We
live in a world full of business and noise. We can be left empty and
dry by the everyday cares and stresses of this life. The only thing
which can fill the emptiness and wet the dryness of life is a closer
relationship with God. Most professing Christians have a real desire
to get closer to God.
Jerry
MacGregor, in his book, "40 Ways to Get Closer to God,"
presents 40 practical steps one can use to close the distance between
themselves and God. The steps range from serving God by serving
people to constant prayer to finishing this course of life strong.
"40
Ways to Get Closer to God" is laid out in forty chapters, each
chapter representing a single step to be taken on the journey to get
close to God. Each chapter, each step, is to be taken one day at a
time, hence 40 ways in 40 days. Do not let the concept of a book
having forty chapter scare you away from it. Each chapter is concise
and to the point. The entire book is only 189 pages.
One
of the things I really like about this book is how each chapter
begins with a quote. The text of the chapter then relates closely to
the quote. Thus you begin each chapter with a provoking thought
process. Allow me to use the quote from day twenty-nine as an
example. It is by Richard Foster.
"Confession
if a difficult Discipline for us because we all to often view the
believing community as a fellowship of saints before we see it as a
fellowship of sinners."
Though
the book is laid out for one to embark on a forty-day journey to get
closer to God, you can take one particular step, or one day, and use
it to work on your relationship with God. There are steps, or days,
in which you will already possess strength in. There are plenty of
other steps, or days, however, where there is weakness and distance
from God.
The
author, Jerry MacGregor, presents a challenge along with each step or
day. Each challenge is designed to get you to take an active part,
beyond just reading what may be a good idea, in getting your
relationship with God to a level of closeness the human spirit so
desires.
"40
Ways to Get Closer to God" is a good book to use as a 40-day
devotional. Yet if one takes and puts each step into practice, he or
she will soon discover that each step is a step that can be taken
every day for a lifetime. I recommend this book to anyone desiring to
get closer to God.
I
received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have
expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with
the Federal
Trade Commission's 16 CFR, part 255: "Guides
Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
