Insights on Galatians, Ephesians by Charles R. Swindoll

Insights on Galatians, Ephesians by Charles R. Swindoll ISBN-13: 9781414393766 Hardback: 336 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Released: December 1, 2015

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The Living Insights New Testament Commentary series draws on Chuck Swindoll's 50 years of experience with studying and preaching God's Word. His deep insight, signature easygoing style, and humor bring a warmth and practical accessibility not often found in commentaries. Each volume combines verse-by-verse commentary, charts, maps, photos, key terms, and background articles with practical application. The newly updated volumes now include parallel presentations of the NLT and NASB before each section. This series is a must-have for pastors, teachers, and anyone else who is seeking a deeply practical resource for exploring God's Word.


My Review:
Insights on Galatians, Ephesians is a Bible commentary. The author explained the meaning of various key Greek words and provided information on the cultural and historical background. The author gave a paragraph or two of Scripture and then studied through that verse-by-verse. At the end of each section, he discussed how we can apply the writer's message to our own lives. He also included occasional "journal" pages were he talked about how those verses had been applied or worked out in his life.

Though you can look up information on just a single verse, this is more a Bible study book where it's assumed you'll read the whole book. Some sections focused on clarifying what the verses mean so the reader can better understand them. Others were more of a sermon where he tells the reader what to understand from it.

Overall, this book was easy to follow and understand. I use these commentaries for my daily devotional reading, and overall, I'd recommend them.


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.

A Story Worth Telling by Bill Blankschaen

A Story Worth Telling by Bill Blankschaen ISBN-13: 9781426786433 Trade Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Abingdon Press Released: May 19, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
What if you could live an authentic life of such lasting significance that your story can be celebrated in places and times you can't even imagine?

This hands-on field guide packs in true stories and practical tips for living a life of authentic faith in God, the kind that gets out of the boat and leaves a lasting legacy. Author Bill Blankschaen's winsome voice meets you where you are in your life journey and calls you to something more, to a grander, more meaningful life grounded on unshakeable truth. Blankschaen shows you how authentic faith:

* Gives focus to your life,
* Opens your eyes to possibilities,
* Produces the courage to answer the call,
* Moves you to move mountains, and
* Empowers you to keep moving forward when facing problems.


My Review:
A Story Worth Telling is a Christian living book that could pass as a Bible study on faith. He started by explaining why it matters in what/who you place your faith. Then it's an experienced FaithWalker passing on what he's learned about our Journey of Faith from the Bible. He illustrated the principles with stories from his own life and the lives of others. He's easy to follow and understand, and he stayed focused on topic so there's little filler. Throughout the book, he asked questions that help you to focus on how the principles he's just discussed apply to your life (and they're good questions).

I was concerned the book might be about doing something splashy so you can brag about it on the news as you receive a reward for your humble service to humanity. It's not: it's about living a life of ever-deepening faith and following where God leads you, even if no one this side of heaven ever hears about it. It's a fulfilling life full of adventure! Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to those who want advice on how to deepen your faith and FaithWalk with God.


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 World of the New Testament by

The World of the New Testament by J. I. Packer, Merrill C. Tenney, William Jr. White ISBN-13: 978-0840758217 Paperback: 216 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers Released: December 1, 1982

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The World of the New Testament discusses the historical, geographic, and political environment in which Christianity developed and grew. It draws upon the latest knowledge of archaeologists, historians, language specialists, and theologians.


My Review:
The World of the New Testament is a Bible Handbook. The book was printed 33 years ago, and there are plenty of newer handbooks that cover similar information. But, since I just read this one, here's a quick review.

The handbook gave a brief overview of the events of the Old Testament and the Inter-testament Period. It described the political and religious groups mentioned in the gospels and gave information about how the Greek and Roman cultures influenced Jewish culture at the time of the New Testament. It briefly discussed the chronology for New Testament events. It talked about Paul's journeys and what tradition says happened to the 12 disciples.

The information is good, but it didn't strike me as so wonderful that I'd recommend you track down a copy instead of buying a newer Bible Handbook.


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.

Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus by Charles H. Dyer

Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus by Charles H. Dyer ISBN-13: 9780802402844 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: March 21, 2012

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Take a spiritual journey through the Holy Word and the Holy Land guided by renowned expert and author Dr. Charles Dyer. Complemented by vivid, full-color photography, each day draws new insight and inspiration from the ancient sites that framed the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Your understanding of the person, work, and words of Jesus Christ takes on an added dimension with this day by day exploration of the world in which He walked.


