“Life is hard, not because you’ve taken a wrong turn. Life is hard because this is the way of love – and Love Himself will be with you every step of the way.” Ann Voskamp, Waymaker.

Have you ever enjoyed a drink slowly, savouring the taste with each sip? Tried to make it last? I drink my Earl Grey tea, made with Nigiro tea leaves, in such a fashion. I find the line where enjoy-while-hot and make-it-last-as-long-as-possible intersect.

I found myself reading ‘Waymaker’ this way, too. The thoughts Ann shares are often so profound and deeply beautiful that it requires a certain slowness. She writes with a playful, poetic style that invites the reader into her inner world. Her use of language reminds me of Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz (a firm favourite!).

I’ve been very slow to the party: this was my first ever Ann Voskamp book! A friend bought this book for me, and then Christian Arts sent it to Cup of Faith with a request for a review. With two copies on my shelf, this was not one I could skip. (The other copy is available for giveaway!)

‘Waymaker’ is a book about very difficult seasons and how we respond while waiting. Ann shares tenderly about difficulties in her marriage, her health, adopting a child, and the health of her son. It reads like a ballroom dance: a story of love between a woman and her Jesus. She is honest about what it means to seek God, to fail in seeking God, and to experience God’s faithfulness through it all. Anyone who feels that they are in a wilderness season would benefit from this beautifully crafted book. 

Journalling Prompt

Ann shares a prayer-journaling prompt that was inspired by her reading of Exodus:

Stillness

Be still… live into a tender surrender because the Lord fights His way to you, fights for you in ways you don’t even know you need.

Attentiveness

Attend to who you say God is, to where you are in relation to Him, and what you really want.

Cruciformity

Surrender, arms wide-open, let yourself be formed cruciform, reaching out to God and people. 

Revelation

How is the Word revealing Himself to you in this moment?

Examine

What are you afraid of?

Doxology

What can you give thanks for right here and now?

She uses this journalling prompt throughout the rest of the book to reflect on tough situations.

Sacrificial Love

Ann’s humility shines through on every page. She gives glory to God through seasons of trial and failure. I felt stirred as I read to pursue Jesus with a deeper ardency. I particularly loved an interchange she shared during a visit to ancient Shiloh, where ancient Israel made sacrifices after entering the promised land. She asked her Messianic Jewish guide:

‘ “Sacrifice–doesn’t mean give up or lay down or go without or let go of?”

“No, no, no…. Sacrifice doesn’t mean that at all. Sacrifice in Hebrew is korban…it literally means to come near, an approach, a moving closer, a move into a closer relationship.”

Sacrifice is not losing something but moving closer to Someone. Sacrifice isn’t about loss – sacrifice is about love. Surrender to love. Sacrifice is about detaching from one thing –to attach to a greater thing. How do I take off my shoes, give up shoes, give all of me to Him? ’

What books have helped you through difficult seasons? Share them with us in the comments!

Kate Walsh

Kate is the current owner and editor of Cup of Faith. She is a blogger who loves Jesus, loves to read, and currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband.

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If you’ve never read Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer, you need to! This book is a must for anyone who wants to better understand and overcome the battles of life. If it were possible, I’d give the book a ten-star rating.

Joyce understands that most, if not all, of the battles we face in life begin in our minds. She provides scriptures, illustrations, and personal insight on dealing with these battles Biblically. Her personal application of the disciplines she teaches in Battlefield of the Mind gives it an authentic flavor that is a rare find.

What I learned from Battlefield of the Mind

It wasn’t difficult for me to pinpoint weaknesses in my thought life. Joyce’s insights into the scriptures she shared in the book were rich and revealing! I made a list of the scriptures in the chapters that spoke to my situation and began meditating on them during my morning devotions. I found this exercise helpful. Through it, I learned that the Bible is more than just a story to read; it is filled with truth that can change my life if I let it.

