Review of Enduring Word Study Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the Enduring Word Study Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone!

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

God’s Word is meant to be known—and lived. God wants you to know, understand, and apply His Word. But sometimes you need help making sense of a tricky passage or knowing what it means to live in light of the Bible’s teaching.

For more than 20 years, readers have turned to Bible teacher David Guzik’s verse-by-verse commentary at EnduringWord.com as a source of practical and pastoral insights into the Scriptures. The Enduring Word Study Bible invites you to join them as you are guided into deeper knowledge of the Bible. Study notes based on Guzik’s commentary help you to explore the meaning of every chapter of the Bible. Pastoral application notes guide you to live in light of Scripture, and feature articles bring challenging topics into sharper focus.

Features include:

• Introductions exploring key themes of every book of the Bible

• Study notes to help you explore the meaning of every chapter of Scripture

• 400 application notes to help you live in light of God’s Word

• 50 articles offering a deeper exploration of key topics throughout Scripture

• Concordance with more than 200 word studies

• Translators’ notes and cross references

• Line-matched, double-column typesetting

• Clear and readable 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

David Guzik is the author and General Editor of Enduring Word Study Bible. Here is his professional bio: David Guzik is a pastor, Bible teacher, and author of the Bible commentary used by millions at EnduringWord.com. David has been in Christian service for more than 40 years, including two church plants and more than seven years as a missionary in Germany where he was director and teacher for Calvary Chapel Bible College Germany. David and his wife, Inga-Lill, have three adult children and three grandchildren.

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My Review of Enduring Word Study Bible:

I really liked the brown leather soft cover of this Enduring Word Study Bible.

I appreciated the Letter from the General Editor (David Guzik) as he aptly introduced the purpose of this edition of the Bible. He showed the reader how to approach studying and the Bible by first believing there is a God then believing the Bible is God’s Word and knowing the Bible is more than one book, and finally realizing the Bible is reliable.

I liked it the next message that spanned for two pages titled “Getting to Know God”.

Before diving into the first book of Genesis, there are two pages that share the story of the New King James Version this Bible is written in. It is filled with helpful insights.

The most interesting feature are the two pages with color coded boxes that have each book of the Bible listed (one box per book), along with a key at the bottom so the reader can understand what this means. For example: It is noted that John wrote the book of Revelation. It has 22 chapters. This graphic aid was very detail-oriented.

Another nice feature is how there is one page of introduction to each book in this Bible. The intro gives you background, history, notes about the author, and a list of what to look for when reading that book.

Throughout the thin but smooth pages of this Bible are info boxes such as “A Sharper Focus: Before the Beginning” that teaches the reader more about what they are reading that they may not realize on their own. Each info graphic encourages you to really study the Bible, not just read it.

There are also smaller boxes titled “Pastoral Applications Note” with only a few sentences that briefly explain the importance of the Scripture on that page.

When you reach the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), you can see that the direct words spoken by Jesus Christ are written in red. I appreciated this being true to tradition as this is the case in most Bibles regardless of the translation or style.

On the final few pages of this Bible are a concordance and before that there is one page titled, “My Identity in Christ” with two columns and 21 columns that outline what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

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Purchase your copy of the Enduring Word Bible today on Amazon today! See the main purchase links below.

Hardcover copy: https://www.amazon.com/Enduring-Word-Study-Bible-Commentary/dp/140033800X/ref=sr_1_1?

Brown Leathersoft cover copy: https://www.amazon.com/Enduring-Word-Study-Bible-Leathersoft/dp/1400338026/

Learn more at https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/enduring-word/

#EnduringWordBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ is knocking on the door of your heart

Someone’s at the Door
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

—Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

What do you do when the doorbell rings?

To be honest, I must admit that when the doorbell rings at my house, my first instinct is to pretend I’m not home. It’s probably just someone selling something, I think to myself. Then I stay quiet and still, hoping whoever it is will give up and go away. If I’m unlucky enough to betray my presence, I’ll open the door just enough to politely cut off their sales pitch without buying in.

