Kerusso Daily Devotional

Jane was the last child to receive a handmade blanket from her great grandmother. Pink and blue, festooned with angels and sprinkled with stars that sparkled in the light, the much-loved blanket was the little girl’s constant companion.

This childhood treasure became even more important when Gramma Ann passed away—a reminder of her love for her family, and her faith in God.

Jane’s blanket kept her warm in sickness and in health, but the washing machine proved its eventual undoing. One day, the last remaining fragment of Gramma Ann’s very last blanket was lost.

Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

A few years after the remaining bit of Jane’s ‘Gramma Ann Blankie’ was lost to time (but not to memory), her mom stumbled across the best yard sale find of all time: the very same blanket, likely created from a quilting kit, in brand new condition. Jane and her mother cried together right there in a stranger’s driveway, certain that Gramma was smiling down on them from Heaven in that moment of discovery. It was the best two dollars the pair ever spent.

Grace can show up when we least expect it—even in the form of a long-lost family heirloom returned to us in the unlikeliest of ways.

Let’s pray.

Lord, your grace is a constant delight. You are faithful to us when we seek Your face, and Your gift of grace shows up in incredible ways. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Sandra was a single mom with little family support. Her ex was not exactly helping repair a tough situation. Her days slowed down only late at night when everyone else was asleep. That’s when fear got into bed with her…and wouldn’t budge.

Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Every human being in history is faced with trouble at some point. But how we handle the rough times is key. Fear has no place in our lives.

In the dark, when fear really wanted to rattle her, Sandra prayed to the Lord. She told Jesus that she was scared and needed His help. And guess what? Jesus showed up for her.

She really believes that the Bible is true, and that Scripture shows us the heart of God. It is His desire to love us through the pain and the uncertainty.

Trying to fear less is a good place to start. It’s not where we’re called—we’re called to NOT fear. But you can whittle it down a little at a time if you need to. Then one day, you’ll wake up and realize you aren’t afraid at all. You don’t have to fear evil, because God is with you!

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are with us in every situation and your mercies never end. Thank you for loving us all the time, not just here and there. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Are you a woman blessed with the gift of a wonderful mother-in-law? We can hardly think of a more important relationship. Through the ages, this mentoring friendship has sealed families and nurtured them. Likewise, we easily see the pain inflicted when this relationship isn’t good.

In the Old Testament, we read of a really remarkable mother-in-law. She showed great kindness to a young woman at just the right moment.

After returning home to Bethlehem after a famine is over, Naomi wants the best for her young daughter-in-law Ruth, whose husband has died. Although she must have longed for security herself and companionship, Naomi encourages Ruth to marry Boaz. Eventually, Ruth has a son, Obed, who would become the grandfather of King David!

Ruth 1:22 says, “So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.”

Naomi’s unselfish act, her encouragement to the vulnerable Ruth, is the model for all such relationships. It’s intentionally about the other person. It’s the story of a woman mentoring and loving another she sees as a daughter.

So how will your mother-in-law's story be recorded? Have you ever thought about that? How will the women in your family remember you?

Let’s pray.

Lord, people are watching us, and they’re watching how we treat others. Nowhere is that more important than in our own homes, and in our own families. Help us think of others before we think of ourselves. In Jesus’ name, amen.

She’s not very well known, even though she’s in the Bible. But Jochebed…who’s heard of her? Go ahead—raise your hands. This great woman deserves a bigger story in our culture because she modeled what it means to act with bravery, and to value all life.

Exodus 2:3 says, “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.”

Jochebed, you see, was the mother of Moses. Knowing that Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be killed, she hid her infant son in a basket among the reeds of the Nile. And when Pharaoh’s daughter found the boy, she felt sorry for him and took him in; the rest as they say, is history!

It’s been said that the love a mother has for her children is the strongest human bond. Long ago, a slave defied the empire and saved her son. He went on to change history.

Sometimes we just have to step out in faith and be intentional about courage.

Let’s pray.

Lord, this woman inspires us today. Thank you that the story of this sweet mother, Jochebed, was recorded for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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—and 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, and we thank you for the blessing of knowing and appreciating women such as these. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Welcome to the Kerusso Daily Devotional. Good morning…good afternoon…whatever time it is where you are. Where are you today? I don’t mean on the way to work or your kitchen or a doctor’s office. I mean, is your life stable? Are you on the right road? 

Our topic this week is the perfect timing of God. You might be in an okay place, or you might be free-falling. As usual, God’s Word speaks to this.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Wow. That is a description of how your Creator is managing your life. You see it as a disaster. He sees you as beautiful. He is smoothing the path in front of you.

