Kerusso Daily Devotional

Who likes to wait for what we need or want? Basically — nobody. 

Of those nine elements that make up the Fruit of the Spirit, patience may be the hardest. 

Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” And patience is learned, which makes it one of the sweetest fruits the Spirit gives us. Waiting for a payoff of some kind makes the end result that much more rewarding, and life teaches us that. 

A childless Hannah endured mocking and ridicule, but the Bible tells us in First Samuel that she prayed, and she waited. Imagine how she felt when the date of her delivery drew near. She eventually had several children, but it was her patience in waiting on Samuel that made all the difference. 

If you're waiting for something very important, read and meditate on the Fruits of the Spirit, especially patience. 

Let's pray. 

Lord, give us the patience of Hannah when we're frustrated by waiting, and teach us humility in the process in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

1 Peter 5:6–7 says, “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”

These two short verses tell us several things: One — if we submit to God’s power by acknowledging we can’t solve our problems, He is strong enough to intervene and bring about the outcome we really want.

Second, He does this in His own time, on His own timetable.

Third, we are to leave our problems at His feet. There is nothing wrong with getting an image in your mind where you actually do this and then walk away, your burden lifted.

Key in getting on track is recognizing that you might have trust problem. If you’ve been deeply hurt by, say, a family member, you might subconsciously be failing to trust God himself.

And this is a first step in getting free of fear for good.

Know that an unburdened mind is not usually gained quickly, or without what we would call maintenance. The only thing predictable about our world is that it’s unpredictable. If you think you’re going to have one great afternoon and then every day after that is carefree, you’re deluding yourself.

We’ve already established that a daily time of prayer, reading your Bible, and focusing on God’s love for you is a combination that our enemy can’t overcome. Choosing to believe God’s Word is practical, and it works. That can’t be emphasized enough!

Jesus said in John 16:33 that we will absolutely have trouble in our lives, but that He has already overcome the world. This fact will help to keep you on that straight path that will ultimately one day lead to paradise with the One that created you, sustains you, and loves you forever.

Let’s pray.

Lord, having the discipline to daily rely on you is something we often lack. When we focus and concentrate our minds and our hearts on your good gifts, fear leaves, and can be replaced with courage and peace. Thank you for providing for all of our needs, all the time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I’m not sure where you’re at today. You might be angry at God. Something happened, maybe in your life, that has damaged your faith. If we live in the world long enough, it can happen to any of us.

How you respond is really important. If you’ve listened previously, you know we are talking about how to live by faith.

Having perseverance when we’re miserable is really, really hard. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re the only one.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, and not by sight.”

Really listen to the words: “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

That’s how we’re supposed to live. Not for a few hours or a day or even a season. For life. It’s how we’re supposed to live. And we don’t always cling to what we can see in the short term.

Strong faith is built over time. Think back over your life to those times when God met your needs. Big needs! Those were the moments He gave you to prove that His strength is not limited.

That’s how we walk by faith!

Let’s pray. 

Lord, life is a marathon, it’s not a quick sprint. God help us to walk by faith, from beginning to end. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Even during times of calm and security, the honest truth is, there are very few examples of really strong and steady leaders.

It’s a given then that when times are scary, brave leaders that reassure us are really needed…but really rare!

The Bible speaks of one such person.

Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua was an especially passionate and courageous leader. A born leader. God used him during a time the Israelites were ‘going all wobbly,’ as a political leader once said.

The Israelites had seen it all. A plague in Egypt. An army bearing down on them. Mass hunger. Homelessness for years.

But Joshua played it all with a chip on his shoulder. An edge of anger really that caused him to never be afraid. In his community, he was boss—and everyone knew it. God made him that way.

In your own community—your family at home, your church family, a group of scared coworkers—be a Joshua. Be strong and courageous. Set your feet so that your legs don’t go wobbly, and then tell your people that God has this.

He is with you, wherever this situation goes.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, Joshua is our human example of courage. Help us keep others safe and calm in the midst of crisis. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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 even with our very lives.

Let’s pray.

Jesus, it’s unlikely anyone will threaten to throw us into a fiery furnace, but sometimes it sure feels like our feet are put to the fire. 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.

Are you the kind of person everyone looks at and assumes you are strong and together?

You too, huh? Many of us look fine on the outside, but the human condition is often much different on the inside.

