I don't normally like devotionals. In fact, I hadn't read a devotional since my high school years. But, recently I've been really enjoying reading Puritan authors and bought the first devotional I have ever loved... which lead to another... and another... So, of course I need to share my findings with you, because if you're not a devotional reader like me maybe these will change your mind!
The first one I found out about when I read a quote by the author that was especially soul searching and looked him up. His name was William Gurnall and he actually wrote a two volume work (among other things) titled "The Christian in Complete Armour." When I found that there was an edited version for daily reading, I jumped all over it. Every single page has been informative, thought provoking, or just plain convicting. Here's just a tiny sample. Each day is a full page (2 or 3 paragraphs):
March 12: When Satan comes to tempt you, observe your behavior. How do you respond to his enticements? Do you stand fast on the ordinances of God and refuse to be swayed? Or does your soul embrace the temptation as a bosom friend, glad for an excuse to entertain it? ouch.
April 14: Christian, this is imperative for you to realize: When the wicked or unclean thoughts first force their way into your mind, you have not yet sinned... but if you so much as offer them a chair and begin polite conversation with them, you have become his accomplice. In a short time you will give these thoughts sanctuary in your heart.
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Another GREAT one (which also includes some passages by William Gurnall) is a compilation of many Puritan authors called Voices from the Past. My friend had a copy that she read during our summer camping trip each day and it was full of deep and thought provoking passages.
Convicting and encouraging and edited to be easy to read. Again each day is a full page of 2-3 paragraphs. Some samples:
July 17--Richard Baxter "Whenever you feel the least motion toward disobedience, meet it with an army of holy graces--zeal, courage, and love to God. Quench every spark that falls upon your hearts before it breaks into flame. When sin is little and weak, it can be easily resisted."
June 9--John Owen "His blood has a double consideration: not only atonement and reconciliation, but also purging and sanctification. He offered Himself not just to make atonement, but also to sanctify us by the sprinkling of His blood."
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Of course, I love Charles Spurgeon even though he wasn't a puritan, his works are some of the best out there. The Morning and Evening devotional book has been amazing.
Each day's devotion is broken up into a morning paragraph or two and an evening one. They are separate devotions, rarely building on each other, but full of great, great wisdom and inspiration. Here's a tiny sample of August 30th's page:
Morning: Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God, and spread the matter before Him; tell Him your difficulty, and plead His promise of help... but wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in Him; for unfaithful, untrusting waiting is just an insult to the Lord.
Evening: "...this Great Physician can heal you...come then with the blind eye of darkened understanding; come with the limping foot of wasted energy; come with the disabled hand of weak faith, the fever of an angry temper, or the fit of shivering despondency; come just as you are, for He who is God can certainly restore you."
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This devotional is different than the other ones, as this one walks you through the history of Christianity talking about all kinds of people from the earliest apostles to more modern missionaries. Each day of the week is a quick read about an event or person in history, how it affected the Christian church, and a short question or devotional thought. I know very little church history, so I really enjoy my time with this devotional.
All of these are great devotionals and I'd be hard pressed to choose between them! All are wonderful devotionals for the non-devotional reader! What do you think? Have you read any? Willing to give them a try?
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I have all of these and you are right on ....
ReplyDeleteThey are all so good, aren't they? Some days I read all of them!
DeleteI have Spurgeon's Morning devotional and The One Year Christian History which I think is absolutely amazing. Have you ever read Jesus Calling by Sarah Young? If so, what is your opinion on her devotional.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that one, but have heard a lot of people have. I've heard some say to use caution with it, but haven't looked into it personally.
DeleteI have Jesus Calling. I read it everyday! It is beautiful! And has never failed to speak to my heart. No matter what day it is or what the reading is - it always gets me right where I am..
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marilyn. I have heard a lot about it but haven't read it. I may pick that up this weekend.
DeleteI happen to know Richard Rushing and his wife personally, they are such a blessing to me, and I love Voices From the Past. Ad a side note, there is now a volume 2 of the book. Both are fabulous, as is Spurgeon. I am going to look into the History book, it looks interesting. Would it work well as a read aloud to kids in the 10-14 year old age? Thanks so much for this list of devotionals!
ReplyDeleteThat is so amazing that you know the editor for Voices! I have vol 2 on my wishlist, but still love Vol 1 so much that I am going through it again this year! If you see Richard tell him his work is such a blessing to me! Thanks!
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