Customer Reviews

Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World

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Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World by Dr. Jeremiah is a sequel to his NY Times best-seller, "What in the World is Going on?". Dr. Jeremiah brings a message of calm in a time that clamors with chaos. He stresses the need for Christians to rise above the world spinning out of control and demonstrate the practicality of Christ's peace. Dr. Jeremiah encourages and challenges the reader to live in a God-honoring way, confident in the Truth that is found in His Word.

Dr. Jeremiah takes the opportunity of instructing the reader how to maintain sensibility in a world gone mad through each of the ten chapters in this book. He breaks down his message this way:

* Chapter 1 - Stay Calm: This current society / culture offers chaos; Jesus Christ offers comfort and victory over anxiety.
* Chapter 2 - Stay Compassionate: This world offers cruelty; Christians should be decidedly compassionate.
* Chapter 3 - Stay Constructive: This world's message is destructive; the Gospel is edifying.
* Chapter 4 - Stay Challenged: The world demands a life of ease; Christ offers a cross - let's be diligent as we bear it.
* Chapter 5 - Stay Connected: The world hides in a social-networking construct; Christ offers the community of the Church.
* Chapter 6 - Stay Centered: The world is focused on self; Christians need to focus on Christ.
* Chapter 7 - Stay Confident: The world skeptical and needy; the Gospel, and God's Word, offers stabilization and a sure foundation.
* Chapter 8 - Stay Consistent: The world is intolerant and inconsistent; Christ offers in His Word, biblical principles to guide every section of life.
* Chapter 9 - Stay Committed: The world's nerves are frayed and society is desperate; Christians live confidently in a God-ordered and ordained life.
* Chapter 10 - Stay Convinced: The world offers no hope for the future; Christians live in the hope of eternal life, and the expectancy of Christ's return.

I found Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World to be very easy to read and thought-provoking. The book is certainly tied to the circumstances of today, yet offers the confident Truth that is applicable to any generation. Those who enjoy Dr. Jeremiah's Turning Point broadcast will definitely enjoy this, his latest book. Easy to read, challenging, and encouraging, I have no hesitancy to recommend Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World.

Our world as we know it is soon fading away. Everywhere we turn we see chaos (hence the title). It's the worse it's ever been. Even worse than the Great Depression of the 1930's. So what is one suppose to do?
I find it comforting that Dr. Jeremiah uses scripture all throughout this book. He also reminds us of the children's song `Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so`.
Do we really believe Jesus loves us? Who/what are we putting our faith in? As for myself, am I calm or am I in turmoil. I am reminded that Jesus is the `only` way to heaven. He is the way, the truth and the life.
I found this book to be challenging, in that it made me ask myself "How much, if any, faith do I have in Jesus? Am I able to rest calmly in Him? How am I responding? This book reminds me how much Jesus loves and cares for me. He knows my name and carries me through the worst of it all. I need not worry. There is no need to be afraid.

Note: I was not paid to give this review. I received `Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World` as a part of the Thomas Nelson book reviewers program for bloggers.

Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World by Dr. David Jeremiah
A must to read!!! A book that is well-written and easy to understand. Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World by Dr. David Jeremiah, a New York Times best-selling author, takes us through a journey on how we can cope with the many problems we face while living in this "chaotic" world. Dr. Jeremiah states that today we live in a world that has torn down integrity, purity, honesty, respect, national pride, ideals, dreams, our sense of shame, and national pride. He states that the way to cope with these problems is to study GOD's Word and do what GOD tells us to do in HIS Word. He states that if we study GOD'S Word and do what GOD'S Word tell us to do, we will develop faith, confidence, patience, love, and diligence, all of which will make it possible for us to overcome the problems of today's world. This book is very inspirational for it motivates one to take the action it prescribes.

It took a couple of chapters before I finally got interested because it wasn't like most of Dr. Jeremiah's books. Well read in current events and behind-the-scenes action in the world, he delivers a textbook of how to react to the chaos swirling around us and the turmoil yet to come. His main concern is that the church (as a whole) and believers, in particular, need to wake up to what's going on around us. We need to prepare ourselves now for the persecution that lies ahead. Make up your mind now, he advises, before you are confronted. Know what you will stand for and be prepared for the fall-out.

