Challenge yourself to shake off spiritual apathy by digging into unfamiliar and often overlooked Scripture passages. Each of these 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions—one from each book of the Bible—spotlights an unusual verse or passage and only takes five minutes to read. Then dig a little deeper with an uncommon thought to ponder, an unusual faith action step to take, and an unfamiliar passage suggestion that invites you to further explore the Bible’s hidden gems.
Lori Hatcher is an award-winning author, blogger, and women’s ministry speaker who knows what it’s like to wear many hats. As a healthcare worker, author, editor of South Carolina’s Reach Out, Columbia magazine, pastor's wife, mother, and grandmother, she knows what it’s like to be hungry for God and starving for time. With the knowledge of a Bible teacher and the heart of a woman, Lori’s goal is to help today’s women find God in the busyness of life. She and her husband live delightfully close to their four grandchildren in Lexington, South Carolina. Born in New England, Lori often says, “I wasn’t born in the South, but I got here as quickly as I could.” A happy transplant, she enjoys long walks, great books, and Trader Joe’s chocolate covered almonds.
A devotional like none other I have experienced. Each devotion brought calm and peace as I read, thought about the reading and considered my daily walk with God. This book made me want to slow down and truly absorb the words. From personal stories to Scripture examples, this is a book I will read more than once. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.
I am impressed with this devotional. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the writing. It is excellent. I was surprised by the devotionals. Yes, there is one from each book in the Bible but the verse selections were the surprise. They are not your typical, most familiar, most written about passages. I was again inspired with the realization that every passage of Scripture has a message for us.
I was also impressed with Hatcher's insights into Scripture. From Deut. 5:9 I learned that human jealousy is self focused while God's jealousy is other focused, for our good. I learned from Nehemiah's example that we are to be taking sensible steps to address the need but ultimately trusting God to care for us. When gardening and coming upon rocks, I'll remember the spiritual lesson from Hosea. Hatcher reminded me from 2 Timothy that my actions are to reflect the character of my spiritual heritage, my heavenly Father, rather than my earthly heritage, frugal and stubborn Dutch.
I highly recommend this devotional. Even if you've read the Bible through many times, you will find new and inspiring spiritual lessons in this book. Even if you've read a score of devotionals, you'll find new insights in this book.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised by this quick read devotional. First of all I was really drawn to the colorful yet simplistic cover. I hope there are similar uplifting images throughout the devotion since my review copy was only black and white.
The topics covered may seem basic if you just skim over the list of devotional headers but what is inside are gems. The subjects are very relevant to today’s busy lifestyle and are also doable in today’s lifestyle by having quick reads that are full of substance. Spiritual substance. Think 5-10 minute devotional that will stick in your mind all day long.
I loved reading about the author’s inspiration before diving into the first devotion because it helped me have a more open mindset when I did start reading them. I find these are definitely geared more towards women, especially women in their 20s and 30s but several can be read and appreciated by anyone. If you need an example the one about your mother in law that focuses on Ruth is a good example.
This is a devotion that I would feel comfortable buying and giving as a gift and getting a hard copy for myself. I had never heard of this author so I mindfully went into this devotional and loved her perspectives. She quotes scripture frequently but talks in a very down to earth tone and is warm so it feels like you are chatting with a friend. A brutally honest friend but still a friend.
Thank you Netgalley, Lori Hatcher, and the publisher for an advanced readers copy to review and leave my honest and unprompted thoughts.
There are a plethora of Christian devotionals available these days, in print format and online, and while finding one is relatively easy, finding the right one for you based on your spiritual needs is crucial and can be overwhelming. As someone with this same struggle, I try to check out and review devotionals whenever I can in the hopes that at least one of them will speak to someone’s heart. With that in mind, I can highly recommend Lori Hatcher’s new devotional book, “Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible.” This is one of the most interesting devotionals that I have had the pleasure of reading.
“Refresh Your Faith” consists of one devotional for each book of the Bible, each written to take 5 minutes to read and reflect upon. An aspect of this book that I appreciate, and one that I’ve mentioned before in previous reviews, is that there are no chapter numbers or days pre-assigned to the readings. Instead, the chapter heading is comprised of the Bible book about which it is written, a title that gives insight into what the reading will be about, and a corresponding Bible verse. Following each reading is an Uncommon Thought that summarizes that day’s lesson and an Unusual Faith segment that brings the teaching home through personal questions and suggestions about how to accomplish what the Lord is calling us to do through that examination of Scripture. Each chapter concludes with listing a chapter or two from the Bible to look up and read. I like this setup because closing with Scripture allows readers to end with God’s Word fresh in their minds, and hopefully with a greater understanding of it.
