Podcasts about kerusso

Hannah, one of the two wives of Elkanah, was unable to have children. A woman in Old Testament times who could not bear children was viewed as cursed by God. Not only was infertility heartbreaking for her as a woman and wife, but Hannah would have been looked down upon by her community for her inability to bear a child.Many of us can sympathize with Hannah. She longed to be a mother, and she was a daily witness to the children of her husband's other wife.But Hannah didn't give in to despair. She prayed — without ceasing! She shared her heart's desire with the Lord, and asked Him to bless her with a child.Hannah prayed for a son, promising to dedicate him to God. Her prayers were answered, and she brought her child, Samuel, to Shiloh for religious training. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 encourages us to “Pray continually.”When we pray without ceasing and God answers hopes that once seemed impossible — we don't hold anything back!Hannah was a true prayer warrior, and she kept at it until God answered; because of her faithfulness to the Lord, He blessed her with even more children than the one she gave back.Let's pray.Dear Lord, thank you for Hannah's example of faithful, fervent prayer. Help us to turn to you first, and often, with our praises and concerns. 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.

Who are you, exactly, that God should know your name, or care to know your story? Have you ever wondered about the answer to that big question?In the great scheme of things, we sometimes feel like ants in an anthill: nameless drones, fetching and carrying, an unremarkable face among the masses.We are so much more than that to the Lord.1 Thessalonians 5:17 says simply, “Pray continually.” Written as a letter to early Christians by the Apostle Paul, this encouraging note doesn't specify that the holiest, worthiest, or only the best among believers should pray without ceasing. God's Word encourages everyone to pray, pray again, then keep on praying.We all sin and fall short of God's glory, but even in our unworthiness, God does not hold us at arm's length; He loves us, and wants us to know Him, and to be known by Him.Prayer is a powerful means of communication that deepens our relationship with the Lord.Who are you, then? Of the 7.9 billion or so people who call this planet home, you are someone God wants to hear from. Imagine that. The head honcho Himself, the Creator of all heaven and earth, the King above all Kings, has invited you to call Him any time, anywhere.The Lord is only a prayer away, and He is waiting to hear from you.  Let's pray.Lord, how incredible to imagine you know my name. Thank you for your presence, your faithfulness, and for the gift of prayer. 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 felt like you've just plain run out of juice? The book you've been reading seems pointless halfway through. That new sofa or lawnmower or set of wheels was pretty exciting last month, but now you're not sure what the big deal was. Even your relationships feel lackluster.Human beings aren't like cell phones or toy robots. We can't rev up with a fresh set of batteries...we need other, more meaningful fuel to refill our tanks, and the energy we seek can't be found at any store.1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray continually.”One of the shortest verses in God's Word, the Bible, this pithy reminder was written by the Apostle Paul to believers in Thessalonica, an ancient city in what is now Northern Greece. These new converts to Christianity faced persecution, but Paul's colleague Timothy reported that they were persevering in the face of challenges.Paul's letter, recorded as the biblical book of First Thessalonians, is written to inspire renewed energy in these early followers of Jesus. They were looked down upon, their motives and actions were questioned, they sometimes struggled with doubt about the outcome of their faith — and Paul wisely encouraged them to keep on praying, just as the Lord wants us to do today.Let's pray.Heavenly Father, sometimes we feel exhausted by our struggles, and sometimes we feel alone. Remind us that the greatest power in the universe — You, our Creator God, are just a prayer away. 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 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 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.

When Hurricane Katrina rolled through, the spinning white satellite image on TV screens actually looked evil. For residents of New Orleans, waiting for that hurricane that's exactly what it felt like. Thousands of people were affected by the brutal storm that poured in from the Gulf. In many ways, the city still hasn't recovered. But in the chaos, God was there.For more than 20 years, water pump operator Rufus Burkhalter and Bobby Brown had worked at pumping station number 6 along the 17th Street Canal. When they realized how bad it was going to be, the pair did an amazing thing. They stayed at their posts. They kept working even after the levees broke. One of the world's largest pumping stations was still being operated by two good men who risked their lives for others. When it was all said and done, both lost their homes due to storm damage. The seawater and raging winds devastated their lives, and yet they chose to help others. That kind of love for one's fellow man is rooted in the love of Christ.Psalm 93:4 says, “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea. The Lord on high is mighty.”God is infinitely stronger than the storms in your life. He's there guiding you, and he is there caring for you through it all, all the time. In the horrifying days of Katrina and through the aftermath, many people displayed a reliance on the Lord who stood up to the evil that invaded their community. When we lean on God in every situation, especially during the storms in our lives, it builds our faith and places us on solid ground.Let's pray.Father, Almighty One, nothing is scarier than the dark, deep waters that overwhelm us sometimes. We know though, that your word is our anchor established and true. We can rely on it every single time. Thank you for guiding, protecting, and loving us always, in all of 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.

In the Tom Hanks film “Castaway,” the main character, Chuck, finds himself in the ultimate terrifying situation. Chuck's plane goes down in the ocean, and he finds himself stranded on a very deserted island.Years pass.Chuck's family and friends long ago gave up on him, and why not? No one could have known he was sitting on a remote pile of sand in the Pacific Ocean.He learns to survive, but then reflects on the future. What happens if he gets sick? What happens if he's injured?Staying put isn't an option.**SPOILER ALERT** Next thing you know, he's pushing away from the island on a homemade raft. This risky adventure eventually puts him right in the path of a ship.When He went to be with His Father in heaven, Jesus left His disciples with a simple but big adventure idea: Go tell people about me. It won't be safe, and you might even be in danger, but life depends on it.Mark 16:15 says, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”Jesus called us to ride the ultimate wave.Let's pray.Lord, sometimes life intimidates us. But we have you as our lifeboat, and we thank you for not letting us drift away. 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.

Hurricane Dorian caused a lot of anxiety and destruction. Many of us worried about the East Coast of our own country, but the Bahamas were hit really hard, with the storm basically stationary for many hours. Residents there hunkered down and sought higher ground, wondering when the onslaught would end, and the storm would pass. The physical damage left by the lengthy storm was devastating. When the winds of life blow fiercely, rain pours down, and the water rises, it is tempting to give in to panic. In the midst of the storm, sometimes we let the noise and chaos of our present circumstances become louder than the voice of our Lord and Savior. The still small voice in our hearts may only be a whisper, but the power behind that presence outranks any circumstance of this life.Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”Jesus was not only with the people of the Bahamas, He is with you in every storm you face. He isn't simply the fleeting ‘eye of the hurricane,' either. His presence and power, and love for us, is greater than any storm life can hit us with.Let's pray.Lord, thank you for being our steadfast shelter, our provider, and peace-giver in every situation. It's who you are. No storm can shake us when we build on a foundation of 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.

