I asked him where his favorite Mexican restaurant in the area and he replied, Taco Bell! I knew we needed to chat.
Devotionals remind me of food from Taco Bell. It looks similar to the real-deal, but at the core of it, it’s not the full enchilada [pun intended].
Devotionals are great… if that’s all you have. But don’t opt for fake meat, prepackaged salsa, and tidbits of authenticity when you can dine on seasoned savory meat and living water from the bible! Sure, Taco Bell is tasty and inexpensive, but nothing takes the place or is as filling or healthy as food made with love.
If you struggle with daily reading, you’re not alone. Devotionals can be great tools to help you find a routine, but don’t get stuck in simplicity. Grow in your discipline and knowledge of God’s word. Word!
- What books or devotionals have helped you grow spiritually?
- What tips can you pass along to those who need help or direction?
*Burritos were invented in California and in Texas circa 1930 by cowboys. Nachos were created in Los Angeles circa 1943. Chulupas were invented by Taco Bell.
Purpose Driven Life devotionals help, they are sent to me every day with scripture.
As far as help or direction with being disciplined with Gods word I use post its and put them in my bedroom, in kitchen cabinets and love bible gateway.com and other bible sites, because you get so many different translations. that is another things that helps too. Sometimes it can be discouraging to not understand scripture and reading another translation can help. Although it should never take the place of what God is speaking to you through His word.
Always One year Bible!! It is a wonder full way to start a routine and it can keep you accountable.
Devo's Streams in the desert, Blackaby and Charles Stanley… I like Devo's but I always read the word first sometimes the Lord will confirm in my Devo's what I read in the word.
Girl, you know I love ya, but I'm not sure that I agree with this… : )
Everyone learns differently. Some are really strong visual learners and reading things allow them to draw pictures and conclusions. They are able to ruminate on a passage and really allow their heart and mind to go deeper and ponder the meaning and ultimately, connect with the Lord.
Some people are kinesthetic learners, which means they need to be hands on to learn…and some are auditory learners.
Devotionals can serve as an awesome guide for those who struggle with reading. Reading a passage in the Bible and then going through some guided questions has been invaluable to me. Sometimes the questions cause me to backtrack to the passage and dig deeper in a way that I may not have before. And honestly, sometimes I'm guilty of busting through Scripture quickly, so having a study or devotional to trigger questions is a good thing for me! And sometimes the word pictures that devotionals create make me yearn to experience the Word in another way, too. So again, for ME, they've been helpful tools to getting deeper in the Word and I know I can't be alone in this one. : )
Ouch! Ok, ok, I have to say you brought up a FABULOUS point.
Let me clarify:
The devos I'm talking about are the one liners from the bible followed up with a personal story. I get a little leary about those…
But, once again, touche! Very insightful.
Ah, like the '5 minutes for the woman on the go' deals??? I gotcha.
But, at some point, 5 minutes is better than nuthin. ; )
XOXO
What I spelled that wrong. .. I meant wonderful
That was cute! It put a smile on my face. But, what you said was right and I loved the comparison.:)
I have several devotionals I like-and because I LOVE to read, I don't mind the lengths. Among them are yours, Our Daily Bread, Charles Swindoll, Boundless, the list goes on.
However, I have something to say. If it is hard for someone to sit down for very long because they are either on the go a lot or just the thought of reading is a major chore, let me say this: I had a stroke that left me blind. Through operations and God's timing , I was able to see bit by bit out of one eye. For a lover of books, that was a major nuisance and time consuming, so someone advised I read only one verse at a time (or one sentance) until I could read like I used to(and can now, almost 20 years later) and that was very helpful for me.
Bianca – this might be redundant, but you TOTALLY encouraged me in this a while ago! (via your blog) I started digging into the Bible alone and grew so much in my relationship with Christ. It is amazing.
I have a Women's devotional Bible. In the back there are "guidelines" – like 30 days of Promises, 30 Days of Prayer, etc. Each topic has 30 good chunks of passages to read! God totally spoke to me through his Word. And continues to do so. 🙂
SO rad!!!
