Know Jesus Better With The Whole Bible Devotional

I’m so happy to introduce my writing friend, Melissa McLaughlin. We are in an online Facebook Group together for authors and bloggers. Her writing is heartfelt and all about how to know Jesus better.

By Melissa McLaughlin

The yarn lay in a mess on the floor. Our cats had seized it during their midnight marauding. My scarf-in-progress now drooped in an unraveled heap.

With a deep exhale, I leaned down to pick up the tangled mound. My hands tugged and twisted this way and that. To no avail. I could not unknot the giant yarn blob.

Finally, I found a loose end and pulled gently. Bit by bit, the chaos unwound until I discovered one long, uninterrupted fuzzy thread. Thankfully, I could begin again. Stitch by stitch, my crochet needle knitted. 

With the untangled yarn re-woven and intertwined, the once mottled mass now took on its proper shape. A winter scarf soon warmed and wrapped me close. 

When we look back over our lives, most of us can remember situations that became a disordered wreck. What a relief when things got sorted out.  

Know Jesus Better

At times, reading through the Bible can feel like we are left with too many knots or loose ends. We want to know Jesus more, but how does He fit in all the books of the Bible?

At times, reading through the Bible can feel like we are left with too many knots or loose ends. We want to know Jesus more, but how does He fit in all the books of the Bible? Share on X

I remember the first time I read through the Bible from beginning to end.

Around age sixteen, I set out to read the Bible cover to cover. My goal was to read three chapters per day. I had heard if you read three chapters per day, you can read the Bible in a year. 

I opened to Genesis and got started. There were days I didn’t make time for reading. But, I picked up where I left off the next day and kept pressing on. After reading for a little over a year, I made it to the end. I read through the whole Bible!

I did not understand everything. And I stuttered over big words, and though I could not comprehend every detail, my general knowledge of the Bible improved. More importantly, my connection with Jesus grew stronger. 

Have you ever wanted to understand the Bible as a whole? Know Jesus better and see how He is the golden thread tying the Bible together. Share on X

A Bible Reading Plan

Fast forward to my years as a mom. When my kids reached their teen years, I wanted to help them read through the Bible as I did at their age. I suggested the three-chapters-a-day Bible reading plan, and the kids’ eyes sparkled. The challenge moved our hearts, and we plunged in. 

Sadly, after a few starts and stops, we sputtered, faltered, and finally gave up.

Disappointment wrapped around me like a cold blanket. I felt like I failed my kids, myself, and God. 

However, God had more in store for me. From that low point, God inspired me to write The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible. 

My goal in writing The Whole Bible Devotional is to provide readers in today’s fast-paced world with a greater understanding of the whole Bible in an accessible way. And to know Jesus in His fullness throughout Scripture. Further, many people have read the Bible from beginning to end, but still don’t understand how the books connect.

If that’s you, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too.

Know Jesus Better: The Whole Bible Devotional

Therefore, The Whole Bible Devotional offers three components to help readers understand the Bible as a whole:

• A non-academic overview of the Bible to give readers a bird’s-eye view of the Bible’s overarching theme—Jesus.
• Excerpts from every book of the Bible so readers can encounter important elements of God’s Word from beginning to end and see how Jesus is woven through every book.
• Scripture-based prayers to help readers connect with God personally while reading the Bible.

A free downloadable Small Group Study Guide is also available with each book. This study guide complements The Whole Bible Devotional and equips small group leaders to use the book with church groups, home groups, Sunday School classes, online groups, or to enhance personal study. 

Have you ever wanted to understand the Bible as a whole? Want to help others understand the Bible better or see how Jesus is the golden thread tying the Bible together?

I am excited for you to discover how God can use The Whole Bible Devotional to deepen your spiritual life and enrich your understanding of Christ and His Word. Ultimately, my prayer is that you draw ever closer to our Savior!

The Whole Bible Devotional is available at Amazon and other major distributors.

To find out more about Melissa McLaughlin, visit her website.

You can also connect with Melissa McLaughlin on social media:

X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

About Melissa:

Melissa McLaughlin taught as a public school teacher for twenty-eight years, then retired and began a new career as a writer. Melissa authored a prayer guide titled In Dark of Night When Words Fail, Voice of Jesus Pray for Me. She earned a certificate in Foundations in Biblical Studies. Melissa is active in her local church and has led many Bible studies and prayer groups through the years. She hosts the Christian blog Truthful Grace and writes articles on topics such as biblical growth, spiritual growth, passionate prayer, and poetry. Melissa enjoys long walks in nature, taking in the sights and sounds of God’s beautiful creation. She loves spending time with her husband, children, family, and two cats—Cookie and Little One

Last week’s article, 10 Things I Want You to Know About Jesus.

Sometimes I participate in these link-ups: Let’s Have Coffee/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth).

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