Have you ever gotten tired of treading water?Martha is a 20-something-old lifeguard in Los Angeles. Besides dealing with deck chairs purposely thrown into the water and parents asking her to babysit poolside, she's noticed another aspect of the job that really tugs at your heart. “Kids pretend to drown in the pool so that I will pay attention to them.” Wow. Think about that.At a young age, humans need to be nurtured and cared for. They want to be loved. So, a young lifeguard becomes their emotional lifeline. These kids were actually pretending to nearly die so that someone would pay attention. It's pretty sad, but not that different from the rest of us. Everyone wants to belong, and sometimes life is like a raging storm, and problems can flood the soul.In Matthew 14, we read the story of Jesus providing comfort to His disciples in a difficult situation. He had gone to pray on a mountain while they stayed behind in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Normally, this is a very picturesque, calm lake, but this night, a storm came up. As the waves were about to capsize the boat, the men looked and saw a figure walking on the water. Peter cried out, and Jesus told him to get out of the boat and walk toward Him. Peter, known for his passionate faith, got out. But as he took his eyes off Jesus and began looking at the storm around him, he sank. Jesus, though, grabbed his arm and pulled him up. “Why did you doubt?” He asked Peter. It's a valid question for anyone.Jesus has proven himself to us many times over. When you feel overwhelmed, remember to call out to Him, and He will lift your burden. Let's pray.Father God, sometimes it feels like life is just pulling us under. We thank you so much that we have examples from Scripture where you rescued drowning people. You're indeed our lifeguard. Help us keep this in our hearts and our minds daily so that we can be reminded of your blessed assurance and to call out your name, the one who provides for all of our needs. 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 your place in this world is? Of course, you have. That's the human experience. Alone with our thoughts, we wonder who we even are, and what we are meant to do. It's a mysterious journey, but the fog lifts and the way becomes clear when we get to know King Jesus.Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”You were made for something! You were made to do things for your Lord. And the truly beautiful thing is, God created a custom plan just for you. If you aren't a famous athlete like Tim Tebow, you can still share your faith in wonderful ways. Ways that are life-changing for those you encounter.Think of that verse again. God made you for a purpose! Created to have the mind of Christ in making this world a better place and making disciples for Him. And God prepared it long, long ago. You are His child. That's who you are.Let's pray.Lord, when we begin to understand even a little bit of your love for us, it transforms us and it renews our minds and our hearts. Thank you so much 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.

Sometimes life can be overwhelming. I think we can all agree about that. A huge wave of despair can seemingly 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 needs a dramatic move from you in their life. God, 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.

Have you ever noticed how much we love ritual and form as part of religion? We become so good at it, so obsessed with it, that we lose sight of the essence of what it means to be a Christian.To know God.That is the primary purpose of our journey, and it will be the end of our journey. It is so foundational to who we are as humans that even the great Moses basically begged God to let him see Him. So close were they that according to Jewish tradition, when Moses died, God drew his spirit from him with a kiss.Isaiah 5:19 says, “Let Him make speed, let Him hasten His work, that we may see it; And let the purpose of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come to pass, that we may know it!”The Bible is clear that we can know God. As individuals, we can have a personal relationship with Him, the very One who created all there is.The splendor of that reality should drive us to read His Word and pray to Him every day. It should be the longing of our hearts. He knows, and He welcomes us into His presence.Let's pray.Lord, your mercy in making yourself available to us is something we can't even fully understand in this life. But we thank you for it, and 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.

The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is widely looked upon as the most famous painting in the world.By some historical estimates, the Mona Lisa took as many as 16 years to finish! Capturing Mona Lisa's famous smile on a poplar plank was no hack job; Leonardo accepted a commission for the work in the year 1503, and completed his masterpiece supposedly around the time of his death in 1519. Clearly, this level of artistic achievement takes time.When you hear the word “masterpiece,” what do you think of? A famous painting? A beautiful building, maybe? Your child's latest artwork?What about a giant sequoia tree? A symphony? A pink flamingo? The intricate, miraculous design of the human heart?Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”Before you were even born, God knew you, and He had a plan for your life. He created you for a purpose, and He considers you one of his personal works of art. You are a living, breathing miracle capable of wonderful things—God's own masterpiece.Let's pray.God, we thank you and praise you that in all of creation, you have chosen to make us in your image, and to fashion us as a masterpiece—a work of art designed with care. Help us to be worthy of your effort. 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 struggle to wonder what God's will is for your life?Many of us do.Although it isn't a quick answer, the best way to find God's will for your life is to read His Word. The Bible will tell you the answer to that question.Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”Actually, finding God's will isn't the hardest part. Deciding to follow His will is where we get tripped up.People need the skill and the discipline of being persistent. Too often, the impulse is to give up and then, if we're honest, pretend that God hasn't revealed His will to us.Good old Abe Lincoln had it right when he said that the only important response is to make sure we are on God's side, not whether He's on ours.God has already told us that He's on our side. He sent His Son, Jesus, to take the penalty for our sin. It doesn't get any more “on our side” than that. Change your thinking a bit. Don't focus on what you think God is supposed to do. Resolve instead to follow God, and to do it every day.Let's pray.Lord, your will is the thing that drives us on, to find our purpose in this life. Thank you for sticking with us. Help us to stick 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.

We live in a broken world, and humanity is the most broken and imperfect of all God's creation.The world has a permanent OUT OF ORDER sign on it, and as a result, most of us are looking for answers to our questions and solutions to our problems in all the wrong places.We place our trust in ourselves, in shallow standards of beauty, in money, and in our relationships with other people, hoping for meaning and completion we will never find in these sources.We are lost people, following false gods, hoping for the elusive spiritual peace that only God can give us.Our deliverance won't come in the form of a blank check, a beauty treatment, self-empowerment, or even the most fulfilling relationship with a parent, spouse, or child; the fulfillment we seek will come to us only when we choose God and put Him first.Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”For thousands of years, worldly things have called to humanity, offering false promises and failing to deliver. From the very beginning, and before this world was even created, the one true God was. He is. He always will be. And when we choose Him, He promises to give us lasting hope, peace, and love for all eternity.Nothing in a jar, box, or bank account can come close, and no relationship means more.Let's pray.Heavenly Father, we choose you. Only you are worthy above every false god, above every temptation, above our relationships with people, money, or things. We choose you, and ask you to guide us in putting you first, in all things. 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.

