The Up Devo

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Please note, however, that “Up!” is currently on a mini-sabbatical and will return on February 23rd, 2019.

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Hi everyone! This is just a reminder that Up! is now on snooze until April 22nd. I know, I know - it's a long time away, right? But after 3 years of writing daily devotionals I'm taking a much-needed rest. But you can always but the book on Amazon, or peruse back issues at www.TheUpDevo.com. Peace be with you! -Matthew
Dealing with stress... The "Up!" Devo for February 1 Have you ever dealt with stress? Wow, all of your hands just shot up at once! Dr. Tim Cantopher explains that the word “stress” is from the world of engineering. Think of a bridge. When it is bearing a load that is heavier than it is designed to carry, it is “under stress.” With that in mind, here is how he defines stress: “Stress is experienced when a person is pulled or pushed in a direction that they would not normally take, or at a pace at which they would not normally proceed, or with an impetus that they would not normally experience. They are enduring a force for which they are not designed.” Yup. So what’s to be done? Quietness. Psalm 46:10 famously says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” Lamentations 3:26 also comes to mind: “it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” It can be hard to hear God’s voice of grace when you’re running at a breakneck pace. Quietness. It doesn’t make all your stress go away. But it can slowly re-introduce a more peaceful perspective when your brain is full of frantic voices and pressures you were not designed to bear. Go for a walk. Shut off your phone. Go for a drive in the country. Saunter. Carve out some alone time. Close your eyes to pray… and just listen. Cultivate quietness. Listen for the Lord. And rise above a load you were never designed to bear. By Matthew Ruttan ---Please note that after today (Friday, February 1), “Up!” will go on pause until April 22nd. I know, it’s a long time! But after three full years of daily devotionals I’m taking a much-needed rest. :) Back issues are all available at www.TheUpDevo.com!
How do you know you're on the right track? The "Up!" Devo for January 31 How do you know you’re on the right track with your faith? After all, we SAY we believe in Jesus, but are we LIVING like it? When you read through the New Testament, one of the ways you can tell you’re on the right track is if you’re showing evidence of God’s presence in your life. The biblical language is “producing fruit.” If you’ve put your faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters into you in a new way and goes to work. The most frequently cited passage about this is Galatians 5:22-23 which speaks about the fruit of the Spirit. The behaviours and characteristics listed are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Are you starting to see those at work in your life? Some may appear more slowly than others. And they may not all grow at the same speeds. And sometimes there are set backs... But inevitably, growth will occur. A respected Bible scholar named N.T. Wright says: “salvation only does become what it’s meant to do when those who have been saved, are being saved, and will one day fully be saved realize that they are saved not as souls but as wholes and not for themselves alone but for what God now longs to do through them.” It’s a reminder that God enters into relationship with us not only to get us from earth to heaven, but to get heaven to earth through us. None of us are perfect. We make mistakes… daily! And it needs to be stressed that what makes us right and acceptable to God is definitely not how morally well we perform in life. But we can receive the encouragement that we’re on the right track with our faith when we see—by God’s grace and great patience—that we are showing evidence (however fragmentary) of his presence in our lives. It’s not about being dramatic; it’s about being faithful. Be encouraged. God’s work through you is evidence of God’s presence in you. By Matthew Ruttan
A major stumbling block to faith The "Up!" Devo for January 30 Yesterday I talked about having a relationship with Christ, and whether or not it is authentic. Today I’d like to focus on something the Bible identifies as a major stumbling block to that relationship: Money. In Luke 16:13 Jesus says it with his usual eye-opening candour: “You cannot serve both God and money.” It’s a tricky subject. None of us would admit we serve money. But isn't that what we do when we accumulate, save, and use money in a way that just builds up our own little kingdoms instead of God’s? So the question we need ask is this: Do we use money carelessly and in a way that focuses exclusively on our own comforts and status? Or are we using money wisely and in a way which contributes to God’s will in the world? I’m far from perfect, that’s for sure! And if this idea is new to you the point isn’t to make you feel guilty; it’s to help you. But I truly think that using money to simply serve my own needs and without considering the needs of others, the local church, and those under my care, threatens the integrity of my relationship with Christ. Why? Because it shows how much in my life is self-centred instead of Christ-centred. I’m not saying you can never have fun or treat yourself. (You can.) I’m simply highlighting the fact that money issues are spiritual issues. They both trace back to the heart. So be deliberate. By Matthew Ruttan

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