Kerusso Daily Devotional

What was Jesus’ name? 

Most of us assume that if Jesus had a driver’s license, his listed name would have been “Jesus Christ.”

That’s kind of funny, but as usual, our human perceptions can’t define Him and box Him in. The Bible tells us that Jesus has many names, each a shining facet of Who He is.

He is called the Alpha and Omega—the beginning and the end. The Lamb of God. Elsewhere He is referred to as the Prince of Peace.

Romans 10:13 says, “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

His names are a reminder to us that He is everywhere, aware of everything, and equipped to handle any situation or challenge in our lives. From the image of a warrior king, to a counselor who listens to us, Jesus is able to meet all our needs.

Let’s call on Him.

Lord, you are wonderful to us, the perfect landing place for our souls. Thank you for that. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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In general, humans as a species have a fair amount of self-awareness. And if we’re honest, we all know our weak points. Those places where character is lacking a bit.

One of our biggest weaknesses is that we just want stuff. Bigger house, more expensive car—that kind of thing. In those moments, we’re missing out on a big prize. Our focus is wrong.

Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The Bible—the Word of God itself—shows exactly what our priorities should be. God knows us far better than we could ever know ourselves, and He tells us that we have it exactly backwards. We look for the stuff, and then tack on the God stuff later. In fact, turn that around and that’s how we should be doing life. Look for God first, and then later He’ll give us the desires of our heart. Because our hearts will then be aligned with His perfect will for our lives.

Try this approach, and see if it works for you. What we’ll also find as a bonus is peace that the world can’t give us…that stuff can’t give us. When you seek first a relationship with your Creator, you find that material possessions are no substitute for knowing Him.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for our relationship with you. Thank you for loving us through our sin. 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 a lot of folks 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 straight 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. And it’s a proven method for getting your life 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.

Will you pray with me?

Lord, feeling out of control is not something we want anymore. Please take over and guide us, Lord, in your perfect ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever tried to follow God in a half-hearted way? You know what that means. You like the idea of God, but His perfect will for our lives can also feel very restrictive.

That’s the moment that we walk along the highway of life completely alone.

Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Notice the precise language in these beautiful verses. We are to trust Him with all of our heart. Don’t take your eyes off Him and follow your own choices. Be upfront that He is your peace. It’s then He picks you up, protects you, and carries you home.

Today is the day you’re thinking about all this. Maybe you’ve messed up. You’ve messed up in the most spectacular and disheartening way. And it is exactly at this moment that God is ready to do the greatest miracle in your life. Tell him you’ve messed up, and you have no idea where to turn.

There—you’re learning to completely trust Him. Commit your life to Him, and be consistent about it. Remember: the turning point to an awesome future can just start with reliance on God. Commit your ways to Him, and He will direct your paths.

Let’s pray.

Lord, help us to reject our own flawed wisdom and rely totally on yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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In our humanness, we struggle at times to achieve peace.

World War 1 ended 100 years ago, and all sides joined together as a League of Nations to make that conflict the “War to end all wars.”

And then World War 2 happened.

Our history is littered with noble attempts to make things right, but only God can bring peace to nations, and to individuals. He has promised both! One day, He will make everything new, forever. While we wait for that great day, He also grants us peace in our daily lives.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

We only have to ask Him for it. Jesus, as He said in Matthew 11:28, gives us peace even in our greatest trials, and when we are exhausted. Then, peace comes to refresh us and give us all the strength we need.

If you don’t have peace in your life, simply ask God for it. He will provide.

Let’s pray.

Father God, let your peace wash over people everywhere in this hurting world. Make them aware of your spirit of peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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202 years ago, “Silent Night” was first heard by villagers attending Christmas Eve mass in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Joseph Mohr, the young priest who wrote the lyrics, played the guitar and sang along with Franz Gruber, the choir director who had written the melody.

How did this simple tune, with its quiet words of comfort, become a beloved hymn of peace throughout the whole world?

An organ builder and repairman working at the church took a copy of the six-verse song to his home village. There, it was picked up and spread by two families of traveling folk singers, who performed around northern Europe.

The composition evolved and was eventually translated into over 300 languages. It was sung in churches, in town squares, even on battlefields during World War I. During a temporary truce on Christmas Eve, soldiers sang carols from home, including “Silent Night.” Known around the world by the wartime Christmas of 1914, the song was sung simultaneously across the trenches in French, German, and English.

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar;

Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for inspiring us to share the Gospel of peace with our neighbors across the street, and around the world. The miracle of Jesus’ birth is a story worth telling again and again, and we ask you to give us the opportunity, and the words, to share the Good News. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Jesus is always our standard.

Moments after He picked the 12 disciples, Jesus was standing at the base of a mountain, teaching the people. He told them many things, but one thing really stands out: He told them how to treat each other.

Jesus had a way with stories. Narrative was the way He told people what He wanted them to remember. And it was then that Jesus used an image of the good gifts God gives to those that love Him.

The book of Luke tells the story. Jesus looked at His followers and said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.”

Almost a thousand years before, David wrote a similar thing.

Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

When you make a choice to believe God, He gives you so much in return—it just pours out! Now this is not a message about the prosperity gospel…hear it clearly: the blessings that we find in Christ when we place our identity in Him are so abundant, it’s almost too much to take in.

This is the God we serve. The one waiting for each of us who is hungry and thirsty.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for the abundance you give us in every way. We remember it and are grateful, always. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Love is the essence of God. We know that.

At the same time, we can say that there are different kinds of love; we’re talking about that this week. Love for family. Love for our fellow humans. Love for nature.

But we can think of what is called agape love as “big-tent love.” Agape is an ancient Greek word meaning “Love of God for people, and of people for God.”

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Get out of your bitterness toward someone. Stop looking at others as less than you.

Our world is a great big old tent, and everyone inside is a beloved one of God’s children.

Your neighbor is you, and you are your neighbor.Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for making us diverse. Help us to love all people, all the time. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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How many of us would feed a hungry stranger with the last crust of bread left in the house?

The prophet Elijah received a prophecy that the land would suffer a years-long drought, and this message from God had come to pass. The Lord sent him to a ravine east of the Jordan River where He sent ravens with bread and meat in the morning and in the evening, and Elijah could drink from a brook, but eventually, the brook ran dry because there was no rain in the land.

The Lord commanded Elijah, “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”

When the prophet came upon the widow, she told him she had just enough flour and oil left for a last meal for herself and her son, and she expected they would die of starvation after this final meal.

Elijah instructed her not to be afraid, and asked her to make a small loaf of bread for him, then to do the same for herself and her son.

1 Kings 17:15–16 says, “She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.”

Because of the kindness she paid to the Lord’s servant, the unnamed widow was blessed with enough to continue sharing with Elijah, and enough for her family to eat until the rains returned.

Let’s pray.

God, you are our steadfast provider. When we have an opportunity to give to those in need, remind us that you bless us with enough to share. Help us to give unselfishly from the abundance you provide for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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When God asks us to love our neighbor as ourselves, what exactly does He mean?

In Luke 10 verses 25–37, Jesus shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate what it means to love our neighbors the way Jesus loves us.

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 

So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’”

The Lord asks us not to dole out kindness sparingly, but to generously pour love and compassion over the hurting people we meet...even complete strangers we encounter on the road of life.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, would you give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hands to help the broken and bruised people in our midst every day. There are lost and wounded souls in every corner of this world, and we ask for the courage to reach out to them with love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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