I was challenged to change my negative thought patterns and instead focus on God’s promises for my life. This proved difficult because I’ve spent many years stuck in negative thought patterns. However, over time, I have found it better to live with a positive God attitude than with the negative one I was accustomed to.

God’s blessings, I learned, aren’t based on my merit but on what God knows I’m ready to receive. I learned this from her description of the Israelites’ 40-year journey through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. This journey should have taken less than two weeks. Their wandering was caused by their disobedience, not by God’s punishment. This encourages me to take less time trying to figure things out on my own and to trust in God’s plan and guidance. Think less, trust more!

In her down-to-earth manner, Joyce says that “stinkin’ thoughts produce stinkin’ actions.” This is so true! The more I rehearse negative thoughts, the more prone I am to act negatively. It’s a battle to capture those thoughts when they arise, understand they’re lies, and set them aside.

What I took away from Battlefield of the Mind

1. The mind is the main battlefield, not our outer circumstances.
2. The victory is not won all at once; it takes time and discipline.
3. There will be a battle in my mind every day.
4. I must choose to take my negative thoughts captive.
5. I must be aware of my thought life and what I’m thinking about.
6. I can have the mind of Christ if I choose it.
7. To live the life God intends for me to live, I must choose to have God’s mindset.

Who should read Battlefield of the Mind?

I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with negative thoughts. It should be on the bookshelf for reference when dealing with them. I especially recommend it for those who struggle with anxiety, depression, and a poor self-image—this includes most, if not all, of us! I have read “Battlefield of the Mind“ many times. Each time I read it, I am reminded that God’s thoughts for me are much better than my own.

The truths in Battlefield of the Mind are vital for living above the “stinkin’ thinkin’” we are so prone to. I know my life has changed in the years since I read it – and it will continue to change as I keep applying God’s Word daily.

Lea Peters

Lea Peters has been a pastor’s wife and missionary since 1987. She has served alongside her husband, Jamie, planting churches and establishing faith-based community outreaches in Africa. She has four children and two grandchildren.

aculturalshift.com

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Jentezen Franklin’s book, Fasting: Opening the Door to a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God, explores fasting and its transformative effects on a believer’s life. Grounded in Biblical principles, Franklin emphasizes that fasting goes beyond mere food abstinence; it is a deliberate act of devotion intended to deepen one’s relationship with God.

My insights from “Fasting”

The book’s central theme is the Biblical basis for fasting. It discusses the different types of fasts found in Scripture—absolute, normal, and partial—and offers guidance on choosing the right fast according to personal circumstances and spiritual objectives.

The link between fasting and prayer is thoroughly explored. The book highlights that fasting alongside prayer enhances our spiritual sensitivity and aligns our hearts with God’s intentions.

Franklin emphasizes the importance of managing our Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Expectations.

Fasting has both challenges and rewards, including physical hunger, mental clarity, and spiritual breakthroughs.

Finally, advice on implementing fasting in daily life is explored for Practical Application. Readers are encouraged to approach fasting with a spirit of humility and dedication.

Fasting by Jentezen Franklin

What I took away from “Fasting”

1. Fasting is a personal discipline that fosters a partnership with God.
2. There are various types of fasts. I need to discern what God is calling me to.
3. Fasting serves to control the flesh. Jesus fasted, so I should too.
4. I need to blend faith and patience into my experience when I fast. Results aren’t always immediate.
5. The question I must ask myself during the fast is, what is God’s goal for the fast? Not what my goal is for the fast.
6. A lack of repentance and unforgiveness will invalidate any fast. I need to approach a time of fasting with self-awareness.

Who should read “Fasting”?

I highly recommend Fasting by Jentezen Franklin to all believers, regardless of their current stage on the spiritual journey. Whether you’re new to fasting or have fasted before but wish to deepen your understanding, this book offers Biblical insight and practical guidance that can transform your spiritual life.

