5 of the Best Faith Books You Need to Reread Every Year
I’ve read a handful of books in my life that I would say have been “life-changing” in the ways they have challenged me and grown my faith.
Books I simply call – the Best Faith Books!
These are books I reread often. Most have them have been around for a while. I’m guessing that even if you’ve read them … it was some time ago. So, I thought I’d take a few minutes to tell you why I think it may be time to read them again…
5 of the Best Faith Books
♥ Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You by John Ortberg
How would you describe your soul?
If you’ve always wanted to know the answers to questions like:
1. What is the soul?
2. What does sin have to do with the soul?
3. What does the soul need?
4. How to restore an injured or hurting soul?
John Ortberg does an excellent job of explaining how you and I are more than a body, a mind, and free will. You and I are souls, and there may be nothing more important than knowing about our soul’s care and keeping.
Pastor Ortberg draws upon his years of study and mentorship under the late Dallas Willard to provide readers with a guide to their souls, the gateway to a deeper relationship with God.”Your soul is not just something that lives on after your body dies. It’s the most important thing about you. It is your life.”
Quotes from Soul Keeping…
“You’re a soul made by God, made for God, and made to need God, which means you were not made to be self-sufficient.” In one of his books, Dallas has further explained, What is running your life at any given moment is your soul. Not external circumstances, not your thoughts, not your intentions, not even your feelings, but your soul. The soul is that aspect of your whole being that correlates, integrates, and enlivens everything going on in the various dimensions of the self. The soul is the life center of human beings.”
“Our world has replaced the word soul with the word self, and they are not the same thing. The more we focus on ourselves, the more we neglect our souls.”
My mind may be obsessed with idols; my will may be enslaved to habits; my body may be consumed with appetites. But my soul will never find rest until it rest in God.
♥ The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
I reread Lee Strobel’s books because they deal with facts … they always encourage my faith and give me tools I can use to share my own story of faith.
Lee Strobel wrote the following about this journey…
For much of my life I was a skeptic. In fact, I considered myself an atheist. To me, there was far too much evidence that God was merely a product of wishful thinking, of ancient mythology , of primitive superstition.
Then he spent nearly two years interviewing thirteen scholars and authorities on his quest for the truth about Christ. His “Case for” books present the facts and information gathered to the reader as a litigator would present evidence to a jury … facts and information that forever changed his life.
The reason I recommend reading and rereading Strobel’s books is I believe they will encourage your faith and give you tools you can use to share your faith with others.
Quotes from Lee Strobel…
“To continue in atheism, I would need to believe that nothing produces everything, non-life produces life, randomness produces fine-tuning, chaos produces information, unconsciousness produces consciousness, and non-reason produces reason. I simply didn’t have that much faith.”
“Christian faith is not an irrational leap. Examined objectively, the claims of the Bible are rational propositions well supported by reason and evidence.”
“I believe in Jesus on the basis of the historical evidence, but my relationship with Jesus goes way beyond the evidence. I have to put my trust in him and walk with him on a daily basis.”
♥ Your 100 Day Prayer: The Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God – by John Snyder
This is by far, the best books on prayer I’ve ever read. It’s a book God placed in front of me in the middle of a book store when I was going through a very difficult time.
I’ve read and prayed through this book several times and I’m currently reading and journaling my way through it again.
When the need is so great, so seemingly impossible that only God’s direct intervention will ever bring it about, it takes a different kind of prayer. Your 100 Day Prayer is designed to take you straight to the heart and will of God by seeking him for a specific need. This book includes:
A dedicated page to express your need before God on the day you start your 100 day of prayer,
100 entries to help you focus your prayer through the truth of God’s Word and character,
Leading prayers to give you a jump start,
Writing space to capture your conversations with the Father and the spiritual transformation you experience day by day, and
A concluding page to memorialize how God answered your prayer and transformed you through the process.
