The Up Devotional

“By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6). Neil Anderson and Timothy Warner say that “Satan loves to be ignored.”*  What do they mean? Think about it. If the Devil jumped out from behind every bush with horns and a pitch fork, we’d easily be able to […]

You sometimes see artwork where a person has an angel over one shoulder and a demon over the other. Sometimes they are shown to be whispering into the person’s ear. Regardless of whether the artist thinks these good and evil spirits are literally on someone’s shoulder, the idea is clear—that there are good and bad […]

There are times when we humans make simple things difficult and difficult things too simplistic.  Mark Bauerlein was speaking to his friends about a group of monks in Vermont who spend most of their time in contemplation and prayer.  His friends respected the monks, but were puzzled by them. “It doesn’t occur to them,” Bauerlein […]

When we call ourselves “Christians” what do we think that means? The earliest followers of Jesus were called “disciples.” That word is used about 269 times. In those early days, the followers of Jesus were also called the people of “the Way.” That phrase occurs five times.  So, when did the title “Christian” come into […]

There’s no denying it. The Bible tells us like it is! No holding back.  In 1 John 3:13 we read: “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” In my Bible, I have those first four words underline separately. Do. Not. Be. Surprised. In this context, “the world” is a reference to “human […]

The word “believe” comes up a lot in the Bible. Clearly, it’s very important to our faith.  In 1 John 3:23, the apostle writes: “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.” But what does it truly […]

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). In February 2015 twenty Coptic Orthodox Christians were killed for their faith in Lybia by Muslim terrorists. They had been labourers. […]

Through thick and thin, and regardless of whether things are easy or difficult, the apostle John has some sage counsel: “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 4:11). We tend to pay attention to what some people say more than others. For […]

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart” (Psalm 119:111). Today is the anniversary of William Tyndale’s martyrdom. He died 489 years ago on October 6, 1536. Tyndale was born in the late 1400’s. As he grew, he became passionate about God and the Bible. But it wasn’t available […]

According to the apostle John, followers of Christ engage in a process of purification. Speaking about the return of Jesus in 1 John 3:3, he writes: “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” But what does purification entail? Think of something which is purified with fire. A biblical example […]

In 1 John 3, the apostle discusses the importance of being “righteous.”  Our society hates the idea of righteousness. In fact, it has equated it with being “self-righteous.” Being self-righteous is thinking you are better than others and looking down your nose at them with a dripping sense of moral superiority. But that’s not what […]

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). When I was young and we went to church I would usually go to Sunday School. Before too long, however, I wanted to be up in the service with the adults so that I could hear the sermon. I […]

In 1 John 3:3 the apostle writes: “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” He was speaking about the return of Jesus. If we hope in him (which we do) we will be engaged in a process of purification. His idea is that we are striving—with God’s help—to be […]

Dr. Sean Tobin is a clinical psychologist who brings into his practice insights from both psychotherapy and Christian spirituality. He says that right out of the gate many Christians have a barrier in their relationship with God. At a base level they think of God as one of three things: angry, distant or weak. To […]

Two students were knocking on doors evangelizing. One of those doors was answered by a mother. It was not a good day. The house was crazy, kids were going nuts, and she was clearly tired and frazzled. They asked her: “Are you interested in eternal life?” Looking around at her chaotic life she replied: “Frankly, […]

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…” (2 Peter 1:3) The more thoroughly you know Jesus, the more thoroughly you experience Jesus. Let me explain. Jesus does a series of different things in […]

“If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father” (1 John 2:24). John Ortberg invites us to imagine the following scenario. Imagine a man and a woman on their wedding day. The decorations are amazing. The guests are joyful. The music is […]

What do Nero, Napoleon, Stalin and Hitler all have in common? They were all accused of being the Antichrist.  The apostle John uses the word “Antichrist” five times in his letters. But what does it mean? The Louw-Nida Greek lexicon defines the term like this: “one who is opposed to Christ, in the sense of […]

Jesus said: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). John Chrysostom was a church father who was known for his eloquence, his commitment to a simple lifestyle, and his success at repelling demons. But he was […]

C.S. Lewis was a famous literary critic and author. He converted to Christianity from atheism.  Here is one of his more famous quotes: “There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise… If I find in myself a desire which no […]

The apostle John walked and talked with Jesus, the one who said he was the very light of the world (John 8:12).  In 1 John 1:5 he shared this insight of clarity and power: “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” As his people we are to “walk in the light, […]

“By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:5-6). What does it mean to “abide” in Jesus?  After all, this is an important word. It comes up 40 times in the Gospel of John […]

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1) This verse was written by the apostle John. In it, he offers a powerful word of encouragement. But to see the full scope of his reassurance, we need to keep something in mind. Picture a legal […]

In his book, Your Story Has a Villain, John Pokluda asks: “What would you change if all your prayers were answered?” When I first read that question, I paused and tried to think about all the prayers I had said the previous day. Pokluda’s question made me wonder if my prayers were too timid or […]

The first letter of John the apostle starts with a lot of enthusiasm—and this energy is for a reason: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life…” (1 John 1:1) Let […]