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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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Constant comparisons and negative criticisms The “Up!” Devo for September 16 Lately I’ve been thinking about invisible robbers who steal your contentment. The latest one tries to convince you to put too much stock in (a) comparing yourself to others (in person or online), and (b) the judgments and criticisms of others. Is it just me, or did hundreds of you just nod your heads in agreement? In the Bible, Paul was really good at tuning out comparisons and criticisms. Speaking to the temperamental Corinthians he wrote, “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court…” (1 Corinthians 4:3). He knew that his first job was to be faithful to God (verse 2)—not to live up to the strange standards of the Corinthians. Today that serves as a very simple—but powerful—reminder to all of us: Your first job is to be faithful to God. You can rob yourself of peace when you mistakenly think your first job is to evaluate your status in life in comparison to others, or to please others, or put too much stock in the judgments, negative opinions, or criticisms of others. Let your internal compass be guided by Christ, not comparisons or criticisms. Your first job is to be faithful to God. By Matthew Ruttan #comparison #content #criticism #judgmental #faith #inspiration #paul #Jesus #faithful #inspiration #God #dailydevotional

Honest about how dependent you are The "Up!" Devo for September 13 When someone says you should “shine your light,” what comes to mind? -Helping someone in need? -Talking about Jesus? -Doing your best? What about being honest about how dependent you are on God? If he’s our Teacher, then it follows that we need teaching. If he’s our Healer, then it follows that we need healing. If he’s our Saviour, then it follows that we need saving. If he’s our Rock, then it follows that we need his strength. As David sings in Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Talk about someone who is honest about how much he is dependent on God! I realize that society values self-reliance, not God-dependence. But when we’re honest about how dependent we are on God, not only are we being sincere, but we’re (a) relating to others on the level of a universally shared human truth that none of us can do it alone, and (b) showing others that help and hope are available. “If it wasn’t for God, I really couldn’t get through this.” “Without Jesus, I really wouldn’t know what to do.” “I really have to give all praise to God in this.” None of us have it all together. Including me. If it wasn’t for God I'd be lying face down in a ditch somewhere. Literally. I’m not joking. But God is great! What if “shining your light” was sometimes just as simple as admitting you need Someone else’s? Be honest about how dependent you are on God. By Matthew Ruttan --“Up!” is published 5 days a week (Monday – Friday) and returns on September 16. #light #Jesus #shineyourlight #dependonGod #help #Christ #honesty #hope #faith #inspiration

Good guilt? The “Up!” Devo for September 12 In Psalm 38:4 David said, “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” Can you relate? Feeling guilty is no fun. But let’s explore whether some guilt can actually be a good thing. First, there is Loud Guilt. It’s that guilt you feel when you’ve clearly done something wrong. Maybe you’ve said something hurtful to someone or vandalized a car. (Let’s hope not! Lol) In these situations your guilt is telling you you’ve done something you know is wrong. Second, there is an ongoing Ball-And-Chain Guilt about something from your past. You’ve asked for forgiveness, learned from your mistakes, and done your best to make amends. But you continue to feel guilty. Since you’ve already addressed it, try to stomp it like an empty pop can and kick it into a recycling bin in a galaxy far, far away. I don’t think this kind of guilt is helpful. But then there is Corrective Guilt. This is a voice that tells you something isn’t right. Maybe it’s an ungodly lifestyle choice; maybe it’s the way you’re treating someone; maybe it’s something you know you should be doing, but aren’t. A part of you wants to turn it off. But you can’t. Maybe that’s because it’s teaching you something. Maybe it’s trying to help you correct your course because there’s something you need to change. So friends, there are kinds of guilt that don’t help. But sometimes there is a Corrective Guilt that is actually good. Why? Because it is reminding you that something just isn’t right, and that there is a better, more godly way forward. God wants the best for you. The question you need to ask yourself is, Do you want the best for you too? By Matthew Ruttan #faith #inspiration #guilt #guilty #freedom #wellbeing #change #transformation #God #spirituality

Cheerleading envy, losing the farm, and Jesus The “Up!” Devo for September 11 This week I’ve been talking about how spiritually RICH we are because of our identity in Jesus and all the eternal and spiritual blessings he gives us. It’s good to ruminate on this perspective-shifting fact because our society spins and weaves a different story: that material things are more important than spiritual things. I heard a disturbing story out of Texas where a mother tried to hire a hit-man to take out another mom. The reason is because both of their daughters were cheerleaders; one mother thought the other was scheming to undermine, cheat and deprive her own daughter of various cheerleading opportunities she thought were rightly hers. Fortunately, she was caught before the plot could be carried out.* James 3:16 says, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” That certainly seems to apply to this sad story. In fact, it’s so crazy, that it’s easy to dismiss. However, envy can threaten each one of us as it tries to tighten its hungry, sinister claws around our hearts. In contrast, consider Mohan. When he became a Christian, people in his village destroyed his home. He lost his farm and source of livelihood. Friends? Gone. Reputation? Gone. As Open Doors Magazine describes it: “But not all is lost, because Mohan still has Jesus.”* It reminds me of the saying by Corrie ten Boom: “You may never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have.” Friends, envy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and evil. So rest secure in the peace Jesus offers. Practice contentment—whether you’re going through good times or bad. “You may never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have.” By Matthew Ruttan #envy #evil #faith #inspiration #Jesus #JesusChrist #God #contentment #peace #dailydevotional #spirituality #corrietenboom

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