40 Days in God's Blessing: A Devotional Encounter [Hardcover]

Rebecca Barlow Jordan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2006

Bestselling author Rebecca Barlow Jordan encourages readers to embrace a more inti-mate, fruitful relationship with God with 40 days of inspiring devotions.
Many Christians don't know what it means to truly experience God's grace. They don't know how to open their hands, their eyes, or their hearts to his affection. In 40 DAYS IN GOD'S BLESSING, Rebecca Barlow Jordan invites readers to walk in the shadows of saints gone before to trace the footprints of God's faithfulness in the lives of other believers. Through these moving stories, readers are brought face-to-face with the God who loves them more than they can imagine. Jordan inspires readers to seek out the God who wants to give them immeasurable grace. In just 40 days, readers will realize the blessings waiting especially for them.
Rebecca Barlow Jordan was coauthor of Courage for the Chicken-Hearted (Honor, 1998), a CBA bestseller, and its fol-low-up, Eggstra Courage for the Chicken-Hearted (Honor, 1999). Guideposts also distributed these books, publishing almost 120,000 copies combined.

Jordan's work has appeared in Family Circle, Focus on the Family, Home Life, Discipleship Journal, and Marriage Partnership. She has appeared on the At Home Live televi-sion program (Family Net) and on numerous radio sta-tions across the country.

40 DAYS IN GOD'S BLESSING is the follow-up com-panion to 40 Days in God's Presence, which releases in January 2006. Both devotionals explore the benefits of a full relationship with God.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rebecca Barlow Jordan is an inspirational speaker and the author or co-author of 8 bestselling books. Her inspirational writing is used in multiple formats, inc. greeting cards and calendars.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (July 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446577871
• ISBN-13: 978-0446577878
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,137,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars devotional for Christians who enjoy short, scripture-based devotions with personal applications, June 5, 2007

By 

FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 40 Days in God's Blessing: A Devotional Encounter (Hardcover)

In 40 DAYS IN GOD'S BLESSING, a stand-alone follow-up to Rebecca Barlow Jordan's 40 DAYS IN GOD'S PRESENCE, readers will find accessible devotions suitable for weekly or daily quiet times.

Barlow Jordan mines the work of bestselling evangelical writers such as Max Lucado, Rick Warren, John Eldredge, Oswald Chambers and A.W. Tozer (with some surprise quotes by writers such as Eugenia Price) as she creates her devotions. Most readings include several personal and in-the-news type anecdotes, a retelling of a biblical story, and a take-away for the reader. Barlow Jordan's warm, personal style gives her devotions the feel of a short motivational pep talk.

Those familiar with Barlow Jordan's previous book, 40 DAYS IN GOD'S PRESENCE, will find the format comfortably familiar. At the end of each four- to five-page devotion is a "Personal Truth" that wraps up the point of the devotion, usually summed up in a single sentence ("Prayer changes the pray-er"). This is followed by a "Personal Prayer" that the reader is invited to pray to apply the devotional truth. ("Lord, I want to get to know you better. May I never stop depending on you. Change my prayer --- and my heart --- that it might reflect yours." ) Jordan follows this with a "Personal Question" for reflection, which lends itself to a time of self-examination or journaling a response. ("What has God taught you about himself through prayer?")

One of the best devotional essays explores what it means to give unselfishly. "This principle applies not just to financial blessings but to any way that God has blessed us. Blessings are to be shared, not hoarded." Barlow Jordan ends the devotion with a deeply moving story about Mother Teresa. The nun takes rice to a needy mother and her eight children, and the destitute mother promptly divides the rice into two portions to share with her hungry neighbors. "Those who are truly generous see the needs of others," writes Barlow Jordan. In another devotional essay, a motivational story about a couple's love for a severely disabled boy and his subsequent musical talent will leave readers reaching for the Kleenex.

Barlow Jordan makes many good points. One devotion titled "Intentional Kindness" reminds us that good works come about from our faith --- we shouldn't do them as a condition of earning God's favor. Another, "It's All About Him," is seemingly intentionally Lucado-esque in its emphasis on the leadership of God, and a reminder of who we should look to as we strive to do our best. Another devotion, "Breathing Lessons," offers a terrific quote from author Madeleine L'Engle in which she says that creativity requires "being time," or listening to the voice of God for inspiration.

The author laudably tackles some lesser-known biblical characters in her essays, such as Nehemiah, Jehosaphat, Uzziah, Barak and Jael. But, as in the previous book, Barlow Jordan still can't resist the occasional cutesy rhyming phrase ("His inspiration often brings us perspiration;" "Simplicity is not a fad-i-tude, but an attitude") that will appeal to some readers and turn off others. It is also unclear whether some of the anecdotes are fictional or true-to-life (Reverend Smith, the missionary who lost his son).

This is a nice devotional for Christians who enjoy short, scripture-based devotions with personal applications, presented in an invitational format.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful gift for yourself or someone else, June 26, 2007

By 

Janet H. McHenry - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 40 Days in God's Blessing: A Devotional Encounter (Hardcover)

In our quest for a deeper and more personal relationship with God, others' writings can often trigger just the connection that helps us grow in understanding and devotion. Rebecca Jordan has gleaned gems of wisdom from profound writers of the faith in this sensitive, beautifully written devotional. Like her other books, it's a lovely gift--perfect for a friend. I highly recommend it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blessings Too Numerous to Count!, November 26, 2006

By 

Lynn D. Morrissey "Lynn D. Morrissey" (St. Louis, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 40 Days in God's Blessing: A Devotional Encounter (Hardcover)

By unlocking a treasure chest of Scriptural truths, gifted author Rebecca Barlow Jordan proves that life overflows with blessings too numerous to count. But you'll want to count them, savor them, and thank God for His lavish gifts. Though 40 Days in God's Blessings is an exciting start, Jordan equips you to discover blessings for a lifetime, even in unexpected places!
--Lynn D. Morrissey, CLASS/AWSA speaker and author of Love Letters to God: Deeper Intimacy through Written Prayer