The One Year Experiencing God's Love Devotional

This post contains affiliate links.
One of Called Magazine’s Favorite Fall Releases!

When was the last time you took a break to experience God’s love?
To experience something is to live it, to encounter it, to understand it, to explore with our hearts, minds, and souls as well as with the five physical senses and our God-given spiritual ones. Every action we do with and for God, every good day and bad day, we walk hand-in-hand with God, experiencing Him.

Experiencing God’s love takes time. Love unfurls its blossoms in our lives when we concentrate all of our senses on the small gifts we pass by every day. Time slows, and we finally get to hear God’s beautiful background hum to our lives.

The One Year Experiencing God’s Love Devotional helps you intentionally carve out those moments in your day to savor God and his love for you.

My thoughts: This book is a wonderful way to start the new year! I love the thoughtful devotionals that Sandra has put together. They are just one page each, though some of the thoughts span over more than one day. I thought that this one was a great one to pick up, since there are testimonies, scriptures, and even a craft idea or two. If you are looking for a devotional that will span the whole year, then I highly recommend this one!
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Total Christmas Makeover

Give your Christmas a makeover with this practical approach to help your family learn what it means to truly celebrate their Savior.

In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do. But it’s important to pause and remember that our priority should be to spend time celebrating Christ’s birth and not forget to invite Jesus to his own party.

Christmas is far more than a celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning the love of God and his wisdom for us today.

In Total Christmas Makeover, author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach for you and your family to turn your attention toward God’s grace day-by-day as you prepare for Christmas. This 31-day devotional presents key scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide you in rediscovering rituals, relationship, and rest to connect you more deeply with Christ this holiday season.

My thoughts: From personal experience, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the busyness of Christmas and have a hard time pausing and making time for making the holidays meaningful and having new traditions to celebrate the birth of our Lord. I love the devotions and how easy they are to read through. This is an excellent devotional to pull out for Christmas, to enjoy or to give as a gift.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Picturing Heaven

Imagine Heaven the way the Bible describes it―a place of exquisite beauty brimming with marvelous detail and intricate patterns; a special dwelling place free of corruption and sin; and a place of both rest and enjoyable, meaningful work.

Let the power and majesty of Heaven fill your heart with joy as you color these 40 designs carefully interpreted from the pages of Scripture. Savor a respite from daily life as you read and meditate on devotions from best–selling author Randy Alcorn, a leading authority on Heaven. Picturing Heaven will offer you comfort and relaxation, while filling your heart with restful assurance that God prepares a special place for those who love Him.

My thoughts: I haven't had the privilege of going through Randy Alcorn's full length devotional on Heaven, but I have enjoyed this beautiful coloring book that has devotions accompanying each color page. I feel like doing the devotional and then coloring gives the reader a chance to focus on the devotional's message. I love that each thought is started with a passage of scripture, about heaven, and then goes from there. This book gave me a lot to think about and some beautiful pages to color! If you are looking to add meditation on God's word in a new way, then I highly recommend this coloring book.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

A Day at the Beach

Do you yearn for a day at the beach where your mind and soul can wander away from life's troubles? Do you gaze up at the sun or the nighttime stars and wonder if God is really on your side? Do you long to hear his quiet voice in the roll of a gentle wave? In A Day at the Beach, brothers Todd and Jedd Hafer don't have the answers to all of life's troubles, but they'll help you see that the God who built the universe also wants to help you build a great life. Let these encouraging words bring a ray of warm sunshine to your doorstep as Todd and Jedd offer their joy-filled perspectives on life and faith. So take a deep breath, unplug from life's daily grind, and follow the call of your heart to Jesus, the ultimate source of life.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent little devotional to take with you on vacation, especially if you are heading to the beach! I love the different messages throughout the book, from small moments to listening, crossing the Channel to true love this book will help a vacation be a time to reflect and recharge. I highly recommend throwing this book in your beach bag when you go on vacation!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

60 Days of Happiness

Would you like to experience true happiness?When it comes to happiness, most of us have the same questions. Why can't I be consistently happy? Is it wrong to be happy when there's so much pain and suffering in the world? And perhaps the biggest one: How can I be happier? Some Christians make an artificial contrast between joy and happiness, while others claim God wants us to be holy, but not happy. In fact, he wants us to be both, and the two go hand in hand!In "60 Days of Happiness," noted theologian and "New York Times" bestselling author Randy Alcorn shares sixty timeless devotions demonstrating that God not only wants us to be happy in him and enjoy his gifts, he commands and empowers us to do so.

