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Without Rival: Embrace Your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Confusion and Comparison

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There is a reason we look at others as rivals and limit ourselves to comparison and competition. We have an enemy assaulting our mind, will, and emotions in the hope that we'll turn on ourselves and each other. It's a cycle that isolates us from intimate connections, creates confusion about our identity, and limits our purpose.

In Without Rival, bestselling author Lisa Bevere shares how a revelation of God's love breaks these limits. You'll learn how to stop seeing others as rivals and make the deep connections with your Creator you long for--connections that hold the promise of true identity and intimacy. With biblically sound teaching filled with prophetic insight for our day, Lisa uses humor and passion to challenge you to

· Flip rivalry so it brings out the best in you
· Stop hiding from conversations you need to be a part of
· Answer the argument that says women are unfit, easily deceived, and gullible
· Dismantle gender rivalry and work with the men in your life

It's time to step forward to live a life without rival.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 16, 2016

983 people are currently reading
3480 people want to read

About the author

Lisa Bevere

102 books726 followers
Lisa Bevere is a Christian author of the books Lioness Arising, Nurture, Fight Like a Girl, Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry, Out of Control and Loving It! Be Angry but Don't Blow It! The True Measure of a Woman, and You Are Not What You Weigh.
In addition to speaking at national and international conferences, she is a frequent guest on Christian television and radio shows. Lisa is also the cohost of the weekly television program The Messenger, which broadcasts to 214 nations. She and her husband, John Bevere, also a best-selling author, make their home in Colorado with their four sons Addison, Austin, Alec, and Arden.

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5 stars
1,101 (48%)
4 stars
693 (30%)
3 stars
368 (16%)
2 stars
80 (3%)
1 star
22 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
Profile Image for Alice Chittock.
157 reviews42 followers
September 18, 2016
Great book! This one really made me think.
We can break free of the rivallry we feel in so many areas of our life, our friendships, our relationships and even in our churches.
I particularly enjoyed reading Lisa's thoughts on women preaching, i know lots has already been written about this, but her words struck a particular chord with me. I found reassurance on how I have felt about doing this in the past.
I also loved reading about the early Christian women she mentions towards the end of the book. They were true warriors for Christ.
This book left me feeling reassured that our God is a God without rival, and that I can break free from the rivalry so in my life.
"God doesn't love us equally, he loves us uniquely."
More reviews at www.cherrydropprincess.com
Thanks net galley for a wonderful review copy of this book!
Profile Image for Kells Next Read .
574 reviews587 followers
December 28, 2016
I wanted to close off 2016 feeding my Inner Man. All these gems that I've put off all year I'm determine to devour them now. I feel so revive and strengthened by these time all truths that I know but as with all things, need reminding ever so often of.

Actual Ratings ~ 4.25
Profile Image for Julia.
3,025 reviews91 followers
September 17, 2016
Without Rival by Lisa Bevere is a marvellous book looking at what it means to be a woman of God without rival. I always enjoy Lisa Bevere's books as not only are they full of godly truths but also full of common sense. Lisa Bevere talks about things that I really should know but need reminding of.
Lisa Bevere talks about how God does not love us equally but uniquely. If we were equally loved, it would mean we were replaceable - and we're not. "I don't love my children equally. I love them uniquely." As earthly parents we love our children uniquely too, none of them are replaceable. To quote St Augustine "God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us."
We also need to know whose we are. If we know that we belong to God, we can feel secure, knowing we are loved without rival. It is not just enough to know about God, we need to know Him. We also need to remember not only to talk to God but to be quiet and listen to Him. "There is a vast difference between talking about God and listening to a God who talks to you."
There is a section on dreams. We are never too old to dream. If God places a dream in your heart, chase after it, pursue it. Never be put off by man. "It is far better to know God than to be known by man."
Lisa Bevere shows the importance of us all pulling together. If we see each other as rivals and there is no unity, then we are doing the devil's work for him. "The more we do his (Satan's) work, the less he has to do." Work with other Christians and not against them.
There is a section on the importance of being a woman. Women were never meant to be second class citizens to men. God created man and woman to be equal but different. Lisa Bevere gives stories of brave Christian women, including the woman at the well. Their stories inspire the reader. We should not fear man but we should have a healthy fear of God who has the power over life and death.
The book discusses the depth of our faith. Do we have a deep faith? Or a wishing well faith? Are we drawing closer to God? Or just paying lip service?
We are all subject to attacks from the enemy. We are all in a spiritual battle. If the enemy can get us to focus on our past, then we will not be looking forward into the future God has planned for us. We need to learn from the lessons of our past and remember that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.
There is a chapter on love as described in 1 Corinthians: 13. We are to love like that. We are never meant to judge people. We are meant to love them and leave any judging or changing in God's hands.
Once again Lisa Bevere has produced a fabulous book designed to help the reader in their walk with God. At the end of each chapter are some questions to help the reader look inside themselves and to draw closer to god in their own personal walk.
A wonderful read. Highly recommended.
I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.

