(IN)COURAGE DEVOTIONAL BIBLE {GIVEAWAY}

God's Word is truth, it is life, and it is alive. God's Word can stand alone. It doesn't need frills and thrills. It is the words inside that are life giving and life changing. It is the words inside that lead us to the heart of God.

God created beauty. He created color and shapes and textures. While the Bible stands alone, not needing the frills, beauty draws us in. I love beauty and I am thankful for beautiful Bibles. Bibles that invite me in to read the words.

One of my favorite Bibles is the (in)Courage Devotional Bible. This Bible is a beautiful invitation for women from all seasons and all walks of life to find their stories within the tapestry of the greatest story every told—God's Story.

The (in)Courage Devotional Bible features devotions by writers of the (in)Courage community, and provides resources for women to explore the Bible, dive deep into Scripture, record their own stories, and find themselves among friends.

The Bible features:

-312 devotions by 122 (in)Courage community writers
-10 distinct thematic reading plans
-66 book introductions connecting each book of the Bible to the whole biblical narrative
-stories of courage from 50 women of the Bible
-Journaling space at the bottom of each page
-Topical index
-Two-column text
-Theme verses

The (in)Courage Devotional Bible is the Christian Standard Bible, or CSB. CSB is a readable and relatable translation while staying as literal as possible to the Bible's original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture's life-transforming message and to share it with others. The Bible comes in several beautiful cover options, including two brand new covers, Bordeaux and Sage. These new covers are so soft!

I truly love this Bible! The (in)Courage Devotional Bible makes a wonderful Bible is you are looking for a new Bible or looking to gift a Bible. Be sure to check out the (in)Courage Devotional Bible, just click HERE.

Giveaway:
We are giving away one (in)Courage Devotional Bible in the Bordeaux cover. To enter to win, simply leave a comment with you name, email address, and your favorite Scripture verse. One winner will be chosen at random and emailed from jenifer@jenifermetzger.org on January 15th.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Oh friend, I am so excited! We've had a secret that was supposed to be shared in June, then due to circumstances beyond my control, it was pushed back not once but twice. But here we finally are!

My family are I are beyond excited to bring you Engaging with Faith Family Devotional: 70 Fun Activities For Christian Families to Strengthen Faith!

When my kids were growing up I was always trying to find ways to teach them God's Word and help them grow in a habit of regular Bible reading and prayer. As I searched and searched for resources, I always came up empty handed. Now, you don't have to!

My grandson is excited for Engaging with Faith!

Engaging with Faith Family Devotional is a 70 day devotional for families to do together. Each day has a Scripture verse, a brief devotion that kids will understand, a Let's Reflect section with questions to help engage each person in conversation, and a Let's Do section with an off page activity you and your kids will love.

Engaging with Faith Family Devotional would make a great homeschool companion! As we homeschooled our kids, we always added in some Bible time. This devotional will give you Bible time as well as activities to spice up the school day!

While Engaging with Faith Family Devotional is a 70 day devotional, it is designed to help you, not stress you out! If it works for your family to do each of the 70 devotionals in 70 consecutive days, go for it! If it works better for your family to do it once a week, go for it! All that matters is you are intentionally engaging as a family and teaching your children about God.

Each day that you go through the book, your family will grow closer to God and each other. Engaging with Faith Family Devotional: 70 Fun Activities For Christian Families to Strengthen Faith launches on September 6th, but you can preorder your copy today! Just click the banner below!

Engaging with Faith Family Devotional is my 4th devotional! I feel beyond blessed by God for the opportunity to bring you 4 devotionals. To check out all of my books, click HERE.

MEMORIZING THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Quite a number of years ago, my first grade Sunday School teacher led our class in memorizing the books of the New Testament. Our reward, a bag of candy! Yes, please! At six years old I memorized all 27 books of the New Testament and still to this day know them in order.

The Old Testament, however, I never memorized. I guess I needed that incentive of candy! Thirty-something years later, I know the books of the Old Testament, but I only know a handful of them in order and I am ready to change that!

Why is memorizing the books of the Bible important?

Have you ever been in church and the pastor gives a Bible reference and you flip back and forth trying to find the passage only for him to be done by the time you get there? I have. It can be frustrating. But knowing where the books are located sure helps!