Family is a wonderful thing, and these relationships do so much to enrich our lives, but family makes a lousy god.People sometimes think...if only my relationship was better with my dad, or if only I found a husband or wife, or if only we had kids — then life would be complete. A picture-perfect family is a blessing, indeed, but this is not where God wants us to seek meaning in our lives.Family relationships are complicated, and since we're talking about people, not God, we are sure to be disappointed when a parent, sibling, spouse, or child lets us down. Like us, each of these beloved people in our lives are marked by imperfection.We love our families (or the dream of a future family) dearly, but this isn't where we should ultimately place our hope.Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”The Bible tells us in order to be a disciple, we must be willing to give up everything for Jesus. Following Jesus requires commitment and faithfulness, even if our parents or spouse choose not to follow the Lord. If and when we are faced with the painful choice of loyalty to family versus loyalty to Jesus, we must choose Jesus.Luke 14:26 says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”Even if our family members disown us—or worse—for being Christians, we must follow Christ. Jesus' command to “hate his own father and mother” isn't a suggestion about how to treat our loved ones. The Lord requires us to prioritize our relationship with Him over our relationships with parents, siblings, a spouse, children, and even ourselves. We must choose to place our hope in God, above all other relationships.Let's pray.God, you alone make life worth living. No earthly relationship, by birth or bond, takes priority over our relationship with you. Thank you for being the one true God we can follow, and rely on. 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.

What are you worth? This is an ugly question you'd never ask in polite company, although you may be curious about the answer.“The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money.” This anonymous quote serves us well in our discussion of what happens when we choose to follow dollar bills, instead of the Lord.When we judge each other, and ourselves, by the value of our bank accounts, the size of our homes, or the luxury of the things we accumulate, we are choosing material wealth over our faith in God.Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”The Bible is clear about the danger of worshipping money in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”Money is one of our culture's greatest gods, and people will do just about anything if it means they can make money off of it. We are willing to compromise our integrity for the sake of profit, and nowhere is corruption more rampant than when money is at stake.Money is a necessary part of modern life; we no longer trade furs for a box of candles, or a basket of eggs for cloth to make a new shirt. While little green pieces of paper allow commerce to take place, the desire for money should never be the dominant influence in our decision-making.Let's pray.Lord, your word tells us no one can serve two masters. You are our provider, and the pursuit of material wealth cannot bring us closer to you. Be present in every decision and inspire every desire of our hearts to honor 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.

Annual cosmetic industry sales in the United States are about $89.5 billion dollars. That's nearly 90 billion, with a B, spent on makeup and personal care items including skincare, haircare, perfumes, toiletries, deodorants, and oral cosmetics.For perspective, of 148 nations tracked in 2019 by TheGlobalEconomy.com, 126 of them had annual national expenditures of less than 90 billion dollars, including Israel, Switzerland, and South Africa.We spend more in this country on lotions, potions, and creams to make ourselves look better, than the entire annual budget of most countries. That's even more eye-opening than the latest greatest mascara!Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”For women and men both, the search for meaning can easily become entangled with the world's obsession with outer beauty and perfection in our faces and bodies.We seek to control and improve the impression others have of us with hairstyles and cosmetics, hours spent at the gym achieving the perfect body, and teeth whitening services that guarantee a gleaming smile. We may achieve worldly admiration by these vain pursuits, but temporary glamour won't bring us closer to God.1 Peter 3:3–4 says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.”Let's pray.Lord, make us beautiful in your sight. Remind us to follow you, rather than traipsing down the rabbit trails of fleeting outer beauty the world offers. Let us serve you first, and always. 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.

Baal. Molech. Ashtoreth. Chemosh. Artemis.These names may not ring a bell for you, but back in biblical times, these false gods and others were known as competitors for devotion alongside our one true God — the God of Israel.If you aren't a modern-day Bible scholar or a student of ancient history, these false gods may not be familiar, but make no mistake — just because we don't use these same names for false gods today, doesn't mean our culture doesn't have any. We definitely do!Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”A “false god” is someone or something that is highly revered, followed devoutly, sacrificed for, and looked to for meaning in life and deliverance from problems.Would it surprise you to know that one of the most powerful “false gods” we can be ensnared by is found in the mirror? People are inherently self-centered and self-focused. Although we are capable of being selfless at times, when push comes to shove, we often demonstrate who we really are.We live in a fallen world, and in our efforts to rise above our circumstances and achieve the things we desire, we are all inclined to put ourselves first. If we can do something that benefits us, even at the expense of someone else, and if we know we can get away with it, we do it almost every time.God asks us to choose Him, not ourselves. Whether we're making the small everyday choices that define our character over time, or tackling the big decisions that stand out as milestones in our lives, let us turn to the Lord for guidance, and seek His glory rather than our own.Let's pray.Heavenly Father, we choose you. Remind us daily that you are sovereign, and you are the one true God. Be present in our hearts and minds and lead us in your ways, not our own. 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 paused and thought about how rarely people see you for who you are? Have you ever done something that you feel is almost unforgivable? You need to know that is not the way God wants you to feel. Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.”Some of the most famous people in history were very unrighteous at times. King David, described as a man after God's own heart—he was loved that much—did dreadful things. Guess what, though? His life ended well. God had cleaned him up on the inside. Nothing you've done is fatal. It really isn't. Call on God to heal you on the inside and put a spirit of love, hope, and peace in you. He will—and He'll do it sooner rather than later, and you'll be able to breathe again, guaranteed.Let's pray. Lord, your desire to make us clean has been told for centuries. We believe it and we claim it. Thank you, Father God, for the work of renewal you do all day, 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.

