Saturday, November 7, 2015

ESV Men's Devotional Bible © 2015 by Crossway; ESV Text Edition: 2011

ESV Men's Devotional Bible
The print is easily readable with clear font with 8.5-point Lexicon type, two-columns to a page. The devotional readings reflect on biblical text. The placement of the devotions have a footnote leading to the next devotion. They are not dated, but applicable to the Scriptures you are reading. There is a brief introduction to each Book of the Bible. In the back are articles addressing issues of interest to men. There is a dictionary of key terms, devotions index alongside Scripture references. This copy is hardcover.






Just in time for a Christmas gift giveaway!

Comment below with your email[at]server[dot]com ~
Who will you gift this ESV Men's Devotional Bible to
if you are the winner of this one giveaway copy offered
from Propeller / FlyBy Promotions? Here is the Crossway
link with further description and preview of text. Giveaway to residents of the US and Canada. Recipient of giveaway will be drawn in ten days on November 17, 2015.

Here is an excerpt of a devotional reading:

When God Seems Far Away ~ Psalm 88
Psalm 88 is surely the darkest of all the Psalms. Almost every other psalm ends with, or at least includes, some note of hope or praise. Not this one. There appears to be no relief.
   We all experience this at times. Even though, as men, we want to be perceived as strong, we are privately aware of our weakness and frailty. Any deep disappointment or loss, any deep hurt, any prolonged sickness, any betrayal--really, any number of things--can make us feel what this psalmist, Heman, was feeling--lack of strength (Ps. 88:4), helplessness (v. 15), even despair (vv.5-6). The fact is, being in a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ does not mean that we will escape deep discouragement and even darkness. We will experience hard things, sometimes in waves, and sometimes for prolonged seasons. God has promised that we won't walk through those times alone, but he also hasn't promised that we won't at times feel alone.
   So it's a good thing that God has lovingly included this psalm in his Word. Otherwise we'd be left to wonder if God's sovereign love extended all the way to even our darkest experiences.
   But Psalm 88 doesn't just describe a common human experience; it also provides a "prompt" on what to do during such an experience. Three times the psalmist tells us that he "cried out to God" (see vv. 1, 9, 13). That repetition provides a bit of structure to the psalm, but far more importantly it tells us what this psalm is and what it's here for. Psalm 88 is a turning to God in the darkness, and it calls us to do the same. Psalm 88 is a telling to God of the darkness, and it calls us to do the same. And Psalm 88 is a trusting of God despite the darkness, and it calls us to do the same.
   Right at the beginning of this psalm the writer declares, "O LORD, God of my salvation..." Isn't that a striking statement, given the darkness of this psalm? Yet this is where Heman has put his hope. This is where there is a stake deep down into solid rock, and he has anchored himself to that stake.
   Let's not miss that this psalm is a prayer. God does not belittle the prayer of the deeply discouraged or even despairing man. He wants us to remember that there is both safety and salvation in coming to him.


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

5 comments:

  1. marcdanielrivera[at]gmail[dot]com

    I'd love to win! :) Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Advise residence location ~ apologies but that the promotions company only allows for giveaways to residents of the US and Canada. Thank you.

      Delete
  2. marcdanielrivera [at] gmail [dot] com

    I will give it to myself, I badly need a new Bible! :)

    I'd love to win! :) Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello! Did I win? Yes, I know this is open only to US residents, and I do have a US address, thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marc, I have forwarded your email with your address to have your copy of the ESV Men's Devotional Bible mailed out for you. Blessings!

      Delete