Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives

As a Biblical Counselor, I give these out to my clients every day. I’m sure I’ve gifted over a hundred by now. The way this is put together, with excerpts from my professors books, is so unique. The scripture passages are provided with context, not isolated. And every word is directed toward growing in understanding of how to know and love God and know and love others. I still use it from time to time after many years.

Great devotion that includes scripture readings and sound teaching. A devotion that can be read over and over again!

Over the past few years of studying biblical counseling, I have been greatly helped by the ministry of CCEF (The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation). On my blog, I often share videos and book excerpts from men like David Powlison, Ed Welch, or Paul David Tripp, because their teaching has benefited me significantly and I want to pass as much of it on to others as I can.

For that reason, I'm glad that I can now recommend a new resource from CCEF called Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Changing Lives. In this one year devotional book, you will find comfort, challenge, conviction, and encouragement in the form of brief, daily readings provided by the faculty of CCEF. These daily devotionals cover a wide array of topics such as suffering, relationships, the process of change, overcoming fear and anxiety, trust in God, forgiveness, and much more.

As you read this book, you will find that your attention is continually being pointed to Christ and the hope of the Gospel, God's sovereignty over all things, and His loving purposes for you as His precious child. The readings are deep, yet completely accessible. Because I was reading Heart of the Matter for the purposes of this review, I had to move through it more quickly than I wanted to, and I often found myself thinking that I would benefit much more from reading and considering just one devotional at a time, which is of course, how the book is intended to be used.

I am thoroughly convinced that the Bible contains every truth required to care for the human soul (2 Pet. 1:3-4), and I believe that Heart of the Matter illustrates well what a rich resource God has provided for us in His Word. The authors go deep into the Scriptures to reveal profoundly beautiful truths that we too often miss in our hurried approach to Bible reading.

These devotionals are easily the most helpful short devotionals I've ever read. The teaching is very deep, rich, and carefully rooted in Scripture. The pracical applications and encouragements are outstanding.

I agree...This devotional can be life changing, profound wisdom from biblical counselors. I often read it then give it to my young adult son, hoping he will mature in these areas much younger than I am! I am buying one for a dear sister in Christ who has many really good Christian books because I want her to have this one too! I'm so grateful that someone gave it to me!

I started reading the book like you would read any book-from the front to the back, but soon found I could not contain myself and began skipping around. I wanted to know what they said on May 5th and August 23rd-special days in my family. I was interested in a few other dates too. The blessing of this book is you don't have to treat it like a normal book.

You can read it according to the day you're in or you can pick and choose. It won't matter because you'll benefit from all of the Heart of the Matter. Each chapter is one page with no wasted words.

The book is an all hands-on-deck, tour de force from the CCEF team. David Powlison, Winston Smith, Tim Lane, Ed Welch, Michael Emlet, Robert Jones, Jayne Clark, James Petty, and Paul Tripp give us over 200 years of counseling/discipleship experience.

Each daily pericope is from one of their books. This amounts to the best of the best of their seasoned thoughts, collected in one place for your daily benefit. In the back of the book all of the Scripture passages referred to throughout the book are listed. You can scan those passages, particularly if you're looking for encouragement from a specific Bible chapter or verse.

If you want to delve into a lengthier treatment of the daily devotionals, you will find a list of books in the back from which the devotionals were extracted. Not only will you personally benefit from daily grazing, but you'll also want to share the thoughts of this book with your friends. The way the book is formatted begs for easy dissemination.

You can find it here: [...]

This excellent devotional consists of a daily bible reading together with a short inspirational comment from a variety of authors. I have received great comfort and encouragement from having this as part of my daily devotions in 2015, and would highly recommend it to my fellow Christians - it is of special value to those who are depressed and/or world weary.

What sets Heart of the Matter apart from other daily devotionals?

First of all, the writers of Heart of the Matter are fantastic. From Paul David Tripp to David Powlison, all of the folks from CCEF pitch in. If you are not familiar with these authors, this book is a great way to get familiar with them. Each devotional reading includes a text from scripture and is followed by a mediation signed by the author.

Secondly, having multiple authors helps with monotony. It is easy to get into a rut hearing just one voice. Heart of the Matter is great because each of the authors has their own style. Each day brings a fresh perspective and a fresh voice.

Third, Heart of the Matter is a book that deals with real life. With passages drawn from books like Recovering from Child Abuse, Grief, Depression, I'm Exhausted, Freedom from Resentment, and How People Change; each devotion connects to us where we are. Most devotions avoid any specifics so they can relate to a larger audience. The authors at CCEF know the sins that so easily beset us all and root them out, specifically.