Nowadays, we hardly ever need to answer the doorbell at all. High-tech doorbells with cameras and speakers allow us to see and speak to visitors on the outside without going near the door or even being at home. With services like DoorDash and Amazon that offer “contactless” delivery, we can receive our packages and never have to interact with the people who bring them.

Today’s American culture seems far removed from earlier times when answering the door was not considered a hassle or an unusual thing to do. Before the age of telephones, a bell ring or a knock was the only way for visitors to make their presence known. Having guests drop by unexpectedly was commonplace, and it was considered polite to welcome them inside. There are still cultures today that retain a deep-rooted tradition of hospitality, placing value on always being ready to welcome visitors into the home. However, right or wrong, ours seems more focused on safety and security.

What would you do if Jesus Christ knocked on your door?

We could rationalize that it’s difficult to interpret the metaphor of Jesus standing at the door and knocking in contemporary terms, since times have changed and our modern way of thinking about a knock at the door is vastly different than it would have been in Bible times. We might even dismiss it entirely. If we really think about it, though, our modern way of reacting to knocks and doorbells might actually be an apt illustration of how we treat Jesus at times.

Many people who consider themselves Christians have never truly opened the door to Jesus. Some tend to think of Jesus as an impersonal figure who taught the masses from a hillside, bestowing wisdom on them from a distance. They think of him as a good leader whose teachings should be followed in order to become a good person. In a way, that’s like thinking of him as a contactless delivery driver who leaves a package for you to open and use at your convenience. Others pray, but when they do, it’s as if they’re addressing an intimidating stranger, keeping their prayers formal and ritualistic. They “talk to God” but never have a real conversation. That’s sort of like answering Jesus’s knock through an electronic speaker or only cracking the door slightly, never fully listening to what he has to say.

Jesus is anything but impersonal, and this verse from the book of Revelation clearly illustrates that truth: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20 NIV). Jesus is speaking here, and He tells us that He’s at the door, knocking and calling out to us. He will not leave what He’s bringing on the doorstep and go away; He will continue to knock until we open the door and invite Him in. More than that, if we let Him in, He won’t just stand in the foyer and exchange pleasantries with us. Jesus will come all the way inside the house, sit down at the table, and share a meal with us.

Jesus comes to have relationship with us. He wants to fully enter our lives so that we can know Him and walk closely with Him every day. Many Christians would say they know this, but how many of us truly “open the door”? Do we let Jesus all the way into our lives, or do we keep the door closed as a barrier, keeping Him at a distance, content to stay within the security of the walls we’ve built around our hearts?

Opening the door—literally or figuratively—can feel inconvenient, uncomfortable, or even scary. It makes us vulnerable. But when we think of Jesus standing on the other side, knocking and calling our names, isn’t it worth letting Him in? Jesus wants to enter our lives and have deep relationship with us, but He will neither force His way in nor leave a package on the doorstep. It’s up to us to answer the door, invite Him inside, and sit down with Him at the table.

Let’s Pray: 

Dear God, 

Thank You for sending Your Son to reconcile us to You. When we hear Jesus at the door, help us not to pretend we’re not home, but to open it wide and let him all the way into our hearts. 

In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Someone’s at the Door” by Nathaniel Bassey. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “He's Calling You” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton has been a writer for most of her life, even before she realized it. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms, all of which involved writing in one form or another.

Suzanne is amazed by the power of words and now uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

Suzanne’s devotionals have been published in periodicals and blogs including The Upper Room, The Love Offering, Keys 4 Kids, and The Swallow’s Nest. She is also a two-time finalist in the Cascade Christian Writing Contest for poetry.

She is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-five years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband have served as deacons for over a decade. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two teenage sons. Suzanne is also an avid birder, easily and happily distracted by anything with feathers.

