When we get out of bed in the morning, we don’t know what the day ahead holds. It could be routine. It could be amazing. It could be devastating. No matter what each day holds, one of the biggest influences on the direction our days take is our own attitude. We can live in fear, worry, and anxiety, or we can choose to live with purpose, trusting God in every circumstance.Compact and concise, … concise, Carolyn Larsen’s Words of Comfort for Women and Words of Hope for Women each offer you 90 inspiring devotional readings that will help you remember God’s presence in your days and see your world from a positive perspective. These short, to-the-point readings illuminate God’s promises and show you just how they apply to your everyday life. Beautifully designed, these devotionals are the perfect gift for a friend–and for yourself.
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In an effort to deliver a clear analysis of this book for potential readers, and because it is very similar to “Words of Comfort for Women” by the same author, my review here will include the same information as my review for the latter, with some details changed to reflect the different focus between the two devotionals.
Within the wide variety of Christian devotionals, there is an offering for just about every need. As with Bible reading plans, selecting one depends upon specific needs and focuses. Whereas reading the Bible in a year or straight through from Genesis to Revelation may suit one person, another’s heart may be craving the particular message in a certain book of the Bible or spending more time digging deeper. The same can be said of devotional materials. What a blessing to have such a diverse yet Bible-based selection available!
Carolyn Larsen’s “Words of Hope for Women” ministers to the heart of the woman who is disheartened and discouraged. Each of the 90 readings is brief yet gratifyingly concise and delineated by numbers rather than by days or dates. As such, it is appropriate as a daily devotional or as a reference to pick up on difficult days for comfort and encouragement. Its compact size also makes it easy to fit into a purse or handbag. For the purpose of this review, I read it in large sections, and that works as well, truly giving a godly confidence boost! Beginning with a Scripture verse, each reading has a title, which is quite handy for locating whatever may be on your heart at the time. Every Scripture also clearly connects to the reading, and most are well-known, comfortably-familiar verses that remind us of God’s truth. I did appreciate that there are some verses taken from the Old Testament, because while the New Testament may be more noticeably hopeful, the Old Testament also contains great hope as it points toward and leads up to Jesus, the greatest hope of all.
While I recommended “Words of Comfort” foremost to women whose walk with the Lord has had time to grow and mature, I feel that “Words of Hope” is fit for both established and new Christians. “Words of Hope” is more firmly tied to Biblical accounts rather than more broad, inherently understood truths, which lends to it being more easily grasped because readers can refer to specific stories in the Bible itself. Also, there is a greater emphasis on the foundational theme of hope, both in the titles of the readings themselves and as a continuing concept throughout. This begins with the title of the first reading, “Hope of Heaven”, which is so fitting because that is what we long for and that is what Jesus died to give us. Our hope begins and finds its fulfillment in Jesus and His sacrifice. All we have to do is accept it, and Larsen provides a great summation of this: “Without trust there is no hope. Without relationship there is no trust…Keep your hope level high as you trust the One who promises to help you.” “Words of Hope” will encourage you and inspire you to “Depend on God. Talk to him. Tell him what you need and go forward with courage knowing that he is protecting you!”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
This book is proof positive that good things come in small packages. Words of Hope for Women is small enough to fit in most purses but it is overflowing with hope and inspiration. Author Carolyn Larsen shares ninety hope-filled devotions, each with an appropriate Bible scripture, that cover such subjects as grief, stress, forgiveness, your Christian witness, and your family. One that especially appealed to me was Hope in a New Attitude and Larsen reminds us that “You are his handiwork. He made you with a special job in mind through which you can serve him, and he’s already equipped you to do that job. You are special to him because he made you” (p. 56)
Words of Hope for Women features a beautiful cover and attractively illustrated pages and it would be a perfect gift. Just be sure to keep one for yourself!
I received a copy from Revell but a positive review was not required. These are my own thoughts.
MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS BOOK
I am reviewing both Words of Comfort and Words of Hope together, since they go so well with one another. I find I need something from both of these readings about every day. I hope you give these books a try, and enjoy them as much as I did.
Both of these little Devotionals are really nice to have around. Author Carolyn Larson writes both to encourage women on their daily walk with our Lord. Each of them have 90 awesome devotions remind us of God’s presence in our lives and His promises He gives us.
I really like both of these little books. They are small, which is great for me because it will fit in my purse, or my pocket. I like.to carry one around with me because I always need encouragement throughout the day. I don’t use these as day by day devotions, I read them any time during the day, and more than one a day. I like trying to find a reading that goes with what I need at that particular moment. Sometimes when I face upsetting issues that drain me emotionally, I need to be reminded that I can be comforted by reading God’s word, or reading devotions such as God’s comfort. And when I need the assurance that God will do what He says, or assurance that God is with me no matter what, that’s when i need his promises that He is with me.
These two Devotionals or readings, are wonderful and I recommend both of them. They would make a nice little, but powerful gift to slip in someone’s Christmas card or as a stocking stuffer.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
A lovely collection of quick and easy daily devotionals for women. The topics covered in this book are all things we as women face on a daily basis and can’t we always use reminders of how to deal with or face these issues? These are simple truths and this book packages them in such a format that reading one a day takes NO time. Great little book for my keeper shelf. I have already passed this on to my Mama for her to enjoy. Recommended.
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
This little book is absolutely full of encouraging words for those who are weary of walking through life and all of the problems that entails. There are ninety little devotionals in this book that is just short of 200 pages. You can read straight through them and let them speak to your heart, which is the way that I did. Or, you can read the Table of Contents and choose one that deals with whatever you are going through. This is a practical and easy-to-read devotional, with each one starting with a Scripture verse and then the author writing down what seems to be her meditation on that verse. Each devotional ends with encouragement for the reader to be and do better in life. Readers who are seeking a book filled with daily words of hope will want to read this book and keep it on the shelf to find just the words that are needed at just the right time.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
“Words of Hope for Women” by Carolyn Larsen has 90 inspiring devotional readings for all occasions. They’re short one page (double-sided) readings originating from biblical passages, taken from the New International Version (NIV) bible.
This book helps guide women in finding hope when they get discouraged, through the pain of the past, uncertainties with their future, or a through a challenge in the present. There are passages for almost any situation – whether it is battling temptation, needing guidance in general, handling stress, or in finding peace.
This book can be read over multiple days as a self-help guide, a single worship day to reflect, or as a situational reading.
It’s also perfect for teens and young women as well.
Perfectly sized to store in a desk drawer for reference, in a purse for reference on the go, or beside the bed for evening readings to rest easy and/or morning readings to get the day going.
It is a wonderful book to have on hand as a pick-me-up or to give as a gift and could easily pair with Larsen’s “Words of Comfort for Women” for additional reading.