Kerusso Daily Devotional

The Apostle Paul wrote that believers are in a spiritual battle all the time against forces that are wickedly strong. He also maintains that we have the power of God with us in these battles, and this New Testament promise is an echo from the days of Joshua, the fearless Israelite commander in ages past. This mindset is a model for all of us. 

Dick Winters was a 27-year-old first lieutenant when he jumped into Normandy, France in 1944 with other paratroopers during the invasion of Europe. Once the allies began moving inland, Winters’ unit was given the objective of taking a key French town from the Germans.

As Winters and his men approached, machine gunfire pinned them down along a road leading into the town; they had nowhere to go. All of a sudden, Winters stood straight up and began shouting orders at his men. Stunned at first, they looked up and decided that if he could do it—so could they. 

The entire force leaped to their feet and charged the German position. That was the last day Nazi forces controlled the current in France. The next day, Winters was awarded the Distinguished Service cross. 

This is precisely how we can overcome great odds, great challenges. When circumstances threatened to overwhelm us, we can fight back with confidence in Christ. He’s the one leading us along dangerous roads. 

Psalm 27:3 offers encouragement for life’s battles, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” 

When the army of God is with you who can stand against you. 

Let’s pray. 

Father, only you can lead us in the battles of life. You are all we need. We believe that no enemy can stand against you and your army. Your strength holds us up above the danger and sets us on safe ground. Thank you, Lord, for your eternal faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever been in such a dark place that you wondered if God cares about you, or if He even exists? Maybe it’s all some cosmic joke, right?

We’ve all been there. Humans doubt. We doubt ourselves, we doubt product labels, we doubt our kids. We question everything.

But the worst one is trying to figure out where God is in the middle of life’s great difficulties. Sometimes the world is just flat-out mean, and it seems like it’s an entity that’s trying to break you in half.

And that‘s the very moment God’s ancient and eternal words come to us.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Honestly, it doesn’t get better than that! Jesus lives so that you will live forever. And in the interim, He will walk with you and carry you when necessary. He never fails and what’s more, His willingness to never leave us has been proven over and over again, in a billion different ways.

If you need Him right now, don’t doubt Him. Call out to Him. Your circumstances might seem impossible and impossibly unique. Don’t believe it. Believe Him instead.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you promised that you would never leave us. We know that’s true, but help us with our faith in our weak moments. God, make us believe. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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When Hurricane Katrina destroyed the church and home where E.J. Scott had pastored for 20 years, he and his wife found themselves living a bit like refugees in Dallas, Texas.

After years of being strong for his flock, Pastor Scott needed something to strengthen his own faith. He was devastated.

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.”

When we walk with God through a storm, we are told to hold onto Him with everything we have. In this way, we are exercising our faith. We’re putting our trust in Him, because honestly, no one else can help us.

Pastor Scott says today that he learned to focus on how God would raise him up, rather than the terrible circumstances he was in. His faith was strengthened, and hope sustained him.

We all need to exercise our faith, so that we can stand in times of crisis. God is our refuge from the storms.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you that you stand for us in times of trouble. While the enemy wants us to focus on terror, your Word teaches us to focus on your provision. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of the original settlers in America? As a person leaving the safety of England to come to the New World and start over?

Those people came here for religious freedom and risked it all. And when they landed in New England, they literally put down roots as they built and planted the beginnings of an amazing experiment that is still ongoing.

Colossians 2:6–7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Our ancestors were definitely strengthened in their faith as they faced challenges and danger. But the payoff was worth it.

Maybe you’re going through something similar. You’ve moved to a new place. New job. New social circle. You want to find a church! Just tell Jesus you need help with all these things, and He’ll be right by your side.

Let’s pray.

Lord, forever you have walked with us, and forever you will keep us close, making us strong in the faith. God thank you for your faithfulness to your mission. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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In all the world, there are almost countless ways people try to find God. Some are drawn to the mystical, while others chase after the practical. 

Does it work?

God knew we would all look to fill the void in our spirits—the one put there when man first sinned. He also already knew what our escape route would be, the path back to Him.

Romans 10:9–10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

The so-called “Roman Road” is in reality a face-to-face with the Living God. Jesus Christ Himself is our aim, and our benefactor. He loved us so much that He offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin. It’s very simple. God accepted the sacrifice and raised His precious Son from the dead. And now it is there, waiting for us to accept that great and priceless gift.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we complicate things sometimes, but your salvation is a simple choice, and it is free. Blessed be your name forever and forever! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Beryl Markham could have given up on her aviation dreams after crash-landing in Nova Scotia. But she didn’t.

Instead, this determined woman became the first person to fly from England to North America. She later said that in order to move forward, we can’t stay in the past. In fact, she said, “Leave it the fastest way you can!”

This pioneer knew that staying stuck was not inevitable—that we must choose to keep our eyes on what it is we are yet to accomplish in life.

Ephesians 4:31–32 says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Maybe you’re letting some past hurts keep you from your destiny. Don’t waste another moment! Your future is waiting on you to turn your eyes to it, and stop staring at a past failure.

Leave those past hurts as fast as you can!

Let’s pray.