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Connect with Suzanne:
Website: https://suzannefelton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton
Email address: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: God is our refuge and strength in every storm

Finding Refuge When the Storm Won’t Stop
A devotional by Terry Overton

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”—Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

The pounding of my heart was fierce as the dream shook me in the darkest of dark hours of night. The story stayed with me throughout the day.

A storm sweeping across the land—destroying everything in its path. The storm in my dream lingered long after waking. I saw myself, running from house to house, seeking safety, but there was no escape. The winds howled louder, and fear increased. Yet even in that darkness, a message was placed on my heart: this is not a dream of doom. It is a divine reminder that our safety is not in the house we choose but in the God who holds us steady.

In Scripture, storms often serve as the backdrop for divine encounters. When the disciples of Jesus Christ feared the waves might swallow them as they teetered in the boat, Jesus was asleep (Mark 4:38). They cried out in desperation, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). The storm obeyed, and the disciples learned a truth that every believer must face—peace is not found in calm weather but in Christ’s presence.

Sometimes the storms in our lives—illness, loss, grief, conflict, uncertainty—feel so fierce that we can’t find our footing. We try to outrun the pain, moving from one “house” to another: one plan, one distraction, one intervention, one new place to hide. Yet the wind finds us wherever we go. That’s because storms of the soul are not meant to destroy us—they are intended to draw us closer to the only shelter that cannot be shaken.

Psalm 91:1 (ESV) promises us, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” The word dwelling means staying—not running, not moving from place to place, but resting. It means letting go of the illusion of control and allowing God to be the refuge instead of trying to build one ourselves. The dream of moving from house to house is a picture of what we often do in real life: We look for safety in our own strength, forgetting that the safest place in any storm is right in the center of God’s will.

When you feel like there’s no escape, remember this truth: God’s presence is not limited by walls or locations. You can’t outrun His love, and you don’t need to. The storm may rage, but He walks upon it. He speaks through it. He stands between you and the destruction. What feels like a moment of terror may be an invitation to surrender—to stop moving and let the Almighty fight on your behalf.

God promises us this in Isaiah 43:2 (ESV), “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

You are not meant to escape the storm—you are meant to endure it through grace. Where was Jesus in the storm on the sea? He was in the boat. Where did God say He would be in the waters? With us. When everything shakes, and the winds threaten to undo what you’ve built or what you think you have in life, cling to the Rock that cannot be moved. Let His peace silence your fears.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, my heart may cry in this storm because I try to control what only You can. Help me to remember to lay my fear at Your feet. Help my heart to understand that during the storm, my soul is in Your hands. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “When You Walk Through the Water” by Allison Durham. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “God is Our Refuge and Strength | Psalm 46:1” by Timothy Tye. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Scott Krippayne. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. 

Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean.

She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.

Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

Terry’s background in teaching adults and children shine through her stories that often include a character with educational or learning challenges. Her Christmas series, The Oddball Ornaments, features a box of misfit ornaments who first learn the meaning of Christmas and then discover the meaning of forgiveness. In The Underground Book Readers series, one of the main characters is on the autism spectrum yet is one of the leaders of the group of teens. Book one of a new series, The Messiah Brigade, features an awkward middle school nerd who helps his school turn around a bully gang of kids. Adoption and family issues are the focus of her new book, Charlotte McMaster and the Messenger Angel.

Terry lives in Texas and enjoys reading, taking pictures for devotional posts on social media, visiting with her family, playing golf, and writing.

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Connect with Terry:
Website: https://www.authorterryoverton.com
Blog: https://terryovertonbooks.com
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/overtont

Devotionals for the Heart: We all need people in our life who encourage us

The Blessing of a Barnabas
A devotional by Joyce M. Averils

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”—1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

We all know people who bring doom and gloom wherever they go—the ones who never have a kind word to say, who always find the downside of everything, and whose complaints fill every conversation.

These are not the voices you want speaking into your dreams or shaping your faith. If you want the calling God planted in you to grow and flourish, you need people who will nurture it, protect it, and cheer you on when the road gets tough. In other words, you need a Barnabas.

Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36), was the kind of person who made others believe they could become who God called them to be. He didn’t just believe in people from the sidelines, he championed them. When others doubted Paul’s conversion and questioned his sincerity, Barnabas stood beside him and vouched for his transformation (Acts 9:26-27). When John (also called Mark) failed in ministry and others wrote him off, Barnabas gave him another chance (Acts 15:36-39). He saw potential where others saw only problems. He looked beyond someone’s present struggles and called out their God-given destiny.

Every one of us needs someone like that, someone who reminds us of God’s promises when doubt creeps in, who speaks life when our confidence wavers, and who pushes us closer to our purpose when we’re tempted to give up. For me, one of my greatest encouragers has always been my mother. She has prayed over me, believed in me, and consistently pointed me back to God. When challenges came, she refused to let me sit in self-pity. Instead, she spoke truth and hope into my life, reminding me of God’s faithfulness and His plan. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) tells us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” A true encourager doesn’t just comfort you; they strengthen you in the Lord.

Maybe you’ve been blessed with someone like that, a mentor, friend, coach, or spiritual leader who poured wisdom and encouragement into your journey. If so, cherish them. And if you haven’t had that person yet, don’t give up. Pray and trust that God will bring a Barnabas into your life at the right time.

But what happens when the encouragement you need doesn’t come from the people you expect? Maybe the ones closest to you don’t understand your calling. Maybe they question your dreams or even try to “protect” you from disappointment by discouraging you from taking bold steps. That can feel painful and isolating. But remember, even Jesus Christ experienced this. His own brothers didn’t believe in Him at first (John 7:5). When He returned to His hometown, instead of celebrating Him, the people were skeptical and dismissive (Mark 6:4). Yet Jesus didn’t let their doubt derail His mission. He stayed focused on what God had called Him to do.

You and I must do the same. Keep loving your family and friends, but don’t allow their fear or uncertainty to become your roadblock. God is the one who planted this calling in your heart, and He will provide the right people to walk alongside you and encourage you in the journey.

And while it’s a blessing to have a Barnabas, it’s equally important to be one. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) instructs us, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today.’” Someone in your life needs your voice of hope. Someone needs to hear you say, “I believe in you. God’s not finished with you yet.” They need your prayers, your presence, and your willingness to stand with them when the world counts them out.

Everyone needs a Barnabas. And maybe, just maybe, someone is praying for you to step into that role. So, ask God to help you recognize those who need encouragement and give you the words to speak life over them. And as you pour into others, watch how God surrounds you with encouragers of your own—people who will champion your dreams and walk beside you as you pursue your God-given calling.

Let’s Pray: Father, thank You for the people You’ve placed in my life who encourage me, speak life into me, and remind me of who I am in You. I’m grateful for every Barnabas You’ve sent my way, those who believe in me when I doubt myself and point me back to Your promises when I feel discouraged. Please, help me to be that same kind of encourager to others. Open my eyes to see who needs a kind word, a prayer, or a reminder of Your faithfulness. Use my voice, my actions, and my faith to strengthen someone else’s journey. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Speak Life” by TobyMac. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Somebody Prayed” by Crowder. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Encourage Yourself” by Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Joyce M. Averils is an attorney by education and a retired judge who currently works as a Life Purpose and Business Empowerment Coach. 

She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with a concentration in Political Science in May 1981. Upon graduation from the University, she attended The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in June 1984. Joyce was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November of 1984.

During her legal career, she served as the legal advisor for an episode of the American television program “Designing Women”. She also successfully argued a zoning case before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Today, she is the founder of Averils Omnimedia, LLC, which includes Her RICH Life Coaching, where she helps high-achieving women of faith create a purpose-aligned life and business through coaching programs, workshops, and retreats.

She recently launched 26th & Alden Paper Design House which will release its first paper product in 2025.

