Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    From $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Faith That Matters: 365 Devotions from Classic Christian Leaders
    Faith That Matters: 365 Devotions from Classic Christian Leaders
    Faith That Matters: 365 Devotions from Classic Christian Leaders
    Ebook726 pages10 hours

    Faith That Matters: 365 Devotions from Classic Christian Leaders

    By Frederick Buechner, Brennan Manning, Henri Nouwen and

    4.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    • Faith

    • Spirituality

    • Love

    • Prayer

    • Forgiveness

    • Spiritual Awakening

    • Spiritual Journey

    • Power of Faith

    • Love Conquers All

    • Mentor

    • Power of Love

    • Inner Struggle

    • Chosen One

    • Star-Crossed Lovers

    • Quest

    • Christianity

    • God

    • Salvation

    • Kingdom of God

    • Jesus Christ

    About this ebook

    Together for the first time in one devotional, experience daily readings from such bestselling and respected voices as Frederick Buechner, Brennan Manning, Henri Nouwen, Eugene Peterson, James Bryan Smith, A. W. Tozer, Dallas Willard, and N. T. Wright. Faith That Matters was designed to help you confidently walk in faith every day of the year.

    In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get lost in a never-ending list of projects and demands. We become distracted with what’s urgent instead of what matters most. And in the process, we lose sight of who we are . . . and who God is.

    Faith That Matters is a beautifully designed devotional that reminds us of the timeless truths of Scripture. Each reading offers powerful stories and inspiring insights from trusted Christian communicators such as:

    • Frederick Buechner
    • Brennan Manning
    • Henri Nouwen
    • Eugene Peterson
    • James Bryan Smith
    • W. Tozer
    • Dallas Willard
    • N. T. Wright

    All 365 devotions also include a relevant Bible verse, practical suggestions for living out that day’s reading, and a brief closing prayer.

    The variety of contributors provides a treasure trove of unique perspectives on issues ranging from God’s love, mercy, and hope to themes of grace, provision, and peace. These well-known authors have sold a combined total of millions of books. Now, for the first time, their writings have been brought together in one devotional.

    Whether you seek to understand the foundation of our faith tenets or simply need a daily dose of spiritual encouragement, your heart and soul will be refreshed anew with each reading.

    Draw closer to God every day of the year with Faith That Matters.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherZondervan
    Release dateMay 8, 2018
    ISBN9780310090199
    Faith That Matters: 365 Devotions from Classic Christian Leaders
    Author

    Frederick Buechner

    Frederick Buechner, author of more than thirty works of fiction and nonfiction, is an ordained Presbyterian minister. He has been a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and was honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His most recent work is Beyond Words: Daily Readings in the ABC’s of Faith.

    Read more from Frederick Buechner

    Related to Faith That Matters

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • UNLIMITED

      Monday, January 2

      Dec 16, 2022

      “WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU could do better?” a friend asked me recently. Without missing a beat, I quickly replied, “Sing.” I’ve long admired those who have voices that can croon any type of music—Christian, opera, R&B, pop, jazz, or country. I love to si

      1 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The Incurable Optimist

      Sep 11, 2019

      The Incurable Optimist
      8 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Russell Moore

      Jan 22, 2021

      Russell Moore
      5 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Theo & Bev Wolmarans CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN MINISTRY CELEBRATION 2019

      Aug 19, 2019

      This year is a very momentous celebration for Pastor Theo and Bev Wolmarans, who have been faithfully guiding Christians for 40 years to faith in Jesus, both locally and abroad. When we look at the history of spirit-filled churches in this nation, Pa

      5 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      True Believer

      Mar 26, 2019

      True Believer
      5 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Love Born

      Sep 4, 2020

      Love Born
      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jul 19, 2024

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to [email protected] for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      6 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Women Of Grace

      Sep 16, 2019

      Throughout scripture it is evident that God does not map out a detailed route to your destiny. He usually gives you the first step, and your obedience to the first instruction will unlock the door to the next step. In the scripture above, God told Ab

      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Acknowledgments

      Apr 16, 2022

      Copyright © 2022 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, wi

      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Bible Fun

      Jun 14, 2024

      Bible Fun
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Apr 5, 2024

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to [email protected] for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      10 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Acknowledgments

      Oct 15, 2018

      Every attempt has been made to credit the sources of copyrighted material used in this book. If any such acknowledgment has been inadvertently omitted or miscredited, receipt of such information would be appreciated. Scripture quotations marked (AMP)

      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Acknowledgments

      Aug 15, 2018

      Every attempt has been made to credit the sources of copyrighted material used in this book. If any such acknowledgment has been inadvertently omitted or miscredited, receipt of such information would be appreciated. Scripture quotations marked (AMP)

      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Bible Fun

      Jul 19, 2024

      Bible Fun
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Keeping Christians Informed

      Mar 10, 2023

      Last month, tens of thousands of Christians gathered at a university campus in the USA to worship the Lord, share their testimonies, and praise His holy Name. This unplanned explosion started as part of a scheduled chapel service on the morning of Fe

      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Faith That Matters

    4.5/5

    3 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Faith That Matters - Frederick Buechner

      Title page with HarperOne logo

      Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

      Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version. Public domain.

