I have a confession. Without even meaning to, I collect Bibles. Sometimes this troubles me as I realize there are many who don’t even own one. But this book is God’s Word to us. Somehow our Father, Jesus (THE Word) and the Spirit all wrapped up into 66 books. On the other hand, truly, I’m not entirely sure you can ever have enough.

The Haynes family Bible is the oldest one I have. Full of important family dates. It’s also stuffed with newspaper articles and funeral memorials. A reminder that generations before me counted themselves as faithful.

My childhood Bible must be treated with tender-loving care these days. Its binding has come loose. Full of some pictures and important dates in my life. Also church bulletins from my childhood. With words from my mother written in the front and words of Christ written in red, this book holds a special place in my heart.

There’s the Precious Moments Bible I carried in high school. I still read certain Scripture passages and see Sam Butcher’s artwork in my mind. 

The pink imitation leather Bible given to me, again by my mother, my freshman year of college. It carried me all through my college years. Into my single 20’s. And finally, in my 30s, I came to the realization that I could write in my Bible without it being irreverent. For about five years, I covered its holy pages with all that God was teaching me.

My husband gave me the Bible I use today. We found a beautiful leather cover for it that gives it a Holy Land kind of look. Maybe like the Bible Jesus would have carried to synagogue. If Guttenberg had invented the printing press back then anyway.

In addition, I have several Bibles I consider resources. Not the ones I carry to church each Sunday. The paperback chronological Bible. Eugene Peterson’s “The Message.” The Mother’s Devotional one. Those that offer commentary on the original language and culture. My daughter’s purple Bible with the owl on front that I intentionally got in a different translation so I could use it for further study.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Well, readers, I’ve come across another Bible. A New King James Version Study Bible published by Thomas Nelson. There’s a ton of rich church history in that last sentence. Look it up.

The front cover reads: 

The Complete Resource for Studying God’s Word.

What treasure this Bible offers a student! In addition to the excellent NKJV translation, the book has so much information. Study notes. An explanation of certain word choices in the original languages (these excerpts are set aside on the page in a colored box). Further, an in-depth look at the context (again, word-based but also overall) of various passages in Scripture. Finally, glimpses of Middle Eastern culture. Some things apply still today while other parts speak to specific periods of biblical history.

Each book introduction gives insight into the who, what, when, where and why of each one. Maps, a concordance, cross references for various verses.

And I’ve saved the best for last. This new Bible comes in full color. Visually pleasing. For example, when you read the break out section on Solomon’s Temple, it offers a full color visual of what the temple would have looked like upon completion. Photos of the Holy Land.

In a size quite comfortable-for-carrying, this Bible offers it all. 

Now, after sharing with you my collection of Bibles, I feel like it would be unfair for me to keep this one to myself. On occasion, God invites me to join Him in a certain work. He shows me people who have an increasing hunger for His Word. I’ve given away Bibles, commentaries and other resource books over the years. What a blessing to help someone grow closer to Christ!

I’m praying over this Bible now. 

God, show me who you would like to have it. To your glory, Amen.

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 I received a copy of the New King James Version Study Bible - Full Color Edition from Family Christian Stores for the purpose of generating a review. The opinions expressed here are my own.