My Review of the NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone! This version of the Bible is a bit unique because of the way it presents itself as a tool to encourage your memorization of Scripture by tracing every word throughout the New Testament.

But before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this innovative product:

Write God’s Word into your heart by tracing Scripture verse-by-verse through the New Testament. For years, scientists have connected handwriting with improved learning. Designed for a unique, devotional experience, the NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition provides an opportunity to read and write through the beautiful gospel and promises of the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation. 

This special edition has lightly printed text allowing you to trace the words of Scripture easily. Wide margins and a clean, single-column typesetting complete the intentional design. Chapter headings are printed regularly for easy navigation, or you can engage more deeply using the included tracing themes and reading plans on love, hope, grace, comfort, peace, eternal life, anxiety, spiritual gifts, community, heaven, Holy Spirit, and faith. 

According to MIN, the features that compose this Bible include: Easy to trace, 17-point, the entire New Testament is in a gray-scale, ideal for tracing with wide margins that invite note taking and/or art designs and unique, lay flat spine design makes tracing comfortable right or left handed. 

MIN also says: Familiarity with Scripture is deepened by reading and writing. This is an excellent activity to do with your family.

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My Review for MIN of the “NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition” Bible:

The first thing I liked about this Bible was the packaging. The Bible is enclosed inside a box covering that is smooth to touch. I also like the green, earthy colors of the box. I like how the front top of the box shows a person’s hands holding the Bible. It is open to the page that starts 2 Corinthians. I like how it shows the person pausing from practicing what this Bible is designed for: tracing God’s Word.

You can see that the person’s right hand is holding black ink pen and that they have been carefully tracing every word of this Scripture starting on 2 Corinthians 1:1.

I like how this Bible only includes the New Testament of God’s Word because it would be too bulky if it included the Old Testament as well. However, I would like to see this Tracing Edition have another Bible that covers the Old Testament. If it’s not too bulky, I think it would be ideal for the publishers to produce a Tracing Edition for the whole traditional Bible starting with the book of Genesis and ending with Revelation because that would be more comprehensive and powerful.

The back cover of the box says these helpful words about this Bible: “Designed for a unique devotional experience, this edition provides an opportunity to read and write God’s Word into your heart by tracing Scripture through the New Testament. The lightly printed text guides you to trace the words in a handwriting-friendly font. Its specialty sewn binding lies fully and conveniently flat, so it’s suited for both left and right-handed writers.” The features include traceable verses, lightly printed text in a clean single-column typesetting, substantial 60 gsm paper ideal for writing, 10 topical reading plans, exposed Smyth-sewn binding to lay flat and it uses the NKJV translation for all the Scripture within this Bible.

Thomas Nelson is one of my favorite Christian book publishers and I believe they lived up to their standard of excellence when creating this product.

When I took the Bible out of the box, I was impressed by how lightweight it felt to hold and how textured to touch. The golden tan colored front cover of this Bible features no words, only a picture of a small bunch of golden color flowers on a stem with a few leaves. The back cover of features a Bible verse (Matthew 24:35): “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”

The first page I saw as I opened this tracing edition of God’s Word was the dedication page where the reader can fill in the blank spaces under the words “Presented to” and “By” and “On” to make it personal if they intended to give this Bible to someone as a gift. The next page is the title page that says this tracing edition of the New Testament is “engaging the New Testament word by word”.

I noticed the same font style was used for the words “Tracing Edition” and “Contents” and “The New Testament” on the next page that is the Table of Contents. The font style looks like the brushstroke of a painter.

The next page tells the reader how to use this Bible. It says this is a “journaling opportunity to write the text of Scripture” and it says more that you can read. The following pages spend ink talking about the “Preface to the New King James Version” and “Topical Reading Plans” that touch on “Grace” and “Hope” and “Anxiety” and “Love” and “Peace” and “Comfort” and so much more! Scripture references are listed under each topic so that the reader can look it up and learn.

After the Topical Reading Plans section, the reader can turn the page and begin tracing God’s Word starting with Matthew 1:1. The Bible verses look barely there because the text is a very light gray color. However, this is necessary so that the reader can take a writing utensil and carefully trace every letter and every word. I found this to be unique and conducive to studying Scripture.

After the last line Revelation, this immersive experience ends. But I believe you can always begin again with another Bible or writing Scripture in a journal.

I highly recommend this tracing edition of the New Testament to anyone who wants to better understand and memorize God’s Word, especially new believers.

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Watch this 30-second promo video from Thomas Nelson Publishers to learn more here.

Watch this 1-minute info video: The NKJV Translation is Trusted by Millions

Visit the publisher’s website:
https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/nkjv-new-testament-tracing-edition/

Buy this Bible on Amazon.

Purchase your copy of the NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition via this link (below): thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/nkjv-new-testament-tracing-edition/

Disclosure: Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Bibles/HCCP for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#NewTestamentTracingMIN #TraceTheWord #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Devotionals for the Heart: How to see miracles in the ordinary all around us

Do You Still See Miracles?
A devotional by Heather Jeffery

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”—Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

How do you define a miracle?

It’s a word we tend to either underestimate or overestimate. Perhaps we see the miracle of healing when the doctor said there was no hope, or the miracle of a healthy child born to the couple who prayed for a decade. Do you still look up at the stars or observe the rhythmic sequence of waves crashing on the shoreline and think it’s miraculous? Some things lose their miraculous nature as they become more familiar, moving from extraordinary to ordinary.