Taken as a whole, this devotional uniquely provides an overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. This is what I find most unique about it, and this is what especially attracts me to it. Because of how it touches upon every book of the Bible and thus gives a general overview of the Bible itself, this is an ideal choice for a devotional for both seasoned Christians and newcomers to the faith. In fact, since it focuses on the lesser-known Biblical figures and stories, this is a great resource for all Christian women!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Even though I read the title of this Devotional, I was expecting the usual devotions. Most of the Devotionals are key verses throughout the Bible which are all really good. But this one has a twist to it. It has a devotion from each book of the Bible. And author Lori Hatcher pick an uncommon verse from each book and gives her take on it. She uses many of her own stories to explain each devotion. And I enjoy that she does it in a simple down to earth way so everyone can understand.
I like the three statements at the beginning of this book description, Unfamiliar verses. Uncommon insights. Unlimited possibilities. This is an excellent way to describe this Devotional. And really, I like reading this book as a regular book, like a novel. Only its non fiction. I hope we will see more books like this from this author. She sure captured my attention in the things I read from this book. If you are looking for some new devotions, or maybe you want to know some different things in the Bible, uncommon things. This is the book you need to check out.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Refresh your Faith, uncommon devotions from every book of the Bible, by author Lori Hatcher is a unique devotional. The author uses scripture from each of the sixty-six books of the Bible and molds a refreshing, inspiring devotion around them. Be prepared to become enlightened.
Most of the devotionals that I have read draw upon the same, favorite, and familiar scriptures. This one is the exception. It is a breath of fresh air. I was given a sampling of lesser known books and scripture to help deepen my daily Walk. The lessons stayed with me long after I had finished them.
The style of writing is personal and soothing. It was easy to imagine discussing scripture and stories over a glass of iced tea with this author. Her devotions are smooth and clear. They give insight and inspiration. I will definitely read this book again.
This would make a lovely gift for anyone - man or woman, any age, no matter where you are in your Walk. I highly recommend this. Be sure to get a copy for yourself, too. It is certainly different but in a good way. I gladly give it a 5 out of 5 star rating. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.
I came to understand long ago that God’s word is a source of perpetual learning. It seems with each reading I find a deeper understanding or more meaning for my life. Christ taught His most effective lessons of faith through stories. This book uncovers hidden treasures found throughout the Bible in a comfortable, conversational manner. The author shows us there is more to God’s word than what we often hear in Sunday morning services or our other devotional readings. With each story, she makes the words of Deuteronomy 29:29 a reality in your life. In this journey of rediscovering the reason for my faith, I left no page unturned.
Refresh Your Faith by Lori Hatcher is a creative and exceptional collection of devotionals with a scripture or passage of verses from each book of the Bible. The uniqueness of using scriptural passages that are not considered favorites but are rich with words of gems surrounding God’s character and the connection to other scriptures in the Bible made this one of the best devotionals I have used.
Hatcher’s writing captured the masterfulness of events that are relevant today, along with insightfulness of God’s mercy and love throughout the ages. There is an Uncommon Thought that will challenge our own as we dig deeper into God’s Word for answers. Hatcher includes an Unusual Faith paragraph with additional passages to read from the book the devotional was from at the end of each chapter. This is a perfect devotional during the current pandemic the world is facing.
I received a complimentary copy of this devotional from Celebrate Lit and the publisher, Our Daily Bread. I was under no obligation to write a positive review but have shared my own opinion.
I was excited to get this devotional, because I have always been intrigued with some of the lesser-known Bible stories, those that aren't always taught in kids' Sunday School classes. I love that the author takes stories I'm less-familiar with and paints such vivid pictures that make the Bible come to life and gives me new points to ponder about that story. For example, and, I'll admit - Leviticus isn't always one of my favorite books to dive into. But Lori Hatcher helped bring the Lord's instructions for the year of Jubilee into a personal lesson for me to internalize and apply to my own life. I'm thankful for that lesson, and I can't wait to continue digging into God's word through Lori Hatcher's devotional, journeying through the Bible one story, one book at a time.
