The 40-Day Feast: Taste & See the Goodness of God’s Word

by Wendy Speake

Get hungry for God’s Word

Many Bible believers aren’t Bible readers, while others devour God’s Word and are hungry for more. Whether you’ve read your Bible multiple times, only tasted bits and pieces, or are ready to finally whet your appetite for the first time ever, these forty daily devotionals will help you to taste and see how good and applicable God’s Word is to your daily life.

The 40-Day Feast invites you to the table to

· learn how to ingest and digest whole passages for yourself
· discover the transforming power bound up in your Bible
· apply its truths to your daily life
· awaken a deep hunger for more of God and less of the things that don’t satisfy

Now is the time to seek and find what God has to say and how we are to live as a result. Pull up a chair! Welcome to the feast!

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Inspirational, Christian Living, Faith

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Wendy Speake is an actress who appeared on shows such as JAG, Star Trek Voyager, and Roswell, where she discovered a longing to tell stories that edify women. Today she ministers to women through storytelling and biblical life applications. Her first book, Triggers, was released in 2015.

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely book. This is a 40-day devotional all about the Word of God. This book helps us to get an appetite for the Bible, savor each bite, and apply biblical truths to our daily lives. Whether you read your Bible daily or not, this book will have golden nuggets for you to enjoy. I have read each of Wendy’s 40-day devotional books and I have found each one to be rich with insight and encouragement. This book was no exception and I will be reading it again.

[Alexandra (birdyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of good take aways and was an enjoyable study

[Sharon E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Speake’s new book, The 40 Day Feast, is split into two basic sections: why read the Bible, and how to read the Bible. She spends the first half of the book working though all of the reasons why we should dedicate our energy to spending time in God’s word and addresses the objections that might keep us from doing so. The second half of the books walks through a number of strategies for how to approach reading the Bible, such as starting with the Gospels or using a one year reading plan. The core message of the book is this: if the Bible is God’s word and He speaks to us through His word, then we should daily be feasting on this gift He has given us. I especially appreciated the feast at the end of each chapter in the book - usually a whole chapter of the Bible, to help establish the rhythm of daily time in God’s word. I would recommend this book for teens on up, particularly for new believers that need to establish the spiritual discipline of consistent Bible reading.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The40-Day Feast was an easy audiobook listen. I was surprised that it contained 7 bonus days for a total of 47.

Parts of the book were REALLY good and I loved; others I didn't completely agree with and/or found slightly repetitive.

All in all, I liked the book.

“Yet many miss out entirely because not all Bible-believing men and women are Bible-reading men and women. As a result, we’re a malnourished bunch.”

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rtc

[Sam Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reignited my love for the Bible and helped set me back into a routine of daily devotion. Highly recommend!

[Judi Renshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 40-Day Feast is truly an amazing and inspiring book that I used to improve my Bible study habit. This book was not intended to be a comprehensive explanation of the Bible. Its purpose was to “wet” the reader’s appetite and give them different ways to study God’s word on their own. After a short Bible verse, some personal insights and an ending prayer, Wendy provides a Bible passage and concludes with “Food for Thought”. The reader has the opportunity and is encouraged to discover life applications for each Bible passage. Towards the middle of the book Wendy shares different ways to study the Bible using acrostics and Kay Arthur’s “How to Study Your Bible” method which truly resonated with me. She also provides plans for reading the Bible in a year. This book was written to help both believers and experienced Bible readers as well as nonbelievers. I highly recommend this book and plan to share it with family and friends.

[Alison (readinginazaleawoods) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich in both personal insight and biblical wisdom, The 40-Day Feast encourages and helps believers to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
 
In each of the forty short devotions, I found myself encouraged and inspired by Wendy’s own words and personal reflections, as well as by the opportunity to feast and reflect on specific Bible passages each day.
 
As a women’s ministry leader with a heart for God’s Word and for my fellow sisters-in-Christ to be in and to know His Word, there were several chapters that I found particularly inspiring and insightful and hope to pull from and share at a future event with the women of my church.
 
Overall, I enjoyed this devotional and believe it is one that any believer can glean from and appreciate, but especially the believer who is hungry to know God and understand His Word.
 
