We’re focusing a few devotionals on hearing (or discerning) the voice of God in our lives. You hear God’s voice by seeking God’s voice. The first and most significant thing you can do is saturate yourself with the Bible. It is the primary place where you learn about God’s will. In John 10:35 Jesus says: … Continue reading Scripture cannot be set aside
Author: Matthew Ruttan
“Hear” is a verb
In John 10:27 Jesus said: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” To his original followers, that made a lot of sense. Their ears could literally receive the sound waves coming out of his mouth. What about today? G. Campbell Morgan was a Bible teacher and author. He said: … Continue reading “Hear” is a verb
There’s no better time spent
Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd.” His sheep “follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:11, 4) They follow his voice because they know him and because they trust him. In light of this, they do not listen to the voice of a stranger (verse 5). Thinking of the shepherd-sheep relationship, Neil Anderson … Continue reading There’s no better time spent
Does your actual life reflect your purpose?
Yesterday, I invited you to write down on a piece of paper the purpose of your life. Some of you will have done that right away. Some of you are taking some more time to think about it. Let me share a next step for whenever you’re ready. Take a bit of time to ask … Continue reading Does your actual life reflect your purpose?
Write down your purpose
In the previous devotional I highlighted Jesus’ words: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, ESV). I’d like to invite you to do something. It’s kind of heavy. But I think it’s super-important. Write down on a piece of paper the purpose of your life. You can write it … Continue reading Write down your purpose
What is ‘abundant’ life?
In John 10:10 (ESV) Jesus tells us one of the reasons he came to the earth: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” I recently did a word study of every single occurrence of the word “life” (Greek: zoe) in John’s Gospel. It is used 36 times. I then made eight … Continue reading What is ‘abundant’ life?
Wasteful or wise?
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Have you heard of a “bucket list”? It’s a list of things people want to do before they die—before they “kick the bucket.” There’s a website which lists popular choices. Skydiving, skinny-dipping, visiting the Grand Canyon and sleeping under … Continue reading Wasteful or wise?
One of the reasons ‘the world is falling apart’?
While speaking to a friend, Donald Miller said: “The entire world is falling apart because nobody will admit they are wrong.”* Whenever I say that to people—either in person or in a group—I see heads nodding. Generally speaking, people don’t like to admit they are wrong. It makes them look… well… wrong. And we prefer … Continue reading One of the reasons ‘the world is falling apart’?
Thinking constructively about hardship
“Through history,” writes Mark Clark, “virtually every society has sought to teach people how to deal with pain and suffering. Sadly, our current culture has largely neglected this task. Why? Because for generations we’ve embraced a secular worldview that assumes that the material world is all there is, and that, thus, pain has no meaningful … Continue reading Thinking constructively about hardship
He had no legs. And he bought some shoes.
Some days you just need to be inspired by somebody. Well, today is one of those days. Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs. If you think it’s hard to have your arm in a cast for eight weeks, just imagine what Nick had to deal with on a daily basis with no arms … Continue reading He had no legs. And he bought some shoes.
