The Up Devotional

Your 1-minute shot of soul espresso

Skip to content
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Podcast
  • Social Media
  • On Radio
  • The Book
  • About
  • Contact
Search

godliness

On guard

January 5, 2022January 3, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Yesterday I encouraged you to ground yourself in God. You’re less likely to get knocked off centre if you’re properly centred. That’s especially important in an uncertain time. One of the ways you do that is to guard your heart. Harken Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from … Continue reading On guard

Don’t be a swivel head

November 23, 2021November 22, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

A few years ago I was watching my son play a hockey game. There was a father of a boy on the other team bellowing instructions at his son on the ice—instructions which, I should add, weren’t very smart. As a result, the boy was confused. Should he listen to his coach, or should he … Continue reading Don’t be a swivel head

Glad and sincere hearts

April 14, 2021April 13, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

There is something very attractive and very compelling about true goodness and godliness in action. Consider this picture of the church in Acts 2:46-47: “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number … Continue reading Glad and sincere hearts

Training… for godliness

February 18, 2021February 17, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

We are now in Lent—the period of preparation leading up to Easter. Some people “give something up” for Lent. Think of it like spiritual training. Just how an athlete might make certain sacrifices to train for a big event, so too is there a tradition of Christians making certain sacrifices at this time of year … Continue reading Training… for godliness

You: The cultural observer

November 13, 2020November 12, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Yesterday we talked about the idea that friending the world means un-friending God. (If you missed it, or if that statement leaves you scratching your head, you can review it here.) Sociologist Robert Bellah says … Continue reading You: The cultural observer

Good guilt?

September 12, 2019September 11, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

In Psalm 38:4 David said, “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” Can you relate? Feeling guilty is no fun. But let’s explore whether some guilt can actually be a good thing. First, there is Loud Guilt. It’s that guilt you feel when you’ve clearly done something wrong. Maybe you’ve … Continue reading Good guilt?

How to grow in godliness

June 3, 2019June 2, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

“Godliness” is like “world peace”—we want it but we’re not sure how to get it! So let’s break it down. Godliness is being “of God” or more “like God.” Since we’re all flawed, none of us will ever totally get there, but we definitely want to make progress. 2 Peter 3:11-12 says: “You ought to … Continue reading How to grow in godliness

Enter your email address to get this devo 5 mornings a week!

Instagram

When a relationship becomes TOO central to your soul
When nice things become ultimate things
Gorging on the right things, or the wrong things?
Hearing ‘a still small voice’ over the roar of your appetites

Past Devos

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Enter your email address to follow Up and receive notifications of new posts 5 days a week.

Up’s Facebook Page

Up’s Facebook Page
Website Built with WordPress.com.
  • Follow Following
    • The Up Devotional
    • Join 1,671 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Up Devotional
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...