In the Shadow of His Wings

 

I am always looking for a devotional book that includes insights in nature. This book meets my expectations and then some. Roslynn Long combined photographs of a variety of birds and then placed her beautiful and uplifting words to make a complete devotion. Each picture was taken with such care to show each bird in their beauty. All in all this is a book that can help each of us to look at the creations of God in a glorious new way.

I was given this book by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Prepare Him Room by Susie Larson

 

This book is an Advent Devotional which spoke to my heart. While I was reading this book I felt the Spirit of God in my heart moving me. 

I look forward to sharing this book with my family this Advent,

I was given this book by Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable

 

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dr. William H. Marty has been a teacher at Moody Bible Institute for 37 years. While there he focused on the Old and the New Testament for freshmen.

This book focuses on the parables in the Bible. Dr. Marty talked about their main topic and their meaning. I knew most of the parables and found the information interesting. Some of the topics covered were the wheat and weeds, the leaven, the mustard seed, the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. He explained why Jesus used parables when he taught. Each section begins with the location of the Parable, then the author's takeaway, an in-depth telling of the parable, additional Biblical research related to the Parable, as well as optional activities and a memory verse.

I found this book to be an excellent resource for anyone that would like to read the parables and gain further understanding. I also liked the in-depth retelling of the parables with extra meaning throughout. This book would be perfect for an individual or small-group Bible study. 

I highly recommend this book . 

Jesus, Day by Day

 

Jesus, Day by Day is a daily devotional that helps the reader find Jesus each and every day. 

I thought this devotional was great. Each day is begun with a perspective of God's plan for redemption for each of us, through Jesus. It takes you through the Old and New Testaments while it takes us through His Word. I highly recommend this book for anyone that wants to feel filled with encouragement and inspiration. 

I was given this book by Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review. All the words expressed are my own opinion. 

40 Verses to Ignite Your Faith

I love when a book surprises me, in a good way. This book offers 40 different verses which may be overlooked normally and they show the importance of these words to the time and to my life. As the title states, these verses can ignite a faith that may have become a little stale. Each verse has a short, maybe 1-2 page, reading to give insight to the verse. Laurie P. Short has done such a good job, I would love to see her speak sometime or perhaps meet with her.
This book would be for anyone who could use a fresh look at the scriptures. I highly recommend it.
I was given this book by Bethany House Publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.

Book Review: Perfect Joy by Kerry Walters

I found this month-long devotional very insightful. My husband and I used it as our study for one month. It was not complicated but yet allowed us to use the life of Francis of Assisi to help us find joy.

I love finding books that can help me to find a new or different way to look at the Bible. Core 52: A fifteen-Minute Daily Guide to Build Your Bible IQ in a Year is that book.The format of the Bible Study keeps me going. There is an essay centered around a key verse. Then there is also scripture to memorize or read, a challenge for the overachiever and suggestions for books which fit the week's theme. This book started with The Creation and moved on to themes that include prophesy, The Holy Spirit, grace and heaven along with others. 

I enjoyed taking my time with the essay at the beginning of the week and then they idea that we can meditate on this essay and the verse in different ways throughout the rest of the week. I admit I did not read the book in the way suggested because I could not wait to share this book, in a review, with others. However, it has also inspired my husband to use the book in their Wednesday Bible Study.
I believe this book will help others to increase their IQ in Biblical ways.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Waterbrook and Multnomah in return for an honest review.

Book Review: Esther: Finding Yourself in times of Trouble

This is a Drawn in Bible Study. Esther: finding Yourself in Times of Trouble is easy to use as a Bible Study. It is broken into four sections. Within each section there are questions, devotions and coloring to help show how this story can help with life.

It helps to awaken the creative side of a person while sharing the Bible's truth. I feel like this study can help people become more drawn into God.

I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Can be found HERE!

Book Review: 52 Weeks through the Bible

James Merritt is a minister who has decided to share his love of the Bible in 52 Weeks Through The Bible.

Through this guide he is able to show how the Bible works together through events, people and the narrative throughout biblical history. He also takes time to share the importance of the events of some of the days that Christians have heard about over the years. some of these include the story of Ruth, Jerusalem's fall, and the restoration which is to come. As he looks at each of these I felt like I was hearing about them from a new point of view which I felt to be enlightening.

I feel like this devotion is perfect for all Christians or even those that are thinking of joining the Christian walk. I look forward to reading it again in a more leisurely fashion in order to absorb some more of his thoughts.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Names for the Messiah

This is a look at the names for Jesus as found in Isaiah9:6. These are Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. There is a look at how people have seen and understood each of these. Then whether Jesus fit the title, and finally what was the interpretation of the way Jesus was a representative of each of these names. 