John Kralik was in a bad place. The LA attorney was generally miserable…divorced again, broke, and living in a dingy apartment with no air conditioning. He was also struggling to pay his employees because clients wouldn't pay him. Not exactly glamorous, but then John did an amazing thing. He decided he would concentrate on things to be grateful for, and follow that up with writing a thank you note every day for an entire year.Over time, and not too slowly actually, John's life began to improve. Life looked good again. One of the greatest outcomes has been the influence he's had on others. His book, “A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning To Say Thank You Changed My Life” sold like crazy. He said that the year-long thank you notes helped him prioritize good things, and helped him focus on that.John also has noticed a really interesting thing. A person's natural tendency is to focus on nine things that go wrong. Yet what would happen if we focused instead on even a single good thing? He understands that we all can help each other. Rising tide lifts all boats, as they say. Just as we can help others form the discipline of gratitude, they can be our accountability in a very real way.Every day we can text, email, call, or otherwise communicate to friends and family things that we're grateful for. In turn, we can receive their good reports. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called in one body and be thankful.”Whether it's a community of believers or simply the wider culture, we can help each other every single day by passing along what we're grateful for. There's power in telling another what they mean to you, or passing along thanks for something as simple as a shared meal. Such a choice doesn't cost anything, but it piles up spiritual treasure for us. Pretty soon you'll be grateful just for being grateful.Let's pray. Father God, your blessings to us are endless. From the perfect distance from the sun for proper warmth and light to the love that you placed in our hearts for family and friends, you're a good God, and you're deserving of our praise. We look forward to a glorious future 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.

With the tech boom has come concerns that we are constantly under surveillance, or being watched. And maybe that's not all a conspiracy theory. But no one in the world knows everything about us. There is still some privacy, some places we can go away from prying eyes.Except…Psalm 69:5 says, “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.”We know that we serve the One True God, the One that made everything we see. Part of His infinite knowledge is every single thing about each person. That's a mind-bender and can actually seem a little scary, but ultimately it's for our own good. If we mess up, He is there to restore us and heal our shame.While others gather data on us that could be embarrassing, God wants only what's best for us. He holds us up to the light of His righteousness, and that reality should be all the motivation we need to live holy lives.Let's pray.Lord, we can feel very, very foolish in your eyes. But we thank you for the accountability you give us, for our own good. 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 almost universally believed that tech guru Steve Jobs floated into mega success with Apple, the company he co-founded with Steve Wozniak.Job's first go-around at Apple didn't end well in 1985, when he was forced out. His next effort wasn't a home run either, yet Jobs put his head down like a fullback and plowed ahead. Next up for him was founding Pixar and finally, more than a decade after his humiliating exit from Apple, Jobs returned there as CEO and revolutionized the way people interacted with computers.Writing about him after his death, Jason Demur said that, “Steve Jobs is lasting evidence that you should never count somebody out—even yourself.” In other words, even if someone pushes you back, you have to keep moving forward. Believe it or not a fellow tech icon, Bill Gates, also had to learn the hard way. His first venture with business partner Paul Allen was a complete failure, but Gates said many times in the years since that learning from failures leads to success, and Microsoft is proof of that.Christian Ministry leader Jo Walls has some interesting things to say to Christians who have perhaps grown too comfortable in their faith, and she addresses herself first. She says, “God's been talking to me lately about being too comfortable. He's challenging me in some ways that I'm not real thrilled about. He's pushing me to grow,” and in fact, He's telling her to ‘cheer up buttercup—life can be a grind,' and that's when we need to push through.Even though it can sometimes sting when someone tells us to chin up, it's ultimately for our good. And let's face it—most of us know it feels good to overcome something really difficult.Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” When your life is spent following Jesus, fear disappears in the light of God's reassuring love. He has a plan for you, and you don't have to walk in the shadows when God's got your back. Every moment of every day is brighter knowing our Heavenly Father watches over us.The unknown doesn't have to be cause for worry. It's an opportunity for God to work on your behalf. Hand the details over to Him and wait patiently and faithfully for His good plan to come to fruition. The joy of knowing we can always depend on God is a message worth sharing.Let's pray.Lord, we need your strength every single day. We know that some things just don't come easy. Thank you for bringing us along the way you do. We pray and believe. It feels good to emerge from difficulty and realize that the strength you gave us pulled us out of despair. 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.

Honestly…sometimes, as Christians, we think things are going to be easy. After all, when Jesus saves you, it doesn't get any better than that! The joy we feel is genuine, and lasting.But—that doesn't mean we escape this world. Bad things can and do happen. This week, we're talking about having enough grit to get to the glory.Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”Part of our Christian walk is developing a personal faith that lasts. As Paul tells us in Romans, leaning in and learning to last is the key to it all. Listen, if you're walking through a really dark valley right now, you are not alone! Many, many people have and are going through exactly what you're going through now.If you bought into the idea that being a Christian means your life becomes easy, you need to go ahead and let that go. True faith requires us to look to the Lord when things go wrong.Stand up on your feet, Christian, and let Jesus steady you. Hold fast!Let's pray. Lord, your strength sustains us. We love you Lord—for that, and for so many more things. 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 stop and think about the routine things you do every day? Buying detergent so you can wash your family's clothes. Fixing a couple of boards on your deck. We even grind through staff meetings at work. All of this, of course, mixed with life, laughter, and love.But do you think about why you can do these things in our country?Primarily, it's because of the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers—those men and women who have defended the homeland since Colonial times.Joshua 1:9 commands us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”We are privileged to live in a land of the free precisely because fellow citizens took a different road. They walk a path of danger so that we can have the freedom to live as we choose. So many of them fight with the faith they've lived with all their lives, and it's our duty to thank them—and be thankful for them.Remember them when you want to complain about those daily chores…which were made possible by their sacrifice.Let's pray.Lord, would you keep our warriors safe and keep them in your loving arms. We ask you this as we reflect on Independence Day. We thank you for our soldiers, and we thank you for Jesus. 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.

