Kerusso Daily Devotional

Our world needs many things. We have political concerns, environmental concerns, broken relationships, and disease that still stalks too many countries.

It’s also true that God doesn’t leave us in despair. He doesn’t allow our problems to overcome us, if we trust Him.

Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

This is our anchor, the blessing of hope. This week we’re talking about hope and joy, and these are given to us freely by our Loving Father.

Do you have hope? Are you anchored in anything? If not, tell God you need Him. You’ll find that He not only comes to you in need, but He will use you afterward to spread hope and joy.

It’s been said that people can’t live without hope, and that is so true.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, thank you for giving us hope. Help us spread that message wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In Christ, we experience peace that is so remarkable, it isn’t naturally part of this world. As we think about the power forgiveness has for us and others, let’s think about how forgiving someone lifts a huge burden off our minds. 

Matthew 5:23–24 says, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift.”

Notice that God is aware how we think. This passage from Matthew describes a very interesting trait that is often overlooked. The person who has come to worship God cannot properly do that, because he remembers there’s trouble in his relationship with his friend. We just can’t let it go. God is telling us here to take care of this spirit of unforgiveness first, then come back for worship. Refusing to do things in this order only diminishes our time with God. 

Jonathan Draper has written about this problem of holding onto grudges, and he specifically says that having a forgiving spirit allows us to grow closer to God. This is the number one benefit of forgiveness.

Tony Roberts is an Indiana pastor and relationship expert. In a conversation he had with a young woman impacted by a negative relationship, he asked for her top emotional health benefits that come from forgiving. She said, “It impacts emotional health, in that if you don’t take care of you, nobody will.”

Taking care of you is forgiving and forgetting that person for trespassing against you. Forgetting isn’t the most important part, but it’s definitely one of the most challenging. And if they don’t happen, you will lose yourself. Now, think about that. God has promised to walk with us through our trials, and those include cycles of unforgiveness. It’s critical to our emotional well-being that we forgive, so that we begin the process of looking after our own emotional health. Letting go of bitterness is an important first step.

Let’s pray. 

Father God, you intended for us to live in harmony, so that our physical bodies and our emotional selves would be in sync. And when that doesn’t happen, we need your help to strike the right balance. Please walk with us in divine health. Let us come to a place where we embrace forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

How much can one person take, and still choose to offer kindness?

In Genesis Chapter 37, verses 12–36, 17-year-old Joseph is sent by his father to visit his brothers, who were tending the family’s flock of sheep in the countryside.

Rather than the friendly check-in he expected, Joseph’s brothers initially plotted to kill him out of jealousy, but instead sold him into slavery to a group of Ishmaelites heading for Egypt. Among the brothers, only Reuben wished to leave Joseph unharmed, attempting (but failing) to set up a situation where he could rescue his brother and return him to their father.

In Egypt, Joseph was falsely accused of a crime, thrown into prison, became an interpreter of dreams for Pharaoh, and eventually attained a seat of power over Egypt.

When famine hit the land where his brothers lived, they came to Egypt to buy grain. They didn’t know Joseph was not only alive, but was now the governor of Egypt. To their surprise, Joseph wasn’t angry at his brothers, but showed them compassion when he saw them again. Instead of taking revenge, he took them in and cared for them. Joseph knew everything that had happened was part of God’s plan, and what his brothers intended for harm, God intended for good.

Ephesians 4:2 says, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

The story of Joseph teaches us that humility, patience, gentleness, and love are not just qualities to be saved up for those who we think deserve it; God asks us to approach others with love even if they have offended or caused us harm.

Let’s pray.

Lord, sometimes the people in our lives are disappointing, frustrating, or downright hurtful. God, help us to love those who fall short and need our forgiveness the most, and to bear with each other with patience and with grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Is there someone in your life whose forgiveness you need? 

Legendary cowboy actor Roy Rogers said something profound. He said that sometimes it hurts to do the right thing, but afterwards, you’ll feel better. 

When it comes to forgiveness, this certainly applies to choosing to forgive someone who has wronged you. But have you considered that it can be even tougher to ask for someone’s forgiveness? Humans hate to fail, and most of us hate looking foolish. It hurts. Maybe you’ve hurt someone recently, or maybe the hurt happened a long time ago and it just festers.

Luke 6:37 says, “Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” 

Brenda Blakely knows all about this. The daughter of an alcoholic father, she resented both her parents for years. One day though, she realized that she had internalized her anger so much that it in turn targeted her mother. Brenda called her one day and began pouring out her heart, acknowledging that her bitterness had caused her to be difficult growing up. It was a painful revelation. Yet at the end of the call, her mother’s heart was moved. She said to Brenda, “I forgive you, and please forgive me.”