God’s Word (The Holy Bible) opens with the miracle of creation and carries miracle after miracle throughout its pages. Seas are parted, dry bones rise, lepers are healed, the blind see, and Jesus Christ (our Savior) walks on water. And these are only the miracles recorded for us. The Apostle John reminds us that Christ’s works were so vast that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written (John 21:25). How could anything within our human realm ever begin to hold the infinite capacity of our God? We simply don’t have the tools, or the mental capacity, to measure such immensity.

Yet here’s the danger: The quickest way to miss a miracle is to focus on what God has not done. When our eyes stay fixed on the prayers that feel unanswered, the closed doors, or the silence in waiting, we become blind to the countless ways God has already moved on our behalf. Complaint and comparison blur our sight, but gratitude sharpens it.

When did we stop seeing miracles? When life got too busy? When we wanted God to move one way and He chose another? Or when science explained the “how” and we forgot to acknowledge the “Who”?

If we only look for burning bushes and parted seas, we will miss the daily manna waiting right at our feet. If we only seek the earthquake, wind, and fire, we will miss the gentle whisper that held Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13). If we only chase dramatic signs, we may overlook the peaceful calm or the overflowing abundance of our basic needs.

Miracles aren’t always loud. Sometimes they’re disguised as ordinary. Such as:

A heart softened toward forgiveness.

A timely word that shifts the course of your day.

Provision that arrives just when the account runs low.

Peace that makes no sense in the middle of chaos.

A butterfly that reminds you God sees you.

This often means adjusting our expectations or timeline. Maybe we are expecting a forest but all we see are a few trees in front of us that seem to be blocking our vision. God tells us to not despise the small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). If we learn to see the miracles, we learn to see God all around us.

I invite you to pause for a moment and sit quietly with God. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you vision with eyes to see the tiny little miracles along our path. What miracle did you witness today? Would it be the breath in your lungs, sunrise after a long night, or the strength to keep going when you felt like giving up?

The same God who spoke galaxies into being is still at work in your story. He has not stopped doing wonders. And if He is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever think to ask or imagine, then even the miracles we cannot yet see are already unfolding around us.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Open my eyes to see the miracles all around me. Forgive me for the times I have focused only on what I thought You had withheld, instead of recognizing the countless ways You provided and protected me. Give me a heart of gratitude that notices Your hand in both the big and small moments. Strengthen my faith to expect You in the extraordinary and to treasure You in the ordinary. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Million Little Miracles” by Elevation Worship & Maverick City. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “The Benediction” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Just the Beginning” by Kurt Carr & Vonnie Lopez. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “So Will I (100 Billon X)” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Heather Jeffery is a Christian author, mentor, and certified mental health coach specializing in emotional and spiritual abuse recovery. 

Her mission is to empower women with Biblical truth and practical tools to navigate life’s most confusing and painful circumstances. Heather’s passion for this work stems from her own experience of walking through a progressively destructive marriage and divorce, where she discovered the healing power of God’s Word. Today, she helps women set healthy boundaries and tune into the guidance of the Holy Spirit, offering hope and clarity in the midst of chaos.

Heather believes every story matters and has a purpose, just as the stories we read about in the Bible. In her mentoring and coaching, she weaves together her personal journey with the stories of women in Scripture, uncovering deeper insights below the surface that traditional teaching often glosses over. Her approach is both compassionate and practical, equipping women to reclaim their identity and live in freedom.

Heather lives in Maryland with her two teenage daughters, where she works as a physical therapist. She loves spending time outdoors, especially near and on the water, where she finds reminders of God’s faithfulness in the beauty of His creation. She believes God’s Creation has messages for all of us if we take time to look, whether it be the fluttering butterfly that happens to cross your path signifying God sees you or the twinkling of the sunrise as a reminder of God’s unending faithfulness. She is most at peace floating in a kayak taking in the sights and sounds around her as she spends time reflecting on God’s goodness.

Heather shares weekly encouragement and resources through her website at https://heatherjeffery.com/.

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Connect with Heather:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/straightenyourcrown.1/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to live as a citizen of Heaven while on Earth

Living as Citizens of Heaven
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”—Philippians 3:20 (NLT)

There’s no doubt that we live in unprecedented times. Everywhere we look in this post-pandemic world, it seems like our “normal” way of doing things and living life on this earth may never come back.

To many, it appears that the world is “falling apart”, but for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, we know everything is falling into place. In fact, for the Christian there should be an excitement for Jesus to return to Earth to take us home to Heaven. The Bible is clear that we will not know the day nor the hour when Christ will return (Matthew 24:36).

But we will know the season. Matthew 24:37-39 (NLT) tells us, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.”

Jesus could come back right now, or many years from now. Regardless, the questions we must ponder and answer are: How should we live? What should be our highest priority? According to Scripture, God has made it very clear that we are called to love God and love others.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT) says, “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.” God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift to use for the church. He has also given each of us the ability to do certain things well. Our abilities show what specific ministries we are to do for God.

What are you naturally good at? God wants to use your gifts for His purpose. Hebrews 13:21 (NLT) tells us, “may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.” When we put our God-given gifts into practice, the world will see a living, breathing example of Christianity.

The world has itching ears. Everyone is always looking for the next best self-help guru or podcast that tells them what they want to hear, but when they see someone living and speaking clear biblical truth, they may not understand, but they will know it’s authentic.

When I first became a believer, I was very legalistic. Everyone at my job thought I was crazy. I constantly felt like I had to speak to others in a Christian lingo and openly kept my Bible on my desk. I thought I was “doing the Lord’s work”. But sadly, I was really pushing people away.

