Tuesday, March 19, 2019

James by Joyce Meyer

book cover
James
by Joyce Meyer


ISBN-13: 9781546026068
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: FaithWords
Released: March 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
James has so much to say about living a powerful and effective life in Christ. The book addresses a variety of topics important to growing your faith and teaches that you not only need to read the Word of God and know what it says, but you also need to act on it. In this comprehensive biblical commentary, Joyce Meyer offers you practical insights for studying the book of James, with room for personal reflections that will help you grasp the truths in God's Word. You'll discover how to identify life-changing wisdom and get a better understanding of God's plan and purpose for your life.

Part of her first-ever biblical commentary series, Joyce's book on James will stir your faith in God and inspire you to live it out in practical ways because of your love for Him and desire to glorify Him in your life.


My Review:
James is a Bible commentary on James that can be used for personal Bible study or even as a devotional. The author provided an amplified version of the verses, doing one to seven verses at a time and working her way through James. She talked about each group of verses and brought out insights to improve our understanding. She stayed focused on the verses rather than telling funny stories, but it wasn't highly academic or difficult to follow. It's written at a layman's level and contained short enough sections that it could be used for daily devotional reading. She included questions for personal reflection along with space to write in your answer. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to better understand James.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Thursday, March 14, 2019

Breaking the Power of Negative Words by Mary C. Busha

book cover
Breaking the Power of Negative Words
by Mary C. Busha


ISBN-13: 9780800734749
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: Feb. 19, 2019

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The spoken word has immense potential for either building up or tearing down. Too often, it's the latter. Many of us are daily carrying around hurtful words, sometimes without even knowing it. These negative words have great influence over our lives and the lives of those around us.

Mary Busha speaks to the hurting and guides them toward victory over the harmful, demeaning, or insulting words of their past. She shows readers how to understand the emotions and circumstances behind the words, choose to want to forgive their offenders, embrace the truth about who they are created to be, recognize the effect of both negative and positive self-talk, pray effectively to break the power of negative words, and walk in the freedom God provides in his Word. She also encourages readers to find ways to use their own words to lift up the people God places in their path.


My Review:
Breaking the Power of Negative Words talked about the impact of using positive and negative words. The author used a lot of stories about individuals who struggled with the things she was talking about in that section. She started by talking about negative words we've heard, especially as a child. She talked about understanding the background of a person who said hurtful words to us and forgiving them for what they said. She talked about believing what Scripture says about us and using prayer to help break free of hurtful words.

She talked about not complaining or blaming others for your own words and actions. There was a chapter on finding out what your unique gifts and such are. Another chapter was about committing to using positive self talk. She then moved on to the words we say to others, especially children. She urged us to be aware of the words we're saying and to speak positive words into people's lives. She repeatedly talked about basing our view of ourselves on Scripture (so go search the Bible!), to have an attitude of gratitude rather than focusing on what's wrong, and forgiveness as a way to freedom from past hurt. It's a decent book, but I have previously read a lot of what she said, so I didn't get many new insights from it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Proverbs- Everyday Bible Commentary by Irving Jensen

book cover
Proverbs- Everyday Bible Commentary
by Irving Jensen


ISBN-13: 9780802418968
Paperback: 120 pages
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Released: March 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The wisdom of Proverbs sometimes comforts and sometimes confuses. It contains some of our most cherished verses, as well as odd metaphors, and strange pronouncements that can feel cold or even cruel. What we need is a guide—someone who can explain the confusing bits and bring familiar passages to life. This is what the best preachers do, but you don’t have to wait until Sunday’s sermon. Encounter the beautiful depth of Proverbs through an enlightening verse-by-verse commentary from Irving Jensen that’s both straightforward and insightful.


My Review:
Proverbs--Everyday Bible Commentary is a commentary on Proverbs. The author started by providing an overview of Proverbs by looking at key themes, main topics, background and setting, and an outline. He followed this by working verse by verse through each section, explaining what Solomon was saying. The author didn't provide any insights that I haven't already gotten just from reading Proverbs in my Study Bible. Sometimes, his interpretation of the verse didn't agree with what I've read elsewhere. He occasionally speculated about things not necessary to understanding the verses, and I often found myself disagreeing with what he proposed. I was disappointed that I didn't really get much out of this. However, it was easy to follow what the author was saying.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Friday, March 8, 2019

Ephesians by Joyce Meyer

book cover
Ephesians
by Joyce Meyer


ISBN-13: 9781546025993
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: FaithWords
Released: March 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Paul's letter to the Ephesians is a well-loved book of the Bible that teaches some of the most important lessons of faith: who you are in Christ, how you are to live as His follower, and how to gain victory in the spiritual battles you face. In this study tool, Joyce Meyer takes a close look at the meaning of those beloved verses, identifying key truths and incorporating room for personal reflection.

Joyce's first-ever biblical commentary series provides teachings that will help you develop a stronger relationship with God. As you take the time to study His Word, you'll see how much He loves you and who you are in His image. Change will come, and your life will bear the good fruit that God intends!


My Review:
Ephesians is a Bible commentary on Ephesians that can be used for personal Bible study or even as a devotional. The author provided an amplified version of the verses, doing one to seven verses at a time and working her way through Ephesians. She talked about each group of verses and brought out insights to improve our understanding. She stayed focused on the verses rather than telling funny stories, but it wasn't highly academic or difficult to follow. It's written at a layman's level and contained short enough sections that it could be used for daily devotional reading. She included questions for personal reflection along with space to write in your answer. I have read several commentaries on Ephesians lately, and this is one of the better ones, in my opinion. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to better understand Ephesians.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Tuesday, March 5, 2019

1 Corinthians- Everyday Bible Commentary by Robert Hughes

book cover
1 Corinthians- Everyday Bible Commentary
by Robert Hughes


ISBN-13: 9780802418999
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Released: March 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Divisions, immorality, marital strife, spiritual gifts, money, wisdom, folly, and holiness—these may have been Corinthian problems first, but we need Paul’s wisdom just as much today. But it can be confusing to read 1 Corinthians on our own. What we need is a guide—someone who can explain what’s going on in the world outside the letter and bring to life Paul’s words of exhortation. This is what the best preachers do, but you don’t have to wait until Sunday’s sermon. Encounter the beautiful depth of 1 Corinthians through an enlightening verse-by-verse commentary from Robert R. Hughes that’s both straightforward and insightful.


My Review:
1 Corinthians- Everyday Bible Commentary is a commentary on 1 Corinthians. The author started by explaining the key themes and main topics talked about in 1 Corinthians. He provided some background, an overview, and an outline of the letter. He then worked his way through 1 Corinthians by focusing on the next topic in the letter. He started by quoting some verses introducing the main problem and Paul's solution. He followed this by working verse by verse through that section, explaining in detail what Paul was saying, giving context to the problem, and explaining what Old Testament verses he was referring to. This is more of a sermon style than a traditional commentary. It was easy to follow what the author was saying, and it did help clarify what Paul meant and what the Corinthians were dealing with. Overall, I'd recommend this Bible commentary.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.