The Up Devotional

There is a spiritual tug-of-war happening—and it’s happening over Jesus. Different factions are trying to lay claim to him. One group proclaims: “We have the right understanding of Jesus and you are wrong!” The other group bellows the same thing. Even as you read or listen to this certain people come to mind who are […]

There’s an expression. “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” The idea is that people are doing things they shouldn’t be doing and don’t want other people to find out about it! “Let’s keep secret what happened in Vegas!” Sometimes we can have that same mentality about our homes—even if we don’t use that expression. […]

Thoughts are coordinates. Huh? Coordinates get you somewhere. They’re about helping you end up at the right destination. Perhaps you type them into your phone or G.P.S. If you don’t input the right data, you end up at the wrong place. Or picture Han Solo and Chewbacca in the Millennium Falcon. Before they make the […]

Certain things are inspiring.  It is inspiring when someone breaks a world record. It is inspiring when someone makes a big sacrifice to help someone in need. I also find it very inspiring when someone is able to experience joy even in the midst of hardship. Have you ever met someone like that? They have […]

Today is Friday. In two days from now Christians all over the world will gather together to worship God. They will do so in simple church buildings or fancy ones. They will gather in storefronts or movie theatres. They will gather in someone’s home or out in a field. No matter what their surroundings look […]

Bryce Crawford is a young missionary in Los Angeles. He says that many people move to L.A., make mistakes, regret those mistakes, and then wonder what to do next with their life.  Because of this, he says, people are hungry for Jesus. My sense is that this experience is not limited to Los Angeles! I […]

“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). As the children of our God and King, we strive to live up to our royal pedigree. Are we sinful and broken? Absolutely. But with God’s help we try to grow in Christlikeness and reflect the one in whose image we are made. One of the ways we do […]

Most of you have probably not committed murder.  But you have probably been very angry at someone. Here’s the connection. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I […]

In 1 Corinthians 15:33 Paul quotes the poet Menander: “Bad company corrupts good character.”  The ESV translation says: “Bad company ruins good morals.” The NKJV puts it like this: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” You get the point. How are Christians to understand this? In Paul’s letter he is, in part, issuing a warning. If […]

Today is Friday the thirteenth. There are a variety of theories about why this day is seen as “bad luck.” As Christians, we don’t believe in luck of course. We believe in the providence of God. The Westminster Confession summarizes some powerful biblical truth when it points out in chapter five that the God of […]

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Just because we know something is good for us that doesn’t mean we do it. For example, we know that regular exercise and a full night’s sleep have powerful effects, both physically and mentally. And […]

When I say the word “sanctuary” what do you think of? Perhaps you think about a church sanctuary—a place where people gather for worship services. Perhaps a butterfly sanctuary—an environment created specifically so butterflies can thrive. Or maybe political sanctuary—what someone can receive in a new country if fleeing persecution. All of these examples include […]

Simplicity. Biblically speaking, simplicity is a good thing. In 2 Corinthians 1:12 Paul writes: “we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God…” Acting with simplicity involves pure motives. It involves honesty, being down-to-earth, and not buying into the extravagance, show and competition of […]

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Bernard of Clairveax was a monk who lived in the early twelfth century. In his book On Loving God he talks about someone who […]

Rest is important. But don’t take my word for it. God says as much in Exodus 20:9-10: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God.” We all most likely agree that rest is important. But it’s making it happen that is […]

Author Philip Yancey tells of a life-changing experience he had while visiting Russia in 1991—a country then in a free-fall.  Much has changed in Russia since that time, but Yancey comments on how there was a lack of trust in the air, a sense of forebodance about pretty much everything. Grown adults walked around with […]

It is sometimes emphasized that the command to honour your father and mother isn’t just about biology. Since Jesus’ followers thought of themselves as family and called one another “brothers and sisters,” they also tried to honour older men and women as fathers and mothers, especially those who didn’t have someone younger to help them. […]

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). In today’s society many people think that old equals bad and new equals good. We have a tendency to dismiss older ideas and even people—simply because they are older. We have […]

In Exodus 16 we learn about a group of ex-slaves whom God had led out of Egypt. They needed nourishment. So he provided them with manna, a bready source of food. Each day he would deliver just enough for that day. Since he wanted them to rest on the seventh day he would provide double […]

Last week I sent a note to the congregation I pastor. It was about being deliberate about our attitude on Sunday mornings. It’s so easy to forget what (and who) worship is all about. All of us are influenced by the prevailing individualism and consumerism of our time. What mindset do we have as we […]

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Rest is an act of war against the powers of chaos. That’s a pretty strong statement. Perhaps some of you think it’s too much. Or, perhaps, just maybe, it’s right on the money? Life can get crazy. So can the world. Rest isn’t optional for […]

There was a famous da Vinci painting, Salvador Mundi. It was a depiction of Jesus. There was a time when it needed to be restored. So a professional was contacted. She was very careful and knew what she was doing. The restoration was a success. There’s a longer, fascinating story about all of this, but […]

God wants good things for us. One of the evidences of his love is the fourth commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8). It’s a matter of health and well-being—not just spiritually, but physically and mentally. For a lot of people, dedicating time to find rest is difficult. I understand that. […]

I’ve heard an expression a few different times. Perhaps you have too. Here it is: “Out of one hundred people, one will read the Bible, and ninety-nine will read the person reading the Bible.” It’s a way of saying that the lifestyle of a Christian is on display for everyone to see. That’s how others […]

When it comes to the Bible, there is often more going on than what first meets the eye. This is certainly true with the third commandment: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain…” (Exodus 20:7, ESV) Another much-neglected dimension of this commandment is what we could call ‘hypocritical use.’ […]