Kerusso Daily Devotional

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.Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Hers is the greatest motherhood story of all time. You know who she is.Magnificent Mary!Her story has been told many times, but how grateful we are that it's recorded in Scripture. Whatever God's reasons for choosing this particular woman to give birth to Jesus, we know that she must have loved the Lord with all her heart.And just think how her head and heart must have been spinning when the angel visited her and told her the special job God was going to give her!Luke 1:46–48 says, “And Mary said: “‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.'”We know little about her beyond that, although we are given some fascinating details: she socialized with her Son, as we see at the wedding in Cana.And of course, she was with Him at His death. No mother should have to endure that, but Mary was very strong. Her toughness and love ring like a bell through time. We remember her way of finding patience and faith.Maybe the most amazing thing about her is that God trusted Mary with an initial secret that would have floored most people!She handled it, though. The mother of our Lord was ready when her time came.Let's pray.Lord, the mother of Jesus shows us an eternal love. It is also a mystery of sorts for us, but we know that this amazing mother is experiencing supernatural joy, forever! In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15. 

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 is intentionally about the other person. It is the story of a woman mentoring and loving another she sees as her daughter.So, how will your mother-in-law's story be recorded? Have you thought about that?How will the women in your family remember you?Let's pray.Lord, people are watching us in how we treat others. Nowhere is that more important than in our own homes. Help us think of others before we think of ourselves. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15. 

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be close to Jesus when He was on the earth? It would have been amazing to be in His inner circle.We know of a remarkable woman, a family member, who would have been able to be around to watch the most amazing life unfold.Her name was Elizabeth. An aunt of Jesus.We read in Luke that everyone thought that the time for Elizabeth to become a mother was passed. In those days people thought sin prevented pregnancy, so this godly woman went through great sorrow.Luke 1:13 says, “But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”But Gabriel, an angel, told her priest husband that she would conceive. She did, and later, when visiting her cousin Mary, felt her own son jump in her womb! Even he knew the significance of such a woman!Elizabeth's son would be named John, and he would be given the privilege of introducing the world to the Man, Jesus. Both mothers would endure great tragedy in their lives, but would enjoy fellowship forever with them in glory.Elizabeth knew how to be steady during momentous times. A great lesson for all of us.Let's pray.Lord, sometimes you surprise us with great tasks. Help us to always be ready to stand when you call on us to do something great. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15. 

We think of her as a genteel Southern lady, and she was that, for sure.But Ruth Bell Graham was so much more. While her husband was away so much, preaching to the masses, she was preaching to her own little flock. The result was children who became adults, and in turn shared the Good News of Jesus with others.Anne Graham Lotz and Franklin Graham didn't just fall out of the sky!Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”In their little home in the mountains of North Carolina, while Daddy was in Brussels, New York, and Sydney, Mother Ruth was faithful for years on end to impart godly wisdom to their children. Much iron was sharpened on cold winter nights and long summer days.Theirs was a home that didn't always have both parents available, but they thrived.Use that as an example of how to bring up your own children. You'll be happy forever that you did.Let's pray.Lord, Your Word is good, and it shines a light on our path. Give us the strength to mentor our own children in your ways. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

If you've been fortunate to hold a newborn, you know what it's like to be thunderstruck by the delicate features. Everything is miniature.And then the eyes open. You're in love.Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”A baby is a blessing and a gift from the Lord. All life is precious; it doesn't matter if the parents are famous or completely obscure. In that warm bundle is a whole lifetime waiting to unfold. Will he be adventurous? Will she run the country?Man is capable of much, but creating life as God creates will always remain outside the borders. Only a great and all-powerful God could give us such a beautiful life, and He makes each one of us truly unique.It is an inescapable fact that a human being, separate from everyone else in terms of physicality and emotions, becomes fully formed in its mother's womb. This is perhaps the greatest miracle in all the universe, and one deserving of our awe and respect.Let's pray.Lord, you form us in the womb, and walk with us each step of the way through life. Thank you for your mercies and grace that you freely give each of us. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Of all the gifts God gives His children, joy is perhaps the one closest to heaven on earth.Who isn't aware just how wonderful it feels to experience true joy? It is as if the Lord has freed a prisoner.When American POWs returned from captivity in Vietnam, the looks on their faces as they emerged from the planes carrying them to freedom…well, no one will ever forget that!Psalm 16:9 says, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.Scripture tells us that we don't escape trouble in this life, but that for the believer, eternal joy waits for us, and the Holy Spirit gives us joy in our daily walk in the here and now.It is also ours for the taking, to reach up and pick this fruit that feeds our souls. Sometimes simply making the choice to embrace a joyful spirit is the key to having a blessed day.Let's pray.Lord, you did not create us to be defeated or sad. Your Spirit brings joy in big and small moments, sustaining us for our journey. Thank you for joy. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Have you ever been fooled by someone? Doesn't feel good, does it?But the absolute worst is when we fool ourselves. We try to manage some problem on our own, or analyze why our boss is so mean.But the Bible has a better way of thinking about it.Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”We have to do two things here: give total control to God, and de-emphasize our own judgment. Sometimes our gut is wrong. “Following our heart” often ends in heartache.God doesn't mess up. He doesn't get it wrong. And he really longs to make it better for you.Do you remember a time when you put your life in God's hands? Maybe it was a really important career choice. Or a relationship needed healing. Maybe your body needed healing. Whatever it was, recall that situation today as you wrestle with a new problem.Let's pray.Lord, every time we learn to trust you, it builds our faith a little more. You are a good God who always has our back. Thank you for that. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Gwen closed her eyes and didn't dare to even breathe. Japanese troops were right outside her house, looking for her and other missionaries.It was World War 2, and American forces in the Philippines were nearby. Just when Gwen and her friends thought someone would throw open the trapdoor to their basement hiding place, loud voices began getting dimmer.The enemy troops were distracted, and left in a hurry!Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”God always shows up at the right time. If we can remember that, and commit ourselves to prayer and reading Scripture, we will not let fear overtake us.There are times we need to just be still, and wait on the Lord.He always knows just where we are, and what we need.Let's pray.Lord, help us to be calm when we want to run. By waiting on You, we also practice obedience. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

