A New Year of Opportunities.

I really like devotionals. They’re like little books of adventures with God. I’m completely astonished at how something someone felt inspired to write for a particular day of the year is just the thing I need to hear on that specific day. It just demonstrates the lengths that God takes to communicate with us. It's an opportunity to communicate with the Lord on a personal level.  Devotionals don’t take the place of Bible study but they are great to get me going each day. They help me to focus on God and often are part of a “theme for the day” that the Lord is trying to teach me. So I’m gonna list some of my favorites with a little info about each. Please share your thoughts or your suggestions for devotionals you have used. If you make only one New Year’s Resolution this year then I highly suggest making it to have a quiet time each morning. No matter what the new year may hold for your life it is for sure that if you are focusing on God each day then you will have everything you need to get through it. So, here are some of my favs in no particular order:


Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young: This is my newest find and I have loved it. Readings for each day of the year.

Experiencing God Day By Day by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby: If you have never taken this bible study it is a must. The devotional is a little snippet for each day of the year of thoughts from the book.

My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers: I go through this one almost every year. Everytime I start a new devotional and find I can’t leave this one out so I just read it at night now. It’s profound. It has a years worth of devotions.

Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts: These are intimate devotions for a weary heart.

Streams in The Desert by L.B. Cowman: Again, this is a good devotional when you are feeling weary. It has entries for each day of the year.

I Come Quietly To Meet You arranged by David Hazard: This is a collection of 40 different devotions from the writings of Amy Carmichael. It draws your heart to the Father as our shelter and peace. Amy Carmichael led an incredible life.

His Passion: Christ’s Journey to the Resurrection: This is a collection of devotions for each day of the year by noted authors through the ages such as St. Augustin, Martin Luther, A.W. Tozer, and Max Lucado. Each day is a close look at the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

Who I Am in Christ by Neil T. Anderson: This is a book of 36 very short chapters each one a focus on who we are in Christ. While I am not endorsing everything Neil T. Anderson has written these devotions are a must to be grounded in your faith. The enemy doesn’t want us to know our true identity or how God really sees us.

Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda. This is set up so that you study a woman each week. You take an intense look each day at a different facet of her life for 5 days out of the week.

The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. This isn’t a traditional devotional but I use it so frequently for my quiet time I had to include it. It’s not for everyone. You can google Valley of Vision and find some of the writings online to try it out- it’s an acquired taste.

A Year With C.S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works. I haven’t actually used this one yet just looked at it. It’s on my “want” list. If you are a C.S. Lewis fan it looks good.

Journey Magazine: They’re short and sweet and always relevant plus it’s free! Just pick it up each month by the welcome center in the children’s area.

Well, there’s my list. All of them can be found at Lifeway or Cedar Springs with the exception of The Valley of Vision. So, what do you like to use for your quiet times?