The Promised Presence by Jenny Randle

The Promised Presence
by Jenny Randle

ISBN-13: 9780830786213
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: June 3, 2025


Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Today, as in biblical times, God holds the power to transform, heal, and deliver. This Bible study through Luke and Acts reminds us that God can turn messes into miracles through the supernatural activity of Holy Spirit. In The Promised Presence, Jenny Randle shares topical Bible teaching, her own faith journey, and practical application to help understand the Spirit’s influence on the early church and in our lives today. Discover biblical answers to common questions about Holy Spirit and His work and grow in understanding spiritual gifts. Engage in reflective journal prompts for personal spiritual growth.

The Promised Presence uses a four-week format (five lessons each week) with a bonus fifth week for those studying the book in a group, plus accompanying video teaching and thought-provoking questions. For individual or group use.


My Review:
The Promised Presence is a Bible study on Luke and Acts looking at God's power to transform, empower, and heal. This Bible study lasts for 4 weeks, with each week having prompts for the group meeting and video clip (available online), a lesson introducing that week's theme, and 5 days of lessons in the book for you to do on your own time. Each day's lessons are about 5 pages long. They start with a short prayer, then you read a few verses from the Bible and her commentary, and end with a few questions to answer. There are often lists to make or charts to fill out as a part of the questions section. The book ended with a section covering common questions about the Holy Spirit.

The first week looked at some miracles in Jesus' ministry and how the Holy Spirit empowers His people. The second week explained that believers have been given the Holy Spirit, and He dwells within us when we accept Christ. The lessons pointed out that there's a supernatural realm and good and evil spiritual forces. The third week talked about baptism in the Spirit and being filled by the Spirit. The author appears to hold a classic Pentecostal view about this, though she did briefly mention other denominational views. She stated "Being baptized in the Spirit means the believer's life becomes fully immersed in the power and presence of God" and is a one time event separate from salvation. The Holy Spirit also "brings subsequent fillings enabling us to do our tasks in obedience to the will of God." The lessons also looked at verses about casting out evil spirits. The fourth week covered the fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts, with mention of roles in church ministry and participating in the work of God. The lessons also looked at praying for healing. She stated, "When we ask the Holy Spirit to fill us, we're asking a supernatural God to be naturally present in a discernible way."

Quotes: "We're not called to rescue ourselves or be perfect; we're called to acknowledge the One who is the perfect rescuer." and "If life were painless, we'd stop looking for the Promised One who carries peace."

The author said many good and true things in this study, but she assumed that how things happened just after Jesus ascended into Heaven is still how things happen. The situation was unique back then because some people believed in Jesus' saving work yet the Holy Spirit hadn't been sent to believers yet. We both agree that believers have the Holy Spirit seal them and dwell within them at salvation. However, the author believes that you then need to be immersed (baptized) in the Spirit, and she talked like you can run out of the Holy Spirit (like gasoline) and need to request fresh fillings of the Holy Spirit.

Keep in mind that the Greek word for 'fill' in this context also means 'imbue, influence, supply.' I believe that the Bible teaches that the Spirit comes to dwell within you, and you can surrender and let Him fill your house (life) and cooperate with the renovations He's carrying out or you can resist or grieve the Holy Spirit. You can stuff the Holy Spirit into a small closet and ignore Him a lot or you can pay attention to what He's saying and doing. He'll fill/influence your life as much as you allow Him to. It's more about a steady presence of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of your life than doing it on your own, running out of steam, and requesting a new sensational experience to jazz you back up again. But I think we both agree that it's about listening for His voice and often requires surrendering what you want or think is best.


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.

Man of Valor, Man of Grace: The Life of David by Charles R. Swindoll

Man of Valor, Man of Grace:
The Life of David
by Charles R. Swindoll

ISBN-13: 9781400351039
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: April 22, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, modified from Goodreads:
From his heroic youth onward through his greatly accomplished decades-long kingship, with continual struggles always along the way—from extreme highs to extreme lows—the continual dramatic highlights in David’s life are shown here with keen perception.

David very early experienced spectacular victories and unprecedented popularity, yet he also quickly became a fugitive from authorities for at least a dozen years of his early adult life—then, years later, was forced on the run again by his own son. Tragedy stalked this man in so many ways—but he was teachable and "a man after God's own heart."

Swindoll explores the three great failures in David's adulthood, with their heartbreaking consequences—while also showing David to be the best example in Scripture of someone riding out the storms of life. David was gripped by destructive passion, rocked by family chaos and personal tragedy, and motivated by political expediency. Like all of us, David was far from perfect, but Swindoll teaches us that David had the chance to become great when he placed himself at the Lord's disposal.


