Too "me"- centered to be a decent devotional.

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When writing a devotional, or book geared towards helping a Christian grow in their faith, the focus should always be God.

While reading through this devotional, the focus was always on self and how God can help you be "better." Never about what we as Christians need to do so we can better serve God.

I have nothing against uplifting devotionals and encouraging your fellow believer, in fact I'm known for being someone who is always cheerful and uplifting. However, when all of the focus is on that and never how you can grow spiritually, there is never a deepening of faith and service.

I have been a Christ follower for almost 19 years and was practically born in church almost 12 years before that. I have read many devotionals and done many Bible studies. The ones that have made the most impact on my life are the ones that called me to action.

I fear this devotional leans more towards what's known as prosperity gospel (if you follow God's rules, you'll be wealthy and have all you need) which is not Biblical. In fact, being a true Christ follower will bring persecution and difficulty. 1 Peter 4:14 in the ESV Bible says, "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

Being a Christ follower isn't about getting a bunch of material things or becoming famous. It's about daily surrendering yourself in service to God and being filled with an unending, indescribable joy because of it.