Profile Image for Rachel.
438 reviews68 followers
February 25, 2017
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Looking for more book reviews? Check out Rachel Reading for more like this.

I am really sad I had to bail on this book. I was hesitant to try one of Lisa Bevere’s books honestly. Her husband came to spoke at my church (I attend Hillsong LA) and at first, I thought he was really profound, only to realize looking back that his speaking style and the points he was making weren’t really resonating long term. I also discovered that John Bevere is known for being very anti-gay, however, my church doesn’t let that message of condemnation ever be preached from the pulpit. This did color my vision of him and his wife.

I was granted this book on NetGalley and was really excited to read it. The topic seemed interesting, and I was hoping that the “controversial” topics wouldn’t be addressed. However, in a chapter that I originally was really excited about and was handled extremely well in regards to females in the church, Bevere made a very ignorant comment about trans* people. I’ve realized as I make my way through many of these Christian books a year (I sort of use these as my devotionals, reading a chapter a day, to learn more and dive into what He has in store for me) that even a simple paragraph like this makes it hard for me to soak in anything else the author has for me, so at that point I bailed.

I gave this book 1.5 stars because I liked the content up to then, but I know I wouldn’t have been able to get past the comments made. It really bums me out how prevalent and accepted this is in Christian publishing, and I wish we would just stop.
Profile Image for Ellen Kucharik.
36 reviews
March 23, 2017
Good advice. Didn't like the excessive use of the Message references and some examples seemed a little questionable.
Profile Image for Deanna Wiseburn.
Author 1 book5 followers
September 13, 2016
This book is so good and many will be set free! I'm going to really have to read it a few times to let all the truths sink in because I still struggle to see my worth and reading a book one time just isn't going to do it. But the Holy Spirit is shining a light and I know eventually the message will take root. So thankful that Lisa took the time and energy to write this book I know many will be helped!

After finishing the book the Lord revealed to me during my quiet time that I am still ashamed of who He created me to be. I am now open to the Lord’s correction as I seek to move forward into the person that God created me to be.

Received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Kristin Hodge.
175 reviews6 followers
February 28, 2021
Wow, This book is PACKED with amazing content. It's full of biblical TRUTHS. However hard some may be to hear, it's biblically sound. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I read Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere, and it was a much easier read. By easier I mean it was written in a way that kept me wanting more. At times, Without Rival felt long and drawn out, and by the end (even though it was great content) I was ready for it to be over. This is definitely one you want to have a highlighter and journal for notes! Very good book Lisa!
Profile Image for Cynthia Hernandez.
4 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2018
I would be tempted to immediately open this book and start reading it again but this book propels my response to open the word of God.
Lisa Bevere and her husband are incredible teachers constantly pointing your gaze to truths found in the Bible.
This book was so timely.
Profile Image for Tomomi Landsman.
97 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2019
I started reading this long ago through Prime Reading. This is the one book that I could not finish in my memory.

I started reading it without having any idea of what kind of book this would be. That's how I like to start reading my books, by letting the book tell me what it is, rather than any description written by someone else. So I didn't know that this would be 1) a self-help book, 2) a Christian self-help book, and 3) a feminist Christian self-help book.

All three of those things are strikes against the book, but none of them would have caused me to stop reading, even in combination. The reason why I stopped reading was the way Bevere "quoted" the Bible. I don't know if this is common in Christian self-help books, but it seemed to me that Bevere paraphrased the Bible in whatever way convenient to her message, and printed it as a direct quote. Now I realize the quotes are from the Message Bible from reading some of the other reviews here, but that doesn't make me want to read that or this book.
8 reviews
August 17, 2016
I think this is possibly Lisa Bevere's best book yet!

The giant V sums it up- victory for God's daughters!

Lisa writes in her typically honest and direct style, tackling issues that can block our God-given identity and destiny like comparison, disappointments, fear, gender stereotypes and much more. She also challenges us to be women of depth and perseverance, valuing what we each have to contribute. The wide-range of content in this book means that there will be something for everyone to take away.

Packed with truth and fresh insights into Scriptures you've most likely read a thousand times, she continually draws the reader back to who God is, His heart and unique love for each of us and the truth of God's Word.

