The Up Devotional

  • What you put in, and what you keep out

    In the previous devotional I talked about joy. In an age like ours when so many people have become accustomed to instant gratification, we can mistakenly think that joy is easily attainable and sustainable in our hearts and minds. Not always. It’s more like a diet than it is a… Listen ⇢

  • Joy is a diet (not a pill)

    “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence…” (Psalm 16:11) We live in the age of the quick-fix. Instant gratification is on the menu. If I have a craving for a cheeseburger I can go to a drive-thru window. If… Listen ⇢

  • Making margin

    I recently had the opportunity to interview the Rev. Dr. Sarah Han. She’s a professor at Tyndale University in Toronto (and also a friend) who is writing a book about “margin.”  Having margin in your life is having mental and emotional space in your life. It’s also having a schedule… Listen ⇢

  • Persistence without insight

    The Mandalorian is a TV series and a part of the Star Wars enterprise. The main character is a bounty hunter named Din Djarin. Every once in a while he meets up with the Armourer—a lady who offers wisdom and, as her name suggests, makes armour. During one of their conversations… Listen ⇢

  • Christ will wipe it off

    The Bible never fails to surprise. I recently came across 1 Peter 4:14 where the apostle is writing to encourage believers who are surrounded by hostility. Here is what he says: “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and… Listen ⇢

  • Return hatred with love

    If you play hockey in a full-contact league, do not be surprised if you get body-checked. If you go outside when it’s raining, do not be surprised if you get wet. And if you follow Jesus, do not be surprised if the world hates you. The apostle John says that… Listen ⇢

  • Don’t confuse a battleground for a playground

    In John 15 Jesus warns his disciples that the world will hate them. That’s pretty strong language. Matthew Henry says that hatred “is the character and genius of the devil’s kingdom.” Serious language for a serious situation! But why would Jesus spend so much time telling them about the world’s… Listen ⇢

  • When you feel like a misfit

    When I was younger I loved the cartoon version of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. One of the scenes is about The Island of Misfit Toys. It’s for toys that don’t fit in. They sit there dejected, waiting for someone to want them. That’s a how a lot of Christians feel… Listen ⇢

  • Pruning

    In John 15, Jesus provides a metaphor: He is the true vine, his heavenly Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. As the branches we are to “bear fruit.” This means that our lives are to show evidence of our faithfulness and discipleship.  In verse 2 he says… 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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