“I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother…” (Psalm 131:2) If an army is in chaos, it's not going to respond very well when the enemy strikes. If a soldier is always fatigued and confused about what to do, he's not going to face the enemy with power. … Continue reading From a place of stillness
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Pride goes before destruction
Proverbs 16:18 says: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” When you start to look for it, you start to notice how many times pride and humility are at work in the Bible. Pride causes people to make massive blunders, mistakes, and to engage in outright sin. Humility is continually lifted up … Continue reading Pride goes before destruction
A friend loves at all times
The biblical book of Proverbs has a lot to say about friendship. Here’s another: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). Let’s flush out the meaning. True friends are there for you at all times, including the ups and downs. This is a warning … Continue reading A friend loves at all times
Wounds from a friend
Twitter (aka “X”) didn’t exist in biblical times. If it did, the proverbs would be posted frequently. They are short and to-the-point. They communicate eternal truths in memorable, bite-sized chunks. Proverbs 27:6 says: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” What does it mean? It starts by speaking about wounds. … Continue reading Wounds from a friend
A good name is desirable
Proverbs 22:1 contains one of the many proverbs of Solomon. He says: “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” What does it mean? First, we need to see that having “a good name” is about having a good reputation. But it’s not about being … Continue reading A good name is desirable
As a dog returns to its vomit
Proverbs are short, memorable statements in the Bible meant to help us live wisely daily. One of them is Proverbs 26:11: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” Wow, talk about memorable! What principle is it trying to teach us? We should learn from our mistakes. We should not foolishly … Continue reading As a dog returns to its vomit
God’s loving discipline
Hello! After some vacation time The Up Devotional is back to your email inboxes, social media feeds and podcast platforms five mornings a week! Today let’s look at Proverbs 3:11-12: “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father … Continue reading God’s loving discipline
Envy rots the bones
Before I share today’s devotional let me offer a quick reminder that The Up Devotional is going on pause after today for four weeks. I’m having some vacation time! It returns on August 29th. You can listen to past devotionals as a podcast wherever you subscribe, or you can read text versions at TheUpDevo.com. Here … Continue reading Envy rots the bones
Guard your centre
If you’re looking for a good Bible verse to memorize consider Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” We need to guard our heart. Ray Ortlund explains that “The heart, in biblical terms, is not part of who we are but the centre of who we are.”* … Continue reading Guard your centre
Step 1 to becoming wise
Proverbs 9:10 is quite well known. It appears in different places and in slightly different forms in the Bible: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” First, what does it mean to “fear” the Lord? As Billy Graham once wrote, fearing the Lord … Continue reading Step 1 to becoming wise