Many Christians today overlook fasting, treating it as optional or outdated—but Franklin reawakens its significance as a powerful, God-ordained discipline. Through this book, readers will better appreciate how fasting can unlock a more intimate, focused relationship with God. Franklin explains the “how” and the “why” of fasting, helping believers grasp its spiritual impact—from breakthroughs in prayer to increased spiritual clarity to a renewed hunger for God’s presence.

This book holds significant value for individuals seeking guidance, longing for renewal, or experiencing spiritual dryness. It’s also perfectly suited for church leaders and small group discussions, offering clear instruction and motivation to reinstate this frequently overlooked practice in our spiritual journeys.

Ultimately, Fasting empowers and motivates believers to seek God with greater intensity, sacrificing physical desires to attain everlasting rewards.

Lea Peters

Lea Peters has been a pastor’s wife and missionary since 1987. She has served alongside her husband, Jamie, planting churches and establishing faith-based community outreaches in Africa. She has four children and two grandchildren.

aculturalshift.com

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I was first introduced to the Serenity Prayer standing in a gift shop as a young girl and I remember first thinking it must be a quote taken directly from the Bible, for its truth was so impactful, and simply reading the verses made me feel a sense of calm and peace. It was only years later that I discovered that it was in fact attributed to an American theologian by the name of Reinhold Niebuhr. While it was not taken from the Bible as I had thought, the Serenity Prayer has ever since been a prayer that I return to when I am needing comfort. My excitement at discovering that there is an entire devotional dedicated to it was therefore not surprising.

Called “Seeking Serenity”, by Trevor Hudson, I cannot lie: at first I couldn’t help but question how an entire 365-page devotional could be made out of one single prayer without there being extreme repetition in it. Yet this is not the case at all! The author has not only managed to write 365 individual, daily devotions but, by exploring unique challenges and themes that, on the surface, one doesn’t immediately recognise, he has done it masterfully.

Before we unpack how he has accomplished this, let’s have a read to remind ourselves of the calming truth found in the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace:
taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it:
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His will –
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

As Trevor Hudson himself describes in his foreword, the relevance of the Serenity Prayer is amplified by our current cultural context, where political and economic instability is being experienced the world over. Therefore, the need for incorporating serenity into our daily perspective and experience is even more paramount.

Hudson has taken the riches found in those 12 lines and expanded them into an in-depth journey that touches on all spheres of our daily spiritual walk, where each month of the year is dedicated to one line from the Serenity Prayer and guides the daily reflections. The structure is genius in that while each line may appear to be a standalone nugget of wisdom, it is in fact a ribbon tying together a gift of many treasures found in scripture and through reflection. The author unpacks this one by one through each day of the month, and each month of the year.

Weaving in his personal experiences and how he has discovered serenity in his own life’s struggles, we have a practical guideline with personal depth and heart, offering daily advice for life’s challenges using scripture as the unwavering compass. Each chapter ends with a ‘seeking serenity’ suggestion alongside the prayer, which helps the reader to apply the principles.

January kicks off the serenity journey with the opening line, “God grant me the serenity”, in which the author describes on a daily basis the different aspects of serenity and how we build this into our lives. As stated, he does this by giving relevant personal accounts and emphasises how we anchor ourselves in serenity through relationship with God.

We then move into February, March and April, specifically discussing through modern examples we encounter every day, the things that are not within our control, the things we can change, and all the aspects of change, which can take various forms. Firstly, in our own personal transformation, and secondly, in our being change-makers in the world. The most important aspect is knowing the difference, and here he explores wisdom and how we seek this through His word.

In May and June, he takes us on a journey of mindfulness, how to be truly present, and living in an attitude of gratitude, so that we can experience the true nature of God, and bringing us into deeper, loving relationship with him.

Between July and October, amongst other invaluable things, we step onto a path on which we reflect on the hardships of life, and on accepting the world as it is. These months take us into yet deeper layers of our spiritual journey, learning what it means to be truly surrendered to God’s will and not our own, in order to foster joy in knowing that God is fully in control, and that all things will be redeemed.

