Kerusso Daily Devotional

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three young men from Judah who found themselves in a heated situation.

They were brought into the court of King Nebuchadnezzar II, and ordered to bow before the king’s golden image. The alternative was a one-way ticket to the fiery furnace.

The king’s command would have been easy for these guys to follow, but their own King of Kings had already commanded them to place no other gods before Him and to stay away from the evil of graven images. They may have been wary of the king’s wrath, but their faith in God was stronger.

They replied in Daniel 3:16–18, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter...Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Rather than violate their commitment to obey God, these men put their lives in His hands. They didn’t know whether God would intervene to save them. They knew God could, but they didn't know that He would. Regardless of the outcome, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to live for the Lord, and if necessary, they were willing to die in obedience to the Lord.

Romans 14:8 says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

As an example of His power, God intervened to spare their lives. Even though He allowed them to be tied up and thrown into the furnace, the blazing heat didn't affect them at all. They walked out unharmed.

In the midst of our own challenges, we know God can and does show up for us. He asks us to trust Him with the obstacles we face every day, and with our very lives.

Let’s pray.

Jesus, it’s unlikely anyone will threaten to throw us into a fiery furnace, but it sure feels like our feet are put to the fire at times. Remind us to trust you...with every dilemma, every shortcoming, and every situation. We give you our challenges, and our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever pondered what it means to be ‘born again’ as a Christian believer?

When we give our hearts to the Lord, asking Him to forgive our sins and guide our lives, we are making God a promise: we no longer claim the right to follow our own paths or to focus on our own agendas.

We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross on our behalf so that we can be forgiven and live with the Lord for all eternity, when our temporary earthly lives are over.

In Romans 14:8, the Apostle Paul says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

When we profess our faith as Christian believers, we are saying we will live for the Lord, and we will die for Him as well. Living or dead, our souls belong to the Savior. 

As believers living for the Lord, this means we will make choices that honor Him and ultimately serve His goals and plans. We will ever and always belong to the Lord. Understanding that should impact how we view every choice we make, and how we tackle every challenge.

Let’s pray.

Dear Lord, we give you everything. Our choices, our actions, and our reactions. We ask for clarity in the decisions we make, and that you make us ever dependent on your wisdom and your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Are you the enviable sort of person who was born with an innate sense of direction?

Some of us know instinctively whether we are traveling North, South, East, or West. And some of us...would be lucky to find our way out of a paper bag, even with a map in hand.

If you’ve ever been lost on a country road at dusk, no road signs, no one to ask for help, and no idea which way to turn — you know how very useful it is to have directions. You’re burning daylight, and you aren’t sure how to get back to civilization.

Or maybe you’ve driven to a job interview in a new city. Unfamiliar cross streets, busy traffic, and the sound of blaring horns can be a distressing soundtrack when you’re trying to pinpoint one office building among many.

Romans 14:8 says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

When we’re living for the Lord, we have a North Star to guide us on our way. When you aren’t sure which road to take, or which choice to make, remember Who you live for. Ask the Lord to direct your path, to keep you safe from harm, and to be present every step of the way. Country roads, bustling city thoroughfares, and life itself are all so much more enjoyable when we navigate them with Jesus.

Let’s pray.

God, forgive us for those times we prove ourselves aimless on the road of life. Be our guide and reveal your presence and direction to us on the journey. We are lost without you! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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It was late at night, and Kelly’s family was on the way to visit family out of state. It was raining, and they had just entered a construction zone. Narrow two-lane traffic became even narrower as they entered a bridge.

Suddenly, a deer materialized in the headlights. Orange cones and flashing lights indicated there was nowhere to go other than right off the side of the bridge, and at 55 miles per hour, they were headed right for the animal.

Romans 14:8 says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

Time slowed down, and Kelly prayed aloud for her family’s safety in that frightening moment. “Lord, help us!” They bumped loudly over the top of the deer, jarring everyone in the car in the process. Their vehicle suffered damage, but the occupants were safe.

On the road of life, you may get pulled over for speeding. You may hit an icy patch, slipping and sliding to a stop. You may even crash and burn. Faith in God doesn’t guarantee an easy journey, but following Jesus means we live knowing God has a plan for our lives and a place with him in eternity at the end of the road.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, be present with us in calm and in crisis. We pray you lead us down a path that reminds us continually to live for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Ann was in her late eighties when her adult granddaughter asked, “Grandma, what was the very best time in your life? 

Ann was one of 10 kids born to Norwegian immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island and settled on the North Dakota prairie. She came from tough stock and was raised in the kind of circumstances where you either made do — or you did without.

She and her husband briefly moved to Seattle during World War 2. At that time, Ann was a real-life Rosie the Riveter, working as a riveter in a big city factory to support the war.

She was also a cook for cowboys on the open range on a large ranch. Her husband Olaf helped manage the ranch, and Ann hauled water and cooked hearty meals over an open fire with a baby on her hip.  

Not one to stay home and bake cookies, Ann was an office manager in their small hometown when they returned to raise their daughters — an astonishing feat for a woman and mother in the 1950s. 

Romans 14:8 says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” 

And as for the very best time in Ann’s life? 

“Well,” Ann replied, “I think the very best time in my life was my early 40s, when I learned I could have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Travel. Adventure. Daring feats on the dusty prairie and the factory floor. Ann was a woman who had truly lived — and her best adventure of all was taking her relationship with the Lord to the next level. 

Live as if living for the Lord, and whether you live or die, you’ll know you have eternity in heaven to look forward to by God’s grace. That’s living in a Jesus state of mind.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, thank you for men and women who inspire us to live our lives for you. May we grow and thrive in their light — reaching for you as we learn by their example. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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As we wrap up our series on precious jewels, it is kind of fun to spotlight one last gemstone. One that isn’t immediately beautiful or desired.

