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Review: The Woman’s Study Bible

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Imagine a study bible, meant for women, edited by women.  Would that intrigue you?  Now imagine that this Woman’s Study Bible is a beautiful bible, hardcover done in a beautiful floral pattern.  Would that bible be encouraging to you to receive God’s truth for transformation, hope and balance?  Thomas Nelson as produced a lovely hardcover NIV Woman’s Study Bible,to encourage women to spend time in God’s word.  Stories about women, for women, with notes and quotes to encourage. 

review of the the NIV woman's study bible.

What do you get?

The NIV, The Woman’s Study Bible has everything you look for in a good study bible. Book notes that tell you about each book, it’s themes, author, date, outline and so forth.  I found this bible to be a sturdy hardcover.  It was easy to read, and the standard complement of maps were in full colour as easily used.  The bible itself is done with colour throughout.  

It was interesting to read the variety of quotes found throughout the pages.  Study notes lined the bottom of the pages, bringing deeper understanding to the text. 

The bible is sturdy and the font size is readable. It is very easy to read and the maps are beautifully illustrated. The use of full colour throughout makes this bible enjoyable to navigate.

Scattered throughout the bible were small essays that were interesting to read, and seemed spot on.  Mind I didn’t read all of them, but the many that I read didn’t raise any alarm bells for me. 

My Thoughts:

Oh…this is such a pretty bible, and the quotes are great.  I really appreciated the front section of the bible where women could list their spiritual mentors.  Isn’t that a neat thing to have?  To think on and have yourself reminded by?  But one doesn’t live on prettiness, quotes and other people.  One lives on God’s word explained.  The numerous essays and articles, and the extensive indexes help women to dig deeply into God’s word.   That makes this a good, useful bible.  The pretty aspects just are great bonuses.  🙂

The Woman's Study Bible (NIV)
Thomas Nelson
Hardcover
Woman, Study Bible,
Reviewed for: BookLookBloggers. 

Where can you find: Amazon Link.

Other bibles I have reviewed:

Unapologetic Bible.
Study bible for kids.
My Jesus Bible.
Revolution Bible.
Readers Bible. 
Visual Study Bible. 
Jesus Storybook Bible.

Review: NKJV Unapologetic Study Bible

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When I received the NKJV Unaplogetic Study Bible I said to my hubby, “Wow, isn’t this a beautiful bible?”   It’s simply is a beautiful bible, not only the cover, but how it is designed to help people know God better.   Isn’t that the point of a study bible?  To help people know God more?  The goal of this bible is to inspire Christ-like thought, belief, speech and action.  

The NKJV Unapologetic Study Bible, a great resource to help you think through current issues in the church.

This red-letter bible has a number of various useful features, the predominant feature being the various notes found within the pages.  Most Study Bibles that I have used with have historical background, and explanatory text on the bottom half of the page.  The NKJV Unapologetic Study Bible takes a somewhat different approach.   They use notes and articles found from the Kairos Journal to deepen the understanding of the bible.   These historical to present day articles delve into topics in a way that a normal study bible cannot. 

This means that when you are reading the bible, you are predominately READING the bible, and not a bunch of helpful little notes at the bottom of each page.  This bible is not the same as most study bibles. You need to understand the study bible wants to help you think through issues that we need to consider now-a-days, and does this through the use of well written articles, interspersed throughout the pages.  Sample article pages from NKJV Unapologetic Study Bible.

These articles are divided into 8 categories: Church, corruption, Economics, Education, Family, Government, Sanctity of Life and Virtue. Each section is colour coded.  A image like the one below is found on the opening page of each book.  A white star in the block under each type of article you can find showing you if an article is found in that book of the bible.  The articles found come from biblical, historical, Quotations/Writings and Commentary. catefories used in NKJV unapologetic Study bible

Each book of the bible has an introductory page, on which the book is introduced. The background, content, insight, and a brief outline is given. A central verse is highlighted.   As you could see from the image below, 2 Chronicles has 6 articles placed in it. 

chapter introduction of NKJV unapologetic Study bible

The articles included vary in length, most are one page long but some go a bit longer. You can find the articles referenced at the end of the bible. I did not read every article presented, but the ones I did were well-written and thought-provoking. I did not find anything that set off any alarm bells. You will find over 200 articles, 70 historical quotations and 50 profiles of historical figures. There are two indexes: canonical and topical. 