In November and December, we complete the circle of our 365-day journey, reflecting on the balance between earthly contentment and eternal joy, and offering a lens for each month that ultimately points to God’s ultimate promises that truly do help us to live with serenity.

One of the most beneficial traits of the devotional is that it is undated, and therefore may be used throughout your life, depending on seasons when serenity is most needed. If you love the Serentiy Prayer as much as I do, this book is for you, and I invite you to experience this special and unique devotion which will lead you on an enriching personal journey, saturated in serenity.

Angela Chiaberta

I am a volunteer blogger with a passion for God and writing. My hope is to help others choose faith – or to walk deeper in their faith – through my own introspections and observations.

The post Seeking Serenity by Trevor Hudson: Book Review appeared first on Cup of Faith.

I think that it’s pretty common for people to idolise a Hollywood couple’s relationship, but unsurprisingly, we only ever get to see one side of that relationship – the side they want us to see. Yet, we always seem so shocked when The Hollywood Reporter breaks the news that yet another glorified marriage has come to a devastating end. Growing up, I saw a lot of failed marriages, including the failed marriage of my parents, which always made me wonder whether I was in for some sort of generational curse. Having married my husband when I was fresh out of high-school and only 19-years old, I knew I wanted our marriage to be the one that lasts so I looked to the strongest marriage I knew, to see what they did differently.

My grandparents have been married for almost 60-years. My gran still gets that school-girl giddiness while waiting for my oups to come home each day, she still giggles at him like when they were young and dating, and he still makes her heart pump custard. The first time my then-boyfriend, now husband, came over for dinner, he was so confused by my grandparents. He looked at me and whispered, “Are they always like this?” I was puzzled as nothing seemed out of the ordinary, then he said, “so lovey-dovey?” I burst out laughing and said, “Yes, of course!” Later that night on our drive back to my house, he explained that he had never seen a married couple so affectionate and in-love and that one day, he hoped to be just like them. Truthfully, I had become so used to seeing my grandparents love for one another that I didn’t appreciate the significance of their unity until it was pointed out to me.

My grandparents haven’t had a perfect marriage – but they fought for each other. They have learnt to make compromises along the way, they prioritise their time with each other even if it means just sitting in each other’s presence, and they worship God together.

My favourite memory of their love and acceptance of one another is that we all know and accept that my gran cannot cook. In fact, she’s the only person I have seen successfully burn a pot of water to the point that the pot melted. But every night, my oups would hold our hands in prayer, Thank God for the food and ask that the hands that prepared the meal be blessed, and then he’d proceed to eat whatever burnt meal was put in front of us, before saying, “Thanks, Pris.”. Without fail though, every night, at 8pm when the news would come on, I’d find him in the kitchen making a coney roll with peanut butter and syrup. He never complained, always said thanks, ate his food, but also made sure to bring home fresh rolls.

I hope and pray that my marriage continues to grow, and that in 50-odd years, I can look back on our relationship and see the same sort of love shared. To do that, I trust and lean into God for his wisdom and guidance – I know that I am not without my flaws, and sometimes my own stubbornness gets in my way, so it helps having Our Father shake some sense into me. Lately, I have been reading through a new devotional aimed at couples, that I thought would be a lovely addition to your bookshelf (and marriage), especially in time for Relationship month.

Whether you’ve been married a few months or a few decades, this encouraging daily devotional will help you find quiet moments together to strengthen your faith in God and renew your love for and commitment to your spouse.

In Our Best Life Together, Joel and Victoria Osteen want to encourage you in your marriage and remind you that God brought you together to help each other succeed and to become all He created you to be. There’s no better way to experience the fulfilling marriage God intends for you than to set aside a devotional time together each day and set your minds in the right direction for a positive, happy, faith-filled marriage. When you live together in unity, you honor God and open the door for His blessings to flow into every area of your life. If you will do your part, God will do His part, and you can live in love!

