I’ve never been big on devotionals. In retrospect I think that was for the same reason I didn’t like coffee for years – I was being given poor examples of what could be a wonderful thing.
Last year (2019) Lori and I both read through New Morning Mercies. This year we both did Live in Grace, Walk in Love. Both devotionals are excellent and it gave us something to talk about. Given the number of women who want more spiritual connection with their spouse, this is a no brainer. Do it together or do it separately and discuss it later, but do it for the sake of your marriage. Over the last two years, a number of my posts have been inspired by these two devotionals, so I can assure you they are relevant to our lives and our marriages.
If you want hard copies you may not make January 1st, but you will only have a couple of days to make up if you order today. If you do digital versions you can buy now and be ready to go. Talk to your wife and see if she will join you. And if she won’t, do it yourself.
Live in Grace, Walk in Love: A 365-Day Journey
by Bob Goff
Goff is crazy in a wonderful way. He’s fun to read but still challenging. Goff is all about love. You will be challenged to look at those around you differently and to love them regardless of what you think of them. Full of scripture and stories, each day is a short read packed full of great stuff.
This is an easy, fun, and profitable way to start doing devotionals.
New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional
by Paul David Tripp
Based on the encouraging tweets Tripp has done for years, this devotional will challenge you to think and grow. Richer in scripture and longer reads than Goff’s devotional, this is a bigger commitment. If you’re new to devotionals I’d suggest doing this one in 2022 after doing Goff in 2021. If you want a devotional that will challenge you to study more, this is it.
I dare you!
I strongly encourage you to pick one of these or any other solid devotional and commit to doing it daily. If you miss a day keep going and double up on the weekend to catch up. If you stay with it I think you will be happy you did.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
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I’ve never been able to get into devotionals, but I think that is in part due to past spiritual abuse. I was looking for a journal recently and found a beautiful one with Bible verses on each page and I actually started having a panic attack. Bible verses get thrown like darts and spears to prove points and control actions. They quoted as platitudes and empty promises. And I hate that I can’t see the Truth in God’s Word because I feel like I run into the brick walls of people’s opinions and interpretations of Scripture.
There’s a part of me that wants to quit Christianity so I can just hear and see Jesus. Isn’t that strange?
The idea of doing a devotional makes me anxious.