Two wise and faithful men were being interviewed after years of exemplary teaching and service. They were both humble, despite their many accolades and awards. The interviewer asked how they were able to resist pride and stay humble? One of the men replied: “How on earth can anyone be arrogant when standing beside the cross?”* … Continue reading Arrogance beside the cross?
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Grow greater by growing smaller
Theologian J.I. Packer said that “Christians… grow greater by growing smaller.”* That’s a helpful reminder. People talk about “greatness.” Sometimes they simply think about it. And yes, they might use different words, but the idea is the same. In the book of Esther, Haman seemed to be concerned with a certain understanding of greatness. With … Continue reading Grow greater by growing smaller
Pride and destruction
Do you want to experience destruction? Do you want to experience destruction in your family, among your friends, at work, at school, or with your reputation or soul? If the answer is no, we need to heed Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Let’s be clear. If we want … Continue reading Pride and destruction
Doing the right thing even when you feel alone
I’ve been spending time studying the book of Esther. As I go through the story line by line I notice things I didn’t notice before. One of the famous parts of the story is when she decides to approach the King to help her people, even at great risk to her own life: “I will … Continue reading Doing the right thing even when you feel alone
Going to worship is good for you, study says
Let’s put what I’m about to say in the category of ‘news you won’t hear on the news.’ A Harvard study says that participating in religious services once a week or more is correlated with greater longevity, lower levels of depression, more optimism, and lower suicide rates.* Um, pardon? Yes, that’s right. Participating in religious … Continue reading Going to worship is good for you, study says
You can’t threaten a man with heaven
It’s hard to read the book of Esther and not be impressed by her courage. Her people were in danger of annihilation. Her adoptive father Mordechai encouraged her to approach the King to intervene. Sounds simple enough. But if she approached without an invitation she could be killed. (I’m glad I don’t live in a … Continue reading You can’t threaten a man with heaven
For such a time as this
Have you ever wondered if you should have been born in another time? Perhaps 19th century France or even in the pioneer days? I realize that it’s fun to dream. But God isn’t that haphazard. God’s people were chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). He fashioned us in our mother’s wombs and … Continue reading For such a time as this
Don’t use providence as an excuse
Providence is the invisible hand of God. It is God directing, guiding and providing for his people, even when you can’t see him. Some people say they trust in God’s providence, and then they use that as an excuse for not responding to God’s call on their lives. They think to themselves, ‘Well, God is … Continue reading Don’t use providence as an excuse
Laughing in the Devil’s face
I recently came across a correspondence between the Reformer Martin Luther and a friend. in The Voice, Keith S. Lindley sets the scene like this: “In July of 1530, Martin Luther penned a letter to his dear friend, Jerome Weller. During a season of depression, Weller began to doubt the reality of his salvation, and … Continue reading Laughing in the Devil’s face
Good out of bad
Corrie ten Boom tells the story about an old Russian woman she met during the Cold War. She was a woman of faith, but Bibles were not allowed. It was a time of persecution for Christians. The woman was so sick she couldn’t get off her couch. But she had one finger she could still … Continue reading Good out of bad