Joyce believes that God created women to do extraordinary things by walking fully in their purpose, calling, and assignment. She knows that each woman has a unique calling that only she can fulfill, and if she doesn’t answer it, that work may never be done. Joyce is deeply aware that there are people waiting for the help only God can give, and He often chooses to work through His people to meet those needs. That’s why Joyce is committed to answering God’s call on her life and inspiring other women to do the same, so together, we can be of greater service to God and one another.

Her life verse is John 17:4 (NIV), “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”

She makes her home on the coast of South Carolina.

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Connect with Joyce:
Website: www.herrichlife.com
Facebook Ministry: www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposealignedwoman
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachlabforaspiringchristianwomencoaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@HerRichLife
Instagram: www.instagram.com/herrichlife
Email address: joyce@herrichlife.com

My Review on the Peace of God Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the Peace of God Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone!

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

You were made for peace—and to be a peacemaker. The story of the Bible is the story of peace—peace with God and with one another. But peace isn’t simply a feeling of calm or ease. It is a way of experiencing life as we were always meant to—in relationship with our Creator and with each other. We can recover a completeness that was once lost but is restored in the gospel.

The Peace of God Bible invites you to experience peace with God as you trace this important theme throughout Scripture. By meditating on it daily as you read 365 devotions and application notes, you will find the encouragement you need to live out of the wholeness you have in Christ—and be equipped to share that peace with others.

Features include:

• Book introductions to help reveal the part peace plays in each book of the Bible

• 365 devotionals based on a key verse or passage to guide you in how to receive and live by God’s peace

• 365 peace notes offering short, powerful insights to help you understand more deeply the wholeness you have in Christ

• Topical indexes to help you study on your own how God's peace can shape different relationships in your life

• Articles explore what the peace of God is, how to find or recover it, and how to experience eternal salvation because of what God has done for you

• Concise concordance and index of features

• End-of-page translators’ notes and cross-references

• Line-matched, double-column typesetting

• Clear and readable 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

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My Review on the Peace of God Bible:

I love the box cover that contained the Bible because its blue and orange and yellow color scheme featuring what looks like the sunrise in the mountains over a lake creates a sense of calm in me as the reader. It is like a glimpse into the peace of God that awaits me as I read His Word.

There is only one feature about this Bible that I did not like: The cover design on the actual Bible. While the material feels soft and smooth like leather, I don’t like the etched picture of mountains. Also: The words etched above the mountains “Peace of God” can be easily missed because of the small font size and due to how it fades into the background because it is the same color as the leather covering.

Upon opening this Bible, I noticed the dedication page is clear as day and really stands out with its bigger font size and nice format.

As I turned the pages, I found several things that I liked. Such as: The first few sections that tell the reader how to find the peace of God and keep it, how believers can recover the peace of God, and details about God’s plan of salvation that Jesus Christ accomplished. I found these sections to have powerful messages that can reach readers at any level of their faith journey.

I appreciated the introduction page that comes before the first chapter of each book in the Bible. It starts with notes about the author then mentions the era and theme.

I like how throughout this Bible, there are blue boxes with words written in white ink that provide what looks like a mini devotion anchored on a verse in that book. Such as “The God Who Hears” on page 69 that is anchored on Exodus 2:23. Beautiful!

I love how there are light blue boxes of just the right size with dark blue lettering that says “Peace Note” then there is a one or two sentence note with a question or statement to ponder based on the recent reading of that particular chapter. Clever! The first peace note I read is on page 273. It reads: How do you discover the will of God for your life? Perhaps you have prayed, “Lord, which opportunity shall I pursue?” A clear determiner is the peace of God.” At the end of each peace note is a Scripture reference. This one is Judges 18:6.

When I reached The New Testament that contains the last books in the Bible, I like how true to tradition, words spoken by Jesus Christ are written in red. This helps His direct quotes to stand out against everything else written in black ink.

After the final book (Revelation), there is a very comprehensive Features Index that tells the reader the exact page where each devotion and peace note can be found. Very helpful!

