I’ve been talking to a lot of people about prayer lately. Maybe that’s because after a Sunday message I delivered about miracles, I encouraged people to “pray boldy.” So people have been telling me how it’s going. And one of the things they’ve found is that God answers prayers—but not always in ways they expect… … Continue reading The next courageous step
devotional
The Devil
1 Peter 5:8 "Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (CEB) Today's Thought This may be the shortest devotional yet, but here goes: The Devil wants you to NOT pray... By Matthew Ruttan
Teachableness
Have you ever noticed that people who think they're really smart also think you're not? I don't know about you, but I've noticed something about the (truly) wise people in my life. Those who are truly wise (a) aren't threatened by the wisdom of others, and (b) are always open to learning more. Recently I came … Continue reading Teachableness
The art of slowing down
When you drive through a construction zone you’re bound to see this sign: “Slow Down” But what if instead of referring to the speed of your vehicle it was referring to the speed of your life? What if it was a message from God? 'Hey you, yes YOU: Slow Down.' The problem with speed, hyper-busyness … Continue reading The art of slowing down
They’re standing on YOUR shoulders
It’s an expression many of us have used: “Standing on the shoulders of giants.” It means that someone has benefited from the knowledge or strength of someone who has gone before. And they are simply building on that. Well, I think that you are also standing on the shoulders of giants. People before you have spent … Continue reading They’re standing on YOUR shoulders
Deeper and more destructive with time
When I lived in Toronto I marveled at how many statues there were. They were things like warriors riding on horses or heroes from a previous age. From a distance they always looked impressive. But the closer you got, the more cracks you saw. There were fault lines and chips and discoloration. Isn’t that like … Continue reading Deeper and more destructive with time
When strikeouts aren’t strikeouts
I’ve been thinking about baseball lately. Maybe it’s because the weather is getting warmer and my son is about the start little league! Consider this. A decent batting average in the major leagues is .250. That means you consistently get a hit one out of every four times you go to the plate. If you … Continue reading When strikeouts aren’t strikeouts
Baseball, bullfights, or both?
Two groups of people participated in an experiment. The first was a bunch of Americans who had never been to Mexico. The second was a group of Mexicans who had never been to America. The researchers asked everyone to look into some binoculars. But they weren’t normal binoculars. At the end of one lens was … Continue reading Baseball, bullfights, or both?
You are someone’s missing piece
In 1 Corinthians 12:27 the apostle Paul says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” This idea that the church is the “body of Christ” is pretty well-known. In fact, when people say that Jesus is the “head” (boss and brains) of the church, and … Continue reading You are someone’s missing piece
Recycle your pain
I don’t think I’ve met a single person who hasn’t had challenges in their life. Sure, some challenges seem bigger than others. Some people have had children die or been sexually abused or experienced other kids of trauma. But any kind of difficulty—no matter the “size”—can change your life forever. When we’ve gone through something … Continue reading Recycle your pain