Knowing where the books of the Bible are can help in Bible study. All 66 books are divided into sections and when you know the sections and where they are located, it can help with studying God's Word. Memorizing the books of the Bible can help us identify Old and New Testament books as well as the organization of the books. And finally, memorizing helps to exercise your brain and your spirit.

Why should you memorizing the order of the books of the Bible in this age of Bible apps?

Yes, it's true. Bible apps are super easy! Just type in the book, chapter, and verse you want and boom! There it is! No page flipping. No memorizing. While Bible apps are convenient and even great for a quick access for let's say you're in a waiting room and want to read a few verses, they can also be a hinderance.

Using a Bible app doesn't allow for you to read the verses before and after which leads to reading a verse out of context. It also doesn't allow you to know the chapters and even books before and after the chosen verse. The Bible needs to be seen as a whole, not just a verse here and there.

For more on a physical Bible vs a Bible app, click HERE.

How can you memorize the books of the Bible?

We all memorize differently. For some, writing things over and over works. For others saying it over and over works. And for others, you need to hear it in song. No way is wrong.

Here is how I am working on memorizing the books of the Bible. The books of the Bible -New and Old Testaments- are split up into sections. I am going to take a section at a time. I will work on a section by writing it and saying it a few times each day. Once I have that section memorized, I will add the next section.

Here are the sections:

Old Testament
Law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
History: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Poetry: Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs
Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micha, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

New Testament
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Church History: Acts
Letters: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude
Prophecy: Revelation

Even books I know, including the New Testament, I am going to work on. I want to be able to recite all 66 books in order without looking. I know this will help in Bible study, sitting in church, and I am excited to finally memorize all the books in order.

For a free printable of all 66 books in their sections, click HERE.

Discussion:
1) Do you know all 66 books of the Bible in order?
2) If not, would you like to join me in memorizing them?
3) What method helps you to memorize?

TRUE & LOVELY

All Scripture is inspired by God and

is useful to teach us what is true and

to make us realize what is wrong in

our lives. It corrects us when we are

wrong and teaches us to do what is

right. God uses it to prepare and equip

His people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

As Christians we should have a deep desire to read and study the Word of God. Yet sometimes, we don't know how to study the Bible. And other times, we need a fresh perspective. That is why I am so excited to share a new resource that I am loving!

Whatever is True & Lovely by Carrie Cristancho is a new devotional guide at Dayspring. Carrie gives practical tips for Bible study and techniques for Bible journaling. Whatever is True & Lovely has brief devotions and reflection questions to inspire and encourage you. Then Carrie shows you how to break down verses in the Bible. You'll also find a Scripture passage with plenty of space to use her method for breaking down verses.

As you dive into and learn to study the Word, not only will your quiet time be transformed but so will your life!

I am loving Whatever is True & Lovely and I know you will to! Pick up your copy HERE!

HOW A QUIET TIME BASKET HELPS WITH BIBLE READING

When I started getting back into the Word in 2010, I started with a Bible and an Our Daily Bread quarterly devotional. I hadn't read the Bible regularly in several years and was trying to find my way back and find my routine once again.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8

Pretty soon I tasted the goodness of the Lord and spending time with Him and five minutes of rushed reading turned into ten minutes of reading and prayer. Then I tasted more of His goodness and ten minutes turned into twenty. The more time I spent, the more I tasted His goodness and the more my time would grow and become more passionate.

Before long my Bible and little devotional were joined by a highlighter and pen, then a journal added to the mix, then more pens and more highlighters. My little stack of supplies were slowly growing so I reached for a basket to house everything.

My "Quiet Time Basket" became an important part of my day. This cute little basket held all I needed in my daily quiet time. Throughout the past twelve years my Quiet Time Basket has changed and developed.

I've had several different baskets, changing sizes as needed and styles to match my home. I even switched to using a Quiet Time Bag for several years. The contents of my basket -or bag- have also changed with time.

So why use a Quiet Time Basket/Bag?

In my daily quiet time I use my Bible, I also like to have a second study Bible in a different version just in case, I use a blank journal, my Write the Word journal, a plethora of pens and highlighters, and normally will have a devotional or study book as well. This is quiet a bit of supplies.

Using a basket or bag helps to keep everything together in once place. Having everything already together means I don't have to go searching for my Bible or just the right highlighter or my journal, it is all together and ready.