My Review:
Man of Valor, Man of Grace is basically a reprint of "Great Lives: David: A Man of Passion and Destiny by Charles R. Swindoll" published in 1997. When skimming the older version, I did notice some updates, like a reference to a storm that they were going through in 1997 was changed to the author having gone through several storms. If you've read the older version, there's no reason to get this book, too.

This is a Bible study on the life of David, with the author telling about a part of David's life (including quotes from the Bible) then commenting on what happened and what we can learn from these events. My problem is that the author (like most people) still tries to put David on a pedestal despite his sins since he's "a man after God's own heart." So in one chapter, we have David described as a negligent father and his children left to raise themselves. In a later chapter, the author stated how Solomon should be grateful to have such a great father. Yet David's refusal to name Solomon his heir from the beginning (and spend some time making sure he knew how to rule instead of criticizing Solomon's inexperience) caused at least the last attempt by one of his sons to take over the throne. In one chapter, we're told how David is a good example of forgiveness of an enemy, yet the author never mentioned how David commanded Solomon to make sure that same man died for what he did.

The general principles that the author draws from the text are good ones. I merely question if David was really such a great example of these things. Overall, I'd recommend this Bible study if all you know about David's life are his battle with Goliath and his sin surrounding Bathsheba as this book does go into greater detail about David's life.


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.

Christ Crucified by Thomas R. Schreiner

Christ Crucified
by Thomas R. Schreiner

ISBN-13: 9781433581304
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Released: August 27, 2024

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In a time marked by confusion and change, the pathway to salvation for the Galatians seemed unclear. While the false teachers contended for circumcision and obedience to the law as necessary for justification before God, Paul presented the truth of the gospel and redrew the lines of salvation around the cross of Jesus Christ.

In this addition to the New Testament Theology series, scholar Thomas R. Schreiner addresses the conflict between Paul and his opponents in Galatia, examines the gospel itself, and shows what it looks like to live out the truth of the gospel in the new era. After examining the dominant biblical-theological themes of Galatians, readers will be reminded of the gift of grace Christ offers through his death on the cross—the only possible path to salvation and true unity among believers.


My Review:
Christ Crucified discussed the theology found in Galatians. Each chapter examined a topic found in Galatians, like: Paul's apostolic authority, how to treat circumcision or the law in light of the gospel, justification by faith, who makes up Abraham's linage, etc. The author provided verses from other biblical books to help give background to the debate and looked at things like grammar and word meanings. The tone was scholarly, but I didn't have any trouble understanding his arguments. I'd recommend this book to those who'd like a deeper look at the arguments made in Galatians.


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.

Turning Toward Joy by David Jeremiah

Turning Toward Joy
by David Jeremiah

Kindle ebook: 258 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: March 22, 2013


Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The apostle Paul's most personal letter was sent to the Christians of Philippi. This intimate and loving epistle was written to believers who lived in the shadow of the Roman tyrant Nero. Paul himself was in a Roman prison, facing an uncertain future. Surprisingly, he wrote to the Philippians of the importance of Christian joy. As they were together in a worshiping community, in the midst of their difficulties, they could experience the joy that Jesus promised those who follow him. In this pastoral and practical book, David Jeremiah will lead you through the book of Philippians so that you can learn to experience the joy of the Lord in your daily life.


My Review:
Turning Toward Joy is a commentary on the book of Philippians. The author worked his way through the verses in Philippians. He included word studies and background information to help readers understand the verses, provided his commentary, and quoted others that he thought made good points about the verses. His points weren't difficult to follow, so anyone who wants to study Philippians can benefit from this book. Overall, I agreed with his theology and gained some new insights from reading this book.


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.

The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy edited by Michael Rydelnik, Edwin Blum

The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy
edited by Michael Rydelnik, Edwin Blum

ISBN-13: 9780802409638
Hardcover: 1440 pages
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Released: October 1st 2019


Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As Jesus walked the Emmaeus road, he showed his companions how the whole of Scripture foretold his coming. Yet so often today we’re not quite sure how to talk about Jesus in the Old Testament. How do you know what applies to Jesus? And how do you interpret some of the strange prophetic language? Get answers and clarity in this authoritative and reliable guide to messianic prophecy from some of the world’s foremost evangelical Old Testament scholars.

