“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”—2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

Coming from someone who didn’t own and read a Bible until I was 28, I can honestly tell you it is overwhelming to go shopping for a Bible. There are so many versions. How do you know which is best for you?

I know I have probably shared my first Bible shopping experience, but I have a full circle moment to share about it. After my first husband’s death, I was adamant on buying a Bible. The only one I had ever owned was a King James Bible given to me by one of my aunts on my 6th birthday. It was still in a drawer at my parents’ home. Not to mention, that isn’t the best Bible for a beginner.

When my mother and I went to the Christian bookstore. I asked the woman if she could help me find a Bible. She asked, what version? I looked at her with confusion and said, what versions are there? She rattled off a few. I responded; I have no idea. What do most people buy? She told me what it was. I also had my name imprinted on the front of it.

After I got more involved with Bible studies, I realized there were other Bibles that were easier to understand for me. One was the New International version or NIV. Six months later, I received a women’s NIV Bible that also included devotions in it. I used that one so much, I had to tape the binding. The same thing with The Message version my mother had given me.

I will be honest, when I first started reading the Bible it was because I felt like it was something I needed to do. However, by disciplining myself to spend time in God’s Word each day, that discipline eventually turned into a desire. As we open the Bible and read scriptures, they are more than words on a page. Scripture is living, active and powerful. God speaks to us through it because we have Holy Spirit living within us. He wants to be a part of everything we do.

It isn’t easy and I often don’t understand what I read. This is why some kind of study Bible is helpful. In January 2020, I purchased my first study Bible to go along with the Bible reading plan I had started. It was the English Standard Revised edition (ESV). However, after the following incident, I plan on buying another Bible.

I had received a post from a friend about how Matthew 17:21 had been taken out of many Bible versions in 1960. I thought, no way. This led me to pull out some of my Bibles. Guess what? They went from Matthew 17:20 to Matthew 17:22….no verse 21. What? I was shocked. Because I was so busy that week, I kind of forgot about it until our church sermon about fasting.

In the first week of January, our church does a 3 day fast called, Prepare. What perfect timing to ask the pastor about a scripture that has to do with fasting. After church service, I asked if he knew why Matthew 17:21 was taken out of so many of the Bible versions. He told me that some believe that Matthew 17:21 wasn’t part of the original text, so it was taken out of some of the more common Bible versions. He shared with me that one of his favorite Bibles was a NASB one.

I thought, is this the first Bible I bought? As soon as I got home, I went to my nightstand where I keep that Bible. I haven’t used it for probably 25 years. I opened my drawer and see, Lisa Gardemal with a dove beside my name. I flip to look at the spine and read, New American Standard Bible. I couldn’t believe it. I turned to Matthew 17:21 and in parenthesis, there it was, But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. In the footnotes it says, many manuscripts do not contain this with Mark 9:29 being referenced.

Apparently, it wasn’t in the original manuscripts and was taken out of Mark 9:29 and added to Matthew 17. Modern versions have removed the text and added it as a footnote instead. I think I prefer having it in parenthesis and reading the footnote to as why it is included. The NASB I own has a lot of “thee and thou,” so that is why I am going to get the NASB Open Bible.

Some of you may be thinking, Lisa, do you really need to own a 7th Bible? For me, the only way I can grow in my understanding of what God’s Word says, is by looking at the different translations. While Biblehub.com and my YouVersion app include NASB, I like to underline and write notes in a hard copy. I will also have the footnotes right at my fingertips.

I have found when I start my day diving into His Word, I invite my Savior into it. God has given us the Holy Spirit to direct us through scripture. If I am not faithfully reading my Bible, how can I let the Holy Spirit teach me? No matter what Bible you use, the more you read it, the more God can reveal Himself to you through it and help you stay closer to Him.

Father God,

Fill my mind with Your Word. Open my eyes and ears to better understand scripture as I meditate on it this week. Let Your Word take root in my heart. Open my eyes to understand scripture as I study it. For those that may not own a Bible or struggle with what translation is best for them, I ask for someone to be put in their pathway to guide and mentor them. Thank You, that I am able to freely own a Bible, read and talk about it openly. I lift up martyrs and missionaries around the world, who don’t share these same freedoms. Give them strength, courage, and peace in Your presence despite the darkness that may surround them. Fill them up so they can pour You out. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

January Verse

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”—1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.