40 Verses to Ignite Your Faith: Surprising Insights from Unexpected Passages

by Laurie Polich Short

Many of us have our "go to" verses. The ones we memorize, post on social media, and hang on our walls. But sometimes we need a fresh word or promise for the season we find ourselves in--something that ignites our faith in the face of fear, doubt, loneliness, insecurity, or overwhelming circumstances.

In this powerful, accessible new book, author and speaker Laurie Short mines the Scriptures, revealing insights and promises from 40 verses we often overlook. Digging in to these "in between" verses, she unearths fresh wisdom, guidance, and encouragement that will help you seek and experience God in new, dynamic ways. From trusting God's timing, to not worrying about the future, to holding on to faith when things look dark, the hidden insights found in these verses will help you navigate the challenges that cross your path, breathe new life into your weary soul, and ignite your faith once again.

Genres: Spirituality, Faith, Christian, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2019

Reviews

[victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an incredible writing, encouraging and compelling to read with that also challenging us by used 40 verses to helping us to go deeper and more understanding in every corner and detail with a new confidence, out of your fear and getting closer to God than you never think before. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book from Bethany House for this review”.

[Christine Polli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurie Short is an excellent writer and speaker. She takes seemingly common or even inconsequential verses and brings them to life with a deeper meaning you may not other wise see. It starts with the first page! She is open, honest and clear. I don't know what else I could say. I highly recommend this book/study to anyone who is looking to understand passages in the Bible.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed adding these devotions to my daily Bible reading. It was very interesting to see which verses the author of this study chose to dig into. I also found myself surprised at times to see what she drew out of the verses and how I had not connected them with certain topics that she had. These devotions definitely made me think and study the settings that each verse was in, so that I could understand them in context. I think that this book could be a good addition to Bible study for both men and women.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Kayla Barriger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Short chapters make for an easy read. There's some good insights in it. It would be good for anyone, especially new Christians, who want to take a deeper look at the Bible. Here's my notes:
Gen. 16:2 - "God knows that when things happen when we want them to happen, we celebrate. But when things happen after we think it's too late for them to happen, we worship. God is revealed more in what He doesn't do and allows then in what He does do and doesn't allow."
Gen. 16:13 - "God writes His story with us--not apart from us--and He includes the messiness of our choices in the way His stories unfold."
Gen. 41:1 - "Some things that need to happen in our lives can only be accomplished through time...the waits that seem endless now will one day be seen as necessary for what they brought us, and we will recognize their value in our spiritual growth. We cannot grow our faith if we aren't given a chance to exercise it."
Ex. 3:12 - "Signs don't bring us faith; they merely serve to underline what we already believe. The most compelling signs are revealed to us after faith is exercised, not before. Risk is part of the journey, and each time we step out with our fear, our faith grows. Our faith isn't strengthened by getting what we need in advance, but by watching God deliver it when we need it."
Ex. 16:19 - "God doesn't want us to be led by fear or worry. [We need to] stay with God in the now. The thing we cling to is never as good as what God has; we just have to let go in order to receive it. So often when God brings abundance, we see ourselves as owners rather than stewards. That's where the trouble begins and the clinging starts. We think we are entitled to what we've received, and having too much becomes a lifestyle; we forget that God's provision is involved in everything we have. Even things we think we've earned have come from God; they are gifts that are given to us to steward and share. Our ability to let go of them and give to others out of our abundance is the freedom God dreams for us. Our response to the invitation to hold things loosely is determined by our amount of faith."
Ex. 32:1 - "Our choices are fueled by our company. The voices you surround yourself with will be the voices that influence you. Waiting is part of our spiritual growth, and only by waiting do we gain the ability to wait."
Num. 13:27-28 - "Our perspective can determine the success or failure of our journey of faith. We cannot conquer the land if we don't have the courage to go into the land. [Negative people] minimize the good and maximize the bad, and the land evolves to match their perspective. Fear moves us back to what we've known, even if what we've known is what we formerly longed to escape. When we are led by fear, we sometimes choose the misery of the predictable over the risk of the unpredictable. Pay attention to which voices around [you] cause[s] the doubt and fear that weaken [your] faith."
Deut. 10:13 - "The freedom we think we'll find by escaping boundaries is actually found by living within them. Cheapening [God's] name is an inadvertent attempt to downgrade God from the throne He is to occupy. The more we are able to see ourselves as temporary, the more apt we are to reach for eternal things, and the Sabbath gives us this opportunity. Our words and actions breathe life or death into people every day."
Judges 7:2 - "Faith is only built by experience, and the more we risk, the more faith we acquire."
I Sam 3:10 - "When we ask God to speak, we need to be prepared to do what God says."
