The Women's Study Bible (NIV) | Book Review

Thomas Nelson has released another wonderful Bible.  The Women’s Study Bible (NIV) has been complied with the hopes of encouraging women in their walk with God.

With this Bible being in one of the most popular translations, it is really easy to read and understand.  The publishers have included, in the footnotes of the pages, extra study notes to help you during your quiet time spent immersing yourself in the words of God. 

Before each book, there is a page of introduction.  These tell you a little about the book you are getting ready such as who the author of the book was, when the book was written, some background information that might be of interests and a wonderful outline of the book. 

While reading the Bible I found there are a few features that I just absolutely love.  They have put inspirational quotes throughout the scripture that encourage and inspire.  Along with the quotes, the other features are the diagrams and graphics that are included in the text.  Some of them include: Family trees, images of clothing from that time, and various tables of information.   Such information as Spiritual Welfare Strategies, The Seven Churches of Revelations and so much more.

I cant forget to mention the TONS of character profiles of women in Biblical times.  You just might be able to see some of yourself in them. 

 There is so much information in this Bible that I could just spend hours studying. 

Thanks to the features above and the included articles from well known authors Stormie Omartain, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, etc, this Bible has quickly became my new favorite study Bible.   I don’t think I will find a study Bible that I love more than this one.  It’s great for diving into God’s word and finding how it can apply to your life so that you may live the life of joy and happiness that God has intended for you. 

I was sent the hardcover of this Bible but, Thomas Nelson has a gorgeous "leather-look" version as well.  It's beautiful.  You must take a peak. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.*

True Woman 101 Divine Design | Book Review

The next best makeover…

That’s what we are all really wanting right?  We love the new shoes, clothes, makeup and we can’t forget the new haircut.  A day of pampering and feelings of newness.

Of course you can makeover the external you all you want but, what about the internal you?  What about the part of you that no one will ever see?  Or is that really the case…  The Lord sees everything that goes on inside of us.  Our thoughts, feeling, and true passions.  So…is it time for an internal makeover?

Of course it is but, a makeover from a bible study???

True Woman 101-Divine Design by Mary A. Kassian and Nancy Leigh Demoss is the place to start if you are wanting a makeover that no stylist, except for the divine stylist-God, can ever give you.  

Divine Design is an eight week study on what TRUE biblical womanhood is all about.  Take all of what you think you might know about living a truly biblical life or being a true biblical woman and throw it out the window.  Living a biblical life doesn't mean being a doormat like some might think. It's about showing the world the glory of God as He lives within you.

Each of the eight weeks is broken down into an introduction, 5 days of studies with wonderful thought provoking questions, and a review of the week that has additional questions, URL for the accompanying videos and a journal page for you to ponder your thoughts.

True Woman 101-Divine Design is a full colored text book for a brand new you.  This book is definitely a course on being a biblical woman but, in a whole new way.  This is one feminist movement that I am happy to support.  You don’t have to have a man’s job or do things better than a man to feel like a true woman.  All you need to do is read this book and find out what it’s really like to be a truly biblical woman.

Are you going to take the course with me?  Get the book and get ready to start a brand new life.  

~This book is an amazing study for your church or bible study group but, it’s also wonderful all by yourself.~ 

"I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this 

review."

Colossians Study: Week Two | Missouri Made Momma

Copyright Bethany Grove

OK, so I know I have been behind.  Like...REALLY behind.  I am going to get the past three weeks of the study posted.  I have been so involved with studying that I have forgotten all about posting.  Make sure you check out Good Morning Girls for their studies.  They are WONDERFUL!!!!!

Well, now for week two.

Colossians 1:15-23

(15)The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (16)For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (17)He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (18)And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (19)For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, (20)and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (21)Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of# your evil behavior.

(22)But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—(23)if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Now for observations for the week:

• Jesus is the image of God, the one who God created everything for and is lord over all.
• Jesus is the glue for everything and without him all would fall apart.
• Jesus is the HEAD of the church.
• Only Jesus can reconcile things between us and God.
• Jesus died for us to be closer to God, save us from our sins and make us holy in God's eyes.  
• Be strong in your faith and don't lose sight of your hope.
• JESUS IS SUPREME!

This week was all about the supremacy of Jesus.  Isn't it wonderful.  

Colossians Study, Week One | Missouri Made Momma

The study has began.  I know that in a couple of previous posts I have talked about the Colossians Bible study through Good Morning Girls.  

We are through week one and onto week two so I wanted to do a review/summary of week one.  I have really enjoyed this study so far.  I will say that I wasn't used to the type of study they use.  It is called the SOAP method.  I am sure some, if not most, of you have heard about it.   It's actually really easy to use once you get used to it.  The letters stand for S= Scripture O= Observation A=Application and the P= Prayer.  

I wanted to take a few minutes and share some of what I have written down in my notebook through the first week of study.  But, first the scripture.  

Colossians 1:1-14   

(1)Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, (2)To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.  (3) We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, (4) because we heave heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints--- (5) the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel (6) that has come to you.  All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. (7) You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, (8) and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. 

(9) For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (10) And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in ever good work, growing in the knowledge of God, (11) being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully (12) giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  (13) For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  

So, as you can see my Bible is that NIV format.  It can be a little difficult to understand but, there are a few key things to pull from all those verses.  Remember, these are the whole weeks worth of verse and are broken down day by day on the study book mark which you can get here.  You need to subscribe to their site and a link will get sent in an email.  Anyway, on to the rest.

The observations that I took away from these verses are:

• Paul saw that the people of Colosse were faithful and thankful to God for his wonderful gospel. 
• If you have hope then you will have faith & love.  Hope has to come first.  
• Paul always thanks God for the people of Colosse because of their faith in God.  It is spreading among them and bearing fruit.  
• Epaphras is the servant of God, that taught the Colossians about the gospel of the Lord.  
• The word of God is spreading about the world and bearing fruit because of the hope, faith and love of people.
• God will show people his will through spiritual wisdom and knowledge. 
• Live a life worthy of the Lord.
• Seek spiritual wisdom through God's word. If we seek God, through his word, he will make His will known.
• If we follow his way and have the endurance & patience to withstand all trials (with hope and faith), and never stop giving thanks, we will inherit everything he has to offer in the kingdom of light.
• Our Father has rescued us from darkness and delivered us to the great kingdom of his son.
• We have been forgiven our sins when Jesus, God's beloved, died on the cross.
• Through redemption and forgiveness, we will enter the kingdom of God.

I know that my observations are probably more rudimentary than yours are but, this is the very first time I have studied the ACTUAL Bible.  Sure, I have read the bible study books that are written by different authors but, there is nothing, NOTHING, like studying the Bible itself.  

I have enjoyed every minute of the study thus far and look forward to week two.  Can't wait.