The last few pages of this Bible feature a concordance that can help the reader dive deeper into studying the Bible. Wrapping it up are colorful maps showing what the land and regions looked like during the time when the Bible was written. This is at the very end.

I enjoyed reviewing this Bible and I would recommend it to everyone who wants to experience the peace of God.

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Watch this preview from the publisher featuring the Peace of God Bible:
https://youtu.be/OdqbjPq9nsg?si=19nEOuqZDrH-prwQ

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Read more about Peace of God Bible on the publisher’s website:
https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/peace-of-god/

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Purchase your copy of the Peace of God Bible today on Amazon!

#PeaceOfGodBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Devotionals for the Heart: God wants us to properly care for our bodies

Is Self-Care Selfish?
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”—Luke 12:7 (ESV)

Have you ever given a gift to someone and felt unreasonably protective about taking care of that gift before you gave it to them?

If I go to the store and buy something for myself, it can roll around in the back of my trunk until I get home, and I’m not terribly worried about it. But if I’ve bought a birthday gift for someone, I make sure it’s nestled carefully in my trunk so it won’t get trampled by the other things back there. Then when I get home, I keep it somewhere safe—preferably where the cats can’t massacre it—until I have the time to wrap it, topping it all off with a nice bow before I present it to them with love. I take care of that gift, making sure it’s in as good a shape as possible before it winds up in the hands of my loved one. After all, it’s a gift. It’s something precious, a tangible representation of my love and care.

But do we take care of ourselves, our bodies, with that same measure of care? Truthfully, not always. Perhaps we forget sometimes that our bodies are also a gift. Not only are they a gift that God gave to us—human houses for our souls, as well as the Holy Spirit who lives inside all believers—but also a gift that’s meant to be given away. We’re meant to lay down our lives for those we love (1 John 3:16), as well as to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord (Romans 12:1). We’re meant to die to the old so that we can embrace the new (Romans 6:5-6, Ephesians 4:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:3).

That’s not because our bodies are worthless garbage. It’s because it’s a genuine gift. Our bodies are one thing we can fully offer to the Lord, whether that’s in service or in sacrifice, whether that’s offering our life by defending the weak and the “least of these” or in living sacrifice as we respond in the aftermath of disasters, or by visiting prisoners, tending the ill, praising the Lord through music or dance, or feeding and caring for those without homes or food. Our bodies are precious, meant to be used in love, service, and care.

However, many of us see self-care as selfish. Perhaps we think if we’re truly being sacrificial, we are supposed to push ourselves until there’s nothing left. We work our lives away as though our bodies mean nothing. We put junk food in our bellies, we don’t get adequate sleep, we don’t take time to move and stretch and build our muscles, and then to feel better—or numb our pain, or maybe because we think it’s fun—we expose our bodies to toxic chemicals like drugs, too much alcohol, or other substances. We allow our bodies and our minds to get consumed by stress instead of stopping to tend the houses of our souls, the physical homes of the Holy Spirit on earth.

And perhaps we think there’s nothing wrong with that. But just like plants need to be cared for in order to produce crops or flowers, just like churches need tending and financial support to be able to truly be the body of Jesus Christ in the world, our bodies also have needs. They need for us to take care of them properly in the world for the Lord.

If you think about it, our bodies are a gift from God. They’re meant to be used by us, yes. But they’re also meant to be given away by us to the Lord, whatever that looks like. And if we’re truly intending for our bodies to be a gift, we shouldn’t be treating them like trash. I wouldn’t let my mom’s birthday gift roll around in my trunk, getting crushed and mangled, only to present it to her with a sheepish grin, “Here you go! Sorry it’s a catastrophe!”

Our bodies are the same. We don’t want to present them to the Lord in poor shape. So no, self-care is not selfish. It’s stewardship. It’s an act of love care and respect for a gift that God gave  us in his perfect love.

