Sometimes you hear it said that “Kids don’t want your presents; they want your presence.” It’s a word-play on the fact that presents and presence sound the same but are spelled differently. The statement itself is true, but only partially. I have kids. Many of you have kids. If you told them at their birthday … Continue reading Presence—not religious box-ticking
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Be present
When it comes to Christianity and the Bible, some topics get all the attention—like the apocalypse, the latest social justice issue, or heaven and hell. “Abiding in Christ” is not usually on that list. And yet, Jesus tells us to do it. “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). It’s about closely cultivating … Continue reading Be present
How do you spell love?
I once heard someone ask, “How do you spell love?” Seems simple, doesn’t it? L-O-V-E. “No,” they said. “You spell it T-I-M-E.”* Technically you don’t spell love like that. But they were obviously making a point: One way you can give someone your love is to give them your time. It’s a powerful message in … Continue reading How do you spell love?
Being warred against
Sometimes encouragement comes in the strangest of ways. Like when it feels that everything is going against you. Or when you are being opposed at every turn. Maybe you’re wondering why those negative feelings or experiences can be sources of encouragement. Let me explain. John Climacus was a monk who wrote an influential book in … Continue reading Being warred against
Incremental, not accidental
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). A few years ago I was walking through the mall. Someone called my name. “Matthew?” I turned around and the other person said, “It’s Luke.” It was someone I used to play hockey with twenty years ago. We grabbed … Continue reading Incremental, not accidental
Our Comforter and Advocate
In the last couple of devotionals I highlighted that the Holy Spirit is our Helper. Jesus said: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…” (John 14:16, ESV) In Greek, the word is Parakletos. It’s a word that is also translated as Counselor, Advocate and Comforter. … Continue reading Our Comforter and Advocate
With the Paraklete you are plural
In the previous devotional I highlighted that the Holy Spirit is our Helper. Jesus said: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…” (John 14:16, ESV) In Greek, the word is Parakletos. It’s a word that is also translated as Counselor, Advocate and Comforter. J.I. Packer … Continue reading With the Paraklete you are plural
Tune me to your frequency
In John 14:16-17 (ESV) Jesus tells his disciples that his Heavenly Father will send them “another Helper, to be with you forever… You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” The word Helper is capitalized. This is none other than the Holy Spirit; we’re given that specific detail in verse … Continue reading Tune me to your frequency
Our daily discipleship makes an impression
Do you ever wonder if your efforts make any difference? If so, let me assure you of this. Never discount what God can do through his people. Our daily discipleship makes an impression on others—and that impression can start to reveal the face of Jesus. Jane is a thoughtful participant in one of the small … Continue reading Our daily discipleship makes an impression
Wrestling with God… to lose
Nikos Kazantzakis was an author who was most famous for his book Zorba the Greek. He once had a conversation with a monk named Father Makarios. The monk had once said that he wrestled with the devil—figuratively speaking, of course. At a later time, Kazantzakis asked: “Do you still wrestle with the devil, Father Makarios?” … Continue reading Wrestling with God… to lose
