Who is Jesus to you? Is he a teacher, a saviour, or a shepherd? Surely all of those things. But what about a friend? In John 15:15 Jesus says this to his disciples: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for … Continue reading Nurturing faithful friendships
Author: MatthewRuttan
The definition of hope
Sunday marked the start of Advent, a Latin word meaning “coming.” It refers to the coming of Christ, either as a baby at Christmas, or as Saviour and Judge at his return. A repeated theme during Advent is hope. But what is hope? My son and I were brainstorming things we hope for. We hope for … Continue reading The definition of hope
The wandering eye
As we run with perseverance the race before us, Hebrews 12:2 says we are to be “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Let’s look at a few other translations of these words: The CSB translation: “keeping our eyes on Jesus”The NET: “keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus”The ESV: “looking to … Continue reading The wandering eye
Backward is not an option
Hebrews 12 says that “since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” What in the world is a “great cloud of witnesses”? Whatever that is it … Continue reading Backward is not an option
Why some people can endure intense distress
Tom Long says that “People can endure intense distress and pain if they know it is not meaningless.”* Very true. Consider this illustration from William Gurnall: “If you should get up in the morning and hear men on your house tearing off the tiles and taking down the roof with hammers and axes, you might … Continue reading Why some people can endure intense distress
Trials can be trainers and teachers
Trials. Hardships. You have them. I have them. They’re not fun. But what if there was some greater purpose behind some of them? In Hebrews 12: 7, 10 we read: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children… God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his … Continue reading Trials can be trainers and teachers
Don’t be a swivel head
A few years ago I was watching my son play a hockey game. There was a father of a boy on the other team bellowing instructions at his son on the ice—instructions which, I should add, weren’t very smart. As a result, the boy was confused. Should he listen to his coach, or should he … Continue reading Don’t be a swivel head
The cross is steady while the world turns
The Carthusians are a monastic order of contemplation. They were founded in the 11th century. I’m obviously no monk, but I recently came across their motto while reading about them. I was inspired by it. “The cross is steady while the world turns.” There are days when we just need that reminder. When we talk … Continue reading The cross is steady while the world turns
Is your current speed dangerous?
Have you ever had a thousand things to do, but couldn’t get them done because things kept happening which prevented you from getting through your to-do list? Perhaps like a flat tire, a surprise visit from someone, losing your keys, or even a cold? Let me ask you a question: What if God was forcing … Continue reading Is your current speed dangerous?
Will you knock in vain on a closed door?
Jesus healed a man who was born blind. This irked some of the Pharisees. They peppered the man who was healed (and his parents) with questions, trying to discredit the man or the miracle. Quite understandably, he got tired of repeatedly explaining how it happened. “I have told you already,” he said, “and you would … Continue reading Will you knock in vain on a closed door?
The Up Devotional 