Refresh Your Faith is a refreshing look at the Bible in its entirety. Each chapter covers a different book of the Bible and builds a devotion around one verse or small passage, taking into consideration the spirit of the entire book or how it relates to the rest of the Bible at large. From the first chapter taken from the book of Genesis, I was sold. I’d never thought of comparing God’s question to Adam and Eve, “Where are you?” to the first question of the New Testament, “Where is He?” In each book, even boring Leviticus and hard to understand Nahum, Hatcher finds a nugget of gold and draws a solidly biblical application. It’s been several days since I read the chapter based on 2 Timothy, and Hatcher’s words about our need to be gentle still roll through my brain whenever I’ve been tempted to have a verbal outburst. Best of all, I appreciate Hatcher’s transparency as she shares about her personal relationships and the struggles she’s faced in trying to live the Christian life. We get a full view of the Bible plus an overall view of her life, and how she has worked to make the Bible personal for herself. This is a great companion book for those who do read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year programs or for anyone looking for ways to view the Bible as relevant for everyday living. I’m looking forward to recommending this book to the Bible study group I lead each week.
I was getting bored with the devotionals I'd been reading, so the description of this book—uncommon verses that "sparkle like gems"—made me perk up! I'm glad I did... I LOVED this book. Other devotionals often use much-loved verses we've all heard 1,000 times, but the Bible is much bigger than just these verses, and I appreciate how Lori used unusual ones to keep our faith fresh-- like Obadiah 1:3, Ezekiel 2:7 or Titus 2:9. And the real-life examples she used to illustrate the verses hit home, touching on topics like guilt, teen thieves, mothers-in-law, jealousy, cancer and more. I highly recommend this book. I'll be buying it as a gift for a few special people in my life, too! (The cover is gorgeous.)
Thank you, Lori Hatcher, for writing Refresh Your Faith. Lori leads us through every book of the Bible, which isn't common among devotionals. Not only that but she also highlights verses we may have skimmed past before. But best of all, she ties it all together by connecting the Bible with itself and showing how the Bible is one continuous story, not simply a collection of God’s thoughts or instructions. Amen!
This devotional is like a breath of fresh air in the stagnant world of devotionals. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the passages of scripture anew. This book is a winner!!
Lori Hatcher’s book (Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible), is a lovely devotional that is as lighthearted as the warm, pastel colors on its book cover!
But the lighthearted storytelling style of the author is accented by solid Scripture to support the messages in each devotional in this book. And that is a good thing because it causes the reader to read the Bible, not just this author’s book.
It is clear that the author loves God and puts Him first in her life. She wears her heart on her sleeve as she weaves in personal stories from her life in the real world, in a way that’s practical yet inspiring.
The author takes the reader on a journey through God’s Word (The Holy Bible) as each chapter of this devotional book is grounded in God’s book. She starts with the first book of the Bible (Genesis) and examines the central theme from that book then applies these ancient words to our modern day reality before moving on to the next Bible book. She continues to take the reader by his or her hand and invite them on a journey through God’s Word from start to finish.
The author does a delightful job of encouraging the reader to delve deep into God’s Word and refresh their faith.
I’d highly recommend this book to every Christian who needs a boost to their daily devotional time with God but I’d also share this book with people who do not yet know or follow Jesus Christ because they would be able to come to know Him and love Him as they read this author’s devotional book.
*Celebrate Lit provided me (Alexis A. Goring) with a complimentary copy of "Refresh Your Faith" (book). My opinions in this book review are my own.
Let’s face it, sometimes even things we know are good and necessary for our well-being can become monotonous or shall I dare to say it – boring or stale. At various points in my Christian life, I have found it becomes easy to look at my devotional time as just another box to check off my to-do list. Yet that is exactly when I try to dig in deeper or shake up my devotional time in some manner.
This devotional can do exactly that. As I started reading the beginning of this book, I found myself agreeing with the author on her thoughts. A number of years ago our family attended a church where every January the pastor challenged his flock to read through the Bible with him. I took the challenge, and I am glad I did so. This book is another one of those things I am glad I took the opportunity to do or read.
These devotionals may not be the longest, but the words are powerful words. From the opening of each devotional with a verse of Scripture to the devotional itself to the Uncommon Thought section to the Unusual Faith section to a longer passage of Scripture for you to read, this book offers some wonderful insights about people and verses you may not have concentrated on in the past. So if you are looking for a devotional to shake up your time with God, check out this book for yourself.
I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.
