Six Faith Based Books to Add to Your Library
There are a lot of ways you can strengthen your relationship with God. One of my favorites is through reading faith-based books and devotionals. I’ll be the first to admit, sometimes I get a little lost in the Bible (although I still read it) and these devotionals help break down some of the scriptures and introduce them in ways that make them crystal clear and easy to digest.
So, as we jump into the second half of 2019, here are some of my favorite books that I’m either currently reading or have kept in constant rotation. I’ve hyperlinked the titles so you can learn more about each book. Also, if you have a favorite – please share them in the comments. I’m always on the lookout for new ones! - Charlene
P.S. All thoughts, rants and reviews are my own :)
Believe Bigger: Discover the Path to Your Life Purpose, By: Marshawn Evans Daniels
You’ve heard me talk about this book before; I’ve even based some of my FWTW Night lessons on this book! It was referred to me by a friend, and it is the perfect book if you’re looking for that extra PUSH to jump into your purpose. Not only is it chalk full of encouragement, Daniels has a way of holding up the mirror so that you can truly see yourself and all that God has deposited inside of you. This is a book I’ll keep forever because it’s full of my own notes and highlights – ensuring I don’t forget any of the gems. If you purchase this book, I promised yours will look exactly the same!
“Faith is making room for what you’re expecting to experience even if you have no clue or zero control over it actually happening.” – Marshawn Evans Daniels
Commanding Your Morning: Unleash the Power of God in Your Life, By: Cindy Trimm
Listen, Mrs. Trimm will get your whole life together! I started reading this book at a time in my life where I felt like my thoughts and mind were all over the place, and I needed something in my life to reset and realign the way I was going about things. Commanding Your Morning deals with how you think and the words that come out of your mouth. This was the first book that really cemented the truth that “my words have power” and depending on what I let come out of my mouth, positive or negative results may follow. Needless to say, this is another highly highlighted, annotated, sticky-note filled book of mine. I’m so thankful I stumbled upon this book, as it prompted the mind shift I knew I needed.
“For us, our lives only arrive at our desired goals if we line up our thoughts, words, habits, and actions in a similar way. With this framework in mind, you can choose to live consciously and intentionally. Rather than letting the elements of your day dictate your destiny, you can take control of these elements and direct their course to a greater end.” – Cindy Trimm
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, By: Sarah Young
This is my absolute favorite 365 daily devotional! My mom gave it to me about five years ago and I continue to read it every year as if it was my first time receiving it. Each day you’re given a devotional and corresponding scriptures to match – and they’re always on point! I really can’t express how much this devotional has helped me through some really difficult times – so much so, that it’s the first devotional I recommend to my friends whenever they are looking for something to uplift their spirit. If nothing else – this devotional should definitely be on your shelf... better yet, on your nightstand next to your bed.
Devotional for July 2nd (the day of this post)
“Let me show you my way for you this day. I guide you continually, so you can relax and enjoy My Presence in the present. Living well is both a discipline and an art. Concentrate on staying close to Me, the divine Artist. Discipline your thoughts to trust Me as I work My ways in your life. Pray about everything; then, leave outcomes up to Me. Do not fear My will, for through it I accomplish what is best for you. Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in Me. Underneath are the everlasting arms!” – Sarah Young
Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, By: Mark Batterson
Admittingly, I don’t think I was in the right frame of mind while reading this book. I was in a place where I wanted God to move in my life ASAP, and I thought taking on a 40-day prayer challenge would help bring whatever I was looking for to light – I was wrong. The book literally says, “The goal of the forty-day prayer challenge isn’t to get what you want by day 40. In fact, the goal isn’t to get what you want at all. The goal is to figure out what God wants.” Yea, I missed that part. So why is it on the list? because this book still contains so many amazing principles to help you change and enhance your prayer life; and encourages the idea of circling God’s will in prayer and not stopping until He answers. This is a book I’ll probably read again now that I have a different perspective and in a different place in my life. However, from what I’ve heard, if you’ve read Batterson’s first book The Circle Maker – you’ll probably like this one also!
“Here’s my advice: pray about what to pray about. God will reveal a promise, a problem, or a person. Then circle whatever God has prompted you to pray for with the same kind of consistency with which the earth circles the sun.” – Mark Batterson
Big Idea Food: A Weekly Devotional for Entrepreneurs, Side Hustlers & Dreamers, By Marlena Banks
Big Idea Food, is the newest addition to the group – and I’m so happy about it! I love Banks’ point of view, and how she introduces the word in such a fun, relaxed and relatable way. I mean when you open the first page and Week One’s devotional is entitled: Behold my Gangsta – I’m sold. I’ve talked about Big Idea Food on my IG feed, so I won’t get into too much detail here. But honestly, if you identify as an entrepreneur, side hustler or dreamer – just do yourself a favor a gon’head and get yourself a copy!
“Today I encourage you to holler at God about that big idea you have. Talk to Him about that bad situation your business is facing. I guarantee He’s ready to give you a strategy that uses what you have right now to get you where you want to be.” – Marlena Banks
100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self
This 100 day devotional is a super easy, yet encouraging read. Downs’ often pulls on her own life experiences to provided examples of how God can make a difference in our lives. It’s broken up into twelve “chapters” that have different areas in which we are called to be brave. If devotionals are something new that you’re incorporating into your routine – this one might be a great starting point! Downs also includes action points at the end of each devotional, which lead to great moments of reflection.
“You know what’s brave? Giving yourself permission to do the thing you want to do, to like whatever you want to like. That’s my hope for you. That as you grow to love yourself more and more, you will feel brave enough to love the things you love instead of altering them because you think that’s what it will take to be accepted. You are accepted by God. And hopefully you accept you too.” – Annie F. Downs