From earliest times, God commanded His people to see their national home through His holy eyes. In other words, countries around the world are to follow the Lord. Of course, many don't.Jeremiah 30:22 says, “So you will be my people, and I will be your God.”Many great civilizations have risen, but few last beyond a couple hundred years. Although history is debated, the foundations of America see a people who wanted to live holy unto the Lord. Modern America is still an ongoing experiment, but our Pledge of Allegiance, adopted in 1942, used the phrase “Under God.”Lincoln used it for the first time during his Gettysburg Address, when he told the people that from that point on, we would be one people—united under the Living God.This is something to celebrate, and we should! Our nation is always stretching to do better and fulfill an ideal that is more than just some slogan. It's our calling to be this way…under God.Let's pray.Lord, thank you that Christ is proclaimed in freedom in our nation! Help us continue this sacred calling. 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, as Americans, tend to relish our history—and most countries do. Famous eras and the glory of battle and all that. Americans love the beautiful land that we've been blessed with, as well.The Bible tells us the true source of our blessings. It points us to the One who made all things possible.Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”We are incredibly blessed in America for a lot of reasons. From sufficient food to freedom to make our own choices—we just have so much. But do we always acknowledge the source of our blessings?Our forefathers did.George Washington's tomb at Mt. Vernon has Scripture etched into the stones. The Father of our country knew his Heavenly Father!The Bible tells us that we should glory first in our great God. He is the one we owe our lives to. Every breath we take. We owe our Savior Jesus our eternal lives.It is to Him that all honor and glory belongs. Not to us. As proud Americans, we stand on our faith. Of our almost limitless blessings, that is number one.To God be the glory!Let's pray.Lord, your mercies are available to us each day. As we get ready for a new day, help us to remember that You are our source, and You deserve the glory. 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.

Today in America, two million men and women serve in our armed forces. More than 200,000 of them are deployed to various points around the world.Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”The Lord has told us directly not to be afraid. We aren't even to be discouraged! He's told us through His promises that He'll be with us every step of the way.If we stop and think about the amazing history of this country, we can see that God has literally been with us every minute of every hour. He was at Yorktown. He dropped a last-minute winning strategy into Chamberlain's mind at Gettysburg. God went with our invasion forces in the Pacific and in Europe during World War 2, because people were enslaved and in need of rescue. He has been with us since the terrible moments of 9/11.Be strong and of good courage today in the Land of the Free!Let's pray.Lord, your provision for us in all times and all places is wonderful. Thank you for never leaving 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.

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of the original settlers in America? As a person leaving the safety of England to come to the New World and start over?Those people came here for religious freedom and risked it all. When they landed in New England, they literally put down roots as they built and planted the beginnings of an amazing experiment that is still ongoing.Colossians 2:6–7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”Our ancestors were definitely strengthened in their faith as they faced challenges and danger. But the payoff was worth it. Maybe you're going through something similar. You've moved to a new place. New job. New social circle. And you want to find a church! Just tell Jesus you need help with all these things, and He'll be right by your side.Let's pray.Lord, forever you have walked with us and forever you will keep us close, making us strong in the faith. God, thank you for your faithfulness to your mission. 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.

Identifying where our problems originate is one thing, but locating the Divine Healer is key in getting clear of obstacles in our lives. At each mile marker in our life journeys, God is standing alongside the road, smiling at us, and holding out His strong hand to guide us. And from the indispensable wisdom of scripture to stories of human triumphs over tragedies, He is always there reminding us we're never truly alone. His grace and mercies begin to overshadow and overwhelm those forces that want to harm us, and it's then that we see God for who He truly is. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “And after you've suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” And that is Good News! Let's pray. Lord, it's important to see who our enemy is, but it's more important to look past that and concentrate our focus on you who brings us that peace that passes all understanding, the kind that gets down deep in us and calms us from the inside out. 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 fear takes control, God just crushes it.None of us are immune from feeling unsettled at times. Circumstances have a way of knocking us off balance. How we respond not only affects our lives, but those who are watching us.In the film “The Patriot,” a Colonial militia leader sees the British kidnap his son. Taking the two younger sons with him, they wait in ambush in the forest. One of the sons is rattled and crying, so the father puts his hands on the boy's shoulders, looks him in the eyes, and says, “Steady.” Fear drains from the boy's face.In that moment of terror for the whole family, the father's example won the day, and their day ended well.In 2 Timothy 1:7, we learn the source of calm. It says this: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and a sound mind.”God has given you a spirit of power, love, and a good mind. So don't let fear, the enemy, or the world intimidate you when it comes to sharing your faith. Speak God's truth with boldness, and love. Your moment will come one day, and by keeping in mind the truth of God's word, courage will overcome fear.Notice the qualities mentioned in Second Timothy. God has actually given us courage, but also power, and a sound mind—also phrased as self-discipline. And discipline will help keep you steady in a crisis. That spirit of power actually does our fighting for us, and it is the enemy who is afraid.Let's pray.Father, you are good to us. Just as Jesus modeled for us how to handle fear when he prayed in the garden, we know that you have our back, and we can be courageous. Thank you for a sound mind and a calm heart in times of trouble. 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 truly alone. Some people have many relatives and friends, others just a few. Occasionally, someone will have no real friends or family, but all of us interact with humans, and that over time has proven to be dicey. The health of our relationships is one of the biggest factors in how we function each day. Turmoil and chaos at home or work, or both, puts us in emotional quicksand. On the other hand, healthy relationships in our lives improve our overall health and make us more productive.In Genesis, God modeled right relationships for humans, and this model continues through the Bible right to the end in Revelation. From this, we see that our first priority in relationships is to be in fellowship with our Creator. Get that one right and everything else flows. Following close behind is finding harmony in our human relationships, and getting this right is crucial to finding peace. Ephesians 4:2–3 says, “Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”Most people are familiar with the well-known Bible verses that deal with relationships, such as Paul's wisdom from Ephesians, but Scripture is loaded with helpful and healing relationship commands. We hesitate to call it advice because God doesn't really give advice. He tells us what is good for us and what may be harmful. For example, a fairly obscure passage in Job speaks to mean in any era having healthy relationships with women. In Job 31:1 the suffering man says, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.” Wow. So simple, yet very important and profound.That chapter goes on to say that God sees all that we do. He's watching how we treat people. Job made it clear that a man can decide he's going to treat women with respect. It isn't complicated or beyond our reach. So often, simply deciding to be a decent human being leads to waves of healing and peace of mind for everyone. Lots of books have been written about relationships, from marriage to raising children, but the best book of all has the best wisdom, and if you check that out, your relationships will thank you. Let's pray.Father God, you've given us the gift of interacting with other people. Each is unique and created special. We ask that you send the Holy Spirit to guide our relationships so that they're pleasing to you and to others. 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 really cool thing about God is that He has a solution for literally every situation, and that includes mental health. We see this especially in the ministry of Jesus, who walked the land healing people of all sorts of terrible things. One day, He encountered a man driven insane by demons.Mark 5:15 says, “They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had the ‘legion'; and they became frightened.”The “Legion,” those who possessed this man's mind, were no match for Jesus, who simply commanded them to leave the man in peace. And they did!Now, not every mental health problem is related to possession. But mental illness is so devastating to the patient, and family and friends, that it often feels like evil lives there.Not so in the peaceful kingdom of our Lord. If you or a loved one struggles with mental issues, ask the Lord to help you. He has done it many times. That man with the peaceful face and clear mind all those years ago is proof of that.Let's pray.Lord, you own the universe and can solve any problem. Please, especially today, be with those afflicted by mental illness. Come to them and comfort them and heal 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.