If you’re struggling to see your body in this way, stop and consider how God might view how you’re treating yourself. If that’s difficult to wrap your mind around, then consider how you might react to a small child hurting herself, driving herself to the point of pain and debilitation. Wouldn’t you encourage her to take a nap, have a good meal, or slow down and rest? That’s how God feels about you and about every one of His children on this earth.

Our bodies are precious to the Lord. Every aspect of who you are is precious to the Lord. Remember this.

Let’s Pray: Lord God, sometimes I treat myself like an afterthought but I’m no afterthought to You. I was created in perfect love, handcrafted by You. Help me honor Your love in the way I treat myself and care for my body, mind, and soul. Help me care for the gift You gave with proper stewardship that honors You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Sanctuary | Alpha & Omega | Total Praise” by Israel & New Breed. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 

Her two Christian contemporary novels, The Memory Garden and Tangled Roots, are Amazon bestsellers. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com.

She has a YouTube devotional, and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Interview with Jaime Jamgochian about her new book on surrender

Sacred Surrender (book) author interview with Jaime Jamgochian

Alexis: Congratulations on writing your first book! Sacred Surrender: The Practice of Waiting Well with God, is about trusting God can make the hard times holy. How did God do this for you?

Jaime: When we suffer in some way (sickness, loss, relational stress) we can come to know a side of Jesus Christ few get to. He suffered for us and when we walk through a season like this it shows us that the hard times can be Holy. Years ago, I saw the nearness of God when He invited me into a Holy season of understanding through Lyme Disease. I learned this valuable lesson.

Alexis: Describe one of your darkest days. How did your relationship with Jesus Christ help you survive that dark time?

Jaime: One of my darkest days was when I was so light and noise sensitive all I felt I could do was sit in a dark room for some relief. It was in that moment when I felt alone, lost, and confused by the season that I was experiencing. I sensed the Lord invite me to recite scriptures from the Bible that I knew by heart. This brought so much comfort to me and drew me closer to Him.

Alexis: You said that you don’t believe in coincidences. Instead, you believe in divine appointments. What do you mean? Share an example of this from your life story.

Jaime: I believe God orchestrates everything. He is the Author of Life, and the Bible says He directs our steps. My very first record deal came through a divine appointment with a family that wanted to start a Christian music label (Centricity Music). I met them at the church where I was leading worship at and interning. When you were in the Bible school/internship program they place you with a host home. It was a total God set up and divine appointment to be placed there which lead into a serious kingdom relationship.

Alexis: You’ve learned that just because you surrender your life to God, it doesn’t mean you won’t still suffer and experience hard trials in life. How did God teach you that life lesson? Explain how it impacted your perspective.

Jaime: The Bible tells us we will all walk through trials in life, but Jesus promises to be right there with us. I have seen this in my life several different ways and times. One time I felt overlooked in ministry and did not understand why I was not invited into a certain area. Now I can look back and see that it was God’s divine protection and Him making me strong in other areas where there were giftings that needed to blossom in my life. It showed me that His ways are always higher than ours and all we need to do is trust Him with all our hearts.

Alexis: How did you come to realize that God’s dreams are bigger than our own dreams for our life? Share how you pray about your heart’s desires after that realization.

Jaime: I started praying a simple but life-changing prayer as a young believer: “Lord, I want to dream the dreams that YOU have for my life.” The Bible makes it clear that our hearts can be deceitful above all else, so I wanted to make sure I was not pushing for something that He did not have for me. I laid down all my music giftings and dreams for a season to see if it was really Him. He brought it all back in ways only He could. This is a form of surrender and trust that can yield much good fruit in your life.

Alexis: You believe that happiness is fleeting, but joy remains. What does that mean for you? Explain what that can mean for the people who read your book too.

Jaime: Happiness comes and goes. A good, fresh Italian pizza with real ingredients makes me happy. But it is fleeting—here today and gone tomorrow. We can search for happiness in so many places but will always keep chasing for more of it. However, joy is a fruit of The Holy Spirit. It is something that will remain in and through every season. It has nothing to do with your circumstances and everything to do with your walk with the Lord. The joy of the Lord is our greatest strength. So lean into that which is eternal instead of just trying to seek out happiness.