Move from biblical doldrums to dynamic discovery! While your favorite Scripture verses or stories may bring you comfort, if you’re feeling monotony in your time with God it’s time to shake it up a bit. Each of these 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions—one from each book of the Bible—spotlights an unusual verse or passage and takes only five minutes to read. If you have more time, you can dig a little deeper with an uncommon thought to ponder, unusual faith action step to take, and an unfamiliar passage suggestion that invites you to further explore the Bible’s hidden gems.
You’ll be challenged to think deeply, step out boldly, and grow dynamically, transforming your devotional time—and your life!
Praise for Lori Hatcher’s writing . . .
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman
My Thoughts: If you are looking for an in-depth devotional, look no further. Lori Hatcher has formulated a wonderful devotional that takes you to the seldom looked at verses. The author takes us into the Bible using verses that other devotional authors have not thought to look at. She takes the reader into a deep study that helps motivate and encourage the reader. If you are looking for a new devotional this devotional would be a great choice. Well written, it is easy to read and apply to our lives. These devotionals don't take up much of your day, just 5 minutes a day and you are on your way, refreshed and energized for the Lord.
Finally someone has written a devotional where almost forgotten Books of the Bible are brought to the surface. How often do we hear anyone talk about the book of Micah or Zephaniah? We are all familiar with the story of Adam and Eve but what if we studied it with different scriptures? Would we then get to glimpse what the Bible was about? I love this devotional because it is not the typical scriptures many of us are accustomed to. It gets us out of our comfort zone and helps us gather new insights that we have not studied before.
The author takes us through the sixty-six books of the Bible using little known Books of the Bible and scriptures to refresh us and deepen our knowledge. I loved how the author uses examples we can all relate to and at the end of every chapter are sections called, Uncommon Thought and Unusual Faith. These are wonderful nuggets to feed our hunger for more truth and understanding of His Word. As a bonus the author also includes specific scriptures or entire books from the Bible to study on our own.
Obadiah is a very unfamiliar book from the Bible. The author uses the book about being deceived. “The pride of your heart has deceived you.” Obadiah 1:3. With only one chapter for this particular book of the Bible it nails what we all at one time have dealt with. The ugly word pride is exposed and guides us to the truth that will set us free from our doubt that God has never left us. I know this devotional will have a place close by me at all times as I become more acquainted with overlooked books from the Bible that share truth, hope, forgiveness and God’s unconditional love.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
I love devotionals and Refresh Your Faith is one of the best that I've seen lately because each devotion is based on a different book of the Holy Bible. Author Lori Hatcher has written sixty-six devotions centered around scripture that is often lesser known and they all end with the same sections: Uncommon Thought, Uncommon Faith, and Read (even more Bible scripture to read)!
The topics covered include hope, trust, forgiveness, and God's love, but there are also mentions of pride, jealousy, and the poor choices that we sometimes make. I was especially touched by the devotion based on Lamentations 3: 31-33 and Hatcher's story of a friend who suffered a fatal disease as a result of poor choices. The "Uncommon Thought' of the devotion "Does God Delight in Our Suffering?" reminded me that "God never celebrates when the results of our disobedience wreak havoc on our lives. Instead, he weeps with us." Isn't it reassuring to know just how much He cares?
My knowledge of God's Word has certainly increased from adding this book to my devotion time and I highly recommend it for personal Bible study. I can also see Refresh Your Faith as a wonderful resource for a group Bible Study!
I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation to post a positive review. These are my own opinions.
There is a devotion from each book in the Bible. These devotions are different from other devotions in that they are they are not the most familiar passage other authors uses.
I encourage everyone to get this book and reread it every so often because it is so encouraging and brings new insights into the Scriptures and causes the reader to rethink what they have always thought about things, like the verse that says " I am a Jealous God" this devotion explain how God's jealousy is different from ours, there is a lot to think about in each of these devotions. The book starts out with "Where are You". The devotion from Job is one we all need to read and reread daily.
I really like how each devotion ends with Uncommon Thought and Uncommon Faith.
They are really short but filled with information, I say it is well worth your time to read this book.
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
So glad I read this! It came at a perfect time. I needed something to read in the mornings before I faced a busy day with my daughter. Lori did a great job presenting truths from scripture that are truly uncommon. I’ve been in church since I was a baby and have heard it all. The title is so perfect. It was truly refreshing. I was glad to have met Lori at a writer’s conference because she was a warm and prayerful person face to face, and that also came out through her writing. She’s also funny! I like how she snuck in a few funny moments in the book. Highly recommend!
