Saving Grace Daily Devotions From Jack Miller

        We live in a time of instant coffee and drive through dinners where cell phones and text messages demand rapid responses. Though much of our desires for immediate gratification comes from our own impatience there is no denying that the world we live in demands it. One might say that we are "redeeming the time" but in our busyness we often defer our time with God to that single day of worship. The result is weak Christians with flabby hearts hardly able to persevere the trials of the Christian Life.  Many have undertaken to curb this negligence by producing devotional books meant to encourage the Christian to a few minutes of time alone with God's Word. Sadly the greater number of these works are filled with glib stories and smooth words. These authors feed men and women skim milk when what they really need is meat on their plates. There is no denying that there is a need for books aimed at allowing Christians to dig in quickly for a word to feed their souls but where is the word of God being taught with weight and power. There has come an awakening to the need for more spiritual devotions among many who have seen this need and this book is among them, though there are others I urge you not pass this one by. I introduce to you a wonderful collection of God honoring and spirit filled teaching, here are powerful messages from a man who was a sinner but who knew the saving power of Christ and his electing love. 

      The book is called Saving Grace Daily Devotionals from Jack Miller. Jack was a professor and a preacher. The introductory notes describe him as a loving husband and father who brought laughter into his home and most importantly a strong conviction of the power of God's Word. The book is a compilation of excerpts from Jack's sermons 366 in all, one for each date of the year. The forward is by his son Paul Miller and the introduction by his wife Rose Marie Miller, the editorial notes are written by family and friends.I encourage you to read the introductory notes and learn more about the man whose words compile this book and you will have a sweeter connection to the things he teaches. Jack Miller has departed this corrupted world and joined his Father and Savior in glory but his words live on. My prayer is the same as the pastor's wife written in the introduction that you would "read these excerpts slowly and prayerfully, asking the Spirit to fill you with the power of the Risen Christ.  Then go by faith and share the love of Christ with someone else"

      The excerpts in this book are excellent words for the busy christian or for one who simply wants some sweet time with the word of God and fellowship with their Savior. The first message is about our being adopted in Christ (Galatians 4:6) "because God has made you his child, you don't have to view yourself as an orphan anymore but as an insider, as someone who belongs" what are the areas in your life where you think like an orphan".  This theme of our son-ship in Christ seems to be threaded throughout Jack's preaching. When it comes to sin Jack is stern and yet gracious and his joy for our salvation comes out with encouraging praises and exhorting words to look on Him who gave his only son that we might have life in Him. Jack's preaching has a real joyful and jolly aroma to it that seems to put in my mind a warm smile upon the preachers face. Enjoy the example I have included below. 

      The Passage is Revelation 3:20 "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come on to him and eat with him, and he with me."

             Some people interpret Revelation 3:20 like this: Jesus stands at the door of your life and knocks; you're on the inside and, of your own free will, you open the door and welcome him in. There's some truth in that. But really, how it works is that Jesus stands at the door and knocks. You hear the knocking, put three locks on the door, and move furniture up against it. Then the Holy Spirit slips in a window, goes into the basement, turns the furnace on full blast, and sets a few fires while he is at it. It starts to get really hot and smoky in the house, and in desperation you begin to move the furniture away from the door. As you grasp for air you open the locks and fling open the door. Fresh air rushes in, and you grab hold of Jesus with that wonderful free will of yours. Well, sure it's free, but only because the Holy Spirit turned up the heat. That's grace isnt it?

This book is filled with precious excerpts like the one above and I really enjoyed reading through these passages. There is a nice scripture index at the back of the book if you prefer to see his handle on a particular passage. I often like to pick up a devotional book when I have a few minutes to relax and like to have something deep and encouraging to feed my mind and soul, I am very thankful to have received this book and will go back to it time and time again. 

   If you are looking for a devotion book that speaks from the scriptures with substance and power and gives glory to God read Saving Grace Daily Devotions from Jack Miller.

I received this book from New Growth Press in exchange for an honest review.