The Up Devotional

Loving people (when you don’t like them)

Something we all have in common is that we’re surrounded by people, and that our lives are embedded in relationships. If we’re being honest, some people drive us crazy. These are people at school or work, at church, out there in the community at large, or even in our own families or friend circles.So how do you … Continue reading Loving people (when you don’t like them) [https://theupdevo.com/2026/05/20/loving-people-when-you-dont-like-them/]

Set apart for God’s special purposes

When you’re young, certain ideas seem big, bad or burdensome.One of them is “responsibility.” It probably made you think about cutting grandma’s lawn or doing chores when you didn’t want to.Over time, however, you realize there’s more to it than that. It’s “response-ability.” God has given us certain abilities, and when we respond to the … Continue reading Set apart for God’s special purposes [https://theupdevo.com/2026/05/19/set-apart-for-gods-special-purposes/]

Feelings can betray

Faith is more than feelings. And that’s actually very good news. Let me explain.Our feelings are important. They tell us things about what we are experiencing. The risk is when we falsely equate certain feelings with the presence of God, or with a “spiritual” idea that we think is God-given. For example, if I’m in a … Continue reading Feelings can betray [https://theupdevo.com/2026/05/18/feelings-can-betray/]

Affliction can be an accelerant

Affliction can be an accelerant which refines you to bless others in your future with greater integrity, wisdom or power.Let’s unpack that sentence a few ideas at a time. First, affliction. It’s one of those things that isn’t nice, but can serve a greater purpose over the long haul. Consider what God’s people were told in … Continue reading Affliction can be an accelerant [https://theupdevo.com/2026/05/15/affliction-can-be-an-accelerant/]

Keep focused on the end game

In 1 Peter 1, the apostle is encouraging his readers to persevere and to have hope, even when they are experiencing hardship and affliction. In verses 8-9, he says: “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your … Continue reading Keep focused on the end game [https://theupdevo.com/2026/05/14/keep-focused-on-the-end-game/]