Kerusso Daily Devotional

Who do you put your faith in?

In the 1930s, as war approached in Europe, the British loved their monarchs. The royal family has been beloved for generations, and King Edward the 8th was ready to take his place on the throne after the death of his father.

The people loved the dashing young king, and he seemed to enjoy his role. And then he fell in love.

Falling in love isn’t a bad thing of course, even for kings. But Edward loved an American woman who was divorced. In royal society, that just wasn’t done. So in an amazing decision, Edward abdicated! He left the throne less than a year after assuming power.

1 Timothy 1:17 says, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.”

Earthly kings come and go, but Jesus Christ will never abdicate. He will never abandon his duties. In fact, His famous sacrifice on the cross would not have been offered by any earthly king. It was far too costly.

Put your faith in the eternal King, today.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we have confidence in you that you will never abandon us. Thank you for your eternal love and that of your Son, Jesus. It’s in His name that we pray, amen.

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If Genesis describes the beginnings of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the book of Revelation finishes the story.

Revelation 19 tells us a descendent of Judah, Jacob’s son, will one day come and rule the whole world. And He will be unlike any other king in history.

1 Timothy 1:17, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.”

This verse tells us that the role of the greatest of all kings belongs to Christ alone. The image of a lion, with its sleek coat, fierceness, and strength, best describes Jesus as ruler over all.

He will preside over an eternal kingdom, one that has no end and no boundaries. This picture of our great King is one we can hold fast to and believe in. One day, King Jesus, that strong lion, will even put away all dangers that threaten us. That is an amazing thing to look forward to, and it has been promised to us.

Let’s pray.

Lord, your lion is coming to defeat evil and put away death and suffering forever, and we greatly look forward to that. Thank you for keeping your promises. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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In the Bible, we read of family records that were the original genealogy sources. People knew where they came from, knew their kin. The 12 tribes of Israel were first outlined in Genesis, and from these 12 came an entire nation.

Even Jesus came from somewhere!

One of the Bible’s patriarchs, Jacob, had a son named Judah. The father calls the son a lion’s cub, and blesses him. Judah is told he will have favor in his family.

1 Timothy 1:17 says,  “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.”

It’s from this family of Judah that Jesus would come. There is even an interesting prophecy about this in Genesis 49; you should read it sometime.

In fact, Jesus was born into the tribe of Judah, and so symbolically, He becomes the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah,” and will return one day to Earth as a conquering King, the greatest one of all time.

The very name, the Lion of Judah, carries with it power and mystery. How thankful we are that this is Jesus’ name.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we love you for many reasons. We love you and thank you that the things you tell us will happen do in fact take place. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever heard of the legendary English king, Arthur? An iconic figure in history, he led a defense of his country against Saxon invaders around 1,500 years ago. He has also been immortalized in literature.

There’s only one problem: We don’t know if he actually existed. We certainly don’t know where he’s buried. And it’s a sure thing that King Arthur, if he lived, wasn’t history’s greatest ruler.

1 Timothy 1:17, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.”

The Bible tells us that the Creator God is the ruler over all. He is the great King, seen on Earth as Jesus Christ, who will come again one day as a conquering king.

Although other kings achieved legendary status, Jesus is no myth. The most documented figure in history, He waits for the right time to restore righteousness and perfection to our world. And we long to see Him!

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are indeed our great King, righteous and perfect in all of your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Do you know Who Jesus is? Do you really understand His identity?

We know from the Bible that He is many things: a child, a carpenter, a leader of men. We know that He is our Savior, the One who went to the cross to take on our sin.

He is also our King.

1 Timothy 1:17, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.”

In this letter to his young friend, Paul emphasized to Timothy that Jesus has dominion over everything and everyone. That’s because Jesus knows exactly what needs to be done in every situation.

While His earthly characteristics and roles give us some picture of Him, it’s the picture of Him as King that best describes Him. God the Father has made Jesus Lord overall, and in Him, we find true peace.

Growing up, did you ever feel safe because you knew your dad or mom was in charge, and would do everything right? We have that confidence in Jesus times infinity! He is our great and good King, forevermore.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you have set Jesus aside as unlike anyone else, ever. You placed kingly robes and a special crown on His head. God, thank you for sending your Son for our sake. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Today we wrap up our series on finding contentment by discussing the source of true peace and happiness. 

John MacArthur once wrote a book called Our Sufficiency in Christ. In it, he revealed the path to finding true peace and contentment, and he says there’s a single word that encompasses all the riches we find in Christ: Grace. What a magnificent word it is. It’s used more than 150 times in the New Testament to speak of divine favor, bestowed on undeserving people. It is the means by which we receive every physical and spiritual benefit. 