      Scripture quotations marked NASB are from New American Standard Bible®. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

      Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version®. © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture quotations marked NRSV are from New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Copyright 1946, 1952, and 1971 the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

      Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture quotations marked TLB are from The Living Bible. Copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

      FAITH THAT MATTERS. Copyright © 2018 by HarperOne. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, address HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.

      HarperCollins books may be purchased for educational, business, or sales promotional use. For information, please email the Special Markets Department at [email protected].

      These excerpts were condensed and edited for style. All excerpts reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

      ePub Edition © April 2018: ISBN 978-031-009019-9

      18 19 20 21 22 DSC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

      Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

      Please note that footnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication.

      CONTENTS

      JANUARY

      JANUARY 1: THE SPIRITUAL WORK OF GRATITUDE

      JANUARY 2: IN THE MORNING, TRUST GOD

      JANUARY 3: MADE FOR EACH OTHER

      JANUARY 4: DO YOU KNOW THAT GOD LOVES YOU?

      JANUARY 5: LIBERATION FROM TIME’S TYRANNY

      JANUARY 6: WHY HAS JESUS’ RELEVANCE ENDURED?

      JANUARY 7: WHO IS GOD TO YOU?

      JANUARY 8: JESUS’ GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM

      JANUARY 9: EXTRAORDINARY GRACE-GIFTS

      JANUARY 10: TIME IS ON OUR SIDE

      JANUARY 11: SHOW FORTH NEIGHBOR-LOVE

      JANUARY 12: ALL KNOWING IS A GIFT FROM GOD

      JANUARY 13: WELCOME THE EVENING

      JANUARY 14: THE BASIS OF OUR SECURITY

      JANUARY 15: BLESSED EXPECTATIONS

      JANUARY 16: PUT THE WORLD TO RIGHTS

      JANUARY 17: GOD’S WHOLE LAW: LOVE

      JANUARY 18: HOPE IN CHRIST

      JANUARY 19: THE SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE

      JANUARY 20: THE GOSPEL AND OUR VIEW OF GOD

      JANUARY 21: SHARE JESUS’ KINGDOM

      JANUARY 22: DON’T FOLLOW KING AGRIPPA

      JANUARY 23: ENOUGH LIGHT FOR THE NEXT STEP

      JANUARY 24: EARTHY AND DIVINE DEALINGS

      JANUARY 25: TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

      JANUARY 26: GOD’S NATURE IS ESSENTIALLY LOVE

      JANUARY 27: MORALISM MEANS NOTHING

      JANUARY 28: SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE

      JANUARY 29: YOUR CALLING

      JANUARY 30: LIFE ITSELF IS GRACE

      JANUARY 31: A LESSON IN EARTHY SPIRITUALITY

      FEBRUARY

      FEBRUARY 1: THE FORCES BEHIND IDEAS

      FEBRUARY 2: PAUL’S PIVOT

      FEBRUARY 3: STUFF THAT TRULY LASTS

      FEBRUARY 4: LET GOD’S LAW TARGET YOUR LIFE

      FEBRUARY 5: JESUS IS LORD OVER DEATH

      FEBRUARY 6: CREATION IS PROOF OF GOD’S LOVE

      FEBRUARY 7: FREED FROM LEGALISM TO LOVE

      FEBRUARY 8: WHAT DOES THE CROSS MEAN TO YOU?

      FEBRUARY 9: IDOLATRY: UNWORTHY IDEAS OF GOD

      FEBRUARY 10: GOD’S JUSTICE-LOVE REQUIREMENT

      FEBRUARY 11: LISTEN FOR HIM

      FEBRUARY 12: GROWING BEYOND SELF-REJECTION

      FEBRUARY 13: NOT JUST A LAYPERSON

      FEBRUARY 14: PROFOUND SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

      FEBRUARY 15: GOD WOOS US

      FEBRUARY 16: EMBRACE AND RECEIVE ABBA’S LOVE

      FEBRUARY 17: THINK LIKE MARTIN LUTHER

      FEBRUARY 18: GOOD TO BE IN COMPANY

      FEBRUARY 19: GOD LOVES OUR ENEMIES

      FEBRUARY 20: THE HEART OF RELIGION, THE HEART OF THE CHILD

      FEBRUARY 21: WATCH OUT FOR WOLVES

      FEBRUARY 22: OPERATION RESCUE: JESUS CHRIST

      FEBRUARY 23: LIVE WITHIN GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSES

      FEBRUARY 24: ARE YOU PREPARED FOR GOD’S REVELATION?