Choosing to ask for forgiveness might literally be the hardest thing you ever have to do. Maybe you’re not there yet, but keep your mind and your heart open. The end result will be well worth the wait, and think of the person whose forgiveness you’re asking. Remember the words of Corrie Ten Boom, who nearly died in a Nazi extermination camp. She said this, “To forgive is to set the prisoner free and to realize that the prisoner was me.” 

Let’s pray. 

Father, our sinful human nature rebels against humbling ourselves and asking for forgiveness, but give us this practical thing, Father, to be objective and really examine ourselves to see if we’ve hurt someone and never made amends. Help us move towards reconciliation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

One of the most corrosive elements in the human character is unforgiveness. Bitterness and fighting in relationships is really a drain. Physically and emotionally, we’re simply not wired to survive long-term problems in this area. 

According to Dr. Michael Berry, 61% of cancer patients have forgiveness issues. And Dr. Karen Schwartz of the Johns Hopkins Hospital confirms that the hurt and disappointment associated with forgiveness issues can spike incidents of heart disease, depression, and diabetes. On the other hand, forgiveness calms stress levels, leading to improved health. 

The Bible tells us that we can make the decision to forgive when someone wrongs us. 

In Colossians 3:13 we read, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you so you must forgive others.” Did you notice that? We should basically cut each other some slack. 

We all fail, but making a choice to let it go, especially with an individual, will benefit everyone. Your own stress will melt away. It's like a gift you can give yourself. 

In a Focus on the Family article by Rose Sweet, we find this key piece of wisdom that can unlock our inability to forgive: “Forgiveness is returning to God the right to take care of justice. By refusing to transfer the right to exact punishment or revenge, we are telling God we don’t trust him to take care of those matters.” 

So you see, it’s not really so much about the person who wronged you, it’s more about your refusal to let God handle it. By doing that, by letting God handle it, taking that critical step, we can step into the freedom that God had waiting for us the whole time. Your physical health will improve, but that pales in comparison to the improvement in your spiritual health. 

Let’s pray. 

God, an unforgiving spirit is so hard to carry. Help us see daily that we can choose to forgive just like you chose to forgive us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Even though most U.S. homes have at least one copy of the Bible, few know what’s in it.

There are all sorts of things: wisdom for living, history, spiritual food. It’s the Bible’s practical value that hooks most people who read it. The Bible says a lot about money, how to raise kids, and even how to strengthen your marriage.

It also tells us a lot about forgiveness. Forgiveness is mentioned dozens of times in the Bible. 

In Genesis 33, Esau forgives his brother Jacob’s treachery in stealing his birthright. And the most famous example is the forgiveness Jesus chooses on the cross, as His accusers and executioners mock Him. Think about how hard that was! It gives some perspective on our own situations in life.

When you think about it, the entire theme of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is one of forgiveness. 

Man chose to bring sin into the world, and defy God’s perfect plan. Yet God didn’t leave us in that state. He made a way for our sins to be put away forever. Jesus Christ became the vessel through which forgiveness could be extended on an epic scale.

One of the most difficult passages in all the Bible is found in the New Testament. Matthew 5:43–45 says, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and you hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.”

In the here and now, is there anything more difficult than forgiving a mocking enemy?

There are people in the world who delight in making others miserable their whole lives. But Jesus is telling us forgiveness is possible. The key is when we take the long view. We must mentally and emotionally take ourselves out of the pain we‘re experiencing right now. Think of the future. Begin imagining the most wonderful healing that can take place between enemies.

That’s what God did for us. The Bible tells us He is holy, and cannot look on sin. Yet in Genesis Chapter 3, God began the process of grace. In the Gospels, and in Paul’s letters, we see Him continuing to be patient with us. And then in Revelation, the long view: God takes our acts of forgiveness and makes a powerful, redemptive new world. And we can look forward to that.

Let’s pray.

Father, thank you for having mercy on us in every way. Sometimes we need to forgive someone, and sometimes the shoe is on the other foot. Help us to read your Word, and act on your commands to forgive. Especially when it hurts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Does your love for God make your heart sing?

The psalms, many of them, were written as songs of worship. King David in particular, loved to sing praises to His Lord. Whether he was tending his flock under a night sky, or sitting in his palace in Jerusalem, David had a heart for the Lord.

Psalm 104:1 says, “Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.”

In this kind of worship, we feel especially close to God. It is then we focus on His majesty and His power. We feel close to Him, and we’re able to speak freely with Him.