But it is the rarest!

Discovered in East Asia by British mineralogist Arthur Pain, the so-called “Painite” gemstone can be found in several colors, and the various hues seen as light hits them give an uncommon view.

Incredibly, only 25 such stones exist today, and the value per gram works out to $9,000! Despite the fact that many people have never heard of it, Painite is the rarest of rare jewels. For the longest time, only two had been found the world over.

That kind of rarity stands out in a crowd.

Proverbs 31:10 says, “She is far more precious than jewels.”

Think of how rare and precious a true Proverbs 31 woman is. She is a woman remembered vividly, even with emotion, long after she goes to be with her Lord.

Are you a mother beloved by your children? Do they think of you fondly? Does your husband honor you for your uncommon strength and love? Will friends seek you out when they can’t turn to anyone else? If so, you are that rare gem.

And you are loved indeed.

Let’s pray.

Lord, help us be that rarest of jewels, one that points others to the light and majesty of Christ, forevermore. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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In its natural state, the jaw-dropping gem known as emerald often resembles an ancient barrel-shaped decree from a king. It tells us things nothing else can.

Today, the glittering green stone stops an onlooker. It takes our breath away. When set against a backdrop of shimmering gold, it is something that transfixes us.

The calming color of an emerald actually gives the eyes a rest after working for a while. In fact, some think looking at emeralds relieves eye strain, a sparkling, homeopathic remedy for the overworked.

Proverbs 31:10 says, “She is far more precious than jewels.”

Among the most sought-after gemstones, an emerald speaks of a royal court. A monarch. One who is destined to lead people to greatness.

Like humans, an emerald without blemish is very, very rare. Perfection is not common. So too is perfection in humans, since only Christ is perfect. His example is our ideal and goal, and He shapes us throughout our lives, refining us into rare and beautiful examples of His love.

A Proverbs 31 woman has been set apart by the Lord Himself. He sets her in a throne of gold, so that those she comes in contact with will stop and listen to her.

God asks the Proverbs 31 woman to wear her beauty well. Not for her own glory, but for the glory of the Lord.

Let’s pray.

Lord, out of kindness and care for us, you provided a glorious rainbow of color in your world. Thank you for such beauty, and for what it can mean to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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We don’t have direct evidence, of course. The Bible doesn’t tell us this exactly…

But tradition says that the Ten Commandments were carved from a solid slab of sapphire.

It’s a beautiful thought, isn’t it? The rich blue of the sapphire gemstone reminds us of royalty, and the regal King Jesus. It fits!

Proverbs 31:10 says, “She is far more precious than jewels.”

When a woman admires a sapphire necklace, or turns her hand in order to catch the light on that beautiful blue sapphire ring, she is presenting a picture of what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman. The ring of a ruler, one that loves all people and values them, the sapphire can be seen from a very long distance. There is no mistaking that this is a treasure that draws the best kind of admiration from everyone who comes in contact.

If you want to stand out from the crowd in the best sense of the term, remind yourself that your King is the royal regent who has set you apart to be His ambassador here on Earth. See yourself the way He sees you: a precious and priceless gem.

Let’s pray.

Lord, like the sapphire, we desire to stand out from the crowd for the right reasons: to point the way to King Jesus. Help us to shine for you! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Diamonds.

The very word calls to mind something so beautiful and rare, people everywhere immediately form a sharp mental image. Who hasn’t dreamed of handfuls of these sparkling, valuable gemstones running through their hands?

Nothing speaks of high value more than a diamond solitaire. Such a piece of jewelry signals to the world that a couple considers their relationship to be both priceless and eternal.

Proverbs 31:10 says, “She is far more precious than jewels.”

Yes, this is it. A Proverbs 31 woman has literally been made by the Lord to be a clear, radiant light so that people can see Christ living in her. Honestly? What humans label as beauty often misses the mark. Light comes from within, not from the surface.

A woman who knows her worth in Christ Jesus is that stunning girl turning heads, and engaging and inspiring hearts.

Not only is a woman who is an ambassador for Christ lovely, she is also durable. She is not smashed by the cares of life. When life presses in on her, she turns to her Lord and emerges as a thing that cuts the enemy to pieces.

She shines for all time.

Let’s pray.

Lord, the beauty you create is not matched by human creativity. Thank you for the sparkling ‘diamonds’ that come into and enrich our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Everyone loves the beauty of nature’s gems. The greens, blues, and reds of natural gemstones have set apart jewelry since the beginning of time. These precious jewels are relatively rare, and desired by people from all walks of life.

None more than the ruby.

The second hardest gemstone, rubies have always been striking for their deep reds that flash in the light. They have been used in the crowns of monarchs for centuries, and for the rings and necklaces we can find in jewelry stores today. Jewelers tell us the ruby is one of the most coveted stones.

Four times rubies are mentioned in the Bible, and each time the reference is to beauty or wisdom.

Proverbs 31:10 says, “She is far more precious than jewels.”

A godly woman is one who stands out for her internal beauty and wisdom. She is admired for all the right reasons as she walks in the light, revealing the kind of attributes only God can craft and provide.

In the famous “Proverbs 31” chapter of the Bible, we read a fairly detailed account of this wonderful woman. Many of us count them as mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters.

How they bless us!

Let’s pray.

Lord, the Proverbs 31 woman, like a fine ruby, is easy to spot. We value them for all the right reasons. Thank you for the blessing of knowing and appreciating women such as these. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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