2 Sam 11:1 - "Withc each poor choice we make, the momentum to go in the wrong direction picks up, and as the temptation moves forward, our desire becomes harder to subdue."
1 Kings 17:2-4 - "When we are fueled in our own faith, we are equipped to fuel others."
I Chron. 17:23 - "There is a side note of sacrifice in this passage that we should notice. Having god's perspective means we are willing to not see what we want to see or have what we want to have as God's story unfolds. Our no in God's story may mean someone else's yes, and our willingness to bear that no may include sacrifice."
Est. 4:14 - "If we never give God the things we have, we will never know what God could have done with them. We see only as much of His power as our sacrifice and vision allow."
Job 1:8 - It is out of God's confidence in Job, not His condemnation of him, that Job's suffering is allowed. Only when things are stripped away do we truly recognize God's sufficiency."
Ps 143:5 - "Time brings new meaning to past circumstances because you see how those circumstances were used."
Ecc. 5:15 - "Let King Tut's tomb be a reminder of what you will leave behind that will have no lasting importance. And let people around you become the investments you focus on in the time God has you here."
Ecc. 11:5 - "If we are too set on the path we want, we may lose out on an important detour."
Is. 30:21 - "When God has the freedom to lead us, He can take us to places that, without him, we would never see."
Is. 50:11 - "The warning in this verse is the torment we inflict on ourselves when we don't wait for God and attempt to find our own solutions. The longing we may feel during our time in the darkness makes the joy that much sweeter then God leads us out of it.
Jon. 1:5 - "Our response to God's Spirit makes the difference in how our story lived. Sometimes when we are running away from God, God uses people around us to convict us without even knowing they are a part of God's ploy. the more we ignore God's voice, the less we are apt to hear or respond. It is when we hear what we don't want to hear that our faith is tested and we are suddenly tempted to grow deaf [to God's answers to our prayers]. [This story] speaks about how God's Spirit chases us and never gives up."
Jon. 3:4 - "God's grace precedes Jonah's actions. [In this story], we find room for the second chances we need. The way God's word is heard is always beyond our power and control. Obedience is not always about having the perfect words or intention. It's stepping out with a willingness to do what god says in spite of how you may feel. Jonah teaches us that the promise of a second chance is ours when we are ready to say yes to what God asks."
Hab. 3:17-18 - "Sometimes we need to look at the bigger story to see that god is working. God rarely explains His actions; instead, He shows us that there is always more going on than we can see. What our circumstances present to us is not the full picture of what will eventually be revealed (Job 42, Psalm 73, Habakkuk 3). Perhaps our loss is making room for new hope, or our need is making room for the way God will meet it. The yet makes this verse a defiant cry of an unwavering faith."
Matt. 1:6 - "What is remembered after we are gone is the part we had in God's story and the way we played our part. Uriah's brief life granted him little time, and no children to carry on his seed. Yet he is included by name in the genealogy of the Messiah, and he is the only man outside of Jesus's line to have a part. Furthermore, Uriah's devotion to his wife and God are celebrated in how he is listed. The mother of Solomon who passed on the seed to Jesus would always be remembered as Uriah's wife."
Matt. 11:2-3 - "We can approach God with [our] questions--and let God know our doubts have rattled our belief. The story God is weaving together often differs from what out immediate vision allows us to see."
Mark 2:5 - "We have to trust that god sometimes answers us with something even more important than we know to pray. In this weighty moment, we see that what is invisible to us is what God values most when He looks at us."
Lk. 22:31 - "Even if we fall, God will see us through. God uses our trials and temptations for what they will produce in our faith. The experience of needing grace yourself gives you a much better bridge to impart grace to others. Jesus doesn't pray that Peter will not fall; He prays instead that Peter's faith will not fall. The last part of this verse is Peter's call to ministry even int he midst of a proclamation of Peter's biggest failure. This reveals that our most effective ministry may actually be born more from our weakness than our strength. Our weakness equips us to come alongside others with knowledge that only experience will allow."
Jn. 11:35 - "What looked to be Jesus's apathy was a deliberate withholding for the joy that was to come. Even though God knows the glory ahead, He accompanies us in the sorrows this life brings us. Our sorrow can often pave the way for God to thrill us."
Jn. 20:21 - "It is often through our sufferings that God gives us our greatest reach. We can find purpose in our pain by becoming a wounded healer."
2 Cor. 12:8-9 - "Paul's shift in perspective caused him to stop asking for the thorn to be removed and learn to embrace what the thorn was teaching him. God edits our prayers through the Holy Spirit in ways that are designed for our growth.
Eph. 1:18-19 - God has called us into heavenly hope not for what may happen, but for something that will happen. It is only called hope because we haven't yet seen it come to pass. "
Phill. 1:12 - "We can pray for our circumstances to change, but Paul encourages us to spend our energy and time on what God may want us to do while we are here. When we trust that we are where God wants us, even if it is not where we would have chosen to be, our response allows us to be used for God's glory."
1 Jn. 4:12 - "Taking initiative when it is not deserved appears to be the exact way to reflect God's love for us. The very person who deserves your love least presents you with your greatest opportunity."