In this in-depth, user-friendly one volume resource you get essays from scholars on the big ideas and major themes surrounding Messianic prophecy, a clear and careful commentary on every passage in the Old Testament considered Messianic, and insights into the original Hebrew and helpful analysis of theological implications. Watch the Scriptures come into full color as you see new meaning in familiar passages and further appreciate God’s masterful handiwork in preparing the way for Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah.


My Review:
The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy is a collection of academic essays on the topic of Messiah references in the Old Testament. Each chapter is written by a different author, but they're all written in an academic tone and have plenty of end notes. The initial essays were more generalized essays about the word Messiah, where it is found in the Old Testament, and what was said of the Messiah, and things like that. Then the authors would take a group of verses and talk about context, word studies, and such showing how this is a reference to the Messiah. This book appears to be written to counter the critics claims that the Messiah is not mentioned in the Old Testament, so the essays argue the case for these verses referring to the Messiah. Overall, this huge book takes a long time to read from front to back but it gives an interesting look at the messianic verses of the Old Testament.


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.

NKJV, Word Study Reference Bible

NKJV, Word Study Reference Bible

ISBN-13: 9780785292784
Hardcover: 1952 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: Jan. 17, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The NKJV Word Study Reference Bible balances deep study of the biblical languages with clear application to help transform the way you live. Includes in-text subheadings and 2,000 easy-to-use word studies with select Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words explained in every chapter from Genesis to Revelation. Topic-by-Topic studies give a practical framework for understanding scripture, along with more helpful resources.


My Review:
This is a New King James version of the Bible with the typical study Bible resources, like cross-references and maps. Some words in the verses were underlined, with a nearby box briefly explaining the meaning of the word and how it's used here and other places. Since they only address the selected words once in detail, often you're simply told where the word meaning box is located. Some of these word meanings did help clarify the word's meaning in English (for words that don't translate well), but others didn't really add much as the meaning seemed clear to me in context or the comments weren't clear because they tried to cover all the ways it's used rather than just the current context.

Many pages also had a box with a short commentary covering a verse or two from that page. The commentary sometimes covered verses that could be confusing and added insights toward understanding. Other times, the commentary pointed out ongoing themes in the Bible, especially Old Testament problems that are solved in Jesus in the New Testament. The commentary wasn't difficult to understand. It didn't directly address controversial topics, but it implied that God really did create everything, Noah's flood did happen, and people were scattered after the languages were confused at Babel. I agreed with the (conservative) theology present in the commentary. Overall, this could be a useful study Bible.


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.

50 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know

50 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know

ISBN-13: 9781496481948
14 pages
Publisher: Rose Publishing
Released: June 6, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Amen! We often end our prayers with this ancient Hebrew word, but what does it really mean? Shalom, another common Hebrew word, is usually translated as “peace,” yet it infers so much more! 50 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know is a treasure trove of information that helps readers explore the Hebrew meaning of important words in the Old Testament. Straightforward and accessible, this reference pamphlet and Bible-study aid offers the basics in each English transliteration and Hebrew spelling, a key Scripture, pronunciation and definition, a short explanation, and relevant Scripture references.

Sharpen your Bible knowledge by mining interesting facts and fresh, nuanced meanings that we often miss in our English translations. The compact pamphlet format is perfect for tucking into your Bible or sharing with your Bible study companions.

Enjoy having an easy-to-use Bible reference source you can carry with you or hand to a friend. Learn how to pronounce, define, and understand Hebrew words like: Amen (surely, so be it, etc.)
Halal (praise, boast)
Ruach (spirit, breath, wind)
Satan (adversary, opponent, and more)
YHWH (personal name of God)


Includes 6 full-color charts with easy-to-read headers and summaries that are designed to help you find all the information you need at a glance.


My Review:
This is basically a chart format containing 50 common Hebrew words. The first column is the English transliteration of the Hebrew word (listed in alphabetical order), how to pronounce it, and the word in Hebrew. The second column is a brief definition of the word. The third column is one verse where the word is used and under that are a few more Scripture references for the word that you can look up. The final column provides insights: basically a paragraph-long word study on how it's used in the Bible and related words that might provide deeper understanding. This isn't an in-depth study on these words or even devotional-style insights as it's too brief. But it is a beginning point for some word studies and a quick way to learn a bit more about these common words.


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.

Justification by Thomas R. Schreiner

Justification
by Thomas R. Schreiner

ISBN-13: 9781433575730
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Released: June 6, 2023

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When we see the fallenness of the world, it is often challenging to understand how sinners can stand before a holy God, but the gospel gives hope―justification that comes through Jesus Christ. This doctrine is essential to the gospel but has sparked countless academic and theological disagreements throughout church history, even contributing to the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century.

