Hi everyone, I hope you had a great weekend. I'm writing today to remind you that this devotional is going on pause until April 22nd. I know, I know - it's a long time away, right? But after 3 years of writing daily devotionals I'm taking my own advice and entering into a much-needed rest. But … Continue reading Hit pause…
Jesus Christ
A major stumbling block to faith
Yesterday I talked about having a relationship with Christ and whether or not it is authentic. Today I’d like to focus on something the Bible identifies as a major stumbling block to that relationship: Money. In Luke 16:13 Jesus says it with his usual eye-opening candour: “You cannot serve both God and money.” It’s a tricky … Continue reading A major stumbling block to faith
What’s the least I can do in this relationship?
In his book Eternity is Now in Session, John Ortberg has a helpful illustration that teaches us something about faith in Christ: Let’s say I get married to someone, exchange vows, and pledge to journey with them through life. But what if that night, after the celebration, I ask, “Honey, what is the least I … Continue reading What’s the least I can do in this relationship?
He loves you too much to lie to you about hell
Last week I talked about how awesome heaven is. Today I’d like to pause on a much more difficult topic: Hell. Speaking about hell, C.S. Lewis wrote: “There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than this, if it lay in my power.” I don’t like talking about hell either. It … Continue reading He loves you too much to lie to you about hell
What Jesus didn’t teach about most
This week I’ve been sharing some thoughts about heaven—that it will be better than anything we can experience in this life, and also that it is a place of INCREDIBLE joy. With that in mind, I also want to debunk a popular misconception: that the main thing Jesus taught about was going to heaven after … Continue reading What Jesus didn’t teach about most
the good news about your weakness
One of the mistakes we often make is to pretend we have it all together when we don’t. It happens innocently enough. A lot of us are doing our prayerful best to grow and become more like Jesus. But we can exaggerate or embellish our progress! Take me for example. I often don’t have answers to … Continue reading the good news about your weakness
Walk tall
In 2013, a book came out by Robert Galbraith called The Cuckoo’s Calling. It was a crime fiction novel. The reviews were fantastic, but it didn’t sell very well—just 1500 print copies and a few thousand online. But the Sunday Times learned that “Robert Galbraith” was a pseudonym—a pen name. The real author was none … Continue reading Walk tall
Did Jesus trust the Scriptures?
Last week I highlighted how some people struggle to understand the Bible. Because of that I encouraged you to (a) get a translation in modern English, and (b) buy a good study Bible. But if we’re honest, I think one of the reasons we stall in our reading is because we aren’t really convinced it’s … Continue reading Did Jesus trust the Scriptures?
As you stride into 2019
After a short break, the Up! devotional is back for 2019! (It's great to see you.) Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? However you respond, a lot of us are thinking about how to strengthen our faith in 2019. But when it comes to that word “faith,” we can easily miss something important. A lot … Continue reading As you stride into 2019
Does it make you uncomfortable?
Do some of Jesus’ teachings make you uncomfortable? Be honest. Think about a story or teaching that makes you squirm a little. -Maybe it’s one of the ones about helping the poor and it makes you uncomfortable because you know you can be apathetic to the plight of those who are struggling. -Maybe it’s about … Continue reading Does it make you uncomfortable?