One day I met a young man (who would later become my husband.) He was honest with me about how “religious” I was coming across to people. What he said hit a nerve. It also showed me how self-righteous I had become. That was such a humbling experience to see how much I didn’t understand God’s grace.

The beautiful thing about the grace of God is that we can see how unworthy we are to receive it. There is nothing more freeing than to discover that in and of myself, I could never earn my way into Heaven.

With that new perspective, I finally felt the freedom to just be myself and let Jesus speak through me as I felt His leading. I was amazed to see that I wasn’t scaring people away anymore. In fact, some people asked for prayer and others even joined me for church.

Understanding the grace of God and knowing that we are eternally lost without Him will give us everything we need to live authentically for Jesus. It will come across in our speech and our actions.

Here are three ways we can live as citizens of Heaven while living on Earth:

1. Spend time in God’s Word. We won’t always feel God. Most of the time God simply speaks to us through His Word (The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

2. Attend a good church. We need to be fellowshipping with other believers for encouragement. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) says, “And let us not neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

3. Share your faith. God has called every believer to be a disciple and make disciples. To take every opportunity. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT) says, “So be careful how you live. Do not live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”

This world is decaying. If we can be a living, breathing example of Jesus then we will be the “fragrance rising up to God.” Let’s read about this in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NLT): “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.”

God gave us a free will. Therefore, every day we wake up with a choice to submit to God and follow Jesus as our top priority or disobey Him and push Him away. The more we choose to keep Jesus first, the more peace and joy we will experience regardless of what life throws at us.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Thank You for Your grace that gives us what we don’t deserve. Thank You for dying for us so that we can live an abundant life in You. Thank You for your patience with us and I pray that You will enable us to live and act in a way that glorifies You.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Living Hope” by Phil Wickham. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

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Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: The world will know us by the way we love others

Focus on Love
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Keep the main thing the main thing?”

I try to do that, and perhaps we all do. But some days, it can be so difficult!

The other day I was at the grocery store for one item specifically: ketchup. Normally, I shop with a list so I buy what I need, not what I want, and also because I get distracted. But that day, I tried to keep it simple and decided I didn’t need a list. Surely I’d remember the ketchup, plus two other things I remembered as I was walking inside.

You can probably guess what happened: Three items turned into ten as I browsed the shelves, and when I left the store, can you imagine what I forgot? The ketchup!

Of course, forgetting ketchup is a minor inconvenience. What’s worse is when we forget the important things.

Every week, Christians around the world gather to worship the Lord and hear God’s Word so we can grow in knowledge and become spiritually mature. But what happens the rest of the week?

Think about the road rage and aggressive driving on our streets, the TV shows we watch, the music we listen to, the way we treat people in our homes and workplaces, the gossiping and the constant worries and the lies and the worldly concerns that fill our minds and our hearts until they drown out the one thing that’s supposed to set us apart: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Or maybe this looks different for you—maybe you’re immersed all week long in matters of faith. You listen to Christian music on the radio, read the Bible every morning, work hard, volunteer at church or at a soup kitchen, and gather regularly with other believers…Only you’re so busy working and gathering and doing that there’s no place left over for the Holy Spirit to move.

All the spots are taken.

Jesus Christ said the world will know we are Christians by our love for one another (John 13:35). In Matthew 22:37-40, when asked by church leaders what is the greatest commandment in all of God’s law, again He pointed to love: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (NIV).

And that’s not all Jesus said about love. He also said:

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).

Love with mercy and extravagance (Luke 10:25-37).

Love with sacrifice (John 15:9-17).

Love with obedience and holy unity (John 14:15-21).

And yet look at us, those of us who call ourselves Christians. Can others see that love in us? Can they see it in our words and our actions, our mercy and our unity? Denominations are fighting each other over what Jesus would do or say. Christian people are pointing fingers at sin, forgetting the proverbial log in their own eye (Matthew 7:3-5). What is all of this doing to draw other lost sheep into God’s flock?

Nothing.

As 2024 begins, a lot of people are selecting words for the year, themes of purpose or self-growth they need to embrace. Courage. Peace. Hope. These are all good things. But as someone who goes to the store for ketchup only to forget it with all the other distractions, I know the word I need to choose this year. My word is love.

The apostle John tells us, “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16). He adds, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

This year, let’s keep the main thing the main thing. Let’s focus on what Jesus said was most important: love.

Let’s Pray: Father God, you are love. You sent your son to save us out of your vast love, and he told us love was the most important thing we should focus on—love for you and love for others. Help me not be distracted by worldly concerns or selfish desires or even hard work but instead to keep my focus on you, on love, now and forever. Amen.

Song of Reflection: "Know Us By Our Love" by Moriah. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning journalist, author, blogger, editor, writing coach, and devotional writer with thousands of articles to her name. 

Since 2010, she has served as the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, which has won 123 journalism awards during her tenure. Her latest book is Preparing Our Hearts: An Advent Devotional to Draw Closer to God at Christmas.

She has won more than 100 writing awards. Jessica is a seasoned speaker and frequent contributor to Christianity.com, BibleStudyTools.com, and Crosswalk.com, among many others. She has a weekly faith blog at JessicaBrodie.com and is part of the team at Wholly Loved Ministries, with her work included in many of their devotionals and Bible studies. Jessica also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Jessica holds a Master of Arts in English. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in communications/print journalism from Florida International University. Born and raised in Miami, Jessica now lives in Lexington, South Carolina, just outside Columbia. She has also lived in Ohio and in the mountains of western North Carolina. She and her husband, Matt Brodie, have a blended family of four teenage children and stepchildren.

