Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

Have You Heard from God Lately? by Keon Lindsey is a wonderfully written devotional that is meant to lead people into a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe this book is one of the best-written discussions on who God is and how we may approach Him. Each message logically builds on the previous discussions. Keon anticipates and then answers possible objections. The topics range from knowing God to serving Him using the Gifts of the Spirit. Not only does Keon discuss the above, but for good measure, he explains prayers and why they are answered or not answered. God knows everything and answers our prayers in the way that will be best for us. All the devotionals are based solidly on the Word of God. This book lines up with the Word of God. Building his theology on scripture after scripture keeps Keon close to what God says.

Some devotionals can bore the reader. However, there is no boredom in Keon Lindsey’s Have You Heard from God Lately? The thirty messages (devotionals) are straight from the Bible. Keon keeps the reader’s interest by interspersing scripture verses with his commentary. Fortunately, his comments are all kept short because of the supremacy of the Word of God. Keon desires to draw the reader into the Word because that is where Truth resides. As one becomes familiar with the Word, one can better serve God. Learning who God is and then putting that knowledge to use by serving Him is central to this book. This book will inspire and motivate Christians to grow closer to Christ and serve God more. The better we know the Word of God, the better we know our Savior.

Reviewed by Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite

After years of meditation and study, Ellen Edmondson wrote A Place of Love and Light to share her gifts. In over 150 devotionals, the author conveys the sense of unconditional love, truth, faith, spirituality, purpose, and becoming an agent of spiritual change. While encouraging meditation and contemplation, Edmondson offers urgings that remind readers of their purpose so they can refine their spiritual focus. After each section, she attempts to motivate readers with a step that will enable them to connect with a personal and divine exploration. Edmondson provides a free journal readers may download and fill with notes from the text as they read and reflect upon the words.

Readers can see Ellen Edmondson's inspiring gifts throughout her book, and everyone should review her testimony before diving into the pages. After absorbing her letter to readers, I felt a stronger connection to the author, and Edmondson's writing carried more weight with me. Even though I do not possess her gift, I see the need for her work to be shared with others, hopefully uplifting them and healing some of the unnecessary burdens they carry. The pieces communicate a calming joy that motivates readers to embrace the feeling, and the pictures in the book convey serenity as the author channels peace with each section of the book. I encourage you to read every page, as a lovely contribution from Edmondson's late mother appears at the end, and she beautifully details a touching story about her daughter. A Place of Love and Light is a great selection for readers who are ready to receive spiritual wisdom to guide the next phase of their journey.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Jonah Priour’s Praying the Word of Grace recounts his reliance on Scripture during the illness and death of his son, Judah, who lived for 20 months despite a grim prognosis. Priour, finding comfort in the song “Goodness of God” and Scripture, explores grace as a central biblical theme, comparing it to a symphony and a diamond. Priour emphasizes the gospel as Christ’s work and grace, linking faith from hearing Scripture to receiving grace and entering God’s rest. He encourages deep engagement with Scripture and prayer, sharing personal experiences to highlight grace’s transformative power amidst doubt and suffering. Priour reflects on Jesus Christ as the source of grace, providing spiritual completeness and eternal life. He emphasizes grace's transformative power through Christ's sacrifice, stresses salvation as a gift, and highlights grace’s role in uniting believers with Christ and enabling divine purposes.

“This book isn’t intended to cover all aspects of the life of Christ, or be a comprehensive study of God’s nature... It is an adventure we will take in communion with God through prayer.” Praying the Word of Grace by Jonah Priour reaches out to readers in several ways, namely through his theological depth, engaging metaphors, personal tone, inspirational message, and balanced approach to complex ideas. All of these elements work together to make the guide accessible, meaningful, and transformative for readers seeking to understand and experience the grace of God. The standout section to me is based on 1 Corinthians, in which the correlation between God's grace and who we are, and that without that grace we are nothing, felt like the heartbeat of the book. Of course, it will touch everyone differently and that is the beauty of it. There's something here that will click on an individual level, without undermining that Priour's work is for all of us. Well done, and highly recommended.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

External pressure and stress, especially in these modern times, can sometimes overwhelm a person's psyche and sow disorder in their life. Anger, depression, and anxiety can plague anyone at any point. Rachel Jobe and her husband Jim were missionaries working in Asia with their three boys when she reached her breaking point. According to Jobe, perfectionism is rooted in fear. In Let Go!, the author urges readers to allow God to take over the issues in our lives so that we can find freedom, joy, victory, and healing. Drawing upon the knowledge in the Scriptures, Jobe shows you how surrendering aspects of our lives to God, such as plans, prayers, strategies, and time, can help us find peace and serenity while taking us spiritually closer to Him.

