“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). These words of Jesus are quite famous. At first, they … Continue reading Narrow, not broad and wide
Author: Matthew Ruttan
They fear concentration
John Climacus wrote a book in the early 7th century that became very influential among Christians. It was called The Ladder of Divine Ascent. Among other things it was a book about becoming more like Jesus. In it he wrote: "Demons fear concentration as thieves fear dogs."* He put a high value on concentration. He was … Continue reading They fear concentration
Rarely does he let me see the script
In her book No Greater Love, Rebecca McLaughlin writes: “I thoroughly believe that God directs my life, but rarely does He let me see the script.”* Can I get an Amen?! Like McLaughlin, I thoroughly believe that God directs my life. Perhaps you also agree that God directs your life. When she says that God … Continue reading Rarely does he let me see the script
Feet firmly planted
When did you last wrestle someone? Perhaps it's been a while. Perhaps you never have! I'm not a professional. I'm a father (which, for the record, includes a good deal of wrestling). You need to have your feet firmly planted on the ground. If you don't, you get taken down pretty quickly. Today's devotional is … Continue reading Feet firmly planted
Personal, but never private
In yesterday’s devotional I highlighted the exceptional courage of the first apostles. As far as we can tell, all but one of them died for their faith. One writer has stated that God is personal, but never private.* How very true. Our faith is internal AND external. It impacts who we are on the inside … Continue reading Personal, but never private
Courage is fighting alongside the King
Whatever happened to those first apostles? Shortly after the resurrection, this new movement of Christ-followers took off. Initially they were called the people of “The Way.” The word “Christians” also came into use fairly early. Jesus’ people were first referred to by that title in Antioch (see Acts 11:26). Some of the things we know … Continue reading Courage is fighting alongside the King
Doubt your doubts
Perhaps you sometimes have doubts about various aspects of your faith. Perhaps you’ve also thought to yourself, ‘If only I could have seen Jesus when he was resurrected; then I’d have total confidence.’ You may be surprised to hear this, but seeing the risen Jesus in the first century was not a slam-dunk guarantee that … Continue reading Doubt your doubts
Casual and casualty sound so much the same
“Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position” (2 Peter 3:17) It’s no coincidence that casual and casualty sound so much the same. Let me explain what I’m getting at. Casual … Continue reading Casual and casualty sound so much the same
Too honest not to tell the truth
This week we’re talking about having confidence in the resurrection. More specifically, we’re talking about how to defend against conspiracy theories that say it never really happened. When we understand these—and know how to defend against them—we grow in confidence. A modern popular theory is that the early church must have made up resurrection stories … Continue reading Too honest not to tell the truth
There exists such overwhelming evidence
This week’s devotionals have been focusing on the resurrection. It is foundational to our faith. Yet people continue to come up with conspiracy theories which try to deny it. When we understand these—and know how to defend against them—we grow in confidence. One conspiracy theory is that Jesus’ dead body was simply stolen. But that … Continue reading There exists such overwhelming evidence