This is an eye-opener. We know we are to be prepared for Christ's Second Coming, but now Dr. Jeremiah tells us how. Each chapter identifies what we need to do to be prepared for the rest of our lives on earth and the rest of eternity in heaven. This is a concise how-to book that tells it like it is. It is also written for believers and non-believers. The one quote that stands out which is the theme for the book is, "The love of God is the one thing that can and will turn this world upside down. Let's get to work."

I recommend everyone who is concerned about their future and the future of the world read this book. I think it will comfort believers and give us hope. It will also spur you on to evangelism with compassion.

As a follow up to his best seller What In The World Is Going On?, Dr. David Jeremiah offers us more hope and encouragement in his newest book.

Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World gives us ten practical strategies on how to live, trust in God's Word and stay calm while we wait for the return of Christ.

Each of the ten strategies (stay calm, compassionate, constructive, challenged, connected, centered, confident, consistent, committed, convinced) are coupled with scriptures to solidify Dr. Jeremiah's teaching.

What I found most interesting about this book was that along with scriptural teaching and exhortation, Dr. Jeremiah included information and news which points to just how close we are living to the return of Christ.

In the first chapter (Stay Calm), he describes military manipulation of the biosphere which can now be used for eco-type terrorism. He states "both the US and Russia have developed capabilities to manipulate the climate for military use." "When we read what's coming, we feel like we're either hurtling into the age of science fiction or stepping into the pages of the book of Revelation."

For those who have accepted Christ as their personal savior and are looking for the rapture of the church, these examples of upcoming warfare should encourage us that our redemption is closer than ever before.

For those who do not believe in Christ - this book could be a useful tool in pointing out Biblical prophecy that has come to pass and *is* coming to pass very quickly and hopefully open their eyes to their need of a savior.

I found this book to be refreshing....scary at times...but refreshing. It reminded me that we have "already read the end of the Book...and we win."

Each chapter is a challenge to stay....stay calm, compassionate, constructive, challenged, connected, centered, confident, consistent, committed and convinced. Examples are given to show that the times we are living in are indeed chaotic....as if we didn't already know....but, they are presented in a way that makes them seem less chaotic. Dr. Jeremiah puts it into perspective.

From page 11, here is one of the best paragraphs of the book. "None of us know what the future holds for our own crisis. My prayer for you is that you come through your crisis strong. This can be a time of maturity for all of us, helping us to understand that we are not citizens of this world, and that we cannot place our faith in any of its establishments or institutions. As we await His return, we trust Him to care for our every need, and we remember that Jesus himself said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. (Matthew 8:20)"
Do we really long for that ultimate and eternal home, rather than simply a place to lay our heads? "

That's the true question for us all. Do we truly look forward to spending eternity in Heaven with Jesus or do we look for heaven here on earth? If the latter is true for you, then this current chaotic world is all consuming. However, if the former is true, we can keep the faith, knowing that the end means the ultimate reward, Heaven.

I do not believe we are to bury our heads in the sand. This is indeed a most chaotic world. We must remain vigilant against the attacks to our faith, freedom and country. However, knowing that God already knows what is happened yesterday, is happening currently, and will happen in the future, gives us hope and faith to stay the course.

It is in trying times that our faith is strengthened. It shapes who we are, down deep. Rather than being consumed by the troubling times, draw near to the Lord and allow Him to carry you through this time..to the other side. We are to help each other, to show the love of Christ and to grow in Him. We can't do that if we are consumed with worry and fret. Yes, stay aware of the issues at hand, but also stay aware of those who need the love of Christ- and show it to them. NOTHING is impossible with God.

This book is on my highly recommended list. Every believer in Jesus Christ should have a copy of their own. Read it.....and in those moments of trials, read it again.

I leave you with the final paragraph from the book,
"That's what Paul is shouting: "Awake! Awake! He's coming! Live every single moment for Him as if you knew this would be your last on earth and the sweet moment of reunion. Do nothing you wouldn't want to be doing when the Lord of the universe comes to claim His bride. The victory will be overwhelming- let's put on the armor of light and take our stand."

