Kyle Idleman was watching a documentary about a woman who was thirty-four years old. She developed a tumor that grew to twice her initial body weight. How big did it grow, you might ask? Three hundred pounds. That’s right. A three hundred pound tumor. As they prepared to remove it, people wondered why she waited … Continue reading When you turn a blind eye to reality
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Be alert
Something that comes up in the Bible on several different occasions is the importance of being alert. One of the reasons for that alertness is spelled out quite clearly by the apostle Peter: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 … Continue reading Be alert
Careless words
While rebuking his opponents in Matthew 12:36 (ESV) Jesus said: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak…” Wow. Everyone will have to give an account. Who? Some people? No. Everyone. What will they have to give an account of? A few of the careless … Continue reading Careless words
What is uprightness?
In my devotional reading I keep coming across the word “upright” or “uprightness.” It’s a good thing. Here are a few examples: -“May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you” (Psalm 25:21, ESV).-“Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD…” (Proverbs 14:2, ESV).-“My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart” … Continue reading What is uprightness?
Praying for steadfastness
One of my favourite words in the Bible is steadfastness. Here is one of Paul’s prayers where he uses it. “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Isn’t that awesome? I think it’s one of the most neglected prayer verses in the … Continue reading Praying for steadfastness
What if fitting in wasn’t the goal
Malam Ibrahim was a teacher of the Qu’ran in northern Nigeria. That’s the holy book for Muslims. Through his reading and study he became convinced that a unique function and role is given to the person of Isa Mahis—Jesus the Messiah—as the mediator “through whom the prayers of the faithful are offered up to” God. … Continue reading What if fitting in wasn’t the goal
Shopping for lightning bolts
Hello everyone, I’m back from three weeks of vacation—and so is The Up Daily Devotional! I caught some Z’s, a sunburn and a fish. Business and marketing expert Seth Godin has written: “We need to stop shopping for lightning bolts.”* When it comes to faith, many people seem to be seeking cheap thrills—flashy and electrifying, … Continue reading Shopping for lightning bolts
Having the light of life
Jesus said: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). It’s a promise. If you follow him you will have the light of life. The light of life doesn’t necessarily equal happiness and freedom from care. Sometimes, yes; but not always. The light might not always … Continue reading Having the light of life
Lightsome
Thomas More was beheaded in 1535 at the order of King Henry the 8th. The last thing More wrote while imprisoned in the tower of London was a devotional work called The Sadness of Christ. In it he penned this moving phrase about God: “he that by the infinite brightness of his divine majesty maketh … Continue reading Lightsome
Real believing and real following
Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever WATCHES me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Oh, wait a second. That’s a misquote. Of course he didn’t say that. Here’s what he actually said. “I am the light of the world. Whoever FOLLOWS me will never walk … Continue reading Real believing and real following