When trouble is on the horizon, it can be hard to trust in God's promises and to believe He has a plan for us.The book of Judges in the Old Testament gives us an awesome example of trusting God in the story of Gideon.God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle with the Midianites, who had a sizable army of 135,000 men. Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men to battle with the Midianites, but despite odds in favor of the enemy, God told Gideon there were too many men in his army. Through a selection process, God whittled the Israelite army down to just 300 men.Though Gideon was afraid, he trusted God to fulfill His promise. And God told Gideon they needed a smaller army so people would know God won the battle, and not some large army.The night of the battle, Gideon and his servant snuck into the camp of the enemy and overheard the telling of a dream. The two Midianites interpreted the dream to mean that Gideon's small army would wipe out their larger army.Reassured, Gideon returned to camp to begin the battle. The Midianites were so frightened, many of them began fighting and killing one another, thinking that Gideon's army was all around them.Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”Gideon trusted God's plan, even when he didn't understand. Because of his faith, God helped Gideon and the Israelites to conquer the Midianites with an army a fraction of the size of the enemy's.Let's pray.Lord, you are mighty to save. Help us to trust you in every battle. We love you and believe you have a plan for us. Give us courage to face the challenges in our lives, knowing you are here with us, and you have a good plan. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Life is a process. We know that if we've lived very long at all. And this week, we're talking about the process of trusting God.John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”Could Jesus meet our needs by just giving us something instantly? Of course. He made everything! And sometimes He does that; the miracles he performed that are recorded in the New Testament tell us that he often instantly met a person's need.But He doesn't always work that way. That's because Jesus loves to teach us.In the book of John, He is telling us the steps necessary to trust Him for provision. First, we ask. Then we learn to receive His good gifts. Finally, we feel real joy, because we know exactly where it came from.This process is designed to teach us faith and then to be genuinely appreciative to the Lord for meeting our needs. All through the Bible, we are told that He delights in helping us, in loving us through tough times. The older we get, the more we are able to look back and see that He and He alone brought us through.There is usually no other explanation.And that is called a miracle.Let's pray. Lord, we are dependent on you for everything, and we are blessed that you are our Source. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Do you need a miracle? If we're honest and open to the truth, miracles have always been a part of our world. In the beginning, God made a dazzling world full of diversity, beautiful animals, gorgeous sunsets, streams of water. He also made us to enjoy it all, and to keep it for Him. But just like the entrance of sin into our world, which marred the original beauty, we sometimes get weighed down with worry and cares of life. We look up one day, and the drudgery of our days overwhelms us. The supernatural seems far away, and that's the very moment God will act. He has always been with us, and one of His greatest promises is that He will be with us to the end, to the moment He ushers in an eternity too wonderful to fully know now.Revelation 22:1–3 says, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse.” In the meantime, maybe you're really going through a challenge in your life. You need a miracle. Do you know that you can simply ask Jesus for this? He's answered too many people, too many times, not to be real. And if we're honest, the presence and regularity of miracles today are staggering. They're everywhere. So why not you?1 Corinthians 1:1–2 says, “To those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours, grace and peace to you from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” There's such peace in this. Put aside your doubts and your fears. Just ask Him to help you, and He can. He will. In fact, He will bless you so much, you won't be able to stay quiet about it. You will have to tell people. You are a miracle.Let's pray. Father God, you rescue us all the time in ways big and small. Your faithfulness in helping us is worthy of our worship. Thank you for making miracles part of everyday life. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Only a person who is willfully blind could deny that miracles happen today. They didn't end at the shore of the Red Sea. Malachi 3:6 says, “I the Lord do not change.” From this, we can logically see that the Bible's powerful and majestic miracles didn't stop in the first century. They're still happening. God didn't suspend the love he dispenses in the form of miracles. Taylor McCaffrey was an alcoholic as a teenager. He was also a preacher's kid, and these combined to weigh him down with guilt. From the age of 16, he drank heavily, but God didn't leave him there. He says, “On my 21st birthday, I'd been drinking about eight hours straight and simply heard the voice of the Holy Spirit inside me say, ‘Either do what I've called you to, or I will not continue wrestling you.'”It sounded so stern. However, so loving, “I was instantly sober.” And that was several years ago. Today, Taylor is still sober. There are also countless examples of what we might call ‘corporate' miracles—those that bless whole communities. At Christmas time of 2004, a group of 400 believers wanted to hold a Christmas service. The local authorities, though, told them that they could not do that in the city of Meulaboh in North Sumatra. The 400 decided to hold their service in a remote mountain region, and they stayed overnight. Early the next morning, an earthquake and resulting tsunami flattened their city, but they were safe in the higher elevations. Had they opted not to worship Jesus during their holiday, they would have perished.The fact is, our world is miracle-heavy. They happen all the time. Miracles happen to ordinary people and to whole nations every day. This is one of the clearest evidences of the power and the majesty of the living God. We can choose to be witnesses for Him by pointing out to everyone we come in contact with that, though our world has problems, God is still working in a mighty way.Let's pray. Father God, thank you. The example of miracles. They give us strength in our faith and a boost to our days. We're forever grateful to you for routinely doing things that some say cannot happen. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Charles Darwin and some of his friends saw a certain beauty and order in evolution, believing that random processes can bring about living systems. That anyone survived what a poet has described as ‘nature, red in tooth and claw,' is a miracle for naturalists. Others believe miracles, if you can call them that, happen because some impersonal cosmic force allows them.There's not much comfort in that, though. Remember the account of ancient people who longed to see a miracle from their God? The Egyptians developed a complex system of gods that operated on a whim, but when the God of Moses showed up, they very clearly understood the true source of miracles. And that was the point of the 10 plagues: to show them that the Creator God was infinitely powerful and capable of producing miracles. We've been given a reasonable source that tells us where miracles come from: The Bible. Deuteronomy 29:2–3 says, “Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land. With your own eyes, you saw those great trials, those signs, and great wonders.'”Here we see clearly that the source of any and all miracles is God Himself, not a force in the universe. Not a spirit guide. Miracles are from God alone, and He wants you to experience miracles in your life. He wants you to live an abundant life, not one of defeat and misery and oppression. His limitless power was seen by the ancients, and today, people on every continent see that miracle-working power. There's a beautiful description of this in Isaiah 43:13, which says, “Yes, and from ancient days I am He. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” And this is the truth we can expect from the One who really does want to help you, and help you today. Let's pray. Father God, you have put within each of us the knowledge that tells us you are the source of all miracle-working power. And this is part of the good news of Jesus that we get to tell others about. Thank you for the miracle of Jesus. Thank you for all of Your miracles. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

