Kerusso Daily Devotional

It's that time of year, snowstorms slam the country from west to east. And hey, we love snow, but it can get old. But are we thinking about it the right way? In fact, it's another way for us to see and enjoy God's creation and reflect on just how majestic He is. 

Job 38:22 says, “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow?” 

What a beautiful picture. In this section of Job, God tells the suffering man about the incredible design and beauty He placed in creation, and that includes each unique snowflake. 

Think about it. There are storehouses of snow, an infinite number of artistic flakes of ice, and God made it part of the variety of our lives for our enjoyment. 

So yeah, shoveling snow or skidding to the store for milk before the big storm hits might not be strictly fun. But if we see those things only that way, we're missing beauty that is truly indescribable. God created storehouses of wonder just for you. 

Let's pray. Lord, thank you for snow and for reminding us that you created a delightful world for us to live in. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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 are 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.

When we walk with God, we want to see that our relationships are healthy. It’s part of the command to love one another.

Few things are more heartbreaking than damaged relationships. When those linger, the Body of Christ is weakened. Churches split because of it. Families suffer for it.

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.”

Notice that we are to walk in all His ways. And what did the Lord do in every situation in the Bible that involved relationships? He provided the very best.

That’s our mandate. Do excellence in your relationships. Has someone wronged you, or do they mock you? Take your eyes off their smug expressions and “walk in all His ways.” You’ll be surprised how some people will react, in a good way!

Just as we read that spouses can choose to pray for an unbelieving spouse in the hopes they come to repentance and wholeness, so too can we simply choose to want the best in all our relationships.

Let’s pray.

Lord, relationships are difficult! But how blessed we are by You, that You created them for us. Most of all our relationship with You, our Creator. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

How many times do we make a plan to boost our health and we’re sailing along for a while…and then everything crashes?

Athletes train year-round. That way, there’s no letdown or drop-off from peak performance.

As believers, we have to have the same mindset. A champion figure skater doesn’t skate for six weeks, then take a few months off. NFL cornerbacks don’t stop watching film and keeping their bodies in peak shape after the season is over.

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.”

It’s all about habits. Good habits. Good habits that are continuous and disciplined. The result will be a much, much better you for the race God has called you to run.

Get in the habit of healthy eating, exercise, and mental health. You’ll be glad that you did, and the Lord will be pleased.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for giving us our bodies, Father. They need our careful attention year-round, and we’re committed to doing that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Janet remembered how alive she had felt when she was disciplined in her prayer life and Bible study. She surprised herself one day when she blurted out, “I could think clearer, before I got mentally lazy!”

Just saying it out loud kicked her out of the that fog she’d been in since forever.

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.”

The enemy wants to distract us from our God-given mission. He wants to cloud our thinking so much that we can’t do anything for the Lord effectively.

Committing yourself to healthy thoughts and desires helps create a fully developed you. The Bible tells us to make a captive of every thought we have, so as to be a better witness for Christ.

Don’t neglect this important part of your health this year! Spend time in study of God’s Word, and ask Him to bless you with a clear head to stay focused on the plans He has for you. 

Let’s pray.

Lord, the more we meditate on your truths, the better we feel, especially mentally. Thank you for giving us the ability to think! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When we look at the amazing diversity all around us in nature, we see that no detail escaped God’s attention. He created all things to live in harmony.

That includes our individual physical bodies. He intends for us to be healthy and whole—mind, body, and soul.

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.”

In order to fully serve God, we can’t neglect anything. So that we can be a faithful witness of His love and sacrifice, we must take care of ourselves, including our health.

You will not be able to effectively witness for Christ if you don’t take care of yourself. One of the easiest ways to do that is to simply walk some each day. Make a real effort to walk in the fresh air, to strengthen your heart of love for a hurting world.

Get out there!

Let’s pray.

Lord, you direct our steps. Help us to be at the top of our game, including physically. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Picture what it would look like to lose everything in one fell swoop. Your house burns to the ground. The stock market plummets and all your money is gone. Worst of all, your children fall ill and die. Suddenly, you’ve lost not only your material possessions, but your family, too.

When people refer to someone as having “the patience of Job,” they say that for a reason.

Job was a man of immense wealth, the richest man in the region, and was the father of 7 sons and 3 daughters he loved dearly. He was also a faithful servant of the Lord, and grateful for every blessing.

In a terrible turn of events, Job lost his fortune in a single day. His crops, property, livestock, and servants were gone. Most devastating of all, Job lost his children. But Job didn’t blame God. He accepted that God had a plan for him, and was patient as he waited for the Lord to reveal that plan. He knew that sometimes bad things happen, and he continued to praise the Lord in the midst of trial.

Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Job lost everything, but he didn’t take matters into his own hands to seek justice for what he had lost. He fell to his knees and worshiped the Lord, and then he was still. In the quiet of his soul, Job knew God had a plan, and in the end, God restored to Job twice as much as he had in the beginning.

A godly man is patient.

Let’s pray.

Lord, waiting is so hard to do. Waiting for an answer. Waiting for resolution. Waiting for things to get better. God restore peace and patience as we grow in faith, and learn to wait on you. We trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Carissa was having one of those days. Instead of hitting the snooze button on her alarm clock, she had turned it off. Now the kids were late for school, she was late for work, and the tone for the day was one mad rush — emphasis on the mad. 

As the day wore on, she thought about her impatience and frustration with her children as everyone got dressed and grabbed a granola bar on the way out the door. It wasn’t their fault the family was running behind, and she regretted sending them to school with tension, instead of hugs and kisses.

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

Of all the lessons we teach our children, kindness stands out. We have an opportunity to show patience, humility, and God’s love to colleagues, classmates, neighbors, and friends — and the people in our lives learn more from watching how we behave, than they do from just being told what to do. 

We have a choice in how we treat others, and God asks us to approach the people around us with love. When Carissa arrived home from work, the first thing she did was apologize to the kids for the cranky way their day began, and let them know kindness matters morning, noon, and night — even when we’re running late.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for the wisdom the Bible teaches us about kindness. Help us to be patient when we’re short on time, and to be an example of your love in every situation — even when circumstances fall short of perfect. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When you're having a bad day, a run-in with an immensely cheerful person doesn't always turn that frown upside down, does it? Commiserating with someone else though, a word literally defined by two or more people wallowing in misery together, that can be a balm to an anxious and worried mind, sometimes. The relief though is temporary. 

Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” 

The Apostle Paul was talking about more than mere cheerfulness in his letter to the Christian believers of Rome. Nowhere in the Bible does the Lord command us thou shalt always be chipper. But these wise words from Paul remind us to think before we sink. No matter what hardships we face, our hope is found in Jesus Christ. And this hope is an infinite well of joy we can turn to in times of trouble.

Paul also reminds believers to be patient no matter what befalls us. Paul was a respected missionary, even honored and admired by powerful officials of his day who didn't share his Christian beliefs. Despite his good standing, for a period of two years he was in prison, literally chained and under constant guard. And from this depth of experience, he's able to tell others to be patient in affliction. 

Whether our chains are literal or figurative in nature, the trials we face can mold our character and build our patience if we choose to let them.

The most important part of Paul's message in this verse is the reminder to be faithful in prayer. God is worthy of all honor and praise, but He also knows us, understands our weaknesses, and loves us anyway. 

On the days life feels too difficult to approach the Lord with a smile on our faces and joy in our hearts, he still wants to hear from us. Prayer's not a sometimes thing. It's an all-the-time practice that grows our faith, strengthens our relationship with God, and changes our lives. So be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. 

Let's pray. 

Lord, you are the source of all our hope, the teacher of patience, and the one who listens to every prayer. Help us to choose joy over despair, patience over exasperation, and to pray faithfully. Sometimes fear and frustration threaten to overwhelm us, but you are near. And we pray you will turn our hearts to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Tim closed his laptop and wondered what to do next.

He had a degree. Great job experience. Enthusiasm and passion for his work… But the job market was tough in his new hometown, and his savings was running out fast.

“Lord,” he prayed, “please help me find a job. You know my talents, and what I need to help support my family. Please provide.”

He’d been praying this same prayer daily, but no job had come along. Tim knew God’s promises were real, but the disappointment of unanswered prayer was weighing on his mind.

Luke 18:1 says, “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

God’s timing is not our timing — even when we are frustrated, even when money is tight and circumstances are strained. 

The Bible promises when we obey the Lord, we can ask for what we need in prayer and God will provide.

God’s answer doesn’t always come immediately. Sometimes it’s completely different than what we expect. The answer might even be a resounding, “No,” and we have to trust God’s plan, even though it doesn’t meet our hopes or expectations.

In Tim’s case, an ideal job in his field was advertised a couple of weeks later. His new work offered exciting challenges, the opportunity to network in his new community, and a Christian leadership team at work. God came through for Tim, big time!

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for loving us through our impatience. Your plans for us are good, and your timing is always right. Thank you for hearing our prayers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.