Happy Easter everybody! As many of you know, I've been on break since February 4th. I'm feeling refreshed and am looking forward to helping you live out a dynamic faith through this devotional five days a week. Since today is Easter Monday, let me just say this: A lot of people struggle with an identity … Continue reading Your victory in life
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Hit pause…
Hi everyone, I hope you had a great weekend. I'm writing today to remind you that this devotional is going on pause until April 22nd. I know, I know - it's a long time away, right? But after 3 years of writing daily devotionals I'm taking my own advice and entering into a much-needed rest. But … Continue reading Hit pause…
Dealing with stress…
Have you ever dealt with stress? Wow, all of your hands just shot up at once! Dr. Tim Cantopher explains that the word “stress” is from the world of engineering. Think of a bridge. When it is bearing a load that is heavier than it is designed to carry, it is “under stress.” With that … Continue reading Dealing with stress…
How do you know you’re on the right track?
How do you know you’re on the right track with your faith? After all, we SAY we believe in Jesus, but are we LIVING like it? When you read through the New Testament, one of the ways you can tell you’re on the right track is if you’re showing evidence of God’s presence in your … Continue reading How do you know you’re on the right track?
A major stumbling block to faith
Yesterday I talked about having a relationship with Christ and whether or not it is authentic. Today I’d like to focus on something the Bible identifies as a major stumbling block to that relationship: Money. In Luke 16:13 Jesus says it with his usual eye-opening candour: “You cannot serve both God and money.” It’s a tricky … Continue reading A major stumbling block to faith
What’s the least I can do in this relationship?
In his book Eternity is Now in Session, John Ortberg has a helpful illustration that teaches us something about faith in Christ: Let’s say I get married to someone, exchange vows, and pledge to journey with them through life. But what if that night, after the celebration, I ask, “Honey, what is the least I … Continue reading What’s the least I can do in this relationship?
Who says who goes to heaven or hell?
I’ve been talking a lot about heaven and hell. But who goes where? In other words, what makes someone right with God and given a place in heaven, and what makes someone wrong with God and therefore banished from his presence after they die? And who decides these things? I know, I know. These are … Continue reading Who says who goes to heaven or hell?
Diet and God
Speaking to the young Timothy, Paul wrote that “physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things…” (1 Timothy 4:8). When people look at that verse they usually see Paul’s advice to take godliness and spiritual training seriously. And that’s good. But that isn’t ALL he says. He also says that … Continue reading Diet and God
People pleasing…
Are you a people-pleaser? A people-pleaser is someone who wants to make other people happy all the time. And that’s not always a bad thing. The problem is when your own sense of self, and even your own happiness, is too closely connected to your desire and capacity to please or appease others. I get it. As … Continue reading People pleasing…
Unhealthy vs healthy “success”
Success is good, right? But what is “success”? A lot of people think of it in terms of career advancement, or money, or popularity. We can even try to be “successful” when it comes to our faith. We want to be successful at praying more or reading our Bibles or serving in a particular ministry or … Continue reading Unhealthy vs healthy “success”