The late writer Christopher Hitchens was a skeptic who claimed that miracles are born from nightmarish ignorance, and that they often are simply 10th-hand reports from illiterate peasants. Wow. The flaw in his argument, of course, is that it isn't really an argument. It's simply a rant against God, and the fact is, unexplainable miracles happen every day in our world, but Hitchens' views are shared widely by certain influential people in our time, and their claims that miracles are impossible do tend to have an effect on how others think of miracles. Another reason some have trouble really believing in miracles is because when one is needed, doubt and fear crowd out our belief. Remember, even the ancient Israelites who saw historic miracles almost on a daily basis sometimes complained that God had left them to die in the desert.Man, our attention span's short. Maybe the most famous example of doubting a miracle is seen in the New Testament when one of the disciples of Jesus, Thomas, refuses to believe reports of His resurrection. John 20:25 says, “But he said to them, unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” The 18th-century philosopher David Hume thought that miracles violated the laws of nature. In fact, his views and others like him influenced many people in Europe and America in the next two centuries. So, they believed that reason cannot believe in miracles.Notice that doesn't mean they don't exist. The opinions of men too often influence people who haven't really thought this through. As the Christian writer Timothy McGrew has said, “Science properly understood will tell us the limits of nature, but it will never tell us that nothing lies beyond those limits.” In the case of Thomas, we could say that he didn't have enough information. Once he saw the risen Lord with his own eyes, he could believe. For others, it's a matter of the heart. Perhaps you've been wounded, and you're shutting God out. This can cause you not to see what's right in front of your face. So, do this. Allow yourself one day to be open to the possibility of miracles. Scan the news. Listen to friends. Scroll through social media. It would be a miracle if you don't find a miracle. Let's pray.Father God, you are good to us in big ways and in small ways. You make miracles happen in our lives. From healing to repaired relationships, we know that we can ask you for your good gifts and you will give them. Help us to be ambassadors for your miracle-working power. In Jesus' name, amen.Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

We're starting a series today on miracles. They're one of the most popular subjects in culture. We're fascinated by them. We want them to happen, and we love it when they happen to us. But what is a miracle? Do they happen in our world today? Lots of questions. Skeptics claim that miracles are impossible.Chad and Mandy Stacy saw one of them when their son, Ethan, was born with leukemia, and over a period of three weeks, he developed tumors all over his body. He couldn't eat. His heartbroken parents began to make his funeral arrangements and took him home. But one night at his lowest, he began taking nourishment, and over the next week, he improved so much that his doctors were not able to find evidence of the killer disease in his body. One doctor said it was just remarkable to witness it.One scholar has a thought that skeptics might consider: “To say that miracles are scientifically impossible is one thing, but to say that they can't happen is another thing. We might even define a miracle as an event which is scientifically impossible, but which happens anyway.” Well, there you have it. The Bible, in fact, has much to say about miracles, and because Scripture also tells us that our God does not change, we can reasonably believe He gives us miracles. We might say that the very first miracle was the creation of everything out of nothing. A marvelous world that still retains great beauty. The moon is just the right distance from Earth to allow perfect tides that clean our oceans. The sun is just the right distance so that we have heat, but not too much. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”One of the first of what we might call personal miracles is recorded in Exodus 3, the burning bush. Moses is allowed to talk with God up close as the Lord's presence was in a bush nearby that wouldn't burn up. Another use of fire we see in 1 Kings 18, when Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to sort of a dual, each is to call on his God to answer. And Elijah says, “The true God will answer by fire.” And He does, as fire comes down from heaven and consumes the altar they've built.An especially heartfelt miracle occurs in the New Testament in John 4, when Jesus heals a nobleman's son. Jesus doesn't force Himself on anybody. But as we will see, He's in the miracle business. If you need one, tell Him that. Tell Him your friend or relative or a stranger needs a miracle. He's the God who answers by fire.Let's pray. Father God, you have proven yourself to us so many times that we don't need to doubt anything in Your Word. We believe that You grant miracles in different times and places, and no one is beyond Your miracle-giving gifts. Thank you for that. And help us to carry them in our hearts and our minds so that we can be witnesses for you. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Have you ever had the pleasure of waking up in a cozy cabin…after you've let the fire go out from the night before? If you don't get out of bed and put more wood in that furnace, the squirrels or raccoons aren't going to do it for you!Much more serious is the tendency to get lazy about the fire inside us to share the love of Christ. After so many years of being a Christian—especially living in a free country—sharing the Gospel can be put on the back burner.Romans 12:11–12 says, “Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful.”Do you see what God is urging us to do in Scripture? He says to never let the fire go out! Never doesn't mean sometimes, when we're tired or annoyed about something. This is too important to mess up. Remember that Jesus saved you. And more than likely, through someone keeping their own inner fire going, they saw you through the eyes of compassion.Let's pray.Lord, give us a passion for the souls of all people, at all times. And help us to be ready to share Christ with them. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

