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Tag: despair

Big Hope in The Age of Melancholy [Podcast]

June 2, 2019 MatthewRuttan

Psychologist Daniel Goleman describes our time as Age of Melancholy. He chronicles how depression, sadness, paralyzing listlessness, dejection, self-pity and overwhelming hopelessness plague more and

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Not alone (in these 3 ways) The “Up!” Devo for October 18 This week we’ve been talking about facing trouble and persecution as a follower of Jesus. Most overt persecution happens in other parts of the world. But I’m convinced that it’s going to be more and more common here in North America. It’s a big deal. And we’re naïve to ignore it. And we’re super-naïve to think it won’t get even worse for our children and grandchildren. So far we’ve discussed how we should expect to be different, how we should prepare to be persecuted, and how to respond if and when it happens. Today, an assurance: You are not alone. First, you have God’s word to guide you. Think of Psalm 119:42: “I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.” Second, you have God’s Spirit to comfort you. As a Jesus-follower, God has given you this gift. In John’s Gospel, the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter four times.* Third, you have God’s people to encourage you. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 we read, “encourage one another and build each other up…” In Hebrews 10:25 Christians are reminded to meet together for the purpose of mutual encouragement. As a church, this is going to be one of our most important tasks in the years ahead. Going through something difficult is easier when you know you’re not alone. You have God’s word to guide you, God’s Spirit to comfort you, and God’s people to encourage you. You are not alone. By Matthew Ruttan --“Up!” is published 5 days a week (Monday – Friday) and returns on October 21. --* In John’s Gospel the Holy Spirit is called Comforter four times (Greek: Parakletos). It is a word that is also translated as Advocate, Counselor or Helper. See John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26; 16:7. --Bible quotes from the NIV. #persecution #trouble #hardship #faith #different #beingdifferent #inspiration #JesusChrist #dailydevotional #turntheothercheek #love #loveyourneighbor #fruitofthespirit

Like a wounded coyote backed into a corner? Um, no. The “Up!” Devo for October 17 This week I’ve been sharing some thoughts about facing trouble and persecution for your faith. Maybe this idea is new to you, maybe even bothersome. But even though we usually think of persecuted Christians as people in desperate situations on the other side of the world, it’s going to be an increasing issue here in our society too. So how do you respond? Like a wounded coyote backed into a corner? No. First, we need to remain true to Jesus and his teachings, even though it’s tempting to fall away. His words are eternal, fixed, and trustworthy. As he says in Mark 13:31, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Second, we need to respond in a way that is consistent with the “fruit of the Spirit” that God works through us: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). After his “trial,” Jesus was spat on, blindfolded, punched, and beaten (Mark 14:65). And that was before they crucified and stabbed him! And yet, what happened to Jesus couldn’t kill the love working through Jesus. And so it is with us. Your faith often makes you stand out. And if you start to experience the overt persecution that our ancestors in the faith experienced, you may be tempted to offer someone a fist instead of turning the other cheek. It’s not easy! I know. Our job is to be true to Jesus, and to love. Remember that what happened to Jesus couldn’t kill the love working through Jesus. And so it is with you. By Matthew Ruttan #persecution #trouble #hardship #faith #different #beingdifferent #inspiration #JesusChrist #dailydevotional #turntheothercheek #love #loveyourneighbor #fruitofthespirit

Prepare to be persecuted? The “Up!” Devo for October 16 This week I’m sharing some thoughts about facing trouble and persecution for your faith. When you look at the New Testament, it was expected that Christians would experience this. An example is 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5. Paul writes, “Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” He continues, “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.” That’s why you need to prepare to be persecuted. I realize that “persecuted” is a heavy word. Usually it makes us think of people in dire situations overseas. Maybe you’re not used to applying it to yourself. Maybe you haven’t had to. Yet. I'm not fear-mongering. As our society shifts further and further away from a biblical worldview and set of values, we need to shed some naiveté and live with our eyes open. Maybe you lose a job. Certain friends fall away. Maybe you’ll be like a local family who claims they were denied adopting a baby because of their religion. Maybe you’ll be called a hater. Maybe you’ll be increasingly stripped of your religious freedoms. That’s why we need to prepare. Not fear. Prepare. The way you do that is to deepen your spiritual roots. Think of a plant. Roots go deep into the soil to nourish, solidify and strengthen the plant. That’s what Bible-reading, prayer, encouragement with other Christians, service projects, and worship do. They deepen your roots. Deepening your spiritual roots isn’t just about growth, but ensuring you don’t get ripped out of the ground. By Matthew Ruttan #persecution #trouble #hardship #faith #different #beingdifferent #inspiration #JesusChrist #dailydevotional

Expect to be different The “Up!” Devo for October 15 In Mark 4:16-17 Jesus says that some people will fall away from their faith because of the trouble and persecution they will experience because of it. Since they have “no root” he says, “they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” In the New Testament, trouble and persecution are ASSUMED. As Christianity became more popular, it wasn’t as common for people to experience this. But in our own day, and as it becomes increasingly unpopular to follow Jesus again, it will happen more and more. But what Jesus says about trouble and persecution isn’t to scare you but to prepare you. So over the next few days we’re going to talk about what you can do. The first is quite simply this: EXPECT to be different. With a few exceptions, we don’t usually like being different. It’s easier to fit in and just go with the flow. I once heard it said like this—that being different is like a nail that sticks out… it ends up getting hammered! But we are different for God. Different for love. Different for truth. Different for good. Different for all the ways Jesus is bringing heaven to earth. Expect it. Get used to it. Consider it a blessing. When it comes to following Jesus, what makes you different is what makes you special. By Matthew Ruttan #persecution #trouble #hardship #faith #different #beingdifferent #inspiration #JesusChrist #dailydevotional

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