Thank you, Wendy, for my copy of The 40-Day Feast! What a blessing this was to read.
 
A review was not requested of me. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
 
Star Rating: 4.25 stars, rounded down.

[Linda H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 40-Day Feast by Wendy Speake contains forty daily devotionals that are designed to “whet your appetite for the Word of God.” Each day you’ll receive a Bible verse, an appetizer (Wendy’s words), a prayer, The Feast (the Word of God), and Food for Thought (something to chew on).

Reading through the first few chapters was hard for me because I wasn’t used to Wendy’s writing style. Loads of imagery flooded my mind to the point that by the time I reached The Feast, I couldn’t read His Word. After several failed attempts, I took a break then came back with a plan to switch the reading order in hopes that that might help me. I read the Bible verse, The Feast, the Food for Thought, then the appetizer and prayer. That went well for a few days then I stopped reading again. It wasn’t until I skipped the first 15 days then started reading at Day 16 that I was able to move forward.

The reason I didn’t give up on this book is because it’s packed with information that will help me as I read and study God’s Word. The first two times I read through the Bible chronologically, I prayed before opening my Bible but I didn’t think to ask myself, “Did I come to hear from the Lord today?” Wendy has written a great book that should be read by everyone who has a desire to read God’s Word.

[Lisa Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely has a specific audience, of which I am one. I have read all the other books by this author, some multitude times. For me, this was my least favorite. Let me note I read this alone. The author is VERY involved with her readers. She is approachable and frequently does online studies. Personally, I did not participate in a group study when reading this; However, I believe you would get more out of this book if you did. I’m quite sure those who participate in a study with others using this book will rave about it.

I was so excited about this book and felt it had such a slow start. She kept referencing “whetting your appetite.” By day 16 I was ready to permanently put the book down. I kept waiting for a recommendation of how to study or an approach, which eventually came, but again very slow to start. - Honestly, I didn’t learn anything new in this book. It had some great imagery and I liked the layout. It was an easy read and divided into small “digestible” sections. Overall, I’ve been a Christian over 40 years and this read isn’t memorable for me; I’ll quickly forget it. In reiteration, I think reading this as a group study would make all the difference.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read multiple of Wendy Speake's books and again she does not disappoint!

The 40 Day Feast is all about filling one's self up with the good and Holy Word of God! Unlike Wendy's first two books - which asked readers to identifying the things we put in place of God and turn to when life becomes stressful, when we are bored or overwhelmed, the 40 Day Feast helps us to develop an appetite for the Bible.

Structured in the same fashion as the 40 Day Sugar Fast & 40 Day Social Media Fast with short devotional-like chapters, the 40 Day Feast is a launching point to get readers into a daily and lifelong habit of reading the Bible, the Word of God. This book was not intended to be a comprehensive explanation of the Bible, rather an introductory tool emphasizing the need to savor each bite of the Holy Word we ingest (read) and apply the biblical truths to our daily lives.

Whether you have been a Christian for a couple of days or decades, The 40 Day Feast will ignite a passion and hunger for God's Word in a new way that will have us being both a Bible believing AND Bible reading society.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 40-Day Feast
Taste and See the Goodness of God's Word
by Wendy Speake
Pub Date 17 Jan 2023
Baker Books
Christian


I am reviewing a copy of The 40-Day Feast through Baker Books and Netgalley:



It's time to get hungry for God's word!


There are many Bible believers who aren't Bible readers, while others devour God's Word and are hungry for more. Whether you've read your Bible multiple times, only tasted bits and pieces, or are ready to finally whet your appetite for the first time ever, these forty daily devotionals will help you to taste and see how good and applicable God's Word is to your daily life.



In the forty day feast you are invited to the table to learn how to ingest and digest whole passages for yourself you'll learn to discover the transforming power bound up in your Bible apply its truths to your daily life. As well as to awaken a deep hunger for more of God and less of the things that don't satisfy





Now is the time to seek and find what God has to say and how we are to live as a result. Pull up a chair! Welcome to the feast!


I give The 40-Day Feast five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pick up this book and fill your soul by feasting on God’s Word! 40 Day Feast is a refreshing call for every Christian to return to the Bible as the true source of life and satisfaction. In a world that constantly drains us—pushing us to strive, chase success, and pursue the next accomplishment—this book reminds us that such pursuits only leave us empty and wanting more.