Father God, we are grateful that you make a way for us to forge ahead and not be limited by the things of the past. Walk with us, always, Father, and bless our efforts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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There’s a wonderful scene in the classic film to kill a Mockingbird, when the attorney Atticus Finch is confronted by the father of a girl who has accused a black man of rape. The father, enraged, walks up to Finch—played perfectly by Gregory Peck. He spits in Finch’s face as the attorney’s children watch. 

You can see the anger in Finch’s face, but he slowly and calmly maintains his composure. He simply walks past the man, who now looks pretty small in everyone’s eyes. 

God has given us the power over difficult people. It’s called not letting them set the rules. 

1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing because to this you were called, so that you may inherit a blessing.” 

Not always easy, definitely, but we’re capable of it. Remember that. 

This life is very much about winning and losing. Determine that a difficult person in your life is not going to win by controlling you and getting under your skin. In wrestling terms, don’t let that person pin you. 

Is that obnoxious person in your life really all that obnoxious, or are you a grouch, letting yourself get caught in what is really only a difference in personalities? Go home from work one evening and think about that. Make your mind up to start out the next day by being nice to that person. You’ll be surprised how that can change the equation. And that’s what Colossians 4:6 is talking about when it says, “Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.” 

Or maybe you’re a man frustrated with the relationship between your wife and your mother. This is always a potentially difficult situation. Maybe you think your wife should be more adaptable, but have you forgotten what God told the man in Genesis 2:24? It says, “This is why a man leaves his father and mother, and is united to his wife. And they become one flesh.” Your responsibility in that situation is to your wife, not to making sure your parents’ feelings come first in all situations. 

So you see, often that difficult person you’re dealing with is you, or at the very least a different perspective will help you see where the fault really lies. 

Finally, in First Corinthians 5, we read that Paul advises for really difficult people, a cooling off period is legitimate. For example, the person who is causing real strife in a church should not be allowed to go on like that indefinitely; bad behavior sometimes must be confronted for the good of the community. And even for the good of the offended person, this is sound advice. 

So if we stick to what the Lord has already told us, and our tried and true methods for dealing with difficult people, we can get to a better place. 

Let’s pray.

Father God, a person who is angry or a troublemaker creates chaos for everyone. Help us analyze each of these situations as unique so that we know how to handle them from Your Word. And most especially, help us make it a habit to pray for those who are difficult, so that we might see their lives changed, and brought into harmony and unity. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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Paul was a stubborn man. He was completely committed to his job. The very definition of a zealot. More than anything, he hated religious people. In fact, he worked every day to make their lives miserable.

You’re probably aware of who we’re talking about. Yes, this is the famous Apostle Paul, whose pen dominates much of the New Testament. Paul, or Saul as he was known when he was persecuting Christians, didn’t need anyone. He didn’t have friends.

On his way out of town, Paul was knocked off his horse by a blinding flash of light. A commanding voice spoke to him. 

It was the voice of Jesus.

Jesus, in an instant, gave Paul a new mission in life, as He revealed Himself to the angry young man.

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

Jesus showed Paul a better way. No more would he terrorize people. For the rest of his life, this new man in the spirit redirected his zeal to bring people into God’s Kingdom.

Do you need to work on your attitude and just let Jesus show you a better way?

Let’s pray.

Lord, only you can change hearts. And we all need that at some time. Thank you for being a merciful friend to us! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever been hurt in a relationship? If you’ve been alive very long at all, the answer is probably, “Yes!” Reality has shown us that love can be the most wonderful feeling ever…or it can be ugly and brutal. It can feel like your heart has been run over by a truck.

We’re talking about loving like Jesus, and as usual, His Word unlocks the secrets of our hearts, and it shows us the way to healing.

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, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

Frankly, each of us is supposed to love like this. But just briefly, let’s focus on you. Because it’s okay to do that if you understand that Jesus loves you, and wants the best for you.

Has someone hurt you in a relationship? Has romance been a challenging topic for you? Then please, meditate on Scripture and realize that Jesus wants a partner for you who is patient, kind, honors you, and doesn’t take out their frustrations on you.

Use our verse from First Corinthians to not only guide how you operate in a relationship, but as you search for a partner—the qualities they should exhibit as well. 

Let’s pray. 

Father God, help us to be mindful of your desires for us in the area of relationships. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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I’m not sure where you’re at today. You might be angry at God. Something happened, maybe, in your life—that has damaged your faith. If we live in the world long enough, it can happen to any of us.

How you respond is really important. If you’ve listened previously, you know that this week we are talking about how to live by faith.

Having perseverance when we’re miserable is really, really hard. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re alone.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, and not by sight.”
Again—really listen to the words: “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

That’s how we’re supposed to live. Not for a few hours or a day or even a season. For life. It’s how we’re supposed to live. And we don’t always cling to what we can see in the short term.

Strong faith is built over time. Think back over your life to those times when God met your needs. Big needs! Those were the moments He gave you to prove that His strength is not limited.

That’s how we walk by faith!

Let’s pray. 

Lord, life is a marathon, it’s not a quick sprint. God help us to walk by faith, from beginning to end. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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