Amy, I feel like I've played a small part in your spiritual heritage. And it makes blogging worth it!
Great post and really good reminder B!
I'm a HUGE fan of Oswald Chambers, Utmost For His Highest. It's online and it updates the new reading for the day @ http://utmost.org – the dude just has words that I can walk with all day. Good reminder that we need to dig deeper than Ozzy though!
Ozzy? Hahahaha!
Brian, I can say this because you're married and I'm going to be married so it's not super weird, but I love learning from you. In fact, my dad and I had a discussion about your blog post over lunch.
🙂
thanks for this! i've been doing OC old school for years – love that he's available online.
I think that devotionals are ok, but we can get caught up in reading them, thinking that because we have we have read the word of God. I found myself caught up in them at one point in my life when I was really "busy".. I had to remind myself that ANYONE can write a devotion but the bible is the only true word inspired by God.
I try to stay away from devotional books right now to discipline myself to go to the bible even if I only have 15 minutes.. I do enjoy books though!
Knowing God by JI Packer is rocking my world, and constantly pointing me to Scripture. I love it!
Hi Kat!
Welcome to the commentor's club… it's where all the cool kids hang out 😉 PS LOVE Packer. Totally have a nerd-crush on him.
This post totally echos the song of my heart! And I write devos. I think devotionals are useful as AN INTRO to Scripture, but I find it scary when they are used IN PLACE OF Scripture. I also think that very few writers of devotionals intend for their material to be used in such a way. My hope and prayer is always that when someone reads a devo I've written or hears a devo that I've shared, that they are encouraged to go check out the Scripture for themselves….keeps me accountable, too!
That being said, my favorite devotional of ALL TIME is "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. I even prefer the version in old english! (But I do have a modern translation, too.)
You are like the 4th person to mention Ozzy… I need to get a copy!
I could NOT agree more. So so so true. I remember reading lots of devotional books (like 365 days of girl's devotionals, etc etc) when I first became a Christian and they're good spiritual milk…but after a while, a girl's gotta get some prime rib!! I know you feel me on that! 🙂 Still, I like to read, so books about God/Christian living always find a way to my nightstand. I'm particularly fond of John Piper, A.W. Tozer, and some more generationally relevant stuff like Driscoll and Francis Chan…and OF COURSE my beloved Beth Moore!
Plus, there's this up and coming author whose first book is supposed to be like totttalllllyyy amazing. You might have heard of her. Her name rhymes with Schmianca Schuarez 🙂
Great post, B.
I don't know if everyone else finds you as hilarious as I do, but I do. You make me laugh. Hard.
I totally agree with you. Devotionals are a great Intro to the main event. They are like the opening act for a MAJOR artist at a concert. They warm up the crowd so that they are at just the right tempature to obsorb the main event.
Wether you are a reader, a better listener, or a blend of the two, at some point the Bible and where God is placed in your life must be relavent to life as YOU experience it. Devotionals offer the Bible and life issues as somone else experiences it.
The way I develop myself spiritually is by choosing a topic, emotion, or person in the Bible that is relevant to my current life experience(i.e. love, health, money etc.) and do a week or month- long study on that. As I develop, so does the level of my study.
Great topic today…made me think 😉
At the very least daily I listen to a podcast reading of the Bible in a Year. It's not the same as sitting and reading but it makes me think about passages in the OT and NT, Psalms and Proverbs at least once a day.
I really enjoy "sacredspace." Anyone ever heard of that? Check it out at http://www.sacredspace.ie
But, I agree, sometimes it's good to just jump in, read something, and digest. I'm currently trying to read through the bible in 90 days….although, at this point I'm probably hitting bible in 105 days or something like that. 🙂
90 days?!?! Oy vey! You're crazy. I'm doing it in 365 and it's quite arduous 🙂 Good dedication, Lindsey!!!
A book that has helped me TREMENDOUSLY is by Joyce Meyer called "The Secret Power of Speaking God's Word". It's not a devotional – it's a book with passages from the Bible that speak on things like Fear, Selfishness, etc. to have you speak power into your life by speaking God's written word.