Thomas R. Schreiner examines the biblical and historical background of the doctrine of justification. Schreiner explores it throughout church history and analyzes both the Old and New Testament teachings. By examining the relationship between justification and other doctrines of salvation―such as redemption, reconciliation, adoption, and sanctification―Schreiner shows how it gives peace, assurance, and joy to sinners through Jesus and hope for life today.

Designed to be short and approachable, this text is an ideal resource for college students, pastors, and thoughtful laypeople.


My Review:
Justification searches throughout the whole Bible to explore what is said about justification. This is somewhat more academic in tone, but it's not difficult to follow his points. His basic premise is that we shouldn't limit ourselves to a word study on "justification" but should also look for where the concept is discussed, both in the Old and New Testament. This book isn't intended to show every example but simply shows that the concept is present throughout and what is meant by "justification." He also talked about how various Christians talked about justification during the early church period. I felt that the author clearly made his points and convinced me of his points. Overall, I'd recommend this book to Christians who want a better understanding of what justification means.

The author shows that "justification through faith alone by grace alone is not restricted to Paul, nor did it begin with Paul" (from page 41). He also demonstrated that "...it has to do with the law court, that it means that God as the judge declares sinners to be not guilty. The word 'justify' doesn't mean 'make righteous' but 'declare righteous'" (from page 73).

Also, from page 71, "All [people] sin, and thus no one can put God in their debt. No one faithfully serves God by their labor. Thus, the only hope is for God to justify the ungodly, and he does so for those who put their faith in Christ Jesus, and Jesus's atoning death satisfies God's justice and holiness. Justification is a gift, but it is based on Christ's sacrifice where he takes the wrath of God on himself for our sake and our salvation (Rom. 3:25-26)....If righteousness is obtained through keeping the law, then salvation is no longer based on God's promise and faith is emptied of its significance and distinctiveness....Works call attention to what human beings achieve, but faith looks to what God in Christ has done....Righteousness doesn't come by achieving but believing, not by doing but by resting in God's promises, not by performing but by trusting in Christ."


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.

Worthy by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Worthy: Living in Light of the Gospel
by Sinclair B. Ferguson

ISBN-13: 9781433583179
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Released: May 3, 2023

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
While Jesus offers forgiveness for believers who sin, Scripture makes it clear that Christians are to pursue obedience and holiness. So what does it mean to walk in a manner that’s “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27), and how should that look in the life of a Christ follower?

In this short, accessible guide, theologian Sinclair Ferguson explains the importance of living worthy of the gospel, why the principle is often forgotten, and how it’s cultivated. Clarifying the difference between biblical obedience and legalism, Ferguson exhorts believers to pursue Christlikeness, offering practical examples from Scripture.


My Review:
Worthy talked about how we live in response to the good news of the gospel. From page 3, "So the gospel teaches us we are unworthy. We are saved by grace, not by worth. Yet Paul prioritized our responsibility to live in a worthy manner" (page 3).

The author started by explaining why this doesn't mean legalism and that the original word translated "worthy" in Phil. 1:27 means "in keeping with." "Such a life takes on a character that reflects the character of the Lord Jesus Christ" (page 8). And "...knowing Christ as Savior and knowing him as Lord can never be separated; nor can justification and sanctification" (page 7). He talked about how people in the USA hear his Scottish accent and know he's not from around here. Likewise, "...their real citizenship was in the kingdom of God; they should live that out....and if they did, people...would find themselves asking: 'Where are you really from? There's something about you...'" (page 13).

He also looked at Greek grammar and showed how we often get the fact and the command backwards. In the Bible, we're given a fact and the command flows from that fact. Not 'do your best' (command) leading to 'then God will save you' (fact) but the fact that "'Christ died for our sins' (1 Cor. 15:3), leads to the command, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved' (Acts 16.31)" from page 25. Anyway, I found that part very interesting and not difficult to follow, though it's hard to summarize. Overall, I found it very easy to follow the points that the author was making, and it's in a conversational tone. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in pursuing Christlikeness.


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.

The Awe of God by John Bevere

The Awe of God
by John Bevere

ISBN-13: 1400336708
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: February 21, 2023

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Fearing God is very different than being afraid of God. John Bevere invites you to take a fresh look at what it means to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. This healthy, holy, and largely forgotten virtue is the uncommon path to a more fulfilled and fruitful life. The Awe of God was designed to be read slowly and intentionally. At the end of each of the 42 chapters are five tools to help you deepen your understanding and apply what the Spirit of God is teaching you. With this compelling and convicting message, you can experience a revival in your relationship with God, whether you're new to following Him or have walked with Him for most of your life.