Jessica has written several novels and is actively seeking publication through her agent Bob Hostetler of The Steve Laube Agency. Her novel The Memory Garden won the 2018 Genesis contest for Contemporary Fiction from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and her novel Tangled Roots won a third place Foundation Award in Contemporary Romance at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in 2019. She is finishing the third in the series, Hidden Seeds, now.

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Connect with Jessica:
Website: https://www.jessicabrodie.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaJBrodie
Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicajbrodie
Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaJBrodie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicajbrodie/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajbrodie/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shiningthelightjessicabrodie/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jessicajbrodie

Devotionals for the Heart: Reasons why God's Word is sweeter than honey

Sweeter than Honey
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.”—Psalm 19:10 (NIV)

The weather was perfect. Not too hot, slightly breezy, and wispy clouds floating across the sky.

A patch of volunteer purple and white larkspur, delightful as these self-propagate; bring joy and provide seeds for next year, wave in the breeze, near our patio and walkway to the barn. It was just the right spot to enjoy them for the month they are in bloom.

While sitting in a chair on the lawn one particular morning, I began to take in my surroundings. Glancing over to the larkspur patch and I noticed three large bumblebees. These seemingly too-heavy-to-fly black and yellow balls of fluff and wings were weaving in and out of the blossoms. Because of their enormous size, each time they dipped into a blossom to gather nectar, the entire stem would bend over.

They would linger just a moment to gather the sweetness of provision and move on to the flower next door. On and on they went. Methodical, peaceful, intentional. One after another, and even crisscrossing each other. They drank in and kept going.

David wrote that God’s Word is sweeter than honey. This verse was flittering through my mind as I watched those bumblebees. Do I devour Scripture like they devour nectar?

Do I bury my face and even my whole body, into the Word of God, savor it and move onto another passage and do the same? Do I stay in the same patch of flowers, so to speak, so I gain all the goodness of God which awaits me? Do I recognize everything I need can be found in Jesus?

Let’s read John 6:68 (NLT), “Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.”

The disciples were onto something. Crowds were everywhere, temptations abounded, doubt was real. But they went to Jesus Christ, the Author of their newfound faith. Peter stated they believed (John 6:69) in God’s Son (Jesus), so why would they go anywhere else?

Why would they go to another patch of flowers, so to speak, if what they needed was right in front of them? So true.

Those bumblebees stayed and are still there as I write this devotional. They continue to drink in the sweet nectar of God’s provision for them. It’s as if they can’t get enough, so they linger. The disciples chose to do the same. The leaders of Judaism questioned them and Jesus, but these men knew in Whom to believe, so they fiercely held on to Him.

What about you and your circumstances? Are you drinking in from the Word of God every day, or do you fly by, hoping to grab a snack? Does your walk with Jesus feel without flavor or sweetness? Are you finding it to be true that when you do not pray, thank, and give your worries over to God, peace is elusive?

Let’s read Philippians 4:6 (NLT): “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Worry robs us. It’s as if we left the door of our heart open so worry does not even have to struggle with the lock or dead bolt. We give it easy access, and then don’t fight back. We get paralyzed, even more fearful, and instead of taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), we begin wringing our hands in earnest. We buzz around–flitting from one thing to another.

May I make a suggestion?

Stop.

Be at rest.

Do what you are made to do, which is to worship God and Him only. The bumblebee is meant to drink deeply of flowers, gather pollen from that flower to spread it to the next, thereby pollenating other flowers for future crops. It does not do anything else. No worry, no pretending to be a bird, a cat nor mankind. It does not fret about tomorrow, nor the next minute.

It peacefully and slowly zooms into one blossom, drinks deeply, then casually moves on. And on. And on. Endlessly.

Can we take a lesson in this? Can we learn God’s Word is indeed sweeter than honey? It is our daily bread. It sustains us and gives us hope, and more importantly, points us to God our Father.

Let’s Pray: Father God, I need You and only You. I want to find my rest, my hope and my daily bread in You. Please forgive me for getting distracted, giving up or not even trying to begin with. Help me Lord, to go to You first, be in Your Word, to be thankful, give You my cares, and trust You. May Your peace wash over me, as You promised. I will hold onto You and believe. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “To Worship You I Live” by Israel & New Breed. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children and one brand new daughter-in-love, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served in the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 23 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s.

Whether it’s singing in our church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for two years, and a devotional writer for about one year.

Kerry Sue writes about finding God’s Sovereignty in our pain and suffering.

~*~
Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/

Devotionals for the Heart: This is how you can fully experience God's Word

It Takes Three
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death.” 

–Romans 7:10 (NKJV)

If you are like me, even a good thing like inductive Bible study can trigger your weaknesses.

You begin questioning everything you do, every motive you have, and every mistake you make. You agonize over every decision, wondering if it’s the right one. You fear the consequences of bad decisions and accidental sins.

“I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.” That is how the New International Version (NIV) of The Holy Bible translates Romans 7:10. In the same translation, 2 Corinthians 3:6 adds this: “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Every time I begin to fear consequences or punishment, that’s the letter speaking. The Galatian Christians struggled with this, so it should be no surprise that we do. Paul had to remind them that this was the very thing Jesus Christ died to set them free from.

