Book Review: A Woman With A Past, A God With A Future

Past mistakes sure have a way of permeating our present, don't they? No matter how hard we try to put the past in its place, it keeps coming back -- until we have thoroughly dealt with it with God's Word and His Spirit, that is. The bible study book, A Woman With A Past A God With A Future by Elsa Kok is one of those rare gems that gently guides the reader through those painful past issues that continue to wreak havoc on the present. Insightfully written, the reader is immediately ushered into the inner sanctum of compassion and hope by someone that has obviously taken this journey herself and has arrived at a place of peace and freedom on the other side. I don't know exactly what Elsa Kok has experienced in her life, but I know that it was painful and that it was going through it with God and His Word that brought her to this peaceful place.

Each chapter begins with a personal story followed by a "can you relate" section called "What do you think?" The author then takes the reader to Scripture in a section called "Let's read the Bible" appropriately followed by "What do these verses mean for us?" She doesn't leave us hanging there, however. She incites us to go further in the process by recommending that we actually apply what we've learned in the section titled "How can we apply these truths?" In the final section she revisits the topic of the week under the heading, "Your love letter" -- the contents of which I will leave for you to discover on your own! Then with the skill of a master bible teacher she gives the reader her own section at the end of each chapter in which to journal about her journey in light of more encouraging and healing Scripture verses.

This bible study is fresh, warm and genuine. My first thought upon reading through it was that it would be a wonderful follow-up to Forgiven and Set Free.... Order a copy today and see if you agree.

A Woman With A Past A God With A Future;
Embracing God's Transfoming Love by Elsa Kok
new hope publishers
ISBN 1-59669-001-1

Another Bible study by Elsa Kok: A Woman Who Hurts, A God Who Heals; Discovering Unconditional Love