“Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). Violence upsets me. Does it upset you? I’m deeply saddened by the death of children. Perhaps this is a strange way to say it, but even though I’m shocked at the presence of real evil in our world, I’m not surprised by it. That itself is a reason to … Continue reading Violence vs. Love
The Up Devo
Walking with Jesus
In John 5:32 Jesus said: “There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.” In yesterday’s devotional I said that the key to weathering a storm is who you’re weathering it with. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is a healthy support system—and that … Continue reading Walking with Jesus
He sleeps in a storm
“…the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it… But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid’” (Matthew 14:24, 27). A farmer was looking for a farmhand. There was only one applicant. There was only one sentence on his … Continue reading He sleeps in a storm
God took our heads out
Eugene Nida was a famous Bible translator. He tells a story about a missionary and a man from West Africa. The Bible was being translated into the local Bambara language. The translator wanted to know how to translate the word “redeemed” so that the locals would understand what God has done for us in Jesus. … Continue reading God took our heads out
Can you defend the Gospels in the coming storm?
“Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89). When I was attending university, I was headed to class on the subway. I was reading my mini New Testament. A stranger walked over and asked what I was doing. He started to criticize me in front of everyone else (quite loudly, … Continue reading Can you defend the Gospels in the coming storm?
Well-rooted in a world of opinions
In one of his letters, the well-known English statesman Thomas More said: “A soul must be without peace which is ever fluctuating between elation and disappointment from the opinions of [people].”* In other words, we will never have peace if we are disproportionately tethered to the opinions of other people. The end result is an … Continue reading Well-rooted in a world of opinions
A Judge who is FOR you
People balk at having an ultimate Judge. But that doesn't change the fact that we do. His name is Jesus. Yes, he is our teacher, Lord, Saviour, and friend. But he is also our Judge. As we are reminded by Jesus himself in John 5:22: “the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment … Continue reading A Judge who is FOR you
Visual cues for spiritual truths
A stop sign is a visual reminder to stop your vehicle. A stove is a visual reminder that dinner needs to be made. A bed is a reminder that we need sleep. Our world is filled with visual reminders. So why not use them as visual reminders of great and wonderful spiritual realities? Here’s what … Continue reading Visual cues for spiritual truths
Stopping not starting
In John 5 Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, the day of rest. Verse 16 tells us that “because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him.” Observing the day of rest has long been important to God’s people. Even today “there are special ‘religious police’ with … Continue reading Stopping not starting
Heart work is one of his specialties
Jesus healed not only bodies, but hearts. In John 5 we learn of a man who had been unwell for thirty-eight years. That’s a long time, especially in the first century. According to Dr. Craig Evans, an archaeologist and professor, “Life expectancy was short in the time of Jesus—more than half died before reaching 30.”* … Continue reading Heart work is one of his specialties
The Up Devotional 