The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Earth are competing for citizenship, and neither is willing to give deference. Take a month and allow the Gospel of John to adjust your thinking, and reexamine the Kingdom with which you are aligned.
The “Think About” series is a set of standalone Christian devotionals that combines biblical application with poignant stories and metaphors. Each book contains thirty-one reflections that take an average of ten minutes to read but much longer to digest.
In this book, you will embark on a journey that will traverse the entire Gospel of John. In those accounts, Jesus supplies wine to a wedding, crosses gender and racial barriers, and uses a whip to break up a church service. Whether you are a skeptic or lifelong believer, each chapter will evoke one simple question: Who is Jesus to you, and how is that going to affect your life?
When God is busy with you, he directs your steps in the most minute ways. This is how I got to this devotional: Think about the Kingdom by JW Clark.
For years now, I am struggling with the financial breakthrough in my life. Each month begins with the same question: How will I pay rent and my bills? There are months that the Lord provides the full amount, and months that I have nothing, no income, no one blessing me. In April, after another test run that ran out on nothing, I was at it again, asking what should I do? The why questions are always at the forefront of my mind. In March, the Lord directs me to Matt 6: 30 - 33, where the Lord declares; He knows what I need. What I would eat and what I would drink but seek first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness and it be added to you. Then, while on Amazon, this book is recommended to me. The relevant questions within each daily devotional really made me pause and think about my own priorities, to turn the tables on my thinking and drink from the fountain of living water. Each day's reading gave me more clarity about what God wants from me, where my focus should be, and how to accomplish this in my everyday life. This month alone, the Lord has provided so that I could buy food. By just getting my priorities straight and change my focus from myself to the Kingdom, I can experience some changes.
I found this book's content valuable and the word sound. A great devotional that helps you to understand and clear the cobwebs within your heart and mind.
I find it interesting that while in his book, author J.W. Clark wants his readers to think about the kingdom [of our Lord/God], I couldn't find anything related to where this kingdom is located. However, in my journey in trying to be a good Christian woman, I've found the answer in LUKE 17:21 [NKJV]:
"nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
There are several incidences where the author gives a Scripture citation but doesn't give what it says, as was the case with JOHN 18:37 and JOHN 18:38. Mr. Clark has also left out mentioning JOHN 18:36 entirely, where we're told what Jesus said regarding the location of His kingdom [NKJV]:
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
The kingdom of God is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, and I believe that we, as Christians, seem neglectful in talking about it, and possibly it is because we don't fully grasp its meaning. The kingdom of God is not a physical location. From a biblical perspective, a working definition of God's kingdom can be seen as God's universal reign as our Creator and Christ's far-reaching work as our Redeemer.
It is here that Mr. Clark directs his reader's attention in thinking about the Kingdom of God by taking them through an excursion of the Gospel of John, by the combination of Christian devotionals usage of allegories and heart-rendering stories. And it is here that Mr. Clark desires to transform the relationships that his readers have with the Lord into something more meaningful. Even though the book lacks comprehensiveness, I still feel it merits the 5 STARS I've given it.
This was a fantastic Spiritual Growth book that walked through the book of John, and we delved deeper into many aspects. John, the author, who chose to write his inspired by God book of the Bible with more details and in several cases, eyewitness accounts that the other Gospel writers didn't. John chose many times to focus on a different POV in the same event. I personally loved learning more than I ever had when reading this book! I believe it was the "meat"; unlike the "milk" that Peter refers to in his first book, 2nd chapter, and verse two. I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.
This book is based on the gospel of John, as a devotional. It focuses on the understanding that John is writing to supplement the other three gospels of record with additional information. The young Christian church was having some issues and he wanted to set the record straight… John writes about the holiness and deity of Jesus, his Lord and friend. I enjoyed this thought provoking book and recommend it for all believers.
I had not heard of this author but wanted to do a study of St. John, and found this book's thoughts broke down in pieces just right to spend a short amount of time each morning reading, learning, and studying. My eyes were opened to an understanding of certain things I was always curious about. I recommend.
I chose this rating because the author has good insights into the content. Each chapter makes you stop to pause, think, and reflect on your relationship with Jesus.
J. W. Clark has a way of provoking thought. He brings the Gospel of John to life and parallels it with his own and with the reader, as well. Read with an open heart and you won't be disappointed.
The author gives his own perspective on the gospel in a way that communicates the integrity of the original scriptural text and at the same time makes it relevant to life today.
I really enjoyed reading this book as it give us quite a bit of history and is written within the proper context that so many books about Christ are not.
I really enjoyed the book. His insights on different parts of John made me realize that as many times as I had read the scripture I had still missed things. Well worth your time and money. I will probably read it again.
Jon takes the familiar passages of the Book of John and thoughtfully and provokingly opens our eyes to see applications to our own lives and circumstances.