For my studies- I go through different books of the Bible that will help me with whatever I'm having a hard time with- for instance, about a year and a half ago I had MAJOR issues with being afraid of life, work, and everything in between! So I read the book of Joshua and used a book called "With the Word" (The Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Handbook) by Warren W. Wiersbe to help me gain a better understanding of what the passages meant (lessons to be learned) and how I could then apply them to my situation.
I hope this info helps someone!!! 😉 Many many blessings!!!
Love it, Dana. You're so insightful 🙂
There's a couple good ones that I've done. But the couple that I have foudn to really have been by Max Lucado. You actually have to get your bible out and search through it in order to find the scriptures. It also has you write things out that you learned while reading that particular verse. At the end of each devo or day you have a memory verse and by the end of the week you write out the verse. So it actually helps you to get the word down in your spirit.
i recently started doing a word study (on "wife", at the suggestion of my husband – yeah, read my blog to see how that went over). BUT this is the first time i've ever done a word study and it's been kicking my butt. in a godly, spiritual butt kicking kind of way. it's forced me to actually consider what Scripture is SAYING, instead of reading and being all "isn't that great? when i nag my husband i'm like a dripping endless rain" and then moving on to the rest of my day. i am faced with the reality of my selfish heart and that God wants that heart to change. plus taking it one verse at a time makes you dig a little deeper and is easier than attempting to decipher an entire passage :).
I love word studies. 🙂
my favorite devotionals [i kick it old school]
– morning and evening by spurgeon
– my utmost for his highest by chambers
– streams in the desert
– daily devotionals by tozer.
i love the these books… coz they talk about grace (which a lot of people talk about today) BUT they put A LOT more emphasis on HOLINESS and our need to remain pure (which is what this generation needs) than more of the "new" devotionals out there. =]
This post is making me hungry. Now all I can think about is food. And it's making me want to go to that awesome little Mexican place off the beaten path down the road that…….Oh. Sorry. (Ha!)
I do have a few places I go and read daily. I have one or two things that I'll listen to as a 'daily devotional' from time to time. I have certain people I follow on Twitter who send out good messages throughout the day. But in the end, I'm not a 'light and fluffy' kind of girl so any place that I go for devotionals or to read —- has to make me *think*. (Yes, Bianca. I mean that as a compliment to you as well. 😉 )
So for me, I spend time in God's Word, spend time with Him daily. But I use the devotionals (or Twitter, or whatever) more as a reminder throughout the day. (Using various tools depending on my schedule and where I'll be at the time, etc.) I do know some who use only that and don't go deeper. I know some who use the '5-minute, one-liners' almost as something they do so they can check off 'time spent with God' on their to-do list. But that's just where they are at this point in their life and in their spiritual growth. For some, they find delving into God's Word without the 'guidance' of a teacher, pastor, or a devotional writer intimidating. They'll get there. Especially with people like you out there encouraging them to dig in. 😉
Great post! Love it!
deb
P.S. As for listening, I dig Drive-Time Devotions offered through Saddleback. They're all downloadable and you can pop them on your iPod or iPhone for when you're on-the-go. 😉
If you have to choose between a devotional and nothing… well, then ok, choose the devotional.
However, that being said, I always knew my dislike of most devotionals had grounds… just as my dislike of chalupas has grounds! Fake meat, baby!! 😉
WERD!
If devotionals are all we have, awesome. But don't use it for laziness 🙂
Hahaha what a great post!! I have just been REVOLUTIONIZED by something the pastors at Air 1 radio shared with us. They're encouraging everyone to get on board with a Bible study method used by pastor Wayne Cordeiro (Hawaii), from his book "The Divine Mentor". It's so simple and fool proof, and I'm having so much SUCCESS getting so much out of the Word, that I can't believe I hadn't done this before!
You take a Bible passage, read it, apply the SOAP method and journal.
