Monday, February 19, 2024

Turning Toward Joy by David Jeremiah

Book cover
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.


Sunday, February 4, 2024

The Action Bible: Faith in Action by Sergio Cariello

Book cover
The Action Bible: Faith in Action
by Sergio Cariello


ISBN-13: 9780830787005
Hardcover: 832 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: February 6, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
This engaging reimagining of the mega-selling The Action Bible combines 230 epic stories of biblical heroes with vibrant comic-book-style illustrations and an immersive online experience.

Young readers will explore seven dynamic attributes of God’s story, earn Faith in Action Badges representing those qualities, and discover even more through QR codes in every story that take them to a safe online adventure of games, videos, spiritual activities, and more.

Since its release in 2010, The Action Bible has received widespread acclaim for its high-energy engaging graphics and over 230 spiritually transformative Bible stories. Introducing the Faith in Action program that reinvents the bestselling comic book-style Bible with a systematic approach to experiencing the Word of God for the next generation.

In addition to a complete interior color redesign, the all-new features of this exciting edition: A Faith in Action Badge for each story that corresponds with one of seven Biblical courage, faith, hope, love, service, trust, and wisdom. Discoverable QR codes in every story that take readers to a safe online experience to explore engaging content such as videos, games, digital Scripture index, prayers, Bible facts, devotions, playlists, reading plans, interactive maps, Bible study sessions, and more. A reading challenge chart to spur young readers on to discover God's Word.


My Review:
The Action Bible: Faith in Action is a graphic Bible, comic-book style, for children of all ages. I've previously reviewed the Action Bible here, and since then they expanded that with more content. I also like the expanded edition. In this latest edition, they've added QR codes to link to online content. The stories are labeled as examples of courage, faith, hope, love, service, trust, or wisdom. QR codes are in many of the stories, and they connect to online videos, interactive games, devotionals, maps, prayer guides, and more. Unfortunately, there are no URLs for those kids who don't have access to a smart phone or who don't choose to use QR codes. The actual panels (illustrations and words) look the same as the previous edition of The Action Bible, but the title area for each story and some of the framing and background colors have been changed.

As for the Action Bible, I'd personally call this Biblical fiction rather than "a Bible" since extra-Biblical comments, commentary, and historical information was worked into the book's summary of Biblical events. Some Biblical events were left out. Sexual content and gore was largely smoothed over (using euphemism or implication) or skipped entirely. The author always indicated "based on Judges 16:1-20" or whatever verses and, overall, did a good job accurately summarizing the Bible accounts. While I wouldn't use this book as a replacement for the Bible, I'd certainly recommend this book over children's Bible story books.

I really liked that the events were in chronological order and shown in their historical setting. Several psalms were worked into David's life story and several proverbs into Solomon's story. The prophets gave their (summarized) prophecies during the actual events where they were given, and Paul's (summarized) letters were shown as written when they really were written during his travels. There were even some maps of Paul's missionary travels. Also, the Old Testament flowed into the New Testament through a brief (and clearly marked as not in the Bible) historical summary of the events that happened between the two. So the Bible came across as a continuous historical account of God relating to man with a redemptive plan in action (rather than as disconnected morality tales about heroes of the past).

I was also very impressed by the vivid, detailed illustrations. The illustrator did an excellent job of correctly showing the character's age, ethnicity, and culture. The Action Bible is an excellent foundational overview of the Bible. Overall, I'd highly recommend this Action Bible for use with elementary aged children as an engaging way to teach them about the Bible.

Here's a video showing the type of online content available through the QR codes.


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.

Monday, January 15, 2024

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

Book cover
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.

Friday, January 12, 2024

Live the Let-Go Life by Joseph Prince

Book cover
Live the Let-Go Life
by Joseph Prince


ISBN-13: 9781455561339
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: FaithWords
Released: October 1, 2007

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Are You Overwhelmed by Stress, Worry, and Anxiety? Unending daily to-do lists. The frantic pace of modern living. The race to stay relevant in the face of disruption. The very real threat of superbugs and terror in our everyday lives... It's not hard to see why so many people today are experiencing stress, worry, and anxiety attacks. Unfortunately, these aren't simply innocent states of emotion-they can insidiously develop into chronic depression and psychosomatic illnesses, and lead to destructive behaviors.

In LIVE THE LET-GO LIFE, Joseph Prince shows you how to beat stress and anxieties that come with the everyday demands and pressures of modern living. Discover how you were not designed by God to live under stress, but called to live the life of rest. You will learn how to let go of stress and see His grace flow unabated in the worry-free areas of your life.


My Review:
Live the Let-Go Life focused on God's amazing grace toward us and how that changes how we deal with situations that could cause us stress and anxiety. It's very Bible-based, and he quoted many verses (in correct context) to support what he was saying. He comes from a bit more of a 'God wants to pour blessings like health and wealth on you if you'll let him' background that influences his views, but I generally agree with what he teaches. I think everyone would benefit from hearing about or being reminded of God's wonderful, amazing grace toward us, and this book does a good job of that.


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, November 9, 2023

Counterfeit Grace by Joseph Prince

Counterfeit Grace
by Joseph Prince


ISBN-13: 9789811417610
Paperback: 86 pages
Publisher: Media Pte
Released: 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
For there to be a counterfeit, there has to be a true and genuine grace. True grace transforms lives. It saves and liberates people. It breaks bondages and has the power to help us live a victorious, God-glorifying life. Because of this, the enemy has thrown up many controversies and misconceptions surrounding grace. Find out what true grace is, and what it is not. Delve into Scripture to uncover much-needed answers to questions like: Does grace give people a license to sin? Does grace mean everyone is automatically saved? Does being under grace mean I no longer have to confess my sins? Is holiness important under grace?


My Review:
Counterfeit Grace looks at what the Bible has to say about grace to counter wrong ideas about grace, like grace means people are free to sin. The author answers common objections to teaching about God's grace. His answers were clear, Bible-based, and didn't take long to read. This is a good book for anyone, but especially to help legalistic Christians to better understand true grace as taught in the 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.


Tuesday, October 31, 2023

NKJV, Word Study Reference Bible

Book cover
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.


Sunday, June 18, 2023

50 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know

Book cover
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.