Quote from Your 100 Day Prayer – A Prayer To Begin
Lord, as I embark on this journey of prayer, come and banish from my heart every last trace of self-reliance and captivate my mind with the truth that you are sufficient for my every need, great or small. Transform me by increasing my confidence in you, in all your extravagant forgiveness and mercy, and strengthen my trembling knees in the face of trouble. Cause my loved ones and me to emerge from this season of prayer with a fresh vision of Your glory, a new and lasting fearlessness, and a renewed devotion to Your purpose for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
♥ The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
This is another book I’m currently rereading…
I love the first question … What on earth am I here for?
Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions of life … swimming around in your own little fishbowl, feeling like there ought to be more?
If you’re longing for more … if you need a new perspective and new hope it just may be time to reread this book.
Quote – Rick Warren dedicated The Purpose Driven Life to you…
Before you were born, God planned this moment in your life. it is no accident that you are holding this book. God longs for you to discover the life he created you to live—here on earth and forever in eternity.
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1:11 (MSG)
And finally the #1 most important book you need to read, reread and then reread it again.
♥ The Bible … The Word of God
I promise you the more you read the Bible … the more you will fall in love with reading the Bible.
I’ve participated in more Bible Studies than I can count and although I’m still a fan, studies are primarily reading what someone else has to say about various and specific sections of Scripture.
And although valuable, I don’t want to rely simply on what someone else thinks about God’s Word … I want the Holy Spirit to speak God’s Word of truth directly to my heart and mind.
You see, through faithfully reading through the Bible every day I’ve not only fallen in love with reading the Bible … I’ve fallen in love with the Author.
Quotes from The Bible…
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2 Timothy 3:16
Jesus prayed…
Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
John 17:17–19
You are so very loved by the God of the universe.
The 5 best faith books will bless and encourage you and if you’re like me you need that reminder most when you’re caught in the middle of life’s daily routine!
P.S. I don’t benefit from the sale of any of these books and have not linked to any resources for you to purchase them. They are all available through Amazon as well as a variety of other book distributors. However, I am adding a link to my favorite version and translation of the Bible because the New Life Translation plus the Life Application Bible Study Notes blesses me.
Thanks so much for these recommendations, Deb! Yes, I read the Bible daily, and always find it a source of comfort and inspiration. I’ve read Lee Strobel, too, but will have to look into the other books mentioned here.
Blessings!
Martha, I think you will really love them … especially the books by John Ortberg and John Snyder. Blessings, my friend!
Deb – Thank you for this great list of books. I see a few new ones I haven’t read yet, and I am adding them to my list.
Yes, the Bible is #1. I am loving learning and reading it. Right now we are reading through Malachi in my small group. I am always amazed at how God speaks through his word.
Thanks, Maree! For the first time in a long time, I’m reading a section from the Old Testament, a Psalm, and verses from either John or Romans. I have been amazed at how many times the theme, of the three sections, speaks to the same thing. The Holy Spirit is really using this plan to speak directly to my heart. Blessings to you!
I’ve either read or are familiar with and love all of these authors except John Snyder. I’ve never read his book, but it’s the one that sounds the most intriguing to me! I’ll have to check it out, Deb! Thanks for sharing about these! They are the giants of our faith!
Snyder’s book is a favorite! It makes always helps me focus on God and His promises as I turn to Him with an ongoing need. Thank you, Beth! They are indeed faith-filled leaders who have touched many lives. Blessings!
Great selections! We watched a movie based on Case for Christ and it was really well done.
Strobel’s story is powerful isn’t it? Thanks so much for visiting and for stopping to say “hi.” Blessings!
I enjoy John Ortberg. I will have to add this one to my book list!
I always love finding new books! I’ve been pressing into God’s Word this year and it is making such a profound impact, even on the days that feel ordinary.
Thanks for sharing these faith building and faith reinforcing books.
Just last night I met with someone who was having a crisis of faith and I actually pulled out from my husband’s library, The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith. 🙂