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved taking a look at scripture that I have read but haven’t given a lot of thought to.

Each chapter is a short little read, it won’t take you long, you could read one each day or more. Whatever works for you.

If you want a fresh look at the scriptures I recommend this book.

A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Note:  This book was provided free of charge by Bethany Books.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

This book is an example, and a very worthwhile example, of the benefits of having a woman write a book about the Bible that is not only directed at women.  All too often Christian books written by women are aimed only at women and do not even attempt to be of interest to whatever men would happen to pick them up.  This book, though, is definitely an exception to that particular trend, and that is a very good thing.  The author writes with a clear sense of purpose (to encourage and stir up the reader with stories of faith and God's providential care) and she goes well beyond the familiar verses and passages for most believers.  All of this combines for a book that is short but deeply interesting and certainly surprising.  Since people struggle with worry, trusting God's timing, dealing with weariness and challenges in life, this book certainly has a strongly practical bent in terms of what the author is seeking to help for others.  To be sure, if people read the Bible often, they would be familiar with these stories, but perhaps a book like this can encourage readers to dig a bit deeper beyond their favorite passages.

To be sure, within this short book of less than 200 pages the author manages to discuss passages from the wide range of scripture.  The first nine passages come from the law (the first four from Genesis alone).  After that there are plenty of passages from the writings and prophets, including two from Jonah.  Fully 3/4 of the material of the book comes from the Hebrew Scriptures, a remarkable percentage for Christian books, which often tend to neglect these areas.  The last ten of the verses come from the New Testament, with six of them from the Gospels and three of them from the Pauline epistles, which are probably among the more familiar areas where the author discusses passages.  It should be noted that the author does as good job at finding obscure passages--one of the passages included is from Isaiah 50 and discusses the folly of lighting our own fires.  Other passages explore affliction, some lessons from relatively obscure Psalms, and the sorrow of God and of believers and how it was dealt with.  Overall, one could always want more from a book like this, but that suggests there is room perhaps for a sequel.

