I received my copy of this daily-devotional book in yesterday's mail. How exciting that this book arrived just in time for me to begin it on the first day of the new year. How appropriate that the first devotion for January 1st be entitled: "In the beginning God".
There is nothing we need more than God to begin our new year. Nothing and no one.
ALL THE DAYS is a simple title. It's a reminder of my need to seek God in all the days of my life. I am certain this book will lead me to focus on that truth and take me further along the path of knowing God as I walk with Him this year. As I read the first, very short devotion that Dr. Vines penned, every sentence proved to provoke deeper thoughts, fresh questions. I was hungry for more. When I finished the first devotion, I wanted to read the second. However, I plan to stay on track and read these individually for each day of the New Year. I don't want to get ahead of the wisdom that God plans for me in each day. You see...
I have a tendency to run ahead of God. I get these grand ideas and think that I am inspired, or led, to do a particular thing, to take a particular road, to move in a particular direction. I know this about myself, I get in too much of a hurry. Ever do that? God has revealed this weakness in me over and over since I became a Christian. This year, I resolve to restrain my emotions. I resolve to give God more than a passing thought for the day as I begin each day. ALL THE DAYS appears to be a book I can depend upon to lead me in that resolve. It is more than a quick-fix for the day or a period in a sentence. It's more like a comma or a semi-colon. It's meant to remind me of God's presence in my life and the reason for His presence. Yeah, I got that out of the first devotional reading.
I love devotional books; I love to write devotionals. As I read about Dr. Vines' devotional, I found that he had a specific purpose with each and every devotion, and a theme for each and every month. He seeks, to not only give thoughts for us, but provide a bit more (link to see his purpose), to emphasize more than one verse out of context. As a pastor's wife, it whet my appetite and made me want to refresh my memory on the beginning of things through God's Word.
"In the beginning God", spotlights and emphasizes the first chapter of Genesis and how our Creator planned our world by creating it and filling it. Dr. Vines summarizes with the statement that "scientists have come to understand the anthropic principle. It is now recognized that the whole creation was specially designed for people." People. You and me. We were so important to God that He created an entire world of goodness and grace in which we could thrive and enjoy and worship Him. As I consider that thought, I cannot help but be grateful for this new day in this new year. Despite the challenges that this world presents me, the inevitable evil that this world will produce in coming days, I am comforted that the Sovereign Creator designed this world so I could live in it and find His protective hand in every detail.
Dr. Jerry Vines is a native of Carrollton, Georgia. He pastored First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida for 24 years. He served two terms as President of the Southern Baptist Convention and is revered by many Baptists today.
To get your copy of his devotional book designed for busy believers CLICK HERE.
Thanks for your thoughts on "All The Days." I've got a copy ordered.
And Happy New Year.
David R. Brumbelow
Posted by: David R. Brumbelow | January 01, 2013 at 02:01 PM
Thank you for the review of the devotional book. I am thankful for the many positive comments from those who purchased it. I pray it will help many in their daily conversation with God. God bless you. Jerry Vines
Posted by: Jerry Vines | January 02, 2013 at 06:13 AM
Well, you are quite welcome. I am honored you came to my site and left a word to me. Appreciate that. Praying with you for its success in bringing people closer to God. hariette petersen
Posted by: hariette | January 02, 2013 at 10:34 AM