Finally, Heart of the Matter is gospel focused. This is not a collection of guilt ridden passages encouraging you to "try harder". It is a series of devotions that encourage you to run to Jesus and His cross. This devotional takes very seriously the hideous sin that lies hidden in your heart, and beckons you to run in repentance to your loving father.

I can not recommend this devotional highly enough.

I blame my first experience with Christian Counselling and Education Foundation (CCEF) on my Senior Pastor who introduced me to the group in the fall of 2009. I attended my first national conference in King of Prussia, PA with him and his wife. At the time, I was a bit skeptical because the conference was being advertised as Sex Matters. Thankfully, at the conference I was exposed not to racy content but to the glorious good news of Jesus Christ as the necessary agent that redeems and transforms the lives of people who have been the victims of a culture stuck in the red light district.

The national conference was a starting point of what might be a lifelong relationship of trust. I appreciate the solid, biblical content of the writers and speakers who are involved with CCEF.

"With this book you have the opportunity to Start a Year of Thoughtful Change. Change that goes deeper than the surface of our lives happens over the long haul as we dailyremember and connect the truths of the gospel to our lives. Every day we need to be re-minded--in different ways--that Jesus, God's own Son, came to this world to save us from sin,sorrow, and death. The promises of God, which are all "yes" in Jesus, change the way we viewourselves, our circumstances, and other people."

Heart of the Matter gives a daily reminder of theselife-changing truths. Topics covered in the devotional include: love, hope, grace, redemption, faith, contentment, conflict, relationships, prayer, fear, patience, humility, and anger. I highly recommend this book for all who desire to learn wisdom, to learn how to talk to one's heart with Scripture, and to respond properly to the trials of life. The 366 selections, anchored in Scripture and saturated with the gospel,will help you to:

Learn how God in his Word addresses a host of life situations
Focus on how the gospel intersects with life
Look beyond circumstances to God's purposes
See how God values relationship with his children
Learn to value others by speaking truth in love, by not shying away from conflict, by for-giving, and by being patient and persistent
Grow in wisdom when confronted by life's changes
Learn how God works change that is effective and visible

This devotional is a great way to look daily into Scripture to focus on God's character, our need of the Gospel, and application for daily obedience. We have been going through the meditations and have appreciated:
their Scriptural foundation
their Gospel focus
their application
their diversity
their clarity

We have read many works by CCEF authors and are always challenged by them to renew our focus on Christ, and strive toward obedience by faith. This work is no different.

Every morning when I wake up, I open up my Bible either on my phone or crack open one of my study Bible's or regular Bible's and read it. After I do that I typically start reading books by publishers. It's not often that I read a devotional in fact I think the last time I did was one of Oswald Chamber's devotional in high school. When I was asked to join the blog tour from Heart of the Matter Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives I was excited to read this daily devotional published by one of my favorite publishers New Growth Press. As I read this devotional, I came away challenged, convicted and blessed by the biblical and practical teaching of the faculty at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation.

The best part of this book is the bit-size chunks of each devotional. Each day takes you only a few minutes to read the one page devotional but each page, and I dare say every sentence is loaded with biblical truth that points you to the Savior. Whether you're reading this devotional daily or whatever your use of Heart of the Matter I believe this resource will bless you and help you to you grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. I heartily recommend this resource and pray the Lord Jesus will use it in the life of His people around the world for the sake of His name and for the joy of His people.

What is the work that we need to be doing? That is the same question that was asked of Jesus in John 6:29. His answer? Be disciplined, work hard, feed the poor, love the unloveable, memorize the scriptures? No. All of these are good things, but they are secondary things. The work we need to be doing in our faith is belief: "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." The real battle for us is to remember and rely upon the seemingly unbelievable good news of the Gospel - that a good and all powerful God has made a way for rebellious creatures to return and be reconciled with Him. We don't forget this in our minds, but the glory of God & His gospel readily creeps out of our hearts.

Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives by Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation helps us to remember the staggering promises of the gospel by providing short, gospel saturated daily devotions that are aimed at penetrating the reader's heart. Paul Tripp, Ed Welch, Timothy S. Lane, William Smith, Michael Emlet, David Powlison and others share profoundly practical & impactful truths on subjects that include fear & anxiety, anger, contentment, faith, relationships, stress, suffering, identity and trials & suffering. If you find yourself in the battle for belief, then Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives is an excellent resource to help you on your journey.

The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF) is a ministry focused on providing biblical counseling materials to the church. Their materials connect the Gospel to all of life and are designed to equip local churches to minister to all of the needs of their congregations. I have previously reviewed some of their books (here and here), and helped teach one of their courses (How People Change). I am constantly impressed by the quality of their work and how practical it is for the real problems people face.

