The Up Devotional

  • RationaLies

    It’s easy to lie to ourselves, isn’t it? We take the easy path instead of the right path—and rationalize it.We can be lazy instead of diligent—and rationalize it.We sometimes avoid the reality of God’s word—and rationalize it. Psychologist Charles Lowery says this: “Rationalize means Rational Lies.”* Bam! When we say… Listen ⇢

  • The polarizing internet

    The internet has a polarizing effect. Recently a well-respected Christian organization posted a blog. Since it touched on the topic of politics, the comments came fast and furious. (Apparently, politics can be a touchy subject these days. Have you noticed?) Unfortunately, the comments were highly charged, accusatory, derogatory, and unfair.… Listen ⇢

  • Am I right with God and walking rightly?

    Here are two very important questions: –Am I right with God?–Am I walking rightly with God? Even if you use different wording, these are the kinds of questions that are most likely bouncing around in your head as you paddle down the river of life. As you think about how… Listen ⇢

  • Embody one of these traits this week

    On Friday we explored the idea of wisdom. After looking at James 3:17 we found that wisdom is not just stuff you know; it’s who you’re known to be. Today let’s try to apply James’ insight about wisdom to our own lives. Let’s look at that verse again: “But the… Listen ⇢

  • Wisdom: who you’re known to be

    Who or what is a wise person like? Many people, when they try to describe someone who is wise, start to list things they know—usually profound bits of knowledge which have been tried and tested though time and the refining grind of real-life experiences. I would tend to agree. That… Listen ⇢

  • The grip of his righteous right hand

    In the 1996 Olympics Derek Redmond was in the 400-metre race. During his heat he was out in front. But then his Achilles tendon snapped! He fell to the track. The crowd gasped. He got up, slowly. Limping. He was trying to move forward while dragging his leg behind him.… Listen ⇢

  • God is under no illusions about you

    If you’re like a lot of other people right now and are struggling under the weight of a global pandemic, you’re probably having more bad days than you’re used to. As a result, maybe you beat yourself up. Perhaps you even feel like you’re letting God down. But God is not… Listen ⇢

  • Ordinary means for extraordinary measures

    How often have we wanted some bit of direction, wisdom or insight from God? But since we don’t see a blazing angel come directly down from the sky with a fiery scroll in his hand we don’t think God hears or responds to us. There’s a scene in a Jim… Listen ⇢

  • Not TO us but FOR us

    “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). I once heard someone speak dismissively about the 10 Commandments. They thought they were just a bunch of random rules. It got me thinking about how the wisdom and commands of God are… Listen ⇢

Meet the producer, Matthew Ruttan.

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

Learn More

The Up Devotional

Your 1-minute shot of soul espresso

Skip to content ↓