It's Good to be Queen

 

Come alongside as Liz Curtis Higgs, with her unique writing style, delves into the story of a queen that we know little about, Queen of Sheba. Her biblical story is found in 1 Kings 1 and ends with verse 13. Only 12 verses but packed with a lot of insight on this queen. The Queen of Sheba travels to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of  King Solomon but she came away from that meeting with much more than she envisioned when she started her journey.

There are 10 chapters that will enlighten you with humor and truths.  Each chapter starts with a personal fictional narrative from the Queen of Sheba then the author enhances each verse in that particular chapter with lots of commentary. The chapters deal with boldness, openness, seeking wise counsel, honesty, encouragement, praising God, giving, receiving graciously, and ending well. Sheba not only left Jerusalem but her former way of life, her old gods, her old beliefs so she could put on the new self. She left he old life-full of disbelief, distrust, disobedience and embraced a new life that honors God. He journey was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Sheba didn't travel to Jerusalem to be changed, but she was. You will be changed after reading her story and it may challenge you as it did me in many areas.

Not only do we learn about the Queen of Sheba through story form and insights but there are lots of notes and references along with discussion questions and chapter by chapter study guides perfect for bible study.

Thanks to Waterbrook, Blogging for Books, for this free copy just for my honest opinion.

Agents of Babylon

Get Ready. The end is closer than you think.. In David Jeremiah's latest book,The Agents of Babylon, you will find  ancient Old Testament brought to life in Daniel's story. Dr. Jeremiah is a noted prophecy expert and this book explores the visions, dreams and prophecies that are in the biblical book of Daniel. He not only tells what the prophecy is but what they mean and how we can apply them to the world we live in now. In reading the story of Daniel, we read about Babylon and just how evil and cruel they were. They were clearly against God. Written is a style of his previous book, Agents of the Apocalypse, each chapter starts with a fictional narrative about the subject of the chapter and ends with an explanation of the Scripture behind the story. The fiction drives the truth into our hearts, and the Scripture behind the fiction drives it into our minds.

So many things made this book enjoyable. Loved each chapter introduction and then the Scripture behind the story..made for some great insights. Learned a new theory about when Daniel was in the lions den. When the guards left Daniel, he slid to the ground of the den to make himself comfortable for the night. Soon two cub lions moved in his direction very friendly and one lay on each side of Daniel, to give him warmth and protection in the chilly dungeon. He gently stroked their backs as they each turned their heads and licked his hand. They all slept soundly in perfect peace and tranquility. What a scene, I never thought of that way, serenity and peace under the will of God.  Fascinating book just like Dr. Jeremiah's first book. Make sure you read both, you will gain a new understanding of Revelation and of Babylon and Daniel.  David Jeremiah makes the bible come alive in his writings. You will be very enlightened when you finish his books.

Thanks to Tyndale Publishers for giving this free copy to me just for my honest opinion.