As followers of Jesus, we are meant to be witnesses. And Christ's majesty and power are meant to blanket our world.He is intimately aware of you, and where you are in life.Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”When we trust Christ—when we believe the simple Gospel—we are called to get in the game. Sitting on such good news doesn't make much sense, does it? Are you guilty of failing to shine a light in a dark world?It's not too late, friend! If you're a friend of God, just as the Bible says Abraham was long ago, you are to invite others to live in his healing light.The glory of the Lord rises on you each morning, it really does. Put your feet on the floor and share His glory with friends, family, and people who travel your path only briefly.God is so good! Walk in His light and see what He'll do in countless lives!Let's pray. Lord, there are so many opportunities to share your light. Give us opportunities to do that daily, and give us the energy to seize them. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Think of what Jesus was asking of His followers.He had just risen from the dead. That doesn't happen every day.His ministry had been destroyed, so they thought. He wasn't coming back. But then He did. Only days after being killed on a brutal Roman cross, Jesus was standing in front of his friends, looking very much alive. And He was telling them their futures were dicey.Mark 16:15 says, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”Jerusalem at the time was under occupation by an unforgiving empire. The empire required all from each individual and never gave anything back. Jesus was telling His disciples that if they would give up all for Him, He'd give it back and more.Forever.This was the first great command to preach the Good News everywhere. The first marching orders for a spiritual army.We are called to be in that army, to give our all in order to shake things up for eternity.Let's pray.Lord, thank you for giving us the chance to share your love with others, all over the world. We love you! In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Table salt today is so common, it becomes another thing we take for granted. You go to the store, pick a cylinder or jar of salt off the shelf, then go home. You don't even think about it.Now, consider that 1,000 and more years ago, if a person wanted to use salt on his dinner, this required some prior work. A lot of work! The Romans boiled seawater in huge, lead-lined pans. So valuable was salt in the Roman Empire, it was used as currency! Mainly, it was used as a critical food preservative.Matthew 5:13–16 says, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.                                      Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”God tells us we are to be the instrument that preserves and makes known the Gospel, and salt is the analogy.Let us say to our friends, loved ones, and even strangers: Taste, and see that the Lord's promises are good!Let's pray.Lord, help us to be salt and light for your Word in this world. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Defending the faith can sometimes be a subjective thing. As examples of extremes, we have seen the Crusades, and the modern form is perhaps an aggressive “pitch” to someone who isn't a believer.The thing is, it's great to be zealous for our faith, but let's also be disciplined. We don't want to alienate a person who might otherwise listen. To put it simply: an angry Christian is usually a lonely Christian.Jude 1:3 says, “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.”We can defend our faith in a strong way. We can be bold in what we believe, sure of our eternity with Jesus Christ. But our messaging is all-important. It could be that having a conversation with someone is the right approach. Don't feel pressure. Don't press. Jesus has the job of saving; we just have to be available to share about Him.Let's pray.Lord, please always remind us to share the Gospel with love. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Spring is the season of new life. As we finish up our series on the Psalms, we come to the most famous one of all.Psalm 23:1–2 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”This psalm contains some of the most famous words ever written. It has everything: beautiful language, a man's raw, honest heart for God, and a universal theme of love that God has for all people.It echoes in the universe.Think of the picture that God is painting here for us.We are bone weary, but He has actually made a place for us to rest in a garden. We hear the flowing water. We are refreshed inside and out. And He is with us.Do yourself a favor this spring. Memorize every line of the 23rd Psalm. Put it in your heart so that when you're in that dark valley, you will remember that the one true God loves you absolutely and completely.Goodness and mercy follow you. Close your eyes and sit in the cool grass. He is with you.Let's pray.Lord, you are the Great Shepherd who provides a sanctuary for us. Thank you, thank you for making a place of safety for us as we go through life. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at www.kerusso.com with code KDD15.

One of the things that sets God apart from all others is His ability to tell us what is going to happen. We read about this in Isaiah 46, where He says, only He knows the end from the beginning.An amazing example of this is found in Psalm 22, and it's almost surprising how many people are not aware of it.Psalm 22:11 says, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.”If you read the entire chapter carefully, you begin to realize that this is a conversation that Jesus had on the cross.This psalm was written a thousand years before that world-changing event!It describes a man being mocked on the cross. A man who is so thirsty his mouth feels like a piece of dry pottery. He even mentions that His tormentors are casting lots for His clothes. All these things are described in the New Testament, and even some of the language Jesus used on the cross is seen here in this psalm for the first time.God is in charge of all things, all the time. And that includes your situation. He raised Jesus from the dead, and He will provide life eternal for you if you call on Him.He knows the end from the beginning.Let's pray.Lord, you know all things. No one else does. That alone should give us confidence that you will be with us always. It's in Jesus' name that we pray, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at www.kerusso.com with code KDD15.

From the time he was a young shepherd in the wilderness, David had deep relationship with God. He escaped enough dangerous situations to know that God was always with Him and was his deliverer.Psalm 91:1–2 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”This psalm is famous for its descriptive language. We can see a picture of this in our minds. And the specific things listed in this passage are very personal for each of us.We are not to fear.When we call on Him, He hears.His angels watch over us.One of the most beautiful images in the Bible is found in this psalm, as God, like a strong eagle, covers us with His wings so that we are protected.Remember the words of Psalm 91 and call on Him day or night.Let's pray.Lord, your protection for us is just one of the things that separates you from anyone or anything else. We are grateful for your wings that draw us near and cover us. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at www.kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Nothing is more basic to life than creation itself. The Bible tells us that God alone has the power to truly create, and the beauty of language in Psalm 139 explains this fully. Some believe the psalmist was writing in part about the creation of Adam.Psalm 139:1–3 says, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”The writer of the Psalms marvels at the ways in which God understands each of us intimately, and is present everywhereAre you aware that God loves you with a supernatural love? He created you to be a singular presence in the world…what we call “unique.” You might feel sometimes that you are worthless, or that no one cares. But that's not so.The Creator of the Universe, in that vast space, took time to make only one of you. You are precious to Him, and you should never forget it, even when things look depressing.God sees you when you sit in that chair and when you get up. He knows what you're thinking and what's in your heart.You are on His mind.Let's pray.Lord, it's comforting knowing that you are with us in each moment of our day. Help us to live in that moment. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at www.kerusso.com with code KDD15.

