A Godward Life: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life

by John Piper

A Godward Life is the first of three devotional volumes by John Piper, each feature 120 vignettes that focus on the radical difference it makes when we choose to live with God at the center of all that we do. Scripture-soaked and touching on the issues which most affect our lives today, A Godward Life is a passionate, moving, and articulate call for all believers to live their lives in conscious and glad submission to the sovereignty and glory of God.

Genres: Christian, Devotional, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christianity, Religion

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1992

About the author

John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.

John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short devotional book. I’m a big fan of John Piper.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not normally a fan of devotion books. They tend to focus on the lowest common denominator for scripture and often do not encourage readers to engage with the text as much as the illustration. This book is a little different. The devotions that are focused on particular scriptures dig deep. Those devotions that are not directly taken from a scripture, use many scriptures to show that the worldview is biblical and is an application of another studied scripture. This an excellent resource from a trusted pastor who almost becomes and friend by the end of 120 days spent together.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

120 short but pointed letters focused on how all of life should be all for Christ. In a book such as this, it is expected that most would be good, some would be so-so, and others home runs - that’s what we have here. Could be used for daily readings, or as I did; just read several at a time in my reading rituals.

[Chase Richburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used as a short devotion each day. Wide range of topics and some more and some less appropriate for that purpose but they stirred my affections for Him regardless 🙌🏼

[Rod Innis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great devotional book. There are 120 short (one or 2 pages) meditations. They can be read one a day or several at a time. They are not dated. I often read a few. When I picked up the book, I didn't want to quit after just one meditation so I would read several.

[Brandon Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Devotional on a range of topics

[Bonhomous · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really was amazing. I have so many tidbits that have already changed my life and will continue to do so as I ruminate on them more. I love the author's focus. He truly is God-focused. Everything he sees is through the lens of God's glory. I will probably give it a few months and then go back and start through this book again. It's worth a few re-reads.

[JPaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this in 2009 and devoured it chapters at a time. This go around, I began on January 1st, and read a chapter each day devotionally. Piper faithfully presents a view of a big, glorious, awe inspiring God, deserving of our worship.

#vtReadingChallenge 2016 "A book by your favorite author".

*********Addendum***********
This is my second time through this one. The first time was in September 2010. Good reads doesn't seem to recognize this as book two. Both book one and book two have 120 chapters or approximately 4 months of daily readings each. I started book one in January and 8 months later I'm finishing book 2. I wish there was a book 3 to finish out the year! I've enjoyed reading these each morning to help get my mind awakened and working before I open the scriptures. Each reading proves helpful in pointing the mind and heart Godward, whetting the appetite for the feast to be found in God's word.

[Walt Walkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I appreciate about John Piper is that he writes with the purpose of giving his readers something meaty to chew on. There is rarely any fluff or anything extraneous. This book delivers for the most part. If I were to read it again, though, I would probably not use it as devotional material (as I did this time) since there are some entries that are not explicitly focused on scripture.

[Leesgoodfood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this! A series of thought=provoking essays, two, three pages at most. It ooh me a log time to go through it, as I savored each essay, waiting until I had time to think about it. Granted, I didn't adore every single one....but overwhelmingly excellent and practical, as one would expect form John Piper.

[S Blaeske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really could have been written as a daily devotional- it doesn’t read like a book, what with its 2 page chapters of varying topics that range from passage mediation to letters to politicians. There is great, strong theology throughout this book and many thought-provoking topics. Scattered throughout the book are John Pipers thoughts on abortion- some of his observations are brilliant, and brilliantly explained. A good read for anyone looking to understand Christian views and beliefs better.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent compliment to daily devotion

In very short chapters, Piper sheds new light on familiar verses and takes obscure or difficult verses and makes them more clear. His devotion to the glory of God and to encouraging the reader to find full satisfaction in Jesus comes through on every page. Four stars and not five because of the chapter on Lincoln.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you into the very Presence of God through 120 deeply Scripture-centered meditations. They can transform our hearts and minds as we focus on God’s beautiful sovereignty and holiness through each step of our everyday lives. There are two additional volumes in this series. The audible.com version (published by ChristianAudio.com) is beautifully read by Arthur Morey.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my second (or third?) time through this devotional. I found some of the devotionals to be very rewarding, but I'm not sure I appreciated it as much as I did when I first read it 20 years ago. Perhaps it's because the entries are so piecemeal. Still, this is worth considering if you're looking for sundry articles on various aspects of the Christian life.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of 120 short articles and devotional from John Piper. The copyright is 1997, but the relevance of the writings has not diminished. (Unless you want references to the internet in your reading material, that is!)

From marriage and parenting to the sanctity of life and the pursuit of holiness, these readings contain lots of good thoughts to convict and encourage.

[Sean Post · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vintage Piper but this didn't capture me as distinct from his other writing. His message of Christian Hedonism is beautiful and needed. However, I felt like I was listening to/reading Desiring God again.

[Steve Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding devotional from John Piper. There is no fluff here. Each short meditation provides plenty of meat to chew on. You will want to read each selection slowly and ponder it throughout the day.

[Jónatas Rafael Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foi bom voltar a reler este livro como devocional

[Connie Sudduth Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really encouraging!!

[Fred Wilhoft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several diamonds among these short meditations.

