Truth for LifeVolume 1: 365 Daily Devotions by Alistair Begg

Truth for LifeVolume 1: 365 Daily Devotions Reviews

• 
  Liberty

  I love the teachings of Alistair Begg
• 
  Rebecca Davidson

  Read throughout 2022.
  Well-written, very scriptural, very challenging in places! Would recommend!
• 
  Aaron

  How can we grow in knowing the grace and truth of God? In Truth For Life, Alistair Begg delivers a year of daily devotions to saturate you in the Gospel.
  
  Pastoral Wisdom, Personal Warmth
  
  With each devotional only being one page long, this book is a blessing to those who are busy but want to spend time with God. Begg writes with pastoral wisdom and personal warmth. He is one I would trust to daily point you to Christ.
  
  What I most appreciated was the range of Scripture that Begg brings to you. The Old Testament and New Testament are both touched upon, and it is clear that Begg knows his Bible. A yearly Bible reading plan is included, to help give you the full counsel of God.
  
  Full of Grace and Truth
  
  At the end of each devotional, Begg often gives a point or two of suggested application. He cuts to the heart and expects our actions to follow. He clearly gives us God’s Word, and commends us to Christ. I found his words to be compelling, and I was eager to read more.
  
  This book is a modern classic. It contains timeless truths, wrapped with kind and loving words from a wise and seasoned saint. Instantly encouraging and always hopeful – allow the grace and truth of Jesus Christ to set you free.
  
  I received a media copy of Truth For Life and this is my honest review.
• 
  Bill Pence

  This is the first of two Truth for Life daily devotional books from respected pastor and author Alistair Begg. I used the first volume as a part of my daily devotional readings this year, and will use the second volume as a part of my daily devotional readings next year.
  Each of the daily readings begins with a scripture passage. In the reading for that day, the author aims to explain the passage, to encourage the reader from them, and to reflect on how they inspire and equip us to enjoy living for Christ in every area of our lives. At the bottom of each reading, you will see three icons. These are a prompt to say to yourself: Now that I have read and considered these verses… how is God calling me to think differently? how is God reordering my heart’s affections—what I love? what is God calling me to do as I go about my day today? Also included is “Bible Through the Year” reading plan.
  I enjoyed reading Truth for Life each day. Here are 30 of my favorite quotes from the book:
  • Even in the difficulties of life and the depths of pain, the fatherly providence of God permits all things for our good and His glory. He has proved that He knows what He is doing. For that, we can still praise Him in the darkness.
  • Don’t assume your best days lie behind you. God has a purpose for you and me. He completes what He begins (Philippians 1:6). Be refreshed by the reminder of God’s presence and press on in the work He has called you to.
  • Biblical Christianity, with a Christ who will come again in glory, an inerrant Bible, and a triune Godhead, is an offense to a pluralistic world.
  • As Christians, our great daily opportunity is to walk out into another day and be different—to be what we are: citizens of heaven, people who are not from round here.
  • Following Jesus does not insulate us from life’s storms, but we can take comfort from knowing that God promises to hold us fast through them. He can calm our hearts, and He may even quiet the very storms themselves.
  • God does not prevent storms from coming. But He is a God who is both present through them and sovereign over them.
  • The Lord’s work is anything on which we might lay our hands or focus our minds that is pleasing to God, as we work for him rather than in order to impress others (Colossians 3:23). This can be within the body of Christ or in service to the world around us.
  • God appoints every believer to particular responsibilities within Christian ministry and service, and those responsibilities include working for Him in whatever circumstances and opportunities come our way today; for they do not come by chance but by divine arrangement.
  • There is nothing you can offer to God that isn’t already in His possession. So give willingly and generously—money, time, talent—as God directs you, in response to His grace.
  • God always empowers what He commands.
  • Today, you may find yourself feeling horribly downtrodden, damaged by what others have done to you or injured by past mistakes. Perhaps you’ve been tempted to believe that you’re broken and useless. But there is glorious news for you: the Servant picks up bruised reeds, and He does so with care.
  • You are now seated with Him in the heavens. Your greatest success today will not lift you higher than He has already lifted you; nor can your greatest struggle or failure pull you down from there.
  • There’s no better place to serve God than the place in which He sets you.
  • God is our Maker and our Redeemer, and He is therefore entitled to and worthy of our praise. No one and nothing deserves your praise more than Him.
  • God has given you the great privilege of approaching Him in prayer and addressing Him as Father. He stands ready to listen and to help. Be sure to treat prayer as a holy habit and never as an optional extra.
  • An unforgiving spirit is perhaps the greatest killer of genuine spiritual life.
  • One day you will experience the fullness of your union with Christ and His people for eternity; but that can, and should, begin now. You have the privilege of fostering that unity today in the way you use your time and in the way you think of, pray for, and speak to your brothers and sisters in your church.
  • Every day, you are shaping your reputation. And as a Christian, every day you are shaping Christ’s reputation too. What do our lives say about Christ as we walk around as His disciples?
  • Your sin has been paid for and your sin has been removed. Your performance neither adds to nor detracts from your status before our holy God.
  • You have been ransomed by God so that you might praise Him today and enjoy Him for all eternity. Whatever your day holds, be sure to walk through it with that as your greatest passion and highest purpose.
  • Do not presume upon His provision or grumble about the route He leads you on, but instead be filled with gratitude for all He has provided materially and spiritually.
  • In God’s kingdom, the way up is actually down. Honor is found in giving it, not in receiving it. Greatness is displayed in serving, not in being served.
  • God is far more concerned with your Christlikeness than your comfort. Often, more spiritual progress is made through disappointment and failure than through success and laughter.
  • Here is the source of your hope when you get up in the morning. Come rain or shine, come delight or disappointment, God will definitely accomplish His purposes in your life through the day.
  • Resolve today to use your words for the good of those with whom you interact, honoring Christ in your heart and letting His sweet aroma fill your speech.
  • When we face a time of testing, which God allows, we should remember that His purpose is not our failure but our benefit. The devil longs for us to fail, but God longs for us to succeed. He is for us, and He is working all things, even trials and temptations, for our good.
  • Here is the truth that we each need to rehearse: “God gave to me exactly what I require, I am composed exactly as He planned, and all that He has, and has not, given me is for my good and His glory.”
  • Gracious gratitude enables us to face all things with the awareness that God is profoundly involved in our lives and circumstances, for He has made us special objects of His love.
  • Today, do not live as though this is all there is. Lean forwards, for your best days are still to come. You are not there yet—but most assuredly you one day will be.
  • Scripture finds its focus and fulfillment in Christ. The real test of how deeply God’s word is dwelling within us is not our ability to articulate a story line but to see Jesus in all the Scriptures.
• 
  S. Stutzman