I love that this devotional has been written by a husband and wife team and that it’s honest and true. Besides being married, and parenting together, my husband and I also work together for the same company, from home – this can put all sorts of pressure on a relationship because work often can’t just be left at work. Having this devotional has reminded me that no marriage is without its challenges, but it reinforces that a marriage that is centred on God is able to weather the storms.

Besides this being a fantastic daily devotional for you and your husband, I also think this may be the best gift for newly weds or perhaps for an upcoming anniversary of a friend or loved one. Too often, we just think of ourselves – how we feel, how we are impacted, and how relationship obstacles are an inconvenience for us, but having that daily habit of coming together to discuss matters of the heart, pray together and be guided by the lessons that Joel and Victoria have drawn from the bible a fantastic way to start or end the day with your significant other and only helps to strengthen the relationship.

You can purchase your copy of Our Best Life from leading book stores including CUM Books. 

Megan Kelly Botha

I’m a coffee-wielding mood reader and romance book collector who may or may not have a slight addiction to buying books. I read a variety of sub-genres within romance, including rom-coms, dark romance, and fantasy. I love sharing my thoughts on books, whether it’s through book reviews, quotes, or recommendations inspired by my current reads. Through my romance book blog, Literary Inspired, I aim to provide in-depth book reviews, curated reading recommendations, and exclusive author promotions. I’m passionate about supporting indie authors and sharing my latest book discoveries with others. When I’m not reading, you can find me cheering on my favorite football team and F1 drivers, crafting, baking with my kids or playing with my pets.

literaryinspired.com/

The post Our Best Life Together appeared first on Cup of Faith.

2020 – what more is there to say? I feel if there’s one lesson we can take from last year it’s that we all need to love each other a little harder. I tend to spend loads of time on social media and feel that a large portion of problems would be solved if we would just stop, take a breath and choose love – it’s not THAT hard, is it?

I hadn’t heard of Bob Goff before, but ahead of choosing to review this particular book I did a quick Google search and was in awe of how many comments noted how much they adored him – not a book that he wrote or his preaching, but HIM. Some even went on to describe his storytelling as magical and now, I can completely understand why.

 Bob Goff is the author of the New York Times bestselling Love Does; Everybody, Always; and Dream Big as well as the bestselling Love Does for Kids. He’s a lover of balloons, cake pops, and helping people pursue their big dreams. Bob’s greatest ambitions in life are to love others, do stuff, and, most importantly, to hold hands with his wife, Sweet Maria Goff, and spend time with their amazing kids.

One look at his website, headshot, or the bright covers of his book, and you can’t help but feel joy. (Also, I get serious Pixar’s Up! vibes, and man, I loved that movie so much that anything that reminds me of it, already gets a thumbs up) so, although unfamiliar with his work (which now I am driven to read, this year!) I was so excited to dig into his devotional.

Built on Bob’s trademark storytelling and unique way of helping us to see things in a new way, Live in Grace, Walk in Love takes us through an entire calendar year of meditations on how we can step out in love and confidence in every aspect of our lives. More than a tweet, less than a blog post, these devotional readings–accompanied by Scripture–will inspire and galvanize you live a more liberated, love- and life-giving existence than you ever thought possible.

Did you know that the word “love” appears 310 times in the King James Bible, 348 times in the New American Standard Bible, 551 times in the New International Version, and 538 times in the New Revised Standard Version? Love. Whether it’s the love you feel for your pet, sibling, spouse, soccer team, children – or even that morning cup of coffee, we’ve all felt what it means to love something or someone. But there’s no greater love than the love our Heavenly Father has for us, and that’s something I think we tend to forget about. Besides feeling His love, we should learn to love as He does; without condition, expectations, or limit.