My Thoughts:

This is a bible for pastors and individuals who want to deepen their understanding of God’s word and his standard for living.  The articles presented are biblical and further the understanding of who God is and his call upon our lives.  I was delighted to be introduced to the Kairos Journal and wish I were a pastor so I could fully utilize it. 🙂  Some of the articles on this site are public, so I urge you to visit it, if only to get your brain thinking on various topics. 🙂   Would I use this bible?  It’s a hard one to answer.  If I wanted a hard copy of a bible, this would be one I would use.  I liked the articles I read.  I didn’t find them detracting or distracting God’s word, but rather giving me insight which helped me think more deeply. I love my online bible though… and would be hard pressed to give it up.  🙂  This NKJV Bible though… it’s a good one and worth keeping. 

picture of cover NKJV unapologetic study bible 
NKJV Unapologetic Study Bible
   Confidence for such a time as this
Thomas Nelson
Hardcover, Fly-Overleaf, Study Bible
bible, study, kairos journal
Reviewed for: BookLookBloggers.

Where to find: Amazon Link.

Bibles and Devotional Plans

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What with the new year coming up and people starting to think about making a new start I thought I would talk with you abit about doing regular devotions (yes, talking to myself here as well) and about some of the different bibles you could use in your journey.

First up, what do I use? 

This is the bible I use almost exclusively when I am not at home. 

It’s the ESV bible app.    It’s on my phone, I use it for church, devotions with the lad and whenever I need quick access to God’s word.  

I love it’s portability, and how this translation was done.  Suits me all round. 

 

Devotions on line catch me using this site: BibleGateway.  I like that I can toss the footnotes out, and customize it to my preferences.   

One of the things I really like is that if I am struggling with understanding a passage is just how easily I can switch from one translation to another.   Different translations bring insight. 

Bibles:

Over the past year or so it’s been my delight to review a number of different bibles, I’d like to point out some of our favourites.

Hubby’s Choice: The NIV Reader’s Bible. 

This is just a lovely book.  Good paper, great readability.  Just read the bible just like you would any other book. Not looking for verses or section headings, just the words of God written down for you.    He’s not a fan of the NIV but he likes this bible just for it’s readability.

My Son’s choice: Kids NIV Visual Study Bible.  

For my son’s church youth group he needs to have a physical bible and over the year he’s had a chance to see different bibles and the various elements that make them useful.  He had one he used a lot until he saw this Visual Study Bible and asked if he could have it instead. 

 

 

 

Some other bibles of note that we’ve seen:

Faith Builders Bible.  There was much we liked in this theme based bible. 

The Jesus Bible.  Which I know I reviewed but in the change from one site to another I can’t find it.  A nice bible that my son preferred until The Visual Bible came along.  And I have to admit, if I needed to pick one from this list, this bible would be the one I would use.   It was very simple, just a nice solid bible. 

NIV Revolution Bible.  This is a bible geared to guys.   Good bible this one with lots of helps to encourage young men in their journey of faith. 

ANYWAYS, Before I forget the point of this post… It’s the start of a new year coming up.  Have you thought about becoming more focused in your study of God’s word?

Devotional Readings/Bible Study

Navigator’s have some bible reading plans. 

Bible Study Tools has a number of differently focused bible reading plans for you to consider. 

BibleGateway has some bible reading plans you might like to follow. 

You can follow along on this blog as I do my devotions.  I tend to read through books of the bible and post my thoughts as I go through sections. 

