Kerusso Daily Devotional

Since before the world was created, God has had a master plan to deliver people from evil. He cared for us so much that he was willing to endure pain to redeem us. In Acts 14:20, we read about Jesus and the disciples preaching in a city called Derbe. It says that Jesus then was busy, strengthening the souls of His disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.

God wants us to know that the journey we are on ends with a destination. And along the journey, we must be prepared to endure hardship for his sake. His compassion for the whole world is summed in maybe the most famous verse in all scripture, John 3:16. It says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” And that’s it. That’s the whole point of living this Christian life. It isn’t complicated in terms of understanding. But it can be hard to live out. 

There are currently 7.4 billion people on the planet, and most have not received Christ. Many have not even heard of Him yet, hard as that is to believe. There is still a lot of work to be done. 

700 years before Jesus, the prophet Isaiah saw God’s throne in a vision. And the Lord said there, “Who can we send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah eagerly said, “Here I am. Send me.” This is the willing heart God is looking for. We live in this world, with all its misery and beauty and chaos and harmony. We are to share the Good News of Jesus. If we do that from a willing heart, God is faithful to use our efforts to advance his kingdom, and that is our purpose.

Would you pray with me? 

Father God, your great plan from the beginning is right on schedule. It’s always on schedule. We love you. Nothing and no one stops you from accomplishing your will. See us through to the end, Lord, that we can accomplish your will for our lives. 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.

That song, Are You Lonesome Tonight by Elvis was a mega hit. And it’s been around a long time. Why? Because it’s a universal story. Everyone gets lonely sometimes. 

God knew we’d battle loneliness. He knew our world would present a crazy number of challenges, and that’s why He spends so much time in His Word reassuring us of His love and commitment to us. 

The Psalms are largely about David’s loneliness and God’s provision for him in that season. Leaders get lonely too, as we see in the stories of Moses, Solomon, and of course, even Jesus Himself. The word lonely is only used twice in the New Testament, and both times, it refers to desolate places. But God never left any one of them where they were. Jesus’ final words to His apostles recounted in the book of Matthew were, “And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.”

Let’s pray. 

Lord, when we feel desolate, so alone that nothing seems good, You promise to stay with us and to comfort us. Your promises are true. Help us in those dark moments to call on You with simple, childlike faith and belief. 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.

Janet remembered how alive she had felt when she was disciplined in her prayer life and Bible study. She surprised herself one day when she blurted out, “I could think clearer, before I got mentally lazy!”

Just saying it out loud kicked her out of the fog that she’d been in since forever.

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.”

The enemy wants to distract us from our God-given mission. He wants to cloud our thinking so much that we can’t do anything for the Lord effectively.

Committing yourself to healthy thoughts and desires helps to create a fully developed you. The Bible tells us to make a captive of every thought we have, so as to be a better witness for Christ.

Don’t neglect this important part of your health this year! Spend time in study of God’s Word, and ask Him to bless you with a clear head to stay focused on His good plans for you. 

Let’s pray.

Lord, the more that we meditate on your truths, the better we feel—especially mentally. Thank you for giving us the ability to think! 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.

Kelly had felt alone for years. Since childhood, in fact. At 26, she didn’t like it anymore and she decided to do something about it. Not a naturally outgoing person, Kelly began volunteering in a local women’s shelter. She learned quickly to listen to other people’s problems she had herself never experienced, and she found that helping someone else made her feel better—physically and emotionally.

Within a year, she decided to make a change, finish her degree, and become a counselor. She realized that sometimes even when we cry out to God in our loneliness, we’re also obligated to do something to move forward. With God’s help and daily prayer, Kelly left lonely behind, and you can, too.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, we come to you now in a moment when being alone isn’t desirable anymore. We ask you to help us get out of our confinement and meet people. God, thank you that when we call on you, you are there. Together, we no longer feel alone, 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.

It’s amazing how important the right perspective is in helping us maintain a healthy balance in every area of life. Alphonse Karr has said, “Some people grumble that roses have thorns. I’m grateful that thorns have roses.” Isn’t that amazing? It’s so common to gripe and complain about negatives, yet we don’t see the great things right in front of our faces.

Derek Carpenter has written, “The benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless. People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they’re thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems.” Just one of those benefits would be worth the effort, but in fact, there are tons more. 

Research tells us that you can improve your business by genuinely thanking employees. In turn, they develop more self-worth and confidence. This filters down through the company as workers help each other and their bosses. Remember the genuinely part. Most people can spot fake praise. Make it real.

Showing gratitude toward the one you love also boosts the relationship and has been proven to build trust. Ephesians 1:16 says, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” 

One more. Have you ever been depressed? In 2005, a positive psychology study found that a single act of kindness lessened depression by 35%. The effect lasted for several weeks. Next time you’re blue, do something nice for someone else, and track your own mood. 