Usually, when we're looking for some kind of emotional lifeline to get us through the day, we only want to know what God can do for us.How do we get that peace of mind we desperately need?One component is simple obedience. At first, this sounds like a test that's too hard. We need relief right now!Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”Wow, that sounds like real peace of mind. It requires that we concentrate on ejecting all the junk in our heads and replacing it with God's Word. Learning obedience is key because it reveals the Father's perfect will for our lives.In this way, we almost back-into the peace we were already looking for. This brings us into harmony with our Creator.A renewed, fresh, and clean mind is also a mind that is at rest.Let's pray.Lord, teach us your ways. Help us uncover the peace of mind that those without God don't have. Then help us show them the way. 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 hunted and hunted for something—maybe your car keys, and you finally find them? The old saying goes (and it's very unhelpful!) that you find them in the last place you look.There's a lot of truth to that.It also is very relevant to our walk with Jesus. Often, we work really hard to solve our own problems, then we give in and ask Jesus for help.Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”As with every other promise in the Bible, the really cool thing about this is, it is true. The promises Jesus has made are literally true. So, for example, if you are looking for a solution to an impossible situation, ask Him. It works!Let's pray.Lord, forgive us for not placing our trust in you all the time. You are our sustainer, and we need to remember 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.

The Bible tells us that King Solomon was a very wise man. He ruled over his kingdom from Jerusalem, and built the famous Temple there.He was also very human.This son of King David eventually let his wealth and power go to his head, and he began to follow other religions and almost seemed to enjoy sinning. And yet God loved him. In his later years, Solomon realized how wrong he had been to rely on his own strength. And so scholars believe that's where the book of Proverbs was born. They come from a man weary of the cares of this life. A man ashamed of the mistakes he had made.Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”Proverbs is packed with amazing wisdom into right living, after perhaps one has been focused on other kinds of living.  Solomon learned the hard lessons as he fought his way back to a forgiving God whose mercies are eternal. That is a good lesson for us.Let's pray.Lord, your patience with us is humbling, and it is so appreciated. We thank 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.

Do you feel like you're falling apart today? It's okay to say yes.Life is life, and we all have obstacles to overcome. Maybe your issue is ongoing, or maybe it's a sudden thing. But please think of it this way: Jesus is alive and He knows who you are—and He cares about you and your problems.Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”Jesus is not caught off-guard by problems in your life and most importantly, He truly cares for you and is able to help. Remember what the Bible says: Jesus holds everything together! And that includes you.If you're really struggling, tell Jesus. Then drink from the living water He provides. He was here at the beginning, He is present now, and He will be standing at the end of your road to welcome you home one day. Count on it.Let's pray.Lord, you've got all our stuff well in hand. God, help us remember that every day. 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 Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Do you find it hard to trust some people? Do you find it hard to trust anyone? Our society is full to the brim of people who have been hurt, wounded, and devastated. It puts up a wall and we live behind it in silence and fear.After the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the people of that captive country were free for the first time to tell their stories. One woman said that she had been driven nearly insane by the dictator's torture chambers, but when he was gone, someone shared the love of Christ with her. And her mind and spirit were restored. She said that for the first time in her life, she could now trust. It opened her heart to beauty and friendship and love. And most of all, she now loves her Savior with her whole, healed heart.Psalm 91:2 says, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Your situation might not be as extreme as our Iraqi sister, but if you have trust issues, take them to Jesus and tell Him with your whole hurting heart that you need Him. He will meet you where you are!Let's pray.Lord, your love heals all kinds of pain. We thank you that your mercies endure 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.

There is a common metaphor of life being like a road, and with good reason. We are in essence walking a path in life, from beginning to end. For each person, the journey is at different times joyous, grueling, and full of wonder.2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.”This week we're talking about walking by faith, something us as humans find difficult to do—especially when times get tough. Yet that is exactly the moment God uses to ignite our faith, and show us things we couldn't have seen before!In the Bible, there are many stories of people on journeys. Abraham, Hannah, Moses, and many more. If you've read any of those stories, you've noticed that God is with them every step. And sometimes the journey takes a long time…years.If you find yourself on a really hard road right now, remember that others have gone before you. They learned to trust God in tough times, and walk by faith.Let's pray. Lord, you are so good to us! You walk with us, and you carry us when necessary. We are grateful. Thank 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.

Noah was far from perfect, but he was a humble man, and protective of his family. He stands out among fathers in the Bible as a man who remained loyal to God, in spite of the wickedness of the world around him.Doesn't that sound a lot like life today? Fathers who choose to follow a life of faith are surrounded by temptation and downright evil in this world, but God is pleased by our devotion, and He has a plan for each of us — even when circumstances are frustrating or difficult. Genesis 6:5–8 says, “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So, the Lord said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.' But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”The Bible tells us Noah, father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, was a righteous man and walked faithfully with God. For this reason, God chose Noah to build an incredible ship—the ark—that would save not only mankind, but every variety of living creature on the earth—from peril.Sometimes, fathers feel like their job is a thankless one. They tackle the honey-do list on weekends, help with dinner, keep the kids in line, and help to wrangle them at bedtime...and maybe they don't hear ‘thank you,' or ‘great job,' often enough. But God knows everything you do for your family, from breadwinning to caretaking and everything in between, and He takes delight in your devotion to your family, and to Him.Deuteronomy 30:2–3 says, “And when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you.”Modern-day fathers can learn valuable lessons from Noah:God promises to bless and protect those who faithfully follow and obey him. A man who obeys the Lord will inspire faith in his children as well. Obedience is not a sprint but a marathon; It means a lifetime of faithful devotion, even (and especially!) when the going gets tough.Let's pray.Lord, thank you for calling out Noah's faithful obedience to you so many years ago, and for providing for the safety and provision of his entire family when the world had gone astray. Bless every father who hears this message, Lord, that they might grow closer in their walk with you, and inspire their children to follow in their footsteps. 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.

