Vanity Fair is a scene in John Bunyan’s famous book The Pilgrim’s Progress. It depicts a carnival-type atmosphere where morality is scorned, naysayers are suspicious, justice is denied, and vanity and pride are the rule of the day. There are many good things about the times in which we live. I appreciate our freedoms (including … Continue reading Vanity Fair is in the air
faithfulness
Partialness or fullness?
In Colossians 1:25 Paul says that God has given him a specific mission: “to present to you the word of God in its fullness…” This important theme comes up elsewhere too. When speaking to the elders of Ephesus he said: “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God” (Acts … Continue reading Partialness or fullness?
Time with God, in tune with God
Mixed-up thinking results in mixed-up living. Really? Yes. Here’s why. Pretend Scenario #1: Let’s say you think that God is apathetic toward his world and his people. You think there’s a Bible verse somewhere which says: “God is apathetic.” As a result, you adopt a posture of apathy toward the world and other people. Since … Continue reading Time with God, in tune with God
Fair-weathered, or all-weather?
Hello everyone! After two weeks away, The Up Devotional is back to your email inboxes, social media feeds, and podcast platforms five mornings a week. We are now in what is often called Holy Week. Yesterday was Palm Sunday. This coming weekend we remember and centre ourselves in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. It … Continue reading Fair-weathered, or all-weather?
Doing the right thing even when you feel alone
I’ve been spending time studying the book of Esther. As I go through the story line by line I notice things I didn’t notice before. One of the famous parts of the story is when she decides to approach the King to help her people, even at great risk to her own life: “I will … Continue reading Doing the right thing even when you feel alone
Oh ye of little strength
In the book of Revelation Jesus gives a series of warnings to churches. When Jesus warns you, you had better take notice! Then he comes to the church in Philadelphia. (This would have been located in modern-day Turkey, not Pennsylvania). His tone changes. Here is what Jesus says: “I know that you have little strength, … Continue reading Oh ye of little strength
Preparing for big situations with little situations
In the previous devotional I said that honouring God in a big situation is 99% preparation. We know this to be true in other aspects of life. Let’s say that a sprinter wants to be successful in his race. That race represents 1% of his time. The other 99% is preparation. The same can be … Continue reading Preparing for big situations with little situations
Remain faithful in affliction
When you read through 1st Thessalonians 1, don’t skip too quickly past verse 6. Here is what Paul says as he pays his readers a compliment: “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” There’s … Continue reading Remain faithful in affliction
The best of us, not what’s left of us
Mary the sister of Lazarus “took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair” (John 12:3). That pure nard was equivalent in value to about $30,000! That’s how grateful she was to Jesus. She was trying to show her devotion with … Continue reading The best of us, not what’s left of us
The wilderness
In the previous devotional, I shared Mark Sayers’ idea that we are at the start of a new era of human history.* We aren’t there yet. In fact, we have one foot in the previous era, and one foot stepping into the emerging era. He calls this present moment a “gray zone.” There is increased … Continue reading The wilderness