New Growth Press has compiled a collection of excerpts from books written by such CCEF authors as Timothy S. Lane, Paul David Tripp, David Powlison, Edward T. Welch, Michael R. Emlet, William P. Smith, and more. The result is a year-long devotional, "Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives," edited by Nancy B. Winter. This hardcover book includes daily devotional readings for every day of the year. The selections are short and readable, yet thoughtful and weighty. The readings are meant to complement a Scripture text to be read each day.

These devotional nuggets provide a practical out-working of a Gospel-centered perspective on all of life that under-girds the counseling approach of CCEF. The sovereignty of God, the reality of the kingdom, the cross of Christ, and grace-based sanctification are a few of the themes explored in these pages. Included in the back of the book is a listing of the source of each excerpt. Particularly poignant daily readings can be traced back to the book they were excerpted from, allowing the reader to turn to the source for more from the author on that subject. Also helpful is a lengthy index of Scripture passages commented on in the book. This index could be used as a guide for reading through the Bible. As you read passages, you can turn to the index and see if any devotional thoughts are available that intersect with the verses you just read.

If you're looking for a new devotional for 2012, look no further than this volume from CCEF. I'm confident its Gospel-centered, practical application of Scripture to all of life will make a lasting impression on your heart. It can help facilitate real change, by the power of the Holy Spirit-and that is what CCEF is all about.

I can say, without a doubt, that some of the most potent, Christ-exalting, gospel-centered biblical counsel I have encountered has come through the speaking and writing of the faculty at the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). These men and women are not interested in quick-fix, self-help, moralistic nonsense. They are unswervingly committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are of the conviction that real, Spirit-wrought power for the changing of the human heart occurs as we dive more deeply into the gospel, applying it to the myriad of circumstances and situations of our daily lives.

The writings and resources of the CCEF are incredibly extensive. Effectively working through all of them, though undoubtedly worthwhile, would take years to accomplish. That's why I was immensely excited when I was introduced to Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives (New Growth Press, 2012),ed. by Nancy B. Winter. This daily devotional is a collection of some of the most powerful excerpts from the writings of those on staff at CCEF. The authors include, but are not limited to, Paul David Tripp, Edward T. Welch, David Powlison, and Timothy S. Lane. Organized by the calendar year and paired with a daily reading from the Scriptures, these vignettes are sincere, to the point, and clearly hopeful in the power of God to change hearts through the gospel of Christ. While deeply steeped in the grace believers have received from God in Christ, each devotion then includes questions for personal reflection and application. As I mentioned, these devotions are not designed to give the reader 5-steps to personal change/fulfillment, but rather are written to make the reader aware of the sovereignty of God, the grace presently available in the gospel, and hope that real Sprit-wrought change is possible.

Two things that make this resource particularly helpful are the Source Index and Scripture Index included at the conclusion of the volume. This will be of great assistance to readers who, when particularly impacted by a given devotional, desire to know the resource from which the excerpt came. Additionally, the Scripture Index allows the reader to use the devotional as a companion when studying a specific book of the Bible.

In a day and age where so many "Christian" devotionals are filled with mere fluff, Heart of the Matter is a distinctly different resource that will assuredly encourage believers to reflect more seriously upon the gospel and be used by God to powerfully change hearts and lives to the praise of his glorious grace. I wholeheartedly commend it to you!

"Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives"

"Start a Year of Deep-Down Change Today!

Change that goes deeper than the surface of our lives happens as we daily remember the truths of the gospel. Every day we need to be reminded that Jesus, God's own Son, came to this world to save us from sin, sorrow, and death. We need to remember every day how Jesus' life, death, resurrection, ascension, and promised return change the way we view ourselves and others. This devotional will be a daily reminder of these life-changing truths. The 366 selections, anchored in Scripture and saturated with the gospel, will help the reader to:

* Learn how God in his Word addresses a host of life situations;
* Focus on how the gospel intersects with life;
* Look beyond circumstances to God's purposes;
* See how God values relationship and to learn to value it too by persisting, by speaking truth in love, and by not shying away from conflict.
* Grow in wisdom when confronted by life's changes.
* Learn that God works change that is effective and visible.

Topics covered in the devotional include: love, hope, grace, redemption, faith, contentment, conflict, relationships, prayer, fear, patience, humility, and anger." (From the New Growth Press Publishing Company Website)

Author's Information:
The Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) has been at the forefront of the biblical counseling movement for more than forty years with the mission to restore Christ to counseling and counseling to the local church. CCEF teaches people how to explore the wisdom and depth of the Bible and apply its grace-centered message to the problems of daily living through counseling, training, writing, and partnering with churches. For more information and a comprehensive list of publications go to[...]
My Thoughts About The Book: The book, "Heart of the Matter" is a devotional that takes us to the "heart of the matter" concerning a different spiritual topic for each day of the year. The devotionals are written by such highly regarded Biblically sound in the faith and practice authors as Edward T. Welch, David Powlison, Paul David Tripp, Timothy S. Lane and others.

