God’s Word: The Apocrypha

Using natural English and the closest equivalent to the primary languages of the Bible, God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society has provided a contemporary version of The Apocrypha, which they kindly sent me to review.

The word “apocrypha” means “hidden” or “secret,” but the books really weren’t. They first gave hope and inspiration to God’s people during their exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, where the people learned to speak, think, and read in Greek, rather than Hebrew. However, Jewish scholars decided not to include the books written in Greek when they canonized the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) many centuries later.

Nevertheless, during the time of Jesus most people - both Jews and early Christians - accepted the books as inspired, and New Testament writers even quoted them. Many more centuries later, the King James Version (KJV) of an English translation of the Bible included the books, where they remained until the Reformation.

Happily, these “deuterocanonical” books are now being returned to many English versions, giving us a clearer view of biblical times and situations that occurred between the old and new testaments. In addition to those historical texts, such as 1 and 2 Maccabees, the apocryphal books include wisdom writings relevant to today. Consider, for example, this passage from the God's Word translation of the Book of Wisdom, Chapter 1:

Verse 1. “Love justice, you rulers of the world.
Consider that the Lord is good.
Be sincere in your search for him.
Verse 2. Those who don’t test him will find him.
He will reveal himself to those who obey him.”

Verses 6b-7. “God is a witness to people’s hidden feelings.
He has keen insight into what they think,
and he listens to what they say.
The Lord’s Spirit fills the world.
The Spirit holds everything together
and understands everything people say.”

For another example, Wisdom 3 begins, “People who worship the true God are in God’s hands.” And verse 9:

“Those who trust the Lord will understand what truth is.
Those who are faithful will live in a loving relationship with him,
because he is kind and merciful to the people he has chosen.”

Another spiritually insightful book, Sirach, (one of my favorites) has this to say in Chapter 1, verse 13:

“Everything will end well for people who fear the Lord.
They will be blessed on the day of their death.”

Or Chapter 4:20 & 21:

“Don’t be ashamed to be yourself.”
“Don’t remain silent when one word could make things right.”

Or Chapter 10:11:

“All authority on earth is in the Lord’s hands.
He will appoint the right leader for the right time."

Amen!

Mary Sayler, ©2018, poet-writer, reviewer

God’s Word: The Apocrypha



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God’s Word: The Bible in clear, natural English

Translated directly from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, GOD’S WORD Translation Large Print Bible: The Bible in Clear, Natural English comes to us as CNE:

Clear, Natural English

and

Closest Natural Equivalent

Even the title of this translation is clear, natural, and the closest equivalent to the anthology of books we call the Bible -- God’s Word (GW.)

To produce the fresh, reliable, relevant translation aimed for, biblical scholars and reviewers followed these guidelines established by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society:

“The first consideration for the translators of GW was to find equivalent English ways of expressing the meaning of the original text, ensuring that the translation is faithful to the meaning of the source text. The next consideration was readability; the meaning expressed in natural English by using common English punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and vocabulary. The third consideration was to choose the natural equivalent that most closely reflects the style of the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek text.”

What more could we ask?

And yet, there is more! Not only does this quality paperback use a 12-point font that aids our eyes and understanding, the single-column format provides the natural flow of text with which we’re familiar as we read any book in English. Chapter headings and sub-headings then help us to locate a passage easily and keep our place as we read privately or study with a discussion group. The book lays flat when opened too.

Free of distracting footnotes, the “Bible Study Helps” in the back of this reader edition offer such unique features as an A to Z topical guide with scriptural references on “The Teachings of Jesus” followed by an “Application Index” of Bible verses and the topics to which they refer.

But it’s the translation itself I love and appreciate. For example, Jeremiah 17:14-15 says:

“Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed.
Rescue me, and I will be rescued.
You are the one I praise.
People keep asking me,
‘Where is the LORD’s word?’
Let it come’.”

Yes! Let it come! And, as it does, may we truly listen and readily understand what God is saying to us.

Mary Sayler, ©2018, poet-writer, reviewer

God’s Word: The Bible in clear, natural English, paperback



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365 Trivia Twist Devotions

As soon as I saw a review copy of 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: Fun Facts and Spiritual Truths for Every Day of the Year on the BH/Lifeway Bloggers website, I immediately ordered the book as a fun way to splash into summer with “Fun Facts and Spiritual Truths.”

Published by B&H Publishing, this large paperback offers children of all ages (and young-at-heart-adults!) interesting trivia from history along with relevant mini-devotionals based on God’s Word.

For example, in “Stamp of Approval,” this portion of text for May 6 talks about the beginning of mail in England and adds:

“In 1874, the U.S. Post Office printed its first stamps, a 5-cent stamp picturing Benjamin Franklin and a 10-cent stamp picturing George Washington."

