Yesterday, I invited you to write down on a piece of paper the purpose of your life. Some of you will have done that right away. Some of you are taking some more time to think about it. Let me share a next step for whenever you’re ready. Take a bit of time to ask … Continue reading Does your actual life reflect your purpose?
purpose
Write down your purpose
In the previous devotional I highlighted Jesus’ words: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, ESV). I’d like to invite you to do something. It’s kind of heavy. But I think it’s super-important. Write down on a piece of paper the purpose of your life. You can write it … Continue reading Write down your purpose
What is ‘abundant’ life?
In John 10:10 (ESV) Jesus tells us one of the reasons he came to the earth: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” I recently did a word study of every single occurrence of the word “life” (Greek: zoe) in John’s Gospel. It is used 36 times. I then made eight … Continue reading What is ‘abundant’ life?
Having the light of life
Jesus said: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). It’s a promise. If you follow him you will have the light of life. The light of life doesn’t necessarily equal happiness and freedom from care. Sometimes, yes; but not always. The light might not always … Continue reading Having the light of life
What do you have to give?
John 6:9 says: “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Good question. Turns out, they went a very long way! Jesus took them and miraculously fed thousands of people! Let’s focus on some of the details. In the ancient world … Continue reading What do you have to give?
Can I really make a difference?
Do you ever wonder whether or not you can really make a difference? Paul Tudor Jones is the founder of the Robin Hood Foundation. It has channeled 1.45 billion dollars into noble causes. One of Jones’s passions is helping students at under-privileged, inner-city schools. He tells a story about when he was four. He was at … Continue reading Can I really make a difference?
A skull on the dresser
What do you have sitting on top of your dresser? A picture frame or a lamp? Margaret Baxter was a woman of deep faith from the 17th century. Do you want to know what she had on top of her dresser beside her bed? A skull. Yup, that’s right. A skull! As morbid as that … Continue reading A skull on the dresser
Water-pumping people
A.J. Gordon was looking across a field from a distance when he saw a man working furiously at a hand pump—one that pumps water into a bucket. He was working and working without slowing down. When Gordon got closer he realized it wasn’t actually a man. It was a wooden figure painted to LOOK like … Continue reading Water-pumping people
Choked by pleasure
Choking is a very powerful and disturbing metaphor. Imagine strong, angry hands wrapped around your neck. With that in mind, listen to how Jesus describes a group of people in Luke 8:14. They hear God’s word, “but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do … Continue reading Choked by pleasure
Gollum and precious things
In The Lord of the Rings there is a character named Gollum. He becomes obsessed with possessing a ring of great power. Gollum even kills to get it. Over time, he becomes infatuated with the ring, even calling it “my precious.” He has lost all perspective, and it distracts him from other things. He hates … Continue reading Gollum and precious things
The Up Devotional 