From January 1st to December 31st, each day a different author presents good solid and wise counsel along with Scripture to guide and direct our thoughts and affect our behavior for that day. And the range of topics written about in the book is quite diverse covering such life issues as Anger, Depression, Conflict, Change, Relationships, Marriage, Resentment and much more.

As it is said, "there is something for everyone," in the book. And maybe not every devotional applies but I can assure you there is enough Biblical wisdom and guidance in the book that surely anyone and everyone who knows and loves the Lord and desires to be more like him will receive encouragement and experience edification from it. And the devotionals are as they say, "short, sweet and to the point" so the book is ideal for Christians on the fast pace of go who wants to be in the know when it comes to dealing with life as it happens. So, if you're a "short, sweet and to the point, " "you can handle the truth" sort of Christian who is seeking a daily devotional that will be encouraging, edifying and at times convicting and rebuking then "Heart of the Matter" is the ideal daily devotional for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book at no cost from the New Growth Press for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Love it!

I call myself a "CCEF Junkie."

I'm "addicted" to the writings of the leaders of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation, a kind of "think-tank" for biblical counseling based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

I'm "addicted" because they've been so helpful to me! Over the last fifteen years, I've learned more about growth in godliness, how people change, and how to help others to change from CCEF than from any other one source.

It started with reading their Journal of Biblical Counseling, then I started attending seminars and reading their books (and blogs). And then, I found out that they offered doctoral-level seminary classes that fit my schedule. How could I pass that up?!

Honestly, I'm an unashamed addict. I read everything that CCEF produces. I think that they have a lot of wisdom to offer the Church today.

So, when I heard that there was a new devotional based upon the writings of the CCEF faculty, I knew in advance that it would be good. Unsurprisingly, Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives is very good.

I had already read all of the books that are quoted within Heart of the Matter, so I didn't need to read every page to know that the content was going to be valuable. But I also liked the format. It's a compilation book with multiple authors, divided up into 366 daily readings. You get a "bite-sized" chunk of wisdom for each day of the year. For a junkie like me, I get a daily "fix."

I recommend getting Heart of the Matter for just about any Christian who likes to read and wants to grow in godliness. It is accessible, readable, and focused on short bursts of wisdom for change. The main theme is "change." Readings cover areas such as love, hope, grace, redemption, faith, contentment, conflict, relationships, prayer, fear, patience, humility, and anger. It would be no substitute for reading one of the works the excerpts come from, but it might be a good introduction to any and all of them.

Of course, by reading Heart of the Matter, you might whet an appetite for more and more CCEF. You have been warned: this stuff is addicting!

Typically, I'm not a big fan of devotionals. Not because I don't like them, they're just not the type of book that I'm drawn to. Historically, I've never made consistent use of a devotional, which may or may not surprise you (if you've looked at the all the books I've reviewed on my blog for instance).

However, over the past several weeks I've been loosely using Heart of The Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives as a daily devotional. It's had a familiar feel to it, but that's because it takes excerpts from books that I'm familiar with and love:

How People Change
A Quest For More
Instruments In The Redeemer's Hands
Relationships: A Mess Worth Making

Other notably used books are Running Scared, Depression, Caught Off Guard, and Marriage Matters as well as various pamphlets published by CCEF.

Each day there is a Scripture reading listed, followed by an excerpt from one of the many published CCEF resources. Just looking at the resources I listed, you can see that there is a bit of preference given to excerpts that are more heart searching. CCEF can always be counted on to offer practical, life changing resources, and having slices of those resources put together into a daily devotional is no different.

Over the last several weeks I've been using it, it has proven very helpful. I'm actually planning on starting to go through it with my wife in the evenings since the excerpts are short enough to read aloud together, but long enough to stimulate good conversation about where we are spiritually.

If you're looking for a good devotional to try out, I'd really recommend this one. The material is solid and well arranged and if you're start with the Scripture reading, you're not trading reading the Bible in the mornings for a devotional. Plus, this devotional you can count for solid theological content that in many cases, cuts straight to the heart. If you're worried about a fluffy devotional, then have no fear!

This book gives a clear message of the Christmas season we celebrate and is packed with all kinds of heart changing stories and Proverbs. Once you start reading you can't put it down!