Instead, when we build the foundation of our lives on Scripture, we discover lasting satisfaction and soul-filling truth. I love how the author gently yet powerfully teaches the importance of daily engagement with God’s Word, weaving in tangible examples from both everyday life and the Bible itself.

One of my favorite quotes from the book says it best: “God is always speaking, but we refuse to listen when we refuse to read.” What a needed reminder! God invites us to return to Him—and as we do, He meets us there. To set the table for this feast, we must first open our hearts and then open our Bibles.

If you are longing for spiritual nourishment, direction, or a deeper relationship with God, this book is a wonderful guide to help you develop the daily habit of hearing His voice through His Word.

[Faye Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy SpeakeThis is such a good 40 day study! Feasting on Gods word. Learning how to discern what God has for us by knowing Him more intimately.
I love the statement on Day 27 “Reading God’s word as though it is God breathed, Because it is.”
Realizing “some people are Bible believing but they are not Bible reading”.
( my thought-) It’s like not chewing our own food, but letting someone else do it for us. We don’t taste it to see for ourselves. Maybe it doesn’t taste like chicken like someone tells us.
People tell us about what God says in His word but have we really sat down and Feasted on His word for ourselves.
This book shows you how to fully get the most out of God’s word.
It made me see that I need to study God’s word for myself so I know what is truth.
I just want all my friends to know I’ve read the digital copy and can’t wait to get my hands on a hard copy
Faye

[Kim Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this easy to read 40-day guide, Wendy Speake invites us to sit next to her at her table while she explains how to humbly and hungrily encounter God, through His written word. She gives a brief overview of the story of the Bible, to show how it’s all related to God’s love for man. When you know the story, it takes away any trepidation of opening the book.
Then she spends time sharing how to approach your time in the Bible with expectancy and some questions to ask after reading to go beyond just reading and into feasting.
Wendy helps take away any doubt you may have about reading and interacting with the Bible and stirs up a hunger for wanting to sit down and feast on the Word.
I really enjoyed her soft encouraging voice and that she shared her personal story and how she’s grown in her faith while adopting the approach she explains in this book.
I recommend it to anyone! Whether you are wanting to go deeper with your Bible devotional time or you want to start out reading the Bible without doubting your ability to understand it.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I value good devotionals as much as anyone. This is not merely a daily devotional though. It is a launching point to get readers into a daily and lifelong habit of reading the most important Book of all, the very Word of God. I appreciate devotionals that give me a verse or two of Scripture to ponder. And 40 Day Feast does do that, but then it has readers feast on long and meaty chunks of Scripture that are in no way meant to be read quickly. Wendy Speake encourages her readers to very slowly ingest and digest the feast that God serves up through His Word. Wendy's end goal is that her readers leave her book behind as they take up their own faithful study of the Good Book for a lifetime. Even as someone who does a decent job of feasting on the Word, I was challenged and encouraged to go deeper still and am so much better for it. I will be buying copies of this book for family and friends for years to come. It's important. This book is different in the very best of ways.

[Mallory Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 40 Day Feast takes you through 40 days of feasting on God’s Word. It teaches you what to do so that you will be able to keep feasting on your own long after the book is read. The 40 Day Feast will greatly encourage you in your faith. It will get you into not only reading but digging into God’s Word each day. When you reach the end you will feel more confident about being able to study the Bible on your own. The personal stories in the book really draw you in each day and show you that God doesn’t care about perfection. He only wants you. Something that deeply resonated with me in day 9, and one of my favorite days of the book is this. “The Bible is not something we seek to understand, but a book we open because it understands us.” This book is divided up into easily digestible daily readings, though you will want to keep reading more. If you are unsure about where to get started reading the Bible or if you have fallen out of the feasting life then this book is for you!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 40-Day Feast is Wendy Speake's third 40 day journey. She adds personal insights to each of her books to encourage her readers in their quest to change a portion of their life.
I think the 40-Day Feast is a great tool for new Christians or those who haven't read the Bible consistently and would like to learn how to dig deeper in the Bible. Wendy starts will a Bible verse followed by tips on reading the Bible better thought more verses and personal insight and followed by a bigger chuck of Bible reading.
What I loved was that Wendy teaches how to read the Bible and learn how to take away in knowing more about the Bible and what God is teaching the reader. New believers will benefit from Wendy's wisdom. I was hoping for more advice to more mature Christians who have been faithful Bible reading and want to know more about deeper Bible study.
I received a complimentary copy of The 40 Day Feast thanks to Baker Publishing and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