It also makes for easy transportation. I keep my basket under the end table in my living room, however, I don't do my quiet time in the living room all the time. I often like to sit at the dining table, so I can grab my basket and carry it to the table.

Having everything together, easily accessible, and ready to be moved helps me spend more time with God instead of setting up to spend time with Him. It also is a reminder to me of how special it is and what a privilege it is that I get to read the Bible. I see my pretty little basket sitting there all set up and ready for me brings a spark of joy to my heart.

Is a Quiet Time Basket/Bag necessary? No. But it can be helpful. It has certainly helped me in my daily quiet time.

My current Quiet Time Basket:

One Step Closer Bible
CSB Study Bible for Women
Bible reading plan
Write the Word Journal
Blank Notebook for journaling
Accessory pouch
Pilot Frixon Erasable Highlighters
Zebra Sarasa Pens

Discussion:
1. Do you use a Quiet Time Basket/Bag?
2. If so, how is it helpful to you? If not, do you think it could help you?
3. What supplies do/would you add to your Quiet Time Basket/Bag?

Today at Woman to Woman I am sharing why to have a Bible reading plan, what to do when you fall behind on your plan, and how to stay on track. To read, click HERE.

OPEN THE BOOK

 You recently saw an ad for a new face serum that claims to do wonders for a woman's skin. You do some research and find this beauty product is clean, made by a wonderful and trustworthy company, moisturizes skin deeply, helps with fine lines, and brightens the skin. It sounds perfect! You read the reviews to see that hundreds of women have used this product and had wonderful results. So you decide to give it a try.

You place the order and patiently wait for the serum to arrive on your doorstep. Then, the day comes. The delivery driver rings your doorbell and when you open the door you see a little box containing your serum. You cut the tape on the box and pull the serum out. Then, you take the serum to your shelf and place it just so. However, you never open the little glass bottle and use the serum.

Sounds crazy right? Why purchase the product and never use it?  You don't get benefits just from researching and purchasing. You have to actually open the bottle and use it.

The same goes for your Bible. You don't get benefits from just owning a Bible. You have to actually open the Bible, read it, and apply.

To continue reading, click HERE.

WRITE THE WORD

I have been using Write the Word journals from Cultivate What Matters for a few years now. I can honestly say these journals have transformed my quiet time. As a busy wife, mom, and minister, I found myself rushing through my quiet time. Reading just to get it done because I knew I needed to read the Bible. But Write the Word journals have helped me to slow down and linger in the Word as I get Scripture into my heart.

My Write the Word process is simple, but has helped me grow in God. I begin by writing the date at the top and then something I am thankful for. Then I open my Bible to the Scripture prompt. Before reading or writing, I say a brief prayer asking God to speak to me. Next, I read the Scripture prompt and then I write out the verses. On the following page is space to write something "on my heart." I use this space to write something I learned as I read and then a brief prayer. Finally, I write a word to focus on for the day.

I thought I would share three things that I love about Write the Word journals. First, I love that they can be done anywhere, any time. Waiting in a doctor's office, waiting in the car pick up line at school, on lunch break at your desk, sitting on the porch swing, laying in bed, you really can do Write the Word journals anywhere, any time. The second thing I love is how a sturdy they are. These journals are hardback covered with a soft vegan leather. They are strong to hold up to whatever comes your way. Toss it in your purse or diaper bag, no worries! Spill coffee on the cover, wipes right off. Tears streaming down your face as you write, it won't bleed through. And the third thing I love is the legacy they leave. Because the journals are made so well, they will last for many, many years to come. Our children, grandchildren, and maybe even our great-grandchildren will one day read our Write the Word journals and see that we were women who read, studied, and wrote God's Word. What a beautiful legacy to leave!

Cultivate What Matters is launching three brand new Write the Word journals today! Write the Word Cultivate Wisdom, Write the Word Refresh Your Mind, and Write the Word for Kids Adventure are adding to the Write the Word Collection along with a brand new faith sticker pack.

I am so excited to use the Wisdom and Renew Your Mind journals! And the stickers are such a beautiful touch of color and fun to each journal entry.

If you are looking to refresh your faith, Write the Word journals are incredible tools to help you do just that. The journals also make beautiful gifts. My favorite deal is the Your Favorites Bundle! Get the new sticker packet, Wisdom, Renew Your Mind, and pick a third journal of your choice. This is a great way to save money and add a few journals to your shelf.