In Dr. David Jeremiah's non-fiction book entitled Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World, he identifies ten practical steps which every person should apply, in the face of life's storms. Dr. Jeremiah provides sound Biblical evidences (although topical), anecdotes, and true short story accounts to effectively convey his message to the reader. He uses illustrations from secular sources as well as Biblical, tying together his point. Also, utilizing the examples of the New Testament, within each step, Dr. Jeremiah unpacks the Scriptures in a layman's way of understanding. While the world seems to be deteriorating globally: war, famine, earthquakes, politics, economics, disease, Godlessness, etc., Dr. Jeremiah teaches what is necessary to stay foundationally centered in Christ, while patiently awaiting His return.

Dr. Jeremiah's edifying writing style is relaxed and `voice recognized;' meaning, if you have heard him preach, he almost speaks to you through the pages, in his melodious tone. I found this helpful, since he is giving explanations of "Living in a Chaotic World." However, even if you have never heard Dr. Jeremiah, his written examples, expressions, and exercises are comprehendible.

Sometimes, Dr. Jeremiah's pragmatism may be a little too exercised for the pastor or seminarian, but for all intent, was most likely not written accordingly. Dr. Jeremiah's book is not an exegetical one either, but it is filled with promises from the Word, I found that too, encouraging. I have to recommend my favorite quote of the book, "Character is the result of persistent action, and a pattern of diligence will lead to stability" (83). His overall message is one of basic design; approaching life's problems through the lens of Scripture, and connectivity with Christ. I would recommend this book for a good edifying confidence booster of faith, one which will cause the reader to thank Jesus Christ for his/her salvation, resting on the promises of God. This book is as consistent as Dr. Jeremiah's forty (40) years of ministry, a good read, and four stars.

This book is about things that we can do to live calmly and confidently in a world that is filled with uncertainty and turmoil. Filled with scriptural references and biblical reasoning, Dr. David Jeremiah gives ten ways to make life more peaceful and filled with hope as we look toward the end times.

I think Dr. Jeremiah is an interesting author, and this book may have worked better for me had it been in article form. I know that would negate it being a book, and therefore I wouldn't be doing a book review. I just didn't feel like there was enough information to fill a whole book. While it was scripturally sound, and I liked what he had to say, I felt that it was way to repetitive for me to enjoy it. It seemed to be saying the same things over and over in a chapter, and while what he was saying were all very good things, and things that make sense, I don't need to read the same advice told in ten different ways.

There is no doubt that there are major world crisis going on and many people are on edge about each decision they make. Dr. David Jeremiah gives ten Biblical suggestions on how to ride out the present state of affairs with his book Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World. These ten steps, or pieces of advice, are helpful even when the world isn't on the brink of financial disaster.
I really enjoyed the anecdotes that illustrated Jeremiah's points, but for the most part I found that the book was very repetitive. By the 6th and 7th pieces of instruction were becoming too similar and I lost interest in reading the book. While a certain amount of recurrence is expected and acceptable, I felt as though Jeremiah recycled many of his ideas and stretched them to make a desired book length.

Following on from his best selling 'What in the World is going On?', Dr. David Jeremiah seeks to show us in his latest book 'Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World' how we can confidently survive these most troubled of times.

Job losses. House foreclosures. Credit crunch. Financial meltdown. Recession. All of us have either been directly affected by one or more of these, or know somebody who has. What are we to do now?

Dr. Jeremiah suggests a practical ten point survival strategy. Stay calm. Stay compassionate. Stay constructive. Stay challenged. Stay connected. Stay centered. Stay confident. Stay consistent. Stay committed. Stay convinced.

A chapter is allocated to each of these strategies with anecdotes and scriptural quotes reinforcing his teaching. Of these ten chapters my favorite is chapter eight 'Stay Consistent' where the author defines consistency as 'the act of living true to what you believe regardless of the cost'. He says that one of the biblical essentials for getting through times like these is to live a life of solid consistency - to be one person through and through, to be an example of tough-minded integrity that does not throw out the game plan just because things have gotten tougher.

Of all the many Bible verses used through the book, perhaps the one quoting the words of Christ to his disciples in the upper room "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27) is the one we all need to take to heart.

I found 'Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World' to be an easy read and a book that was hard to put down. If you are a Christian seeking reassurance that everything is going to work out OK this book will certainly help to assure you.

Disclosure: as a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger I was provided with a free copy of this book for me to review.