This is a devotional about verses in the bible that most of the time we overlook. The author dug in those verses and bring new insights to grow in your relationship with God no matter the circumstances you go through. At the end of each devotionnal there is part called "uncommon thought" and "unusual faith" that I find interesting and help to see things from another perspective.
I received a copy of this book and this is an honest review.
I love the concept behind this devotional. To bring out some of the verses that are often overlooked and underappreciated. The Bible is full of so many wonderful verses and it’s high time we focused on them a bit more!
This is a unique devotional and I enjoyed reading through it. I will definitely enjoy slowing down and savouring the bits and pieces throughout as I reread the book with a devotional a day.
I highly recommend this devotional to anyone looking for a devotional but especially for those who do often read devotionals and might want something a bit unique, a bit off the beaten path.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
This devotional book varies from the norm since it offers a devotional from every book of the Bible. Each starts with a less-common verse from the featured book then moves into an anecdote or thoughts from the day’s passage. The book would make a good one for family devotions or to use as you read through the Bible—you could read the selected book’s devotional before or after reading that Bible book. I appreciated the author’s insights and personal sharing. She sounds knowledgeable and personable. This book can help you get to know the Bible better and discover some things you may not have noticed before. I like the insightful titles for each devotional too, such as “Spiritual Sandpaper” and “The Tricky Part about Being Deceived.” The first entry really piqued my interest with its two questions, one from the Old Testament, “Where are you?” and the answering question from the New Testament, “Where is He?” I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
Sometimes we drift from the excitement for God's Word we once held. In "Refresh Your Faith," Lori helps bring the joy and wow-factor back to our Bible reading. She uses overlooked stories and passages in Scripture to bring fresh light and truth to applicable areas of our lives. If your faith and devotional time need a boost or something different, this is the devotion for you.
I loved this book by author Lori Hatcher. A different look at each book of the Bible through devotions. I enjoyed how she brought out often overlooked people or passages in each of the books.
At the end of each chapter, she gives us a thought to ponder, a question to answer and scripture to read.
A nice new concept on a devotional book. And a nice way to find new gems in the books of the Bible.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of the book with no expectation in return. The thoughts above are my own and in my own words.
I was pleasantly surprised by this devotional. Skimming of the topic list, it appeared to be just another one of your basic devotionals cover simple topics. Well, it is so much more than that.
Each chapter takes a different books of the Bible, and an interesting – if not overlooked -passage within to give us a unique look at the topic and devotion being discussed. All the topics are super relevant to today’s busy lifestyle. The different take gives a lot of interesting thoughts to ponder as you dig deeper into the Bible and this topics. The writing style has a gentle almost calming feel to it. Making this a relaxing and peaceful devotion to work your way through.
This is a charming little gem that I’ve really enjoyed. And it’s perfect for solo devotions or for Bible study groups.
I like the concept of this book, that it has a devotional chapter to correlate with each of the 66 books in the Bible, but overall the content was lackluster. Goodreads rating: 2 stars (It was ok.)
Devotionals are a great way to get into the Word of God and be encouraged daily. I have used many devotional books over the years, but they all seem to follow the same format and the readings are very similar in each book.
Refresh Your Faith by Lori Hatcher is a new style of a Devotional Book and not the "Same ole" devotional. Lori Hatcher took each book of the Bible and created a Devotional Book. She used scripture and readings that are not typically covered in a Devotional book. Each Devotional takes about 5 minutes to read and really is thought provoking and helps you really dig into the Word of God.
Refresh Your Faith is a FRESH new approach to Devotional Reading. It helps renew your faith by growing stronger in God through new readings and a thought provoking questions. I really enjoyed this Devotional Book. I think it would be neat if Lori Hatcher can write a 2nd book like this, as I feel this a GREAT approach to Devotional Readings. GOD IS GOOD!
Lori Hatcher has created a wonderful devotional in Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible. By exploring lesser known passages and tying them to other books in the Bible, we see God's work, mercy and faithfulness throughout.
I personally really love that she includes devotions based on every book in the Bible. Many times, I have tended to skim through some of the books rather than give them their proper due. Each of Hatcher's entries demonstrates that the Bible is as vital, alive and relevant today as it was when it was first written. This devotional has become one of my favorites and would make a great gift!
My thanks to NetGalley and Our Daily Bread for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I had an ARC of this book. What a neat concept- devotion for each book of the Bible. Some hit home, some are not for me at this time, but that’s the great thing about a devotional.