People the world over search all their lives for peace, and who doesn’t want to be truly content? But we look for it everywhere but where it is. Chasing adventure or money or career success will, well—it will leave you empty. 

Maybe you’ve been running hard for a long time so that you can advance in a career that you find meaningful. There’s nothing wrong with that. So long as there’s balance, and your life can remain focused on Jesus. The Bible tells us very bluntly that anything else will leave us unsatisfied. 

And at the very least, you can start by finding even one or two minutes in your day before sun up or late in the evening and just pray. Tell God that climbing the ladder at work is leaving you strangely empty. 

The Bible isn’t some interesting old book. It’s not just some historical treasure, it’s life itself. Why? Because from beginning to end, it points us to Jesus Christ, who made us. 

Resolve right now, even as you’re sitting at your desk, to begin getting to know Christ. And sooner rather than later, you will feel your anxiety lesson and your priorities shift. You’ll discover what many have looked for in the wrong places for centuries. You’ll find peace for your soul.

Writing in 2 Corinthians, Paul said of Christ’s message to all of us, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 

Philippians 4:12–13 says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I’ve learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” 

Realizing all this, your circumstances might not change, but you will change for the better—for all time. 

Let’s pray. 

Father God, you are sovereign and that should make us calmer. Your power upholds everything in the universe, and you are good. You are not some impersonal being or one who is indifferent to our needs. Help us seek your Son Jesus at every turn. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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Today’s message is really about taking the long view. 

The human attention span is short, like really, really short. Between the world wars, Winston Churchill warned Europe that Hitler was a threat to the continent at least, but people ignored him. And then when the Nazis turned violent, the people turned to Churchill as their prime minister. 

Having led the country through another costly war to preserve freedom, Churchill was defeated for reelection in the last days of World War II. It’s like the people had forgotten his priceless contribution to world peace. He knew the war would take a long time and that it would be costly, and the people wanted to avoid thinking about it, and even later wanted it over quickly. And that’s rarely how life works. Churchill returned as Prime Minister in the 1950s, but his experiences show that people mostly want short-term solutions. 

Working for the long goal is rarely popular. 

Jeremiah 15:15 says, “Lord, you understand. Remember me and care for me, avenge me on my persecutors. You are longsuffering. Do not take me away. Think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.” 

Here God is reminding us that often, we’re required to stay in it for the long haul. Nowhere is this more true than in the pursuits of peace and contentment. That kind of thing is not built quickly, and not surprisingly too many people don’t stay with it, and they stumble along looking for solutions in the wrong places.

If you’re in a bad place today, you’re going to have to start with basic steps. Talk to Jesus and tell Him you’re struggling. Maybe you have a vague sense of depression and just can't locate the direct cause. Take the example of people who did understand the source of true happiness, and were committed to seeing it through no matter how long it took. 

Abraham knew the value of prayer, and he waited for decades to have a son. Hannah was also unable to have children, but she prayed and stayed faithful, and eventually, God gave her a child and she felt fulfilled. Joseph spent years in exile in prison because of his brother’s actions, but his faith didn’t waver. He actually found his contentment in the middle of these trials, and eventually, God restored his family, and all he had lost. 

If you’re depressed or ground down from money worries, or facing some other huge challenge—go to God right now and tell Him you need peace for your soul. Tell him you fully trust Him and will wait with as much patience and faith as you can. It’s then you start the clock ticking on your difficult circumstances, and while you wait, your heart will be at rest. 

Let’s pray. 

Father, thank you for the good gifts that we already have. Help us be grateful for those things that sustain life. We fully trust you to bring about our delivery from life’s circumstances precisely the moment you have chosen. Sustain our spirits on this journey, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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The big question for today is, can we find contentment in things? 

Have you ever listened to a very successful person complain about the fact that his wealth doesn’t make him happy? How the success of life has left him or her empty? Of course, you have. We’ve all heard stories like that, but pay attention to that—because it’s really important. 

Watch people roll their eyes when they hear those stories. Why do they do that? Because they’re thinking, “Yeah, just give me some of that emptiness. I’d like to live on that side of town for a while,” but that attitude misses the point that’s trying to be made. From the past to now there have been at least multiple millions of these stories, these laments from very successful people who would trade it all to be content. Millions and millions of successful, but unhappy people. 