[Heather Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever wish you could have been among the disciples at the last supper, enjoying the meal with Jesus and leaning in to savor every word he shared? We can learn to feast on the word of God through this 40 day journey of falling in love with the Bible. The Bible is sometimes elusive for us and if you are feeling a bit spiritually weak or dry, Wendy Speake will remind you of the sustenance you can receive through God’s word and the flavors bursting in each word God gave us. Wendy’s forty day devotional draws you into the Word of God and whets your appetite for more. She is biblically solid and passionate about truth while sharing her journey through the Bible in a very personal manner. This book sets the table for a regular habit of feasting with Jesus, enjoying every morsel of truth in His word. Thank you Wendy!

[Lynn Badger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the beginning of the book Wendy captured my attention and interest. This book is designed for you to turn your focus everyday to God’s word. Wendy’s chapters all end with Bible chapters to read to enhance her thoughts. I believe that she understands that all of us need to be spending my time with God. While it’s best to do so first thing in our day, it’s more important to spend time reading His words sometime in our day. As you read and study each day there are thought provoking questions to help you look at your life and see where God could be more involved.
This book is good for young adults, mom’s, dad’s, seniors. All will gain a better life and connection with God.
As in her 40 day Fasting book you will come away with a closer connection with God and you will have a better idea where to turn when things are difficult.

[Christina Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot speak highly enough of this book! From the first few chapters (days), the Biblical truth poured out. My best way to describe this book is to take the best parts of a multitude of Sunday morning sermons, wrap them all together, and put a bow on the top. You get to unwrap each day’s chapter with more insight and enlightenment on your spiritual journey. As a Christian, we have a tendency to think we are doing alright with our spiritual walk. But each day’s chapter inspired my walk with Jesus to be deeper. Reading what God wants from me in a setting like this was exactly what I needed as an average Christian. Wendy encouraged me to dig in more often and linger longer. If you are looking for an inspiration to help your walk with the Lord on a daily basis, I would definitely recommend this book. I know I plan to buy a copy for many of my friends.

[Jeanette Helppi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, Wendy Speake takes you through 40 days of feasting on God’s word, but also gives you thoughts and ideas on how to feast on Gods word after your done doing the 40 day feast with her. Wendy’s goal in the book seems to be to get each of us to be Bible reading Christians on a regular basis. Wendy also has free resources online that you can download, and one of them is a yearly Bible reading plan for those of use who would like to follow something. I think the point she makes in this book, is that it doesn’t matter in which order you read the Bible, but that you read the Bible and are able to soak up Gods word and draw closer to God! This is a great book to read if you don’t know how to start reading the Bible, or if you’ve gotten lax about reading the Bible, or even if you are good about reading the Bible!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

God’s Word of Truth is indeed a Feast!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 1, 2023
I have done 7 of Wendy’s 40 Day Sugar Fasts, I was part of her book launch team in 2019 for the 40 Day Sugar Fast. Her writing is superb! She draws you in, in a way that keeps you wanting more! She has not disappointed with her newest book The 40 Day Feast! I was again part of the book launch team for this beautifully written book on God’s Word of Truth to feast on. Wendy keeps everything close to God’s heart, adding commentary from biblical scholars and teachers, explaining God’s Word that is easily understood, giving real life examples to glean from, passages from the Old and New Testaments for The Feast and a Food for Thought for us to think upon. This is the kind of books I enjoy, daily devotionals that draw me closer to Jesus! I encourage you to read it!

Debby Blue

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Wendy Speake when she came out with her first "40-Day" devotional book, The 40-Day Sugar Fast. I have since purchased and read her second book, The 40- Day Social Media Fast. So, I was excited when I found out she was writing another devotional book in this series! I think this was my favorite of the three, because it addresses the importance of daily Bible reading. Not just passively reading, but "feasting" on the Word of God. I find this author's writing very personable and easy to read. I know I'll read through this book at least once a year, as I've done with her previous two books. They keep me disciplined in whatever areas she's covering - whether it be food addiction, too much social media, or staying in the Word. Highly recommend The 40-Day Feast for anyone who'd like inspirational guidance to regular Bible reading!

[TheConsultingWriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 Day Feast is a journey into exploring more of God's word. This is not a cookbook, nor is it a diet book on fasting (as some have thought). The idea is to read one chapter a day. They are to give you a taste of what can be found in the Bible. Suggested Bible passage readings are given to meditate and pray on. Following that is more reading and thoughts to reflect on. Basically, the idea is her insight is the "appetizer" or means to encourage further reading and exploration, or "feasting" in the Bible. I can see this use as both a personal Bible study as well as a small group Bible study. With the struggle to really get into the Word and study it, this might be what encourages us to really explore and learn. To develop a hunger for reading daily. I received a copy through NetGalley. The honest opinions in this review are my own.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great tool to help you spend more time in scripture so you can learn more about the Savior (Word made flesh). There are helpful study tools, practice sessions, and personal insights from Wendy. Within this book are many spiritual disciplines which I know but have neglected with time and the busyness of life This goes right along with other books on spiritual disciplines presented uniquely. I have participated in the 40-Day Sugar Fast for several years. I will likely add this annually as well as great reminders of how to study the Word. If you are looking for a guide to getting deeper into the Word and an overview of basic spiritual disciplines this is a great tool! It's also a great next step after any fasting period!

[Melinda M Colon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 40-Day Feast takes readers on a walk through the importance of reading God's Word, the how to of reading God's Word, and gives the encouragement to make it a daily habit. Wendy shares relatable devotions along with a suggested chapter of the Bible to read each day. It's an excellent read whether you read it 40 days in a row (I highly recommend this) or at your own pace. Wendy always points the reader back to the priority of reading the Bible. Several of the devotions impacted me--I'll always ask myself if I'm prepared for God to speak to me at church! I give this book 5 starts and highly recommend it to those wanting to go deeper in their understanding of God's Word or grow the habit of daily Bible reading.

[Rachel Rector · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 40 Day Feast will give you healthy portions of encouragement and tastes of the Bible, and it will leave you happily wanting to hunger for more. Wendy Speake says it clearly “God uses His Word to STRENGTHEN us when we are weak. God FEEDS US JOY when we are joyless, for His Word is SWEET when life is bitter. He serves us FAITH when we are faithless and HOPE when we are hopeless. He spoon-­feeds us COURAGE when we ache down deep from fear. Our Bibles make us BRAVE to continue when we are tempted to quit.” Isn’t that what everyone wants?

No matter if you are someone who is overwhelmed with the thought of reading the Bible or someone who is a seasoned Bible reader, this is for you! If you are tired of just surviving in this world and want to thrive, this is a must read for you.

[Holly DeGroot · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books to whet your appetite for God’s Word! Wendy’s obvious passion for the Word of God is truly contagious throughout the pages of this book. Each chapter is short but so full of passion and how-tos, and I love how she sends you straight to the Word after each one. I’ve been a believer for a long time now, but I learned so much and grew my desire for God’s precious Word during this feast. But I also think this would be a wonderful book to give to someone who is newly stepping into the Bible, as well. So many helpful, easily applicable tips and so many good, fun, encouraging stories from her own life. I’ve read it once, bought it for a friend and can’t wait to go through it with them again! Wendy, thank you so much for this inspired book and for sharing your heart with us!

[Deb Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have previously read and followed the author through several 40 day sugar fasts and also a 40 day social media fast. Both of those fasts--which are excellent--focus on fasting for the purpose of feasting on God's Word. This book, however, focuses especially on feasting; as the author states, "turning Bible believers into Bible readers." The first portion of the book is about "why" to read your Bible. The second portion is about "how." It includes suggestions for Bible reading plans and questions to ask yourself after reading a Scripture portion: What did I learn about God? What did I learn about myself? How do I need to live differently as a result?
For those who sign up, the author will be leading a group through The 40 Day Feast beginning 2/20/23. Sign up now at: wendyspeake.com!