At some point or another, all of us struggle with guilt. We do something wrong, we act poorly toward another person, we disobey one (or many) of God’s commands, we make a bad decision that results in many negative consequences. And that weighs heavily on us. Have you ever fell into the water with all … Continue reading Feeling gross and dense
Author: MatthewRuttan
Drinking Culture’s Kool-Aid?
James 4:4 (CSB) says: “Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?” Let’s think about that much-neglected passage for a moment. First, “friendship with the world” means just thoughtlessly approving and going along with the values of the society around us. Second, James teaches that when we do that, we are … Continue reading Drinking Culture’s Kool-Aid?
I love you
When you’re proud of someone, you tell them. When you miss someone, you tell them. When you’re thankful for someone, you tell them. And when you love someone, you tell them. That’s what I love about Psalm 18:1. It starts with David’s simple statement of love: “I love you, Lord, my strength.” If you feel and … Continue reading I love you
Mitten mindset
What I’m about to say is a very simple concept. It’s an illustration I’ve heard from various sources. I think it’s very profound. And biblical. When it’s cold outside and you put on a pair of gloves, it helps your hands stay warm. But sometimes you fingers get cold because they are separated from each … Continue reading Mitten mindset
When things fall apart
Sooner or later everything falls apart. Well, maybe not everything—but some things; and sometimes, a lot of things. …a relationship, a job, a dream, health, peace of mind… And when that happens you’ll need to lean on God. Big time. But that will be hard to do if your connection is weak, lax and sporadic. … Continue reading When things fall apart
The Devil’s Achilles heel
Imagine we’re playing a football game, but we can’t see an opponent. So we obviously think the game is going to be pretty easy. But as it begins we keep running into invisible roadblocks and frustrations. This makes us scratch our heads. Why isn’t this easier? But then someone tells us that we’ve been misinformed: … Continue reading The Devil’s Achilles heel
Dragged away
Unfortunately, temptation is often a part of life. Some people are tempted to over-spend or worry too much. Some are tempted to engage in habits they know dishonour God. Some people are tempted to laziness or excessive screen time. It really just depends on the person. Recently I was reading the book of James and … Continue reading Dragged away
How’d you get to be so wonderful?
There’s an old story about a father and his three-year-old daughter. The father asked her, “How did you get to be so wonderful?” Immediately she replied, “Because I married you!” The dad and daughter were obviously not married. The daughter was simply repeating what she had heard someone else say in response to the same … Continue reading How’d you get to be so wonderful?
Love boldly. But when you miss the mark…
James 2:8 says, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.” With that in mind, let me tell you a story. In 1993 a well-known theologian from Croatia named Miroslav Volf was doing a talk on loving your neighbour. Afterward someone asked him, “But … Continue reading Love boldly. But when you miss the mark…
Being loyal… to God
Yesterday I said that we can misunderstand what Jesus meant when he used the word “love.” I suggested that the word he used for “love” was close in meaning to “loyalty.” It is to have a kind of committed attachment to someone as a fellow child of God, and to seek God’s best for them. … Continue reading Being loyal… to God
