The Up Devotional

  • What Tyndale gave his life to give

    William Tyndale was born in the late 1400’s. As he grew, he became passionate about God and the Bible. But it wasn’t available in English. In fact, it was illegal to translate it and to sell it. Tyndale, however, was highly motivated, despite the danger. He knew the Bible had… Listen ⇢

  • Not just what to believe, but how

    In Luke 16:14 we are told about Pharisees who “loved money” and who were “sneering at Jesus.” Jesus said: “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight” (verse 15). Shortly afterward Jesus… Listen ⇢

  • “Successful” or faithful?

    A university professor was at the pinnacle of his career. He had so many options and opportunities spreading out before him. But he resigned. Why? To take care of his wife who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. I’m sure many of you already know how horrible it can be. A… Listen ⇢

  • Do you have things, or do they have you?

    Do you have things, or do they have you? When we “have” things, we own them. We control them. But when things “have” us, they own us. They control us. Consider the man in Mark 10:21-22: “Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go,… Listen ⇢

  • Gollum and precious things

    In The Lord of the Rings there is a character named Gollum. He becomes obsessed with possessing a ring of great power. Gollum even kills to get it. Over time, he becomes infatuated with the ring, even calling it “my precious.” He has lost all perspective, and it distracts him… Listen ⇢

  • Glorious

    Recently I was walking our dog, Buddy. It was a cold morning, but a beautiful morning. I could see my breath, but also the sun streaming through the trees. There was fresh snow on the ground. As the sun hit the snowflakes, it made them shimmer, like ten thousand sparkling… Listen ⇢

  • Liberated for greater things

    “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). When Jesus talks about carrying a cross, he’s using bold language to teach us a bold principle: Whoever does not crucify their own self-serving desires and instead pattern their lives on him cannot be… Listen ⇢

  • No matter the cost

    The cross is central to the Christian faith. After all, Jesus says: “whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). Clearly, it’s not just about what he did, but about what we do. It’s easy to forget how jarring the cross was (and… Listen ⇢

  • When Jesus puts on a BBQ

    In Luke 14:15 we read: “he said to Jesus, ‘Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.’” At Westminster Church we’ve started a barbeque in July to celebrate our successful Bible camps.  Picture a couple hundred people, music playing, kids’ in bouncy castles,… Listen ⇢

Meet the producer, Matthew Ruttan.

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

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The Up Devotional

Your 1-minute shot of soul espresso

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