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Do you find it hard to trust some people? Do you find it hard to trust…anyone? Our society is full to the brim of people who have been hurt, wounded, and devastated. It puts up a wall and we live behind it in silence and fear.

After the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the people of that captive country were free for the first time to tell their stories. One woman said that she had been driven nearly insane by the dictator’s torture chambers, but when he was gone, someone shared the love of Christ with her. And her mind and spirit were restored.

She said that for the first time in her life, she could now trust. It opened her heart to beauty, friendship, and love. And most of all, she now loves her Savior with her whole, healed heart.

Psalm 91:2 says, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Your situation might not be as extreme as our Iraqi sister, but if you have trust issues, take them to Jesus and tell Him with your whole hurting heart that you need Him. He will meet you where you are!

Let’s pray.

Lord, your love heals all kinds of pain. We thank you that your mercies endure forever. 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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