Daring Decision: A 31-Day Journey with those who Followed God's Leading
Standing at life’s crossroads can feel overwhelming. Should I stay or go? Is God truly calling me overseas, or am I meant to serve right where I am? Daring Decision brings you thirty-one more daily readings with the stories of some of history’s most courageous missionaries as they faced these same questions. From Lilias Trotter’s choice between art and Algeria to David Livingstone’s redirection from China to Africa, discover how ordinary men and women learned to discern God’s plan and surrender to His will one faithful step at a time.
“This latest in Conrad’s series of devotionals is masterfully conceived. Its narrow organizational center (God’s calling, leading, guiding) distills its characters’ responses down to the richest essence of what it means to really abandon oneself to Christ. And happily, the author knows how to tell a good Christian story simply, skillfully, and with what strikes me as inspirational spirituality. Highly recommended—especially for gifting to teens and young adults on their special occasions.”
—Mark Minnick, author and senior pastor, Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Greenville, SC
Daring Decision is a captivating walk through the lives of saints of old—men and women marked by courage, boldness, and love for the Triune God. From Adoniram Judson to Betty Greene, it reminds us that we serve a God whose heart beats for all peoples, all nations, and all languages. Through His people—fallen as they are—the gospel of Jesus reaches to the ends of the earth. This short, eminently readable book offers a beautiful reminder of the kinds of people God uses and the extraordinary ways He works through them, especially in pivotal moments.
—Brooks Buser, author and president of Radius International
"The fact that 'we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses' (Heb. 12:1) significantly informs how we ought to live our daily lives. Don't underestimate the brevity of Conrad's devotional tour through this great cloud: this book could change your life. One of the more daring decisions you make might be to invest time and thought into the personal reflection questions at the end of each chapter. Daring Decision will serve Christians from every walk of life as we run the race set before us."
—Gloria Furman, missionary and author of Missional Motherhood and Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full
"M. R. Conrad's Daring Decision is an inspiring and instructive collection of devotional readings that explore the vital issue of how God calls and guides people to serve Him with their lives. It features the outstanding, worthy examples of thirty-one individuals who carefully sought then faithfully followed God’s leading in serving Him, whether at home or abroad. Each chapter is written in an interesting, engaging fashion, and brings out a unique facet of how God leads in people’s lives. Suggested Scripture readings and relevant application questions assist readers in thinking through each chapter’s emphasis and relating it to their own lives. Extremely beneficial and highly recommended!"
—Vance Christie, pastor and author of modern missionary biographies of David Brainerd, Hudson Taylor, Adoniram Judson, and David Livingstone
"Daring Decision shares the compelling stories of thirty-one believers who risked everything to follow God’s leading. Each devotional offers a glimpse into how God still leads His servants into His harvest today, pairing biblical reflection with accounts of believers who stepped into the unknown for the sake of the Gospel. Let these real-life accounts ignite your faith, stir your heart toward deeper commitment, and challenge you to obey His call in your own life!"
—Les Lofquist, professor of practical theology at Shepherds Theological Seminary, executive pastor at the Shepherd's Church, and former Executive Director of IFCA International
“Daring Decision is a powerful 31-day devotional that highlights the lives of missionaries who followed God’s call in the face of immense challenges. Each story is brief yet deeply impactful, exhorting readers to reflect on their own commitment to Christ and take bold steps of faith. One story that especially stood out to me was about Betty Greene, the first female missionary pilot to fly across the Andes. She courageously chose obedience to God’s leading—despite societal norms that discouraged women from such roles. Each daily entry is compelling and encouraging. I gladly recommend this book, especially for families, as a way to introduce children to the world of missions and inspire them to live lives that make an eternal difference.”
—Donna Bixby, missionary and international director of Jonathan’s House, Central African Republic
“Like his earlier volumes, Daring Devotion and Daring Dependence, M. R. Conrad’s Daring Decision helps us rehearse and celebrate God’s work in and through many brothers and sisters in Christ who have already finished their race. Conrad opens a window into their hearts and lets us read in their words the kind of Christ-centered, Scriptural thinking that inspired and shaped their devoted choices. Many today idolize safety and cling to the illusion of security, and we desperately need the Spirit of God to fire us with God-dependent courage in the cause of Christ. Conrad rightly reminds us that ‘those who have gone before us stir our imaginations about what God can do through ordinary people surrendered to Him.’ This is true not only for missionaries but for all followers of Christ. May the Lord use this book to stir in His people increased consecrated ambition for the glory of God!”
—Jon Crocker, executive director, Gospel Fellowship Association