The most precious words this world has ever heard came from the voice of Jesus. "It is I, do not be afraid"; "I am the Light of the World"; "I go to Prepare a Place for You"; "It is finished." These are just some of the powerful, life-renewing words spoken by Jesus in the first century. As we read them in John's Gospel, the Holy Spirit makes these same words come alive in our hearts today.
With devotions and prayers from Adam Ramsey, along with insights from the 19th-century "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, you will encounter Jesus through these pages and experience the transforming power and tender comfort of his voice.
These 40 devotions are ideal for Lent, with two extra special reflections added for Easter Sunday and Monday. They can also be used at any time through the year, to deepen your own walk with Jesus.
As Jesus' words of grace and truth shine a light into your heart, you'll learn more about yourself. But more importantly, you'll learn more about him, as you marvel at his character and find yourself captivated by his presence.
This was such an encouraging read. Chapters took less than 10mins (including the time spent reading a portion of John's Gospel). I loved the reflections, I REALLY loved the prayers, and the Spurgeon spiels were cool too. It's designed to be used as a Lent Devotioinal, but I just did it over January/February when it was newly released. I could see myself using it again - and I've already being trying to convince my wife to use it. I'm a big fan of Adam Ramsay's writing - his book Truth on Fire was my favourite Christian book in 2022. Highly recommend this one too.
I’ve finished this book 5 days before Easter - apparently I wasn’t aware that Lent readings don’t include Sundays ☠️ I found this out on Day 40 and figured I might as well carry on. In any case, I loved this devotional - it was well written and easy for me to understand, and stirs the heart to think about the message, long after the pages are closed.
Great little devotional book. Nuggets of truth that are easy to remember and dwell on throughout the day. This was a breath of fresh air into my devotional life. Good for Easter but you could definitely read this at any point throughout the year. Thought it was also nice as a gentle introduction to Spurgeon. Would recommend to Christians who are a) struggling to find time to read the Bible (these devos are not long at all, 2-3 pages) and b) needing refreshed and encouraged.
I loved this. I read it daily throughout Lent and the short chapters made it easy to keep on track. It has enhanced my joy this Easter season and I will look out for other books by this author!
Truly one of the best little morning books I’ve read! Sweet time reflecting on the heart of Christ especially through the beautiful thoughts from Spurgeon! I’m not normally a devotional book person but would 10/10 recommend this little book to anyone at any time of the year, not just lent!!
Lovely to focus on just one, simple, life-altering saying of Jesus at a time.
This is definitely a light bite, and sometimes the application was a bit wonky (“seek God in your own Gethsemanes”?), but an easy way to meditate on John 16-21 in the run up to Easter.
Couldn’t write a high enough review. Read this back in 2023 and my farmer dad managed to read it this year too !! Wonderful for re establishing the truth of the gospel in your life ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adam Ramsey writes well. Each chapter explores a few gourmet verses of Jesus words in John's gospel, with a few pages of thoughtful expansion on the passage from Adam, a suggestion for reflection/prayer and a quote from Spurgeon to finish. This book isn't anything flashy, just simple words pointing to Jesus. That's all it needs to be, and that's why it's so humbly profound.
4.5 stars. Very nice Lenten devotional with beautiful insights and an interesting integration of thoughts from Charles H. Spurgeon. Insightful, poignant at times, and effective in turning me more toward Jesus during this Lent and Easter period.
Is there still power and wonder in the words of Jesus? In Truly, Truly, I Say to You, Adam Ramsey writes meditations on the words of Jesus form the Gospel of John.
Slow Down, Be Still
In just less than 200 pages, Ramsey shares 42 sayings of Jesus (one of them is actually the silence of Holy Saturday), explains what they mean, and applies them to your life. These are short reflections but every single one of them is worth your consideration. This book will cause you to slow down, be still, and soak yourself in Scripture.
