How the Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible encourages a daily Bible routine
Getting into a routine reading the Bible can be a challenge even for believers who are well experienced in reading scripture. It is easy to fall in and out of the habit, and make excuses for not making time for the Lord. I suspect we are all guilty of this to some degree, at one point or another. Sometimes we need some structure and motivation, and often times the more convenient the better. The easier the structure is to follow, the more likely we are to adhere to it. This is why the Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible is so helpful.
I received a complimentary copy of the Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid in exchange for an honest review of the product. #BibleGatewayPartner
What is the Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible?
The Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible is a Bible in the New King James Version (NKJV translation), published by Thomas Nelson, that includes a daily devotional for every day of the year. It has an annual list at the beginning of its pages that provides the page number for each day’s devotional, which allows you to begin at any point in the year.
What makes the Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible special?
There is a wide variety of devotional-style Bibles, and it can be challenging to choose one or even determine if a devotional Bible is right for you. They are an incredible tool that can truly help you make a habit of reading the Bible every day, but some designs come with some challenges that discourage and overwhelm Bible readers.
Some of the main concerns regarding devotional Bibles:
- Devotional Bibles are usually difficult to start anytime during the year.
- Devotional Bibles are difficult to keep up with.
- Many devotional Bibles are annual plans that walk you through the entire Bible, making it difficult if you miss a day.
- Some devotional Bibles are strategically scheduled so that you will benefit most by reading them in order, again making it difficult if you miss a day.
The Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible is a rare gem and the publishers seem to be quite in tune with these common complaints since this particular devotional Bible answers these concerns so well. The Matthew Henry Devotional Bible provides a list of pages assigned to each day, and the readings bounce around the Bible. Sometimes they are consecutive, and sometimes they go from the New to Old Testament, or vice versus. The devotionals also pinpoint a certain verse or a couple of verses rather than a whole chapter or longer passages, but they are within the pages of the verse for that day making it convenient and natural to read as much or little of the passage as you feel led through.
I have been going through the devotions for several days since I received my copy in the mail and have already missed a couple of days, but it was incredibly easy and not overwhelming to go back in and catch up on the days I missed. I also felt like I could just pick up on the day I came back, and knew I could go through the missed days at any time.
Some of the features of the Matthew Henry Devotional Bible that tackle the primary concerns about devotional Bibles:
- Light, yet deep and convicting, devotionals focusing on a single verse or a couple of verses, rather than longer passages and chapters each day.
- Devotionals bounce around the Bible, making it easy to jump in on any given day and catch up in whatever way works best for the reader.
- Devotionals are in line with the verses for the day, making it convenient and natural to read as much or little of the passage as the reader desires.
- A dated list with page numbers makes it easy to mark off the days the reader has completed each devotional.
- Two ribbon bookmarks make it easy to mark your current day, and maybe tomorrow’s devotional, or even a missed day or a particular day you want to go back to.
Who is the Matthew Henry Devotional Bible for?
I am someone who loves studying the Bible. I have a bookshelf full of many different Bibles of many types and translations. I use each for a different purpose and recommend each of them to different people for different needs. The Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible is one I expect to recommend quite frequently to a variety of Bible shoppers.
I recommend the Matthew Henry Devotional Bible for people who:
- Want to make a habit of reading the Bible every day.
- Read the Bible often, but are looking for a structured long-term plan for personal daily devotion.
- Are new to reading the Bible completely and are not sure where to begin.
- Have been reading the Bible for years but want something light to start their day with.
- Looking for a Bible reading plan that will give them a starting point that is easy to go deeper with.
I do NOT recommend the Matthew Henry Devotional Bible for people who are looking for:
- A study Bible with notes and commentary throughout the Bible.
- A journaling Bible with lots of places to write your own notes within the Bible pages.
- A standard Bible with no additions included.
- An in-depth devotional that takes you through lengthy passages every day.
- A Bible-in-a-year style devotional.
Where can you get your own Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible?
The Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible is a wonderful addition to anyone’s Bible collection and can be helpful and encouraging for new and seasoned Bible readers alike who want to make reading the Bible a daily routine. While it does not suit every need, it is by far my favorite devotional Bible I have used so far and look forward to continuing to use it over the next year.
I highly recommend the Matthew Henry Daily Devotional Bible and encourage you to find out more about it and purchase your own at any of the following places.
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