You can follow along with Traci’s Group on Facebook. 

If you simply want to read through the bible in a year and are good with checklists, go here!

 

Original Photo: Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Review: NKJV Study Bible For Kids

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Theme bibles are all the rage you know?   We have bibles for kids, women, men, boys, girls, outdoor bibles, readers bibles… bibles of all shapes and sizes, translations and focus groups.   That’s not necessarily a bad thing you know?  Because helping people read God’s word is one of many steps that can help reach lost souls for the Lord.    We have so many, you might ask, why do we need more?  For this simple fact: We don’t know if THIS translation or THIS style will reach even one more person for the Lord.   So today I bring you a really colourful bible called “NKJV Study Bible for Kids”.

Tommy Nelson has come out with a colourful bible to intrigue your children.  The bright colours on the cover attract, and those colours are repeated throughout the bible with the various topical helps they have inserted. Printed on slightly heavier than normal bible quality paper, it is easy to carry for youth. 

Each of the topics is presented in a “let’s make it relevant to the children” manner, from defining more difficult words, to helping the reader to connect with important biblical people.  The NKJV Study Bible for Kids is “The Premier NKJV Study Bible for kids”.

The features/articles include:

Timelines
On Location: Maps
Spotlight: Stories of the Bible – e.g. God’s Gift to Joseph, Living Wisely
Starring Rolls: Profiles on major people of the Bible – e.g. Deborah, Eunice, Stephen, Samuel
Action!: Articles on day-to-day articles that are relevant to kids – e.g. Learning, community, obedience
In Focus: Definitions
Epic Ideas: Info on must-know topics – e.g. God keeps promises, God loves honesty, The Scarlet Cord

What I liked:

What I like in the NKJV Study Bible for Kids, is the myriad of helps contained within the pages.  850 different topic boxes under such headings as “Behind the Scenes”, “Spotlight”, “Action”, “Epic Ideas”, “Starring Roles”, “In Focus”, “On Location” and “Time Lines”.   You will also find a dictionary/concordance, an index for all the topics, and a quick reference section.  The scripture reference is on the edge of each page which is rather helpful.

I liked how each topical area is clearly delineated as to the focus and separating it from the text of the bible. 

I liked the fresh look of the cover, seriously.. all those colours intermingling on the cover.. just seemed bright and cheerful to my eyes.  🙂

Things I wasn’t as keen on:

Each page is outlined in colour. Just wasn’t my thing, I prefer clean edges in my bibles for ease of note taking. It is quite pretty and eye-catching so it might be a draw for some… and it does fit with the theme of the cover so THAT’s a good thing.  🙂

NKJV Study Bible for Kids - 
     The Premier NKJV Study Bible For Kids
Tommy Nelson
Study Bible, 
Trade Paperback, 

Reviewed for: BookLookBloggers. 

Where you can find it: Amazon Link.

 

Review: NIV Reader’s Bible

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The NIV Readers Bible is a really nice book.  Hardcover, well bound that comes in a protective sheath.

Do you know what a reader’s bible is?

No?

Well.. A reader’s bible is one that doesn’t break up the whole bible into chapters and verses.  You just open it and read it like any other book.  No headers to interrupt the flow, no verses to break up a sentence of thought.  Just straight-forward text to make just setting down and reading a pleasure.

Now this version puts reference notes at the top… so that let’s say you are reading along and go.. ooh.. interesting thought, let me grab my commentary and explore that a bit more.. you don’t end up having to find a bible with verses to track it down.  The quiet page header let’s you know where abouts you are in the book and you can just look up that thought catcher easily.

I love how this bible has the 10.5 point type font printed in a single column, reading just like a regular book.   The footnotes are included at the end of every book. The footnotes are broken down per chapter.   The lovely grey ribbon is excellent for holding your place.