[Emily Winfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little two or three page nuggets of Pastor John that can be read in a few minutes but leave you thinking the rest of the day!

[Joel Griffis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great devotional book. This might be my favorite way to read Piper. Short spurts.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There is no doubt that 'now we see through a glass darkly.' Finite and fallen as we are, we need much help to see the light. To us there are dark places in the truth. But who can say, in this brief vapor's breath of life, what light might break upon the soul that looks, unwavering, and long enough at some dark spot, with prayer and pondering and hope that it may turn into a portal for the sun?" p.179

"The sovereignty of God is a most precious doctrine. It is the strong wood of the tree that keeps our lives from being blown over by the winds of adversity. It is the rock that rises for us out of the flood of uncertainty and confusion. It is the eye of the hurricane where we stand with God and look up into the blue sky of his mastery when everything is being destroyed." p.290 (Although some of these words are often easily misunderstood- This quote is particularly beautiful, powerful and gripping when read within the intended context.)

"Therefore, the mercy and the sovereignty of God are the twin pillars of my life. They are the hope of my future, the energy of my service, the center of my theology, the bond of my marriage, the best medicine in all my sickness, the remedy of all my discouragements. And when I come to die (whether soon or late) these two truths will stand by my bed and, with infinitely strong and infinitely tender hands, lift me up to God." p.291

[Rosane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resoluções sobre o envelhecer com Deus

1. Recordarei, com admiração e gratidão, as milhares de vezes em que confiei em Deus, desde a minha mocidade.
2. Eu me refugiarei em Deus, em vez de me ofender por causa de meus problemas.
3. Falarei com Deus cada vez mais (e não cada vez menos) sobre toda a sua grandeza, até que não haja, em meus lábios, lugar para a murmuração.
4. Esperarei (resolutamente) e não cederei ao desespero, mesmo no lar de idosos e mesmo se viver mais do que todos os meus amigos.
5. Encontrarei pessoas para falar-lhes sobre os maravilhosos atos da salvação de Deus e nunca acabarei, porque esses atos são inumeráveis.
6. Ficarei atento aos jovens e lhes falarei sobre o poder de Deus. Eu lhes direi que Deus é forte e podemos confiar nEle, quer na juventude, quer na velhice.
7. Recordarei que em Deus existem coisas que estão além de minha imaginação e que em breve eu as conhecerei.
8. Considerarei todo meu sofrimento e aflição como um dom de Deus e um caminho para a glória.
9. Resistirei aos estereótipos de pessoas velhas, brincarei, cantarei e exultarei (quer pareça conveniente, quer não).

Convido-o a juntar-se a mim nestas resoluções e a depositar sua esperança na preciosa promessa de Deus às pessoas de idade: “Até à vossa velhice, eu serei o mesmo e, ainda até às cãs, eu vos carregarei; já o tenho feito; levar-vos-ei, pois, carregar-vos-ei e vos salvarei” (Is 46.4).

[Shannon Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't often come across devotionals that contain "meat" of scripture, but I think there is quite a bit of meat in Piper's book. The chapters are short but not too short (2 to 3 pages rather than a half page like many devotionals). I personally don't care for devotionals because of the lack of depth and explanation contained in most of them, but I think Piper did well in depth and explanation while keeping it short. However, I still believe someone should still do some digging of their own in the scriptures to check certain subjects. There were a few chapters that I thought were a bit questionable and needed further explanation and scripture support, but I would still recommend checking it out it if you are looking for a devotional book (again I recommend digging deeper on some of the chapters).

[Janet Sketchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of 120 brief readings, and I'd like to go back and read some of them individually. I listened to the audiobook on a series of long drives, hearing too many back to back to be able to properly digest the most impactful. Most address spiritual growth and formation. Some are open letters on topics such as abortion, which articulate the author's Christian perspective in a rational and respectful way that makes a good example for readers/hearers when we feel called to express our own concerns on various topics. The devotional readings build from Scripture or from the lives or writing of classic Christian teachers.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains 120 devotional-type readings and commentary from John Piper, an American Baptist pastor.

I found most of them somewhat interesting, but a bit dry on the whole. I read a couple a day for two months, but didn't gain any new inspiration - I don't even remember what most of them were about. I didn't disagree with anything he said, but didn't think it particularly helpful as a devotional book.

Perhaps three-and-a-half stars if I'm feeling generous.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading a chapter a day, so it'll probably take me all year to finish. I like to savor each part slowly. Piper is like that, you have to read him mindfully to reap the benefits.
I've finished! This book is arranged in bite-sized nuggets perfectly sized to savor. Dr. Piper can take a verse I've read hundreds of times and make me see it and learn from it in a completely different way. His heart for God's word and for teaching is amazing!

[Dorrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have not read much of this book as yet but I already am sure I will give it 5 stars. John Piper is an author whose books I would buy without giving it a second thought. They are always outstanding. It is a series of short devotionals, 120 in all, that I read as part of my morning devotions. Thing is, I have several books of devotions and can't read in all of them every day, of course. So no telling when I will finish this book, but every time I read one i am blessed.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's hard to review this type of book. Since it's a collection of daily readings, it's easier to review each reading, but way too much work. So as a whole, the book was okay. Some readings I enjoyed and some I didn't. Overall, I didn't really like the randomness of the topics, but I guess that comes with the territory with these type of books.