One of the more worthwhile aspects of this book is the way that the author weaves her own life story and her own personal experiences into this book in a way that is pervasive but thankfully never obtrusive.  For example, the long period of singlehood by the author makes her more compassionate for those who feel isolated and alone (and that is a great many people) than many writers are whose life experience has been more fortunate in that regard.   When the author speaks about Job, for example, she focuses on the beginning and end.  There are certainly some lessons she could have drawn but did not--she misses the chance in talking about Exodus 16 and the maggots in the manna to discuss the importance of Sabbathkeeping.  That said, the book does accomplish what the author sets out to do and that is present a generally obscure and passionately discussed selection of Bible verses and passages from all over the Bible.  Again, there are plenty of verses and passages that could have been included in this work, which means there is plenty more for the author to write about and discuss in future volumes.

[Connywithay · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My hope is that the insights in this book will provide you with new confidence when you experience the fear, disappointment, and silence that play an integral part of your relationship with God,” Laurie Polich Short writes in the introduction of her book, 40 Verses to Ignite Your Faith: Surprising Insights from Unexpected Passages.

~ What ~
At one-hundred-and-seventy-three-pages, this small paperback targets those who enjoy reflections from mostly obscure verses in the Bible and how they can be applied to everyday living. Using mainly the New International Version of the Holy Bible, also referenced are the ESV, NASB, and NLT.

After a table of contents and introduction, this book contains forty chapters, each one being three pages long with a title at the top of the page and a Bible verse written out. Several paragraphs follow related to the topic. Each chapter’s ending contains three questions of reflection regarding the topic that are applicable to the reader.

In the same order as the Bible, thirty verses of the Old Testament begin in Genesis and include ten from the New Testament that cover Matthew to I John. Some of the discussions are about the fall of mankind, the Israelites wandering in the desert, Samuel hearing God’s voice, Job’s trials, psalms and Ecclesiastes, Jonah running from God, John the Baptist’s questioning, Jesus weeping, and Paul’s imprisonment to name a few. Some viewpoints mentioned are that God gives second chances, everything is in His timing, leaning on Him is best, and He often leads us silently from behind.

~Why ~
I appreciate devotionals that have little information about the author but focus on God, and this book does that, rarely mentioning herself. The topics are short and to the point, easy to be read in a few minutes. The author explains the verses and summarizes circumstances surrounding them and how they can be applied to us today in regard to worry, fear, doubt, insecurity, hope, trust, and more. I like the way the three questions at the end of each chapter are asked, often deep in concept.

One of my favorite chapters was on Esther 4:14 titled “A Story within the Story” about how the new queen was already involved in protecting the Jews without knowing it. To become the deliverer of her people, she had to overcome her fear while giving up her silence. The questions cover God’s purpose in our lives, looking back on past situations, and considering the gifts, talents, and positions God has given us.

~ Why Not ~
Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may not want to get a book that focuses on having more faith and trust in the Almighty by reviewing rogue verses. Others may wish there were more than forty verses.

~ Wish ~
Although I love the format of this book, I wish more verses were included and that short prayers were added with applicable Bible readings.

~ Want ~
If you like reading lesser-known Bible verses and applying them to your daily walk with Christ, this would make an excellent choice or gift for someone who needs encouragement via Biblical resources.

Thanks to Book Look Bloggers for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.

[Jerrye Tellmeagreatstorylove · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 Verses to Ignite Your Faith by Laurie Polich Short

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

____________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Laurie Polich Short offers Bible studiers an excellent 40 day study of some verses that hold deep truths inside a “simple” message that will inspire closer looks at some overlooked passages.

