It’s not very often that a book comes along and makes you want to read or refer to it over and over and over again. An example of this is Prayers That Avail Much; whenever you need to pray but don’t have the words, you go to this book and are able to pray the scriptures which means you’re praying according to God’s will since He is always looking for His word to perform it. Well, today I have the opportunity to read and review just such a book!
The Greatest Words Ever Spoken, Everything Jesus Said About You, Your Life and Everything Else by Steven K. Scott, is a must-buy book. The author has compiled all the words actually spoken in the Bible by Jesus (the red text in many versions of the Bible) and divided them under headings by topic. For example, if you want to know everything Jesus ever said about “Love”, you look up “Love” in the Table of Contents and find all the scriptures containing Jesus’ spoken words on the topic of love, complete with citations. Other topic examples are: Pride, Healing, The Spirit Versus the Flesh, Children, Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage, Anger, Compassion, and so very many more. There also is a subject index and a scripture index. The book contains over 1,900 statement of Jesus organized under more than 200 topics. It’s so powerful to read all of Jesus’ words on a particular subject without the intervening scriptures. Many of the scriptures are so familiar to the reader, but when you read all of Jesus’ quotes on a certain issue, the familiar scriptures look fresh and different somehow. To be honest, it’s almost overwhelming to read Jesus’ words this way. It feels like he’s speaking to you, literally.
Me: Jesus, why don’t I feel the joy I should as a believer?
Jesus: John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV) John 15:9-14 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. . . .
See what I mean? Powerful conversation!
This book is over 500 pages long and is a comprehensive and valuable tool for Bible study, prayer, and knowing and doing the will of God. The only drawback is the author uses the New International Version of the Bible almost exclusively. While I understand the NIV is popular as a “reader friendly” version, I’m not fond of this translation for its anti-Semitic bent. That said, this book is still an extremely valuable tool for “conversing with the Master”.
Below is a summary from the publisher. Unfortunately, this book review does not include a giveaway, but trust me when I say you’re going to want to buy this book for your reference library. You can purchase it from www.amazon.com and other favorite booksellers.
Book Summary:
Every Word of Jesus Right at Your Fingertips
Haven’t you wished you could ask Jesus any question and get his immediate help with the biggest problems you face? Now you can.
For the first time ever, all of the statements Jesus made in the New Testament have been brought together and organized under more than 200 topics. When you want to know his will in a specific area of life, or you’re seeking the answer to a perplexing question, or you are desperate for his encouragement, comfort, or wisdom–you can easily find the help you need.
The moment you turn to the appropriate topic heading, you will have access to the breadth of Jesus’ teaching on that subject. You can also use this book as a guide for studying Jesus’ wisdom on any topic of interest, such as prayer, forgiveness, eternity, anger, temptation, relationships, grace, or knowing God.
Millionaire and best-selling author Steve Scott was once unemployed and hopeless; today he is wealthy, healthy and happily married with children. Ask Scott what made the difference and he’ll tell you the daily application of biblical Scripture, particularly Jesus Christ’s words, to his decisions transformed his life. In his newest title, The Greatest Words Ever Spoken, Scott presents more than 1,900 of Jesus’ statements by topic, providing readers instant access to the counsel of Christ and the same potential for dramatic life change.“As I read one particular topic, it was like each statement Jesus made penetrated deeper and deeper into my soul,” writes Gary Smalley in the book’s forward. “I’ve never felt anything as powerful.” Indeed it is the author’s belief that the study of Jesus’ statements without the interruption of commentary or explanation intensifies the positive impact on the life of the reader as well as provides the critical groundwork for further spiritual direction.
As you immerse yourself in Jesus’ words, your life and relationships will be transformed, and your faith and spiritual passion will be renewed. Let the greatest words ever spoken bring new vision, power, and joy into your life–one statement at a time.
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Hopefully you all had a great Thanksgiving (or, at our house, “No Turkey Day!”) which focused more on thankfulness and less on food. We are so blessed in this country; the last thing we need to do is stuff ourselves with more food – or stuff, for that matter. Greed and gluttony are sins. This is something we are loathe to remember in the United States, especially during the holidays, which is why I’m going to focus on thankfulness, charity and GIVING as we continue through this holiday season. 
1 in 6 people don’t have access to clean drinking water. Check out charitywater.org where $20 can give one person drinking water for 20 years. While you’re at it, vow to stop buying bottled water (40% of all bottled water is simply tap water, and plastic bottles are destroying our environment from their manufacture to disposal) and donate the money you save every week to this organization or another reputable environmental charity.