      FEBRUARY 25: WHAT HAS JESUS USHERED IN?

      FEBRUARY 26: AA AND THE BODY OF CHRIST

      FEBRUARY 27: REFLECTING GOD’S PERFECT LOVE

      FEBRUARY 28: A PRIMER IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS

      FEBRUARY 29: GOD’S FUTURE HAS BROKEN IN

      MARCH

      MARCH 1: PROOF OF GOD’S LOVE

      MARCH 2: GIVING UP AND TAKING UP

      MARCH 3: A CHRISTIAN VISION OF SPIRITUALITY

      MARCH 4: GAZE UPON THE WONDER OF GOD’S BEING

      MARCH 5: EASTER REVEALS WHAT’S POSSIBLE

      MARCH 6: GOD’S INCARNATE WORD TO YOU

      MARCH 7: SKIP PRAYERS, FORFEIT INFLUENCE

      MARCH 8: WHAT THE CROSS MEANS

      MARCH 9: MY SPIRITUAL POVERTY

      MARCH 10: SHAMELESS LOVE, AUTHENTIC FAITH

      MARCH 11: WHO YOU ARE IS BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS

      MARCH 12: WHAT DOES RESURRECTION PROVE?

      MARCH 13: HOLY MIRTH

      MARCH 14: THE VOICE OF LOVING FAVOR

      MARCH 15: YOU’RE A PRIEST

      MARCH 16: WHAT EASTER OFFERS

      MARCH 17: HOPE TO SET THE STARS REELING

      MARCH 18: SKIP THE STATUS QUO

      MARCH 19: THE LANGUAGE OF TROUBLE

      MARCH 20: SCIENCE AND HISTORY TRANSCENDED

      MARCH 21: SALVATION AVAILABLE FOR ALL

      MARCH 22: EASTER: ALL IS WELL

      MARCH 23: THE THRONING OF SELF

      MARCH 24: ACCEPT GOD’S LOVE IN CHRIST

      MARCH 25: PRAYER: A CONVERSATION

      MARCH 26: WHAT THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR

      MARCH 27: UNHOLY ACTS OF TWO BROTHERS

      MARCH 28: YEARNING FOR PERFECT LOVE

      MARCH 29: PERSONAL AND GLOBAL HOLINESS

      MARCH 30: DO YOU DO WHAT JESUS SAID IS BEST?

      MARCH 31: JUST AS I AM, WEAKNESS AND ALL

      APRIL

      APRIL 1: TREMBLE BEFORE THE CROSS

      APRIL 2: WHAT DOES CHURCH MEAN TO YOU?

      APRIL 3: TUNE YOUR MIND TO COMMUNITY

      APRIL 4: THE VOICE IN THE GARDEN OF SOLITUDE

      APRIL 5: THE CEMENT OF COMMUNITY LIFE

      APRIL 6: CRY FOR HELP, SHOUT THANKS

      APRIL 7: HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP, COSMIC CHANGE

      APRIL 8: DEAD TO SIN, ALIVE TO GOD

      APRIL 9: THE LESS-TRAVELED ROAD TO FREEDOM

      APRIL 10: PAY FORWARD GOD’S COMPASSION

      APRIL 11: ALL THE WISDOM WE NEED

      APRIL 12: A VITAL PART OF OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE

      APRIL 13: FIND YOUR WAY AGAIN

      APRIL 14: EAT THIS BREAD, DRINK THIS CUP

      APRIL 15: LIVE LIKE A CHILD

      APRIL 16: FORGIVING IN THE NAME OF GOD

      APRIL 17: WHERE ARE YOUR FEET TAKING YOU?

      APRIL 18: LORD, FLOOD CREATION WITH YOURSELF!

      APRIL 19: LIVE GLADLY

      APRIL 20: THE CHURCH’S URGENT PRIORITIES

      APRIL 21: COUNTING THE COST

      APRIL 22: GOD DOESN’T NEED OUR HELP

      APRIL 23: NEW CREATION’S BIRTH PANGS

      APRIL 24: WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

      APRIL 25: SOMETHING UNIMAGINABLE

      APRIL 26: THE DNA OF PRAYER

      APRIL 27: WHEN YOU SUFFER, EXPECT THE SPIRIT

      APRIL 28: A JUDGE WITH JUSTICE AND MERCY

      APRIL 29: OFFER FORGIVENESS BEFORE WORSHIP

      APRIL 30: THROUGH JESUS WE KNOW GOD

      MAY

      MAY 1: BE HONEST ABOUT WHO YOU ARE

      MAY 2: LIVE JESUS’ DREAM

      MAY 3: TINY GESTURES LEAD TO GREAT LIGHT

      MAY 4: SMALL YET TALL

      MAY 5: OUR TRUE FUTURE CHRISTIAN HOPE

      MAY 6: A HOLY EARTH

      MAY 7: WORDS THAT CREATE AND DESTROY

      MAY 8: LOVE AS AN ACT OF THE WILL

      MAY 9: THE PRICE OF IDOLATRY

      MAY 10: LAUGH AND WEEP AT SUFFERING

      MAY 11: RESPONDING TO GOD’S SPEECH

      MAY 12: THE MEANING OF JESUS’ ASCENSION

      MAY 13: CHRIST’S DREAM

      MAY 14: WHO IS WELL-OFF IN GOD’S KINGDOM?