My thoughts: This is an excellent devotional! I love that Randy Alcorn has written this devotional, since I have heard the arguments of happiness verses joy. I think that Randy makes a compelling argument on why we were made to long for happiness and seek it out. I love the length of these devotions, I feel like a lot of devotionals are so short and don't really allow to get past the surface of a thought. These devotions are a perfect length, longer but not too long to make them impossible.
I love the true stories included in these devotions. I also love the key message, that we were made to find happiness in the Lord.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

A Minute of Vision for Men

Do you have a vision for your life?
All of us need a compelling vision to live for. Scripture says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Today, so many of us are living on autopilot instead of engaging the battle of living up to our God-given potential. We lack a vision for life. Too often, we settle for less than what is best for us, our families, and our careers. We struggle with pinpointing our purpose in life.

A Minute of Vision for Men is an investment in a different sort of life―one with vision, purpose, and integrity. This book will help you connect with your purpose. It’s written so that you can start your day on the right foot, focused on what matters the most.

Start each day with a potent, daily dose of vision for your life.

My thoughts: I generally get a little bit bored with devotionals, since I have a hard time just reading one a day and sticking with that. I suppose it is like book clubs for me. I like to devour my books, so it's difficult to just read a page or chapter a day.
This devotional is different. I like that they are all engaging and precise, giving men a thought or subject that is brought home by a story and finished with a scripture verse. I enjoyed the personal stories, as well as those he drew from history and pop culture. This would make an excellent gift for one's dad, brother, husband, or son!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year review and giveaway

Celebrate 31 days of a Christ-filled Christmas season.
For Christians worldwide, the month of December is filled with joy and wonder as we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth. There is no other time of the year that can compare to the Christmas season for both the young and young at heart.
From December to New Year’s Eve, reawaken the wonder, joy, and magic that is Christmas with daily scripture and inspirational readings of stories behind popular Christmas traditions, carols and movies. Enjoy a wealth of fun activities to help make the most of the season, including heartwarming holiday recipes and homemade gift ideas.
With this soon-to-be-cherished holiday devotional, best-selling author Ace Collins will capture your imagination and help to make each day of December more memorable and meaningful to you, and those you love, by shining a light on the real spirit of the season

My thoughts : This is such a fun book to have on hand during the holiday season! I love the variety of stories that give the reader a glimpse of the history behind songs and traditions that go with the Christmas season. I love that there are recipes for sweets and ideas for presents to pamper those you love. This is a great book to get and use as a devotional for the month of December.
I received this book from litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood

Nourishment for a mother’s soul through 40 days of devotion and . . . doodling!

Wouldn’t it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions—an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood:

—Self-acceptance
—Self-care
—Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations
—Generosity
—Presence
—Forgiveness

In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

Learn more here

My thoughts: Part coloring book, part devotion, and a whole lot of fun, this book is an excellent resource for mothers! I loved the chance to stop and take time to read through the devotions. With a wide variety of topics, I found that most of them hit home. I needed this book, since I just had my second child this year and I am still learning to juggle everything that comes with a toddler and new baby.;) So, the reminder of taking care of myself as well as my family was timely.
I think that this book would make a wonderful shower present for a new mother!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Earth Psalms

Millions of readers have been transformed and inspired by Francine Rivers’ bestselling novels Redeeming Love and A Voice in the Wind. Now, in this weekly devotional, the beloved author invites you to join her in seeking the Creator through the marvelous natural world we live in. Francine shares observations she’s gathered over a lifetime of exploring―abroad and in her own backyard―and reflects on how they might apply to your daily life. What do the majestic redwoods, the persistent woodpecker, or a glorious sunrise reveal about our artistic and generous God? How could that change your outlook or the way you handle adversity?

Stunning photography, Scripture excerpts, applications, and prayers accompany Francine’s reflections, inspiring you to be encouraged. Be challenged. Be comforted. God’s power is immense; His attention to detail in precise; His love for you is vast and unfailing. The proof is all around you.

