I’m always on the lookout for good devotional resources, things that will fuel my soul and engage my heart. In that spirit I thought I’d share the books, apps and websites that I’m using to start this year. Some of these I use daily and others I use weekly or occasionally. I’m not overly worried about sticking to plans because these deadlines are ultimately arbitrary. It doesn’t really matter a huge amount if you start your year reading plan in January or May, or at least so I think. I’m also a bookish person, so I tend to get a lot from the written word but that’s a bit one-dimensional so there’s a few things I listen to as well¹.

Truth for Life

I’m, so far, really enjoying this daily reading from Alistair Begg. I much prefer devotionals that anchor themselves well to a Bible text and perhaps not too surprisingly, Begg does that well. As a result, I find myself encouraged by the Bible. Begg is also humourous and realistic about human nature. There’s also a year Bible reading plan which I’ve decided to follow this year.

Fount of Heaven

After having read the Bible and Begg’s devotional, I pray. I’ve found praying aloud two of these prayers from the early church an enriching element. I need to pray them aloud, that brings the prayer to life, prayers in my head just don’t work. I was brought up in a quietist prayer environment, where there was a lot of silent prayer and to be honest I’ve found that a significant disadvantage. My thoughts need to align with my prayers. Mind, soul, heart need lining up and I find that speaking these things does that better than anything.

Daily Hymn

The last daily resource is to read about a classic hymn. I’m finding that most days a verse from a hymn will really bless me. I’ve then been doing a quick search for a version of the hymn that I enjoy and adding them to a Spotify playlist. Sometimes I’ll add more than one style to give the list a little variety but I’ve found this gives me a fresh element of worship.

Lectio 365

This usually gets put on when I’m in the car. Sometimes as a family, more often on my own. I don’t drive or use the car every day so in practice this doesn’t get used everyday but a few times each week. However I enjoy the diversity of contributors and there’s a certain phrase that they all use, ‘and now the Lord who loves me’ which is just such a wonderful reminder that I smile every time I hear it.

Available on Android or Apple.

The Bible Project

I always appreciate the output these guys produce and they have a year long project on the Sermon on the Mount. These teachings of Jesus are so important and I feel every time I read them through I’m learning something new or being reminded of something important. So far I’m not using this every day but more like once a week I’ll do all the week in one go.

Isaiah

I started this last year and it’s currently paused but I’m starting up again. I think it’s good to not just read broad but read deep and Isaiah is a book of the Bible I feel I could do with knowing better than I do. Motyer is as good a guide as you can get and although the devotional part doesn’t always quite speak to my heart, I’m seeing Christ and his purposes in Scripture in new ways and that’s always good.

Soul Fuel

This is a dinner time family read. Short, inspirational, practical from a person we collectively admire. For family dinner times it works quite well. It’s a little short sometimes, but we take turns reading it and although it doesn’t always give us a conversation we find them encouraging and a blessing and that’s pretty good.

What would you recommend?

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