I love devotionals/verse challenges that look at verses or passages that are often passed over for the more popular or quoted ones. We each have verses that are personally relevant to our lives but we can’t keep our focus on those verses alone. We must also seek out passages we have yet to study so that our Faith might be challenged and grow ever stronger. This is the goal of Ms. Short’s proffered devotional and I, for one, am enjoying the study. I haven’t completely finished it yet but it is because I am finding so much good information inside that I can’t just rush through it. Each day a verse is presented and then dissected to help studiers see beyond the written word to the context and intention of the writer. God has no useless or careless verses in His written Word and I love the ways Ms. Short invites readers to come along on her journey to discover His “hidden” truths. Proverbs 25:2 says “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the privilege of kings to search it out” and I fully believe Ms. Short’s study will help seeking believers do just that. I further enjoyed the personal experiences and happenings that Ms. Short included to help illustrate a verse’s meaning. Her style of writing is easy to read while also challenging to the mind and spirit. Anyone who takes on this study will find themselves learning important lessons while also enjoying the material presented. I liked that the study could be used by newer Christians as well as those who have been Believers for years given that the passages were not long or difficult to read. For some it will spark a first time desire to read deeper and further, for others it will spark a renewal of desire to study overlooked passages. I am greatly looking forward to seeing what else I will learn as I finish up this study in the days to come. I will certainly be recommending this study to others as I believe it will be both a challenge and delight for them to take on. I have definitely added Ms. Short to my list of “to-read-in-the-future” authors and will be looking into some of her former writings for additional Bible study helps.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[Marvy Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Bethany House Publisher via NetGalley, this review expresses my personal opinion.

This book like the name itself, take us from the Old Testament to the New Testament with not common and maybe verse we never thought were related to faith, it's a wonderful journey of discovering.

What I like about this book is that Laurie Polich Short, did a great job not only explain each Bible verse. But the honesty and on which she presented herself, she is talking from her own experience and at the same time, she is humble enough to talk about her own difficult times. I like that this book does not represent a formula, she is not telling you: This is the way you should be, than actually: This is how God want you live, think and act.

They were so many quotes I found and truly like of this book, this is just some of them:

Some things that need to happen in our life can be only accomplished through time.

We cannot grow ate faith if we don't have the chance to exercise.

God wants us to live with our faith in our present.

Sometimes we even make the choice to grab on to dead things because we are afraid to let go.

What beginnings as but eventually becomes a barrier.

Faith is built only by experience and the more we risk, the more faith will have.

The story have for us is bigger we can imagine, we have to be willing to let go the crutches(fear, control, over analyzing) to Him.

I believe this book will challenge you to look deeper and to really be honest with God and yourself and help you to grow on your faith.

Truly grateful for the ARC of this book from Bethany House Publisher.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Short has provided thought provoking reflections on some Bible verses of less notoriety. There is a depth to the devotions I found refreshing.

The verses Short chose are not wonderful promises like we see in so many devotionals. They lent themselves to comments about our disappointments with God such as when He seems silent. Short reminds us that God ultimately uses such times to strengthen our relationship with Him.

I like the insights Short shares based on the Scriptures. One that impressed me was on timing. Some times God takes a long time to fulfill a dream, such as Joseph's of his brothers bowing down. As with Joseph, the dream comes true only after it seems it couldn't possibly happen. She has good thoughts on how waiting is part of our spiritual growth.

Short introduced me to a new concept in our spiritual experience called an agogic moment. It is when we are spoken to by something or Someone bigger than ourselves. God initiates the experience but we determine its effect.

This is a good collection of forty devotions on serious topics concerning our spiritual experience. Short's writing is thoughtful, not fluffy like some devotions. She includes good insights on patience, fear, suffering, thorns, circumstances, and many more. And there are great reflection questions at the end of each devotion. This book would be a good one for a personal forty day retreat with Bible and journal in hand.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Joanne Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we need encouragement, we often open our Bibles to search out the familiar, the underlined, and the noted. Often we read in a lesser known version in the hopes of a new insight.

We long for a fresh promise for the current season we are living.

In her latest book, 40 Verses to Ignite Your Faith, Laurie Polich Short brings insights from lesser known verses to encourage us in our journeys with God and life.

There are forty devotionals taking us through forty verses we can easily miss as we read some of the well known stories or oft quoted verses. Hidden in these lesser known verses we uncover a gentle whisper and insight which will broaden our understanding of who God is and the way He works in the lives of His people.

“The lesser know Scriptures that we pass over can help us discover new angles that can breathe life into our faith.” (from page 12)

Each chapter is a short reading, making this book a wonderful forty day devotional. There are several questions included at the close of each chapter for deeper reflection that can be used both personally or in a group for discussion.