      MAY 15: MAKE WAY

      MAY 16: TWO KINDS OF SPACE BROUGHT NEAR

      MAY 17: JESUS DRAWS NEAR

      MAY 18: SEE THE WITHIN-YOU KINGDOM

      MAY 19: TRANSCEND RELIGIOUS ACTS

      MAY 20: WHERE MOURNING AND DANCING TOUCH

      MAY 21: WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT

      MAY 22: WHAT DOES JESUS WANT US TO DO?

      MAY 23: THOU CHANGEST NOT

      MAY 24: THE LORD’S PRAYER SAYS I’M IN

      MAY 25: GOD IS GREATER

      MAY 26: BRINGING THE KINGDOM INTO REAL LIFE

      MAY 27: FACE-TO-FACE WITH JESUS

      MAY 28: THE GOD WHO CREATES FROM NOTHING

      MAY 29: MAKE YOUR CHOICE THIS DAY

      MAY 30: HOLY ORDERS, HOLY WORK

      MAY 31: DO YOU BELIEVE OR BELIEVE IN?

      JUNE

      JUNE 1: BELOVED, ADOPTED CHILD

      JUNE 2: OTHER CHRISTS

      JUNE 3: PLANK-EYE SYNDROME

      JUNE 4: NO ESCAPING GOD’S GAZE

      JUNE 5: GOD IS GOOD, AND JUDGE

      JUNE 6: ONE LOAF, ONE BODY

      JUNE 7: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO LIVE?

      JUNE 8: WORK FOR THE DAY

      JUNE 9: RICH OR POOR, GOD MADE THEM BOTH

      JUNE 10: BE HONEST IN PRAYER

      JUNE 11: WHAT IS COMPASSION?

      JUNE 12: THE ESSENCE OF ETERNAL LIFE

      JUNE 13: OUR FAITH’S TODAY PROMISE

      JUNE 14: THE IRONIES OF MONEY

      JUNE 15: ALL EXISTS BY DESIGN

      JUNE 16: CHRIST THE EMPATHIC SHEPHERD

      JUNE 17: DO WE FAVOR OUR KIND OF PEOPLE?

      JUNE 18: COWORKERS OF THE CREATOR

      JUNE 19: FRIENDSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY

      JUNE 20: THE RESTING CHRIST

      JUNE 21: SALVATION OF THE REAL YOU

      JUNE 22: BE THE HELP YOU WANT TO SEE

      JUNE 23: BROKEN BY THE FALL, AWAITING DELIVERANCE

      JUNE 24: GOD IS COMMITTED TO JUDGMENT

      JUNE 25: TWO KINDS OF DOUBT

      JUNE 26: LIFE IN THE WILDERNESS

      JUNE 27: GOD SPEAKS TO ALL, GENEROUSLY

      JUNE 28: WHAT YOU DO MATTERS

      JUNE 29: LOVE YOURSELF TO LOVE OTHERS

      JUNE 30: UP-AND-IN OR DOWN-AND-OUT?

      JULY

      JULY 1: HOPE LIKE ISRAEL

      JULY 2: BE ANGRY, DON’T SIN

      JULY 3: A LIVING SIGN

      JULY 4: KINGDOM, COME

      JULY 5: GOD RESPONDS TO OUR CRIES

      JULY 6: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH, WORKING HAND IN HAND

      JULY 7: A USEFUL TYPE OF LONELINESS

      JULY 8: HISTORY—HUMANKIND’S AND YOURS

      JULY 9: DEALING WITH GOD-ALIVE

      JULY 10: ABRAM’S EARTHY FAITH

      JULY 11: CREATION LONGS FOR YOUR REVELATION

      JULY 12: WHOM DOES GOD FAVOR?

      JULY 13: GOD’S NEAR IN YOUR EXILE

      JULY 14: CARRY GOD’S ACCEPTANCE

      JULY 15: REAL LIFE IN ALL ITS FULLNESS

      JULY 16: GOD GIVES HIMSELF

      JULY 17: HIDDENNESS: WHERE HOLINESS GROWS

      JULY 18: HOW DOES GOD LOVE?

      JULY 19: CEASE DOING EVIL

      JULY 20: WOUNDS: A SOURCE OF HEALING

      JULY 21: COINCIDENCE OR HINT OF HEAVEN?