It is necessary to learn God’s principles and live by them, but we cannot nullify or set aside His grace (Galatians 2:20). Sometimes, we have to actively grab hold of it with both hands and not let go. For me, that means tuning out the other voices for a while and drawing closer to Him.

It is important that we sit under the teaching of God’s Word (The Holy Bible) by someone who He has gifted to perform the ministry of a pastor/teacher. Yet when those voices start to drown out God’s Voice, I personally begin to feel condemnation. Suddenly, it seems that every word they speak is directed specifically at me, even if it actually has nothing to do with me. It’s usually not their helpful, encouraging words either. It’s the tough ones.

I felt this way for years, and Satan was happy to add to the weight, because he knew it would drive an immovable wedge between me and my Savior. Matthew 23:4 (KJV) says it this way: “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders.”

Most of our teachers are well-meaning, but too much reliance on the words of other people without coming before God on our own can have the same effect. Their words and interpretation become a filter through which we read scripture, rather than filtering their words through the Word of God. Even with the best of Biblical teachers, we should continue to seek God in His Word as the Bereans did.

When this Biblical event took place, most people did not have a copy of the scriptures in their home. They had to go to the synagogue to access the Word of God. They were seeking the Lord together, but what did each individual meditate on as he made his way to and from the place the Word of God was kept? What did he pray about as he lay quietly in bed at night?

As I envision the Berean community gathered in the synagogue, actively communicating with each other, asking questions and challenging one another, I am reminded of accountability.

Galatians 6:6 (KJV) says, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Communicate is an accurate translation of the Greek word "koinoneo". Thayer’s Greek Lexicon provides this definition of koinoneo: “to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, or be made a partner”. Individual study does come back to the community as we share what we have learned. Then, we wrestle through to the truth together, and become stronger for doing so.

If God’s children want to experience the full benefit of His Word, it takes three things: sitting under the teaching of the Word, time alone with Him, and fellowshipping over the Word with our brothers and sisters in Christ. May we take advantage of each of these opportunities regularly!

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the godly leaders You have put in place to instruct me in Your Word. Thank you for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide and teach me. Finally, thank You for the community of believers around me. I pray that You will allow us greater fellowship together as we pore over Your Word. In Your Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Were It Not for Grace” by Larnelle Harris. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children. 

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure! Her current long-term project is Gott Mit Uns, a German-perspective 20th century historical fiction series.

Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.

Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.

She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats.

Aubrey has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/

My Review of the Abide Bible and a special giveaway for you!

My Review of the Abide Bible

Momentum Influencer Network sent a copy of the Abide Bible to me and asked me to write a review of it. Before I share my review, read these words below from the professionals of Momentum:

Check out The Abide Experience: 21 Days in John, a FREE Video Devotion featuring Dr. Phil Collins, general editor of the Abide Bible, a Bible designed around five methods of Scripture Engagement that will change the way you read Scripture. The 21 Days in John FREE Video Devotion also provides a free download of the book of John from the Abide Bible.

The Abide Experience is FREE and includes 21 Video devotions delivered by email and a full download of the book of John from The Abide Bible!

Do you yearn for life-giving, intimate communion with God? The Abide Bible is designed to help you experience the peace, hope, and growth that comes from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. Every feature in Abide is de- signed to teach and develop Scripture-engagement habits that help you know the power and spiritual nourishment of abiding in Christ.

Transform your personal Bible devotions into intimate, ongoing conversations with God with various Scripture engagement approaches that keep Bible reading fresh and new. “Abide in Me.” (John 15:4)

Created in partnership with Bible Gateway and the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, The Abide Bible’s features include articles, book introductions, and practical Scripture engagement prompts based on five ways of engaging deeply with the Bible:

· Praying Scripture: Pattern your prayers after biblical texts, personalizing the prayer and gaining language for the thoughts and emotions you want to ex- press.

· Picture It: Place yourself in a biblical narrative as a bystander or participant in important events.

· Journaling: Focus and reflect on Scripture and its meaning for your life, opening yourself to God’s voice as you ponder.

· Engage Through Art: Consider a classic piece of art—photograph, sculpture, painting—and let it deepen your meditations on scriptural truths.

· Contemplate: Follow the church’s longstanding practice of reading, meditating on, praying, and contemplating a passage of Scripture in order to experience God’s presence through the words of the Bible.

Features include:

· Bible book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read

· 365 Day Bible Reading Plan guiding you through the entire Bible in a year

· Line-matched, single-column Scripture text for improved readability

· Smyth-sewn binding lays flat in your hand or on your desk

· Two satin ribbon markers allows you to easily navigate and keep track of where you were reading

· Easy-to-read 9-point NET Comfort Print

Visit the Abide Bible publisher’s website for more details: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/abide-bible/experience/

~*~

My Review of the Abide Bible:

This Bible is well-planned, organized and helpful.

I love that it comes in a nice box cover that shields the Bible. When I first opened the box and laid my hands on the Abide Bible, the first thing I noticed was how soft and smooth the material from front to back and the spine. It put me at ease.

As I’ve been studying this Bible for the past few weeks, I found that it’s easy to understand. The features such as the explanation of the background and historical context of every book in this Bible really set the scene for me and helped me go into each book that I read with greater understanding.

The font style and size throughout this book are very easy to read.

I was able to go deeper into God’s Word when I followed the study prompts on the sidebars of most pages. These prompts challenged me to pray using Scripture, picture the story in my head, journal about what I read, engage through the art that portray scriptural truths, and contemplate what God is teaching me through His Word before moving onto the next chapter.

