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Month: May 2026

Why does the true soldier fight?

May 11, 2026May 5, 2026 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

There is a lot of battle and warfare language in the New Testament. For example, we are to “take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:13). In Romans 13:12 we are told to put on the “armour … Continue reading Why does the true soldier fight?

Try something radical

May 8, 2026May 5, 2026 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

“…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness…” (2 Peter 1:5-8).In the past few devotionals, we’ve been talking about spiritual disciplines, and what to do when you feel as if you’re in a bit of a rut.As a … Continue reading Try something radical

When you feel in a spiritual rut

May 7, 2026May 5, 2026 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

In the previous devotional, we talked about spiritual disciplines. These are deliberate, repetitive, biblical practices the Holy Spirit uses to make us more like Christ.Even still, there are times when we can feel stuck. When that happens, one suggestion is to shake things up. Here are some examples.I know people who have moved their morning prayer … Continue reading When you feel in a spiritual rut

Joy is what happens when

May 6, 2026May 5, 2026 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

I recently presented a workshop on spiritual disciplines. These are deliberate, repetitive, biblical practices the Holy Spirit uses to make us more like Christ.Some of the most well-known practices that fit into this category are prayer, Bible-reading, fasting, worship, serving others, etc. There are others, but those are some of the most popular.Over time, we … Continue reading Joy is what happens when

The (real) signs of love

May 5, 2026May 4, 2026 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).When I was in university one of my professors told our class that during our discussions, we weren’t allowed to use the word “interesting.”Why not? Since it was a word that people over-used, it had lost it’s meaning. “Yes, that … Continue reading The (real) signs of love

The love that jams the Devil’s wheels

May 4, 2026April 28, 2026 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Jesus said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44)Do you have enemies? Perhaps you do, perhaps you don’t. If you don’t, perhaps you still have people who you feel are somehow “against” you. They always seem to say the wrong thing at the right time. They foil your plans, put you … Continue reading The love that jams the Devil’s wheels

Well done, good and faithful servant

May 1, 2026April 28, 2026 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Victor Frankl recalls an experience he had in a concentration camp. He was serving as a kind of medical assistant, caring for fellow prisoners who were sick or elderly. He would use whatever supplies he could get his hands on to help them.One day, he was approached by some fellow prisoners. They had made a … Continue reading Well done, good and faithful servant

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