My Review:
I've really, truly tried to finish this book, but I just couldn't get past 72%. It started okay. Basically, holy fear is deep respect of God; taking Him seriously in our lives. It draws us to God. In his words, from page 13, "Holy fear is not to be scared of God and thereby withdrawing from Him. It is to be terrified of being away from Him." The author talked about things like fearing God more than fearing man. Then I read Week 4 (each chapter is a "day" so it can be read like a devotional, if desired).

After reading the 7 chapters of week 4, I thought, "that sure sounds exhausting. How can he ever be sure he's doing enough?" The author tended to focus on a person's outward action as the problem rather than on their attitude. For example, chapter 23 was the need to obey God immediately. Ok, but most people don't have God speak audibly to them or have a known prophet of God come up to tell them God's wishes (as in the examples he uses). If I stop to make sure it's really God's prompting, did I instead wait too long? Or since you have to obey God completely or you're counted as in rebellion against God, can you ever stop? What if it wasn't enough? (He seems to miss that Saul's action reflected a rebellious heart, and that was the true problem.)

The author's message now came across to me as, 'Unless you put God first and you act in complete obedience, you miss out. God won't use you or be your friend.' And you can't complain mentally, either, even if it doesn't make sense or is painful. He misses that the core problem of the Israelites during the Exodus was ingratitude (instead of focusing on God's continuing protection and provision, they focused on things they felt they lacked and judged God). And Jesus was perfectly obedient and without sin, but he asked to not have to die on the cross. The holy fear comes in with the 'but not my will...'

So, anyway, we then get to the benefits of fearing God: we're His friend. The author apparently thinks this means that God comes to us for advice when He's undecided about something. He cites Genesis 18, when Abraham intercedes for the righteous people in Sodom, that the five cities be spared judgment if only __ righteous people are found. From page 204, "He (God) most likely responded, "Excellent point! Okay, I'll not destroy the two cities if there are fifty righteous people there. I'm so glad I talked to my friend Abraham." and "...[Abraham] helps God decide how He's going to do it." Yes, the author actual thinks God didn't already know He'd only save Lot's family from the destruction. He came to Abraham to allow him to declare God as just and to show his concern for others, not because God wanted Abraham's opinion. Maybe the rest of the book is great, but I just can't read anymore of 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.

Habakkuk by Lydia Brownback

Habakkuk: Learning to Live by Faith
by Lydia Brownback

ISBN-13: 9781433569999
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Crossway Books
Released: May 3rd 2022

Source: Review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Though only three chapters long, the Old Testament book of Habakkuk overflows with stories of plagues, violence, and pleas for deliverance. Why does God seemingly allow evil to flourish? And what can Habakkuk's complaints teach believers today about trusting God in the face of evil?

In this 10-week Bible study for women, Lydia Brownback explores Habakkuk verse by verse, addressing the complex subject of God's judgment and wrath. Written for individuals or groups, each lesson helps women understand why God allows pain and illness, and how he deals with unrepentant sin. This study explains Habakkuk's context in redemptive history while exploring biblical themes including God's justice, punishment, and prayer. It also teaches how to wait faithfully for God to answer prayer.


My Review:
Habakkuk is a 10 week Bible study on Habakkuk. Each week is basically just a chapter since it's not subdivided into days. You read a section from Habakkuk, then the author provided an introduction to the theme of those verses. Then she asked study questions about what we read and provided related verses to look up to discover deeper insights into the answers. You use the Bible to further study what a certain word or concept means in the Biblical sense. She then ended with a couple of application questions to help you think out how what we just learned affects your life. Overall, I thought that the author did a good job of providing insights and increasing my understanding of the message in Habakkuk.


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.

He Is Not Ashamed by Erik Raymond

He Is Not Ashamed
by Erik Raymond

ISBN-13: 9781433579349
Paperback: 178 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Released: June 14th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In He Is Not Ashamed, Erik Raymond takes a close look at the "family portrait" of God--filled with imperfect people throughout Scripture--and shows that God is not repelled by anyone's shameful past, but delights to redeem and receive those who believe in him. Studying Hebrews 2:11 and other passages in both the Old and New Testaments, Raymond shows that Jesus's heart is bent toward those who have an embarrassing history, feel far from God, or struggle with sin. By studying God's abounding love for undeserving people, Christians learn to accept his grace and confidently embrace their place in God's family portrait.