This was a new to me author and her writing style was authentic, easily understood, and richly encouraging. 40 Verses to Ignite Your Faith will refresh and renew your faith by bringing insight to the hidden and in between verses we often overlook.

*I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Leona Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of 40 Verses to Ignite Your Faith by Laurie Polich Short

In this book Laurie Polich Short offers what she says are "Surprising Insights from Unexpected Passages" in the bible. Laurie shares 40 scriptures taken from the Old and New Testaments that are often overlooked or obsure verses, and shows us how they might be relatable to our lives today.

She deals with doubt, God's timing, aloneness, waiting, obedience, trust, tempations, faith, decisions, prayer, sorrow and much more.

As you read through this book of "40 Verses"you will surely find many that you can relate to, and many that will encourage and uplift you. For instance, some chapters titles are: "Moving Ahead of God's Timing", "The Courage to Pray for a Bigger Story", "Running Away from God", "The Answer You Weren't Looking For", and more. You are sure to find many relatable chapters in this book.

This book not only lists the scriptures and Laurie's messages regarding them, but it also has Reflection questions on each verse which help the reader to ponder over each meaning and apply what was learned to their own life.

I would recommend this book as a great daily devotional or as a bible study for a church or home group.

It is a book that will not be just read once and forgotten, but will be a resource to read and glean from many times over.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

--Leona J. Atkinson

[Julie D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got so much out of this book! It has verses from the Bible that we might skim over or not realize the really profound insights that they provide to us.

I highlighted extensively throughout this book - in fact, there's more highlighting than white space in my book now! I gained so much from these 40 verses that Laurie shares. She focuses on so many things that we deal with on a daily basis. The why's of why we suffer, the how's of navigating everyday life, and our relationship with God and others. I was brought to a greater understanding of God's ways and how to react when certain things do happen.

I especially loved the 3 questions that she asked us after each chapter. These questions helped me to really dig deep about the verse she shared and how I can apply the Biblical truth to my own life. I always love books that give us the tools to apply God's precepts to our own life.

This is a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone that wants to grow in their relationship with God and to grow in their faith. In fact, I did recommend it to my doctor who purchased it and loved it as well. She was as intrigued as I was with learning more about these particular verses of the Bible. I highly recommend it to you, as well.

*This book was provided to me by Bethany House. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.

[Evelyn Lilyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short, well-written, little book can be used as a devotional. The author did an amazing job of using Scripture from the entire Bible, not just the NT (as many books tend to neglect the OT). The verses she chose are not ones we see every day on merch, preached about, or discussed and this is the unique beauty of this book.

The author gives a short insight on each verse (about 2 pages) so the chapters are short, making this a perfect devotional. I liked that she spends about 3/4 of the book in the OT, taking several verses from one book at a time. I appreciate, since, the OT is often neglected. She covers many topics, which is amazing since she did that in under 40 verses. At the end of each chapter, there are a few questions for reflection.

All in all, I recommend this book to all, Christians of many years as well as those new to the faith, you are sure to find much meat and milk here.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[Angela Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I thought it would be more about the verses themselves but the majority of the book was interpretation of the Bible verses. Each section contains a verse at the beginning and then Short gives a commentary on it. Going into the book, I thought it would have verses that I could memorize or post up, but I didn't find that was the case. For example, one verse was 2 Samuel 11:1 "In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army." Even with Short's commentary on it, I don't think memorizing the verse would encourage me or ignite my faith.

Nevertheless, the book does pull out verses and portions of stories that people often don't focus on, like the verse I mentioned above which starts the story of David and Bathsheba. This book may encourage and ignite some people's faith and found it somewhat interesting but it fell short of what I expected.

[Caitlin (CMAReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bethany House for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed how this book examined verses that tend to be overlooked because of where there are in a place in the Bible. Some of the verses are near more of the familiar ones, and others are tucked into the stories of someone’s life. I think that it is important to pay attention to all of the verses, but I know that it can be easy to overlook some of them because others may seem more applicable.

This is where Short comes in. With this book, she shows how these verses are just as important as the other ones – which she is so right about. Everything in the Bible is the living, active word. However, it can be easy to focus on some verses more than others. I liked how she took the time to explain the importance of these verses and how they add depth to the story told throughout the Bible.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 Verses to Ignite Your Faith: Surprising Insights from Unexpected Passages by [Laurie Polich Short]I love when a book surprises me, in a good way. This book offers 40 different verses which may be overlooked normally and they show the importance of these words to the time and to my life. As the title states, these verses can ignite a faith that may have become a little stale. Each verse has a short, maybe 1-2 page, reading to give insight to the verse. Laurie P. Short has done such a good job, I would love to see her speak sometime or perhaps meet with her.

This book would be for anyone who could use a fresh look at the scriptures. I highly recommend it.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. Every chapter focuses on one "lesser-known" Bible verse and what we can learn from it. I used this in my quiet time, however it could be used in a group setting as well. Each chapter is only a few pages long, but there is just enough to make you think. I thought the questions at the end of each chapter were OUTSTANDING and would be great to discuss in a small group setting. I will be keeping this on my shelf for future use and plan to give a couple of copies as gifts. I recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Betsy French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not gonna lie. I do not like bubble gum, “make you feel good”, shallow, and/or flowery devotional books. I reluctantly tried this book when a trusted friend suggested it. SURPRISE! Not only do I like this book, but it spoke to me during a seriously challenging season of life.

I love me some Bible....so the “less known” scriptures were known to me, but the concise and challenging yet kind writing of the author reminded me of very deep, true, and encouraging truths.

FANTASTIC for quick trips in the car with audiobook. Little nuggets to hear that hit you hard right when you need them.

[Samantha Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart Provoking

There were alot of interesting concepts that one would never have considered when going through difficulties. This book was very insightful. There are a few things I didn't agree with one hundred percent, but overall I really liked this book. I would highly recommend reading this book.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic devotional. Actually, one of the best I have EVER read. There is so much meat in each devotion that I usually spent at least an entire week on each one. In fact, it took me 7 months to read/ponder all of them. Truly amazing insights into 40 relatively obscure Scripture passages. A must-read!!

[Carol Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

Laurie has a way of delving into a Biblical topic with such insight and opening it up to the reader to think, to apply God's word, to act upon what we learned as we read. One of the best devotionals I've studied. I'm certain I'll be reading through it again to learn more.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm Glad I met You

I began to read this book with some skepticism. I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I saw it as another book mechanically written to be sold for a profit. However, I am thankful for the experience since the author hit the proverbial nail on the head many times as each verse was considered.

[Tracy Fritts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading 40 verses to Ignite your faith. It was well written and well thought out.
I received a copy of this book from the Publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always looking at new ways to grow spiritually and, if it involves the road not taken, that's even better. This book takes 40 obscure scripture verses and uses them to make the reader think outside the box. It's currently (as of January 2020) available as a free Amazon Prime read.

[An Lucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book! Chapters are only a few pages long and easy to read quick in the morning. The verses are awesome and the lessons learned are applicable in so many life situations. Would be great as a personal study or a bible study!

[Ashli Carlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Makes you question

This was a wonderful read! I'm a deep and critical thinker, I love the reflections at the end to help you truly process what you read and to really challenge yourself about what you truly believe and know about scripture. Enjoyed it!

[Anita Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book 10 stars.

This book is great for the busy mother because the chapters are simple and about 2 to 3 pages long. Laurie is straight-forward but pleasant. I don't feel like she is lecturing me or yelling at me but being the comforting friend.

[Kathy Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

very encouraging writings of scripture we don't always focus on

Good bible study provided in each chapter
Author's writing style and examples were easy to follow and see how to apply to every day life

[Linda Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

40 Verses

Very thoughtful book. The questions at the end of each chapter really cause you to think deeper than just a surfaced reality about what you thought you knew or to give you new ways to look at scripture.