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sanctification

Hello Glow Stick

March 6, 2023March 1, 2023 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

When I was young we would go camping. I loved it. We would set up tents, ride our bikes, go waterskiing and cook marshmallows around the fire. When it got dark my parents would bring out some glow sticks. They were plastic tubes with liquid in them. When you bent them something broke inside. That … Continue reading Hello Glow Stick

Pruning

January 30, 2023January 30, 2023 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

In John 15, Jesus provides a metaphor: He is the true vine, his heavenly Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. As the branches we are to “bear fruit.” This means that our lives are to show evidence of our faithfulness and discipleship.  In verse 2 he says this: “Every branch in me … Continue reading Pruning

Incremental, not accidental

January 20, 2023January 16, 2023 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

“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

Being Christlike to one another

October 27, 2022October 25, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

The great Reformer Martin Luther, wrote: “each person ought to become to the other a kind of Christ, so that we may be Christs to one another…“* One of our goals in life is sanctification. I know, I know, big word. But all it means is to become holy, or to become more like Christ. … Continue reading Being Christlike to one another

What Jesus prayed for you

September 14, 2022September 12, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Do you know that Jesus prayed for you while he was still on earth? In John 17, he prayed these words for his disciples, and also for those who would come to believe in him through their message. If you are a believer, that means you! Here is a small sample of what he prayed:  … Continue reading What Jesus prayed for you

Who you’re becoming

November 8, 2021November 4, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Hebrews 10:14 says: “For by one sacrifice [Jesus] has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” What I’d like to focus on from that verse is the fact that Jesus’ people are “being made holy.” This refers to the work God himself is doing in and through us. This manifests in our daily … Continue reading Who you’re becoming

Unlocking doors for the Spirit

July 19, 2021July 16, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Do you sometimes feel like you’re not a real Christian because you continue to struggle with sin?  The Bible teaches that when you believe in the risen Jesus, the Holy Spirit starts to live inside you. In Galatians 4:6 (NLT) Paul writes: “because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son … Continue reading Unlocking doors for the Spirit

Looking like the one we believe in

December 3, 2020December 2, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Children often look like their parents. Sometimes you see a child and the resemblance is so strong that the parent doesn’t even need to be there and you say, ‘I know who your dad is,’ or ‘I know who your mom is’! When God looks upon us he sees what we look like on the … Continue reading Looking like the one we believe in

Marinating, not microwaving

October 23, 2020October 22, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

We live in a world of instant gratification. We have microwaves, drive-thru windows and Amazon Prime.  So when it comes to spiritual growth, we assume that maturity should happen instantly. But it’s not that easy. Sure, when you start to be a disciple of Jesus some things will change right away. But other things take … Continue reading Marinating, not microwaving

True commitment to the King—AND his Kingdom

March 5, 2020March 3, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Followers of Jesus can rightly be accused of hypocrisy if nothing changes in their lives after they start to believe in and follow him. Your eternal standing with God isn’t based on how morally good you are, of course, or on your ability to meet Jesus’ high ethical standards; it’s based on your faith in … Continue reading True commitment to the King—AND his Kingdom

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