Abiding Dependence: Living Moment-by-Moment in the Love of God

by Ron Block

Our humanity is meant to be powered by the Breath of God.   You want to grow more deeply in your faith—to know in your bones the love the Father has for you. You want to know that even when life doesn’t seem to be going as it should, God is with you. You need courage for today. Strength and hope for tomorrow. Musician and artist Ron Block desires the same—for you and for himself.   To become who we’re meant to be requires a deeper experience of God Himself. Abiding Dependence shares forty days of meditations—a deep plunge into the beauty and richness of the Gospels. Block takes the reader through contemplations of Jesus as Son of God, Son of Man, Tempted Son of Man, Compassionate High Priest, Man of Courage, Reconciler, and more. The reader learns to live and breathe in the atmosphere of God’s abiding love.   Christians often try to add flesh-fueled effort to buttress their works and walk with God. Can you relate? This gives rise to all sorts of mistaken ideas about God and our relationship with him. Block helps us live and rest in Jesus. Seeing and knowing His love awakens our trust. Faith lights hope. And we all need a stirring of hope—one that does not disappoint. Block stirs in Christians a hope not just for a future some day but for this day, this hour, this very moment. Join Block on a soul strengthening forty days of Abiding Dependence ! 

Genres: Devotional, Religion, Christian Living, Christian

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Amanda E. (aebooksandwords) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Abiding Dependence: Living Moment by Moment in the Love of God” by Ron Block is a book of devotional writings related to Jesus’ dependence on the Father as a model for our own dependence on God.

The author writes,

“Spending a little time recognizing God’s presence tunes up our hearts and minds before the day begins. That’s what I hope to offer in this book—encouragement toward fellowship with God.”

I have to be honest: I typically dislike daily devotionals. Yet in many daily readings of “Abiding Dependence,” at least one or two things would stand out to me. I even found myself wanting to keep reading after the day’s devotional.

Highlights:

“When we read the Gospels, setting aside what we think we know, we see a Jesus who is always loving but honest, kind though strong, compassionate but not letting people off the hook, wise yet continually asking questions.”

“Temptation says, ‘God isn’t enough. He’s working too slowly. Rely on yourself. You can figure it out.’”

“…platitudes like ‘Be more loving’ and ‘Have faith’ have no power for someone believing love, faith, and other qualities depend on their own effort and willpower.”

“When we pray, ‘Our Father’ we are to say the word with all the associations that the most loving, kind, perfect Father would bring, despite whatever kind of earthly father we may have.”

“God didn’t scare off Goliath for David. David had to run at him with a sling and a stone. God didn’t scare off the tempter for Jesus; Jesus had to hit him between the eyes with the spoken Word of God. And God didn’t take Jesus off the cross; He had to go through death to gain resurrection for us all.”

Readability: 5
Impact: 4
Content: 4
Enjoyment: 3
Total: 4

[Natalie Herr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took my time through these 40 reflections and found a lot of wise nuggets. I’d recommend for Lent or anytime you want to grow in abiding with Jesus. I will definitely return to this one.

[Ike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent devotional. Block points you to being content in God’s strength show in your weakness.

[Cover Lover Book Review]

Spending a little time recognizing God’s presence tunes up our hearts and minds before the day begins. ~Quote from the book

What a beautiful book! Abiding Dependence prompts us to live moment by moment in the love of God.

The author has an inviting quality that sets the tone for this devotional style book. The author states he isn’t crazy about the phrase “devotional time” because it sounds like an obligation instead of delightful time with God. I never really thought of it that way, but I get his line of thought.

The book is organized into 40 days, offering Scripture verses and contemplative devotions for each day that are impactful and inspiring. Each of the readings point us to the Light of the world, reveals who we are to HIM, and by doing so, strengthens our soul.

First Line (Introduction): I’ve been playing music for over forty years, and I know as settled fact if my guitar is out of tune it won’t matter how well I play.
Genre: Christian Spiritual Growth, Non-fiction
Author: Ron Block
Page Count: 208

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I have been fans of Ron Block’s music and writing for years, and we’re excited to read his first book! This book was just what I needed after becoming a mom of four last year. Postpartum is hard, being a mom is hard… and it’s hard to find the quiet time to read!

I chose this book to read with my husband and I cried when I read the first chapter! An overwhelming peace came from these chapters, reminding me to make practice of abiding in God every moment of the day.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible!

First I bought the audiobook which is filled with Ron Block’s music. He narrates it wonderfully.

Day 6 I realized I need to follow the words with my eyes because the writing is so delectable. So I bought the ebook.

Day 19 - the ebook isn’t enough. I ordered the physical book from The Rabbit Room. It just came. I’m so excited.

I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Aliceson Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful study! This book is more than a devotional - although it reads like one. The daily studies are deep. Much deeper than most “devotionals”. Ron is open and honest with his struggles and his victories. He teaches with kindness, tenderness and patience. What a wonderful study tool written by an amazing teacher! Thank you! I go back often to this book and I recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God and the people around them.

[Morgan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so honest and down-to-earth about what it looks like to depend on Christ continually. Each reading is short enough to be manageable if you’re in a season of life low on time and capacity to read, but there is so much wisdom and “meat” packed into each reading. When I finished the book, I was ready to start at the beginning again right away! Refreshing and encouraging.

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laid out in 40 short chapters--it would work well for Lent--I read it as I was able over several months. I appreciate Block's emphasis on us submitting to God and simply abiding dependently, rather than always trying harder and harder. Many days he painted a helpful word picture to try to get at this point from various angles. It's a hard topic to capture but he did it pretty well.

[Jovanni Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Abide” is the word I feel God has put on my heart for this year and I’ve seen it a lot but never truly understood what it meant. I definitely have a better understanding of what abiding in God means and this devo was easy and digestable. not too many personal stories but actual biblical evidence and practical ways to practice abiding in God and correct the way we see obedience.

[Shea Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good devotional! Wish there was more scripture to read along with it but overall good

[Julie Wadsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really good thoughts and some really boring ones. I liked the good enough for a 3

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a huge fan of devotionals but I did love this one. It managed to dig deep in spite of its short daily chapters. It encouraged me. Glad I read it.