• Imitate those with a low centre of spiritual gravity

    Laziness is bad, especially when it comes to faith. So the writer of Hebrews encouraged his readers to imitate those who knew how to press on, even in tough times. Hebrews 6:12 says: “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience… Listen ⇢

  • When a loving heart manifests as growling teeth

    Hebrews 6 describes some people who have come so far in their faith, but in the end reject God. Verse 6 has a strongly worded warning: “To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” It is as if they… Listen ⇢

  • God notices you

    They were tired. They were undergoing hardship. They were questioning Jesus. You get the sense that they didn’t think God was noticing their work, their love, and the help they were giving to others. ‘Was any of it making a difference?’ It’s fair to say that they needed some encouragement.… Listen ⇢

  • Tie your shoes first

    Knowing the ABC’s of Christianity is important. In fact, if we don’t have a solid grasp of the basics, it’s going to be difficult for us to move on to more complicated matters. The writer of Hebrews was frustrated with his readers. He says: “though by this time you ought… Listen ⇢

  • Stumbling blocks or building blocks?

    The writer of the book of Hebrews was frustrated. His readers were being slow learners: “by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!… But solid food is for the… Listen ⇢

  • You shall have as much again, and 10 times more

    In The Pilgrim’s Progress, two characters named Gaius and Mr. Honest have a poetic exchange:  “A man there was (though some did count him mad),The more he cast away the more he had.He who bestows his goods upon the poor,Shall have as much again, and ten times more.”* There’s truth… Listen ⇢

  • When God adopts us

    “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5, NLT). Dwain and Lorie Hargis had fostered many children. One year they met Olivia, a young girl who had bounced from house to house. She had a tough life… Listen ⇢

  • God’s timely help

    I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” In our time of need. You could also translate that phrase “for timely… Listen ⇢

  • Stay centred

    A man answered a challenge to ride a remote control bull. He got on and started to ride. He thought he was doing pretty well, getting jolted this way and that. It had twelve levels so he was a bit shocked to learn that he had only managed to navigate… Listen ⇢

Meet the producer, Matthew Ruttan.

Matthew is a disciple, pastor, husband, and dad of three who lives in the psalms.

The Up Devotional

Your 1-minute shot of soul espresso

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