Devotionals can be a powerful way to keep you in the Word daily and help you apply Scriptures to your life.
Of course, there are some light and fluffy ones out there, but there are some that delve deep into Scripture despite the short length of the book and daily readings.
Here are some devotionals that I would recommend.
Devotionals I have read
The Edges of His Ways. I found this treasure by Amy Carmichael in the lobby of my public library in a box marked “free.” It is snippets of letters and journal entries she had written throughout her life and her family edited it into a devotional after Amy’s death. It’s unique in that there isn’t a rhythm of similar word count or style for each day’s entry. It looks like this is still in print which I am thankful for so people can still purchase it. I do love my old copy of it that used to be owned by Ethel Evans…apparently!
In the Morning; Daily Meditations on Christ and His Truth by William Benjamin Ochs. I found my copy in a used book sale at Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at their annual book sale. Written in 1951, it’s a little dry, but still has a lot of depth to it. I don’t think it’s in print anymore.
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young. I knew nothing of the controversy behind this book until well after I had read it. Allegedly, the author describes her experience of writing this book as similar to the experience of the biblical authors being inspired by the Holy Spirit. In the edition of the book I have, in the introduction, she clearly states that only Scripture is inspired by God and this book is not. So for me, I have no problem recommending it. If the controversy bothers you, then you can just skip this one.
I liked the intimacy Jesus Calling brings to familiar Scriptures. It was refreshing to hear Scripture expressed as if Jesus was speaking directly to me. I didn’t find anything that was against Scripture itself and each day’s portion is clearly marked as to what Biblical passages the day’s portion is from. Have you ever been challenged by a preacher to replace your name in John 3:16 instead of the word “world”? (For God so loved Rachel that He gave his one and only son, so that if Rachel believes in Him…) That’s what this book feels like to me.
Devotionals I haven’t read yet
My Utmost for His Highest. I’m ashamed to admit I never read this one. It’s on the top of my list to read through next year, though, especially after reading Michelle Ule’s biography Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman behind the World’s Best Selling Devotional. Included in the biography was a look at popular devotionals at the time My Utmost for His Highest was published.
Update: I read My Utmost for His Highest throughout 2018. I marked up and highlighted a lot of quotes in my old copy I found on eBay. I didn’t agree with everything theologically. Sometimes he overstates issues saying that such and such is the best or worst, but this is still very worth reading.
Daily Light for Your Daily Path was the devotional that Oswald Chambers and his wife read each morning before sunrise while sipping a cup of tea.
Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
Streams in the Desert was written by a widow who had been a missionary in Japan and China in the early 1900s. Update: I read Streams in the Desert throughout 2019. I found it to be worth reading. I think that she picked out a lot of verses from hard parts of Scripture to expound on. The author was more of an editor than an author since she picked selected quotes and poems (lots of poems!) from here and there to include in this devotional. It’s like the 1925 version of scrolling through Facebook and finding meaningful snippets. Streams in the Desert was worth reading!
Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon was also popular at the turn of the century. I like the idea of both beginning and ending your day with Scripture. Update: A friend bought a copy of Morning and Evening so I’m ready to read it throughout 2020!
What devotionals have you read? Which devotionals do you want to read? Comment below!
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[…] Devotionals can be powerful. Sometimes devotionals get a bad rap because they are seen as shallow. I used to think that way, but over the last few years, I have changed my tune about the power that devotionals have. Just as in all sermons, songs, books, or blogs there is a range of depth, there is a range of depth in devotionals, too. “Devotional” usually means that the readings are short and focused on application. Just because a book is labeled a “devotional” doesn’t mean it’s fluffy or touchy-feely. My Utmost for His Highest is a great example. How many thousands of people have been impacted by this devotional since its publication in 1927? If you are looking for a recommendation of a devotional book, perhaps one to read in the New Year, I have put together this list of suggestions. […]
Good morning Rachel, thank you for this post. I am coming to the end of My Utmost for His Highest this year. His words have had a profound impact on my walk with Jesus and my writing. In fact, I am struggling to find a #devotional as rich to begin in the New Year. I will look into Morning and Evening after reading this post. Merry Christmas to you and your family🎄
Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment! I have never read My Utmost, I’m ashamed to admit. I just bought myself a copy on Ebay to use next year. I found an old copy from 1956 that someone has marked up and highlighted. I’m looking forward to seeing what jumped out to the book’s previous owner. Let me know if you end up picking up a copy of Morning and Evening or if you find something else!
