Kerusso Daily Devotional

In Search of Truth

Because there’s so much easy access to information and ideas today, we can take in a huge amount of stuff. The downside is that much of it is just noise, and a lot of it simply isn’t true. What we hear, even if it sounds good, is not always good for us, especially when we’re talking about spiritual doubt. There are many opinions floating around out there on the subject. For instance, some will say that doubt is really something to wrestle with continually, never finding a satisfying answer. While at the other end of the spectrum, some will say that if you doubt, you are permanently cut off from God. Both of those extremes are not helpful at all. The Bible is clear that God gives us a choice whether to believe in him or not. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Within each person is a longing to understand our place in the world and to know if there is something or someone beyond this life. The Bible says that He has set eternity in our hearts, that curiosity is in all of us. And if you’re wondering about God, then your curiosity is a good starting point. A bedrock truth for Christians is that God sent Jesus in human form to atone for the sins of mankind. This is not an easy concept to grasp, honestly, but it’s what is known as the gospel, the foundation of our faith. Christianity’s exclusive claims are too much for some seekers. In Mark chapter 10, the Bible describes a wealthy young man who asked Jesus what he had to do to be saved, and Jesus replied that besides following the 10 commandments, he should give his money to the poor, and the story ends with that man sadly walking away. It’s likely that Jesus was helping him to see that his heart was not yet ready to receive anything that would require any sacrifice on his part. In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” Believing in the true God is not a bed of roses. But if you can make the search for God your starting point, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for. Let’s pray. Father, you’ve given us the knowledge of saving faith in your word. Thank you for giving us a free choice to decide our path in 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.

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Doubt Is Real

Have you ever wondered about how convinced well-known Christians are of their faith? We all know they never doubt, right? Wrong. A well-known preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said of doubt, “I think when a man says, ‘I never doubt,’ it is quite time for us to doubt him.” That is a fact of life for many of us, although most don’t like to admit it. In fact, doubt is mentioned often in the Bible. The Bible is full of great faith stories, but it’s interesting to notice that there are plenty of doubters, too. Sarah simply didn’t believe God’s promise that she and Abraham would have a child. Peter’s bravado evaporated when he realized it was dangerous to be known as one of Christ’s followers. Job’s wife told him he should curse God and die because of his misfortunes, and Job wished he’d never been born. Humans can be quirky. Imagine seeing Jesus with your own eyes and watching Him perform miracles. In the book of Matthew, we read about the apostles with Jesus on a mountain in Galilee after His resurrection. You can’t get more miraculous than that, but it says some still doubted. Mark 9:24 says, “Immediately, the boy's father exclaimed, ‘I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.’” This is the story of a father who sought Jesus to heal his son, and he seemed to believe, and to struggle with belief, at the same time. Amazing, but not so unusual. As we’re learning, doubting is not the worst thing. Keeping silent about it is worse. Seeking God and trusting a friend or friends to talk it through is healthy. God doesn’t punish us for doubting. Andrea Lucado, who has been around churches and preachers all her life, understands the struggle. She says, “Most of us at some time or another ask the question, why do I believe what I believe?” Those of us who identify as lifelong Christians sometimes have the most doubt. We’ve grown up in church, memorized scripture, and volunteered at VBS, but that thought: why do I believe what I believe, sometimes hits us in a moment we’d least expect. There are plenty of resources and plenty of believing friends who have gone through the same thing to see you through this. So, when you’re in a season of doubt, remember one thing: you’re not alone. Let’s pray. Father, doubt comes to us all at some point, and it’s then that we need each other the most. We need your Spirit to bring us comfort and calm. We thank you. You don’t leave us in our time of doubt, but you long to help us through the valley. 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.

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In the Midst of Doubt

Some of the most important conversations we have can be the most uncomfortable. And when it comes to faith, doubt is near the top of that list. Today, we’re launching a five-part series on the topic of doubt. Many Christians wrestle with doubt, but who wants to admit that their foundational beliefs are not so firm? Not long ago, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, openly admitted that he’s questioned if God is real. When the head of the Church of England says something like that, it makes news. But something interesting came from Welby’s honesty. He revealed his humanity. It turns out that the archbishop lost a baby girl in a car accident many years ago. And when he was a teenager, he had to take care of his alcoholic father. He’s human, with human difficulties. We are human, and we struggle sometimes. Can we be honest? While a lifetime of doubt is dangerous, periods of doubt simply mark one as being human, but faith can help us overcome doubt. In the Bible, we read in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the subject of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 continues with many examples of faith in action. And at its core, the Christian faith means we believe God sent Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross, and that God raised him from the dead. While mountaintop faith is exciting and it makes us feel good, no one experiences that all the time. Sometimes it’s difficult to believe certain things in the Bible. Sometimes we don’t feel faith in our lives. In this first part of our week-long look at doubt, it’s important to remember that simply expressing doubt can lead to healing and a more faithful future. If you’re a struggling believer or a questioning skeptic, this subject is one of the most important you’ll ever wrestle with. Stay tuned. Let’s pray. Father God, often we push down thoughts that are painful or uncomfortable. We don’t have to do that with you, Lord. Even doubts about our faith, or our conversations that we can start with you, we’re grateful 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.

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Love in Motion

One of the richest gifts God has given us is healthy relationships. A marriage in balance, friends who mutually respect each other, and most of all, a strong “God connection” can be the ticket to a healthy, whole life. The full life Jesus spoke about! Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching.” With the fast pace of life, sometimes we forget to squeeze all the gratitude we can out of a great relationship. Remember to regularly tell the people in your life how much they mean to you, and to give thanks to God for sending these loved ones your way. Write them a note, even a text, to tell them what they mean to you. Let’s pray. Lord, it’s not about the number of relationships we have, but the quality. Thank you for giving people who are loyal and love us in return. Encourage us to love others in word and in deed. 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.

Be Steady

Geraldine Mock became the first woman to fly around the world in 1964. Landing for a short stop in Saudi Arabia, she watched as a man approached her plane. When he saw her, he shouted to his friends that this was no man. They applauded! Jerrie Mock’s steadiness at the wheel and in her encounters on the ground were the very picture of self-control. Her journey was wildly successful. Titus 2:11–12 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly…” In order to navigate this crazy world, we have to be steady, and the Fruit of the Spirit ends with a reminder to practice self-control in all we do. Be steady. As Scripture reminds us, don’t look right or left, but ahead. God sees real value in this trait, because He knows we cannot possibly succeed if we let our emotions rule us, or we run ahead on our own instincts. Let’s pray. Lord, help us practice discipline and love doing good as we walk 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 Kerusso.com with code KDD15.