Proverbs 31:25 says this of a godly woman: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

But the thing is, God did not make us to have a spirit of fear. He never planned for us to suffer from depression or anxiety.

Look, life happens. Sometimes we just are rocked by circumstances. But God’s Word says that we don’t stay there. We keep our eyes on Him and He is our strength. It’s not even our job to find the strength to breathe and go about our day!

The person who endures a cancer diagnosis isn’t doing it on her own. When Christ dwells in you, He takes the burdens and promises that in the end, we will be healed.

If you look like a confident statue on the outside, but you’re about to lose it on the inside, take time to tell that to Jesus. Give Him your fears and doubts.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we are not in this alone. Your grace is sufficient for all our needs, every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today we're talking about the emotional benefits of forgiveness.

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 of 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 that 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 comes from forgiving.

She said it impacts emotional health in that if you don't take care of you, nobody will. Taking care of you means 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.

Today, we're talking about the physical benefits of forgiveness. There are several stories in the Bible that tell us when God's people obey Him, they are in better physical and emotional shape. Remember, Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the rich food sent by the king. After several weeks of their own diet, they emerged healthier than other young men in the Babylonian kingdom. So, too, do we learn that an attitude of forgiveness leads to peace. 

In Matthew 18:21–22, we read, “‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but 77 times.’”

When Peter asked this, Jesus was thinking not only of the person who was to be forgiven, but also about the well-being of Peter. We know from scripture that the hot-tempered Peter learned to temper his temper over time.

Notice that the exchange between Peter and Jesus about forgiveness is an ongoing process. It isn't a one-time deal. Being intentional about the art of practicing forgiveness ensures that we don't fall back into bad habits. 

A Journal of Behavioral Medicine study tells us that forgiving someone can reduce feelings of tension, anger, depression, and fatigue. This leads to much better sleep patterns. Another study provides evidence that forgiveness can lower blood pressure significantly, especially among spouses. An article in the Journal of Health Psychology provides a link between much lower stress levels and people who forgive.

God knows us in every way. He created us. In Philippians 4:7 we read, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This comes in the form of a person who is willing to make a conscious choice to forgive, and let grudges go. 

The enemy of our souls wants us to hang on to bitterness. The God who created us and loves us wants to see us well, along with those who have hurt us. Healing replicates itself, and it starts with us. 

Let's pray. 

Father, it's painful to watch someone who's locked down by unforgiveness. Help us model what it looks like to be healthy and whole when we forgive. 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.

Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive? No matter what your worldview is, it's obvious to all that the world just hurts. And for the Christian, the knowledge that we live in a fallen world is an explanation, but that doesn't soothe the pain.

Matt Swatzell was driving home one morning after a shift as a firefighter in EMS. He'd only slept 30 minutes in the previous 24 hours. Suddenly, he was aware of a crash. He realized he'd fallen asleep, and hit a pregnant woman driving with her young daughter. The woman was killed. Her family's devastation was beginning. And Matt Swatzell was plunged into his own hell. What could he possibly say to that woman's husband?

One of the outcomes of living in a less-than-perfect world is that we have to deal with emotional and physical pain. It's a fact of life. Sometimes the emotional side of it is worse than the physical side. 

Mark 11:25 says, “And when you stand praying if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” 

Wrestling with forgiveness is a tough one. Sometimes we wrong someone. Other times it's us on the receiving end of something terrible. The Bible actually has quite a bit to say about forgiveness, and the bottom line is this: it's a choice. Each one of us can choose to forgive so that the long process of healing can take place.

Matt Swatzel knows this very well. At his sentencing, he found that the victim's husband was a pastor, Eric Fitzgerald. Incredibly, Fitzgerald asked for leniency for Swatzel, and he got it. Later, the two met by chance in a store, and Fitzgerald was ready to forgive. He said, “You forgive as you've been forgiven. It wasn't an option. If you've been forgiven, then you need to extend that forgiveness.” Their video story has been viewed millions of times in the last few years, and it proves one thing. You can choose to forgive the most vicious wrong, and that's up to you.

Let's pray. 

Father God, sometimes the hurt is too much to bear. Choosing to forgive is one of the hardest things we can do, but help us to choose this path so that healing on all sides can begin. In Jesus' name. Amen.