This book walks through stories from the Bible, including Jacob the deceiver, Rahab the prostitute, and the "sinful woman" in the book of Luke to reveal patterns of God's grace and helps Christians reject shame and have a greater sense of Christ's mercy.


My Review:
He Is Not Ashamed dug into the Bible on the topic of God's amazing love for sinful people. Much of each chapter looked at accounts in the Bible where a sinful person was embraced by God, like the sinful women who are mentioned in Jesus' own genealogy. The author summarized what happened to each person and how God showed redeeming love toward them. The author also spent some time exploring the theology of Jesus' love and His not being ashamed. He took verses from both the Old and New Testaments to show what is taught in the Bible.

The author looked people who have a sinful past, who opposed Jesus (like Paul), who are little valued or are social or religious outcasts, those who are weak or have nothing to give, and those who struggle with sin (like pride). I felt like the author made excellent points and did a good job of illustrating (with the Bible) the theology taught in the Bible about these topics. The theology parts weren't dry or difficult to follow. Overall, I'd recommend this book.


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.

Philippians by Lydia Brownback

Philippians: Living for Christ
by Lydia Brownback

ISBN-13: 9781433570032
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Crossway Books
Released: January 4th 2022

Source: Review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
A 10-Week Study on Philippians for Women. The apostle Paul suffered intensely for his faith, but despite the danger and pain of his story, his letters are filled with hope--hope rooted in the good news of the gospel. Join Lydia Brownback as she explores Philippians and shows readers that even in the face of persecution and other difficulties, there is abundant peace through unity in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This study helps women focus on God as the source of their joy when life threatens to sidetrack them.

Bible study teacher Lydia Brownback guides women chapter by chapter, helping them come away with a deeper understanding of God's word, its context in redemptive history, and how it uniquely reveals God and his gospel.


My Review:
Philippians is a 10 week Bible study on Philippians. Each week is basically just a chapter since it's not subdivided into days. You read a section from Philippians, then the author provided an introduction to the theme of those verses. Then she asked study questions about what we read and provided related verses to look up to discover deeper insights into the answers. As in, you use the Bible to further study what a certain word or concept means in the Biblical sense. She then ended with a couple of application questions to help you think out how what we just learned affects your life. Overall, I thought that the author did a good job of providing insights and increasing my understanding of the message in Philippians.


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.

Old Made New by Gregory R. Lanier

Old Made New
by Gregory R. Lanier

ISBN-13: 9781433577833
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Released: April 12th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Many Bible readers have difficulty understanding the Old Testament’s connection to the New Testament, and some even believe it’s obsolete in light of God’s new covenant. In reality, New Testament writers alluded to earlier books of the Bible roughly 300 to 400 times. The Old Testament isn’t outdated; it’s critical to understanding the rest of Scripture.

In Old Made New, Greg Lanier explains how New Testament authors used the Old Testament to communicate the gospel and present the person and work of Jesus. He also explains what the Old Testament teaches Christians today about the church’s identity and ethics. Writing for a broad range of readers, Lanier distills thorough research into simple, descriptive examples and tips. His 3-step method explains how to identify and explore an Old Testament passage and see how it’s “remixed” in the New Testament to thoughtfully engage with Scripture.


My Review:
Old Made New explained how the New Testament writers often quoted, cited, or alluded to Old Testament verses as the basis for the arguments they were making. He described how to evaluate each type of reference and any differences seen between the New Testament and Old Testament verses. He also explained that you need to read the Old Testament verse in context to fully understand what the New Testament authors were referring to. He then took several examples of this from the New Testament and showed step-by-step how to work through this process. He showed how these references covered a wide variety of topics and weren't only prophecies about Jesus. It wasn't hard to understand the author's points or difficult to do his process of studying these NT-OT links. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in doing a more in-depth Bible study.


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.

The Mission of the Triune God by Patrick Schreiner

The Mission of the Triune God
by Patrick Schreiner

ISBN-13: 9781433574115
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Crossway Books
Released: January 4th 2022

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Amazon:
Some claim that the theological heart of Acts is the spirit, others the Word, others the church, and others Jesus. This book explores Luke's theological emphasis.

The book of Acts is unlike any other in Scripture; it has no rival in terms of a book spanning so many different lands. Written by a Gentile, it recounts the birth of the church age and the lives of early Christians that serve as lasting examples for the church today. When believers see how these events worked together to fulfill God’s promises, they gain a better understanding of the Trinitarian heart of Acts.

