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
- Discipleship isn’t a competition April 25, 2024The Bible is teaching us more than we think. Sometimes we learn things because they are told to us directly. “Love your neighbour” is just one of many examples. We also learn things that are less obvious. We have to look a bit more closely to find them. Paul’s letters are an example. Let’s take […]MatthewRuttan
- People on the narrow path need this April 24, 2024I’m captivated by Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13-14. In fact, I’ve started to recite them as a part of my devotional time every morning: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow […]MatthewRuttan
- Narrow, not broad and wide April 23, 2024“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). These words of Jesus are quite famous. At first, they […]MatthewRuttan
- They fear concentration April 22, 2024John Climacus wrote a book in the early 7th century that became very influential among Christians. It was called The Ladder of Divine Ascent. Among other things it was a book about becoming more like Jesus. In it he wrote: “Demons fear concentration as thieves fear dogs.”* He put a high value on concentration. He was […]MatthewRuttan
- Rarely does he let me see the script April 19, 2024In her book No Greater Love, Rebecca McLaughlin writes: “I thoroughly believe that God directs my life, but rarely does He let me see the script.”* Can I get an Amen?! Like McLaughlin, I thoroughly believe that God directs my life. Perhaps you also agree that God directs your life. When she says that God […]MatthewRuttan
- Feet firmly planted April 18, 2024When did you last wrestle someone? Perhaps it’s been a while. Perhaps you never have! I’m not a professional. I’m a father (which, for the record, includes a good deal of wrestling). You need to have your feet firmly planted on the ground. If you don’t, you get taken down pretty quickly. Today’s devotional is […]MatthewRuttan
- Personal, but never private April 17, 2024In yesterday’s devotional I highlighted the exceptional courage of the first apostles. As far as we can tell, all but one of them died for their faith. One writer has stated that God is personal, but never private.* How very true. Our faith is internal AND external. It impacts who we are on the inside […]MatthewRuttan
- Courage is fighting alongside the King April 16, 2024Whatever happened to those first apostles? Shortly after the resurrection, this new movement of Christ-followers took off. Initially they were called the people of “The Way.” The word “Christians” also came into use fairly early. Jesus’ people were first referred to by that title in Antioch (see Acts 11:26). Some of the things we know […]MatthewRuttan
- Doubt your doubts April 15, 2024Perhaps you sometimes have doubts about various aspects of your faith. Perhaps you’ve also thought to yourself, ‘If only I could have seen Jesus when he was resurrected; then I’d have total confidence.’ You may be surprised to hear this, but seeing the risen Jesus in the first century was not a slam-dunk guarantee that […]MatthewRuttan
- Casual and casualty sound so much the same April 12, 2024“Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position” (2 Peter 3:17) It’s no coincidence that casual and casualty sound so much the same. Let me explain what I’m getting at. Casual […]MatthewRuttan
- Too honest not to tell the truth April 11, 2024This week we’re talking about having confidence in the resurrection. More specifically, we’re talking about how to defend against conspiracy theories that say it never really happened. When we understand these—and know how to defend against them—we grow in confidence. A modern popular theory is that the early church must have made up resurrection stories […]MatthewRuttan
- There exists such overwhelming evidence April 10, 2024This week’s devotionals have been focusing on the resurrection. It is foundational to our faith. Yet people continue to come up with conspiracy theories which try to deny it. When we understand these—and know how to defend against them—we grow in confidence. One conspiracy theory is that Jesus’ dead body was simply stolen. But that […]MatthewRuttan
- Out of the cross April 9, 2024The physical resurrection of Jesus is foundational to our faith. Without it, Paul says your faith is “futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17). It is of “first importance” (verse 3). Jesus predicted it. It is one of the reasons he now reigns as Lord. But some people challenge the idea. They say that Jesus never really died. […]MatthewRuttan
- Putting some sand on the bridge April 8, 2024Indiana Jones was played by Harrison Ford. There’s a scene in one of the movies where he had to get across a huge gorge, but couldn’t jump that far. His map indicated that he could walk across, but he couldn’t see a bridge. He was in a hurry because people were chasing him and he […]MatthewRuttan
- God entrusts us with certain potential April 5, 2024“There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord” (1 Corinthians 12: 5). If you had the ability to give someone a special talent or gift—like, for example, the ability to fly—wouldn’t you expect them to use it? I’m sure you would. Well, God gives us special talents or gifts. And I’m sure he […]MatthewRuttan
- Though it be but words April 4, 2024“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me…” (Psalm 43:3, ESV). Anthony lived in the fourth century. He has had a massive influence on Christians. He fasted, prayed, shunned wealth and praise, memorized Scripture, and lived a life of focused simplicity. Even though he would go into the desert to be alone, […]MatthewRuttan
- Take the relationship seriously April 3, 2024Relationships can be a source of great joy in our lives. They can also be a source of pain. Quite often they are somewhere in between. Sometimes they are life-giving, and sometimes they are draining. We modern westerners are at risk of treating people like commodities. Since there is so much individualism and consumerism in […]MatthewRuttan
- Trading crosses for crowns April 2, 2024The resurrection of Christ was about one man, but it was about more than one man. It is the inauguration of God’s renewed world. I’m thankful to historian and scholar Tom Wright for highlighting the following points in his research. First, God began the work of creation on a Sunday. Well, the work of God’s […]MatthewRuttan
- The nails failed April 1, 2024“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said’” (Matthew 28:5-6). I hope you are en-joy-ing Easter Monday. The resurrection of Jesus was about… Jesus. But it wasn’t only about Jesus. […]MatthewRuttan
- To redeem a race of rebels March 29, 2024Today is Good Friday. It’s when we gather at the foot of the cross to ponder and give thanks that Jesus gave his life for ours. He paid the price for our sin so that we could be reconciled to God. I sometimes tell the story about a young person who asked me why Good […]MatthewRuttan