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Every Day in His Presence: 365 Devotions

Review

Every Day in His Presence: 365 Devotions

Charles Stanley is one of the most well-loved and well-respected American pastors/teachers who has been sharing from the pulpit and through the airwaves for decades. He has a skill for transforming deep and sometimes difficult biblical truths into understandable messages that young and old alike appreciate. Whether Christ followers are new to the Christian faith or are longtime believers, Stanley very effectively communicates biblical principles that are applicable to all who read or listen.

In his newest book, EVERY DAY IN HIS PRESENCE, Stanley does a fabulous job hitting upon every difficulty known to man. Whether the reader is struggling with discouragement, depression, despondency or, more happily, experiencing a season of joy, gratitude and fervent service, he deals with the gamut of emotions and circumstances in this lively and upbeat text.

"Whether the reader is struggling with discouragement, depression, despondency or, more happily, experiencing a season of joy, gratitude and fervent service, [Stanley] deals with the gamut of emotions and circumstances in this lively and upbeat text."

Each of the 365 devotions opens with a related Bible verse, then transitions into several hard-hitting and compelling paragraphs addressing the topic of Stanley’s choice. Following these story-filled essays is a brief but powerful prayer, and then at the bottom of every page is a takeaway action statement. Readers will appreciate the brevity of each devotion, which will not take more than a few minutes to read carefully through each day. Still, do not allow the short length to fool you into believing these devotions are lightweight in content. In fact, just the opposite is true, which makes this devotional gift book even more precious.

Some of the topics that Stanley addresses include timeless issues that all people face when life gets messy. He details how much we all need God every day, but sometimes we wear ourselves out trying to handle problems on our own. In a similar theme, Stanley guides readers to better understand why God only provides enough light for the next step, simply because He wants individuals who trust Him to depend upon Him inch by inch as He engineers circumstances for their success and His glory.

Another present-day struggle most Christ followers deal with is taking intentional time each and every day to be still in God’s presence so that He is able to provide inner peace and direction for the next step. Only when Christians decide to stop, sit still, and heed His voice can they benefit from His surrounding peace and cast all their care upon Him. Still another timely subject is one that every Christian is most familiar with posing to God. When times get tough, and yet tougher still, Christ followers cry out, “Father, don’t you love me? Why won’t you help me?” Rather than offer glib answers to this timeless cry from the heart, Stanley encourages believers to recall the many Old Testament characters whose very “character” was built in direct relation to the hardships they endured.

Charles Stanley has a voice that Christians heed because he lives what he speaks and writes. He understands the depths of human struggle and sorrows because he has endured his own share. Perhaps that is why so many readers are drawn to his home-style, simple way of sharing biblical truth. He assures other Christians that their struggles are just like his own, and then guides them to a place of safe haven and inner victory.

Reviewed by Michele Howe on November 23, 2014

Every Day in His Presence: 365 Devotions
by Charles F. Stanley

  • Publication Date: November 4, 2014
  • Genres: Christian, Nonfiction
  • Hardcover: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson
  • ISBN-10: 0718011937
  • ISBN-13: 9780718011932