      JULY 22: FOCUS ON THE NOW

      JULY 23: EXPERIENCE BEFORE DOCTRINE

      JULY 24: LAMENT IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

      JULY 25: PEOPLE AS THEY ARE

      JULY 26: GOD LOOKS AFTER OUR EVERYTHING

      JULY 27: REPUDIATE YOUR WISDOM, TAKE GOD’S INSTEAD

      JULY 28: LOOK AT YOUR ENEMIES TO LOVE THEM

      JULY 29: LORD, DO BATTLE AGAINST THE WICKED

      JULY 30: WHY DO WE HIDE?

      JULY 31: OUR GOD-ARRANGED FUTURE

      AUGUST

      AUGUST 1: THE WISDOM OF GOD’S WORKS

      AUGUST 2: BUILD FOR GOD’S KINGDOM

      AUGUST 3: FORGIVE TO HEAL

      AUGUST 4: FULFILLING OUR MISSION OF SENT-NESS

      AUGUST 5: PRAY YOUR HATE, LAY GOD’S JUSTICE

      AUGUST 6: AMBASSADORS OF A SURPRISING HOPE

      AUGUST 7: PARTAKE OF THE PAIN

      AUGUST 8: SEEK HIM, SEE HIM

      AUGUST 9: GOD’S FUTURE SURPRISES

      AUGUST 10: COME TO CHRIST IN NEED

      AUGUST 11: LOSE YOUR LIFE TO KEEP YOUR LIFE

      AUGUST 12: SEE YOUR ENEMIES

      AUGUST 13: LET CHRIST REWRITE YOUR SCRIPT

      AUGUST 14: NOBLE LEADERSHIP

      AUGUST 15: REST IN WHAT GOD IS

      AUGUST 16: SAVED IN HOPE, SAVED AS A WHOLE

      AUGUST 17: NO MANIPULATION REQUIRED

      AUGUST 18: OUR ANCIENT HUMAN MANDATE

      AUGUST 19: FORGIVENESS ISN’T LOGICAL

      AUGUST 20: NEVER-CEASING BEINGS

      AUGUST 21: AMAZING FAITH

      AUGUST 22: DEFINING NEIGHBOR, DOING MERCY

      AUGUST 23: LIKE JESUS, BE PREPARED

      AUGUST 24: FOR LOVE OF YOU

      AUGUST 25: GOD’S ESTABLISHED FORGIVENESS

      AUGUST 26: IS JESUS COMPETENT?

      AUGUST 27: GOD IS HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE

      AUGUST 28: THE MYSTERY OF YOUR SELF

      AUGUST 29: LORD, REPAY THE DESTROYERS

      AUGUST 30: GOD’S AGENT OF LOVE: THE HOLY SPIRIT

      AUGUST 31: THE MEANING OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS

      SEPTEMBER

      SEPTEMBER 1: LET CHRIST’S MIND-SET BE IN YOU

      SEPTEMBER 2: BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT HIMSELF

      SEPTEMBER 3: QUESTIONS MELT LIKE MIST

      SEPTEMBER 4: THE ENGINE OF CHRISTIAN HOPE

      SEPTEMBER 5: LORD, SEARCH MY HEART

      SEPTEMBER 6: HEAVEN MOVED REDEMPTIVELY

      SEPTEMBER 7: WHEN THE GOSPEL TAKES ROOT

      SEPTEMBER 8: SOMEONE IS LISTENING

      SEPTEMBER 9: LOVE GOD TO EXPERIENCE HIS GENEROSITY

      SEPTEMBER 10: HONOR THE COST OF FORGIVENESS

      SEPTEMBER 11: WHEN HORRORS HAPPEN

      SEPTEMBER 12: THE HOPE FOR LIFE BEFORE DEATH

      SEPTEMBER 13: ONE FOOT IN ETERNITY

      SEPTEMBER 14: OPENHANDED GENEROSITY

      SEPTEMBER 15: NEVER GROW NUMB TO YOUR DYNAMIC SALVATION

      SEPTEMBER 16: WHY DO YOU WORK?

      SEPTEMBER 17: ALL PRAYER IS PRAYED IN A STORY

      SEPTEMBER 18: THE FOCUS OF GOD’S GOSPEL PURPOSE

      SEPTEMBER 19: MAGIC OR RELIGION

      SEPTEMBER 20: YOU BELONG TO HIM

      SEPTEMBER 21: PRAYER: A LONGING FOR PRESENCE

      SEPTEMBER 22: GOD’S GRACIOUS INVITATION

      SEPTEMBER 23: WHEN YOU ARE PERSECUTED, REJOICE!