I highly recommend this Bible to anyone and everyone who wants to grow closer to God and understand His Word on a deeper level.

~*~
Giveaway for U.S. Residents ONLY: 1 copy of the Abide Bible (NET)

Enter the giveaway contest here:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c420/?

Disclosure:
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Bibles for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#AbideBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Devotionals for the Heart: Marathons

The Marathons of Life
A devotional by Amanda Wen

“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.” 

–Romans 15:4 (ESV)

The marathon is one of the most impressive feats of human athleticism and endurance. Though I’ve been a runner for a few years now, I’ve never attempted one, or anything even remotely close. My “endurance challenges” have taken place in the form of 5K and 10K races (3.1 and 6.2 miles, respectively). And while some run for time, or even to win, I run merely to finish, regardless of time or place. (Have I mentioned I’m not a natural athlete?)

But no matter the distance of the race you’re running, some of the most welcome sights along the course are those volunteers who hand out cups of water and packages of energy goop. When strength flags, motivation wanes, and you wonder why in the world you ever thought this was a good idea, that smiling face, cup of cold water, or sweet, delicious energy gel restores, refreshes, and energizes. It keeps you going and makes you think maybe you can run a few more steps after all.

The comparisons between running a marathon and making it through a challenging season of life are inevitable. Whether it’s completing your education, surviving the sleepless nights of a new baby, suffering through a scary medical situation, or simply waiting for the next chapter in life to start, endurance is the name of the game. But God has promised that we do not run our race alone. Over and over in His word, He promises never to leave or forsake us. He instructs us not to fear, because He is with us. His presence is enough to get us through life’s most difficult and painful times, even when it feels like it is not.

One of the ways God reminds us of His presence is by using other people to do so.

As I’ve gone through several challenging months, I’ve received those cups of cold water and packages of energy goop in the form of pep talks from friends, encouragement from family, and even songs on the radio that speak directly to my heart. Seemingly every time I need a breath of fresh air, or a gulp of the proverbial Gatorade, God provides that. It’s rarely the same thing, and it’s rarely the same source, but it’s always exactly what I need to hear at that particular moment in time. 

Always, I’m reminded that God hasn’t forgotten me, and His plans for me are still in effect. And it also reminds me to be that smiling, encouraging race course volunteer for someone else…to let God’s encouragement flow through me and bless someone else who might need a little refreshment.

If you’re going through something difficult right now, I pray that you’ll endure, and that you’ll have eyes to see those race course volunteers. And if you’re not in a challenging season at the moment, to whom can you deliver some refreshment and cheer today?

~*~
Author Bio:

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of contemporary inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. 

A first place winner in the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest, she also placed first in the 2017 Phoenix Rattler Contest, the 2017 Great Expectations Contest, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions Contest, among others. In addition, she was a finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest.

Amanda is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She’s also been spotted onstage with the worship team at recent ACFW conferences. Amanda is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

In addition to her writing, Amanda maintains an active and rewarding career as a freelance cellist, frequently performing with symphony orchestras, string quartets, and her church’s worship team. She lives in the Midwest with her amazing husband and their three adorable and hilarious Wenlets.

~*~
Connect with Amanda:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoramandawen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authoramandawen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandawen
Website: www.amandawen.com

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Word

God’s Word in All Seasons
A devotional by Sara L. Foust

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

There are times in my life when I don’t know exactly what to do. How to react to an event or comment. Or maybe how to deal with the heaviness of grief. I am so thankful that God loved us enough to leave a guidebook for us. His Word is perfect, entire, and useful in every situation. No matter what I face, I can turn to the Bible and find an answer. Sometimes the same exact verses that gave me answers in grief are the ones that can give me direction in joy. I love how I can read His Word on a daily basis and each and every time learn something new.

Several years ago I realized that spending time in quiet meditation studying the Bible was an important act of faith. I began taking some time each morning to read, pray, and sit quietly in His presence. As the number of children increased in my home, the quiet part has become much more difficult. But I find that if I forget or push aside my one-on-one time with His word, my days are tougher.

God’s Word can be all things to all people. Perfect for teaching, admonishing, preaching, ministering, witnessing, encouraging, strengthening, and comforting. He left the Word with a purpose, with a great love for His children, so that we can find each of those things no matter what challenges, blessings, or fears lay ahead of us.

I’ve included some of my favorite verses below. These are ones that I have especially turned to in times when I needed His comfort and direction, and I’ve found that even though my situation changes I can find exactly what I need in them each time.

This one is especially good for times of grief or when I am hurting: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite”. ~Psalm 147:3-5 (KJV)

This one is wonderful for times when I feel confused and need direction: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

This one is good for times when I am questioning why: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:28 (KJV)

This one is good when I am overly stressed and need to be reminded that I am God’s child and, therefore, I can find refreshment in Him: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ~Romans 12:2 (KJV)

This one is perfect for times when I need to be reminded that prayer works, just not always on my time: “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” ~1 John 5:15 (KJV)

And finally, this one is good when I need to be reminded of my purpose here: “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (Bolding mine).” ~James 1:25 (KJV)

What are some of your favorite verses for the different seasons of your life?

~*~

Author Bio:

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. 

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers.

Her debut novel Callum's Compass won second place in Deep River Books' 2017 Writer's Contest. She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature.

When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com.

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Devotionals for the Heart: Women of God and Mother's Day

Beyond ‘Mom’: Celebrating Women of God
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

This Sunday (May 13) is Mother’s Day, a day that used to have one meaning for me: an opportunity to make my mom feel loved and cherished in gratitude for enduring a twelve-hour labor with no pain medication and then raising me, a precocious, bookish girl, to maturity.

