Top Ten Devotionals For Your Quiet Time With God

Hey love!

I wanted to take a minute to share with you my absolute favorite devotional resources that have helped me to keep a regular quiet time with God.  Whatever we go through, happy or sad, it is critical that we constantly invite God into our experience.  God is our beginning and our end, the one who can lead us through every moment and set us up for ultimate success in life, love, family, careers, EVERYTHING.  Spending daily time with God is the way to ask God to join us on that journey.  So I wanted to share my top ten favorite devotionals in case you want to check them out!

BUT FIRST!!!!!  POST UPDATE!!!

But before I that list let me first tell you that of course my ALL-TIME FAVORITE devotional is the one I had the privilege of writing. 😉 It was such a joy to write as it covers one of my favorite topics, women in the bible. It’s called “Women Of The Bible And You: A Weekly Devotional.” It provides 52 devotionals of mostly women of the bible and their stories of struggle, triumph, becoming, faith, and absolute fierceness. These women are such an untapped resource and they have so much to share with us about life, love, and faith in God. I was blown away by revisiting their stories and I think you will be too. These women  went through so much of what we go through today as women, and therefore they have so much wisdom to share. Tap in my sistas! Drink from the well they built us!

1. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  This is hands down my favorite devotional…EVER.  I cannot explain how completely awesome this devotional is.  I know Sarah was led by God to write this because so many people I know read this and feel that each reading is right on target for their needs that day.  Jesus Calling provides 1 devotional reading for each day of the year.  Even cooler?  It’s available as an app you can download to your phone or tablet also!  WIN!!!

2. & 3.  Boss Women Pray/Boss Men Pray by Kachelle Kelly.  If you are an entrepreneur or in leadership in any form, this is a great devotional prayer guide for you!  Kachelle Kelly connects so easily to the deepest yearnings and needs of entrepreneurs and leaders.  Each day provides a prayer, devotional, and supporting Scriptures to help you engage the Holy for success in life and business.  It’s AWESOME!  (I’m working through this one, right now!)

4. Enjoy The Silence: A 30 Day Experiment in Listening To God by Maggie and Duffy Robbins.  This devotional is everything.  I love it because it takes you through the process of lectio divina, an ancient practice of reading and meditating on God’s word and allowing it to speak to and transform us.  The devotionals in this book are so powerful!  They realy allow you to truly sit quietly and reflect on Scripture passages.  It is amazing what happens, and what you will encounter and experience.

5. Streams in the Desert: 366 Devotional Readings by L.B. Cowman.  This is an AMAZING devotional.  Okay, I know I’ve said that about all of them, but this is one of the best selling devotionals of all-time.  It was written by one the world’s most incredible Christian writers while she was standing through her own personal storm of the declining health of her husband.  She tells of her experience of how God provides streams in the desert, hope in the midst of absolute despair.  Bonus:  It’s available online for free at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. (WIN!!!)  (**The only downside to this one is that it does not use inclusive language for people and utilizes exclusively masculine pronouns for God.)

6. ForGIVEness: 21 Days to Forgive Everyone for Everything by Iyanla Vanzant. Lord knows a lot of us could use this!  If you are holding on to some grudge or anger about something and want to know how to release it, please check this one out.  There is some healing hidden in those pages for you!

7. Destiny Daily Readings: 365 Inspirations for Your Life’s Journey by T.D. Jakes. The concept behind this devotional is so awesome.  In the book of Matthew, when Jesus’ lineage is listed, 5 women are named as ancestors of Jesus: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (in the text her hame is not called but she is mentioned as “wife of Uriah”), and Mary.  T.D. Jakes’ new book and devotional explores how these women all went after their own destiny.  This one is good for a year-long devotion as it provides 365 entries!   

8. Not Alone: Reflections On Faith And Depression by Dr. Monica A. Coleman. The author, (my former professor!) speaks from the heart as minister, woman, friend, professional, and person who lives with depression. This 40-day devotional offers a tool that guides the reader back to faith through personal exploration and experiences of strength, hope, love and spirit.” I love the idea of this resource and recommend it often.  It’s even listed as a resource in my book.  There truly are tons of people struggling with depression, including people of faith.

9. Follow Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis on Periscope!!! (The Periscope Pastor!). This resource is a bit different.  It’s not a book you can buy.  However, I strongly encourage you to follow Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis on Periscope. (Click here). Periscope is a wonderful new social media platform that allows people to share live broadcasts for free  (Download the app on your phone for free).  Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis does a Periscope broadcast almost everyday and they are so uplifting, so empowering, and so inspiring.  I am OBSESSED.  As a liscensed psychologist, minister, dancer, and poet, Dr. Davis-Bryant engages scripture creatively to empower everyday people going through tough times.  Get on periscope NOW and follow her.  You will be richly blessed by the “Periscope Pastor!”  Trust me.

10. Nooma by Rob Bell.
Listen.  There is no video series more amazing that Nooma.  Period. Minister Rob Bell takes the most simple concepts and shares a brief message (7-15 mins) in the form of a short film.  I cannot explain how this series has blessed me and informed my work.  This is another nice option if you prefer not to read.  There is a total of 24 films that cover a range of topics from romantic love to prayer to worship to purpose to anger.  They are al designed to make you reflect more deeply on who God is and and to get to know God better.  I love NOOMA.  They are available here for rent or purchase by electronic download individually or as a bundle.  Or you can order the DVDs.  Check their site out regularly or join their mailing list, because they often run sales on their bundle!

I hope you find these resources helpful!  I surely have.  Jump in and enjoy!  Tell me what you think!

Blessings!

–Ari

P.S. Trying to work your way through a heartbreak?  Check out my book and let me help you whip that heart back into shape!