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Tag: incarnation

New Song – “From Heaven to Earth”

December 6, 2016 MatthewRuttan

Here’s my latest song, “From Heaven to Earth.” Recorded live at Westminster on December 4th. To me, music can inspire dreams because it puts wings on words.

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Mountain Goat Grace ⠀ ⠀ The “Up!” Devo for February 21⠀ ⠀ I heard a story about some mountain goats that lived near the top of a rocky mountain.⠀ ⠀ Around one end of the mountain was a narrow ledge. It was only a foot wide. Fortunately, mountain goats can navigate narrow ledges.⠀ ⠀ One goat started to walk around the ledge from one side of the mountain, and another goat started to walk around from the other side. They met each other half way, face to face. Because the ledge was so narrow, they couldn’t get past each other. They just stood there, staring at each other.⠀ ⠀ What were they going to do?⠀ ⠀ But then one goat knelt down—first his front legs, and then the back—so that the other goat could go over top of him and continue on his way! After he had done this, the goat that had knelt down got up and continued on his way as well.⠀ ⠀ Even though it’s not a very popular idea, following Jesus involves sacrifice. He said: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).⠀ ⠀ And while this certainly involves large sacrifices, it involves small ones too—like letting go of our need to be first, like needing to seem better than others, and like always having to be right.⠀ ⠀ Because it's about Jesus, not us.⠀ ⠀ And that kind of humility is a gift to a weary world which continues to zap itself with the stun gun of rivalry, vanity and volume.⠀ ⠀ It’s a gift to your friends, to your family, to your coworkers or classmates, to your neighbours… and to yourself.⠀ ⠀ Humility is a ripple effect of grace through the human race.⠀ ⠀ By Matthew Ruttan⠀ ⠀ --“Up!” is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on February 24.⠀ --Bible quotes are from the NIV.⠀ ⠀ #humility #sacrifice #love #rippleeffect #influence #grace #faith #dailydevo

Applause vs Faithfulness⠀ ⠀ The “Up!” Devo for February 20⠀ ⠀ This week I’m sharing some thoughts about humility.⠀ ⠀ On Monday I talked about the pitfalls of pride.⠀ ⠀ On Tuesday I talked about Jesus’ own example.⠀ ⠀ On Wednesday I talked about some practical ways to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition” (Philippians 2:3).⠀ ⠀ Today let me keep that going. Here are a few more down-to-earth ideas about how we can be humble in normal, everyday ways:⠀ ⠀ --You can help someone—and not expect a thank you note.⠀ ⠀ --You can be very generous to someone in need—anonymously.⠀ ⠀ --You can dress with modesty.⠀ ⠀ --You can give up something YOU really want, because the alternative is better for someone ELSE.⠀ ⠀ Paul writes, “in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:2-3).⠀ ⠀ I’ve heard a lot of inspiring stories about people living sacrificially for the benefit of others. These stories are in books, podcasts or TV shows.⠀ ⠀ But to me, what’s even more drop-jaw amazing is when people faithfully and humbly follow Jesus—regardless of whether or not anyone notices or fills their ears with a crescendo of praise.⠀ ⠀ Is it nice to get a thank you or pat on the back once in a while? Of course it is. But that’s not why we do it.⠀ ⠀ A meaningful life isn’t built on the applause of the crowds, but on faithfulness to Christ.⠀ ⠀ By Matthew Ruttan⠀ ⠀ --Bible quotes are from the NIV.⠀ ⠀ #pride #philippians2 #humility #humble #faith #servanthood #Jesus #inspiration

Selfish ambition⠀ ⠀ The “Up!” Devo for February 19⠀ ⠀ Yesterday I said that humility is focusing on someone else more than self. Or, in the words of C.S. Lewis, “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but of yourself less.”⠀ ⠀ Jesus is our ultimate inspiration and example of humility. Since we want to be like him (1 John 2:6), we strive to be humble and other-focused for the benefit of others. Paul wrote: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).⠀ ⠀ In the oldest Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the word translated as “selfish ambition” is eritheia. It implies jealously or rivalry. So let me offer some practical ideas about how we can “Do nothing out of selfish ambition” in daily, down-to-earth ways:⠀ ⠀ --This might look like being the first to admit you’re wrong when you’re wrong. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition.”⠀ ⠀ --It might look like complimenting someone and wholeheartedly celebrating their successes without even a hint of jealousy. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition.”⠀ ⠀ --It might look like posting updates on social media that don’t just make it seem like your life is perpetually flawless. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition.”⠀ ⠀ I’m not suggesting any of this is easy. It takes practice. In fact, in a world of self-promotion and rugged individualism, we often don’t even know we’re doing it!⠀ ⠀ But by taking Jesus’ example seriously, and by becoming more aware of our own motives, we can jump off the non-stop hamster wheel called Ego.⠀ ⠀ It will give you more integrity as a servant-disciple, and make you more attentive and responsive to the people you want to bless.⠀ ⠀ By Matthew Ruttan⠀ ⠀ --Bible quotes are from the NIV.⠀ ⠀ #ego #pride #philippians2 #humility #humble #faith #servanthood #Jesus #inspiration #CSLewish

Someone else more than self⠀ ⠀ The “Up!” Devo for February 18⠀ ⠀ Is it just me, or is humility the virtue that many people admire but few actually want?⠀ ⠀ To the Philippians in the early 60’s, Paul wrote: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others…”⠀ ⠀ What a wonderful idea. And how incredibly difficult!⠀ ⠀ For the next few days I’m going to offer some practical suggestions. But today, we’re going to focus on WHY we’re to live like this. Yes, it’s an expression of the love we have for others (Mark 12:31). But it’s also because it’s the example of Jesus.⠀ ⠀ And followers are not above their masters.⠀ ⠀ Paul went on to write that Jesus, “being in very nature God… made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8).⠀ ⠀ Two wise and faithful men were being interviewed after years of exemplary teaching and service. They were both humble, despite their many accolades and awards. The interviewer asked how they were able to resist pride and stay humble? One of the men replied, “How on earth can anyone be arrogant when standing beside the cross?”⠀ ⠀ Followers are not above their masters. Jesus is the Master. We are the followers. And he—in a powerful and humble act of self-sacrifice and self-denial—went to the cross for you and me.⠀ ⠀ Humility is focusing on someone else more than self.⠀ ⠀ “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.”⠀ ⠀ By Matthew Ruttan⠀ ⠀ --Today's devotional is connected to my most recent sermon: "Choosing Humility." Click here to watch it at https://buff.ly/3aKjeTT⠀ ⠀ #humility #humble #philippians #JesusChrist #Jesus #dailydevo #faith #virtue #selfish

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