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the collection of songs and poetic works known as “Psalms,” originally written as music for worship— especially in the Temple in Jerusalem.Today, we celebrate them as prayers for the most part, and they give us a beautiful picture of who God is.Psalm 1:6 says, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”Traditional authorship is assigned mostly to King David, who loved to worship God with music and even dancing. His heart was open to God, and this inner life could be seen by anyone; this earthly king worshiped the King of kings.In this introductory psalm, we read about the contrast between those who love God and those who don't. And we are encouraged to meditate on His Word every day.Our God is the great God, and loves each of us more than we can even imagine. And that love is a song we can carry in our hearts.Let's pray.Lord, your love for us is eternal and we are so blessed to receive it, as David did, all the days of our lives. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at www.kerusso.com with code KDD15.

The Office's Michael Scott once famously said that there's such a thing as good grief, and it's a funny line. But could there be some truth behind it?Christians today celebrate “Good Friday” every year, but what does it really mean?The date marks the day 2,000 years ago that Jesus Christ willingly died on a gruesome Roman cross for our sins.Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”The truth is, Jesus died after suffering sustained torture. His followers were devastated. It looked as if His ministry would be as brief as any other holy man that had wandered onto the stage for a brief performance.And then it happened.Three days later, He came back from the dead! God the Father, as He had promised, raised Jesus to life. This was a clear message to any who would follow the Savior that there is blessed, eternal life after this one. In our sins, Jesus came to us because He loved us.It's as simple as that, really. What was originally raw grief became a very good day.Let's pray.Lord, your Son's gift to us is beyond words. We simply thank you and are grateful that He didn't leave us where we were. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Have you ever thought much about grace? We hear the word, but the concept itself might be a little elusive. That might be because it's hard for humans to understand and embrace.Grace means simply that someone gives you something with no strings attached. Just for your good.Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”The Bible tells a simple story, really. Mankind sinned and brought evil into the world. God made everything, so He has the right to set the rules. And in His system, sin cannot be tolerated. So, He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ.Often, we try to do things to help life along. We plan, plot, and come up with programs. Our own ideas seem like the right thing to do.But God's way is always the right thing to do. Setting aside our own ego is key to finding peace in Christ. We literally don't have to do anything for it.We accept it in faith.That is the gift of God.Let's pray. Lord, in your love for us, you make our path simple. Not always easy, but simple. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Do you ever worry you might not measure up?Sam was a fourth grader with a big problem: he left his homework at school, and he was so worried he'd be in trouble with the teacher, he could hardly stand to go to school the next day.In the car on the way to school, Sam's mom explained the concept of grace, asking, “Sam, do you know about the idea of grace? Grace means even if we aren't perfect, the people who care about us can choose to forgive us. I think your teacher will understand about your homework.”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.”The concerns on your mind today are probably bigger than a missed homework assignment. Maybe you're struggling in your marriage or experiencing financial distress. Maybe things aren't going well at work, or you are battling addiction, or wrestling with sin.When you begin to worry you are falling short, give it to the Lord. God sent Jesus as a living sacrifice for me and for you, so we could all experience His grace. Grace isn't something we can earn; it's a gift God gives to us, simply because He loves us. And that's truly amazing!Let's pray.Lord, we thank you for your grace, and thank you for loving us, and we thank you for who you are and all you've done. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

One of the extraordinary stories in the Bible involves a young woman named Rahab. This story beautifully expresses God's love for all people.Rahab lived in the Canaanite town of Jericho, which was near the border of the Promised Land God had promised to His people, who had been wandering for years in search of a home after slavery in Egypt.Because the Canaanites were powerful, Joshua sent a scouting party into the land to see what they were up against. The men sent ahead were hidden from harm by Rahab, because she had heard of the power that followed the Israelites.When she talked with the men, she showed remarkable understanding that their God was in fact the true God. She made a bargain with them.Joshua 2:14 says, “So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”In the end, as the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land, Rahab's family was spared death. In this way, we see how God's inclusive love for all is worked out in practical ways that lead to life.Remember Rahab when you think you are beyond God's protection!Let's pray.Lord, what an example of faithfulness this woman displayed. Bless all those who look for you. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

As 2020 began, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Turkey, killing 34 people. Over 1,500 buildings were damaged, and 76 had collapsed.It was in one of these collapsed buildings that a young mother waited with her baby daughter.A rescuer heard her cries and said, “Can you hear me? We are coming. We will save you.”John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”Those Turkish rescuers did indeed bring the mother and daughter out of the rubble and darkness. They survived.Do you feel today that your life is dark? Has your world collapsed?Cry out to Jesus. I'm serious. Cry out to him in your own way and believe that He is your Rescuer and He will save you.He is coming.Let's pray. Lord, we are so thankful that you sent Your Son, Jesus, to rescue us through his sacrifice on the Cross. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

No matter who you are, there has probably been some time in your life that loneliness closed you in like dark curtains in a cold house.Being alone can be healing, and it can be depressing. If you are experiencing the latter right now, we have good news for you. Your ‘alone' feeling is an illusion.Psalm 139:7–8 says, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.”God's Word tells us that there is no place in the universe that is without His presence. That includes the terrible news you just got today. It also includes the severed relationships and any other depressing thing that can dog us.He is with you, everywhere, and at all times. Best of all, you can call on Jesus to take away your feelings of being alone.All day, and all night.Let's pray.Lord, without you, we are literally nothing. There is never a time you don't hear us as individuals, and step in with your healing. Thank you for loving us! In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

