Daily Light On The Daily Path

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I have more than 75 devotional books in my personal library. I own some really, really good ones (not counting those that are little more than a cute story or someone's personal experience/commentary with a line of Scripture attached). When I decided to follow through with a devotional book for this year I was torn about which one I should choose, until I flipped through this one and realized it was comprised of nothing but Scripture. That settled it for me; I feel that's just what I need: the maximum amount of Scripture content. In this case, that's 100% Scripture. 

This devotional is a classic by Samuel Bagster, compiled by his son Jonathan Bagster. It was first published in the 1800's and today you can read it in different Bible translations (such as KJV, NKJV, NIV, and ESV). The one I have is in the God's Word translation (GW). The strength of this devotional is that each reading is comprised only of various Scripture verses so Scripture speaks to Scripture. There is no commentary. 

It's so rich and yet so easy to read. I love to stop and reflect on the theme is being emphasized by each portion of reading. In that way, I can fully engage the reading and not just gloss over it like a story. I admit that I find myself getting into Bible study mode when I use this devotional so I wish I could also have it in NKJV version (which I prefer for delving deeper into the meaning of words and phrases). To end my reading, I can directly convert my readings into personalized prayers and know that it's all explicitly Bible based. I know this is one book I will be returning to no matter what else is in my library. 

Below are some other year-long devotionals I wish I also had the time to read in their entirety this year:

Holiness Day by Day: Transformational Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey by Jerry Bridges

The Andrew Murray Daily Reader in Today's Language by Andrew Murray 

The Way by E. Stanley Jones

One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God by Ava Pennington

Near to the Heart of God: Meditations on 366 Best-Loved Hymns by Robert J. Morgan

Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation by Dianne Neal Matthews

Drawing Closer to God: 365 Daily Meditations on Questions from Scripture by Dianne Neal Matthews


Do you use a devotional? What's your pick for this month or year?

New Year's Decisions

Happy 2013!

Here we are again! If you're reading this, you're as blessed as I am to have lived to see another year. It's always sobering for me to listen to the news and realize that some people didn't live to see a new year because death came suddenly, and unexpectedly, just a day or mere hours before January 1. I'm also very grateful that every one of my family members is still here with me. God has been merciful and kind.

The past year was a difficult one for me. Most people wouldn't be able to tell by just looking. I wrestled with complacency for much of the year, as well as busyness. I had a job transfer that involved a long commute and ate into whatever was left of my evenings. I also went back to school (university for the second time) and initially had a sense of dread about how I would fit back into a lifestyle of projects, study and examinations. And that's just the half of it. 2012 was a difficult year. 

This morning I made some New Year's Resolutions Decisions. I made a list of some simple things that I need to start doing, stop doing, and otherwise adjust. The key thing was that they were not pie-in-the-sky declarations. Just small everyday tweaks that need to be made, for which I know the weight of minute-by-minute choices rests squarely on my shoulders. I know that the little things will add up to major gains in the long term, and make the way for big things to happen. First and foremost is clearing the time in my schedule to once again engage the Bible for deeper topical and word study. It was incredibly refreshing for me to start another one-year daily Bible reading plan this morning (and to have successfully completed one in 2012), but I am longing to get back into more academic study (with all my heart, of course).

This year will hold a myriad of things. There will be difficulties to overcome, and good things to praise God for. I don't even try to forecast or daydream anymore. But I can prepare. So I'll be holding on to Jesus, depending on God's grace, staying in the Word, and aiming for measurable, observable growth.

How about you? Did you resolve or decide to do anything specific this year?