Welcome to The Up Devotional!
This is a devotional that comes out five mornings a week (Monday to Friday) at 5am. It is written by Pastor Ruttan.
Think of it as your 1-minute shot of daily soul espresso—biblical and down-to-earth.
You read back issues here and also find it on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
It is also available as a podcast through Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Enjoy!
The Up Devotional
- If you want to actually be like Jesus November 18, 2024[New podcast episode about demons out now; see link in the notes below.] ~ Who you think Jesus is influences who you are becoming. Let me explain. Mark 4:38-41 (ESV) records one of Jesus’ most dramatic miracles. He was with his disciples in a boat when a huge storm came upon them. “Teacher,” they cried […]Matthew Ruttan
- Rejoice—always? November 15, 2024It’s one of the most frequently-quoted verses in the letter. Philippians 4:4 says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” It’s a frequent theme throughout the letter. In fact, a form of this word is used 9 times in 4 short chapters. Seems fairly positive, doesn’t it? But can we really […]Matthew Ruttan
- Gobble gobble gobble November 14, 2024We’ve been spending some time with Philippians 4:8-9. That’s where Paul says this: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen […]Matthew Ruttan
- Fear and panic, or the peace of God? November 13, 2024The God of peace can be with you. That’s pretty great, isn’t it? And this isn’t just some vague sentiment. Paul tells us this directly in Philippians 4:8-9. What he says is built on the assumption that we trust in the almighty and gracious God as revealed in Christ. With that in mind, he tells […]Matthew Ruttan
- If you want it out there, you need it in here November 12, 2024World peace. We all want it. But how do we get it? Let’s be honest. There is a lot going on in the world around us that is simply beyond our control. We can, however, influence what is happening inside of us. When you think about it, what happens inside of us is our foundational […]Matthew Ruttan
- Sung from the trenches November 11, 2024Today is Remembrance Day, also called Veterans Day or Armistice Day in other countries. We remember and give thanks for those who lost their lives in the miseries of war. In so doing we wear poppies. We read In Flanders Fields. We thank veterans. We pray for peace. We consider the value of our freedoms. […]Matthew Ruttan
- The future you November 8, 2024In Chase the Lion, Mark Batterson talks about a special sermon by Dr. Halverson called the “old man speech.” Here’s the gist of what he says: You’re going to meet an old man one day down the road. He will be you. He is the composite of everything you are thinking, saying and doing right […]Matthew Ruttan
- Suffering can produce perseverance November 7, 2024I recently learned about a bird in the Australian rainforest called the Cassowary. If you google a picture you’ll see that it is not to be messed with. It can fight off large predators, and even humans! A little known fact is that it plays a part in germinating the seeds of the rare Ryparosa […]Matthew Ruttan
- Your “calling” November 6, 2024What are you “called” to do? The word “calling” can be intimidating. It makes us think of being a missionary, starting a homeless shelter, or coordinating an after-school program for inner city kids. But all of us have a calling, even if we don’t do those sorts of things. First, we’re called to be disciples […]Matthew Ruttan
- Resume Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues November 5, 2024David Brooks is a New York Times columnist. He talks about the difference between “resume virtues” and “eulogy virtues.” He writes: “The resume virtues are the skills you bring to the marketplace. The eulogy virtues are the ones that are talked about at your funeral—whether you were kind, brave, honest or faithful. Were you capable […]Matthew Ruttan
- The best thing you can do for tomorrow November 4, 2024Jesus says comforting things. He also says challenging things. The following statement from Matthew 6:34 is both comforting and challenging at the same time! “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” I agree with that statement. I also struggle to live that […]Matthew Ruttan
- Trust God (and leave the results to him) November 1, 2024Do you ever wonder why God is taking so long in making his kingdom come and his will being done “on earth as it is in heaven”? ‘God, why are there still so many problems?’‘God, why hasn’t A, B or C happened in my life or in the world?’ In Mark 4:26-27 Jesus explains a […]Matthew Ruttan
- Halloween… and Reformation Day October 31, 2024October 31st has become synonymous with Halloween—the day where kids get dressed up, forego the don’t-talk-to-strangers rule, and get a candy buzz that could fly them to the moon. But the date has a greater historical significance. It’s the day when Martin Luther formally began a protest over certain problems in the church of his […]Matthew Ruttan
- To the one who has, more will be given October 30, 2024Mark 4:25 causes some people to scratch their heads. They think it’s unfair. That’s where Jesus says: “For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” To understand what is happening, we need to look at the context. Jesus […]Matthew Ruttan
- When all seems broken, uncertain or wrong October 29, 2024Professor Michael Reeves says: “When all seems broken, uncertain, or wrong, remember God the unchanging who, through it all, cannot be broken, uncertain, or wrong.”* Let’s just sit with that for a minute. Are there times when things seem broken?Are there times when things seem uncertain?Are there times when things seem wrong?Yes, yes, and yes. […]Matthew Ruttan
- To help you love others October 28, 2024In the previous devotional I encouraged us to think about spiritual disciplines. According to Jeff Loach, they are “historically and biblically rooted ways to deepen your relationship with God.” They are faith-based practices which form you to be more like Jesus. I referenced Bible-reading, prayer, corporate worship, and fasting. These are some of the most […]Matthew Ruttan
- God doesn’t expect us to grow on our own October 25, 2024Spiritual disciplines. According to Jeff Loach, they are “historically and biblically rooted ways to deepen your relationship with God.” Although some people can get tripped up by the word “discipline,” they needn’t be. These are faith-based practices which form you to be more like Jesus. (Have you ever noticed that the word “discipline” looks a […]Matthew Ruttan
- The eternal God picked you October 24, 2024Douglas Murray is a journalist. In his book, “The Strange Death of Europe,” he says that as he travelled around the world he noticed young people asking a question: “Is this all there is?” They seemed to instinctively know that they are not ‘mere animals.’ But neither are they ‘mere consumers.’ There has to be […]Matthew Ruttan
- What does it mean to bless someone? October 23, 2024In yesterday’s devotional I said that you were born to bless. In a world where many people aren’t sure if they’re here on this earth on purpose or by chance, followers of Jesus can be confident that God has put us here for a reason. So let’s flush out what it means to “bless” someone. […]Matthew Ruttan
- Born to bless October 22, 2024Why was I born? Why were you born? Why were any of us born? Are we here in this world by chance? Or is there a greater purpose to our lives? I once read about a philosophy professor who wrote to 250 people whom he felt were the great thinkers of his day. He asked […]Matthew Ruttan