• Before you talk, do this

    James 1:19 “…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak…” (ESV) Today’s Thought This week I’m suggesting practical things we can do to love one another better. Yesterday I talked about the importance of taking your own sin seriously. (If you missed it, you can review it here.)… Listen ⇢

  • What’s Wrong with the World?

    Romans 3:23 “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NIV) Today’s Thought In the Bible, we’re told to love one another. It’s like the chorus of a catchy song that never goes away. We just keep on hearing it. Unfortunately, we don’t always do it very… Listen ⇢

  • Why you should pray for your leaders

    Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (NIV) Today’s Thought I want to start today’s devotional by addressing my American readers. Today, Donald Trump is your 45th President. To say he’s controversial is an understatement. But regardless of what you think of him,… Listen ⇢

  • Of course he does, I’m marvelous!

    1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.” (ESV) Today’s Thought I have no research to back this up, but I think that “Jesus loves me” was once a startling and surprising lyric. Could he reign? Yes! Could he judge? Absolutely! But LOVE little old me? Well, doesn’t he… Listen ⇢

  • Lose the guilt

    Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (NIV) Today’s Thought There are certain bible passages that, to me, are like the mail carrier. They… Listen ⇢

  • Looking at him like that offended too many people

    Isaiah 53:2 “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him…” (NIV) Today’s Thought When pastor Fred Craddock was in Oklahoma he saw a painting of Jesus. He was asked to look at it for his opinion. But it wasn’t the kind you’d expect to see. The colours were… Listen ⇢

  • But WHY do you believe?

    1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (NIV) Today’s Thought If someone were to ask you, “Why do you believe in God?”, what would you… Listen ⇢

  • “I guess nobody loves me”

    1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply…” (NIV) Today’s Thought My friends, today it’s really simple. A few months ago I was in the common room of a nursing home. It’s where the residents pick up their mail. A nearby elevator door opened and two ladies came out… Listen ⇢

  • Intentionally in light of eternity

    1 John 3:18 “let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (ESV) Today’s Thought Music takes what you feel and believe on a deep level and gives it expression in a way that you couldn’t by yourself. Quite often when we hear a song that… 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

Skip to content ↓