The Up Devotional

Matthew Ruttan

In a minute or two, start your day with a shot of soul espresso—biblical and down-to-earth. It's written and read by disciple, pastor, and author, Matthew Ruttan. www.TheUpDevo.com read less

Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality

Start Here

Deep fakes, AI, scammers and news: What’s real?

Deep fakes, AI, scammers and news: What’s real?

It’s getting more difficult to know what’s real. “Deep fakes” are a growing genre of videos. They make it look like someone is saying or doing something, but it’s all fabricated. A tech wizard has digitally recreated someone’s voice or body movements. When it comes to the news, we often wonder what parts of the … Continue reading Deep fakes, AI, scammers and news: What’s real?

Deep fakes, AI, scammers and news: What’s real?

Deep fakes, AI, scammers and news: What’s real?

It’s getting more difficult to know what’s real. “Deep fakes” are a growing genre of videos. They make it look like someone is saying or doing something, but it’s all fabricated. A tech wizard has digitally recreated someone’s voice or body movements. When it comes to the news, we often wonder what parts of the … Continue reading Deep fakes, AI, scammers and news: What’s real?

Why are we doing this?

Why are we doing this?

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done…” (1 Chronicles 16:11-12) With December comes traditions. People start to sing carols, light candles, put up Christmas trees, buy gifts, and send cards. Traditions can be good. But not if they obscure the meaning of what we’re supposed … Continue reading Why are we doing this?

Advent: preparing for Jesus

Advent: preparing for Jesus

The season of Advent has begun. Some of you will know what that means. Others won’t. That’s because some Christian traditions have emphasized it and others have not. It is the four-week season that leads up to Christmas. The word “advent” itself means “coming,” referring to the coming of Christ. On one level is about … Continue reading Advent: preparing for Jesus

Reinhold Niebuhr was an American theologian, pastor and professor. In 1928 he wrote: “It is almost impossible to be sane and Christian at the same time, and on the whole I have been more sane than Christian.”* What honesty. Implied in his comment is, I think, the idea that genuinely following Christ will often make … Continue reading Stay Weird

A house that will not stand empty

A house that will not stand empty

William Gurnall wrote extensively about spiritual warfare. He said that “a man’s heart is a house that will not stand empty.”* He wrote in the 1600’s. So he’s using “man” in a general sense; what he says applies to women as well. The idea is that our heart (metaphorically speaking) is a residence which is … Continue reading A house that will not stand empty

A decision: I will be steadfast

A decision: I will be steadfast

There’s a saying of an old wise man that traces back many centuries: “Thou shalt stand immovable in joy and sorrow like the bones of the dead.” A few things stand out about it. First, it uses the word immovable. Of course, people aren’t literally immovable when they’re alive. They move and walk around. “Immovable” … Continue reading A decision: I will be steadfast

The eyes of your heart

The eyes of your heart

During a Ted Talk, Al Sekel showed an audience of adults a picture of a cartoonish black and white sketch. He asked them to describe what it depicted. They said it looked like a man and a woman in a provocative embrace. Sekel then explained that when he shows the same sketch to young children … Continue reading The eyes of your heart

A father was teaching his son how to plow a field in straight lines. His advice was this. “Pick an object on the other side of the field, and then walk towards it with the plow.” So that’s what the boy did. But when he got to the other side and looked back on his … Continue reading Crooked lines?

Increasing in faith and love

Increasing in faith and love

The church in Thessalonica was having a tough time. They were getting assaulted on the outside (persecution) as well as on the inside (false teaching). Despite these hardships, they were doing well. Paul praised them with these words: “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith … Continue reading Increasing in faith and love

Just because something doesn’t have a bow

Just because something doesn’t have a bow

Just because something doesn’t have a bow, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a gift. Let me explain. Gifts often come in packages with bows. When someone gives us a gift it is pretty obvious what is happening, especially if we’re at a birthday party, at a graduation, or on Christmas morning. But we need to … Continue reading Just because something doesn’t have a bow

Permission to smile

Permission to smile

There are problems everywhere. But there aren’t ONLY problems. There are blessings too. They are gifts from God. To notice you may need to give yourself permission to smile and to enjoy life a little more often. Life can be hard. There are serious issues in the world. Because of this, we can focus (almost … Continue reading Permission to smile

Rushing is not a friend of noticing

Rushing is not a friend of noticing

In yesterday’s devotional I spoke about the ‘art of noticing.’ It was about the art of noticing God’s goodness all around us. This doesn’t mean that everything in your life is good. But everything that is good is from God. James 1:17 reminds us of this very fact: “Every good and perfect gift is from … Continue reading Rushing is not a friend of noticing

Encased in grace

Encased in grace

God showers the people of his world with blessing. That’s not to say that every situation is good. But everything that happens which is good comes from God. In fact, you experience many godly blessings each and every day that you probably don’t even realize. Blessing is happening all around you. All of them are … Continue reading Encased in grace

Shallow positivity

Shallow positivity

The people in the TV commercials are always so happy. I know, I know—they’re actors. But it makes me think of the phrase “shallow positivity.” Shallow positivity is the idea that we’re supposed to be happy all the time. Although not many of us would agree that we’re supposed to be happy all the time, … Continue reading Shallow positivity

What are your stability structures for the coming storm? I don’t mean to be alarming. However, Jesus said that before his return there would be wars, rumours of wars, increased Christian persecution, false Messiahs, more lawlessness, and less love. That’s no walk in the park. So when I ask about your ‘stability structures’ I’m referring … Continue reading Soul gription

Sunday School Teachers

Sunday School Teachers

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). People who volunteer to teach Sunday School are special. Some churches called it “Youth Zone” or “Kids’ Club” or something else. No matter what you call it, it is a valuable ministry to our young … Continue reading Sunday School Teachers

The prayer life of Jesus

The prayer life of Jesus

Have you ever wondered what Jesus’ prayer life was like? We know what he taught about prayer because those teachings are preserved in the New Testament. But what was his actual personal practice? Theologian Joachim Jeremias explains the daily habits of devout Jews in the first century. First, he would have said the Shema in … Continue reading The prayer life of Jesus

Always. Even if it’s getting dark

Always. Even if it’s getting dark

Jesus is coming back. He said so. But before that happens he said there will be wars and rumours of war, increased Christian persecution, false Messiahs, more lawlessness, and less love. Wow. The church in Thessalonica wanted to know how to live in light of these realities. They knew Jesus would be coming back, and … Continue reading Always. Even if it’s getting dark

Inner health made audible

Inner health made audible

I like to be healthy. I’m sure you like to be healthy as well. When we hear the word ‘health,’ the first thing many of us think about is physical health. A cold or a broken bone disrupts our physical health. There is also mental health. Fortunately, more people are talking about mental well-being, and … Continue reading Inner health made audible

Pray (always) and don’t give up (always)

Pray (always) and don’t give up (always)

Bob Goff really wanted to be a lawyer. He applied to law school, but got rejected. Undeterred, he went to the dean’s office. Goff said that the dean had the power to let him into the school. If he said four words--"Go buy your books"--he would change his life forever for the better. But the … Continue reading Pray (always) and don’t give up (always)