My thoughts: Having read quite a few of Francine Rivers fiction stories, I was interested to get this devotional and read something very different by her. I've enjoyed it immensely! I love the weekly devotions that tie nature and scripture together with her beautiful thoughts and photography! I love the variety of topics that are covered in the book, from prayer to protection, faithfulness to living waters. I also like that each devotion is accompanied by thoughts to reflect on, things to apply, and a scripture to connect with God. This book would make a beautiful gift for a friend or loved one, since it is a lovely hardcover book.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

365 Pocket Morning Prayers

Each morning when you arise, take a moment to talk with God about the day ahead. Ask Him to prepare your heart so that you can be ready to face any challenge that comes your way. 365 Pocket Morning Prayers can guide this time of life-changing conversation and help you express your needs and concerns to God. Don’t worry about what the day will bring. Instead, release your troubles and concerns into God’s care by reading and meditating on the prayers featured in 365 Pocket Morning Prayers. Begin your day in joyful anticipation, trusting that God is in control of your life and wants only the best for you.

My thoughts: This book is the perfect way to get your mornings started right by focusing on a prayer for the day. I love the variety of topics that it covers, praying for church leaders, mentors, second chances, truth, etc. It is an excellent little book to have by one's bed, so it is easy to grab in the morning. I love that it is small and compact, so it would fit nicely in a purse, scripture bag, or backpack. It would also make an excellent gift!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

The Bard and the Bible

I am not usually one for devotionals, since I like to read a book all the way through and then move on, but I have to say that I have enjoyed this one! It is interesting to see the devotions that are a mesh of scriptures from the King James and quotes from Shakespeare. This is such a fun and unique devotional! It would make a perfect gift, especially for English majors.;) Though, this is an excellent devotion for people from all walks of life, as there is something for everyone in its pages.
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Words to Live by

Words can make a difference in a conversation, in a day, and in a life. Fifty-two words are explored in five different devotions each week encouraging the reader to live more fully. This creative approach to daily devotions will renew both the mind and the spirit.

My thoughts: I have a few books about words and their significance on my bed stand table, since it seems to be something that I have picked up on the last year or so. I love the idea of this devotion and taking a word each week to focus on with scriptures and thoughts! The authors do a great job of drawing your focus to the depth of each word. I enjoyed this devotion immensely and look forward to going through it again at my leisure!
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Suddenly Single Mom

Raising your children alone may not have been your plan, but these 52 encouragements will support and inspire you to thrive in your new role.

Raising your family on your own can be heartbreaking, lonely and hard to navigate. Suddenly, you are the one who has to have the answers. Remembering that God is always with you and that His love is faithful can give you the confidence to face whatever this new life brings. With a foundation of helpful Scripture verses, each message shares a story, a survival tip and a prayer.

Readers will find a faithful companion in this book as they encounter each new experience and learn to embrace their new role. Jeanette Hanscome shares 52 encouraging insights gleaned from her first year as a single mom to two boys. She shares very real struggles and triumphs, from learning to stand on her own to knowing when to ask for or accept help, and deals with both the emotional and the practical challenges of raising her children on her own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeanette Hanscome is an author, writing teacher, speaker, and busy mom. Her work has been featured by Focus on the Family, Standard Publishing, Walk Thru the Bible, and Lifeway. She enjoys cooking, knitting, reading, studying the Bible, and spending time with her two incredible sons. Jeanette was born with a rare vision disorder called Achromatopsia, which means she has no color vision, is extremely light sensitive, and has visual acuity in the legally blind range. Jeanette lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

My thoughts: This is such a wonderful resource! I love that Jeanette is open and honest about her struggle with raising two boys after becoming suddenly single. The devotions are set up nicely, with a scripture, the author's personal experiences, a prayer, a thought to consider, a Scripture passage to look up, and a survival tip. This is the perfect devotional for Single mothers! If you aren't a single mother, but know some, then this book would make a perfect gift to encourage those mothers!
I received this book from Worthy publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Expectant Blessings

Written from a mother’s heart and born out of a mommy’s desire to connect with her unborn baby, these powerful prayers, devotions and original poems will touch the heart of both mother and baby alike

My thoughts: This was such a fun devotion for me to read, especially with expecting a little blessing of my own soon. I appreciated Susanna opening her heart to expecting mothers. I could relate to basically all of the thoughts she shared! The prayers for one's unborn baby, experiences with sharing your exciting news with loved ones, and dealing with all the emotions that come with pregnancy. It's such a special time, dreaming of the new little one.
This would make a fun baby shower gift!
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

My Mother's Quilts

Inspired by thirty family heirloom quilts, each devotion depicts the enduring legacy of faith, family, and tradition. Rich, personal, sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, each reading provides a lesson and encouragement from the faithful women who crafted the quilts.
Full color photographs of each quilt show the style and artistry of each beautiful work. The quilts, sewn by several generations over more than one hundred years are as unique and lovely as the hands that created them. The oldest was buried to keep safe during the Civil war and the author's mother created the newest in the last years of her life.