Consider keeping a brief log of your daily blessings. You might put these in your phone or a small notebook. Wherever you record them, track how your moods and physical health may improve. 

Getting into a habit of being grateful can change your life and the lives of others. One more tangible benefit to be thankful for.

Let’s pray. 

Father God, we get in a rut, stuck in our own problems and bad moods. Help us to see that a heart of gratitude can bring positive changes to our lives and to the lives of those we encounter on a daily basis. 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.

Charles McGee is one of those improbable heroes. Part of the reason is because he started life with obstacles to overcome—just because of the color of his skin. He is now the last surviving member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. This was an incredible group of pilots made up of African Americans during World War 2.

He pushed to achieve great things, and God was with him every step. 

1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

The dapper, Charles McGee, flew an incredible 400 missions during his service in three wars. Today he inspires his grandson, whose goal is to be part of the newly created Space Force.

Heroes and warriors don’t always ‘look the part.’ In fact, some of the bravest don’t stand out in any particular way. They just walk the path God has set before them. The rest of us are the beneficiaries of this kind of valor. No doubt you know people like this. Men and women, boys and girls can all play this part God sets before them.

Let’s pray. Lord, help us to be willing to step through the doors you open for us, and to be warriors for you. 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.

Donna and Betty were sisters, but in midlife they were both tired of the fighting and the mistrust and the hurt. Each had their grievances. Both were stubborn.

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

At one particular time of the year, Betty heard this verse spoken in a service. And here’s an ironic thing: of the two sisters, most people would agree she was definitely the most stubborn!

But that day she did an amazing thing. She went home and she called Donna. Betty made a choice to forgive and forget, and she did so through a lot of tears. Donna was shocked but grateful. And she owned up to her own mistakes.

God can bring about good will between anyone, including sisters who may fight, but really love each other.

Do you need to be a catalyst for peace this week?

Let’s pray. 

Lord, your mercies are ever new. Your love heals old wounds, and we need that. Thank you. 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.

In May 1962, an intimidating figure delivered a final public speech at West Point Military Academy.

Douglas MacArthur, who led America to victory in the Pacific during World War 2, addressed cadets. He told them simple truths, ones that define honor and glory.

The hall was completely still as the old general spoke in hushed tones. Everyone heard him speak of the honorable soldier who must rely on “those divine attributes which his Maker gave when He created man in His own image.”

Here was perhaps the most legendary military man in the country in the 20th century, and despite his personal awards and recognition, he humbled himself to acknowledge the One who deserves all our honor and glory.

Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

The name of Christ is the one that leads us to final victory. MacArthur spoke to those cadets of the American tradition of seeing things through to complete and decisive victory.

The Bible tells us we are soldiers in Christ’s army. We are standing on the most important battlefield in all of history. Our mandate is to share the Good News of Jesus, so that individuals live for eternity with their Creator.

Let us glory in that.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are our deliverer and the victor. We honor you with our worship, and with our eternal thanks. 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.

Joshua was called by God to lead the 12 tribes of Israel after the death of Moses. Those were some pretty big shoes to fill, and the Lord chose Joshua because he was faithful.

Joshua knew that when he called on God in times of trouble, He would answer.

In one powerful example, Joshua asked God to cause the moon and the sun to stand still so that he and his army could continue fighting a difficult battle by daylight.

Joshua 10:12–13 says, “On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel: ‘O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.”

Joshua went on to lead the fight in many other battles, eventually conquering Canaan and dividing its lands among the 12 tribes.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray continually.”

As darkness began to fall, Joshua didn’t give up the fight, and he didn’t turn inward for a solution—he turned to God!

Let’s pray.

God, you led the Israelites to victory against their enemies on behalf of your faithful servant Joshua, and you hear our prayers today. Lord, thank you for the miracles we read about in the Bible, and for those we experience in our own lives. We love you. 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.

Seventy five years after he landed in France to help the Allies liberate Europe from Nazi control, Russell Pickett stood at attention as the President spoke.

A private in 1944, Pickett was now receiving the adulation of a grateful nation. He knew firsthand the reality that there is very little glory in war death. And yet here his country was honoring his service in that memorable conflict. The President even hugged him!

He stood with several of his comrades, men now in their 90s, and they shook hands with heads-of-state and the famous milled around. But a little-reported story is that many of the veterans spoke of their reliance on the Almighty. They knew their Source of victory.

Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

There have been many brave men and women in our nation’s history. And many of them fight today in places we’ll never know about. But we have only one General, only one true Commander-in-Chief. The Lord of History is the only One truly deserving of our adulation.

One day, when we achieve our final victory, it is Him we will see face-to-face. What glory that will be.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are always on the battlefield with us—you never leave us. Your kindness to us is eternal, and glory belongs to you alone. 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.