Live Second by Doug Bender

Live Second : 365 Ways to make Jesus First by Doug Bender is a 365 day devotional book based on the concept of the Original I Am Second book released earlier this year. The cover depicts an empty, modern white leather chair, in an empty ominous dark room, with nothing but a bare industrial flouresecent light- contraption affixed on the ceiling. The spartan, lonely emptiness of the room is reminiscent of an interrigation room. The modern, yet minimalist black and white photography conveys a sense of urgency and seriousness. In a world that often dismisses God as being quaint and antiquated- this outreach strategy gives faith a new credibility and presence for today's generation.

The book is divided into 12 sessions, which can be divided among 12 months. Each month is a larger theme with four related themes for each week. There seven days of devotionals dedicated to each weekly theme. In contrast to traditional devotionals, organized and identified with a particular month and day, this book - in keeping with the modern minimalist tradition, identifies the days and months by simply by sessions and issues. The book is intended to lead the reader on a personal spiritual journey. This book encourages personal and individual participation rather than simply passive reading. Each week begins with a code reader in which an oline video can be accessed by using a smart phone. Each day ends with a "Talk to God", "Live it", and "Tell It" prompts to enable the reader to apply what is read.

Each day includes a short but essential passage based on the bible.  Each day teaches the reader how to live for God, and how to place his or her life second; to Live Second.   Issues which covers weekly topics on "Open People", "The Story", "His Story" and "Ask God". The topics covered address essential issues in our lives.  In particular, the section on Issues addresses one of my favorite passages of the bible, where Jesus delivers the sermon on the mount and addresses the crowd about faith, worry and material things. This is very relevant to each and every reader.  It is like an instruction manuel on how to Live Second with Jesus first in our lives.  Jesus urges us to have faith that God will provide rather than spend our life worrying about food, clothing, wealth and treasures. He goes on to explain that if God cares for and feeds a lowly, worthless bird such as a sparrow or adorn the wildflowers with beautiful colors, then how much more will he provide for us, people who are made in his own image! Session two touches on the very issues that occupy each and every one of us! We are called to have faith and seek the Kingdom of God first. In other words we are called to Live Second, and then God will provide.  The author pinpoints critical areas in our lives and teaches the reader on how to Live Second and give God first place.  Basically Doug Bender condenses some of the most important and relevant passages of the bible in easy to read and apply bytes.  As with a how to manuel, Bender walks through the steps with the reader to actually apply the concepts of the book.  The profiles that focus on specific real life people at the start of each week provide real, true to life role models. Whether you are familiar with the original I am Second book, or not, you are sure to find this devotional reader to be life changing.  As a blogger I recieved this book published by Thomas Nelson publishers for the purpose of writing this review.