Personally, this is one of the most remarkable books on Christian living I've read this year. Let Go! is a self-help book unlike any other. Using her experience as a missionary and citing several experts in the field, Rachel Jobe offers readers keen insights to help them navigate the rigors of everyday life, providing a practical framework that takes them toward the path of God and transforms their lives for the better. The author advocates surrendering ourselves to the will of God and practicing love, kindness, and compassion through faith in Him and His workings. I found this book very inspiring, informative, and practical. Jobe has an engaging and accessible writing style, and it makes reading this book all the more enjoyable. I highly recommend it to Christian readers.

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

It is easy to be confused and fail to figure out who we are nowadays. If you, too, are a Christian woman who no longer knows which path to take to live a rewarding and purposeful life, Your Identity in Christ: Who You Are and Whose You Are by Robin Revis Pyke Ph.D. is the perfect read for you. The author shares a 31-day devotional with her readers in which they will be guided by the only words having an authentic message — the words of God. Readers will reflect on why Jesus is their light, shepherd, and everything, and why they should read the word of God daily. They will also discover they are loved, adopted, free, and powerful. Are you ready to find out who you are?

What I liked most about Your Identity in Christ is that it is a short but meaningful read. Robin Revis Pyke does not dwell on complex issues but gives readers what they need to find their way and thrive. Her explanations are not superficial but highlight details that we do not always grasp. Revis Pyke guides her readers wisely by choosing the most appropriate passages from the Holy Scriptures and inviting them to answer the questions at the end of each chapter. I liked to stop and answer these questions after the author's enlightening explanations, and I am sure other readers will love it, too (some answers are revealing). I recommend this devotional guide to all women who want to find the right path for their life. Here is the roadmap they are seeking.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Reminders of God, Winter/Spring: Daily Inspirational Messages by Ted Rogers is a timely, thought-provoking work with profound lessons. It invites us to ponder and apply biblical wisdom in daily life. Rogers draws from the scriptures, decades-long pastoral ministry experience, and anecdotes to remind us that we can positively impact the world around us. He examines commonly held beliefs and customs practiced by the church and compares them to biblical teaching. He challenges our perception of failure, wealth, and relationships, revealing eye-opening interpretations concerning each of these concepts. Rogers derives impactful and encouraging lessons, drawn from his personal experiences in Mexico. In a world marked by constant change, the work teaches us to remain anchored in the love and hope we find in Jesus Christ.

Packed with powerful and uplifting messages told using wisdom and humor, Reminders of God, Winter/Spring is a practical devotional with empowering messages for handling common challenges. I appreciated that the work is organized in a day-by-day format with a lesson to think about each day and that the entries are straightforward and have life-changing insight. The work is refreshingly original and it helped me see many important aspects of life and faith in a new light. I enjoyed the anecdotes and found them hilarious and encouraging. The work also motivated me to see God in the simple and mundane aspects of life. Ted Rogers inspires readers to find practical faith that they can apply in every facet of life.

Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

As a pastor with over forty years doing marriage counseling with hundreds of couples, I highly recommend this book to any couple seeking a closer walk with God and a deeper love for each other. Many people will be enraged with Ginger Taylor and her book—The Woman’s Curse: The Lies of Submission and the Truth that Will Set You Free—because of its solidly biblical stance. Ginger explains what submission is and why God requires it in this book. A woman’s submission to her own husband allows her unbelievable freedom. God is responsible for changing the husband. I had to remind my counselees to get out of the way and let God do His job. Lack of submission is either a lack of faith in the love and power of God or downright rebellion against God’s order for marriage and society. Ginger speaks the truth, and many people today don’t want the truth.

Ginger Taylor is not just a great writer but also a wonderful example of what The Woman’s Curse is about. She shares her life experiences that apply to following Christ and living in submission. Ginger is the mother of seven children, a Bible study leader, a submissive wife, and a godly example for women. While this book is not infallible or inspired in the same manner as the Bible, God encouraged Ginger to write it. As you read how God changed Ginger from a rebellious female to a godly, submissive wife, you will realize that submission is not only possible but also preferable. God’s Word is used throughout this book and is the basis for submission. A life based on biblical principles is a life worth emulating. I highly recommend this book be read by both women and men. When we understand what submission means, we can practice it better. Note to men: Ginger does not go easy on men either but calls on them to submit to the leadership of God and love their wives as Christ loves the church.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

He Is! Knowing God Through Fifty Scriptural Meditations by Mark R Worden is an uplifting and profound devotional that guides readers on how to relate to God and know Him. It is based on Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV). It begins with an encouraging account of Worden’s faith journey and how it all began. Each meditation included focuses on an attribute of God. In the first meditation, the book explains that knowing God begins by acknowledging His existence. It examines scriptures and explains more about God. Meditations describe Him as forbearing, loving, unchanging, righteous, and more.