This kind of intentional meditation on Higher Things also puts us in our place, and we mean that in the best sense of the phrase. Hierarchy in true religion is very important, and when we consider that the God we sing praises to loves us eternally, and always wants the best for us, well—it releases us to worship God with all of our being. And it is then we are free.

Take time today to praise the Lord for who He is, not forgetting the great things He has done for you. Because…He is very great!

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are awesome in ways that we can barely understand. Even with those limitations—God we love you with abandon. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We all want to feel secure. We can look fine on the outside, but be something much less on the inside. And the first step to overcoming vulnerability is to feel okay with who we are.

Psalm 62:5–6 says, “Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on Him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure.”

The tension comes when we balance healthy self-esteem with our sin nature. Can we feel good about ourselves, while recognizing that we desperately need a Savior?

The answer is, yes we can. 

In fact, Jesus flat-out loves us, and values us so much that He came to Earth to pay the penalty for our sin. Modern psychology might get it wrong sometimes, but recognizes that humans must overcome shame and self-doubt in order to thrive. 

In other words, healthy self-esteem is an important part of overall good health. Jesus knew that all along. What does the Word say? “God gives us inward peace.” And that’s the essence of healthy self-esteem.

Let’s pray.

Lord, help us not to get too full of ourselves. Help us to see ourselves the way you see us: worthy of your love for all time. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The big question for today is—how do you develop a prayer life? The answer to how we develop a healthy prayer life is really not that complicated. It’s all about choice. We can learn to pray first by reading scripture and taking notice of the hundreds of prayers offered by believers just like us. We can also talk with veterans of prayer in our own life, those who are older and deeper in their faith. But notice something about the prayers recorded in the Bible. They aren’t contrived or intellectual, oftentimes. Those things don’t impress God anyway, since He knows everything about us, we can’t fool Him or hide or fake our feelings. 

In fact, the people in the Bible, and those in your life who talk to God all the time—just simply talk to Him. Some prayers are messy or sound selfish, such as Jabez’s plea for God to increase his influence. Others are said in desperate moments, but sound calming. Like David’s famous 23rd Psalm. 

Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is near to all who call on him in truth.” 

This tells us that we don’t have to do something in order to be worthy to speak with God. He simply is, and He very simply invites us to share with him, to unburden ourselves. And in Ephesians 6:18, we learn a lot about prayer. It says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” 

This is the prayer of someone who commits time each day to talk with God. This prayer warrior knows that he or she can talk to God about literally anything. Next, and just as important, this person prays for others. This is a far more powerful way to pray than many think, because history is full of stories of people who prayed and God acted in someone else’s life immediately. 

The most important steps you can take in developing a prayer life are to understand that you don’t have to be a PhD in theology or have an IQ of 180. You simply talk to God in the most natural way. God warms to a sincere and searching heart. Next, you have to realize that your prayer life can take many forms, a quick moment during a busy day, in the still of the night with no one around, or in a designated area where you feel comfortable. 

Once you get in the habit of praying, you’ll be amazed what a good change there is in your life. Faith is strengthened. You’re no longer alone. Throughout history, men and women and children have made the choice to talk with the one who made them and loves them, and it’s not any more complicated than that. 

Let’s pray. 

Father God, in your mercy, you invite us to tell you what’s on our minds. We know that communication is a two-way street; nudge us to listen to your voice, and take as much time as we need to pray. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Nikki couldn’t leave her apartment—sometimes for days, her anxiety about everything from health issues to the weather had hijacked her life. She needed help. 

One morning after she had talked with a friend on the phone, she heard someone outside her door, and it was her friend. The woman simply announced herself and then pushed a piece of paper under Nikki’s door. And the only thing written on the paper was Psalm 94:19, which says, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” 

The words just ran over Nikki, and she cried. She felt in that moment the very thing the verse promises, and within a couple of days, she was able to leave her home and begin the process of recovering from a lifetime of fear.

The Lord is like that. He’s always just outside our door, always ready to comfort us when life scares us to death. He also provides us with the ability to reason, and to look at our options. And if scripture is a healing place, we can also find help through counseling. 

If you’re experiencing destabilizing fear in your life, there is absolutely nothing wrong with reaching out for help. Often the combination of prayer, really seeking God and getting honest with Him, and talking with another human is the key that unlocks that door and frees you from a dark room of fears, whether they be rational or irrational. If you can’t do anything at all in the moment, just take a breath and cry out to God, and then talk yourself into sharing with somebody else. You’ll be surprised in a good way, how healthy you’ll begin to feel. 

Let’s pray.

Father God, often the days can seem as dark as the nights, but in your strength, we can rebuke fear and watch it leave us. Help us in those terrible moments to call on you, and to accept the safety only you can bring. In Jesus’ name, amen.