But like so many things over the years, this day has evolved. Today, not only do I celebrate my own mother, but also my equally outstanding mother-in-law, my sister and sister-in-law, my stepmother, my aunt, and my grandmothers (here on earth and in heaven). And, of course, my husband and four kiddos—two biological, two “bonus” courtesy of our blended family—celebrate me, too, which always seems entirely unnecessary but very, very sweet to experience as they gather homemade cards and crafts in my honor.

And yet I can’t stop there, for I also celebrate the other women in our world… my children’s stepmom and my stepchildren’s mom, both loving, strong people who adore those kids and help shape them into the great people they are becoming. I also embrace and appreciate all the other women who influence my kids right along with me. I might carry the title “mom,” but we all work together in this: their brilliant and compassionate teachers, their ministry leaders at our church, the moms in our small group Bible study who pray for our flock daily, my other mom-friends in our neighborhood who take turns with me in caring and loving on all our kids for playdates, carpooling, and sleepovers.

They say it takes a village; I say they’re right.

While I’m blessed to have a wonderful biological mother who is a Christian, many of my friends have mothers who have already passed on—and others have it far worse: Their mothers are not women of faith. Some are addicts, driven by a demon and looking to fill the proverbial hole with anything but God. Some, whether from fear or circumstance, have left their children behind. Some are in prison. Some they haven’t talked to in years.

Sadly, I also have friends who are adoptive and foster moms but not fully comfortable with their role; they feel like “false moms” (they most certainly are not!). Others struggle with infertility, like I once did, or have decided for a variety of reasons that birthing children is not something they intend to do, yet the holiday still haunts them.

Where I live, there’s a place, Epworth Children’s Home, that has chosen not to celebrate “Mother’s Day” at all but rather “Women’s Day.” Their director said Mother’s Day at Epworth does not bring smiles and pleasant memories but is often a reminder of broken promises and shattered dreams. So instead, they focus on what it means to be a woman in the eyes of God.

Here’s the thing: “Mother” is not an identity. And while it’s a lovely thing to take a day to celebrate the woman who birthed us or the women who helped shape us, in reality, our children are not “ours” but God’s—and we are not “mothers” first but rather “children of God.”

In fact, as a Christian, if I’m truly honoring my Savior, I’d do well to keep that open-ended concept of family in mind.

In Matthew 12, Jesus was teaching God’s word to a large crowd when someone told Him that His mother and brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to Him.

“(Jesus) replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother’” (Matthew 12:48-50, NIV).

Family isn’t mere biology or bloodlines. When we toss aside the mantle of the world and instead choose to follow Christ, we not only gain a new life, but also a new family. We are no longer daughters and sons of flesh and blood but children of the Risen God. Our parent is God, and our siblings are all who walk alongside us in faith.

Happy Mother’s Day, then, and Happy Women’s Day…to God, to my mom, and to women of faith everywhere.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Jessica Brodie is a Christian author, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. 

She is the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate (AdvocateSC.org), the oldest continuously published newspaper in Methodism. 

Learn more about her fiction and read her blog at http://jessicabrodie.com/.

Review of a FREE 31-Day Online Bible Study on the Book of Ephesians

My Review of “Worthy of the Calling: A Free 31-Day Online Bible Study with Sarah Koontz”

I love digging deep into God’s Word and “Worthy of the Calling: A Free 31-Day Online Bible Study with Sarah Koontz” was the perfect way to study the Bible book of Ephesians!

Originally, I learned about this Bible study when a friend reached out to me about the author needing readers to join her launch team.

I looked up Sarah’s invite, saw the title for her Bible study and was intrigued. I decided to join her team then and there because I believed that the message was worth my time.

When I sat down to read this Bible study on the book of Ephesians, I felt calm and relaxed. As I kept turning the pages, I felt like I was growing closer to God’s Message.

The author dives deep into God’s Word. She teaches the reader to embrace their God-given destiny, to talk to Him about anything and everything, to share your heart about what God’s done for you and most importantly to believe that you are worthy of the calling He’s placed on your life. Sarah reminds us throughout her study that we are adopted sons and daughters of God. We are His Heir through His Son Jesus Christ. We are His family. It’s wonderful to be reminded in a world that’s obsessed with royalty that we—no matter what our station in life—are adopted into God’s Heavenly Family, which is better than earthly royalty. As God’s children, our royal titles don’t end when we die; they carry on forever because faithful Christ-followers are promised to a life after death, one where they live in God’s Presence for eternity.

Sarah’s study is divided into 31 Days. Each day brings a new message from her heart inspired by God. She uses Day 1 to teach you your identity and privilege as a “faithful saint” and on Day 2, she reminds you that you’re “Chosen by God”. As the days progress, her message goes deeper into God’s Word and exhorts you to not only realize that you are “Worthy of the Calling” but you have a responsibility to share God’s Message with the world.

Beautiful, colorful, and insightful memes decorate every page of this study. The pictures are captivating and the words on it are a call-to-action. The author doesn’t shy away from challenging the reader to see life through a faith-filtered lens.

The reader can tell that the author did her homework before writing this study. Her message is theologically sound and supported by Bible verses. She doesn’t write in paragraphs; she breaks her message down in blocks of two to three sentences on every page throughout this study. It’s a great marketing strategy that’s easy on the eyes.