The text then goes on to say:

“Did you know that you have been stamped! It’s true. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our guarantee, our stamp, that we belong to God, and that we will receive all his benefits. (Ephesians 1:13-14). Because we bear the stamp of the Holy Spirit, we know that salvation is ours and that we will live forever with Jesus in heaven.”

“The best news, though, is that the Holy Spirit’s stamp is not only the prepayment of all that is promised to those who believe in Jesus. Right now, Christians have the power and the comfort of the Holy Spirit living in them. We can depend on the Spirit to guide us and enable us to live as God wants us to while we wait for Jesus’ return.”

That page concludes with 2 Corinthians 1:22 as translated by The Message (MSG):

“By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge - a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete.”

Going to today’s date, June 11 “Extra-Terrestrial” gives a lively look at E.T. - a super-popular movie from 1982 then says:

“The real visitor to Earth from the outside came about two thousand years ago. We know tons about Him, even His name - Jesus. And He didn’t come from another planet or galaxy; He came from Heaven, from His Father.

“Jesus not only visited Earth, He actually became an ‘earthling,’ a human being. Fully God, He became fully man and was born as a baby in a manger. After living a perfect life, Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Then He rose from death and returned to His heavenly home.”

Lord willing, we’ll be there someday too. Meanwhile, God knows we’re not perfect! But His Son is. As we believe in Jesus Christ and confess our wrongdoings, He sets things right with God and empowers us for a life forever lived in Him.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018

365 Trivia Twist Devotions, paperback



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CSB Worldview Study Bible

When I requested the CSB Worldview Study Bible from BHBloggers, I wasn’t sure how the worldview theme/ focus would be handled. After receiving my copy, which Lifeway kindly sent me to review, I still wasn’t sure. The articles seem to go on a bit, but I did find helpful clues.

The Introduction, for example, offered this insight:

“In the book of Job, we see how a false worldview results in false comfort." As Job went through terrible trials and suffering, his well-meaning friends “accused Job of having sinned. The friends shared a worldview that said, ‘Everything happens because of cause and effect. Do bad things, and bad things will happen to you. Do good things, and good things will happen to you.’ This worldview was the lens through which they viewed Job’s suffering. The book of Job challenges this perspective in light of an all-powerful, all-wise God who permits things to happen that are beyond our understanding.”

Another helpful example of intent in the Introduction considers Ecclesiastes where the worldview was “a life without meaning and purpose in the face of death.” And so the author “wrote a book that helps us understand the mind-set and worldview of someone who lives as though this life is all there is.”

Scanning the articles interspersed throughout this edition reveals theological and philosophical views expressed over the ages. The content of those articles and their placement between portions of scripture make the book most appropriate for reading and studying alone, unless, of course, your group aims to discuss religion and philosophy from a world view. For those of you who live in cosmopolitan areas where people come from all sorts of cultural and religious backgrounds, this edition should be well-suited to your goal of reaching others for Christ.

For example, the article “Speaking To A Non-Christian About Jesus” says,

“Knowledge of the background, culture, and worldview of one’s audience assists Christians in meaningfully sharing about Christ. Demographics are changing and peoples from all over the world are now neighbors to evangelical churches across America, especially in the larger urban centers. Christians, therefore, must increase their ‘CIQ’ - Cultural Intelligence Quotient - in order to successfully and meaningfully share Jesus with others.”

The article goes on to say, “Paul adapted his method of sharing Christ with unbelievers based on the audience.” Furthermore, “Sharing Christ in today’s world involves understanding the worldview of the people we are seeking to reach.”

Knowing scripture and what we believe are prerequisites for comfortably and accurately talking to others about Christ. If you haven’t yet read the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) text chosen for this edition, I highly recommend it. In fact, the CSB Study Bible is one of my all-time favorite study Bibles.

To give you a glimpse of its readable, accurate text, let’s look at Psalm 1, which could become a motif for this present edition:

“How happy is the one who does not
walk in the advice of the wicked
or stand in the pathway with sinners
or sit in the company of mockers!
Instead, his delight is in the
Lord’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.”

May God help us to receive His Word, instruction, and love more fully and show us how to extend that forgiving, redeeming love to others in Jesus’ Name.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018

CSB Worldview Study Bible, leatherflex


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Super Giant Print Bible in ESV from Crossway

ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone, Black)

The Super Giant Print Bible in the English Standard Version, (ESV) which Crossway published and kindly sent me to review, makes an excellent choice for a pulpit Bible. Not only is the ESV highly accurate and easy to follow along with other translations, the darkly inked 17-point type can probably be seen from the front pew! The humongous type should also eliminate the need to borrow someone else’s reading glasses in case you forget to bring yours to Bible Study.

This hefty reader edition is meant to last with extensive use too. The flexible TruTone cover has a double-row of stitching around the edges to minimize fraying over time, and the sewn-in pages have a center line down the middle to keep eyes from drifting from one column to the next.

