Wow, 10 years!
This message is going out to everyone who subscribes to MatthewRuttan.com, my online home base, or who subscribe to ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan.’
My online home base is where I share most of my podcast episodes, blogs, sermons, articles, videos, resources, and other content.
You may not know, however, that I also write a short daily devotional called The Up Daily Devotional. It comes out five mornings a week through a series of other platforms—and it is celebrating 10 years!
What’s in a name?
The name “Up” is about having a Godward focus while living on earth. Look up. There’s an expression, however, that people shouldn’t be so heavenly-minded that they’re of no earthly use. Think of someone with their head in the proverbial clouds. But that’s to miss what it means to be “heavenly-minded.” When we are sincere and serious about Jesus, we will be so heavenly-minded that we’ll be of unstoppable earthly use. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
It started with a fairly small email list, but has expanded to include not only email, but a blog, social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (now called X), Bluesky and Threads), a podcast (Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music), a website (TheUpDevo.com), two books (“Up!” in 2018, and “Turbulence” in 2020), and radio (five days a week through the Life Radio Network).
Radio Interview
Today I’m happy to share a short conversation I had with Todd Gale from Life 100.3FM, Ontario’s Christian Superstation. He interviewed me about the devotional. What is it? How did it start? How does it help?
The Up Daily Devotional is designed to be short and to-the-point. Each devotional is based on a biblical theme or passage and offers practical help or hope for daily living. As Dr. John Vissers said when he provided a comment for one of my books, it is intended to be “espresso for the soul.”
You can read each devotional in about a minute, and listen to the podcast version in about two. When I say short, I mean short.
Before we get to the interview, let me share three quick points.
First and foremost, let me say that the devotional has been a source of personal growth.
I am the first one who receives it. It’s like how a preacher is the first one to hear and internally digest his own sermons. That’s the same thing with this devotional. They make me look in the mirror. Do I truly believe these teachings? Am I willing to live in a way that reflects them, really?
I have been personally changed, challenged, helped, and offered hope. All of this is thanks to the mercy of God. It has refined me, clarified my thinking, made me more disciplined—and joyful at the same time, and it has made me more attentive to the various experiences and challenges that other people face as they try to follow Jesus in their own lives. That has made me a better husband, father, and pastor.
God has called me to teach. So I have tried to be a good caretaker of this responsibility.
Second, I’ve been encouraged that so many other people have shared the journey and have been given some measure of biblical help or hope.
That’s the whole idea! It has helped people rekindle their faith or discover a more robust faith. It has helped people resolve questions, navigate hardship, and find inspiration for the journey.
One of the most frequent comments I receive about the devotional is that it is understandable, practical and based on the Bible. That’s a definite win. I’m appreciative of that, and my soul smiles.
It’s turned into a significant project. But since it helps me make and grow disciples, it is a 100% good use of time and energy.
At the start, the daily audience was in the dozens, and now it is in the thousands, praise be to God. I’ve really appreciated the positive feedback over the years. Thank you! That’s like calories to keep the body going, or gasoline for a long journey in a car.
I’ve received some criticisms too. Whenever unpopular things are said, people sometimes make their displeasure known. They also unsubscribe! But hey, that comes with the territory. I try to take it all with a grain of salt. I want to help people, but I want to please God.
Oh, and if you know someone who might benefit from this daily devotional, why not forward this to them?
Finally, what am I doing to celebrate?
In short, nothing. I realize that some people have giveaways and that sort of thing. (Rah-rah!) But I’m simply not interested. All I want to do is keep going. So shall it thusly be.
So, here is my conversation with Todd. Below, I’ll also provide the links to subscribe in various formats for those who want to get on board.
All honour and glory goes to God—Jesus is King! And his grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)—not only for me, but for you as well.
Let’s follow Jesus. Today. You were made on purpose and for a purpose. The kingdom calls. Forward march.
Formats and Subscriptions:
- Email list (daily at 5am)
- Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music
- Social media: (Instagram, Facebook, X, Bluesky, Threads)
- Book 1 – “Up!” (2018)
- Book 2 – “Turbulence” (2020)
- Information the Radio broadcast
- Website/blog – TheUpDevo.com
Thoughts?