**I’m adding this post to my 31 Days of the Best Bible Books for Kids because Guess What? If you don’t read your Bible in front of your kids, they aren’t gonna do it either. Just reading to them isn’t enough. Reading your Bible is the best way to introduce your kids to God and His Word. They can only go as far as you’ve gone. So, here’s a little about a Bible I reviewed in 2010 and still love and use regularly as a devotional today.**
I’ve been somewhat chronicling my 8 month journey to GET UP EARLY AND READ MY BIBLE. Yeah, it’s the same New Year’s Resolution I’ve had since I was 15. And finally, this year, I’ve figured it out. Well, I’m in the middle of figuring it out anyway.
The last few weeks, I’ve been reading my Bible daily. In my closet. Hey, what can I say? It’s the most quiet place in the house! I’m not doing a big Bible study. Just reading. A few days into this new habit, Zondervan contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in reviewing a new Bible. Not a “new” Bible, really, just one with some new devotions and a new package. And oh, the packaging! It’s purple!!
This purple Bible is called the New Mom’s Prayer Bible. I’ve been a mom for 4 years but I consider myself a “new mom”…I mean, every single day is something new! I’ve never been the mom of a 4 and 1 year old. I don’t have any idea what I’m doing! I figured this Bible was perfect for me…and hoped it would be something great to share with you.
Besides the fact that it’s purple, what I really like about it is that the devotions are divided into time increments. So, if you have 1 minute, you read one scripture {that is printed, you don’t have to look it up} and one little paragraph of application. If you have 5 minutes, they suggest reading the scripture in context and praying. And if you have more time, there is a link (no, that’s not the right word…it’s just a page number that you can flip to…hmmm, these old-fashioned things called ‘books’!) for more scriptures that are appropriate to the topic.
The coolest part is that there is a one word idea to take with you for the rest of the day. There’s no pressure to remember history, or memorize a scripture. Just take one word with you. The first day was LIFE. Then FATHER. The third day is the one that has stuck with me the most: SANCTUARY.
As a stay-at-home mom, I’m used to having NO sanctuary. I don’t even get to take a shower without someone pressing their nose against the glass or sitting on the bathmat asking me to read a book. So, a sanctuary? A place to be alone? Quiet? Refreshed? Satisfied? That is attractive…and something I need.
The devotion began with Ezekiel 11:16, then pointed to 3 other scriptures (feel free to look them up if you have a sec): Psalm 22:9-11, Psalm 139:7-10 and Acts 17:26-28.
As I read all these verses I was deeply impressed with how intimate God desires to be with me and my life. I wrote this in my journal:
As a mother
Isolated
Alone.
Satisfy me with Your Presence.
Always Near.
Always Enough.
I really wasn’t trying to poetic. (Believe me, I know that’s not poetic!) It was just my shorthand for the themes that stood out in those passages. But it stood out to me like a big promise AND prayer. That even though my days may be isolated, my decisions misunderstood, my attitudes unreadable, my thoughts imperceptible—God is always near. Not just in a magisterial overlord position. But in a way that is Always Enough.
And for this new mom? It’s what I needed. A sanctuary with the One who is enough. A sanctuary in my closet with a purple Bible.
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Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
This is my favorite for this time in my life. I am expecting baby #4 and fully aware of all the risks and complications. This reminds me that God has created my baby just like he created me–very carefully!
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
This is one of my favorites about the Word of God.
Philippians 4:8
Jer 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you (that works out great, b/c I don’t have a clue!!).
Tweeted:)
1 Thessalonians 5:17
I cannot WAIT to be a new mom! I love this Bible – what a great idea! My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future.”
Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as EAGLES
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint”
Jeremiah 29:11!!!!!!
My favorite scripture changes with what is going on in my life; but the most consistent verse that kind of sums up my overall understanding of my personal direction God has sent me in is that I am in, but not of the world with as much focus on the “in” as the “not of”. In other words; I am not meant to preach to the choir. I have to be really brave. This gives me the hope I need:
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Isaiah 18:4 – This is what the LORD says to me: “I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”
Isaiah 43:1 fear not for I am with you I have called you by name you are mine
What a great Bible! Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite (currently) is Psalms 5:12 which says “For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
I really want this book for myself, but I also want to get a copy for my friend who’s pregnant. It looks so good!!
Beautiful bible. I just lost my brother and my favorite verse is “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” Matt 5:4
Psalms 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Also shared on facebook.
This Bible seems perfect for this time in my life. My favorite verse right now is Ex. 14:14. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.
My favorite – today – is Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
I so enjoy reading your blog everyday. It’s my one “Computer Moments” that I look forward to.
My favorite verse is right now is
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”
I having been praying to find something like this Mom’s Bible that you spoke about as I too struggle with finding the time to be in God’s word. I would love to be chosen to win this and get back into what I am so lacking. Thanks again for your wonderful blog.
You’re so right about being a new mom still, I’ve never been a mother to 4, 3 and 15 months old before. 🙂
My favorite verse now is Philippians 4:19 “But my GOD shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
I’d love to win this. My favorite verse is “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.” Not sure what book of the Bible that is in, but it has stuck with me anyway.
Romans 8:28
“whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for Men.”
Colossians 3:23
This verse has stuck w/ me for quite some time!
As a mom of littles, I love Isiah 40:11! 🙂
As adoptive parents and having been adopted into the Family of Christ, James 1:27.
Jer 29:11. With our children always growing and always going through a new phase, are we ever NOT a new mom? It seems like I’m trying to figure out these kids every day! I think the “word of the day” would be SO refreshing for this mama of seven, ages 10mos-16yrs!
3 John 1:4 always makes me so happy!
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
This may seem flippant, but it describes my life & my house well enough.
Exo 36.7
For the stuff which they had was enough for all the work to make it, and too much.
A better verse for me to remember would be Matt 6.34
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow shall be anxious for its own things. Sufficient to the day is the evil of it.
Isaiah 41:10
This Bible looks really good.
I have so many “favorites” – it usually changes with the events or circumstances that are going on in our lives…our journeys.
But, this has been one that is always a favorite:
EPH. 2:4-10
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philipians 3:12
love this verse for me as a mother as well as to remember for my children!
My life verse (also very appropriate as the mom of a little boy!)
Deuteronomy 31:6
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I updated my twitter –
ps 32:7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
I updated my facebook
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
I love that the readings can be one minute! The point is to get a focus for your day, something on which to meditate. I love that one minute in the word can generate a day’s worth if thought!
I forgot to add the verse….Col. 3:23…..whatever you do, do your best for God!
Well John 3:16 is my favorite has been since I was about 10 years old. It has gotten me through a lot and just reminds me of Gods love for me.
For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son. so whoever shall believe in him should not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE!
My favorite verse is Psalm 139:14.
Right now the verse that’s most helpful to me is:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6
My favorite verse is Isaiah 54:17-No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I want to win this for my friend whose baby was born in June, 2 months early weighing 2 lbs. 6 ozs., he came home and had to go back to the hospital to have surgery. She needs this.
I posted on Facebook that it is a great giveaway and I’m trying to win it for a friend.
Jeremiah 29:11
Read this verse at our wedding and still cling to it today!
My family and I are memorizing psalm 119. My favorite verse so far is PS 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Am I too late?
I don’t have a favorite verse because I adore the whole book of Ruth. Your people shall be my people and all of that. I just love that story. 🙂