BOOK REVIEW: His Princess, Letters from God (Devotional)

HIS PRINCESS by Sheri Rose Shepherd is a unique devotional book.  The sub-title is “Love Letters from Your King”.  In the introduction Shepherd states the fact that early in her life she had made many poor choices for she did not know God’s plan, purpose, and power.  She became a new creature in Christ and wants other women to know that  we can live beyond our pain and our past, our fears and failures, and become…His princesses.

Since we are children of God, we are princesses of a King.  Each devotion is written as a letter from God based on a Scripture from His Word.  They are written in a very personal way.  A friend of mine read a few of them and said, “She is writing right to me”.  Each one is very direct in nature and causes one to wonder why that was not apparent in that Scripture as I read it.

Many subjects are covered.  Some ideas brought forth are:  fitting in is not as important as causing others to think of the Lord; modesty verses the style of the world; choices are ours but we need to make the right ones; your time is valuable; the Lord is always there so come to Him, the Lord will open your spiritual eyes; your words reflect who you are and many, many more topics. 

Shepherd stresses the fact that just reading about God’s will is not the road to eternity but changing our lives and doing God’s will is what is important.  Her devotions will bring the vision of what God sees in us to bring about that change.  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnoma Publishing Group for this review.

BOOK REVIEW: RADICAL TOGETHER-DAVID PLATT

RADICAL TOGETHER by David Platt whose book, Radical, made the New York Times Bestseller list has written another book which deals with contemporary ideas that are not found in the Bible.  Although we use many things that the New Testament church did not have such as hymnals, modern-day instruments, church buildings, etc., the present thrust of churches to grow seems to be tied to “programs” and big, beautiful buildings.

Platt addresses the fact that churches today involve people in many religious activities but is “devoid of spiritual productivity”.  Many of these activities are not bad but to quote Platt, “Are these programs and activities the best way to spend our time, money, and energy for the spread of the gospel in our neighborhood and in all nations?”  We do not want something that is just good.  We are stewards of the Lord and we want to use what we have to be very best that we can.

In considering the above question, Platt gives statistics that are important to consider.  The real purpose of our spiritual obligation is to use God’s resources “for God’s glory in a world where millions of people are starving and more than a billion have never even heard of Jesus.”  As individuals we want to follow Jesus but what is our purpose as we work together corporately?  Together we can make a difference in people’s lives in many ways.  As Jesus did—feed the hungry, heal the sick (in our medical way with prayer), teach about Jesus, give Bibles to those that have never even seen a Bible and many more ways.

The challenge is emphasized:  Is it more important to have ball teams, fellowship get-togethers, study groups with only a little devotional, and have a big building program than to thoroughly study God’s Word and then spread that Word to all around us as well as those abroad through Christians willing to go as missionaries.

Platt mentions short mission trips as a means for Christians to see the need and then to become a part of opportunities to support and even to go for longer periods of times to help those already working in various parts of the world.  So much and so many are needed.

Many feel they are not equipped to help spread the Word about Jesus.  Platt erases that doubt by showing that every Christian needs to realize that it is not with his own power and ability that these things are accomplished but by the power of God and the Spirit put within us to carry us through.

Although Platt realizes that no one knows when the end of the world will come but he presents a somewhat unique idea that it will not happen until every nation, tribe, tongue, and people have heard the gospel.  We want that to happen for we are living for the end of the world to be with the Lord.  Radical?  Yes  Together?  Yes  I recommend this book.

God is worthy of all we have for He gave us everything—“lives, budgets, ambitions, programs, relationships, possessions, careers, and trust”.  It is not about us.  Many Scriptures are used throughout.  “I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.”