Alexis: In your book, you encourage your readers to not give up before their story gets good because God is still writing it. What does that look like in your own life?

Jaime: There have been many times that I wanted to throw the towel in and quit, especially professional speaking. I am so glad I stayed faithful to God and did not give up too soon because many doors would not have opened. Keep trusting and waiting on His perfect timing.

Alexis: You’ve advised against falling into the trap of comparison but instead, learning to know your identity as a follower of Jesus Christ. How does that help a person?

Jaime: It is so easy to compare. I have learned that trusting God requires us to stay in our own lane—the one that He has for each one of us. It will look different than anyone else’s. Comparison is rooted in jealousy and that is not something we want to walk in. Focusing on what God is doing in your life will help you guard against the temptation to compare your story with others.

Alexis: You’re a single woman in her 40s. What do you have to say to encourage women who feel like they’ve missed out on true love, marriage and creating a family because they are over forty? Explain how God’s timetable is always on time.
 
Jaime: I talk about this a lot in the book (so make sure to grab a copy!). I would say that we are all on the timetable God has for our lives. If He placed that desire in your heart then I do not believe our good Heavenly Father would just leave it there unfulfilled. Start living in the all the other places your life is thriving. Use the waiting season as preparation. Do all the things you might not have the time for when you are a mom or a wife. Live each season to the fullest and trust that God has not forgotten you.

Alexis: Thank you for the interview, Jaime! How can we support you?

Jaime: Thanks so much! Please just pray for God’s will to be done in my life.

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Author Bio:

Jaime Jamgochian is a Dove-nominated singer, songwriter, worship leader, and popular speaker for women’s events. 

Waiting seems to be a perpetual theme for the 25-year music veteran. Yet, threads of persistence, determination, and perseverance are also woven throughout Jamgochian’s remarkable story as she’s navigated not just the highs and lows of a challenging, ever-changing music industry, but also the peaks and valleys of life over the past two-plus decades with Lyme disease. Her valuable experience and hard-won perspective all culminate in her latest project, Sacred Surrender, an album she never expected to make. And now, Jamie is writing about how to live in Sacred Surrender in those in-between times in life.

Jamgochian, a classically trained pianist and vocalist who studied at Berklee College of Music, first honed her craft playing jazz in bars and on cruise ships. The first in her family to become a Christian, Jamgochian was saved at 21. She eventually helped her family find the Lord and began using her musical gifts to serve the local church. Still in the infancy of her faith, the Boston native signed a recording contract with Centricity Music that launched her career in Christian music and secured her a No. 1 song with “Hear My Worship.”

Through it all, she’s never wavered in her faith. With a new album coming out and the writing of her first book by the same name, Sacred Surrender, she wants to see people encounter the love of God and experience hope.

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Blurb for Sacred Surrender (book): 

Can your impatience become gratitude and your darkest fear lead to deeper faith? 

Jaime Jamgochian knows what it means to live in uncertainty. A Dove Award–nominated singer-songwriter, she has leaned on her faith to navigate daunting personal health struggles and an ever-changing music industry. Now she shares her story of learning to ground her life in gratitude, joyful worship, and a trust in God’s timing rather than her own.

In Jaime’s music and writing, she encourages women of faith to persevere and: 

• Find prayerful ways to make even the hard times holy
• Experience joy in worship and intentional gratitude
• Trust that God’s plan and timetable are in place

Are you experiencing uncertainty and disappointment as you wait for answers in your life? 

Jaime helps readers turn worry into worship and live a more light-filled season of waiting, knowing that God is working within us at all times.

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Buy Jaime's book:

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble

Target 

Walmart

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Connect with Jaime:
Website: https://www.jaimejam.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimejamgochian/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimejamgochian
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimejamgochianmusic
Apple Music: Jaime Jamgochian - Apple Music