      SEPTEMBER 24: THE FAITHFUL, TRUE GOD

      SEPTEMBER 25: A LESSON ON FORGIVENESS

      SEPTEMBER 26: KNOW GOD AS PARENT

      SEPTEMBER 27: PAY ATTENTION, THEN PRAISE

      SEPTEMBER 28: JESUS APPRECIATES YOU

      SEPTEMBER 29: CULTIVATE RESURRECTION HOPE

      SEPTEMBER 30: A KING YOU CAN SEE

      OCTOBER

      OCTOBER 1: WHAT IS GOD LIKE?

      OCTOBER 2: REORDERED THINKING

      OCTOBER 3: THE SWEET MERCY OF GOD

      OCTOBER 4: BEHOLD GOD’S GLORY IN CREATION

      OCTOBER 5: A LOVABLE GOD

      OCTOBER 6: THE SURPRISE OF EVANGELISM

      OCTOBER 7: DO NOT BE AFRAID

      OCTOBER 8: YOUR NATURAL, GOD-CLOTHED BEAUTY

      OCTOBER 9: THE JUSTIFYING HEART OF GOD

      OCTOBER 10: IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP!

      OCTOBER 11: BLESSED ARE GOD’S GRUBBY PEOPLE

      OCTOBER 12: THE BOUNDLESS MERCY OF GOD

      OCTOBER 13: A TRANSFORMED HEART

      OCTOBER 14: THE GOOD-NEWS, HOLY-TERROR GOSPEL

      OCTOBER 15: BECOMING FOOD FOR THE WORLD

      OCTOBER 16: CELEBRATE WITH RECKLESS GRATITUDE

      OCTOBER 17: THE INFINITE GRACE OF GOD

      OCTOBER 18: HEALTHY GUILT, GRATUITOUS GRACE

      OCTOBER 19: SEND ME

      OCTOBER 20: HAVE SPIRITUAL COURAGE

      OCTOBER 21: RECLAIM THE WORLD AS SACRED SPACE

      OCTOBER 22: JESUS’ DEFINITION OF PEACE

      OCTOBER 23: MORE THAN JUST FORGIVEN

      OCTOBER 24: BETWEEN ACTS AND REVELATION

      OCTOBER 25: GRACE IS A GIVEN

      OCTOBER 26: DON’T REJECT THE WORLD—RENEW IT

      OCTOBER 27: REMEMBER YOUR SIN REDEMPTIVELY

      OCTOBER 28: CATCH LOVE, DWELL IN LOVE, DO LOVE

      OCTOBER 29: A LESSON IN GOD’S GRACE AND MERCY

      OCTOBER 30: THE FUTURE SAMPLED NOW

      OCTOBER 31: ALL IS HOLY

      NOVEMBER

      NOVEMBER 1: GIVEN IN FAITH FOR THE WORLD

      NOVEMBER 2: BURIED IN HIS DEATH, RAISED IN HIS RESURRECTION

      NOVEMBER 3: GOD’S ONE SUPREME LAW REVEALED

      NOVEMBER 4: DIGGING INTO OUR SPIRITUAL RESOURCES

      NOVEMBER 5: FORGIVENESS: GOD’S WAY OF LIFE

      NOVEMBER 6: GOD CALLING

      NOVEMBER 7: OUR WORK IS LINKED WITH GOD’S

      NOVEMBER 8: NO FEAR EXISTS IN THE ARMS OF OUR BELOVED

      NOVEMBER 9: THE PRAYER PROMISE OF GOD

      NOVEMBER 10: WALK IN PURITY

      NOVEMBER 11: THE FRIENDSHIP OF GOD

      NOVEMBER 12: BE STILL

      NOVEMBER 13: SPIRITUAL DRYNESS AND DIVINE INTIMACY

      NOVEMBER 14: THE COMPANIONSHIP OF THE LORD

      NOVEMBER 15: CULTIVATE A KINGDOM-DIRECTED HEART

      NOVEMBER 16: WOE TO ME!

      NOVEMBER 17: JESUS: PHYSICIAN AND HEALER

      NOVEMBER 18: CHOOSING LIFE CALLS FOR DISCIPLINE

      NOVEMBER 19: SELF-LOVE FOR NEIGHBOR-LOVE

      NOVEMBER 20: FREE FROM ANXIETY

      NOVEMBER 21: THE LAW OF RETALIATION vs. THE LAW OF LOVE

      NOVEMBER 22: THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND THE HOLINESS OF GOD

      NOVEMBER 23: OPERATION SANCTIFICATION

      NOVEMBER 24: RECEIVE BLESSING AND PASS IT ALONG

      NOVEMBER 25: DOES GOD CARE ABOUT ME?

      NOVEMBER 26: HOW ARE YOU AT ENEMY-LOVE?