In The Mission of the Triune God, author Patrick Schreiner argues that Luke’s theology stems from the order of his narrative. He shows how the major themes in Acts, including the formation of the church, salvation offered to all flesh, and the prolific spread of the gospel, connect. Through Schreiner’s clear presentation and helpful graphics, readers follow the early church as it grows “all under the plan of God, centered on King Jesus, and empowered by the Spirit.”


My Review:
The Mission of the Triune God shows that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all behind the events that occur in Acts. The writing is academic (in a good way) without being dry or difficult to understand. It's very readable, and the author showed Old Testament connections and how other New Testament verses tied in to events in Acts. These verses provided insights into the events in Acts and brought out some points that Luke was making to his original audience. It helped me to better understand why Luke focused on certain events and how our Triune God was at work. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting study of Acts.


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.

Philippians by Mark Batterson

Philippians
by Mark Batterson

ISBN-13: 9780593197882
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: August 31st 2021

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The 40 Days Through the Book series has been designed to help believers more actively engage with God's Word. Each study encourages participants to read through one book in the New Testament at least once during the course of 40 days (approximately 6 weeks of meetings) and will provide them with a clear understanding of the background and culture in which the book was written, insights into key passages of Scripture, and clear applications and takeaways from the particular book that participants can apply to their lives. Each study will be recorded in the author's place of residence and will highlight stories and applications that are relevant to his or her ministry in that area.


My Review:
Philippians is a scripture guide on Philippians featuring 6 sessions and can be used for group or individual study. Each session started with viewing a streaming video (about 20 minutes long) with about 6 discussion questions. You then have 7 days worth of guided meditation on the verses: you read a verse or two and think about what it means for your life (using the author's paragraph to guide you). Usually, you're also given a few journaling questions (which you answer in a notebook or journal) and prompts on what to pray about.

The book provided a way to access the streaming video associated with this book, but the viewing privilege's will expire (though they don't tell you when). The first video mostly re-hashed what was already provided in the book. You get a clear idea of the substance of what was said in the other videos just from the group discussion questions, so it's not a complete loss if you can't watch the video for some reason. Each video covered a topic inspired by the verses and was full of short, pity sayings. Video 4 mentioned the saving work of Jesus and Video 5 meantioned following the example of Jesus, but the book didn't really deepen your relationship with Jesus. I was disappointed that many of the meditation and journaling prompts focused on 'where are you failing and what efforts can you make to change this?' though the prayer prompts at least remind you to ask for God's help. So many Christians are discouraged by this focus on not measuring up with little balancing focus on the one who does and who loves us. There were also a few odd prompts, like "List Christians that you know and care about that need to grow in wisdom and insight as they follow Jesus?" Since Paul was praying that for every believer and we should all want to grow in wisdom and insight, why single people out? And then there's Day 17 where the author implies that the Holy Spirit leaks out of us or something so that we need to keep asking for a new filling with the Holy Spirit. My church certainly wouldn't teach this, and I don't think it's consistant with NT teachings. I didn't gain any new insights into the Bible from this, so I'm not very enthusiastic about this study.


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.

The Royal Priesthood and the Glory of God by David S. Schrock

The Royal Priesthood and the Glory of God
by David S. Schrock

ISBN-13: 9781433564314
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Crossway Books
Released: February 8th 2022

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
From Genesis to Revelation, the theme of the royal priesthood is a silver thread running through the biblical story from the garden of Eden through the priesthood of Israel to Jesus Christ--the true and better priest. The theme of priesthood culminates with the creation of God's covenant people, called out of the nations to be his priests to the nations. In this concise treatment, David Schrock traces this theme of priesthood throughout the Bible and displays to readers how Jesus is the great high priest.


My Review:
The Royal Priesthood and the Glory of God is a look at what actions a priest of God did in the Bible, which people acted as priests from Genesis to Revelation, and how kingship and priesthood combined in Jesus. Some of these connections were ones pointed out in the Bible, but others were more speculative. While interesting, I wasn't always convinced that there were connections. For example, when talking about the Gospels and how some of Jesus' words connected to words in the Prophets, the author used a man calling his friend away from sitting under his fig tree as fulfillment of prophecy about a man calling his neighbor to join him under his fig tree. Doesn't seem to quite fit to me. While I usually enjoy this type of book, the writing was academic enough that it was more of a classroom experience than a series of enjoyable "ah ha!" insights. It was worth reading but not something I'd recommend to a layman unless they were really interested in the topic.


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.

The Names of God by Melissa Spoelstra

The Names of God
by Melissa Spoelstra

ISBN-13: 9780593197882
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Released: August 4th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Today's culture and others' views, even those of other Christians, can present a distorted view of God. Some suggest God exudes qualities He does not possess such as being unloving or apathetic toward His creation. In a world where we find people creating God in their own image, studying God's names can remind us that we are created in His. In fact, one of the best ways to know God's true character and grow closer to Him is to study His names.