The questions at the end of each chapter make this book ideal for small group study or to work through personally and journal as you go. This book will both challenge and encourage. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Cayla.
647 reviews
December 13, 2018
This was different than what I was expecting. I really liked the beginning with the reminder that God made us uniquely for His glory, in His image, so that we can find our full identity and purpose in Him. But as the book went on, I didn't find it as relatable or applicable. There were some good nuggets, but I guess I was looking to read more about our identity in Christ and how the more we find oursleves secure in who He made us, the less we fall prey to comparison.

Also, it concerned me how much she quoted out of The Message Bible translation.

(Alternatively, an excellent book on learning what it means to find identity in Christ is A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises, by Renee Swope. I read it years ago and loved it.)

3.5/5
Profile Image for Pam Scott.
7 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2017
Great book for Women of Faith

This book was very in depth and made me look inside and around myself to begin to see how I allowed myself to compare myself to other women and how this rival engrained itself into my thoughts,faith and action. I came away knowing that God loves me uniquely and that I have no Rival because I belong to God through the Saving Blood of Jesus Christ.
Profile Image for Kaylie Longley.
273 reviews3 followers
November 20, 2017
I've read many books on identity but never from a feminist-Christian perspective. Author, preacher, and public speaker, Bevere provides ample Biblical, social, and anecdotal evidence on the uniqueness of each individual. She reveals God loves his people uniquely, not equally, and this inspiring, challenging statement runs thematically throughout the book: it is a unique time, and all Christians are called to participate through their different talents, experiences, and environments. Bevere encourages female leadership in and outside the church, which is personally encouraging. She loses steam the last couple chapters, and the metaphor of water wells feels like an endless tangent. Despite this, I will return to this book, now waterlogged and inked with notes. I have much to do.
Profile Image for Andrea.
47 reviews9 followers
June 22, 2017
I think it's important for every woman to read this.

In an age full of confusion and competition; Lisa Bevere shows us how to embrace our individuality.
As we begin to understand that God loves us uniquely, we move on from mindsets that limit us. We recognize the gifts and talents that God has given us. We begin to understand who God is, and thus who we are in Him.

It's about knowing who you are and boldly living the life you were called to live.
"It is so hard to know who you are if you too busy looking at who you are not or at who everyone else is. You must know who you are in this journey called life if you are to walk and not faint."

Profile Image for Grace.
141 reviews10 followers
October 23, 2018
Loved this so much!
So many amazing thoughts about living your best life, free from comparison to others.

There were some really interesting historical accounts of some "nameless" women in the new Testament. And whether they are true or not, it was refreshing to get a new perspective about women in the bible.

Seriously, I took away so many amazing lessons from this, which I can't all put in this review.
But something that has stuck with me a lot is:
"Fear reacts, love chooses."
Will try to love more, instead of just reacting to my circumstances.
Profile Image for Annette.
30 reviews
November 5, 2017
Lisa Bevere's book will speak to your soul. The book will help women find their God given purpose. It is very encouraging. God has uniquely made each of us !
Profile Image for Ali.
202 reviews5 followers
August 19, 2024
The content was good, but the writing style wasn't my cup of tea.
Profile Image for Jessica.
963 reviews113 followers
November 24, 2017
Such depth. Such encouragement. Lisa Bevere truly is a deep well and I am grateful that she has gone before me braving the path of women and mothers and ministry, that while taking the steps up the hiking path of life, she turns back and lends a hand to all of us coming along behind her or beside her.
In this book and every teaching of hers, I love that she doesn't shy away from tough issues; she isn't PC; she isn't afraid to tell truth.
Profile Image for April.
30 reviews
April 24, 2020
I was disappointed in this book a little. I was hoping to get more out of it. I did like the last 2 chapters.
Profile Image for Emma White.
56 reviews
January 24, 2019
I liked this book. The beginning and end were most meaningful for me to read, which meant I took a very long time to read the middle, but anyone could enjoy something out of this book. The majority of my job involves technical writing, which meant I was mentally editing Lisa's writing as I went along and wishing to make it more straightforward and concise. She used too many words to say one thing a lot of the time. However, she does well addressing the many-sided and prevalent issue of comparison and identity. If this is something you struggle with, let me know and I'll lend you my copy!
Profile Image for Kirby.
855 reviews42 followers
September 27, 2021
There's never been so many pressures in our world towards how us women are supposed to be. Every single day we're bombarded by social media, the entertainment industry, and other worldly influences that seem to tell us that we're not enough, and we must strive to be like their perfect examples. However, these ideals are definitely not Biblical, and Lisa Bevere represents this perfectly in her book Without Rival.

Comparison is the thief of joy, and that's not how God has ever wanted any of us to live our lives. This book really got me thinking about the many ways stereotypes and expectations have shaped too much of my mindset in recent years, and I love that our Heavenly Father has created each of us how He wanted us to be, and that He loves each of us in our own unique way. However, I loved the fact that Lisa chooses to approach this topic from a Biblical point of view, and does not use these notions as a license to keep sinning as I've unfortunately seem so many do in recent years.

She addresses the issues of comparison, confusion, gender identity, needing to be deep wells, and how important it is for each and every one of us to be filled completely with Jesus and nothing else. She touches on the downfall of Christians in recent years to not want to truly recognize sin as sin, and that was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. My very favorite part, however, was the story of the woman at the well. I loved getting to learn more about this lady and the amazing life she went on to live after the encounter with Jesus that changed her life.

I really ended up enjoying this one, and I think Lisa Bevere is an extremely talented author and Biblical speaker. However, I do have to mention my one negative thought from this one, and it's something I've seen quite a bit with newer published Christian living titles. I don't understand why these authors insist on using the Message translation as their main translation throughout their works. I'd appreciate all the Biblical insight so much more if it was quoted from a more reliable translation. Overall though, this one gave me lots to think about, and I'd definitely recommend giving it a read.

Final Rating: 4/5.
Profile Image for Iryna *Book and Sword*.
491 reviews677 followers
July 25, 2017
It is not a book you can just read, it is a book you want to study, read, highlight and read again.

There are so many wonderful quote worthy moments in this book. There has also been many Amen! moments for me.
Especially this one:
"The first woman came from a man,true- but ever since then, every man comes from a woman! "
It is a truth I always knew but never fully grasped.

I am giving this book 4 stars because it wasn't quite what I expected it to be. I was looking for more ways to battle jealousy, hatred and same sex rivals in every day life. Book had a lot of topics, but maybe the one I wanted wasn't covered deep enough.

I would recommend this book to be read by all girls who are becoming of age and struggling with the pressures of this world. Sadly, we are often the ones who put those pressures on ourselves. I would also recommend women who lost sense of direction to read this book.

I would definitely like to read more by Lisa Bevere.

Wanted to finish my short review with amazing quote from a book.
"If you are not intentional with your time, your days will float away from you, as you are pushed and pulled by demands and distractions".
Profile Image for Riri.
5 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2022
One of the liberating books I've read!
I bought this book 2 years ago and stopped somewhere on the first few chapters. I'm glad I picked it up again. This book isn't one of those self-help books that tells you to look in your inner self to truly discover who you are. But this book will point you to WHOSE you are and WHO you are in Christ. We can only understand our identity and purpose when we look to Jesus. The world has created labels, standards and mold that are far from what the Bible teaches. "We live in a world pregnant with words, ideas, books, thoughts, social connections, beauty, creativity, and wisdom. So much of it is wonderful. BUT there is a dangerous pull from this world that would try to weigh you down..."
My favorite chapters in the books are: 3 (A Promise Without Rival) - my best takeaway from this chapter is that God has given us new names when we were born again and that our destiny is attached to that given name and 7 (The Rivalry of Fear and Love) - Jesus became vulnerable when He stripped himself of his divine nature... in order to reveal God's love to us. So I can love fearlessly as well.And those who love fearlessly, live fearlessly.
4 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2017
I love the concept, but while some chapters were exceptionally well written, overall I kept wanting to go deeper and never quite got the satisfaction. The teaching touched on a lot of aspects, seemed to be backed solidly by scripture, and covered a lot of area, but I was looking forward to more of a "deep well" experience. I have still recommended this to friends as the concept is well worth sharing. Personally, I wish there was a little something more to really drive this home, but maybe it's just her writing style that doesn't resonate with me.
Profile Image for Sherrinda.
Author 4 books91 followers
January 10, 2017
Enjoyed the book. I loved her thoughts on how God loves us uniquely because He created us uniquely. We are without rival in His eyes, because we are one of a kind. The beginning held my attention more than the end, but it was worth reading for just the first half of the book. Glad I bought it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Karen Murano.
102 reviews7 followers
January 6, 2017
She is the essence of a double espresso for my faith walk. Love her books.
Profile Image for Amanda.
268 reviews5 followers
January 2, 2017
I really love Lisa Bevere. I think my rating has to do with me finishing this on audiobook.
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