      NOVEMBER 27: BECAUSE GOD IS HOLY, FOLLOW IN HIS HOLINESS

      NOVEMBER 28: THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY WRITTEN IN OUR LIVES

      NOVEMBER 29: RECEIVE GOD’S SACRED HANDIWORK

      NOVEMBER 30: BETWEEN GOD’S PROMISE AND PROVISION

      DECEMBER

      DECEMBER 1: A TREMBLING ANGEL

      DECEMBER 2: GOD’S FOREVER-STANDING PLANS

      DECEMBER 3: THIS DAY IS GOD’S

      DECEMBER 4: ALLOW GOD TO CARE FOR YOU

      DECEMBER 5: HOLINESS HAPPENS

      DECEMBER 6: ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH GOD

      DECEMBER 7: THE ANTICIPATION OF ADVENT

      DECEMBER 8: AS CLOSE AS OUR VERY BREATH

      DECEMBER 9: PEACE ON EARTH

      DECEMBER 10: LOVE AS GOD LOVES

      DECEMBER 11: MEDITATE UPON THE MAJESTY OF GOD

      DECEMBER 12: LORD, FORGIVE ME

      DECEMBER 13: WHY ARE WE HERE?

      DECEMBER 14: HAVE A VERY TAME CHRISTMAS?

      DECEMBER 15: LOVE YOUR WORLD

      DECEMBER 16: THE ETERNAL KIND OF LIFE

      DECEMBER 17: THE CENTER OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

      DECEMBER 18: DAILY NEEDS, DAILY REQUESTS

      DECEMBER 19: IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT CONDEMNATION

      DECEMBER 20: CHRIST’S COMMITMENT IS TO US

      DECEMBER 21: THE EARTHINESS OF SAINTS

      DECEMBER 22: PRAY ABOUT WHAT MATTERS TO YOU

      DECEMBER 23: BETWEEN CHRIST’S ASCENSION AND APPEARING

      DECEMBER 24: THE POWER OF A BABE

      DECEMBER 25: HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE ME?

      DECEMBER 26: A PAINFUL PROCLAMATION

      DECEMBER 27: LORD, LEAD ME NOT INTO TRIALS

      DECEMBER 28: JOURNEY TO GOD’S HEART

      DECEMBER 29: AN ESSENTIAL CONDITION

      DECEMBER 30: SUBMIT TO GOD

      DECEMBER 31: DO ALL AS JESUS WOULD

      BIBLIOGRAPHY

      NOTES

      January

      JANUARY 1

      THE SPIRITUAL WORK OF GRATITUDE

      Henri J. M. Nouwen

      He said:

      Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.

      JOB 1:21 NKJV

      To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives—the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections—that requires hard spiritual work. Still, we are only truly grateful people when we can say Thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment. As long as we keep dividing our lives between events and people we would like to remember and those we would rather forget, we cannot claim the fullness of our beings as a gift of God to be grateful for.

      Let’s not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God.

      Consider your moments of joy and sorrow, your successes as well as failures, the times God gave, and the times he took away. Can you join Job in proclaiming, Blessed be the name of the LORD?

      Lord, cultivate within me a spirit of gratitude for all you’ve given and all you’ve taken away. Blessed be your name, Lord. Amen.

      JANUARY 2

      IN THE MORNING, TRUST GOD

      Eugene Peterson

      O LORD, in the morning thou dost hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for thee, and watch.

      PSALM 5:3 RSV

      The work of God begins while we are asleep and without our help. He continues to work through the day in our worship and obedience. A sacrifice is the material means of assembling a life before God in order to let God work with it. Sacrifice isn’t something we do for God but simply setting out the stuff of life for him to do something with. On the altar the sacrificial offering is changed into what is pleasing and acceptable to God. In the act of offering we give up ownership and control, and watch to see what God will do with it. With a deep awareness that the God who speaks life into us also listens when we speak, we put into words the difficulties and delights that we foresee in the hours ahead. We assemble fears and hopes, apprehensions and anticipations, and place them on the altar as an offering.

      A pivotal word in the morning is the word watch. We watch to see what God will do with the array of concerns we set before him. Morning prayer places us before the watchful God, readying us to enter the day watchful for dangers to recede, for the dangerous day to fill with God’s angels.

      Lord, this early hour I bring to you all of my apprehensions—trusting you, watching you. Amen.

      JANUARY 3

      MADE FOR EACH OTHER

      N. T. Wright

      As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

      PROVERBS 27:17

      We are made for each other. Yet making relationships work, let alone making them flourish, is often remarkably difficult. We all know that justice matters, yet it slips through our fingers. We mostly know that there is such a thing as spirituality, and that it’s important, yet it’s hard to refute the charge that it’s all wishful thinking. In the same way, we all know that we belong in communities, that we were made to be social creatures. Yet there are many times when we are tempted to slam the door and stomp off into the night by ourselves, simultaneously making the statement that we don’t belong anymore and that we want someone to take pity on us, to come to the rescue and comfort us. We all know we belong in relationships, but we can’t quite work out how to get them right. The voice we hear echoing in our heads and our hearts keeps reminding us of both parts of this paradox, and it’s worth pondering why.