One of the most memorable sentences in her study is this: “Prayer gives us access to spiritual nourishment—enabling us to battle and behave like believers. But we must shape our prayers in a way that pushes beyond the physical and into the spiritual” (page 16).

I like how the author reminds us that our enemy is NOT humankind; it’s the devil. Because we cannot see the spiritual realm when things happen that upset us and it looks like a person is to blame, more than often it is the evil spiritual force behind that person that is to blame because as the Bible says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Overall, this is a thought-provoking, soul-stirring, mind-uplifting study that will impact your life for the better. I’d give it a five-star rating if it were a book being sold on Amazon.com. But I don’t have to do that because out of this goodness of her heart, the author is giving this Bible study to readers for free!

Sign up for Sarah's free Bible study here, https://www.sarahkoontz.com/worthy/.

*Reviewed by Alexis A. Goring, founder of "God is Love" (blog)

Book Review: Thomas Nelson's "KJV Know The Word Study Bible" AND Kindle Fire Giveaway

Happy Friday, friends!

You're in for a special treat because today is my blog's stop on Litfuse Publicity Group's KJV Know the Word Study Bible book tour.

Below, you can find details about this special book, you can read my review of it AND you can enter a giveaway for your chance to WIN a Kindle Fire device!

So let's begin reading this blog post, shall we?

~*~

About the book:

Gain a greater understanding of the Bible book by book, verse by verse, or topic by topic.

The study of God's Word can be easy and rewarding if you break down the Bible into easy-to-understand segments. The KJV Know the Word Study Bible offers three easy ways to begin studying Scripture and helps individuals transition from being a casual reader of the Bible to becoming a regular student of the Bible. You can choose to study the Bible book-by-book, verse-by-verse, or topic-by-topic; each path offers powerful insights that will help you develop a daily routine of Bible study.

The book-by-book series of notes leads you through the main points of each book of the Bible. The verse-by-verse notes help you to dig deeper into God's Word. The topic-by-topic articles, which cover 21 theological topics, guide you through a series of insightful notes and give you a thorough biblical understanding of each topic. With the beautiful and timeless text of the KJV translation, the KJV Know the Word Study Bible offers you choices of how to study Scripture and grow in your relationship with Christ.

Features include:

-King James Version Bible text

-Three easy approaches to study the Bible: 1. Book by Book; 2. Verse by Verse; 3. Topic by Topic

-Insightful introductions for each book of Scripture

-Words of Jesus in red

-Beautiful two-color interior page design

-Comprehensive list of theological notes

-Concordance

-Full-color maps

-8-point type size

Learn more and purchase a copy. 

About the publisher: In business since 1798, Thomas Nelson is one of the oldest Bible publishers in the world and the largest publisher of the King James Version. Their mission is to inspire the world by using our talents, assets, opportunities, and influence to engage and equip people with Scripture and draw people to a deeper study and understanding of God's Word. Find out more about Thomas Nelson at https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com.

~*~

My Review of the KJV Know the Word Study Bible:

I’ve been looking for a new study Bible for about a year now. So when this opportunity to read and review the KJV Know the Word Study Bible arrived, I took it and it’s been a great blessing to me.

While I have not read this Bible from Genesis to Revelation yet, I have spent time in this version of God’s Word and I love it!

This Study Bible is well organized. The layout is user-friendly. I love the attention to detail.

The publishers have produced an impeccable product with no editorial mistakes. The content is accurate. The study materials allow the reader to go deep into God’s Word with topic-by-topic articles throughout the entire book! The topics include but are not limited to God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Love, Salvation, Christ Follower, Obedience, Purpose, God’s Will, Relationships, Suffering, Faith and Works.

There are “Study the Book” inserts in every book of the Bible. These features highlight the lessons within each book and give the reader insight into what the writer of that book meant. This tool provides an in-depth look at the context of those Bible verses. It gives the reader a mini-history lesson that helps the reader to understand the “why” behind the “what”. This is a great way to go deeper into your understanding of Bible times and God’s character.

Footnotes fill the bottom of every single book in this Bible from Genesis to Revelation. These footnotes are helpful because they explain details that you may have missed when reading this on your own which brings me to my final point.

My final point is a word to the wise—Always ask God to send His Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you before you start reading His Word (The Holy Bible) because if you read without a prayerful attitude and God’s guidance, you may miss what He has to say for you.

I’d give this Bible a 5-star rating on Amazon.com for it is a wonderful read that’s precise, concise and allows the reader to go deep into God’s Word.

*Litfuse Publicity Group provided me (Alexis A. Goring) with a complimentary copy of KJV Know the Word Study Bible. My opinions in this book review are my own.

~*~

Giveaway details from Litfuse Publicity Group:
Diving deeper into God's Word can be easy and rewarding if you break it down book-by-book, verse by verse, or topic by topic with the new KJV Know The Word Study Bible by Thomas Nelson. The book-by-book series of notes leads you through the main points of each book of the Bible. The verse-by-verse notes help you to dig deeper into God's Word. The topic-by-topic articles, which cover 21 theological topics, guide you through a series of insightful notes and give you a thorough biblical understanding of each topic. With the beautiful and timeless text of the KJV translation, the KJV Know the Word Study Bible offers you choices of how to study Scripture and grow in your relationship with Christ.

This fall, become a regular student of the Bible and enter to win the Kindle Fire giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of the KJV Know The Word Study Bible
• A Kindle Fire 7
• A Kindle Fire case (winner's choice)

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on October 31. The winner will be announced November 1 on the Litfuse blog.