This daily devotional is the perfect way to start each day and helps challenge you to love everyone. It features a bible verse for the day, which Bob then expands on in his practical teaching which is short, punchy, and easy to follow. Lastly, he ends the reading of the day with a question that serves as a prompt and often forces you to pause to consider your answer.

I loved that this devotional balanced practical biblical teachings and personal life stories from Bob and his family, to help encourage you to lead a life of love and grace. I especially liked how light the reading was – sort of like having a conversation with my grandparents over coffee – Bob does an amazing job of skipping the big, fancy words, and rather fills his book with affirming words of encouragement, and inspiring lessons that are simplified and easy to digest with the hope of guiding you on your faith journey in pursuing a love like Jesus’.

Like many, I found that although this book is beautifully broken up to be read daily throughout the year, I struggled to put it down and found myself reading it like a novel. I think this is an amazing devotional for the new year and would make a beautiful gift for your loved ones, best friend, or neighbor. Who am I kidding, after such a bad year, who needs an excuse to spread more love, anyway?

You can purchase your copy of Live in Grace, Walk in Love from leading book stores including CUM Books. 

Megan Kelly Botha

I’m a coffee-wielding mood reader and romance book collector who may or may not have a slight addiction to buying books. I read a variety of sub-genres within romance, including rom-coms, dark romance, and fantasy. I love sharing my thoughts on books, whether it’s through book reviews, quotes, or recommendations inspired by my current reads. Through my romance book blog, Literary Inspired, I aim to provide in-depth book reviews, curated reading recommendations, and exclusive author promotions. I’m passionate about supporting indie authors and sharing my latest book discoveries with others. When I’m not reading, you can find me cheering on my favorite football team and F1 drivers, crafting, baking with my kids or playing with my pets.

literaryinspired.com/

The post Live in Grace, Walk in Love 365-Days of the Year appeared first on Cup of Faith.

I was recently sent a beautiful hamper of Struik Christian Media books which I have slowly been working my way through, and one that immediately caught my eye is the lovely, Growing Together is a devotional featuring devotions for all families by Ewald and Beatrix van Rensberg.

I really love how simple and easy this devotional is to use, it features conversation starters, bible verses, stories and more. Each week, family members are encouraged to share the best and worse moments of their day, and my favourite is the prompt for family members to share where they encountered Jesus and to talk about something or someone that reminded them of Him. This small and simple prompt encourages us to look for more of Jesus in the people we encounter each day and has a pleasant impact on our day-to-day interactions. From there, the devotional takes you through a Bible reading, followed by a story, a fun activity, a prayer, a prompt to partake in random act of kindness and a section for parents which provides tips and advice for reinforcing the lesson of the week, with a space to write down notes.

Devotional time as a family can be an incredible way to encourage children to grow and explore their faith. As we already know, children learn from what we do, and by giving them the opportunity to observe and learn from us during devotional time, they too are encouraged to seek Him in their own quiet time and are familiar with how to praise, pray and worship our Father. I really love that devotional time encourages children to turn their eyes to Him, and gently creates the practice of spending time in His word, learning, meditating, seeking and praising Him for His works while also making God the centre of family time.

Personally, I find that creating time for family devotions has meant forcing myself to step away – both mentally and physically – from the other distractions in life, and allows me to spend time openly chatting and encouraging my children to explore their relationship with God.

I recently learnt that my 6-year-old son is too shy to pray, and prefers when I pray for our family because he feels that there is a right and wrong way to pray, so I have been spending more and more time encouraging him to pray and showing him that praying is simply talking to God. This sort of conversation was only prompted because my child feels safe and secure in discussing matters of faith – it’s not something he would have openly admitted to other family members or a teacher, and it’s something that he could have very easily grown up believing if it weren’t for our family devotional time. Now, I am ensuring he has the tools so that he can build and explore his faith confidently, not worrying that he will be judged by the size of his prayers.