      We were made for each other is a profound statement of reality, echoed in the proverb—for it’s in community that we are shaped and find our sharpened selves. It’s also a signpost of a deeper reality, telling us there is a road ahead that leads to goodness.

      Lord, thank you for making me for community; may I become more like you through others’ help. Amen.

      JANUARY 4

      DO YOU KNOW THAT GOD LOVES YOU?

      James Bryan Smith

      See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

      1 JOHN 3:1

      I have come to believe that God is madly in love with us. God loves us with a passionate love. It is too great for us to comprehend; we do not have the words to describe it fully. It is too vast to grasp completely. But we can know it. And we can feel it. It is in his hands as he holds us. It is in his gentle words as he comforts us. It is written all over his face.

      And yet many of us feel alienated from God. We are a technologically advanced society, but our souls are sick. We seek help in psychotherapy, support groups, tarot cards, crystals—anything that will relieve the pain. But we find that these supposed sources of help are helpless. The emptiness will not be filled.

      What we long to know is that we are loved. To be more specific, we hunger to know that we are accepted as we are, forgiven for all we have done, and cared for by a gracious, loving God. When we know this, we walk away well.

      God is telling his people that when he looks at us, he smiles in love—as a father smiles at his child. He wants us to know that, deep down. Do you?

      Lord, I receive this day your acceptance, forgiveness, and care, believing you love me—like a Father. Amen.

      JANUARY 5

      LIBERATION FROM TIME’S TYRANNY

      Brennan Manning

      I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

      REVELATION 22:13 NRSV

      Whether the end-time is imminent or not, the lordship of Jesus Christ extends over the cosmic continuum. Authentic prayer puts us in touch with this reality and liberates us from the tyranny of time. Jesus’ word calls us to conscientious conduct in the world today; tomorrow’s survival is his responsibility.

      The New Testament knows only the linear concept of time. Creation marked the beginning, the death/resurrection of Christ is the decisive midpoint, and his Second Coming determines the end-time. But this latter, future event is no longer the center of redemptive history. Regardless of the precise date of the Parousia, we are living in the last days, or, in theologian Oscar Cullman’s oft-quoted phrase, in "the isness of the shall be."¹ The final stage of salvation-history was inaugurated on Easter Sunday.

      In the Christian view of history, the end-time is coming, but the world is already ruled by Christ by virtue of his decisive Easter victory.

      The one who launched creation is responsible for its beginning and for its end. Trust him with everything in between.

      Lord, the Alpha and Omega of time, may I be liberated from feeling responsible for it. Amen.

      JANUARY 6

      WHY HAS JESUS’ RELEVANCE ENDURED?

      Dallas Willard

      In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

      JOHN 1:4

      And what is it, really, that explains the enduring relevance of Jesus to human life? Why has he mattered so much? Why does he matter now? Why does he appear on the front covers of leading newsmagazines two millennia later? Why, even, is his name invoked in cursing more than that of any other person who has lived on earth? Why do more people self-identify as Christians—by some estimates 32 percent of the world population²—than any other world religion? How is it that multitudes today credit him with their life and well-being?

      I think we finally have to say that Jesus’ enduring relevance is based on his historically proven ability to speak, to heal, and to empower the individual human condition. He matters because of what he brought and what he still brings to ordinary human beings, living their ordinary lives and coping daily with their surroundings: he promises wholeness for their lives. In sharing our weakness he gives us strength and imparts through his companionship a life that has the quality of eternity.

      He comes where we are, and he brings us the life we hunger for.

      The secret of the enduring relevance of Jesus is that he is the light of life, and he delivers God’s life to the world, to you.

      Jesus, the life and light of all mankind, continue to speak to, heal, and empower my human condition. Amen.

      JANUARY 7

      WHO IS GOD TO YOU?

      A. W. Tozer

      You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

      PSALM 86:15

      The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God.

      Always the most revealing thing about the church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about him or leaves unsaid, for her silence is often more eloquent than her speech. She can never escape the self-disclosure of her witness concerning God.

      Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, What comes into your mind when you think about God? we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man. Were we able to know exactly what our most influential religious leaders think of God today, we might be able with some precision to foretell where the church will stand tomorrow.

      What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us. Is he compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love, or something else?

      Lord, give me a right idea about who you are and what you are up to in the world, so I can rightly worship you in fullness. Amen.

      JANUARY 8

      JESUS’ GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM

      N. T. Wright

      Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom.

      MATTHEW 4:23 NRSV

      There is very little in the Bible about going to heaven when you die and not a lot about a postmortem hell either. The medieval pictures of heaven and hell, boosted though not created by Dante’s classic work, have exercised a huge influence on Western Christian imagination. Jesus’ sayings in the other gospels about

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1