Can I give you some advice? If today is rainy and gloomy for you, quiet your mind for a few minutes, wherever you are. Meditate on our verse for today. If you can’t really see where your life is going, you’re not alone. All of us see through a glass darkly, as the apostle Paul said.

But God sees everything, and He sees it clearly. He knows where you’re going and just as important, He knows where you are now. God’s got this. Rest in that today.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, we are deeply grateful that you are in charge and that you love us. We love you, too. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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You probably know whether you’re a morning or night person. Science has some good news for you early risers: Apparently, the early bird really does get the worm.

In a study of early risers versus night owls, researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered strong connections in the regions of the brain that can predict better performance and lower sleepiness; these areas were significantly stronger in study participants who identified themselves as early birds.

Whether you burn the midnight oil and sleep the day away or rise before the sun, there is power in beginning your day by connecting with God in prayer—whether that happens to be before dawn, or at the crack of noon.

Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Any time is a great time to reach out to the Lord in prayer, and one of the best ways to build a consistent prayer habit is to schedule your prayer time.

Try setting your alarm a few minutes early to give yourself a spiritual head start on the day. Thank God for the people and circumstances you’re grateful for. Ask Him to bless the ones you love, and to guide your footsteps.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you God, for wiring us uniquely to be night owls, early birds, or something in between. Your timing is always right. Keep us in tune with you through regular prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever heard someone recall a tough time and be happy about it? Not very often, right?

We all go through stuff we’d rather forget. When tough times hit us without warning, it’s natural to just wish it could all be over— immediately! Humans are built to run from trouble. How do you grind through when it’s so bad you want to die?

Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

This is something that separates Christianity from other faiths. In the Bible, we see it all: good, bad, and everything in between. Faith isn’t handed to you like a plate of cookies.

Faith can be messy.

But it is a truism that anything worth having is worth fighting for, and waiting on. God’s timing is often very different from our own, and the story He has planned for us may follow a very narrow path. True faith is joy beyond our full understanding, and the Source of our Faith is always ready to carry us when we can’t make it. That is the essence of holding fast.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, your Word tells us that you will always be with us, in the good times and the bad. God we believe you, we thank you, and we love you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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In 1943, Winston Churchill wanted an invasion of Europe to defeat the Nazis, but the Americans weren’t ready. They were ready one year later. And when the Germans on the French beaches saw thousands of ships coming through the mist one morning, they knew Franklin Roosevelt, the American president, had been right to wait. 

Now the allies were at full strength and aiming for victory. Timing saved civilization. 

It’s like that in life sometimes, isn’t it? For all of us. How many times have we been sure that we needed something right now, but then had to wait? 

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has set eternity in the hearts of men. Yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

God knows what you need, and when you need it. And the Bible says He’s known all of this since before He created the world. His timing wins every time. And that’s a good reminder. 

Let’s pray.

Lord, you know best, all of our needs. Thank you for delivering on your timing and not ours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Science. It’s pretty cool. 

Did you know what we think of as a day—how long it takes the Earth to rotate—isn’t actually 24 hours. According to NASA, it’s 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.2 seconds. A day on the planet Mercury—it's a whopping 58 Earth days, 15 hours and 30 minutes. 

Can you imagine a Monday that lasts over 1400 hours? Our Creator God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us the perfect amount of daytime for work and play, and nighttime for rest. He gave us seven days for productivity, and most importantly, he gave us the Sabbath, a time to rest and to gather as believers to acknowledge His goodness. 

Humans are busy creatures, and sometimes we wish we had more time to accomplish a task or extra hours in the day. When a situation is difficult, we wish it was over already and gnash our teeth and clench our fists and frustration. 

It’s tempting to spend our lives watching the clock, trying to force our circumstances into our own ideal timelines, but there’s a better way. God’s plan is not our own plan, and it doesn’t run on the world’s timeline. 

When you’re waiting for that big promotion. Remember, God will promote you when it’s time, when you’re patient and persistent in following Him. When you’re worrying over forthcoming test results. Remember, God is holding you in the palm of His hand. He will give you answers in His time. 

Faith means letting life happen all in good time and all on God's timeline. 

Let’s pray. 

Heavenly Father, help us to trust you and to follow in your path for us, even when we’re not sure what will happen next or when our next steps will be revealed. We know you love us, and your plans for us are good. Thank you for your love, your faithfulness, and your saving grace. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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