One of the benefits of reading the whole Bible (instead of just small bits of it) is that you begin to gain a clearer understanding of certain concepts. Each time a biblical author mentions something about a specific word or idea it helps you understand more about it.Take, for example, the idea of coveting. The … Continue reading Life is more than possessions
contentment
What if we stopped chasing?
Gregory was a church father from the sixth century. He said: “You can tell how much you love something by the degree of sorrow you experience when you lose it.”*I think that’s a helpful piece of perspective. If I buy a new expensive watch, and if I am so utterly devastated when I lose it … Continue reading What if we stopped chasing?
The Coveting Thief
I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the Ten Commandments. Commandment number ten says “You shall not covet…” (Exodus 20:17).Coveting is desiring or taking deep pleasure in something that belongs to someone else. It’s a heart issue. It is internal. Coveting is closely related to envy. Let’s focus on a few key ideas related … Continue reading The Coveting Thief
The Truly Happy Person
Roy Oswald says: “The truly happy person is the one who wants, more than anything else, what he already has.”His statement is meant to bring attention to the idea that accumulating more stuff or experiences doesn’t necessarily make a person happier. True happiness, he argues, is about wanting what you already have.It’s a surprising statement, … Continue reading The Truly Happy Person
Just because something doesn’t have a bow
Just because something doesn’t have a bow, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a gift. Let me explain. Gifts often come in packages with bows. When someone gives us a gift it is pretty obvious what is happening, especially if we’re at a birthday party, at a graduation, or on Christmas morning. But we need to … Continue reading Just because something doesn’t have a bow
Encased in grace
God showers the people of his world with blessing. That’s not to say that every situation is good. But everything that happens which is good comes from God. In fact, you experience many godly blessings each and every day that you probably don’t even realize. Blessing is happening all around you. All of them are … Continue reading Encased in grace
Envy rots the bones
Before I share today’s devotional let me offer a quick reminder that The Up Devotional is going on pause after today for four weeks. I’m having some vacation time! It returns on August 29th. You can listen to past devotionals as a podcast wherever you subscribe, or you can read text versions at TheUpDevo.com. Here … Continue reading Envy rots the bones
Your soul has an appetite
Hello! I’m back after a week away, and so is The Up Daily Devotional to your email inbox, social media feeds or podcast subscriptions five mornings a week! Let’s get to today’s devotional. A lady who was hard up for cash tried to sell her soul on eBay for $2000. Apparently eBay now has a … Continue reading Your soul has an appetite
Not what you have, but who
A lot of people are dis-content. They are always searching. They are never satisfied. They are never at peace. As a result, they try to fill their void with various things or experiences. Some people think that if they only gain the approval of others and get others to like them, then maybe, just maybe, … Continue reading Not what you have, but who
The poor emperor and rich beggar
Maybe it’s human nature to focus more on what we don’t have than on what we do. We turn on our TVs or go online and get bombarded about what we should have (but don’t) or what cool things other people are doing (but we aren’t). And then a pandemic comes—and stays!—and we don’t get … Continue reading The poor emperor and rich beggar