No one is immune from burnout. It comes in our jobs, friendships, and even our church life. Sometimes our hobbies become dry and tedious!But in Scripture, God gives us hope for the future. John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”Jesus is telling us that in Him alone is true life. He is always pointing us to the future, to a time when that dry creek bed will be filled forever.In Revelation 22, He showed John a river flowing with the water of life, crystal-clear and coming from the very throne of God.The whole picture is one of healing and new life. He promises us that this scene will be very real and very permanent! The key is what we read in John 7:38…we must choose to believe! If you long for a new start and a bright future, you will find everything you need and want in the person of Jesus Christ.The living water He offers is perfect, and the supply is limitless.Jesus is the well that never runs dry.Let's pray.Lord, you are calling to each of us to follow You and let You lead us to a place of perfect paradise. We eagerly look forward to joining you in Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Jesus has great compassion for everyone. Especially for those society considers unlovable or worth nothing.One day, He stopped by a well and had a conversation with a woman who had been married five times. When He spoke to her, He knew she was now living with another man. Yet Jesus spoke to her in a way that let her know He valued her as a person.He told her that people could drink the water from that well, but again, they would eventually be thirsty. He said to her that the water He gives is a spring welling up inside them, pointing to eternal life.John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”Do you believe in Him? Have you had your encounter with Jesus? If you are thirsty for a new life, reach out to Him and listen to what Jesus has to say.Your life will no longer be dry and lifeless.New life will flow out of you so that others will notice and want what you have!Let's pray.Lord, much of what the world offers doesn't satisfy us. We need the living water that only you can provide. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Researchers have long known that even when exploring new worlds, water is the key to life. Without it, nothing can live.Water is an image used often in Scripture.When Jesus emerged from the River Jordan having been baptized by his cousin, John, He used the imagery to help people understand that by trusting in Him, they would live forever.John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”Did you catch that? You must believe that Jesus is who the Bible says that He is, the very Son of God. In Him is life, rivers of living water. It is a refreshing experience that has no end, because when we drink water now, we know that eventually, we'll get thirsty again.But Jesus has told us in John 4 that whoever drinks from the water He gives them—spiritually—will never thirst.He is talking about eternal life, always new and forever clean and clear.He is inviting you. He stands at the water's edge and waits.Let's pray.Lord, your Word uses powerful imagery to help us see the wonderful things you have for us. Thank you for satisfying the thirst we have for fellowship with you. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

It's no accident that Jesus chose as some of His apostles a group of fishermen from Galilee. These were men who could understand Him when Jesus told them He would make them “fishers of men.” He meant, of course, that they would share the Good News about Him with everyone they came in contact with.That's exactly what each of them did, for the rest of their lives!John 7:38 says, "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'"Fishing requires patience, and a feel for your surroundings. The men Jesus picked were steady, and used to adapting to shifting opportunities. They were perfect for the work He gave them to do.Just as Jesus knew what his disciples were suited for in order to build His Kingdom, He also knows exactly the purposes He has for you. You are invited to flow into the River of Life He has created, in order to see the Kingdom grow.Others will see the life flowing from within you, if you're willing to follow God.Let's pray.Lord, you invite us to participate in the beautiful future you've planned for people everywhere. Help us be willing to look for those fishing opportunities. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Have you ever pondered what it means to be ‘born again' as a Christian believer?When we give our hearts to the Lord, asking Him to forgive our sins and guide our lives, we are making God a promise: we no longer claim the right to follow our own paths, or to focus on our own agendas.We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross on our behalf, so that we can be forgiven and live with the Lord for all eternity, when our temporary earthly lives are over.In Romans 14:8, the Apostle Paul 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.”When we profess our faith as Christian believers, we are saying we will live for the Lord, and we will die for Him as well. Living or dead, our souls belong to the Savior. As believers living for the Lord, this means we will make choices that honor Him and ultimately serve His goals and plans. We will ever and always belong to the Lord. Understanding that should impact how we view every choice we make, and how we tackle every challenge.Let's pray.Dear Lord, we give you everything. Our choices, our actions, and our reactions. We ask for clarity in the decisions we make, and that you make us ever dependent on your wisdom and your perfect plan. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Are you the enviable sort of person who was born with an innate sense of direction?Some of us know instinctively whether we are traveling North, South, East, or West. And some of us...would be lucky to find our way out of a paper bag, even with a map in hand.If you've ever been lost on a country road at dusk, no road signs, no one to ask for help, and no idea which way to turn — you know how very useful it is to have directions. You're burning daylight, and you aren't sure how to get back to civilization.Or maybe you've driven to a job interview in a new city. Unfamiliar cross streets, busy traffic, and the sound of blaring horns can be a distressing soundtrack when you're trying to pinpoint one office building among many.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.”When we're living for the Lord, we have a North Star to guide us on our way. When you aren't sure which road to take, or which choice to make, remember Who you live for. Ask the Lord to direct your path, to keep you safe from harm, and to be present every step of the way. Country roads, bustling city thoroughfares, and life itself are all so much more enjoyable when we navigate them with Jesus.Let's pray.God, forgive us for those times we prove ourselves aimless on the road of life. Be our guide, and reveal your presence and direction to us on the journey. We are lost without you! In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

A political science major at a major university was having coffee with a campus pastor. The pastor knew that the student was wrestling with doubt about the existence of God and said to him, “John, you know all of us wonder at some point if it's all real, or not. For example, there are quite a few stories in the Bible that are just hard to believe — Jonah and the whale and all that.” John smiled and said, “No, that's not my problem. What I wonder about is how God could care about me. I've done some really bad things and have had some really bad things done to me. I just can't understand the concept of forgiveness.” There you have it. Doubts about the faith come from all directions. While one person cannot bring herself to believe in miracles, another cannot forgive himself for the wrong things he's done — and can't fathom how God could. Thomas Jefferson actually cut out the miraculous sections of the Bible. He couldn't believe in what some would call the God of the Bible. Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of DNA, thought that Christianity was just a collection of mythical stories. And what about those who want to see the proof? They like evidence and feel a need to make an intellectual case for our faith. The New Testament writer, Luke, was like that. He wrote in Acts and the gospel of Luke about the importance of eyewitness sightings of Jesus and His miracles. Lots of people debate whether evolution and religion are compatible or not. And this is a big stumbling block to believe for many. We all believe something, but our minds can struggle at times to grasp the big stuff, the infinite universe, while for others who doubt, the struggle is more internal. They're so grieved by their own sin they can't accept that God could love them. Maybe the most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” However, few quote the next verse, which says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” It isn't God's wish to condemn you. Instead, He loves you and wants to give you assurance that life is more than struggle and molecules. Whether you're looking for evidence to believe the Bible, or you just need to know that God loves you, try not to focus too much on your objections. Own them, but just tell God, as a child would, that you're struggling to understand it all. Will you pray with us? Father, your grace saves us from a life of struggle with sin, and we are accepted by you. Thank you for putting up with our up and down faith. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