Will do Rachel. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about My Utmost for His Highest. I trust when you do, it will be His timing for you. It was given to me late last January, and I thought I don’t need another #devotional but I accepted the gift with appreciation. As I mentioned it turned out to be what I needed and more this year.
Julie, if you’re looking for depth, try Morning & Evening by Spurgeon … it is just excellent! I’ve been reading the morning one this year–and record it for my husband who is a long-haul trucker & gone most days. In 2020 we’ll be doing the evening readings (but reading them in the morning to keep our daily Bible reading habit).
I’ve found Jesus Calling to be uplifting, challenging and comforting as the Lord has needed to challenge me in those areas. I had flown to Florida for a family wedding and was staying with an almost 90 year old couple. The wife left breakfast set for me with Jesus Calling open to that morning’s reading. I have a terrible fear of flying and, not surprisingly, that day’s entry was about fear and trust. As usual, I cried as God reminded me of His trustworthiness regardless of my circumstances. I told Ruth of my experience with the Lord that morning. She asked if she could give me a copy of the book. Her kitchen cabinet was full of Jesus Calling. She gives them randomly as the Lord leads. I’ve taken up that habit and have given out many copies as the Lord has prompted. I’ve found people have generally been accepting of the book as a comforting gesture and trust that God speaks to them. And, if they end up on a free book table somewhere, God will continue to use the Scrioture contained inside.
What a wonderful testimony! Thank you for sharing! The dear woman from our church who gave me my copy always has some on hand to give, too. Have you read any of Sarah Young’s other devotionals?
I haven’t read any if the other books she’s written. Have you heard good things about them?
Yes. They are very similar to Jesus Calling. The same woman from church has read portions to me when I go to her house for tea.
I’ve been enjoying “New Morning Mercies” by Paul David Tripp.
That sounds good. I never read anything by him, but I’ve heard him speak, I think.
I have enjoyed reading A Year With C.S. Lewis. Each day has a paragraph or several paragraphs from one of his books.
That sounds like a wonderful devotional! C.S. Lewis is another author that I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never read anything by him (except Narnia.)
Oooh, I like the sounds of this one, too!
I read Mere Christianity a long time ago when my brain was younger and apparently “brighter” or maybe I just sailed through the deeper parts without thinking. When I picked it up again I got bogged down so the one page a day is perfect for me. It gives you just enough to really think about and ponder. And, it takes excerpts rom many of his books.
Hello Rachel. Last year, I subscribed to Bible Gateway’s Classic Devotionals to receive Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening” daily in my inbox, and I must say that apart from the Bible, this book has shaped me the most. I can’t find words to fully explain how much I adore and value Spurgeon’s teaching and preaching of the Word of God. I kept a journal as I read through it, and it’s amazing to look back and see how nearly every day, the message seemed as if it were meant for only me. I learned to lean into the Lord, trust Him, serve Him, love Him, and know Him more supremely. I still go back to it on occasion. A friend from church gifted me the hardback edition along with several other Spurgeon books that I’m slowly working my way through.
The devotional I’ve been reading this year is “A Spectacle of Glory: God’s Light Shining Through Me Every Day” by Joni Eareckson Tada, and it’s been wonderful! It has taught me how to find and keep joy in the Lord in my suffering, but more importantly, how to pray for and encourage others who are suffering.
For 2020, I’m going to subscribe to Bible Gateway’s Classic Devotionals to receive the devotional “40-Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer”. I’ll also continue reading as I’ve done for the last 3 years, Charles Stanley’s monthly “In Touch: Daily Readings for Devoted Living”. There’s just something about Charles Stanley’s teaching that comforts me and encourages me like no other. My husband has become rather fond of reading this devotional also, and that surely comforts me!
Those are some great suggestions! I absolutely love Joni Eareckson Tada’s writing. It’s beautiful and insightful. I like listening to her voice, too.
In 2019 I’ve been reading the morning devotional from Spurgeon’s “Morning & Evening” book; I record them for my hub who is a long-haul trucker. In 2020 we’ll be reading the evening devotional (but in the morning). Also will be doing seasonal readings of “Streams in the Desert”, too. I’ve read sporadically out of “My Utmost For His Highest” over the years — really good for mental aerobics! I just found some other works of Spurgeon, too, which I’ll be taste-testing, too. At some point. 🙂
[…] may also be looking for a devotional. You can peruse this list or you can read Take It to Heart: 30 Days through Revelation to read Revelation in 30 Days with a […]