My Review:
Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus is a 30-day devotional on the life of Christ that explores the land and the culture. The author often described each day's "stop" on our "tour of the Holy Land" in such vivid detail so that I felt like I could see the setting of each event. He followed the events in the life of Christ from birth to after the resurrection. He gave insights into how the geography surrounding the event can deepen our understanding of that event. Though he sometimes mentioned the different ideas people have about an event, he kept his focus on what we do know rather than getting sidetracked in speculation or debate.

There were nice, full-color pictures of the different places and of things like a manger when discussing Jesus' birth. I've been to the Holy Land and read many Bible background books, but I still enjoyed this devotional and learned some new things. Overall, I'd highly recommend this devotional.


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.

Come, Let's Reach the World by K.P. Yohannan

Come, Let's Reach the World by K.P. Yohannan ISBN-13: 9781595890030 Trade Paperback: 260 pages Publisher: GFA Books Released: 1991; June 1, 2004

Source: ebook available through the GFA website.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
How effective are our current missions strategies? Are the unreached in fact hearing the Gospel?

The Body of Christ has the power to either advance or hinder world evangelism by her attitude: Will she cling to traditional mindsets and policies, or welcome change to stay faithful to the Holy Spirit and His Word? With deep conviction, missions leader K.P. Yohannan pleads for fresh thinking that will help effective partnership with the national missionaries who are called and anointed of God to proclaim the Gospel.


My Review:
Come, Let's Reach the World is a book about how to effectively reach areas of the world with the Gospel which have never heard of Christ before. In places that aren't open to white, Western missionaries, native missionaries are hard at work--and are rarely mentioned or are under-reported by Christian fundraiser appeals. Yet they know the culture and can effectively preach the gospel and start churches. It costs less to send them through Bible College and maintain them on the missions field, and this also allows more missionaries to be sent into these unreached areas.

This book describes how modern Western missions work is currently done, where the money is spent, and some problems that are not being addressed about its effectiveness. The author also shows how native missionaries can be a very effective way to reach people with the gospel, especially in areas where white, Western missionaries are extremely restricted in what they can do. It's a well-thought-out and well-written book that includes information on how to find trustworthy and effective missionaries to support.

Though written by the founder of Gospel for Asia, the author doesn't focus on them. He does explain what they've learned so that people can find good organizations to support. Gospel for Asia promotes a book called "Revolution in World Missions" which focuses more on Gospel for Asia. However, I personally think this book does a much better job at clearly explaining the reasoning behind this approach. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in partnering with those who are effectively preaching the Gospel to those who have never heard it.

You can get the ebook version of this book free through the Gospel for Asia website. They have many other excellent free resources there as well.


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 Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way by K.P. Yohannan

The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way by K.P. Yohannan ISBN-13: 978-1595890177 Paperback: 68 pages Publisher: GFA Books Released: January 1, 2004

Source: ebook available through the GFA website.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Do your life and ministry flow out of love and simple obedience to your King? Or are you motivated deep within by the needs around you, the expectations of others, or by what seems like a worthy cause to you? Do you find yourself continually running dry, even in the midst of the ministry?

It doesn't have to be this way.

In fact, God intended for His streams of living water to flow unhindered out of your life, no matter what He has called you to. Yet it is only when we do the Lord's work in the Lord's way that this can happen. Come and be refreshed....know the freedom and simplicity of serving your first love, the Lord Jesus.


My Review:
The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way is a booklet calling us to build our relationship with our First Love. The author talks about what should motivate us and how having the proper focus will keep us from getting sidetracked, stressed, and exhausted by doing "good things." Jesus is given as our example to follow. The booklet is a quick read and packed full of biblical truth that is always good to reminded of and is important to hear if you never have. I'm going to add it to my shelf of books that I try to read once each year. I'd highly recommend reading it.

You can get the ebook version of this booklet free through the Gospel for Asia website. They have many other excellent free resources there as well.


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 Land & People Jesus Knew by J. Robert Teringo

The Land & People Jesus Knew: A Visual Handbook on Life in First-Century Palestine by J. Robert Teringo ISBN-13: 9780871237972 Hardcover: 264 pages Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Released: November 1, 1985

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Text and numerous illustrations present aspects of daily life in first-century Palestine as Jesus and his contemporaries might have known it.