God does things on a big scale, but He's also in the details. He knows our thoughts, hopes, dreams, and every detail of our lives. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”In Ecclesiastes, God spends considerable time speaking to our innermost needs. Through the stories of Paul and the apostles, we see that He cares about our physical needs and comforts us in times of danger.The diversity of God's intervention is awesome! Hannah couldn't have children, but she prayed, and the Lord answered her…blessing her with six children! Gideon was facing an army much larger than his own, but God told him everything would be okay — and it was! Down through time and into the present, God speaks to us with words of comfort and courage. He is actively working in our lives now, and always. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

The Bible is full of stories of God doing amazing things for those He calls. One of the most famous seems to be good to be true, but it is!Daniel, God's man in exile in Babylon, insisted on worshipping the Lord, and not a human king. This was against the law. When those who were jealous of him urged the king to punish Daniel, the prophet was thrown into a lion's den overnight.And that was that. Or was it?The next morning, the king was so anxious about Daniel that he ran to the den and called out to him to see if he was still alive.Daniel 6:21–22 says, “Daniel answered, ‘May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.'”When life threatens to rip you up, remember that the Lord has you. God is on your side, knows where you are, and will hide you in the palm of His strong hand.Believe that He will.Let's pray.Lord, this story inspires us to rely on you when times are really bad for us. Thank you for being our rescue. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Sharing our faith should be exciting to us. It is exciting. When we consider the free grace God gave us through His Son, telling others about Jesus should be on our priority list every day. For whatever reason, many find it very awkward to talk to others about Jesus. We can talk about just about anything else, though. That's why it's crucial that we look at sharing the Gospel as an intentional thing we do. Intentionality is a great way to overcome our hesitancy, and let's be honest, sometimes fear keeps us from sharing. Truth is, each personality requires a customized approach to sharing about Jesus. Some are outgoing, and others are shy. A blogger for God TV has written that he admired a friend who told every seatmate on every plane he'd been in about Jesus.The blogger went on to write that, “Even if my fellow passengers desperately wanted to know Christ, they likely couldn't even get my attention with a jackhammer drill or a pie in the face.” Kind of funny…and also kind of sad. Also, very common. Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” So, if we're looking for ways to overcome our mediocre Gospel sharing, what can we do? Let's look at a few tips. The first is prayer. Get honest with God and tell Him you're not so great at evangelism. I mean, He already knows, anyway. Ask Him specifically to give you both opportunities and an intentional plan for communicating the best news anyone will ever hear.Two—plan, think ahead. Are you a person who's good at conversation? Go over a mental checklist that provides you with enough scripture and short sentences to make your pitch when the time comes. However, if you're not outgoing, maybe you're a writer. Consider communicating with a card to let the person know you're thinking about him or her. Play to your strengths, not your weaknesses. Number three, listen before you talk. How many times do we jump into a conversation or meeting without taking a breath? Train yourself to be quiet for a bit until you hear where the other person is coming from. You'll learn about your friend or acquaintance, and you can then think through the best way to approach them about the saving gift of Jesus. But also, don't just wait for your turn to talk. Hear them. Meet them where they are, and listen to the Holy Spirit to see how you can speak Jesus into that person's life. Very few of us are Billy Graham. That doesn't mean we can't share the gospel. Somebody's depending on it. Let's pray.Father, whatever our personality and our experiences, give us a passion for loving unbelievers and caring about their well-being. The world is full of diversity. Help us embrace that. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Do you ever feel that you aren't suited for sharing your faith in Christ? Maybe you're not comfortable around people. Maybe you've encountered some who are hostile to faith.If so, then we are speaking to you about sharing your light in a dark world.Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.”Have you seen the movie, “The Ten Commandments?” It's doubtful the real Moses looked and talked like Charlton Heston. And do we really think God looks for His witnesses among people who have that perfect British accent in a Jesus movie? Nope. If we think we have to look or act a certain way, then we're doing it wrong. God doesn't ask our permission when giving us our marching orders for sharing the Gospel of Jesus. Instead, He approaches us as He did Job: Stand up and listen to what I have to tell you.You are called to shine a light for Christ in a world full of dark things. You are equipped, just as you are. God has called you. Be bold in Christ.He is the Star. We are just lights along the way.Let's pray. Lord, the time is now. So many need you. God, would you help us to shine for you every day? In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Some of the greatest stories of believers down through time have involved those who really studied God's Word. These people have gone before us to show us the way. From Charles Spurgeon to a missionary mother in China, daily study of the Word and prayer prepared them to mentor entire generations.Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.”We also read in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We have to do it so that others know how. Remember, there is no substitute for spending time in God's Word.In order to properly train an apprentice, you need to obviously be prepared and adept. Anything less leads to weak faith, or no faith at all.This is what the Great Commission, sharing the Gospel, has always been about. Duplicating disciples. Grounding your own faith in the Bible and then imparting that to others. That is the essence of true iron sharpening iron.Let's pray.Lord, keep us about your work by daily reminding us to spend time with you in Your Word. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

The Bible's book of Daniel tells us that one day, knowledge and innovation will increase exponentially in our world. And it could be surmised that the prophet was looking ahead to our day, but maybe he was looking even further. The technological advances of the 21st century are no secret. In the ancient world, an ocean voyage could take months. Now, a person can have breakfast in New York City and dinner in Paris.Communication is beyond anything our grandparents could have imagined. The number of mobile devices at this moment stands at 7.22 billion, a slightly bigger number than the human population of our planet. There are more than two billion personal computers around the globe. People in Asia can chat in real time with friends in Chicago or anywhere else. Such communication is instant and constant. Consider that as recently as World War II, whole armies could be on the move before the enemy was aware.Travel is easier, too. There's a wonderful story from our friends at Our Daily Bread, in which a teen on a mission trip shared the Gospel with an elderly man in Jamaica. He was disabled but listened intently when she described new life in Jesus and the hope of a new body in heaven. He asked her, “Will you dance with me up there?” He accepted Christ.Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” We have almost limitless ways to get a Bible into someone's hand. According to The Bible Society, between 1816 and 1975, 2.5 billion Bibles were printed. Many people, of course, still prefer to hold a book and read the printed word, and that method has been responsible for many millions of conversions over the years.It's exciting to think that now, 100 million Bibles are being printed every year. Technology brings advancement here as well. That remarkable YouVersion Bible App has been installed on 300 million devices around the world.Knowledge is increasing drastically. We have the greatest opportunity in all of history to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. God has given us the means to use technology, prayer, and one-on-one conversations to bring people to Jesus. What will you do with your finite amount of time? It's up to you.Let's pray.Father God, your provision for us is wonderful. You've made it possible for each believer to share their faith with close friends and family, as well as those around the world. Give us a sense of urgency. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Kerusso exists to tell people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but somehow in our information-jacked world, culture has moved further away from understanding who the most famous person in history really is. Millions of books and articles have been written about a carpenter who lived in the Middle East 2000 years ago, and Jesus has been identified as anything from a desert mystic to God Himself. Historically, He was born into a Jewish family in Judea at the time the Roman Empire controlled the area. Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, Jesus was 30 before He gained a reputation as a great teacher, but He was much more than that. The Bible tells us that He was sent into the world by God the Father, to stand in our place and take the penalty for our sin. According to Genesis, man defied God's template for living and because He is holy, God requires that someone is accountable for sin. Had Jesus not entered the world, we'd be left without a way to reconcile with God. Long story short, Jesus Christ is much more than just a wise teacher. He's also the Son of God. The Bible also tells us Jesus is one with the Father. Remember, when Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he asked God how to identify Him to the people, and God replied, “I am who I am.” And that was in the Old Testament.In John 8:58 in the New Testament, Jesus tells the people, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus Christ is a divine being. And John 1:29 says, “The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.'” This description of Him is not embraced by most people around the world. The Bible tells us that man's heart is wicked. It isn't like billions are rushing to churches so that they can have their sins forgiven. The human mind and heart don't want to focus on the messier side of the Gospel. We're imperfect. We sin. And our sin is an offense to God. Who wants to hear that? We don't want to be told that we're not good. We want to be told we're good, and worthy of God's love. And the Good News, the Gospel in the person of Jesus Christ, is that we have the pathway to be like Him. Romans 8 tells us that it is God's desire that we become like Jesus. And that's a goal worth reaching for. Let's pray.  Father, thank you for providing us with your Word that tells us exactly who Jesus is, and what His life means to us. You could have abandoned us to sin, but you didn't. The praise and the glory belong to you alone. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15. 

Do you especially need the gift of peace right now? Is your life so busy that you can't find time to take a breath? There is Good News for you: Jesus already knows.Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”When Jesus ascended to heaven, He told the apostles, “My peace I leave with you.” Because He lives, we know for sure that this peace is available to us anytime, anywhere. Even in the busy part of your life, when you think you're going crazy, you can call on Him, and He will answer.This is our theme this week: that peace is attainable. It comes from God, first and last. You might need to get away for even five minutes and close your eyes to call on Jesus. Let Him know you are beaten down and tired. Remember the verse we just read: peace is not just something for the glorious future Jesus is preparing for us. It is for the here and now.Claim that for your busy life today!Let's pray. Lord, when chaos seems to rule over us, you tell us differently. Thank you that we can simply ask and you will settle peace over us. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Does your life feel out of control? Are you experiencing that common feeling of weaving down a busy highway, about to crash?It's a metaphor for life that most internalize at some point. All of a sudden, what you were sure of isn't there anymore. You might as well be behind the wheel of a fast car that's heading into oncoming traffic.1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”This isn't some nice little bit of wisdom someone put on a greeting card. This is the very Word of God. It has sustained civilization for thousands of years. It's a proven method for getting your life back under control.It doesn't work, though, unless you can see Jesus taking the wheel. Let Him get you to safety and peace.He's ready and waiting to take all your worries and set you on a smooth and straight path.Let's pray.Lord, feeling out of control is not something we want to have anymore. Please take over and guide us in your perfect ways. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Life can be overwhelming sometimes, right? A huge wave of despair can come out of nowhere and push us toward disaster.Anita's life was like that, growing up in Hong Kong, where revolutionary movements brought violence and loss of hope. She couldn't see how the pieces of her life could be put together. She would ask herself, “How do you make peace with a potential that is frustrated?Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”Over time, Anita saw that God had always been shaping her to find her calling in Christ. She did that, and today operates a ministry that helps women see that they are daughters of the Living God! Truly, Anita didn't always have it together, but her life is living proof that God puts us back together for His purposes!Let's pray. Lord, someone listening today needs a dramatic move from you in their life. Please bring your peace and comfort to them today. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

First 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 a 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. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

The prophet, Isaiah, lived during a difficult period for the ancient Israelites. Turning away from faith in God and under the control of corrupt kings, the nation entered a period of darkness. They needed hope more than anything.In our discussion this week, we will talk about this human condition. Today, we are really no different from people in ancient times: We all need a relationship with our Creator.Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”Don't those words give you a feeling of peace and calm? You can say them to yourself, with no one around, and begin to feel God's strong arms wrapping you in love. He wants you to be free from all the strongholds that keep you from your destiny.Wouldn't you like to spend the rest of this week at rest emotionally and mentally? You can. This is the Lord's will for you, as we heard in this famous passage from the book of IsaiahLet's pray. Lord, your perfect love always comes through for us. Just as you didn't abandon your people long ago, we know you will remember us. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.