Can a New Bible Help My Faith?

I had seen the ads on Instagram and Facebook. Amazing authors I respect touting how fantastic this new bible is.

It has artwork and room for notes and even devotions built right in. Plus, there are beautiful covers to choose from.

Yet, I was torn. A question kept circling my mind.

On one hand I wanted this Bible. It looks lovely and everyone is saying how great it is. Plus, I didn’t want to miss out.

You know what I’m talking about. When you see social media blowing up with how great that new product is and you just have to have it. Yeah, I had that feeling. About a Bible. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about that.

Because on the other side I knew I already had a Bible. It was good and did the job and how different can a Bible really be, right?

I resisted. My practical side won and I carried on with life just fine.

And then God arranged things (as only He can) and I ended up with a copy of that very Bible to review. God does funny things.

As I flipped through this new Bible I felt peace, not because of the Bible itself, but because it is God’s Word. Maybe that’s the part I forgot in my mental gymnastics earlier.

This is God’s Word. 

That’s worth a pause. Sometimes I forget the holiness of the words on those tissue thin pages. I forget that it’s not the package that matters as much as the content. And maybe I didn’t need another Bible, but God was using this one to remind me of some things.

Any Bible that encourages you to open it and read the words is the right Bible.

It’s true. God isn’t worried about what version you are reading or who compiled it. He wants you in His Word. Period. The end. Yes, we could talk about translation and accuracy, but those are details we get caught up in, all the while missing out on what’s really important. The (in)courage Devotional Bible reminded me.

It’s good to interact with the Bible.

The (in)courage Devotional Bible begs you to dig in. From the simple introductions to each book to the fifty Women of Courage highlighted throughout, this Bible gives an easy to understand foundation. My favorite parts go beyond this foundation to the included Reading Plans and Devotionals.

There are themed Reading Plans pointing you directly to Scripture. Plus there are 52 reflective devotions (one for each week of the year) and 260 additional devotions to inspire, encourage, and draw you deeper into God’s Word.

Plus, there is journaling space on every single page of Scripture. Every single one of these features reminds you that God’s Word is living and breathing and meant for you to use.

God’s Word is living and breathing and meant for you to use. Click To Tweet

The Bible is for you.

I know this. You may know this. But holding this new book in my hands reminded me that it is a gift directly from God. Every word. Every part I don’t understand. Every verse that I think I know.

It all holds treasures for me, not because it’s about me but because it’s about Him. The Bible is full of who He is, promises about Him, and stories to illustrate His love. And all that is a gift for you.

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Check out these great sites I’m linking up with: Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Moments of Hope, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement