Sunday, January 4, 2009

Look What I Found....

Several years ago I purchased the New Testament and Psalms in The Message translation and have wanted the entire Bible in this translation for some time now. In addition to my New American Standard Version that I typically study out of and love very much, I have also grown to really enjoy The Message's translation of many verses.

I went in the bookstore at church today to see about purchasing a Bible in The Message translation and look what I found!  How perfect is this!!!!




A Parallel Bible with the New American Standard translation AND The Message right alongside of each other. I was so excited!!

For those of you that may not be familiar with The Message, it is designed to read like a letter from God. It presents scripture the way it originally appeared --- as a naturally flowing narrative. There is no formal language and no verse numbers to distract you.

This Parallel Bible allows me to have a word-for-word translation (NASB), right alongside the bestselling paraphrase, The Message.

I think it is going to be really beneficial in my 2009 scripture memorization. The first set of verses that I have selected to memorize and meditate on are from The Message translation and I have really fallen in love with them over the past few days.

How about you......

Have any of you fallen in love with The Message?

What other Bible study tools have you found to help you? 

What is your favorite translation of the Bible?

I would love to know what you have found that helps you in studying God's Word and any tools that have helped you to hide God's Word in your heart.


15 comments:

Abbi said...

i get soooo excited when i've missed placed something and i find it months later! how awesome is that, and that it something spiritual???!! God directed right to that place for a reason! there's something in that book he wants you to see!

Jill said...

I love The Message! Beth Moore uses it a lot. My favorite translation is the New Living. I also like the Holman Christian Standard.

petrii said...

I love the Message Bible as well. I received one for my b-day from hubs. I also really like to study using my computer software Bible Explorer 4 (with talking Strong's) which I found at CPO for $9.99, I know get out of town, good deal =)

Oh I wanted to tell you that I am also doing the memorization. I saw it on your blog when you posted your first verse and checked it out. Just the boost I needed to hide God's Word in my heart more and more.

Love you friend, Dawn

Jenna said...

Oh yes, I am a huge fan of the Message Bible. I have that same parallel Bible, and I just can't get enough of it. You'll LOVE it!

Faith said...

So glad you found what you were looking for! I like to compare scriptures in the different translations too...one may have a way of speaking to you in a new way that makes complete sense.

I love you!

Rebecca Jo said...

Oh love that!!! I've always used NIV & that's what we teach in our youth so its hard for me to get away from it... but really like NLT & The Message as well.... I need a parallel Bible that has like 4 different ones together... that thing would weigh 10 lbs!!!

Enjoy your new Bible!!!

Kristin said...

My church has begun using the ESV (English Standard Version) and I love it!

Betsy said...

I love The Message Bible! In fact, I got Laura and Lindy both a nice leather bound edition for Christmas! Your new Bible sounds great! What a wonderful study tool!

Ginger said...

Hi,

My good friend from church absolutely loves The Message and refers to it often in our couples small group...I've got to get it. Right now I'm using the NIV Women's Devotional Bible and enjoy it. I will definitely check out The Message!

valerie said...

My very favorite Bible is my large print KJV because it has so many verses highlighted, notes & dates & initials of people I've prayed for. It's sad because it's falling apart. I use the NIV too because it's easier to understand.

On the internet I go to www.blueletterbible.com . It has a place on the left that says "study tools."
You can type a word in and it will show different places in the Bible where that word is found and what it means in the Hebrew or Greek. I've really enjoyed that website.

I'm glad you found such a nice Bible that will help you with your Scripture memorization.

Kendra said...

We LOVE The Message!! I am like you, I like to read it in NIV and then see the different take on it in The Message. We just got our this summer, and I remember telling David "It's like the Word all anew!!!" not that I ever grew tired of it before (God's word is so cool that way, it always seems applicable and enlightening!), but to have "new" translations was just so exciting to me! Still is!!!!

Jacquie said...

I have been reading my Message Bible lately. I like how present day it is. My favorite version is still the NIV... I guess it's my low reading level! But, I use a NKJV at church, cuz that's what Steve preaches out of.

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

I don't have "The Message" bible, but I have read scripture verses from various posts that makes me want to get one! How it describes the verses is awesome!

And I like to do "comparison" reading in different translations/versions when doing scripture study.

Think I might need to go to Lifeway to see what they have!

His Doorkeeper said...

I love "The Message" too. Not for a "study Bible" but just to read like a book. I love to read my Bible verses first in my NAS and then read it again in "The Message".

It has helped me many times to get the "jest" of the scripture.

JMBMOMMY said...

My hubby has a NIV/Message P Bible..he loves it...I find the message so funny at times.