This Bible was designed to provide a seamless reading experience.  This bible is so well made.  Cloth over book cover, easy reading font.  Cause you know how most bibles have this tiny font… this one doesn’t..  It feels good in the hand, not too heavy, kinda like a regular bible for weight, but nice a solid like a normal book.

As with any bible, there is a set of references in the back, helping you understand the historical measurements and other such things.

NIV Reader's Bible
Zondervan
Soft cover over board
Bible, 1984 pages, all ages
Reviewed for: BookLookBloggers.

Where can you find it?   Amazon Link.

 

A Letter to Titus

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So.. I finished Romans yesterday which left me wondering…what book should I study next.  Hubby dear suggested 1 Corinthians and I thought oh.. maybe, but it didn’t sit well.  Started leafing through my on-line ESV bible and Titus felt like it leapt off the page so I said “okay, we’ll do Titus”. 🙂   Easy enough eh?

Titus 1:1-4 tells us these words: 

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Just like Romans, Titus was written by the Apostle Paul.   

Paul starts this letter being very clear about who he is and who he serves.

  • servant of God
  • Apostle of Jesus Christ

He then goes on to say just what that means.  for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior. He preaches to encourage faith in God’s chosen people…wanting them to know truth and through truth encourage their godliness.  Showing God’s truthful promise from long ago…eternal life.   God showed how this promise would be fulfilled (through his son Jesus Christ) at the proper time in history.    And so Paul preaches.  A command entrusted to him by God.   God says preach, so Paul does.

This letter is written to one man named Titus.   Paul calls him “my true child in a common faith“.  That statement makes me think of Titus as a power house of a believer… knowing God’s call on his life and following.  (because that’s how I think of Paul).   One often thinks like father like son eh?  🙂  So if Titus is like Paul’s child in the faith…. see where I’m going here? 🙂

Anyways, it will be interesting to read what Paul has to say to Titus eh?

Paul closes these first four verses with a greeting “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” Imagine if we greeted each other that way eh?   Or started off our letters to each other that way?   Isn’t it a great way to keep The Lord foremost?  Passing on God’s grace and peace to those we are in contact with?   

I have to admit…it would seem odd to me to do so…but I recall my brother writing us a letter once in the New Testament style and how it made us all in the family smile to get it.  Isn’t that smile worth it?  Worth it to help people see the Lord more clearly?

Photo by Ahmed Saffu on Unsplash

 

 

 

Think of the Weaker

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Did you know that being sick sucks!   Means you get terribly behind on things… including things like doing devotions.  I’ve been starting to feel a bit away from the Lord and realized I really need to get back to spending time with the Lord.

So getting back to Romans, today it’s chapter 15:1-7.

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Oh… I read that first verse… it makes me so aware of my frailities.
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 

Let me explain, this morning my son did something that was a bit less than kind, and since I’m not quite myself, I burst into tears and he apologized up the wazoo.  Appropriate to feel sorry for hurting someone, but he kept on apologizing.   This gave me the opportunity to help him understand the difference between guilt and forgiveness.  Forgiveness is immediate.  He was being thoughtless, apologized and was forgiven.  The guilt was a way for God to say “Hey, mind what you are doing lad, learn and let it go” and ALSO a way for Satan to get his hooks into him “You’re such a nasty thing, how dare you even breathe”.   

It gave us a change talk about how guilt is such an easy hook for Satan, causing us not to thank God (or the person forgiving us) for their forgiveness and then choosing to MOVE FORWARD in our relationship instead of lingering in the past. Guilt holds us in the past.

Anyways, So when I read those words it brought that whole conversation back to mind.  About the stuff in the physical helps us to see the spiritual more clearly.

And God helps us ALL THE TIME.  The weak vessels that we are.  
So our helping our fellows, the weaker ones among us, is just us showing God’s love and concern for us in a tangible  way.
 
 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
So Let us then do what verse two says… build each other up.   Not seeking after our own good, but for the good of the weak ones among us.  Building them up in their faith.

 I will continue this passage tomorrow!  🙂

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