“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).This is a famous verse. It’s inspiring. It’s also a verse that is frequently abused. Some people use it to justify any behaviour they want, including ideas or actions which directly contradict God’s own teachings. To them, “God is love” means … Continue reading God is love?
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Prioritizing what Jesus prioritizes
In the previous devotional we talked about “distracted living.” Just how someone can become a “distracted driver” when behind the wheel, we can lose our focus about what and who matters most in life.As the people of God, it can be helpful to think deliberately about this with the following question: Am I prioritizing what … Continue reading Prioritizing what Jesus prioritizes
Distracted driving, or distracted living?
One of the biggest threats to road safety today is distracted driving. The national collision database says it contributed to 25.5% of serious injury collisions in 2021. Each year it seems to be increasing. A national survey found that 79% of drivers admitted to being distracted while driving. But this devotional isn’t about distracted driving. It’s … Continue reading Distracted driving, or distracted living?
The indication that you are truly alive
In 1 John 3:14 the apostle John writes: “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.”Did you see it? Love flowing from faith. It’s an idea that permeates the letters of the apostle John. It permeates the Gospel he wrote … Continue reading The indication that you are truly alive
He loves to be ignored
“By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6).Neil Anderson and Timothy Warner say that “Satan loves to be ignored.”* What do they mean?Think about it. If the Devil jumped out from behind every bush with horns and a pitch fork, we’d easily be able to identify and reject … Continue reading He loves to be ignored
Angels and demons on our shoulders?
You sometimes see artwork where a person has an angel over one shoulder and a demon over the other. Sometimes they are shown to be whispering into the person’s ear. Regardless of whether the artist thinks these good and evil spirits are literally on someone’s shoulder, the idea is clear—that there are good and bad … Continue reading Angels and demons on our shoulders?
The gospel of our liberated age?
There are times when we humans make simple things difficult and difficult things too simplistic. Mark Bauerlein was speaking to his friends about a group of monks in Vermont who spend most of their time in contemplation and prayer. His friends respected the monks, but were puzzled by them. “It doesn’t occur to them,” Bauerlein writes, “that … Continue reading The gospel of our liberated age?
Christian is also a verb
When we call ourselves “Christians” what do we think that means?The earliest followers of Jesus were called “disciples.” That word is used about 269 times.In those early days, the followers of Jesus were also called the people of “the Way.” That phrase occurs five times. So, when did the title “Christian” come into use? We first … Continue reading Christian is also a verb
Do. Not. Be. Surprised.
There’s no denying it. The Bible tells us like it is! No holding back. In 1 John 3:13 we read: “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” In my Bible, I have those first four words underline separately. Do. Not. Be. Surprised.In this context, “the world” is a reference to “human systems that … Continue reading Do. Not. Be. Surprised.
Believing in God, or believing God
The word “believe” comes up a lot in the Bible. Clearly, it’s very important to our faith. In 1 John 3:23, the apostle writes: “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”But what does it truly mean to … Continue reading Believing in God, or believing God
