I love to read books that inspire me, teach me, and help me grow in holiness and my understanding of God. However, I want to emphasize that the most important book of past, present, and future, is the book written by the 66 prophets. It is the Word of God; it is the answer to everything, to every problem. The most important thing to study has been and always will be: the Bible.
It is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4). Nothing, no book, no sermon, no training, can replace time in the Bible. Everything we hear or read needs to be filtered through this. Anything you read on my blog or any other website needs to be critiqued through what the Scriptures say. It is solid doctrine and God never changes. His Word needs to be the foundation. That is where we turn when we have questions. It is not wrong to seek extra knowledge from a pastor, a friend, or a book, but we first must go the the Almighty and seek it in His Word and prayer. We have the Holy Spirit, the Wonderful Counselor, as our guide. He WANTS to reveal truth to us if we are willing to seek it out and search for it as for hidden treasure.
But, as I said, I do enjoy reading books to learn more or hear of other's encounters with Christ. I am encouraged to hear about the work the Lord has done in others, and to gain wisdom from others who have come before me. I have compiled a list of 10 books I have read recently that have greatly impacted my life.
1) The Supernatural Ways of Royalty by Kris Vallaton
...Discovering your rights and privileges of being a son or daughter of God... This book is filled with messages that unlock your true identity in Christ as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Chains were broken, walls were torn down, and I was set free through this message, to walk in the authority Christ has given me. This book calls you into sonship and royalty, and lifts weights of rejection and oppression.
2) A Cry for Justice by Shelley Hundley
...Overcome anger, reject bitterness, and trust in Jesus who will fight for you... Shelley shares her story about the sexual abuse she received from a pastor as she was a child growing up in Colombia. He had bitterness and turned from God. She shares about the psychological trauma she experienced during her years as an atheist, and how she attempted suicide to escape her pain. God then did something radical in her, she received the Holy Spirit, and began a transformation process, where she had revelation of Jesus as the righteous Judge and King of Mercy. I gained greater understanding of the God of Justice who fights for His beloved ones.
3) Dare to Dream by Mattheus Van Der Steen
...If you can see the invisible today, God will make it visible tomorrow... This book is an amazing story that begins with Mattheus's wife describing her past and her time within the satanic church. She was chosen to be "the fifth bride of Satan". God delivered her, and she and her husband are serving Jesus together bringing revival to the nations. This book covers many topics including God's will for your life, the power of the Holy Spirit, God's heart for orphans and widows, prayer for the sick, depression and burnout, and the Father heart of God. It challenges you to pursue Jesus and live life to the fullest, pursuing your dreams and having radical faith to step out and allow Christ to do amazing things through you.
4) Compelled by Love by Heidi Baker
...How to change the world through the simple power of love in action... Heidi highlights the Beatitudes and living the simple Gospel life of loving the ones the Lord puts in front of you. Heidi and her husband started Iris Ministries in Mozambique, Africa and spend their life living with the poor and needy, loving the orphan. She shares of the many miracles she has seen through her years of ministry. "If God is not with us, we do not want to continue. If the Sermon on the Mount is simply impractical, our mission work is hopeless. We have no backup plan. We have nothing but Him." - Heidi Baker.
5) Forgotten God by Francis Chan
...Reversing our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit... I was hit with revelation when reading this book. Jesus told His disciples that it was better for Him to leave them and ascend to heaven, because then the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, would be sent to them, and this would be to their advantage. This revelation shocked me, and I began to gain greater understanding of who the Holy Spirit is. He is a person, and he empowers us.
6) Wrestling Prayer by Eric & Leslie Ludy
...A passionate communion with God... This book is about travailing, tenacious prayer. It's about praying in alignment with Christ and pursuing His promises. If God promises something, it must happen, because He cannot lie. We must grab a hold of His truth and pray with faith until breakthrough comes. Prayer is a mighty weapon that brings heaven to earth.
7) The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson
...Remember the prisoners as though in prison with them... This is a powerful story of how David, a country preacher, was called to go to New York City to reach out to boys from a violent gang who were on trial for murder. David founded Teen Challenge, an inner-city ministry which reaches out to those struggling with addictions. This book is a story of how even the most unlikely people can hear and follow God's call to do the impossible.
8) Crazy Love by Francis Chan
...Overwhelmed by a relentless God... Having an encounter with God's love is what changes you. When I had a revelation of God's love, I was never the same after. I had an encounter during my time in Kona, Hawaii and soon after I read this book, and had an ever deeper revelation of the love of Christ. He is all about love. We were created to love and be loved by Him. God is love. He has a crazy, relentless, all-powerful, love. He pursues our hearts and won't stop until He has all of it. We would have to try very hard not to love Him back if we truly knew His character and deep, unmeasurable, unconditional love for us.
9) Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy
...God's sacred intent for every young woman... Girls, this one's for you! Leslie shared part of the message of this book in another of her books, Authentic Beauty, which I read in my later high school years. It changed my life. It stirred something in me to go beyond my "living through the motions of religion" lifestyle, and to make my faith real, authentic, and alive. This book goes a step further than Authentic Beauty. It highlights God's sacred call upon your life, understanding His pattern for true beauty, making God's priorities yours, and living a poured-out life. It is a call to surrender every area of your life and pursue holiness.
10) Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand
...One man who dared to stand up... Martyrdom is something that many don't want to meditate on, but as Christians, we are called to give up our life for the sake of Christ. This is a book to inspire you for times when you walk through suffering for the sake of Christ. Richard faced a life-changing decision when he was pressured by Communists to deny Christ and His faith. He chose to wipe the spit from the face of Jesus, no matter the consequences. He only had the fear of God, not the fear of man. He was tortured, kept in solitary confinement, and spent many many years in prison. He loved Jesus through it all. Richard founded the Voice of the Martyrs ministry, which focuses on the persecuted church and those who suffer and are killed for the sake of Christ.
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