Coffee and The Word: A Review of The Study Bible for Women

Bible

Sit down with me for a minute.

This little snippet might just change your life.

“How?”, you say.

By changing the way you look at the Bible.

Maybe you think it’s not for you.  Maybe you struggle to know where to start.  Or maybe you have just given up in frustration because you don’t “get it”.

Please reconsider!

I do love to read.  I always have, but reading the Bible can be difficult.  There is so much to consider.  To understand.  Topics that are difficult, and passages that can be confusing.  It is full of history and hope.  Tragedy and triumph.

No other book is so important or so life-changing!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.  John 1:1-5

It’s been over five years now since I started reading through the Bible for the sole purpose of memorizing a verse from every book of the Bible.  FIVE YEARS!  While I can hardly believe it myself, I am happy to say that consistency has paid off–I know more about the Bible than I did five years ago.  While it doesn’t make me an expert on theology, it does bring me closer to the Author.  I want to know more about God.  I want to understand who He is and what His is plan for me, and because He gave us His written word–the Bible, it is my responsibility to discover what it says.

The only way you will know more about the Bible five years from now, is to start reading it today!

Consistently.  Purposefully.  Intentionally.

There is no replacement for filling your mind with truth from God’s Word.  While there are many translations out there, (and I use several of them for reference), I am currently finishing my systematic study from the Holman Illustrated Study Bible.  I started using the Holman Christian Standard Bible because it is the translation that my pastor/husband preaches from.  Because it is well-loved and very worn, I opted to receive a new Bible, The Study Bible for Women Christian Standard Bible from BH Publishers in exchange for a review.

I couldn’t be more pleased!

This beautiful Bible is complete with study helps, book introductions, footnotes, illustrations, maps, a concordance and so much more.

I admit, I struggle a bit when it’s time to open a new Bible.  I treasure the worn pages of my Bible that has been written in, prayed over and wept on.  But sometimes, it’s time, you know?  Time to start fresh.  Gain a new perspective.  Discover something that you might have missed the last time you read it.  Look for God’s message without pre-conceived ideas.  While I appreciate that this is a Bible “for women, written by women”, it is the Truth that I find in the text that matters most.  I appreciate the Christian Standard Bible translation (a revision of the Holman Christian Standard Bible) for its commitment to “improve readability without compromising accuracy.” ***

The Bible is meant to be read, understood, and shared. So your translation of God’s Word should be true-to-the-original and one you like to read.  [csbible.com]

I know there are a lot of choices out there, and it can be a little confusing to decide what Bible–and more specifically what translation to choose.  Most likely you will not be reading the Bible in the original text, so having confidence in choosing one like the CSB comes from knowing that Holman Bible Publishers is the oldest Bible publisher in North America.  In the introduction, you will see that they are committed to the Bible as God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible Word.

If you are looking to purchase a new Bible, I highly recommend this one. My only criticism is that the words of Jesus are not in red, which is not a necessity, but something that I personally prefer.

What’s coffee got to do with it?  Nothing really–it’s just how I start my day, coffee and The Word–and I want to encourage you to do the same.  If you’re struggling to consistently read the Bible, why not consider asking God to ignite a passion in your spirit for the Truth, and then dig in!

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:14-17

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Study Bible for Women for review from BHbloggers.com (B&H Publishing and LifeWay).

**All opinions are my own, and are freely given.

***The Study Bible for Women, Christian Standard Bible, introduction, p. xxi.