The Up Devo

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Tell them about your plans The “Up!” Devo for September 20 When you’re the only Christian in a conversation it might make you feel different. Confidence comes with time and prayer. But because of feeling different, it can be easy to downplay your faith. That's why I’d like to suggest something. When people ask you what you’re doing this weekend, include something about your faith: --“On Sunday, I’m going to church.” --“We’re learning a new praise song,” or “We’re in a teaching series about being content.” --“Our kids get to be a part of the kids’ ministry.” --“I’m reading a great book about servant-hood.” --“I’m serving on our Sunday morning Fellowship Team.” It’s not rocket science. As a result, someone might follow up with a question. All of it points to Jesus, our source of hope. And I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but for a lot of people, hope is in short supply. Just last week someone asked me what I was doing on the weekend. I said we were going to a community breakfast, that my son had a hockey game, and that I was leading a teaching series at my church about being content when so many people aren’t. In Romans 1:16 (NLT), Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.” Me neither. Don’t hide your hope. When people ask you what you’re doing this weekend, include something about your faith. By Matthew Ruttan #hope #Jesus #faith #inspiration #dailydevotional #gospel #church #evangelism #worship #praiseGod

Affirmation from the wrong people or places The “Up!” Devo for September 19 There was a young boy who got C’s on his report card. His dad said that if he just worked harder, he could probably get B’s. Time passed and the boy worked hard. He really wanted to impress his dad. He sooo wanted his affirmation and praise! The next report card came and, lo and behold, he got B’s! But instead of congratulating his son, his father said that if he just worked a bit harder, he might be able to get A’s. So the boy, still wanting his father’s affirmation, worked harder and harder. He did extra homework and put in the time. He made sacrifices. When the next report card came home—wow, he got A’s! But what did his dad do? He looked at the report card and said, “You probably have an easy teacher.” Sad, isn’t it? In a similar way, if we seek our ultimate affirmation in anyone or anything other than God—in the judgments, opinions, or negative criticisms of others—we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment. After giving the temperamental Corinthians a semi-scolding in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Paul says that God “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” (v. 5). In the end, we will receive our true affirmation and praise from God. If we seek our ultimate affirmation in anyone or anything other than God—like the boy with the report card—we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment. I know it can be tough, but don’t be too discouraged when others don’t see or understand your hard work, good intentions, or searching heart. God does. And one day, you will receive your praise and reward from him. By Matthew Ruttan #praise #affirmation #identity #selfesteem #faith #inspiration #contentment #peace #God #comparison #criticism

Feeding the envy beast The “Up!” Devo for September 18 We’ve been thinking about invisible robbers who steal your contentment. Yesterday, I highlighted some studies about social media use and how it can bring down your mood. Unfortunately, by constantly seeing what people post, we can fall into a trap of perpetual comparison and envy. As a result, it can drag us down. Because of that, I suggested that if you’re being robbed of contentment, you may need to limit your exposure to environments that thrive on comparison. Today, let’s look at the other side of the coin. In Luke 6:31 Jesus says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” If we follow that logic, wouldn’t we want to make others feel good instead of bad? That’s why I don’t think we should feed the envy beast. When we go online, it can be tempting to just post or say things that make others envious. After all, if that’s what we continually see, maybe we start to think that’s how the game is supposed to be played! As a result, we limit our posts to subtle brags, and an always-cheery presence which we (sub?)consciously hope will make others admire our lives (and feel bad about theirs). Don’t think that I don’t like sharing the odd accomplishment or mountain-top moment. But it’s really about the motives of the heart. Is what we say and do online done from a place of honesty and grace, or are we just feeding the envy beast because we want to prop ourselves up on the jealousy of others? Don’t feed the envy beast. It just makes him bigger, hungrier, and harder to get away from! Be aware. Be loving. Check your motives. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” By Matthew Ruttan #envy #comparison #jealousy #content #happiness #faith #inspiration #socialmedia #online #loveoneanother #motives #dailydevotional #goldenrule

Social Media torture = less contentment The “Up!” Devo for September 17 We’ve been thinking about invisible robbers who steal your contentment. And more specifically, one who tries to convince you to put too much stock in (a) comparing yourself to others (in person or online), and (b) the judgments and criticisms of others. It’s definitely a big topic. Alain de Bottom wrote a book about “Status Anxiety.” He defined it as “a worry, so pernicious as to be capable of ruining extended stretches of our lives, that we are in danger of failing to conform to the ideals of success laid down by our society… a worry that we are currently occupying too modest a rung or are about to fall to a lower one…” And do you know what? One of the tools that the thief uses to make us feel bad compared to where we relate to others… Is social media. Social psychologist Ethan Kross from Michigan University said, “We measured lots and lots of other personality and behavioral dimensions… The more you used Facebook, the more your mood dropped.” It’s where a lot of the comparisons happen. In an article titled “The Agony of Instagram” Alex Williams says that it is the “highest achievement yet in social-media voyeurism” and “a new form of torture.” Yikes! Proverbs 14:30 says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Would you rather have envy, comparison and rot? Or peace, life and contentment in Christ? The point is this. If you’re being robbed of contentment, you may need to limit your exposure to environments that thrive on comparison. Don’t scroll mindlessly. Don’t buy the lie that everyone’s life is always that good all the time. Don’t think your status under God has anything to do with what others are up to. If you’re being robbed of contentment, you may need to limit your exposure to environments that thrive on comparison. By Matthew Ruttan #comparison #content #criticism #judgmental #faith #inspiration #paul #Jesus #faithful #inspiration #God

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