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As a counterculture
I was talking with some of my classmates at seminary. One of them said something like this: “Constantine messed everything up.” He was referring to the Roman Emperor Constantine. The Emperor’s conversion in the early fourth century was a significant step in the legalization of Christianity. It was increasingly safe… Listen ⇢
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Slander is an old-fashioned weapon
In Psalm 27, David feels under attack. In verse 12 he writes: “Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.” In short, David was subject to slander and false accusation. In the ancient world there was no… Listen ⇢
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Laughter—through the tough times too
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). “Laughter is the best medicine.” We’ve probably all heard that expression. It may be based on the proverb quoted above. I’m not sure. Either way, the expression (and proverb) resonates because (a) we know… Listen ⇢
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The right kind of order
“The precepts of the LORD are right,giving joy to the heart.The commands of the LORD are radiant,giving light to the eyes” (Psalm 19:8) In our day, the idea of “order” has increasingly come under suspicion. It stinks, some people say, of authoritarianism, control, drill sergeants, and people who are allergic… Listen ⇢
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Seeking his face
You’re probably going to be more courageous if you know that God is close to you. When I was in elementary school, there was a mean kid on the playground. But I had two older brothers. The mean kid was less scary when my brothers were around. You probably see… Listen ⇢
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Your ‘courage muscle’
Courage. Some people seem to be born with it. But it’s also something which can be developed. There are a few different ways this can happen. Here’s one of them: Repeatedly doing the right thing when it’s hard. If you do the right thing on Occasion A, you build up… Listen ⇢
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Fearing God first puts other fears second
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm (Psalm 33:8-9). In the previous devotional we talked about what it means to “fear God.” The word “fear” can carry… Listen ⇢
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Volcanic reverence
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). What does it mean to “fear God”? It’s an idea that troubles some people. If God is for us (Romans 8:31), and if he is loving (1 John 4:8), and if perfect love casts… Listen ⇢
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Closed doors aren’t always dead ends
In Colossians 4:3 Paul writes: “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” Paul was in prison. Instead of being overwhelmed by his dire situation, he used it for… Listen ⇢
Meet the producer, Matthew Ruttan.
Matthew is a disciple, pastor, husband, and dad of three who lives in the psalms.