Growing Together is a fantastic addition to any bookshelf and has proven to be an amazing resource for families who want to actively seek time with Him. I love the important conversations it has prompted and that it mindfully helps both children and parents navigate this special time spent with Him, as a family. Besides the insightful lessons and stories that this book hold, it also encourages families to practise kindness and to look for Him in each and every day, transforming every encounter into an opportunity to connect with God.

You can purchase your copy of Growing Together fro CUM Books, Loot, and other leading book stores. 

Do you make time for devotions, as a family? I would love to hear what books and resources you’re using, how has it helped your children?

Megan Kelly Botha

I’m a coffee-wielding mood reader and romance book collector who may or may not have a slight addiction to buying books. I read a variety of sub-genres within romance, including rom-coms, dark romance, and fantasy. I love sharing my thoughts on books, whether it’s through book reviews, quotes, or recommendations inspired by my current reads. Through my romance book blog, Literary Inspired, I aim to provide in-depth book reviews, curated reading recommendations, and exclusive author promotions. I’m passionate about supporting indie authors and sharing my latest book discoveries with others. When I’m not reading, you can find me cheering on my favorite football team and F1 drivers, crafting, baking with my kids or playing with my pets.

literaryinspired.com/

The post Growing Together Devotional Review appeared first on Cup of Faith.

Back when I first started exploring Bible Journalling, I discovered Shanna Noel, the owner and founder of Illustrated Faith and the Bible Journaling Community. I spent months watching her videos, and wishing they were local as it’s really difficult to get any of Illustrated Faith’s products in South Africa – I REALLY want her monthly kits! Besides her Bible Journalling Supplies, it is her books that I have always been interested in, so when my mother-in-law went to England and asked what she could bring back for me, I quickly made a bee-line for Amazon to find that they had stock of all the Devotional Journals that Shanna has created with Day Spring.

I have been working through the 100 Days of Bible Promises which the book describes as, “Set on a journey to live your faith in a form of worship called Bible Journalling. 100 Days of Bible Promises is a devotional journal that highlights a life-changing promise from God’s word each day, and provides space to create, journal, reflect and pray on the gift that God is whispering to your heart.”

Originally, I had started working through 100 Days of Less Hustle, More Jesus, but am constantly reading and reviewing a variety of devotionals for this blog and found myself gravitating towards 100 Days of Bible Promises which has been one of my favourite devotionals, of all time. Every single prompt has been so appropriate to my day-to-day life and the challenges that I am facing, with beautiful prayers to meditate on throughout the day.

Shanna’s books are all so beautifully designed and carefully thought-out. The devotional part of each day is usually brief, practical and helps teach God’s word in a very relatable and is easy-to-understand way, that can be applied to real-life. Also included in each daily prompt is 3 Bible Verses that reaffirm the message of the day and on the second page, you’ll find the featured scripture of the day, a short prayer to meditate on, and lots of space for you to journal, reflect and write out your own prayers for the day. The lovely designs and little touches throughout the journal make this devotional all the more special, so even if you’re new to bible journaling or like me, lack the creativity but still long for pretty journals, your daily reflections and prayers look like beautiful spreads.

100 Days of Bible Promises makes the perfect gift and can be read over and over again – its message is timeless, sincere and helps reaffirm the foundations we build our faith upon. I think that this devotional is especially great for new believers or perhaps those overwhelmed by the very many devotionals available – it’s just such a solid devotional from start to end, that I can’t personally put my finger on anything that it might be missing. It’s beautiful in every way, helps break down God’s promises in a way that is easy to understand, it has Bible verses to reference, and prayers to reflect on while taking it a step further and leaving us with our own space to journal, which helps to enrich our devotional time and really consider how the message applies to our own lives.

I currently own 100 Days of… “Less Hustle, More Jesus,” Grace and Gratitude” and “Bible Promises.” and can’t wait to add more of the Illustrated Faith products to my collection. If you’d like to purchase your own Illustrated Faith products, I have found a local supplier, called Doodle’s Cafe and while I cannot vouch for their service (I haven’t yet shopped from them – but plan on doing so, soon!) I am elated that I can shop more Illustrated Faith products locally.

