The New Year is always a great time to begin doing something purposeful, like starting a planner, a journal or a new devotional. This is probably due to the fact that these activities are time or date based and the fact that many planners, devotionals and journals start on January 1. There are, of course, blank or perpetual planners that you can start on any day of the year. Another option is the 14-month planner which you can buy up to February and ends in February of the following year.
The New Year is also about starting fresh. You may have neglected to do your devotional or quiet times and the holiday reminds us to start over again. Renewing your relationship with the God of all creation is always a good way to start your year.
I reached out to some of our The 700 Club Asia hosts to find out what they use as their devotional material and it’s very encouraging to know what I found out.
Ptr. Erick Totañes, one of the newest hosts on the show uses devotional books written by Chuck Swindoll, Eugene Patterson, Charles Stanley, and Rick Warren. He uses these author’s books for their sound doctrine and practical applications. Ptr. Erick also loves the illustrations used by these writers to amplify their message.
Another one of our hosts, beauty queen Miriam Quiambao-Roberto, has Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest, as her favorite printed book devotional. Ms. Miriam adds, “It really truly helped me dig deep into my heart as I seek to understand scripture. It challenges me to find a way to apply it in my life.” My Utmost for His Highest is truly a classic! By the way, I have the Bible version of this devotional and the messages are truly impactful and profound.
One of our veteran hosts, Felichi Pangilinan-Buizon, shares that she is currently using Cynthia Heald’s Abiding in Christ, a monthly devotional. Felichi says that devotional books allow for more focus and provides less distraction from, I assume, digital devotionals found on gadgets today.
So as we start a new decade, let also start a new habit, spending time with Jesus through the use of our Bibles, and supplementing it with a devotional.
The subject of devotionals would not be complete if we will not talk about Our Daily Bread (ODB). Yes, that one! It’s a good thing that their country director Ptr. Jess Curabo, is an acquaintance and a ministry partner of CBN Asia. So I reached out to him and asked for a comment. Ptr. Jess told me that ODB has been around for more than 30 years and has been the most user-friendly devotional in print for a significant majority of Filipinos. Most Filipino Christians, in fact, grew up with it.
I can testify to this fact! I started doing quiet time and devotionals using ODB and is really a classic and go-to gift especially for new believers. It has been the second most read devotional after the Bible. Our Daily Bread devotionals for 2020 are now available in bookstores near you!
Church So Blessed‘s Senior Pastor, Hiram Pangilinan, is currently I’m using the book Church on Fire by Fred Hartley III. It’s a 30-day devotional and is now on his second round of reading it. Ptr. Hiram explains that “I’m using it to stir up my prayer life for revival. And I’m tapping on the church intercessors to read it too.”
Of course, some, like actress and beauty queen, Isabelle “Duday” de Leon, goes straight to the original source, the Holy Bible. She brings a copy everywhere she goes. I’ve got nothing to add to that. 😁
To complete this article, I asked my friends at CSM Publishing and OMF Literature to find out what devotionals they can recommend for the coming year. Below are what they came up with.
The editors of CSM Publishing recommends Experiencing God Daily Devotionals by Henry and Richard Blackaby. CSM tells us that this best-selling devotional gives you the key to experiencing God in your daily life. It invites you to embark on a journey that would take you out of your comfort zone and cause you to tighten your grip on God: you are about to experience Him in a way you never have before!
For a more local flavor, CSM believes that Higit Kaysa Ginto: Mga Debosyon ukol sa Kaperahan at Pagiging Katiwala Nito By Beth Flores will satisfy. This devotional features heartfelt testimonies about God’s goodness and faithfulness in providing for our needs. The author not only gives lessons on proper handling of finances but also reveals how to become a good steward of God’s resources. She invites us to enjoy the Giver more than the gifts, for He is indeed more precious than gold—higit kaysa ginto!
Check out Experiencing God Daily and Higit Kaysa Ginto online at www.csm-publishing.com or visit the Philippine Christian Bookstores nationwide.
Our friends at OMF Literature meanwhile highly recommend One Year Salt and Light by Chris Tiegreen who works at Walk Thru the Bible and serves at Daystar Atlanta Church. Then there is Good Morning Lord, Can We Talk by Charles Swindoll for those who long for daily encouragement and inspiration and for those who are wishing for quiet times with power and purpose.
For those who want a Filipino touch, Grace At Work by Grace Chong will not disappoint. Grace invites you to take a break from the frenetic pace of life and be filled with God’s peace in the workplace. Short and succinct, full of wit and wisdom, all 365 devotional entries will encourage you to shine where God has called you to excel. Kaya Ko Pa Bes is OMF’s weekly devotional written by millennials for the Gen Z crowd, designed to shine the light of the Word of God into the experience of young people. Lastly, Dawns, a devotional for women, offers words of friendship, grace, joy, peace, and love tackling women’s journey of faith, self-care, and spiritual growth.
OMF LIt’s books are available online are www.passagesbooks.com, at their bookshops and at leading bookstores.
So as we start a new decade, let also start a new habit, spending time with Jesus through the use of our Bibles, and supplementing it with a devotional. This is a habit that will help you along your Christian walk and will draw you nearer to God. God bless you all!
