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Joy is what happens when…

July 15, 2021July 14, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Yesterday I highlighted Act 14:17 where Paul was telling the people of Lystra about God: “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” He told them how God was personally involved in their lives and … Continue reading Joy is what happens when…

Kindness, kindness, kindness, kindness

July 14, 2021July 12, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

In Acts 14:17 Paul was telling the people of Lystra about God: “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” He was highlighting how God was personally involved in their lives and actively providing for … Continue reading Kindness, kindness, kindness, kindness

The skies proclaim the work of his hands

July 13, 2021July 12, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

The fact that there is a creation is evidence that there is a Creator. Here’s what I mean. In elementary school science class I learned about cause and effect. Something can’t come from nothing. If a baby is born, it didn’t come from nowhere. Something had to happen nine months ago to bring it into … Continue reading The skies proclaim the work of his hands

A distracted lifestyle vs focus

July 12, 2021July 9, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Someone told me they had a squirrel’s attention span, meaning that their focus ping-ponged from this to that, regardless of what this or that was. Unfortunately, distraction is the air we breathe these days. It’s hard to avoid. We are continually interrupted, bombarded with information and advertising, or the next shiny new thing. Alan Noble … Continue reading A distracted lifestyle vs focus

When good people do nothing

July 9, 2021July 8, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

I was recently watching an episode of When Calls The Heart. A young boy named Cody was told a life-principle by his teacher, Elizabeth: “Bad things happen when good people do nothing.” I’m sure it’s a famous quote from somewhere (I’m just not sure), but the episode went on to show how the opposite is … Continue reading When good people do nothing

His love was greater than his fear

July 8, 2021July 7, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

What did Stephen say in the very moments in which he was being killed (by stoning) for his faith? Let’s listen in to Acts 7:60: “Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’” Picture the scene. While he was being pelted with stones by grown men, … Continue reading His love was greater than his fear

Dead ends into doorways

July 7, 2021July 6, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Stephen is often called the first Christian martyr. Behold these final moments of his life. “they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city… While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’ … Continue reading Dead ends into doorways

If you don’t know them personally

July 6, 2021July 5, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

There are a lot of speeches in the book of Acts. Stephen’s is the longest. He begins at chapter 7, verse 2: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham…” He continues for 52 verses. After testifying to the un-thwartability of God’s plans through human history he gets … Continue reading If you don’t know them personally

Sundaes, waitresses, and Jesus

July 5, 2021July 4, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

A young boy went into a diner. The waitress asked for his order. “How much for a sundae?”, he asked. “Four dollars.” The boy searched through his change and started putting coins on the counter, tallying up his total as he went along. The waitress was very busy. She rolled her eyes but didn’t say … Continue reading Sundaes, waitresses, and Jesus

With reverence and awe

July 2, 2021July 1, 2021 / Matthew Ruttan / 1 Comment

Many of us are worshipping God at home these days while sitting on a couch or a chair. Some churches have resumed limited in-person gatherings, but not all. [For those of you in America, you’re a bit further along than we are north of the border.] Either way, our external posture shouldn’t dictate our internal … Continue reading With reverence and awe

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