• Make a plan

    At first you establish your habits, and then your habits establish you. Let me explain what I mean by that and why it matters. If you do something consistently over a long period of time it becomes a habit. Some habits are good and others are bad. Smoking is a… Listen ⇢

  • A few of our favourite things?

    My friend and colleague Jeff Loach told a story about Ray Stedman, a pastor from the 20th century. It’s one of those stories that helps us gain some perspective about priorities. Stedman flew to a town for a speaking engagement but the airline lost his luggage. Those were the days… Listen ⇢

  • The best thing first

    What unites us as God’s church?  I think it’s a productive thing to think about—not only for my or your local church, but for the church as it stretches all over the globe. Is it a certain political cause? What about a social justice issue? What about events which are… Listen ⇢

  • The misinformation age?

    It was T.S. Eliot, the poet and playwright, who wrote: “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”* Those are good questions. People call this the information age, but it may end up being dubbed the mis-information age! Something vital is… Listen ⇢

  • Water-pumping people

    A.J. Gordon was looking across a field from a distance when he saw a man working furiously at a hand pump—one that pumps water into a bucket. He was working and working without slowing down. When Gordon got closer he realized it wasn’t actually a man. It was a wooden… Listen ⇢

  • As essential as air—the Holy Spirit

    I remember being on the receiving end of a prank. I was camping with some friends. We were in our sleeping bags. When I wasn’t paying attention someone yanked up my sleeping bag over my head and held it firmly closed at the top. At first, it was funny. “Come… Listen ⇢

  • Battlegrounds without bombshells

    Recently, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the Lordship of Jesus and the difference it makes in our lives. When Jesus appeared to Thomas after his resurrection, he invited him to touch one of his wounds so that Thomas could confirm what he was seeing. In response he… Listen ⇢

  • God’s work through you despite you

    As a person of faith, you should be aware of (and honest about) your own sin. At the same time, you should be confident that God’s power is not handcuffed by your sin or weakness. Handcuffs are meant to stop someone from doing something. Do you really think your flaws… Listen ⇢

  • He. Is. Interceding. For. You. And. Me.

    In yesterday’s devotional I focused on the ascension of Jesus. It assures us that Christ is in the control room. [If you missed it, click here.] After all, Jesus leaving this world to be at his Father’s right hand is his cosmic coronation as Lord of the universe. The Apostles’… 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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