The Up Devotional

Many people think that their lives unfold according to chance. But that contradicts the biblical teaching about providence.  The word “providence” sounds like “provide.” A provider in a household anticipates what is needed and then ensures those needs are met. In a similar way, our Provider sees the needs of his people. Since he is […]

An enduring devotional work from the fourteenth century is The Scale of Perfection by Walter Hilton. Hilton was writing to those seeking a deep spiritual life. More specifically, he was writing to a fellow believer most likely in a convent at the time. Among other things, he wrote about humility. His words certainly stand in […]

Sometimes a new word is created. It might not ever make it into a dictionary, but people use it anyway. An example would be “hangry.” When you get really angry because you’re hungry, you’re “hangry”! Here’s a new one that I’ll throw into the mix: Freedience. It brings together two faith-based ideas which appear to […]

In the previous devotional I talked about joy. In an age like ours when so many people have become accustomed to instant gratification, we can mistakenly think that joy is easily attainable and sustainable in our hearts and minds. Not always. It’s more like a diet than it is a pill. I’m not talking about […]

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence…” (Psalm 16:11) We live in the age of the quick-fix. Instant gratification is on the menu. If I have a craving for a cheeseburger I can go to a drive-thru window. If I want my house to […]

I recently had the opportunity to interview the Rev. Dr. Sarah Han. She’s a professor at Tyndale University in Toronto (and also a friend) who is writing a book about “margin.”  Having margin in your life is having mental and emotional space in your life. It’s also having a schedule which isn’t consistently jam-packed. Sarah […]

The Mandalorian is a TV series and a part of the Star Wars enterprise. The main character is a bounty hunter named Din Djarin. Every once in a while he meets up with the Armourer—a lady who offers wisdom and, as her name suggests, makes armour. During one of their conversations they are talking about the […]

The Bible never fails to surprise. I recently came across 1 Peter 4:14 where the apostle is writing to encourage believers who are surrounded by hostility. Here is what he says: “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” […]

If you play hockey in a full-contact league, do not be surprised if you get body-checked. If you go outside when it’s raining, do not be surprised if you get wet. And if you follow Jesus, do not be surprised if the world hates you. The apostle John says that very thing in 1 John […]

In John 15 Jesus warns his disciples that the world will hate them. That’s pretty strong language. Matthew Henry says that hatred “is the character and genius of the devil’s kingdom.” Serious language for a serious situation! But why would Jesus spend so much time telling them about the world’s hatred? First, he wants to […]

When I was younger I loved the cartoon version of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. One of the scenes is about The Island of Misfit Toys. It’s for toys that don’t fit in. They sit there dejected, waiting for someone to want them. That’s a how a lot of Christians feel today. With each passing year, […]

In John 15, Jesus provides a metaphor: He is the true vine, his heavenly Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. As the branches we are to “bear fruit.” This means that our lives are to show evidence of our faithfulness and discipleship.  In verse 2 he says this: “Every branch in me […]

The New Yorker once had a single-pane cartoon which depicted two boys walking down a sidewalk. They were wearing baseball hats and had a stack of books under their arms. One said to the other: “So many toys—so little unstructured time.” It was a commentary about how busy many children are. Their time is very […]

Sometimes you hear it said that “Kids don’t want your presents; they want your presence.” It’s a word-play on the fact that presents and presence sound the same but are spelled differently. The statement itself is true, but only partially. I have kids. Many of you have kids. If you told them at their birthday […]

When it comes to Christianity and the Bible, some topics get all the attention—like the apocalypse, the latest social justice issue, or heaven and hell. “Abiding in Christ” is not usually on that list. And yet, Jesus tells us to do it. “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). It’s about closely cultivating […]

I once heard someone ask, “How do you spell love?” Seems simple, doesn’t it? L-O-V-E. “No,” they said. “You spell it T-I-M-E.”* Technically you don’t spell love like that. But they were obviously making a point: One way you can give someone your love is to give them your time. It’s a powerful message in […]

Sometimes encouragement comes in the strangest of ways. Like when it feels that everything is going against you. Or when you are being opposed at every turn. Maybe you’re wondering why those negative feelings or experiences can be sources of encouragement. Let me explain. John Climacus was a monk who wrote an influential book in […]

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). A few years ago I was walking through the mall. Someone called my name. “Matthew?” I turned around and the other person said, “It’s Luke.” It was someone I used to play hockey with twenty years ago. We grabbed […]

In the last couple of devotionals I highlighted that the Holy Spirit is our Helper. Jesus said: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…” (John 14:16, ESV) In Greek, the word is Parakletos. It’s a word that is also translated as Counselor, Advocate and Comforter. […]

In the previous devotional I highlighted that the Holy Spirit is our Helper. Jesus said: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…” (John 14:16, ESV)  In Greek, the word is Parakletos. It’s a word that is also translated as Counselor, Advocate and Comforter. J.I. Packer […]

In John 14:16-17 (ESV) Jesus tells his disciples that his Heavenly Father will send them “another Helper, to be with you forever… You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” The word Helper is capitalized. This is none other than the Holy Spirit; we’re given that specific detail in verse […]

Do you ever wonder if your efforts make any difference? If so, let me assure you of this. Never discount what God can do through his people. Our daily discipleship makes an impression on others—and that impression can start to reveal the face of Jesus. Jane is a thoughtful participant in one of the small […]

Nikos Kazantzakis was an author who was most famous for his book Zorba the Greek. He once had a conversation with a monk named Father Makarios. The monk had once said that he wrestled with the devil—figuratively speaking, of course. At a later time, Kazantzakis asked: “Do you still wrestle with the devil, Father Makarios?”  […]

I recently came across a video of a young person helping a sheep out of a narrow ditch which had been dug to lay some pipe along the side of a road. Thankfully the boy was able to free to sheep. But as soon as it did, the sheep took off along the side of […]

As I mentioned in yesterday’s devotional, I’ve been thinking a lot about what Jesus’ life would have been like while here on earth. He spoke Aramaic, a language closely related to Hebrew. His family would have called him Yeshua.  He was raised in a small village named Nazareth, perhaps with between 100-400 people. His home […]