Like most thick Bibles (which huge print or study editions are apt to be), the paper is thinner than some, but not overly so. However, to avoid any distraction by the ink shadowing the back of each page, this sturdy edition comes with a thoughtful touch – a black insert to place behind the page you’re reading.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018, poet-writer, reviewer


SuperGiant Print Bible, TruTone cover




ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone, Black)
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God’s Book of Proverbs

God’s Book of Proverbs, which LifeWay Christian Resources kindly sent me to review, provides “Biblical Wisdom Arranged by Topic” in order to “give you God’s guidance in matters related to everyday life.”

Using biblical text from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) published by Holman, the book groups topics alphabetically in the Table of Contents followed by headings ranging from “Anger,” “Beauty,” “Calamity” to “Wealth,” “Wickedness,” “Wisdom,” and “Wonder.”

Slightly larger than a typical paperback, this cloth-covered hardback edition makes an attractive, nicely sized book to give as a gift and/or keep in a purse or side pocket of a car, which is where my copy will most likely reside after this review, so I’ll have insightful, meditative-type reading material handy whenever I’ll be in a waiting room or any waiting mode.

To give you a few examples, I turned to “Discernment,” which lists 16 Proverbs such as:

“The one who understands a matter finds success,
and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.”
Proverbs 16:20

“Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water,
but a person of understanding draws it out.”
Proverbs 20:5

Under “Guidance,” you’ll find 43 Proverbs to guide your decisions, while “Happiness” has a couple of pages with such insights as:

“Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good new strengthens the bones.”
Proverbs 15:30

"The one who understands a matter finds success,
and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.”
Proverbs 16:20

“A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22

Those verses might especially speak to people with achy joints, arthritis, or aging bones! However, all of us can deepen our trust in the LORD with prayer, praise, regular Bible study, and these faith-building Proverbs that not only show us how God can be trusted, but that God knows our human nature and our spiritual needs.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018, poet-writer, reviewer

God’s Book of Proverbs, hardback



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When life is a challenge, The Challenge Study Bible will help!

Recently I did an online search for the Contemporary English Version (CEV) of the Bible produced by the American Bible Society and discovered that Bridge-Logos had released The Challenge Study Bible in CEV this very month! I immediately requested a copy, which the publisher kindly sent in a hardback with large print even in the footnotes.

As you’ve most likely noticed, a larger font for footnotes is highly unusual, but then so is this unique edition, supervised by Don Wilkerson, co-founder of the highly successful Teen Challenge program begun over 50 years ago to help people who suffer from various dysfunctions find ways to function well – physically, mentally, and spiritually.

In addition to the accurate, reader-friendly text of CEV, this special edition includes words of guidance, wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement in footnotes gleaned from a variety of current and classical Christian leaders. With rehab a major emphasis, the publishing team has successfully shown Christians of all ages and backgrounds the spiritual tools and social skills needed to get through tough times with God’s help.

For example, the first footnote in Genesis 1:1 says, “Nothing lasts that is not rooted and grounded in the nature and character of God. A God who created mankind and the whole world by the Word of His power certainly can recreate those in the process of needing a life change.” The reader is then encouraged to check out the topic “Conversion” in the Topical Index, page 1912.

Turning to that page, we find:

CONVERSION
A man can never change himself; but it is also gloriously true that what he cannot do, Jesus Christ can do for him. (Acts 26:1)
A person can give up drink, drugs, and crime, but what is needed is a complete transformation by the power of God. (1 Thess. 1:9)
God can recreate those in the process of needing a life change. (Gen. 1:1)
Let this be your turning point to seek God and follow in His ways and will. (Isa. 48:18)
Nature forms us, sin deforms us, but Christ transforms us! (1 Cor. 6:9)

The topical index then suggests seeing “New Beginnings, New Birth, New Life” for relevant scriptures. So, turning to “New Life,” for example, the statement “When Jesus came into your life, you were made brand spanking new,” concludes with a reference to 2 Cor. 5:17, which, in the CEV, says:

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.”

The 5:17 footnote goes on to say:

“The word new is from the Greek word ‘kairos,’ intended to describe something that is brand-new or recently made. It also carries the idea of something that is superior. When Jesus Christ came into your life, you were made brand spanking new. The new you is superior to the older you. In fact, you are so new that you’re called a new creature. The word ‘creature’ is the same word used to describe the creation of the world. When God created the universe, He used no existing materials or old elements to make anything…. Now the same word is used to describe what happened to you the day you got saved. Everything about you is a ‘new you’.”

That doesn’t mean we won’t slip back into old habits or unworkable ways that take us away from God's Way! Not surprisingly then, this edition includes scriptures on topics such as “Relapse/Backsliding,” “Relapses, Avoiding,” and even “Relapse, Causes of,” all of which intend to provide both warnings and encouragement as we become more adept at living life in the spirit, power, and word of the Lord.

Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, reviewer

The Challenge Study Bible, hardcover



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