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Author: Matthew Ruttan

He just HAD to get the credit. And it cost him.

February 17, 2020February 16, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

I heard a story about two geese and a turtle. They wanted to go somewhere far. Together. But the turtle couldn’t fly. So he came up with an idea. The two geese could hold the ends of a big stick in their beaks. The turtle could grab the stick in the middle with his own … Continue reading He just HAD to get the credit. And it cost him.

To simply listen

February 14, 2020February 13, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Today is Valentine’s Day. Although it’s a day often characterized by cards, chocolates and romance, did you know that Valentine was actually a Christian martyr from the 3rd century? [If you want to know more about him, or some advice for a stronger love, click on the blog post below.] But today I want to … Continue reading To simply listen

Your (media) diet

February 13, 2020February 12, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Watch your diet. Have you ever tried to do that? Have you ever tried to tell someone else to do that? It’s just so easy to get into the habit of eating things that taste good—but are really bad for your health. Today I want to encourage you to watch your media diet. All of … Continue reading Your (media) diet

Fellowship revisited

February 12, 2020February 11, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

What comes to mind when someone mentions the word “fellowship”? Coffee at church? Small talk? In the New Testament, “fellowship” was a robust, meaning-soaked word. In the original Greek it’s koinonia. In Acts 2:42 we read, “They [believers] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship [koinonia], to the breaking of bread and to … Continue reading Fellowship revisited

A wall you build between you and God

February 11, 2020February 10, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Your ego is a wall you build between you and God. Let me explain. Ego is an inflated sense of self; a disproportionate love of self; and a me-first approach to life which reeks of superiority. By focusing on how great you think YOU are, you neglect how great God is, and how other people … Continue reading A wall you build between you and God

Do you EXPECT to hear from God?

February 10, 2020February 3, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Do you want to hear from God? With some help to make a decision, or for encouragement? If so, consider this.

The word she wrote across her chest

January 31, 2020January 30, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Here is one of Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18-19). … Continue reading The word she wrote across her chest

Slaughter untrue thoughts with truth

January 30, 2020January 29, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Many of us face battles. More often than we’d like. And many of those battles begin in the mind. But you can respond swiftly and firmly by slaughtering untrue thoughts with truth as soon as they enter your brain. That truth is, in the words of Paul in Romans 8:37, that “in all these things … Continue reading Slaughter untrue thoughts with truth

More precious than gold

January 29, 2020January 28, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Understanding certain biblical passages can be difficult. Sure, some are straightforward. But others, not so much. So I want to encourage you to keep at it, and to consider this. Panning for gold is work. Picture someone knee-high in a river, with a gold pan or some kind of filter. They work through the soil, … Continue reading More precious than gold

Super-conquerors

January 28, 2020January 27, 2020 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

If you’re a follower of Christ you’re a “super-conqueror.” Did you know that? Do you feel like it? (Need some convincing?) In Romans 8:37 Paul writes: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” The words “we are more than conquerors” translate a Greek word meaning, quite literally, … Continue reading Super-conquerors

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