In The Names of God, Melissa Spoelstra leads women on an exploration of the many names of our triune God--from El and Elohim to Yahweh and its many combinations to names such as Abba, Jesus, and Holy Spirit...and many others.

As women study the names of God, their ideas about God will become more grounded in what His names tell them, and thus more personal, allowing a greater trust in Him to share the details of their lives. Whether having walked with God for many years or just starting out in a relationship with Him, by the end of this study women will not only know more about God but will know Him better--because through the discovery of God's names, they will discover Him!


My Review:
The Names of God is a six week long group Bible study on some of the names of God. Each week had 5 days of study, plus there was a day where you took notes on the video study. The author choose various Hebrew and Greek names for God and did a day of study on each name. She gave the name's translation/meaning and then provided some commentary about where this name first occurred in the Bible and how knowing this name may help us to more fully understand God's character and work in our lives. She included verses to read, reading comprehension questions, and discussed how this applies to our lives. She included some verses to memorize and a nice prayer at the end of each chapter. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting study.


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.

What Love Is by Kelly Minter

What Love Is
by Kelly Minter

ISBN-13: 9780593197882
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: LifeWay Press
Released: 2014

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The letters of 1, 2, & 3 John were written to encourage followers of Jesus to remain faithful to the truth. Believers are challenged to look at contrasting themes such as walking in the light instead of darkness, truth versus lies and deception, loving God more than loving the world, and the meaning of true fellowship and community rather than shallowness. This study reveals not only the heart of John but also the heart of Jesus.


My Review:
What Love Is is a 7 week Bible study on 1, 2, 3 John. The format for each week was: an introduction that was two pages long and some group discussion questions if you viewed the video. Then there were five days of study for each week. She started with a story from her life that was somewhat a parable for a point made that day or week. She asked reading comprehension questions on the verses being studied and provided commentary to explain the verses. She also asked questions to help the reader apply the lesson to your life.

There were two comfort-food recipes at the end of each week. To be honest, I felt like my fellow Bible study participants were more excited about the included recipes than the study. The author also repeatedly stated that she found the verses in that section difficult to understand and basically only really understood the simple verses. This made me wonder why she chose to do a Bible study on these letters and not on something that she better understood or had life experiences which could help add depth of understanding and insight to the verses. Overall, though, she did a good job of explaining the verses. She often quoted another person's explanation and said that she thought it was the best explanation. Not a bad study, but I didn't really get anything new 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.

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth with Douglas Stuart and Mark Strauss

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
with Douglas Stuart and Mark Strauss

MasterLectures Video
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Source: Free month offer from MasterLectures.

Video Series Description:
Understanding the Bible isn't for the few, the gifted, the scholarly. It's for everyone. the Bible is meant to be read and comprehended by everyone from armchair readers to seminary students. A few essential insights into the Bible can clear up a lot of misconceptions and help disciples of all kinds grasp the meaning of Scripture and its application to your twenty-first century life.

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, taught by scholars and professors Mark Strauss and Douglas Stuart, covers everything from translation concerns to different genres of biblical writing. In clear, simple language, sessions will help you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible and their implications for both ancient audiences and humanity today, so you can uncover the inexhaustible worth that is in God's Word.

By completing this series, you will gain greater familiarity with and appreciation for the Bible as a whole, insight into the ten basic genres in the Bible and how to correctly interpret each, and a deeper understanding of how to apply God’s Word to your own life today.


My Review:
Each episode was 21-29 minutes long.

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth is a video series that explains how to understand and interpret the different genre of the Bible (narrative, poetry, wisdom, prophetic, etc.). I've read a similar book in the past and found it helpful, and this series covered much of the same information. It was a good review. It's for laymen level, so the speakers were easy to listen to and understand. Overall, I'd recommend this series.

Session 1 - The Need to Interpret
Session 2 - A Good Translation
Session 3 - Epistles: Think Context
Session 4 - Epistles: Hermeneutics
Session 5 - Old Testament Narratives
Session 6 - Acts: Historical Precedent
Session 7 - Gospels: Many Dimensions
Session 8- Parables: You Get the Point?
Session 9 - Law: Covenant Stipulations
Session 10- Prophets: Enforcers
Session 11 - The Psalms: Prayers
Session 12 - Wisdom: Then and Now
Session 13- Revelation: Judgment & Hope


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.