Can you imagine meeting Jesus face-to-face? What would you say? What would you ask him? What do you think he would ask you?It’s amazing to think that one day we will actually get the opportunity to see and speak with our Lord. Until then we learn about him and hear his voice in Scripture. Augustine said … Continue reading Christs to one another
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Does having faith mean I’ll get rich?—no and yes
In Mark 10:29-31 Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and … Continue reading Does having faith mean I’ll get rich?—no and yes
Holding on to unkeepable things
In Mark 10:17-22 a wealthy young man asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”Jesus replied: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do … Continue reading Holding on to unkeepable things
The new alternative lifestyle
Alternative lifestyles.When I use that phrase, what comes to mind? Perhaps someone who creates a belief system out of a mishmash of ideas? What about someone who embraces sexual promiscuity or rejects family life and the idea that marriage and children are a good thing? Or maybe you think about someone who organizes their life … Continue reading The new alternative lifestyle
We can’t really complain if…
There are things in the world we would like to be different. We look around at the state of things and can become discouraged.However, this can be an opportunity. First, we can remember that God is sovereign. The pages of Scripture bellow the wonderful almightiness of God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He … Continue reading We can’t really complain if…
A starving man trying to eat air
Pause Alert: After today, The Up Daily Devotional will go on pause for a week, returning on March 17th. I’m taking some vacation time. Can you believe the devotional has been going for almost 10 years?You can access previous devotionals at TheUpDevo.com. You can also listen to back episodes on your favourite podcasting app. Just search … Continue reading A starving man trying to eat air
Arguing in polarizing times
In some ways, these are polarizing times. People are becoming very good at arguing. It can happen face-to-face. It can also happen online. Sometimes it’s with someone you know, and sometimes it’s with a complete stranger.As people of faith we know we have to stand up for certain things. I totally agree with that. We need … Continue reading Arguing in polarizing times
A word that Christians need to reclaim
“Surely the righteous will never be shaken…” (Psalm 112:6)There is a word that Christians need to reclaim.It’s been neglected and avoided. That’s a problem. Why? Because it’s God’s word.The word is righteousness.Did you wish I had said something else? Perhaps love or courage or community? These are all a part of it. But our knee-jerk negative … Continue reading A word that Christians need to reclaim
Ashes, mortality and the beginning of Lent
Today is Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of Lent—a forty day period (excluding Sundays) leading up to the ground zero of the Christian faith: the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Some churches and traditions have a custom of putting ashes on people’s foreheads on this day. Why? One of the reasons is that ashes are … Continue reading Ashes, mortality and the beginning of Lent
Fatty foods in the cupboard and sin in the heart
Today is known as Shrove Tuesday. It’s the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.The name comes from a practice in England to “shrive” on this day—meaning confessing our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.Since many people fast during Lent, there was (and is) a custom of using up fatty foods on this day to get … Continue reading Fatty foods in the cupboard and sin in the heart