It’s when we’re confronted with numbers like that, that we should say to ourselves, “Wait a second…I need to think that through. Maybe having things and fame and success really doesn’t satisfy.” It’s then we start walking the right road to contentment. 

April Motl is a writer in California who works with her husband in ministry. Recently, she made a fascinating point. She said, “About six months ago, my husband said he thought the Lord was trying to teach him to be content with mediocrity. ‘Mediocrity? Never! We should always be striving for the best,’ I thought to myself. But in light of a few life lessons of my own, I think I now understand what my husband was saying. It’s easy for us to want the best life has to offer, but sometimes ‘the best’ is learning to be content with what we have.” 

Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have. Because God has said, never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” 

You don’t actually need to hear another story of unfulfillment from someone you’ve admired to know that stuff doesn’t ultimately satisfy. You have only to think about your own life and realize that what God has given you materially is not the ultimate prize. It’s only when you’re in harmony with Him that you begin to know a life of contentment. 

Let’s pray. 

Father, we know in our hearts that things don’t bring fulfillment. That fact is plain to us, no matter how much we have. Help us be mindful that in you alone, we find the desires of our hearts. Remind us daily not to pin our hopes for the future on what we can acquire today. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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Today, our big question is, can we find contentment in relationships? 

How many times has this scene been repeated? A guy sees a girl he can’t live without. He thinks she will bring him happiness—and for a while, that's how it plays out. But then one day he’s melancholy just like he used to be. Or how about the woman who believes marriage will fulfill her heart’s desires, but then over time her husband isn’t so perfect? 

You see the common denominator in these two scenarios. Partners aren’t the issue. The lack of contentment comes from the person seeking it. It comes from within. They’re looking in the wrong place. 

Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world. Let God transform you into a new person. By changing the way you think, then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” 

Author Rob Kuban sums up right relationships for those seeking contentment. He says the Bible calls us to allow our convictions, not our circumstances, to govern our sense of contentment. If you aren’t willing to do the work of changing from within, your desires will largely go unmet, and honestly, you will not be attractive as a potential friend or mate. 

Our first assignment is to find peace with God, and then seek the one He has for us. You see, choosing to be content is the first step. It’s just that so many people want shortcuts. 

Read Ecclesiastes sometime, it’s a leadership book, really, but it opens a window into Solomon’s mind and heart. Here we see his thoughts on what happens when a person looks in the wrong places for real happiness. Solomon was the richest man of his time, and he also had hundreds of wives. But as an old man, he was bent in body and spirit from too many years of pursuing everything but his creator. Learn from his example and fix your eyes on the ultimate relationship. People will then be able to see the contentment on your face. 

Let’s pray. 

Father God, our first priority should be a right relationship with you. Only you can bring peace to our hearts and minds long-term so that in turn we can bless others. Thank you, Father, for making a way for us to be content. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

The diversity of life on this planet is astonishing, good, bad, beautiful, painful. Our world is a place of blessing and it’s also a struggle for a lot of people. Each of us has a whole batch of issues to deal with every day, ranging from physical challenges to emotional needs. And a fascinating element in all this is how we see contentment. 

What is it? 

Where is it found? 

Is it lasting?

Matthew 6:32–33 says, “For the pagans run after all these things and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

Our old friend balance is so important. In every aspect of our lives, we should have a goal of keeping steady. Solomon spoke to this in Proverbs 30, when he asked God to give him not too much or too little. He reasoned that if he had great wealth, he might forget God. If he was in poverty, he might be inclined to steal. This effort to find balance is the heart of finding contentment. God is the ultimate source and He gives us the capacity to be content, using scripture as our guide. And as usual, God has a comprehensive plan for you, especially in the area of contentment.

Notice what Proverbs 14:30 says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” 

The actor Chris Tucker discovered all this after the huge success of “Rush Hour” and other projects. But he became a Christian, and now he’s selective in what he does, and he keeps it clean and real. It’s been estimated that since he turned to faith, Tucker has turned down a hundred million in projects. What’s his take on all that? He says, “But I've got a hundred million great experiences.” 

Whether you’re hard-charging and ambitious, or you’re simply neglecting the pursuit of peace in your life, you’re damaging your spiritual health.

Finding spiritual harmony makes you a complete person. Anything short of that, you’re flying with a broken wing. Bottom line is, if you look at all the verses in the Bible that speak to being truly content, you’ll quickly understand that Christ is the answer. 

Let’s pray, 

Father, You’ve provided the only way to true peace and contentment, and we thank You for that. Help us to keep this in front of us every day as we seek to live life well and abundantly, in Jesus’ name, amen.