If you didn’t know already, I am proud to be a review/affiliate blogger for Family Christian Stores.  They gave me a copy of The MacArthur Study Bible to review.

I enjoy shopping at Family Christian.  They have such a wide variety of references, fiction and nonfiction books, household items, home decor, clothing and accessories, gifts, collectibles, children’s toys, music and movies, and of course, Bibles!  I always find something special when I visit the store!  That’s why when I had the opportunity to sign up as an affiliate to help them get the word out about sales and other things of interest to my readers, I was psyched.  As always, I never agree to promote anything that I don’t use myself, or truly believe is worthy of mention to my readers.  Family Christian is an easy one to promote because it’s one of my favorite stores!

This week I am reviewing a copy of The MacArthur Study Bible, which can be found at Family Christian Store.  The actual edition I received is a hardcover copy, NIV version.  I have honestly been wanting this Bible for several years now!  But, study Bibles are so expensive, and I already have several other Bibles at home.  You know me, and how frugal I am, so I hadn’t been able to justify the cost to purchase it for myself.  Again, God has provided for me in abundance with this opportunity to review it.

I really love this particular study Bible because I enjoy reading articles and sermons online from John MacArthur.  He’s a pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California.  In fact, a few years ago as I was reading his sermons and engaging in conversation about them with a sweet older mentor, praying and reading my Bible (for the first time through), I learned what it means to be truly saved from my sin and to be a true follower of Christ.  God revived in my heart a new kind of love and joy that I had never experienced before.  It was then that I believe I was truly saved from my sin, although I had grown up as a strong believer (you can read my lengthy version of my testimony here if you like).

So, that explains why I was so excited to have the opportunity to own this study Bible.  I’ve been using it for the past couple of weeks and it’s such a great addition to my references.  I didn’t get to choose which version, but I’m happy with the NIV, I’m not picky and actually refer to lots of different translations while I’m reading.  I’m thrilled to have the ability to carry in my hands a reference that is really MacArthur’s notes, sermon excerpts, and interpretations, as I continue to read through the Bible for myself.  I have two other study Bibles, and many other books and online resources I use as I’m reading, but this has become the Bible I carry around with me most often for reference when I have a question.