Absolutely a great devotional. The author did a great job on speaking positive truths over yourself. The devotions weren’t so long that they took long to read but long enough to get something out of each day.

Everyday my life is filled with constant messages and things that distract me from God. I make quick reactions and don’t pray/ think before I act. That is, before I picked up and read Dwell on These Things by John Stange. I learned and now am able to incorporate valuable life mottos instead of knee jerk reactions. I can get rid of unhappy feelings and know that God is the way for me.

Thirty one short daily devotionals that will challenge you to think like God does. Some of the following topics are covered: You are loved more deeply than you realize; Any trial can be an occasion for joy; Give grace to those around you; Choose not to be easily provoked by others; Be respectful, even if you disagree; and There is greater joy in giving than in consuming.
The Biblical admonitions are standard Protestant/evangelical doctrine. There is little that is provocative or unexpected. However, the author's illustrations are priceless. Most are stories from his life that make the devotion come to life. I assume that the author, a pastor of a community church in Pennsylvania, took his best sermons and sermon illustrations and condensed them into 31 sermonettes. They are charming and inspirational.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My random thoughts need guardrails when they start wandering astray.

That's why I was drawn to read this new book by John Stange.

The voices we listen to the most are our own. But what if we change what we speak to ourselves?

In the book we get 31 positive, godly truths to repeat to ourselves. Stange gives examples from his own life as well as from scripture to accompany each truth.

We're reminded that Jesus quoted the truths of God when he was countering the lies of Satan in the wilderness. Stange says we can do the same thing, replacing the lies we tell ourselves by talking to ourselves with the words God would use instead.

Each chapter/day begins with a truth, such as:

* Day 1: You are loved more deeply than you realize.
* Day 7: You can rely on God’s unconditional love.
* Day 11: Make the most of your privilege to repent.

The middle of each chapter contains a few pages of devotional material to read.

Then each chapter concludes with the exact words to speak over yourself, like these:

* Day 1: Today I will remember that in Christ I am loved more deeply than I realize. 
* Day 7: Though people with whom I have conditional relationships may disinvite and abandon me, I can rely on God’s unconditional love today and every day.
* Day 11: Repentance isn’t terrifying; it’s a privilege that Jesus is calling me to make the most of today and every day.

This is a good book, especially if you are struggling with a lot of negative self-talk. You can thumb through the chapters to find the messages you need the most each day, or just read the book straight through.

My thanks to Net Galley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for the review copy of this book.

I cannot say enough about Dwell on These Things by John Stange. I received this book for review from #Netgalley. Getting busy with life I allowed this book to sit on my virtual shelf until I felt a pull in my heart to read this book. I am so glad I did. At the moment I read this devotional it was exactly what I needed. I felt like the author John Stange was talking directly to me. I highly recommend this book and I believe many people will be blessed by reading it. Thank you WaterBrook Publishing and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review #DwellonTheseThings.

This book caught my interest with the title and the contents held my attention throughout. There is so much negativity in our world today, and combined with a global pandemic and our natural tendency as humans to be harder on ourselves than we are on others, we're all in need of a boost in our spirits. This book definitely provides that!

The author offers a much needed change in both focus and perspective. Reading these entries is a wonderful way to start or end your day. Each uplifts, reassures, and reminds us of God's great love for us as individuals; an omnipopent God who sees us as we are, and delights and loves us unconditionally. There are also challenges presented that we learn to look at and treat ourself and others as God sees and treats us.

Reading this book is like being wrapped in a blanket of love, and the reminder of the depth and breadth of that love both humbled and awed me. Thank-you, John Strange for putting my focus back where it should be, and for reminding me that I need not worry - all will be well!

My thanks to NetGalley and WaterBrook and Multnomah publishers for allowing me to read an advance review copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own, and are given freely.

I found John's book to be an incredibly helpful tool for properly setting my outlook for the day. So goes the morning, so goes the day. Dwell on These Things is an integral part of the journey to master my mornings.

John Stange's book Dwell on These Things guides readers through a 31-day thought life challenge. He sets out to help followers of Jesus begin thinking about themselves the way God does. Honestly, Stange delivers. He succeeds in leading readers to evaluate their thoughts, to replace any lies with truth, and to appropriate what's already true of them because they are in Christ.

Each day's reading has a main idea, and it begins with a focal Bible passage. Then Stange takes some time to unpack the main "thought" of the day, and the chapter ends with a summary "Dwell on This" thought. One of my favorite examples is Day 22, "Pray for those who have intentionally hurt you." Based on Luke 6:28, Stange gives a personal example of what this truth looks like walked out in daily life. He includes biblical examples as well, including Jesus and Stephen. The day ends with this thought to dwell on: "I will not harbor bitterness, resentment, or outdated offenses. Today I will pray for those who have intentionally hurt me and I will remember the example Christ set for me."

I appreciate how the "Dwell on This" thought helps us replace lies with truth. But I also like how they are formatted as affirmations that we can speak over our lives. With the example above, when we begin to feel anger or frustration rising toward someone, we can repeat this affirmation so that we reframe and refocus our thoughts. And the way we think affects how we behave. As we dwell on truths from God's Word, we begin to experience transformation.

The book covers topics like being deeply loved by God, joy in trials, taking refuge in God, enjoying his forgiveness, and trading fear for confidence in God. How relevant the topics are. I highly recommend Stange's book, Dwell on These Things, for those who desire to change the way they think. I will say that this book covers a lot of ground in 31 days. You could easily spend 2-3 days or even a week on one topic to really focus on it, take it in, and allow the truths to transform you.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

What a timely book for times like this! This book comprises of thirty-one days of biblical messages that encourage, edify and help us to grow deeper in our daily walk with God. It covers topics such as God's love, grace, mercy, kindness, promises and prayers. This book helps in putting things to perspective, refocus and dwell on what's important in our lives. It's an uplifting book to start your day with along with God's Word!

Publication date: May 25th 2021

***Thank you WaterBrook & Multnomah, author John Stange and NetGalley for this review copy to read and review.***

We all need some help when it comes to dwelling on the right things. This book really does help with that.

I really liked the general format for each chapter. We first start with a short story from the authors life that will emphasize a certain issue, problem, type of circumstance, etc.. Next, we explore a story from the Bible with verses addressing said topic. Lastly, he ties it all together with how they are related and some application. It was a great sequence that kept me engaged and also happened to be very helpful.