To shop Write the Word journals, click HERE or the banner below.

CSB STUDY BIBLE

I owned a Study Bible, one I got because it was pretty. The cover was a beautiful brown and pink and the leather was soft to the touch. But I never really used the study elements until about ten years ago when God changed my life. My relationship with God deepened and Bible reading became a passion. The more I read God's Word, the more I wanted. That's when I really began to dig into the study part of my Study Bible. Soon my Bible was worn and marked from use. I decided to retire my Bible and purchase a new. This time, I didn't get a study Bible. I got a wonderful Bible that I will use for many years to come, but I greatly miss all of the wonderful the study elements.

I recently received a CSB Study Bible and I am so excited! Study Bibles give you additional information and commentary. Sometimes when we read the Bible we think something sounds odd or weird. The commentary tells you why they might have done that or used that. It explains the time or culture. Study Bibles also show how different verses correlate together. They give you so much information that helps you to dig deeper into God's Word. I once heard a pastor say, "Never ever read the Bible again. Instead, however, study it." We need to not just read the Bible, we need to study what it says and study Bibles truly help.

The CSB Study Bible is designed to help you know and be transformed by God’s Word. The Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) that keeps Scripture primary on every page.

To inspire you to grow in your understanding and love for God’s Word, the CSB Study Bible, includes an array of study resources including over 16,000 study notes, tools, and word studies—each tool presented on the same page as the verses it refers to. Whether you are preparing for future Bible studies or daily readings, this study Bible for men and women is the ideal resource for lifelong discipleship.

If you are ready to not just read, but study God's Word, check out the CSB Study Bible. Just click HERE.

*Disclaimer: I received this Bible in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

CSB NOTETAKING BIBLE

Growing up my mom had this one Bible that she always used. She carried it to church every week. As the preacher would preach his sermon, my mom would take notes in that Bible. She still has this Bible full of notes and markings. Now, this was a "regular" Bible. No special margin or section for notes or anything. So she had to carefully and creatively write all around the words.

If you like taking notes in your Bible too, the CSB Notetaking Bible is a perfect option! This Bible is great for taking notes at church or during a Bible study, or for using in your own personal quiet time.

The CSB Notetaking Bible is designed to enhance personal Bible study as well as preparation for teaching and preaching. This Bible provides you with a 1.75 inch note taking space on every page to make observations, record insights, raise questions, and suggest to yourself additional exploration of the text.

One thing I love about notetaking is that it leaves a legacy. I love seeing my mom's Bible with all of her marks and tear stains. One day, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and even farther down the line will see that Bible and those notes and know what God spoke to her.

Check out the CSB Notetaking Bible. You will love it! Just click HERE.

*Disclaimer: I received this Bible in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

10 WAYS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR BIBLE

Does reading your Bible ever feel like a chore? Do you struggle to really enjoy reading the Word? Is making time each day for Bible reading seemingly impossible? We've all been there. Struggling to find time to read, then struggling to enjoy and understand what we are reading.

Shanna Noel, creator of Illustrated Faith, understands. Even as a pastor's wife, Shanna struggled with God's Word. Until, that is, she found 10 ways to fall in love with her Bible.

In Shanna's new book available today, 10 Ways to Fall in Love With Your Bible, she says,

The only way you're going to fall in love with your Bible is to make it a top priority. Not your only priority, but a top-tier, get-it-done priority that automatically appears on your to-do list every day.

Shanna gives us 10 ways to really begin to love the Word of God. Ways like getting rid of the excuses, turning the guilt into a gift, writing love letters to God, applying the lessons, a 30 day journaling challenge, and more. Each chapter ends with your personal top 5 and your personal top 10. This is a space for you to dig deep and think about your own personal goals and ideas.

If you have ever struggled with Bible reading or if you are struggling now, this book is for you! Pick up a copy of 10 Ways to Fall in Love With Your Bible today!

Every Word of God is Pure

Every word of God is pure;

He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 30:5

Have you opened the Bible lately? Have you seen all of the truths and promises? So much to glean from His Word. And the best part is that it is all pure truth written for you.

Open His Word today.

Word Filled Wednesday

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, 

but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.

Matthew 16:25

Sweet Blessings~

Linking with:

Living Well Wednesday

Word Filled Wednesday  

Works For Me Wednesday