The Up Devo

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Prepare to be persecuted? The “Up!” Devo for October 16 This week I’m sharing some thoughts about facing trouble and persecution for your faith. When you look at the New Testament, it was expected that Christians would experience this. An example is 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5. Paul writes, “Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” He continues, “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.” That’s why you need to prepare to be persecuted. I realize that “persecuted” is a heavy word. Usually it makes us think of people in dire situations overseas. Maybe you’re not used to applying it to yourself. Maybe you haven’t had to. Yet. I'm not fear-mongering. As our society shifts further and further away from a biblical worldview and set of values, we need to shed some naiveté and live with our eyes open. Maybe you lose a job. Certain friends fall away. Maybe you’ll be like a local family who claims they were denied adopting a baby because of their religion. Maybe you’ll be called a hater. Maybe you’ll be increasingly stripped of your religious freedoms. That’s why we need to prepare. Not fear. Prepare. The way you do that is to deepen your spiritual roots. Think of a plant. Roots go deep into the soil to nourish, solidify and strengthen the plant. That’s what Bible-reading, prayer, encouragement with other Christians, service projects, and worship do. They deepen your roots. Deepening your spiritual roots isn’t just about growth, but ensuring you don’t get ripped out of the ground. By Matthew Ruttan #persecution #trouble #hardship #faith #different #beingdifferent #inspiration #JesusChrist #dailydevotional
Expect to be different The “Up!” Devo for October 15 In Mark 4:16-17 Jesus says that some people will fall away from their faith because of the trouble and persecution they will experience because of it. Since they have “no root” he says, “they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” In the New Testament, trouble and persecution are ASSUMED. As Christianity became more popular, it wasn’t as common for people to experience this. But in our own day, and as it becomes increasingly unpopular to follow Jesus again, it will happen more and more. But what Jesus says about trouble and persecution isn’t to scare you but to prepare you. So over the next few days we’re going to talk about what you can do. The first is quite simply this: EXPECT to be different. With a few exceptions, we don’t usually like being different. It’s easier to fit in and just go with the flow. I once heard it said like this—that being different is like a nail that sticks out… it ends up getting hammered! But we are different for God. Different for love. Different for truth. Different for good. Different for all the ways Jesus is bringing heaven to earth. Expect it. Get used to it. Consider it a blessing. When it comes to following Jesus, what makes you different is what makes you special. By Matthew Ruttan #persecution #trouble #hardship #faith #different #beingdifferent #inspiration #JesusChrist #dailydevotional
A simple “Thank you, Lord” – from Little House to yours The “Up!” Devo for October 14 Here in Canada it’s Thanksgiving Monday. I remember an episode of the iconic Little House on the Prairie. The dad and farmer in the family was Charles Ingalls, played by Michael Landon. It was harvest time. He walked through his bountiful field, swaying his hands through his beautiful crop. As he did so he looked up and said a simple, “Thank you, Lord.” Even though Charles planted the seed and did the back-breaking work, it was an acknowledgement that the harvest was really a gift from God. Today, if you’re here in Canada, and even if you’re not, go through your day offering up little “Thank you, Lords” every time you see, hear or experience the blessings around you. An encouraging conversation… “Thank you, Lord” A beautiful tree… “Thank you, Lord” A moment of rest… “Thank you, Lord” A laugh… “Thank you, Lord” A mouthful of turkey… “Thank you, Lord” A breath of fresh air… “Thank you, Lord” A happy memory… “Thank you, Lord” A safe drive… “Thank you, Lord” A word from the Bible… “Thank you, Lord” A helping hand… “Thank you, Lord” James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” EVERY good and perfect gift… is from above. Maybe that’s why the ever-insightful Max Lucado says, “To reflect on your blessings is to rehearse God’s accomplishments.” Today, be thankful. Frequently. “Thank you, Lord.” By Matthew Ruttan #thanksgiving #thanksgiving2019 #canadianthanksgiving #thankyou #gratitude #thankful #littlehouseontheprairie #charlesingalls #faith #inspiration @maxlucado
“Fear” God. Really? The “Up!” Devo for October 11 Last year a man came to a worship service I was leading because he was curious about this whole Christianity thing. The next week he emailed me because something had bothered him. He had read in the Bible that we should “fear God.” This made him uncomfortable. Perhaps he had read something like Psalm 33:8a that says, “Let all the earth fear the LORD…” We don’t usually like fear. We might fear war, violence or being abandoned… But fear God? I explained that "fear" as it is often used in the Bible has a certain nuance. The next part of the verse in Psalm 33:8 gives us some insight. In Hebrew poetry, the second line often amplifies or gives texture to the first: “Let all the earth fear the LORD, let all the people of the world revere him.” In the Bible, fear is closely related to reverence, a kind of powerful and awesome respect. We know this not only because of the context of this (and other) passages, but because in 1 John 4:18 we are told that as we love God and others “perfect love drives out fear.” I fear God. But not in the sense of being scared of him. I fear God in the sense that I am reverent toward him. I try to show him powerful and awesome respect. It’s the opposite of being flippant or dismissive. Our God is unequaled in goodness, supremacy, love, holiness, justice, and truth. With that in mind, I pray that I—and you—think, talk, act, and live in a way that honours the distinct privilege of being called one of his own. By Matthew Ruttan --"Up!" is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on October 14. #fearGod #fear #love #faithful #God #faith #inspiration #reverence

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