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love of God

The reason he endured it all

January 10, 2023January 9, 2023 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4) Lately I’ve been thinking about what Jesus’ life was like while on earth. [Full link below.] Life was difficult and dangerous. Consider a few of the details: He was born under Roman oppression under the tyrannical rule … Continue reading The reason he endured it all

He cries just like us!

December 22, 2021December 20, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Stephen Seamands recalls a story about a missionary in a faraway land. He went to share and show the good news of Jesus.  But he wasn’t making any headway with the locals. It was as if they were closed to who he was and what he had to say because he was simply “not one … Continue reading He cries just like us!

His love was greater than his fear

July 8, 2021July 7, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / 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

To unbosom the soul

June 9, 2021June 8, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Near the end of The Saints’ Everlasting Rest, Richard Baxter says that we live in a “vain, vexatious world.”* Can I get an Amen!  He talks about how hard it can be to live in this world, and also how soul-satisfying it can be to talk to a best friend. Some you have a best … Continue reading To unbosom the soul

How you respond

October 27, 2020October 26, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Chuck Swindoll has been known to say, “Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond.”* I don’t think he was quoting a scientific study. My sense is that he was making a general observation: Your life isn’t all about what happens to you, but how you respond to what … Continue reading How you respond

Greater than your grip on him

October 9, 2020October 8, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Last year I wrote a devotional called “God’s grip on you.” I don’t normally do repeats, but as I was thinking about what to share with you today, it struck me that there might be some people who need to hear this message again. Perhaps a global pandemic has given you a shake and you … Continue reading Greater than your grip on him

No matter what

May 4, 2020May 3, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Today I want to share a word of grace in a difficult time. Something I’ve noticed is that many people are being really hard on themselves. I get it. You want to do well. You want to put your best foot forward in every area of your life. You want to hit the proverbial ball … Continue reading No matter what

When high ethical standards seem hard

January 9, 2020January 7, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Followers of Jesus are called to a high ethical standard. Do you ever read about those standards in the Bible and then feel bad because you realize of how often you mess up? Maybe it’s the passage about loving your neighbour (Mark 12:31), or even your enemy (Matthew 5:44). Or maybe it’s Colossians 3:12: “clothe … Continue reading When high ethical standards seem hard

The darker it gets

December 3, 2019December 2, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

In Matthew 24, Jesus answers a question from his disciples about when the Jerusalem temple would be torn down, and also when he would return one day in glory at the “end of the age” (v. 3). In response, he offers various insights about things that are going to take place, including this: “Because lawlessness … Continue reading The darker it gets

God’s grip on you—kind of like a sleepwalking rope

November 26, 2019November 25, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

No matter how often we’re told otherwise, it’s easy to slip back into the thinking that God only loves us if we do a really, really good job of loving  him back. All the time. ‘If we’re really bad,’ we think, ‘he won’t forgive us.’ ‘If we miss the mark, have an off day (or … Continue reading God’s grip on you—kind of like a sleepwalking rope

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