  A first rate Christian devotional that is worthy of your attention.
  
  I’m not into what I call “cotton candy” Christianity, where the biblical stories are simply moralism or a gateway to reinforcing self. The Bible is God’s Word spoken to mankind for the glory of Himself and a gift to people for salvation and life. Yet Christian devotionals are notorious bad, at least by my own opinion. I’ve not used any devotional for years because there was a lack of richness or a proper picture of the goodness and greatness of God. But this devotional is different.
  
  I like how Begg begins in the biblical text and helps us to understand it rightly, then applies it well to our everyday lives. The devotionals are short but powerful, and this is a commendable work to any Christian wanting spiritual growth and a constant source of encouragement. While there are times while reading I wished Begg had gone further, he is faithful and the devotional lifts our hearts to God while keeping us rooted in the world and work we are supposed to be doing here.
  
  I plan on keeping this treasure and reading it in years to come, which I think says volumes about its value.
• 
  Peter Yock

  This is a solid and helpful daily devotional that I enjoyed in 2022. There's a verse or two for each day, followed by 3/4-1 page of reading. Each day the reflections on the short verse/s were high quality and helpful. I appreciated the suggestions for an extra passage to read too - and I can see how having the 'Bible in a year' passages down the bottom of each page would be helpful if you were doing that simultaneously.
  
  I would've preferred if there was some kind of structure to the book - each day, the verses used seemed totally random. Very occasionally you'd be reading chronologically (e.g., for 4 days in a row you'd read a verse or two from Ruth), but other than that it seemed totally random. I don't think I'll use this one again as I prefer more structure. Still, it's good stuff.
• 
  Neils Barringer

  Best daily devotion I Have done! I love it so much I ordered Part 2 for 2023!
• 
  Peter Butler

  
  I used Alistair Begg’s Truth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions, Volume 1 as one of my devotional readings over the past year. I also have Volume 2. I largely found it a helpful work.
  
