A few months ago I wrote a post about a book that Jeff and I found very helpful, Holding on to Hope. The woman who wrote that book also has written a devotional entitled The One Year Book of Hope. We received this book at Christmas, and it has been a blessing to us.
This book is organized weekly by a theme, with daily devotions for five days of the week, plus a meditation and prayer section for a sixth day. The devotions begin with a Bible passage, have a few paragraphs of thoughts on a particular topic, and then have a Bible passage or two to look up along with a question or two to answer. Some examples of themes covered include: "Brokenhearted," "Jesus, Man of Sorrows," "Sufferers," "Why?," "The Mysteries of Heaven," and many others related to the pain of grieving. This devotional is aimed at those who are grieving or suffering, but I believe it is a good devotional that anyone could benefit from regardless of their circumstances.
Jeff and I have been reading the devotion and Bible passage together each day, and we have really enjoyed this time together to reflect on our loss and on the hope that God has given us. The devotions provide needed encouragement and perspective on our situation. This, and Holding on to Hope have been among the best resources we have had during this time.
A few passages that have helped me:
"Is it realistic to think that you and I can worship God, not after we've figured it all out, but as our initial reaction to loss in our lives? Job shows us it is. Worshiping God does not require that we understand or approve of what God has allowed into our lives; it simply requires a heart that desires to trust God and a will that is bent toward obedience to God regardless of our feelings. We worship God because He is worthy, not because we necessarily feel like it. And as we worship in the midst of our pain, we are able to gain perspective on that pain. This is a costly worship- which makes it all the more worthwhile and precious to God."
"Jesus calls us to abandon our own agendas, what we have deemed will please and fulfill us, so that we can embrace the kind and quality of life that only He gives. This is not about adding Jesus to the life we are living. This is about making Jesus our life. This is about putting our plans for our lives to death so that the abundant life He offers has room to take root and grow. And death is always painful. This is not an extreme brand of discipleship only for go-getters. This is a call for everyone who chooses to be a follower of Jesus."
This book is organized weekly by a theme, with daily devotions for five days of the week, plus a meditation and prayer section for a sixth day. The devotions begin with a Bible passage, have a few paragraphs of thoughts on a particular topic, and then have a Bible passage or two to look up along with a question or two to answer. Some examples of themes covered include: "Brokenhearted," "Jesus, Man of Sorrows," "Sufferers," "Why?," "The Mysteries of Heaven," and many others related to the pain of grieving. This devotional is aimed at those who are grieving or suffering, but I believe it is a good devotional that anyone could benefit from regardless of their circumstances.
Jeff and I have been reading the devotion and Bible passage together each day, and we have really enjoyed this time together to reflect on our loss and on the hope that God has given us. The devotions provide needed encouragement and perspective on our situation. This, and Holding on to Hope have been among the best resources we have had during this time.
A few passages that have helped me:
"Is it realistic to think that you and I can worship God, not after we've figured it all out, but as our initial reaction to loss in our lives? Job shows us it is. Worshiping God does not require that we understand or approve of what God has allowed into our lives; it simply requires a heart that desires to trust God and a will that is bent toward obedience to God regardless of our feelings. We worship God because He is worthy, not because we necessarily feel like it. And as we worship in the midst of our pain, we are able to gain perspective on that pain. This is a costly worship- which makes it all the more worthwhile and precious to God."
"Jesus calls us to abandon our own agendas, what we have deemed will please and fulfill us, so that we can embrace the kind and quality of life that only He gives. This is not about adding Jesus to the life we are living. This is about making Jesus our life. This is about putting our plans for our lives to death so that the abundant life He offers has room to take root and grow. And death is always painful. This is not an extreme brand of discipleship only for go-getters. This is a call for everyone who chooses to be a follower of Jesus."
Posts
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing this. Really gives me something to think about.
Post a Comment