Moses was the father of two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and he also served as a father figure to the entire Hebrew people as they escaped from slavery in Egypt.He loved his people, and helped discipline and provide for them on their 40-year journey to the Promised Land. Imagine leading a frustrated, tired, hungry group of travelers through the desert—without air conditioning or handheld electronics—for four decades!So many aspects of Moses' life story seem larger-than-life, and he was indeed a hero of his time—but he was also merely a man. Moses' perseverance in the face of incredible challenges over the course of his life shows today's fathers that overwhelming tasks can be achieved when we stay close to God.Exodus 16:11–12 says, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.'”The Israelites were afraid they would starve in the barren desert after fleeing Egypt, and complained to Moses that it would have been better if they had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt, where they had enough to eat— rather than to wander the desert without provisions. Imagine how frustrated Moses must have been! The Lord had miraculously saved the Israelites from slavery, and now they worried God wouldn't provide what they needed to survive.Through God's faithful guidance, Moses was able to shepherd the Israelites through 40 years of wilderness living. They quarreled with Moses. They accused him of leading them to disaster and ruin. They complained frequently—even after they had seen God's promises fulfilled. Yet still, Moses carried on. He brought every concern to the Lord, and with God's blessing and guidance, he was able to keep going.Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”Moses teaches fathers that with God, all things are possible. God answers prayer and desires intimate fellowship with every believer. No one can follow God's laws perfectly. We all need a Savior.Let's pray.Heavenly Father, sometimes parenting is exhausting! Thank you for the blessing of children, and we ask you to bless dads with patience to spare, and to make your presence known to tired dads in the trenches who need your wisdom, and your grace. 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.

Picture what it would be like to lose everything in one fell swoop. Your house burns to the ground. The stock market plummets, and all your money is gone. Worst of all, your children fall ill and die. Suddenly, you've lost not only your material possessions but your family, too.When people refer to someone as having “the patience of Job,” they say that for a reason.Job was a man of immense wealth, the richest man in the region, and was the father of seven sons and three daughters he loved dearly. He was also a faithful servant of the Lord, and grateful for every blessing.In a terrible turn of events, Job lost his fortune in a single day. His crops, property, livestock, and servants were gone. Most devastating of all, Job lost his children. But Job didn't blame God. He accepted that God had a plan for him, and was patient as he waited for the Lord to reveal that plan. He knew that sometimes bad things happen to good people, and he continued to praise the Lord in the midst of trial.Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”Job lost everything, but he didn't take matters into his own hands to seek justice for what he had lost. He fell to his knees and worshipped the Lord, and then he was still. In the quiet of his soul, Job knew God had a plan, and in the end, God restored to Job twice as much as he had in the beginning.A godly man is patient.Let's pray.Lord, waiting is hard to do. Waiting for an answer. Waiting for resolution. Waiting for things to get better. Restore peace and patience as we grow in faith and learn to wait on you. We trust 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.

Adam, a first-time father, looked down at his newborn son with love. Adam and his wife had made mistakes in the past and suffered greatly for it, but this child, their firstborn, was a chance to start fresh. The new family didn't have the support of friends or relatives, but they did their best, and figured it out as they went along.When the family was blessed with another son a few years later, they were so grateful to the Lord, and excited to watch their boys grow and play together. The family of four worked hard, loved God, and they were in it together. Sometimes, though, the sins of our past have a way of catching up with us.When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and were banished from the Garden of Eden, they plunged the world into sin. They couldn't have known at the time just how far-reaching the consequences of this event would be for their family—that their son Cain would one day grow jealous of his brother Abel's favor in the eyes of the Lord, and commit the very first murder.Adam, the first man and very first human father, has much to teach today's fathers about the consequences of our actions and the absolute necessity of obeying God. Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”Lessons we can learn from Adam include:Obedience:God wants us to freely obey Him, to trust Him, and to submit to His love. A man who follows and obeys the Lord can be a child's first example of obedience.Integrity:Fathers with integrity know that nothing is hidden from God's sight. Even when no one is around, God sees our actions; men with integrity act accordingly. Responsibility:Godly fathers take responsibility for their own failures and shortcomings, rather than blaming others for their mistakes. The ability to accept responsibility is not a show of weakness, but a sign of strength.Let's pray.Heavenly Father, Adam, the first human father, had no blueprint for fatherhood. Thank you for the wisdom and knowledge we can glean from fathers before us in your Holy Word, the Bible. Uphold fathers, Lord, and open their eyes to your love, and your good plan for their family. Give them the support they need to follow you, and to humbly obey your commands. 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 story of the Prodigal Son is one we can all relate to. The Bible tells the story of a brash young man who leaves his home after asking for his inheritance. His loving father complies, and let's just say the son learns some valuable lessons on his travels.Eventually, he humbles himself and comes home; he needs his father and his family.It is really a story of Jesus and us.Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”We screw up sometimes. Maybe it's so bad we can't see a way back.That's when Jesus stretches out His arms and welcomes us home. He isn't as concerned with where we've been as He is with where we end up. His perfect love and forgiveness are the only real ointment for our self-inflicted wounds. If you think you've screwed up too much, or fallen too far, put that out of your mind and simply tell Jesus you need Him.Let's pray. Lord, your willingness to welcome us back to fellowship is something to behold. We are grateful for your grace. 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 lot of us like action movies. And if they have a faith theme or element, even better. The iconic film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” comes to mind. In fact, the wild ride taken by Indiana Jones really typifies what we're talking about this week: finding the grit to move beyond failure.As he pursues the famous Ark of the Covenant, Jones chases and fights Nazis, and his own doubts. Along the way, his physical and mental stamina are challenged like never before. Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”In a sense, Indiana was sorting out his faith, too, as he looked for the most famous relic of all time. For sure, in the end, he had enough evidence to believe in the God of the Bible.That's kind of the way faith is. We look at it with skepticism. Sometimes for years! But then something happens to us that we can't explain. Then we turn a corner on the street and there He is: Jesus.If you are wrestling with your faith, stop and go back to the source: think on who Jesus really is. Your Savior. Your path to glory will be worth it all!Let's pray. Lord, our journey to faith is not always smooth and straight. Thank you for sticking with us to the end. 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 recorded minutes for a meeting? Whether you were taking notes at work or for a volunteer organization, such as the PTA at your child's school, taking minutes and reporting on them at a follow-up meeting is an important responsibility.What ideas were discussed?How were those ideas followed up on?Who, including yourself, agreed to complete certain tasks before the next meeting? And were those tasks completed on time, and correctly? Recording minutes looks pretty mundane from the outside, but this person ultimately holds colleagues accountable to their responsibilities.If someone was taking minutes on your life, what would those minutes say about you?Romans 14:12 says, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”In this verse, Paul isn't talking about salvation; when you've given your heart to the Lord, He offers forgiveness and salvation freely. We can't earn or lose God's promise of eternal life for us. Salvation is a gift.Paul is talking about the judgment seat of Christ—a moment at the end of time when we will be accountable to Jesus for our actions. Did we create lasting value? Did we serve Him, and others, well? Were we ultimately responsible during our lifetime?As believers, our goal should be to leave lasting value, to impact others for eternity, and ultimately to take responsibility for the legacy we are leaving in the name of Jesus.A godly man is responsible.Let's pray.Lord, along with the gift of salvation comes the incredible responsibility of sharing the Good News with others. Thank you for loving us enough to sacrifice yourself for us, and for the gift of salvation. Help us each to be responsible for sharing that gift with others. 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.

Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ means that we don't just sit in our houses and shut away the world.Scripture is an action item.Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”If the Bible is true—if God's story intersects with our story—then a hurting world is in need of a Savior. The pain many are enduring will have no end until they meet the God-Man, Jesus. He is our healer, and His glory fills the earth.We all have different personalities and various methods of engaging with others. But whatever personality God has given us, we are tasked with sharing the life-giving news of Jesus and His sacrifice.Get in the game and do that very thing! God has called you to share His salvation with anyone and everyone. Darkness can be oppressive. The Light has come!Let's pray. Lord, you showed up in our world at precisely the moment we needed you most. Help us tell others that eternal story. 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 “love” all sorts of things. We love a friend's new hairdo. We love pistachio ice cream and travel to exotic places. Many times, the word itself loses all real meaning. It's like homemade chicken soup without the chicken…and without the soup. 1 John 3:16–18 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” The Divine Word helps us yet again. Here we learn that true love means doing for others. Get involved. Don't just say you love your community. Show the community your love.Cleanup projects, running errands for a shut-in, taking your niece to the movies because her mother is working two jobs: you know what to do. You know the opportunities.Think you love those around you? Show them.Let's pray.Lord, there is so much good to do in the world! Please show us opportunities every day, so that we can put action to our words. 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 humans, we compartmentalize things. It's in our nature to make lists, and rank priorities, and really box certain things in. We've got our work-life over here, and our family life over there, and our faith...somewhere else. And this can often lead us to confusion about which direction we're supposed to go.This confusion even extends to our faith. We wonder: when am I supposed to pray, and when am I supposed to take action on my faith?Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”When we get the Word deep in our hearts, we can have an answer to our personal questions. This sweet psalm tells us that we are to always remember the great gifts Father God bestows on us. His greatness is ever before us and in this way, we can worship Him all the time, no matter what we are doing.Learn to bless the Lord and praise Him as you do your job, as you fellowship with others, and even as you engage with people who don't believe what you believe. They need to see the love of Christ shining through you.Let's pray.Lord, we bless you and praise you with our words. Thank you, Father, for never ever forgetting 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. 

Humans tend to see the world from a me-me-me perspective: What can I get out of this situation? How can I benefit from this?It's the same with being thankful.Not that we shouldn't focus on all that God does for us. That's important—even critical. But when you think about it, who should benefit most from our gratitude?The answer is: others.When we thank others and recognize the effort they took to do something for us, we should train ourselves to understand how it impacts them, not us. Thank them, and be specific: it takes a good heart and a values-driven person to help others.The gratitude we express is a kind of glue that bonds us together, long after the ‘thank you' has been delivered.Ephesians 1:15–16 says, “For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”Let's pray.Lord, help us even in our gratitude to think of the other person first, and not so much about what we gain. 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.

Today's message is really about taking the long view. The human attention span is short, like really, really short. Between the world wars, Winston Churchill warned Europe that Hitler was a threat to the continent at least, but people ignored him. And then when the Nazis turned violent, the people turned to Churchill as their prime minister. Having led the country through another costly war to preserve freedom, Churchill was defeated for reelection in the last days of World War II. It's like the people had forgotten his priceless contribution to world peace. He knew the war would take a long time and that it would be costly, and the people wanted to avoid thinking about it, and even later wanted it over quickly. And that's rarely how life works. Churchill returned as Prime Minister in the 1950s, but his experiences show that people mostly want short-term solutions. Working for the long goal is rarely popular. Jeremiah 15:15 says, “Lord, you understand. Remember me and care for me, avenge me on my persecutors. You are longsuffering. Do not take me away. Think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.” Here God is reminding us that often, we're required to stay in it for the long haul. Nowhere is this more true than in the pursuits of peace and contentment. That kind of thing is not built quickly, and not surprisingly too many people don't stay with it, and they stumble along looking for solutions in the wrong places.If you're in a bad place today, you're going to have to start with basic steps. Talk to Jesus and tell Him you're struggling. Maybe you have a vague sense of depression and just can't locate the direct cause. Take the example of people who did understand the source of true happiness, and were committed to seeing it through no matter how long it took. Abraham knew the value of prayer, and he waited for decades to have a son. Hannah was also unable to have children, but she prayed and stayed faithful, and eventually, God gave her a child and she felt fulfilled. Joseph spent years in exile in prison because of his brothers' actions, but his faith didn't waver. He actually found his contentment in the middle of these trials, and eventually, God restored his family, and all he had lost.  If you're depressed or ground down from money worries, or facing some other huge challenge—go to God right now and tell Him you need peace for your soul. Tell him you fully trust Him and will wait with as much patience and faith as you can. It's then you start the clock ticking on your difficult circumstances, and while you wait, your heart will be at rest. Let's pray. Father, thank you for the good gifts that we already have. Help us be grateful for those things that sustain life. We fully trust you to bring about our delivery from life's circumstances at precisely the moment you have chosen. Sustain our spirits on this journey, Lord. 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.