Hebrews 12:1-2: “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” Let’s say that you’re dead. And let’s say that you’re having a conversation with Jesus. What kind of question do you think he would ask to evaluate your success at navigating this trying chapter of life? … Continue reading What question would Jesus ask you?
Podcast
Are you headed in the right direction?
A lot of people wonder if their life is headed in the right direction. Am I doing the right things? Am I setting the right priorities, and am I living by the right priorities? Let’s not be unclear: Your life is always headed in the right direction if you’re following the right person. And that … Continue reading Are you headed in the right direction?
Act above your feelings
I know that feelings are powerful. And there are times when our feelings can teach us important things. We just need to “let it out” sometimes (in appropriate ways, of course). But there are times when we need to act above our feelings. Stuart Holden recalls a story about two soldiers. One was a Christian, … Continue reading Act above your feelings
Do your habits grow you or corrode you?
“whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable… think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Some habits are good. Others are bad. We want good ones. We don’t want bad ones. But what are habits, anyway? Habits are thoughts or behaviours of repetition and momentum. As … Continue reading Do your habits grow you or corrode you?
The enemy’s playground
I’ve recently started watching a TV show called Heartland. That’s the name of a horse ranch in Alberta, Canada. Jack is the family patriarch. He has two granddaughters, Lou and Amy, who live on the ranch. Lou runs the business side of things and Amy is a horse trainer, sometimes called “the horse whisperer.” They … Continue reading The enemy’s playground
Everything you do flows from it
Yesterday’s devotional stressed the importance of guarding our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” In that verse we are also told WHY we should be on guard: “for everything you do flows from [your heart].” Just as a river flows from a spring, everything … Continue reading Everything you do flows from it
On guard
Yesterday I encouraged you to ground yourself in God. You’re less likely to get knocked off centre if you’re properly centred. That’s especially important in an uncertain time. One of the ways you do that is to guard your heart. Harken Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from … Continue reading On guard
Don’t get knocked off centre
It’s a new year. It looks like smooth sailing, doesn’t it? Um, probably not. It’s a year in which uncertainty seems like the only certainty. That’s why we need to remind ourselves that God is always certain and steadfast, even when the things around us aren’t. Psalm 102:27 heralds a reminder: “But you remain the … Continue reading Don’t get knocked off centre
A stampede of fear
After a week’s vacation, The Up Devotional is back. Here’s to a holy and healthy 2022! We are living in a time of upheaval, a stampede of fear. In general, people can fear illness, job loss, environmental collapse, family breakdown and death. More recently, the list seems to be getting longer: germs, other people, the … Continue reading A stampede of fear
Help from an outside source
There was an ad in the New York Times which said: “The meaning of Christmas is that love will triumph and that we will be able to put together a world of unity and peace.”* Did you notice? It said that “we” can put a together a world of unity and peace. But nothing could … Continue reading Help from an outside source
