What are the three most life-impacting books you’ve read concerning Christian growth? Your regular go-to resources for encouraging others, writing blog posts, or reminding yourself of impacting truths from God’s Word?
God’s Word remains the ultimate life-GIVING book. But if you don’t have life-impacting books on file, it’s time to start your collection!
Here are mine in the order I discovered them, dating from the year 2000!
1. A Woman after God’s Own Heart – 2000
A 35 year-old frazzled young mom of four, I attended a women’s conference with Elizabeth George as the key-note speaker. Her practical teaching on how to model a heart after God at home so impacted me that I purchased this book (asking her to sign it) and read it several times. My copy is completely marked in pink highlighter (her suggestion for direct actions in God’s Word), and I refer to it frequently while instructing various women’s ministries.
Favorite quotes:
Good, better best, never let it rest till your good is better and your better is best.
I don’t want to be robbed of even one of God’s riches by not taking time to let Him invade my life.
Even though David didn’t always obey God, he had what mattered over the long haul – a heart after God.
A few subjects covered:
A heart abiding in God’s Word
A heart that serves (her husband)
A heart that values being a mother
A heart that makes a house a home
A heart that creates order from chaos
A heart that encourages
This life-impacting book truly formed my mothering philosophy and created a strong foundation for the way I teach and write!
Author: Elizabeth George
2. Secrets of the Vine for Women – 2003
Written on the heels of Secrets of the Vine by her husband, Bruce Wilkinson (covering Jesus’ teaching in John 15), this tiny book by Darlene Wilkinson presents powerful, practical truths for Christian growth.
Although I discovered this life-impacting book in 2003, I revisited it’s truths last year and the sound wisdom on questioning God’s goodness hit me afresh.
Favorite quotes:
The whole idea of spiritual pruning tells us that we have to let go of a lot of our “pretty good” to receive God’s very best.
Pruning always involves surrender and relinquishment on our part. He may ask us to let go of something that feels important to our happiness.
Every gift has a time limit. People die, possessions can be destroyed, and positions taken away. If I assume everything I hold in my hand today is mine to keep, I will be deeply disappointed. Ultimately, I’ll begin to question God’s character and His intentions towards me.
A few subjects covered:
The touch of abundance
Making room for more
The miracle of much fruit
3 Seasons in God’s vineyard
Short on time but looking to enrich your walk with Christ? This quick read will make an impacting effect on your life. I highlighted mine almost cover to cover.
Author: Darlene Wilkinson
3. The Attributes of God – 2013
What an awesome tool for enhancing our perspective of our Mighty God! I cannot say enough about this life-impacting book and use it each morning to lead into my personal praise and worship time with God.
Tozer describes God according to the Scriptures, but makes the point that we only know God on human terms because that is the only we we can understand God. God is far more than what we can ever comprehend and my favorite quote from the two volumes is this:
Favorite quote:
The rule is, if you if you can think it, God isn’t like that.
A few subjects covered:
God’s Infinitude
God’s Goodness
God’s Mercy
God’s Holiness
God’s Wisdom
God’s Sovereignty
I possess both volumes I and II, and highly recommend them for a clearer understanding of God and His character.
Author: A.W. Tozer
As I read through this list of life-impacting books again, I realized a prominent theme: Striving for God’s best and God’s perspective comes through growth, constant learning, and purging of both sin and unnecessary practices in order to reach forward towards Christ’s very best.
This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 3:13-14
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ~John 15:8-9
What books have you found instrumental in your walk with Christ? I’d love to know!
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Thank you for your book suggestions and the clear review of each one, Ruthie! This is very helpful!
Speaking of the attributes of God——while teaching a Sunday School class of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders over a period of a few years, we did a “scroll” of the Attributes of the Godhead which included specific attributes of each of the members of the Triune God (example “Son of Man”). Before I left that position the children themselves had found over 750 attributes by searching the Scriptures on their own. It was exciting to watch their enthusiasm as we unrolled the scroll down the SS hallway and watch it grow.
Grace and Peace, Gail http://www.bibleencouragement.org
Gail, that’s so cool! And just think – those kids will remember many of those attributes for years because they researched and found them on their own! Love it. So important to study and praise Him for His character. Thank you for reading and your words of appreciation, that means a lot!