Names for the Messiah, Written by Walter Brueggemann, is actually a book to be read for Advent. It would be good to use as an individual or as a small group, over this time. Brueggemann always has such insight in his writings. I found this book to be inspirational and I will keep it in mind in December to re-read as it was meant. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Advent in Narnia

I must admit, last year I began going through this book, but I was not in the spirit for it. It was just me. When I picked it up again, I was thrilled with the reflections found in this book. I am a fan of Narnia and Aslan, so this book really spoke to me. There is so much in Narnia that reminds us of Christmas and this book picks up on those themes.

At least in my area, there is cold weather, sometimes snow, the delicious food which can be a temptation, plus hope. In fact, Father Christmas even makes an appearance in both. This book takes each of these and more and works it into 28 devotions which include Scripture, devotions and excerpts from the book itself. I find myself reflection on the devotion throughout my day and it helps me to stay focus on the reason for Christmas.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press in exchange for my honest review.

Devotional Review: One: A Daily Devotional

This was an enjoyable, reflective devotional. I enjoyed the length and the content of each entry. Plus it was remarkable how so many of the entries went hand-in-hand with what my life was dealing with at the time.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: A Daily Invitation to Friendship with God

This book, A Daily Invitation to Friendship with God, is an excellent way to join a daily devotion, without having to spend vasts amount of time.

The book consists of different parts such as: The Creative Edge, The language of the Spirit, The Practical Side of Things and Celebrating the Living Word.

Each section is introduced with Scripture to reflect upon during the devotional time. Then each entry consists of short entries to take with you throughout the day. There are some that are then ended with a thought.

I found this to be a nice way to share time with God for those moments when I only have a minute or two. I think this would also be a great introduction to devotions to those who have not done them before.

I was given this book by bookfun.org and Destiny Image in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Heaven Declares

I have loved this wonderful way to begin my day. Actually, my hubby and I read it together at night. Each day there is a Bible verse to begin the session, then a short reflection on the reading. Then they follow up with a few Scriptures, a prayer and then our favorite part, the Decree and Declare section. These speak to things that we have been dealing with and help us to turn them over to God and to let them go. After all if you are declaring and decreeing them, they are meant to be followed.

The author D. Hakeem Collins is a minister, speaker and radio program producer.

I was given this book by bookfun.org and Destiny Image in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: First and Goal

First and Goal, by Jake Byrne, is written for young people, but I believe there are lessons for everyone in this book. My son was a football player, so I could relate to many of the devotions throughout. Each section begins with a title that is related to football, such as Practice Film, Trainer or Draft Choice. This is followed by a definition of the term, then the lesson, including Bible references.

It is easy for those that are training for a sport to lose sight of what is truly important and this book helps to ground them in this foundation.

Byrne has a gift of being able to reach people with his words and I would highly recommend this book to youth and parents.

I was given this book by Harvest House Publishing and bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Psalm 119 Experience

The Psalm 119 Experience is a devotional based on Psalm 119. There are 22 sections to this Psalm and Kramp broke the book into 22 chapters.

There are five devotionals in a chapter and then there is a section at the end with a the verses in song. This is done so that the reader can memorize the verses.

This is a wonderful way to look at this Psalm and I would recommend it to all.

I was given this book my NetGalley and B & H Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Stand Firm

I find comfort and challenges when reading the Book of Philippians, so when I found this book, I really wanted to read it. 

This devotional is easy to read and takes the reader through Philippians by looking at the verses so the reader can see what is being said. Through the 48 devotionals, the reader gains a better understanding the letters. Dave Branon did an excellent job with this study.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Discovery House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: A Sherlock Holmes Devotional

I enjoy reading Sherlock Holmes mysteries so when I came across this devotional I thought that I would try it. My husband, who shares my love for all things Sherlock, would sit with me as we read the readings which came directly from the characters, stories and more of the books. Then there would be the way that these readings relate with our journey with God, and His mysterious ways.

I loved this way of looking at the Scriptures and Sherlock. How ingenious.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language, is an updated version of the classic devotion by Thomas a Kempis.James N. Watkins has paraphrased this work to make it more understandable by today's readers. Its main focus is to help the reader look at their own relationship with Christ. There are several topics throughout to help us with our journey with Christ. The sections are Imitating Christ, then Imitating Christ's Character. Included in the second section are wise, trusting, self-sacrificing, humble, peaceful and so much more.

I was given this book by Worthy Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: 40 Days to Complete God Confidence

This book is a 40 day devotional which is based on 1 John 5:13-15. When we are faced with challenges it is sometimes hard to turn to God but this is what God wants us to do. This book helps us to see that all we need is "Complete God Confidence." This book shows, through the devotions encouragement, to each of us how our faith in God will grow as we turn more and more over to Him.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.