Megan Kelly Botha

I’m a coffee-wielding mood reader and romance book collector who may or may not have a slight addiction to buying books. I read a variety of sub-genres within romance, including rom-coms, dark romance, and fantasy. I love sharing my thoughts on books, whether it’s through book reviews, quotes, or recommendations inspired by my current reads. Through my romance book blog, Literary Inspired, I aim to provide in-depth book reviews, curated reading recommendations, and exclusive author promotions. I’m passionate about supporting indie authors and sharing my latest book discoveries with others. When I’m not reading, you can find me cheering on my favorite football team and F1 drivers, crafting, baking with my kids or playing with my pets.

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When I was a teenager, I read somewhere that Oprah kept a gratitude journal and every day, she’d write down five things that she was grateful for.  From fresh flowers to the kindness of strangers, Oprah shared that acknowledging these things made her more receptive to the goodness in her life.

Years later, I decided to do something similar and started a series on Instagram where I’d share My Weekly Win and challenging myself to look for the good in each week that passed, even during the most challenging seasons of life. As time went by and I took a step back from sharing so much of my life online, I transitioned to a gratitude journal and would focus on highlighting at least 3 things that I was grateful for each day. Over time, this has become a habit and every day, before bed, I make sure to look for the good in the day.

Truthfully, when I first started my gratitude journal, I was doing it with the hope that it would help me dig myself out of a very negative hole that I had fallen into. I was overwhelmed by everything going wrong in our lives and felt out of control. All too often, I found myself asking God for a break, begging Him for a win – just ONE thing, ANYTHING! I NEEDED something to go right, so when Joyce Meyer’s suggested in her podcast to literally count your blessings by physically writing them out, I did, and it’s changed my outlook on life and has made me a more grateful person!

Recently, CUM Books launched a beautiful range of books featuring a 120-day Gratitude Journal called, ‘My Gratitude Journal’ and ‘A Gift Of Grace And Gratitude Devotional’ by Carolyn Larsen which they were kind enough to send to me.

Over the last month, I have been using each of these books together and love how they encourage you to seek the blessings in each day. I find that even on the hardest and most challenging days, spending a few minutes highlighting the good – no matter how big or small – really changes my mood and perspective and forces me to stop looking at all the things I need and rather acknowledge the good that surrounds me and my family despite our circumstances. It quite literally makes me count my blessings and I love it!

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Here are some of the benefits of keeping a gratitude journal:

1. Increases positivity and makes you happier
2. Improves Self-Esteem
3. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
4. Helps you sleep better
5. Helps you acknowledge God’s hand in your life

Since I have started recording my blessings and the things I am grateful for, I have become more optimistic – always looking for the good in every situation and even when there isn’t any good, I still have the peace of mind that while this may not be a blessings right now, it certainly will be a lesson one day. God continues to bless me abundantly and I love recording all the ways that he is working in my life.

Do you keep a record of your blessings in a gratitude journal? What is something you are grateful for, today?

Megan Kelly Botha

I’m a coffee-wielding mood reader and romance book collector who may or may not have a slight addiction to buying books. I read a variety of sub-genres within romance, including rom-coms, dark romance, and fantasy. I love sharing my thoughts on books, whether it’s through book reviews, quotes, or recommendations inspired by my current reads. Through my romance book blog, Literary Inspired, I aim to provide in-depth book reviews, curated reading recommendations, and exclusive author promotions. I’m passionate about supporting indie authors and sharing my latest book discoveries with others. When I’m not reading, you can find me cheering on my favorite football team and F1 drivers, crafting, baking with my kids or playing with my pets.

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The post Counting Your Blessings with a Gratitude Journal appeared first on Cup of Faith.