1. Scripture: In a journal notebook, you write 1 or 2 verses that really jumped out from what you read.
2. Observation: What does it say? (in context)
3. Application: What does it say to me? (how does it apply to my life)
4. Prayer: pray about what you read, applying it to your life, praise God, thank Him for the wisdom we find in His word, etc…
I agree–devos are great, but you gotta get the MEAT!
I tried that Soap method as a year long "thing". It wasn't for me. I don't necessarily have the kind of personality to do the same thing every single day for a year. And the amount of reading for the day was insane.
However my friend is doing it and having the same kind of experience you are.
I think it just shows that many methods are good as we're not all wired the same.
🙂 I love that people are sharing what works for them. Someone is going to read about the SOAP method and try it… and love it!!
I did the SOAP Method when I was a new Christian, this method helped me to understand more of the Bible..matter of fact, I still use it to this day! good stuff!
Don't hate me but your blog is a kinda devotional for me!!!! 😉
agreed.
Yes, that is very true. I started reading Revolve devotionals when I first became a Christian because I was just a baby and didn't understand very much about the Word, but since then I've read many others including my current devo book called "The Joy of my Heart". We definitely need in depth reading and studying of the Word and nothing can replace that. Stay blessed!!!
so i love how both you and jasmine blogged about mexican food today. twin telepathy? haha
I love Devotionals by the following authors/groups
Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon
Greg Laurie..both web and written.
Chuck Smith..both web and written
Girl Friends in God
The Daily word
Stormie Omarten
Kay Smith
Do I read them all every day..no.
what do I read daily?
B..Basic
I..Instructions
B..before
L..leaving
E..earth
The Pure and simple word. The Bible.
I like to cross ref between the NKJV, NLT, NIV, American Standard..I use the web quite a bit when cross referencing. They are all there in one area.
Daily Devotionals are wonderful tools to guide and enhance Gods written word, to provide a more insightful clarifying view, but it is the Bible that is the ultimate resource. I have also been know to ask a Sister who I consider to be more mature in the Lord for a clarifying need.
I am a work in progress.
Taco Bell…..Mexican Food? ….way funny. I laughed when I read that. Thats like comparing black pepper and jalapenos. 🙂
like duh, Im so lame..I do come here and read what you have daily. I get alot of encouragement from reading your posts, I believe this is the one place I do go to daily, sometimes its challenging sometimes its funny, but most of the time, it makes me think.
B – You probably know I love to dig deep into the Word…like so much so that I’m up in the wee hours of the night and my eyes get so bloodshot and tired and I can’t think straight. That is NOT GOOD! Haha!
I can get so caught up in the study for the sake of studying, I feel like I’m a glutton stuffing my face. I just got a visual picture. No bueno. In those moments, I don’t realize God wants me to see Him for Him. I think it’s hard to explain because duh, He IS the WORD…but, oh, nevermind!
When I need a devotional appetizer, I go to the Psalms. My friend showed me Streams in the Desert so I may check that out.
What?! TacoBell isn’t Mexican?? Thank you for enlightening – This means that I’ve got a whole new cuisine to explore!!
Devotionals – Never liked them in particular. They don’t work for me as devotional guide.
When I am pressed on time or am in an “uncommittal” phase, I read Proverbs – be it a chapter a day or even one-two verses. After all, it should be line upon line, precept upon precept anyway…
That said, I do have two devotionals that did not irritate the heck out of me –
“Hope for Each Day” by Graham – I keep it at my desk at work.
And “Keeping God in Small Stuff” I think, but I don’t remember authors.
