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Tag: hermeneutics

How to Not Worship the Bible

August 3, 2013 MatthewRuttan

The biggest “issue” in the church is how to interpret the Bible. That’s how I see it. Think of conversations about the environment, or homosexuality, or

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Those who live sacrificially⠀ ⠀ The “Up!” Devo for February 28⠀ ⠀ There are times when we’re just not sure what to do. We need some advice and direction. Yesterday I pointed out that in times like these,God puts people in our lives to help us pilot our lives. ⠀ ⠀ But how do we know who these people are?⠀ ⠀ Well, Paul tells us. Someone he lifts up as an example is Epaphroditus: “he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me” (Philippians 2:29-30). What was commendable about Epaphroditus? He lived sacrificially for the work of Jesus.⠀ ⠀ In light of this, we can learn from the example of people like Epaphroditus—from those who live sacrificially for the work of Jesus. These are the people who serve and help others, even when it involves self-sacrifice. Because they know what matters most, they don’t get as easily distracted by what matters least.⠀ ⠀ Think of someone in your own life who lives sacrificially for the work of Jesus. If you need to, take some time and write down some names. Identify someone who lives sacrificially for the work of Jesus. They might be someone God has put in your life to give you advice and direction when you’re just not sure what to do.⠀ ⠀ When you’re dealing with adversity or uncertainty, you sometimes feel alone. But you’re not. God is with you. And so are other people. Quite often, ‘alone’ is a state of mind.⠀ ⠀ Find someone who lives sacrificially for the work of Jesus. Because they know what matters most, they don’t get as easily distracted by what matters least. And those are people who are definitely worth listening to.⠀ ⠀ By Matthew Ruttan⠀ ⠀ --“Up!” is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on March 2.⠀ --Bible quotes are from the NIV.⠀ ⠀ #maturity #help #mentors #example #faith #philippians #sacrifice

To help us pilot our lives⠀ ⠀ The “Up!” Devo for February 27⠀ ⠀ Have you ever wanted to some wisdom or direction for something you're dealing with?⠀ ⠀ You’ve prayed—but still aren’t sure what to do.⠀ You’ve read the Bible—but still aren’t sure what to do.⠀ You’ve fasted—but still aren’t sure what to do.⠀ ⠀ In these situations, God is so merciful to us. He puts people in our lives to help us pilot our lives!⠀ ⠀ But how do we know who these people are?⠀ ⠀ In Philippians, Paul explains that we can look to the example of others: “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do” (3:17). More specifically, he holds up Timothy as an example. But what makes him so mature and commendable? One of the character traits Paul mentions is Timothy's genuine concern for the welfare of others (Philippians 3:20).⠀ ⠀ In light of this, we can also seek out mature Christians who have a genuine concern for the welfare of others. In turn, they may be great sources of wisdom for what we ourselves are dealing with.⠀ ⠀ Think of someone in your own life who has a genuine concern for the welfare of others. They might be someone God has put in your life to give you help and hope for the uncertainty and ambiguity you’re facing.⠀ ⠀ Seek them out. Be honest. Prayerfully as for wisdom.⠀ ⠀ God puts people in our lives to help us pilot our lives.⠀ ⠀ By Matthew Ruttan⠀ ⠀ --Bible quotes are from the NIV.⠀ ⠀ #maturity #wisdom #rolemodel #faith #philippians #dailydevo

What is Ash Wednesday all about?⠀ ⠀ The “Up!” Devo for February 26⠀ ⠀ Today is Ash Wednesday. It’s the official start of Lent, the 40-day period of anticipation and preparation leading up to Easter (excluding Sundays).⠀ ⠀ But what’s it all about?⠀ ⠀ Some Christians attend services where ashes are put on their foreheads. Some, not all; it really just depends on local customs and traditions.⠀ ⠀ Ashes symbolize our mourning and regret for sin. They also symbolize our mortality. This recalls Genesis 3:19 where Adam is punished for his disobedience to God and made to work the soil that he came from, and to which he will one day return: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”⠀ ⠀ To me, today is always a day to remember my mortality. One day I am going to die. My heart will stop. My body will grow cold. I will be put in the ground.⠀ ⠀ Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.⠀ ⠀ And even though I am totally confident in the eternal life that Jesus gives me, I think it’s healthy to just pause and think about my mortality.⠀ ⠀ I think it’s healthy for you to think about yours as well. You too will die one day. Your heart will stop. Your body will grow cold.⠀ ⠀ If that were to happen sooner than later, are you satisfied that you have been living by the right priorities?⠀ ⠀ Recently I was using the GPS in my car. I missed a turn, and so the GPS had to “re-calculate.” It made an adjustment, turned me around, and got me back on track.⠀ ⠀ Maybe that’s what Ash Wednesday needs to be for you, whether you get ashes on your forehead or not—a day to truly ask yourself if you’ve been living by the right priorities.⠀ ⠀ If not, re-calculate, and lean on God to get you back on track.⠀ ⠀ By Matthew Ruttan⠀ ⠀ #ashwednesday #ashestoashes #faith #dailydevo #lent #lentbegins

Shrove Tuesday explained⠀ ⠀ The “Up!” Devo for February 25⠀ ⠀ Today is Shrove Tuesday.⠀ ⠀ But what is it all about?⠀ ⠀ Lent is the time of spiritual preparation leading up to the main event in the Christian faith: Easter.⠀ ⠀ Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent begins. The name comes from a practice in England to “shrive” on this day: seeking and receiving forgiveness from God for our sins.⠀ ⠀ The reason many people have a tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday is because many fast during Lent. Therefore, on the day before that starts people often use up their fatty foods by eating them! ⠀ ⠀ Some people call today "Pancake Tuesday" or "Fat Tuesday." But I'm not a fan of this because (if you're a follower of Jesus) it obscures the meaning of the day—kind of like how "Turkey Day" obscures the meaning of Thanksgiving.⠀ ⠀ Personally, I’m not someone who gets too worked up about specific days on a spiritual calendar. After all, every day is a day for discipleship and seeking God’s will and glory. And every Sunday is a mini Easter celebration.⠀ ⠀ But pausing intentionally to seek and receive forgiveness from God is definitely a good thing!⠀ ⠀ 1 John 1:8-9 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”⠀ ⠀ -How have you neglected or disobeyed Jesus?⠀ -When have you done the easy thing instead of the godly thing?⠀ -How have you been apathetic or unloving to the plight of others?⠀ ⠀ In a society of “truth is relative” and “do what makes you happy,” these are not popular questions.⠀ ⠀ But we cannot have powerful intimacy with God if we keep lying to him and hiding from him.⠀ ⠀ Think of any other relationship. The more deception there is, the more mistrust there is; but the less deception there is, the more trust there is.⠀ ⠀ The same with God.⠀ ⠀ We cannot have powerful intimacy with God if we keep lying to him and hiding from him.⠀ ⠀ Oh, and in case you’re wondering—yes, I’m having pancakes for dinner. Why? Because pancakes and syrup be super-tasty!⠀ ⠀ By Matthew Ruttan⠀ ⠀ #shrovetuesday #lent #forgiveness

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