  Each devotion takes up one page. The date is at the top, and underneath the date is a title for the devotion, and under that, there is a text from the Bible on which the devotion is based. At the end of the devotion there are three symbols: a head, a heart, and a hand up in the stop position. This is followed by a text for further reading.
  
  The symbols are there to remind the reader to ask – in order, “how is God calling me to thank differently, how is God reordering my heart’s affections – what I love, [and] what is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?” (8).
  
  I said I found this a largely helpful work. There were a few times that I differed with Begg’s interpretation – but that is neither here nor there, since I have only found one writer that I haven’t read anything that I disagreed with. My issues are mostly with the format of the devotions.
  
  First, under the date, there is a title for the devotion. I think the title is unnecessary and takes up room that could be better used. (More on that in a moment.) If one thinks the title is necessary or worthwhile – at least decrease the font.
  
  Second, increase the font of the Scripture. The Scripture is barely readable the font is so small. It is in the smallest font of everything on the page.
  
  Thirdly, the three symbols are explained in the introduction. It would seem best to flesh that out a bit in the introduction and drop the symbols from each page which I found confusing and takes up room that could be better used.
  
  Finally – and this is what the decrease of the title font size and the elimination of the symbolize makes room for – end each devotion with a prayer. The reader can use it or be guided by it, rather than just facing the symbols.
  
  The devotions are biblical and written for all ages. I would recommend these devotionals. I just think they could be better with the changes noted above.
• 
  Ruth Clemence

  Alistair Begg’s new devotional is biblically solid, rich in wisdom and immensely practical. Each day is a reflective and relevant thought based on a verse of Scripture and written in a clear, down-to-earth way. What I love about Alistair as a speaker and writer is his ability to convey deep, theologically-rich truths in a simple way. I know that this devotional is going to enrich my walk with God because I can trust the author to gently keep pointing me to Jesus. It’s a beautifully presented book, and although the font is a little small, it’s still easy to read and every word on the page leaves you wanting more. It’s like a year-round Advent calendar for the soul! I look forward to opening it up each day.
  
  FULL REVIEW:
  https://ruthclemence.com/2021/12/11/b...
• 
  Wendy

  Excellent devotional for sharpening a believer’s focus on what’s important
  
  This devotional provides good insight for new and seasoned believers into Christian faith and what is a priority for those who follow Christ. The Bible passages that accompany each day are helpful and add depth to the reading. The suggested Bible passages to read through the Bible in a year require a greater amount of time than other yearly plans, especially if read along with the devotional.
  
  There are a few formatting issues with repeated headers in the ebook version, but otherwise the writing is excellent.
• 
  Hannah Belyea

  As the years fly by and the world falls further and further from grace, it becomes vital to anchor our trust in God and His Word; these daily devotions by Reverend Alistair touch on a number of relatable subjects, from love and loss to age and weakness, with the Bible forefront every morning. Begg offers insightful examinations of the Word for believers young and old, faithfully intertwined with verses and covering a wonderful variety of topics. Not every truth will be easy to accept, but each is just as important for life as the next...
• 
  Rachel Mayes Allen

  Daily devotional books can be so dicey. They easily get either shallow or repetitive, which unfortunately makes them easy to abandon.
  
  Happily, Truth for Life is none of these things. Each entry is both fresh and faithfully expositional, accessible yet rich. I used it to accompany my daily personal reading this year, and I can see it being equally beneficial in a family setting as well. Definitely the best modern daily devotional I've encountered!
• 
  Ryan Garrett

  4.5 stars. A very good daily devotional from Alistair Begg. With insightful and well crafted thoughts as well as a recommended Scripture passage for each day (which should be followed in my opinion), the words of this devotional gave me much food for thought and helped me stay focused on Christ throughout the year. An excellent resource.
• 
  Bonnie

  Wonderful yearlong daily devotional. He digs into many themes throughout the year and gives good suggestions of Scripture to read. I enjoy Alistair Begg's teaching, and this book was spiritually encouraging throughout the year. I am looking forward to reading volume 2.
• 
  Jordan

  great devotional
  
  Alistair Begg has written a great work here. It’s a solid little book for morning devotional readings. I would recommended.
• 
  taylor kleist

  great book to keep you in the word and encouraged every day of the year!