I loved the personal anecdotes included which help expand the work and show how knowing God applies in everyday life. The reflection questions included at the end of each meditation allowed me to pause and internalize the messages. I also found the scriptures included for further reading and meditation helpful in learning more about each attribute of God. Ultimately, the work guided me in developing a more intimate relationship with Him and reminded me about who God is. I loved that the work is backed by biblical passages that support its discussions. I also found the work uplifting as it shows God as personal, all-knowing, and merciful. He Is! Knowing God Through Fifty Scriptural Meditations by Mark R Worden is a powerful and hope-filled work that expands on who God is. Recommended to any reader who wants to grow in their knowledge and relationship with God.

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite

Being a military spouse is physically and emotionally challenging. In You Are Not Alone, Jen McDonald gives tips and uplifting words to help military spouses cope with this new way of living. She discusses the merits of maintaining your individuality, career, and identity. She encourages spouses to be grateful and accept their circumstances because they will not be in control of everything that happens. Having a positive mindset can help you adapt. She gives tips on how to overcome loneliness and create joyful memories with your family. The book also covers friendship, volunteer work, parenting, how to keep in contact with extended family, and how to handle physical and emotional baggage when moving. Fear, worries, and anxiety are normal reactions of a military spouse. The author encourages talking to friends and seeking help from a counselor. Get a copy of this book to help you navigate the highs and lows of being a military spouse.

You Are Not Alone is a perfectly titled book that will help military spouses realize that their feelings are normal. Jen McDonald addresses the various aspects of being a military spouse and shares her personal experiences. The book is mainly for female military spouses but can also apply to males and anyone with a similar lifestyle. Military life ensures that you have no permanent roots, but the author used kindness to make friends and her home a safe haven for her family and neighbors. This and her love for fun and volunteer work showed the author's cheerful and kind personality. The author has given Bible verses and prayers that help her in tough times and addresses the reader directly, making the book engaging. The book has a smooth flow and is easy to follow and understand. I enjoyed this book and hope to read more from this author because I loved her honesty and authenticity.

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

End Times prophecy has been with us for millennia and, in that regard, the Christian Bible has a rich tradition. For example, the Old Testament prophet Daniel gave a vivid account, while the enigmatic New Testament book of Revelation is even more graphic. All of this has been the subject of wide interpretation. In writing Living in the Last Days, Carol McCormick seeks to provide clarity and guidance by linking the predictions of the past with current events. The underlying theme behind the prophecies is well known. It symbolizes the final clash between good and evil, with the return of Jesus heralding a new golden era. There will be a time of Tribulation, a Judgement Day, and the final battle of Armageddon. Despite the hope provided by the Rapture, which will uplift Christians, it will not be an easy journey. Even committed Christians will be tested and may be subjected to humiliation, hardship, and even death during the Tribulation. The rise of the Antichrist and the Mark of the Beast is dealt with in detail, with new insights provided. A stern warning is sounded that a new world government is being formed with a 2030 target date to impose what the author refers to as The Great Reset, which will require the digital chipping of individuals and the erosion of freedom. Signs that humanity is entering the Last Days abound and are evaluated in detail, with advice on how to achieve eternal life through Jesus.

Living in the Last Days is an in-depth analysis of the available Christian literature on the subject, backed by considerable research and some fresh interpretations of the scriptures. Internationally acclaimed author Carol McCormick underlines the traditional wisdom of Christian teachings while relating them to present worldwide political and spiritual trends. There will be false prophets. The information regarding The Great Reset and its sinister agenda is a significant departure from the conventional approach to End Times predictions. This is highly relevant as digital technology, smart bank cards, and a host of electronic devices already enable intrusive surveillance and allow the tracking and control of individuals. Further danger threatens in the form of a one-world government, a single world currency, and combined religions, which will undermine traditional Christian beliefs and suppress opposition. These modern phenomena are compared to biblical predictions and a remarkable match is apparent, sounding an early warning of troubled times ahead. Christians will have to stand by their beliefs and preparation is essential. The book is aimed at a wider audience than practicing Christians and the author reminds readers that it is for all people, particularly the lost.