Throughout the book, Ramsey shares insights from Charles Spurgeon. Their thoughts fit well together and it is clear that Ramsey highly respects and has learned much from the Prince of Preachers. This book reminds me of classic books from the Puritans, where they squeeze out every bit of truth from a single verse or saying. Ramsey triumphantly carries on this tradition.
Theological Clarity, Pastoral Warmth
I was most interested to hear Jesus say “I chose you” in John 15:16-19. Ramsey writes that this is a humbling truth. I found rest in the fact that I don’t need to find acceptance from others as I am already chosen and cherished by Christ. We are chosen by grace and we are chosen to be agents of grace. My heart was led to worship and I was motivated to continue carrying out his mission.
I was most moved towards the end of the book, as Jesus’ words are become brief but are still filled with meaning. “I thirst.” “It is finished.” “Peace be with you.” I am convinced that entire books can be written about these short sentences! I was also intrigued at the questions Jesus posed. At the beginning of the book, he asks, “What are you seeking?” He did not ask this to be informed, but for the sake of his followers. He wanted them to search their hearts as he knew he would be the only one who could satisfy. Ramsey does an excellent job of explaining them with theological clarity and pastoral warmth.
Focus on Jesus
While written and arranged with Lent in mind, this book is a fitting devotional for any season. Reading it at the start of the new year helped bring me in to focus on what Jesus’ life was really about and what I should be focused on. It has caused me to challenge what I think Jesus said with what he actually means. I am grateful for God’s Word and I don’t want to take it for granted this year. Where else can I go? Jesus has the words of eternal life. No one ever spoke like this man!
I received a media copy of Truly, Truly, I Say to You and this is my honest review.
Loved this book. Easy to follow, loved that it involved reading the bible and not just the words of the author. Read as a church through the period of lent.
This is a devotional going through the book of John, in 42 parts making it ideal for Lent. As well as the usual format for a devotional, a scripture, commentary and prayer, it also features some content from the infamous 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon. This has been carefully selected from his enormous body of work. Spurgeon's powerful words round off each section with fine examples of his ability to cut to the heart of a topic. They are like treasure. In addition the author draws on many quotes from other theologians that adds to the depth of content. The commentary from Adam is thought provoking, clear, full of wisdom and always Gospel-focussed. His words are motivating, stirring, encouraging and edifying, and will take the reader on a journey through Lent that leads to the foot of the cross.
i love this book so much; the first book i've owned that talks about Jesus' red letters. it's originally a devotional for lent but it can still be read at any season. it has been vv helpful the past 40 days because it brought me to the heart of Jesus (i've devoured Spurgeon's sermons as well)—i know i'll carry every message with me from this day onwards. couldn't recommend this enough for believers.
In this devotional, Adam Ramsey explores the words of Jesus. Each reading begins with a short quote and its Scripture reference, and then Ramsey unpacks its meaning and implication over a few pages. The readings all end with a prayer and with a quote from Charles Spurgeon that fits with that day's theme. Ramsey designed this devotional for use during Lent, and the table of contents splits the 42 readings up over the weeks approaching Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. However, the devotional is suitable for use at any time. There aren't a lot of specific references to Lent, and the multi-faceted exploration of Jesus is relevant at all times.
This book includes wonderful encouragement from Scripture, and Ramsey's thoughtful reflections include a number of different practical applications and encouragements for people dealing with different spiritual issues, such as struggling with assurance of their faith or feeling spiritually dry. The gentle, pastoral tone throughout the book is very helpful, and the book gives readers a deeper sense of Jesus's compassion and love. The Spurgeon quotes are also very encouraging, and these short segments can be a great on-ramp for people who want to read his work but aren't familiar with his old-fashioned writing style.
Truly, Truly, I Say to You is a great devotional for any time of year, and it is great for individual reading or for families to read together. Even though Ramsey wrote this book for adults and gives adult-oriented practical examples, the writing is simple and conversational enough for older children to follow along and be engaged in family readings, and the reflections involve universal spiritual feelings and struggles rather than advice for any particular life stage.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.