My Review:
The Land & People Jesus Knew is a mainly-visual handbook covering many aspects of life in Palestine at the time of Jesus. Each page was full of black-and-white sketches that were historically accurate (based on the knowledge available when it was drawn) which illustrated some aspect of Jewish life. A brief paragraph or two described the information behind the illustrations.

I was pleased by the wide variety of topics discussed in the book. It covered information that I haven't found in other "daily life" books. However, it also didn't go into much depth on any topic. Overall, I found the book useful for getting a better idea of the setting that Jesus was born, lived, died (and rose) in.

Topics covered: animals and plants; landscapes and crops of various towns and regions mentioned in N.T.; what village and town life was like, types of houses most people lived in, daily routines, common houseware items, daily and common chores, foods, clothing; growing and raising grain, grapes, figs, olives, sheep; job of carpenter, potter, fisherman, baker, beekeeper, barber, banker, brickmaking, builder, butcher, cook, cheesemaker, coppersmith, dyer, fuller, gardener, herdsmen, innkeeper, quarry hewer, jailor, day laborer, merchant, smith, shoemaker, physician, stonemason, tanner, tax collector, tent maker, midwife, domestic servant, weaver, professional wailer; about Jerusalem; religious groups, holy and feast days, the temple, synagogues; the cultural customs; traders and merchants; the government system (Roman and Jewish) in Palestine; the Roman army.


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.


Sample Page:

As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur

As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur ISBN: 1-57856-004-7 Hardcover: 276 pages Publisher: Waterbrook Released: 1997

Source: Borrowed from my church library.

Book Description from Back Cover:
How do you respond when your husband or wife tramples your emotions? When your boss fires you unexpectedly? When you lose your life’s savings? When the child you’ve loved and prayed for turns his back on you and your values?

When disappointments like these smash their way into your life, you may want to scream, “How could God let this happen?”

But what if God didn’t just “let it happen”? What if the things you call disappointments are really His appointments—events He is using to make you more like Christ? What if your circumstances are actually the flames of His grace, intended to melt and burn away the undesirable elements in your life, leaving you pure and radiant—like refined silver?

Life’s disappointments can send you on a dangerous downward spiral into discouragement, depression, or even despair. But in this eye-opening book, Kay Arthur guides you to biblical truths that will help you break that cycle and instead embrace disappointment as the cleansing fire God uses to make you—as silver refined—a reflection of His goodness.


My Review:
As Silver Refined is a Christian Living book about how God uses even the bad things in your life to further His purpose of making you more like Christ (if you'll let Him). I've read several books on this subject, like Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow by Nancy Guthrie, which I felt explained many of the same truths in fewer, more powerful words. However, different writing styles can sometimes speak to different people, so I'm always happy to see a book that points people to the Scriptures for truth and healing.

She made some good points and told some touching stories to underline her points. Overall, I'd recommend this book, though maybe not as much as some of the other books on this same topic that I've reviewed.


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 Refiner and His Fire" chapter, available in this excerpt, is worth reading if you have time.

Review Guidelines

I'M INTERESTED IN
For this blog, I'm interested in reviewing Christian non-fiction books focused on God and the Bible (rather than on ourselves). These can be spiritual growth, theology, Bible study, Bibles, Bible times and culture, or similar type of books. I'm also interested in reviewing DVDs that focus on helping the viewer to better understand the Bible. Please e-mail me (GenreReviewsDTDP (at) gmail (dot) com) with a description of the book or DVD, etc.

Please note, I'm under no obligation to review the book or DVD even if you send it. I'm also under no obligation to give the book or DVD a good review. However, so far I've reviewed every book or DVD that I've requested.

I post my reviews here, on Amazon, on Goodreads (for books), and on Christianbook.com. I also Twitter about the books as I read them and about my reviews.


I'M NOT INTERESTED IN
This blog is mainly for reviewing Christian non-fiction books, so please go to my Genre Reviews blog if you wish to have your novel reviewed or to my Different Times, Different Place book blog if you want your non-Christian non-fiction book reviewed.


WHAT HAPPENS TO THE REVIEW COPIES
When I'm done reading a review copy sent to me by a publisher, author, or publicist, I either give it away through my blog or donate it to my local jail or an Arkansas state prison or recycle it.