We are releasing two new devotionals for the beginning of the new year. I’m excited about these because they are two of my recent favorite devotionals. Both A Godward Life and Taste and See are written by John Piper. Unlike most of the devotionals that we publish, these are not 365 day devotionals. A Godward Life is 120 readings and Taste and See is 140. Together they get you most of the way through the year.
A word of warning: don’t read these devotionals if you are comfortable being comfortable. One of my favorite most annoying reads was another book by John Piper titled Don’t Waste Your Life. Piper has a penchant for challenging me most where I least wish to be challenged. These two devotionals are more of the same, only in smaller, daily doses.
In two to five minutes Piper will challenge you toward a Godward life. From “abortion” to “zeal” every aspect of your walk with God will be challenged. How much of the world have you accepted into your daily life? Are you bothered by the sin that you see around you? If so, what are you doing to show a gracious Savior to those with whom you come in contact? Does it bother you that there are an estimated 12 million homeless children on the streets of Brazil? Are you prepared to be challenged to do something about it? If not, don’t read these devotionals.
Piper overlays timeless truths on contemporary issues in a way that makes you sit up and take notice…and hopefully ask yourself what you can do. Piper doesn’t just present you with injustices brought into the world by sin, but confronts you with practical opportunities for believers.
He also shows by various examples what we as believers in 2007 can do to take a stand for the Savior who took the cross for us. Piper looks honestly at some of the hardships that we face from children being still-born to the challenges of not having prayers answered. From struggling to stay pure before marriage to struggling to not become grumpy as we get older. All with Biblical foundations.
Each devotional is like reading a blog by one of the most thoughtful practical theologians of our day. Not since My Utmost for His Highest have I read a devotional that so challenged me to rethink my perspective on a daily basis. I encourage you to pick these devotionals up and prepare to make 2007 a year during which you are challenged to live a more Godward life.
To purchase either of these titles or to find out more information, click the appropriate link: Godward Life (Palm|PocketPC) or Taste and See (Palm|PocketPC).