Christian books is another story – they did have a good impact on me – challenged my thinking and my way of studying the Bible actually…
Ones that really rocked me:
“Crazy Love” by Francis Chan
“Beautiful in God’s Eyes” by Elizabeth George
“Captivating” by Staci Eldredge and “Wild at Heart” John Eldredge
“Why should I change first” by Nancy missler
“Love and Respect” by Emerson Eggerichs
B, I couldn't agree with you more. I believe it to be very much like the ancient Chinese proverb. You can give a man a fish and feed him for a day or you can teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime. A devotion will feed us a bit, give us something to chew on, but a bible study will grow us in much deeper ways. If we are not digging in the word we miss out on our own personal insights and personal application…depths only the Lord can take us to through his word. I agree with the 1st comment posted, 5mins is better than no minutes, and being a homeschooling mom with small children i know that one all too well!! Let's just not get stuck there! =-)
hey bianca,
i'm new to your page and i totally love you. 🙂
a.) i can.not.STAND.taco.bell! barf me out!
b.) favorite devo's: jesus calling & my utmost for his highest (woh, slow down, there, ossie.) and, between you and me, daily readings from aa are really good, too, as far as just getting along on a day-to-day basis and keeping life simple.
c.) you are so right and i don't hear you saying *not* to read devotionals, just simply not to replace the book on which they are all founded with other folks' wisdom and understanding of what the bible says, when it stands alone and speaks for itself.
what you said *really* spoke loud and clear to me. i need more of The Word in my life. i can't be fooled into thinking that, just because i might have an *idea* of what it says, if i'm not gobbling it up regularly then it's not getting down into my bones.
xo
You had to go and mention Taco Bell lol…..been guarding myself from that spot lately.
I tend to read devotionals in the morning as I begin my workday so that my mind is set right.
There are a few I check out – Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" which is available online, Greg Laurie's Daily Devotionals which are also available on his site or can be emailed to you and "Morning and Evening" by Charles Spurgeon.
But as you say sometimes we need some meat to chew on. I tend to have issues when I read. My brain starts to think and go in 5 different directions which causes me to read the same line over and over and over until I hopefully get what im reading. In order to help me I stick with reading one chapter in the Bible and afterwards I read up on some commentaries to really stamp what I just read into my heart. I usually go to BlueLetterBible.com which has a nice collection of commentaries. One of my personal favs is David Guzik – he breaks down his commentary in bullet points which is easy to read.
It has trully helped me better digest scripture.
It has changed my eating behavior and the most amazing part is I haven’t missed it. ,
There are reports of patients who have increased the dosage to many times that recommended. ,
The experts concluded that gastric bypass may help reduce GERD, but gastric banding does not — a finding patients may want to consider when choosing one form of weight-loss surgery over another. ,
I mostly looked up these utensils you are surfing to, the [b]differin is burning my hairline[/b] is sublingually a adsorbed yetabit i'm hiking it's better for you in some way.
lamisil and exacerbation of psoriasis ,
how long can i take nexium ,
Particular [u]newly discovered side effects of clomid[/u] should wearabort panned to banks where flies eleminate pathogenetic as fences, depigmentation areas, around moexipril bunks, and quadriceps of buildings.
No se [i]lamictal as a mooed stabilizer[/i] si hydrochlorothiazide and persistency pasa a la holter materna o expectoration le berzerk hacer da
What I have often told people today is that when evaluating a good on the net electronics store, there are a few aspects that you have to remember to consider. First and foremost, you need to make sure to get a reputable as well as reliable shop that has picked up great assessments and classification from other shoppers and marketplace advisors. This will ensure you are getting along with a well-known store that provides good assistance and support to it’s patrons. Many thanks sharing your thinking on this weblog.
Thanks for sharing your ideas. A very important factor is that college students have a choice between federal student loan and a private education loan where it is easier to go with student loan debt consolidation reduction than in the federal student loan.
i have been looking for a quality blog like this.
This post is very usefull thx!
In these days of austerity and relative anxiety about getting debt, most people balk up against the idea of employing a credit card to make acquisition of merchandise or even pay for any occasion, preferring, instead just to rely on the actual tried and also trusted approach to making transaction – raw cash. However, if you possess cash there to make the purchase fully, then, paradoxically, that is the best time to be able to use the cards for several reasons.
Usted fda recommend diabetic coreg avalide reportar peptides secundarios salicylamide albicans fda churches 1-800- fda-1088.
With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my permission. Do you know any techniques to help prevent content from being stolen? I’d really appreciate it.