Yesterday I said that humility is focusing on someone else more than self. Or, in the words of C.S. Lewis, “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but of yourself less.” Jesus is our ultimate inspiration and example of humility. Since we want to be like him (1 John 2:6), we strive to be humble and … Continue reading Selfish ambition
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Someone else more than self
Is it just me, or is humility the virtue that many people admire but few actually want? To the Philippians in the early 60’s, Paul wrote: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests … Continue reading Someone else more than self
He just HAD to get the credit. And it cost him.
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