My thoughts: I love the idea of centering a devotion around quilts and the history that they can provide! While I am not a quilter, I do like to sew and can appreciate the work that goes into a quilt. With all handmade gifts, there is a lot of love and beauty that goes into a piece.
Quilters will be delighted with this lovely devotion, since the author does a wonderful job putting the devotions together, and the pictures are enjoyable to see. I love the history that is included!
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

The Imitation of Christ

When does a classic become new, fresh and extremely relevant? When someone takes it out of an outdated format and makes it readable, searchable and understandable. The Imitation of Christ has been in print for over 500 years for a good reason. It is powerful, beautiful and heart piercing. James Watkins has taken those words and reworked them into ninety daily readings, arranged by topic. Whether for daily devotions or for sound insight into a particular issue, Watkins paraphrase blends the ancient with the modern to introduce this classic to a new audience, speaking to all Christians with credibility and authority and using inclusive language not found in the original.

My thoughts: While I love the original language and old fashioned way that Thomas A Kempis wrote his Imitation of Christ in, I can admit that it is also nice to have this devotional on the bookshelf as a companion to it, since it is easier to get through. I like that the devotionals use modern language to get the points across, not taking away for the message. With a new year having just started, I think that now is a great time to pick up this timeless devotional and jump in, though it is in no way set up to go by a calendar. I just like starting a new devotion with the start of a new year.;) So, it arrived at the perfect time for me!
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Proverbs Prayers

One of the most popular books of the Bible, Proverbs offers practical guidance for life and the tools to make good choices, withstand pressure, prioritize relationships, and avoid unnecessary trouble. In these pages, John Mason helps readers make God's wisdom a part of their inner lives, offering each chapter from Proverbs followed by a heartfelt prayer that covers the insights from that chapter. In thirty-one days, readers can pray all of the wisdom of Proverbs for their lives, experiencing God's wisdom as never before and finding encouragement, peace, answers, and a better life

My thoughts: What a neat little book! I love that each chapter is a prayer that goes along with each chapter of Proverbs. It is a neat idea to use in personal study or to do with a Bible study (perhaps to accompany a study of Proverbs). I like that Proverbs 31 has two prayers with it, one for women and one for men.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Knit Purl Pray

Knit, Purl, Pray is for the knitter who recognizes that when she is creating something beautiful with yarn, it is also a way to be quiet and reflect. The devotions make connections between knitting and all manner of things from joy and service to boredom and confession. These reflections help the reader think about the craft they love in a new way and perhaps see their problems as something that can be unraveled and reworked into something beautiful. Each new day is an opportunity to create something new.

My thoughts: What a fun devotional! Those who are crafty and enjoy knitting will enjoy this lovely 52 day devotional. I have only done a bit of knitting, but I still appreciated the thoughtful devotions that geared towards the creative soul.;) The messages carry over well into other crafts as well, not to mention just life in general.;)
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

God, Me, and Sweet Ice Tea

Life is full of challenges that keep us from spending time with God, and hinder us from discovering his presence in our day-to-day activities. But He is always there, ready to pour out His blessings. If you desire to experience the reality of God in the everyday moments of life, this devotional journey is for you. God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea will help you find the strength you need to weather every storm and experience new mercies every day.

My thoughts: This short devotional is just the thing for a busy mom! Set up as 52 devotionals that are just 1-2 pages, this book is a wonderful, personal book where Rose Chandler Johnson shares thoughts and insight. I love her honesty, which makes it feel like one is sitting down with a good friend, talking about faith over some sweet tea.;) If you are looking for a devotional that will fit into a busy schedule and yet give you some food for thought, then this is the perfect one for you!
I received this devotional from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.