Recommended Reading
So much of Christian books today tend to be soft, easy reads that rarely change your perspective on life or have a solid impact on your walk with the Lord.
I have compiled a list and short explanation of books that are both thought-provoking and life changing. I read to learn and develop a broader understanding of myself and people. I want to discover how to adjust my life to in order to have a more intimate relationship with God and people.
The list I have compiled is both old and new books. Some books, though written some time ago are so solid that the truths within them will whether the test of time. Some books are chosen because of the topic they cover, which will hopefully give the reader a well-balanced understanding of the truths they contain. Other books, though controversial, need to be investigated because they challenge what we believe.
I view myself as a thinker. I am not the best nor the least, but I believe it is our job as human beings made in the image of God to learn in order to live lives that are worthy of the grace God has offered us. I trust these books will both challenge and encourage all who read them.
I will from time to time include new books that I forgot or which I discover to be valuable. I will try to update regularly.
Should you have a worthy book to recommend please email me and I will both read it, and if it seems valuable to the collection, included it in my list for others to discover.
Soul Keeping, John OrtbergI have read all of John Ortberg’s books and this is one of the best. I have been studying the soul for some time now and this book was produced from John’s time with Dallas Willard who was John’s personal mentor. The DVD’s that go along with the book are a must for personal review as well as small group study.
If You Want to Walk On Water You’ve Got To Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg
John is a great story-teller and teacher that illustrates how to change your faith into action. John has a brilliant way of making truth simple, without simply watering down the truth.
So much of spiritual warfare tends to be on the mystical side rather than on the truly Biblical side. Greg’s book God at War is a masterpiece that reveals the way God created the spiritual dimension and why demonic powers and Satan exist. This book is over 400 pages, but if you pace yourself, it’s well worth the time. Nothing I have ever read compares.
The Unshakeable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person, E. Stanley Jones
I read this book about 30 years ago and it is still the best book on what the kingdom of God is and how it should be treated in every believer’s life. So many books are written from a theological perspective with no real experience. Dr. Stanley lived what he taught about the kingdom!
The Impossible Mentor, Raymond C. Holtenbach
I came across this book about three years ago and found it compelling and it fueled my passion for mentoring. Ever since I got saved, discipleship and mentoring have been part of my Christian life. This book was fresh and relevant to the point that I started using it to train some of my leaders in a one-on-one setting. If you’re a leader or pastor, this is a must read.
Killing Kryptonite, John Bevere
I have listened to few men that teach with such passion and couple that with great studying, as John Bevere. His material is always though-provoking and challenging and this book is no exception. In John’s own words this has been one of the hardest books he has written due in-part to the honesty and clarity he challenges the reader with. If you want to be changed read the book.
The Life God Blesses, Gordon MacDonald
Gordon MacDonald is such a solid thinker. He refuses to write what I call “Jesus Fluff” that only entertains you or speaks things that are easy to read. He writes from depth and clarity that few authors have.
The Fire of Delayed Answers, Bob Sorge
Dallas Willard is probably one of my favorites because he is so transparently rich. Men with his experience in the teaching field tend to think very highly of themselves, yet Dallas seems to reflect what we are all after as Christians – learning to be as free as Jesus. Loved this book!
Sleeping Giant is a must read for any man wanting to walk in the faith he has heard about. As a teacher from Saddleback Church with pastor Rick Warren, he has had personal experience with what makes men healthy. The first half of the book exposes why men’s groups don’t grow and the last half shows how to build one in your church. I like this book so much I have bought a box of them to hand out to leaders in other ministries.
Goliath Must Fall, Louie Giglio
A good friend recommended Louie Giglio a few years back and so I picked up this book. What a gold mine of truth. If you’re looking for a good read that inspires you to take on big things, this is the book.
River Dwellers, Dr. Rob Reimer
One of my passions is to study and walk with the Holy Spirit. Many pastors and teachers talk about the Holy Spirit, but this writer reveals both the struggles and success of his own discovery. I love it when an evangelical pastor and teachers starts to discover the intimacy of God with the Holy Spirit.
Mystery of the Holy Spirit, A. W. Tozer
Becoming a new believer without a church background, I devoured anything by A.W. Tozer because in just a few pages he unpacks truth for hungry souls. This book by Tozer reveals the secret of his own ministry and that was his fellowship and walk with the Holy Spirit. Most evangelicals don’t even know he wrote such a book and that is such a shame.
Christians are rarely taught about respect for spiritual or natural authority. John clearly teaches from scripture and his own life mistakes and right handling of spiritual authority. Any leader that has not read on the subject needs to read this book so they can help the body of Christ walk in the authority of Christ in a healthy way.
When pastors or teachers talk about the armor of God they often make it more confusing than clear and thus the average believer fails to protect themselves. I read this book a number of years ago and it is probably the best book on the armor of God. Being over 400 pages, it may scare some readers, but don’t let it. It’s rich in illustration and revelation.
When God Doesn’t Fix It, Laura Story
I read this book, which I was hesitant at first to do. I don’t read “testimony” books per say, but love books that teach God’s principles and uses personal application. This is a great book by a mother and wife that is a worship leader in a major church. She chronicles what she learned when faced with a trail that seemed to just get worse and yet she grew.
The Blessed Life, Robert Morris
Robert Morris is one of my favorite pastors/teachers. He has one of the healthiest churches in America because he loves to be generous. This is a little book with great potential to transform your life and you’re giving. I have been to his church in Dallas numerous times and his church reflects this book.
If your interested in a detailed book that defines the function and role of the Holy Spirit, this is your book. One of the greatest teachers is one that doesn’t just teach academic truth but practical truth.
The God I Never Knew, Robert Morris
The Holy Spirit – One of the most over-looked and important topic the church needs, yet they usually just skirt around His importance. Robert Morris is keenly aware of not understanding the Holy Spirit as he gives examples of his own failure in this book. Simple, yet not watered down truth that will change how you live each day.
The Best of A. W. Tozer, A. W. Tozer
A.W. Tozer died in 1964, but I feel he was a prophet to the nation. As a young believer, I would take his books and during my 15 minute breaks as a mechanic would read a chapter as they were only a few pages long. I then would go back to work and chew on the challenges he gave. It changed my life forever.
The Cry for Spiritual Mothers & Fathers, Larry Kreider
This little book is one of the best books on mentoring others as a lifestyle and not just a once in a while task. Is there any wonder most Christians don’t live a satisfying Christian life? Much of it has to do with not having a spiritual coach. This book will warm your heart and fire up your soul to make a difference by mentoring others.
Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer
Joyce Meyer has a gifting to hit you between the eyes and love it. God has helped her help thousands of women gain victory over the mind that is troubled by all kind of issues. For men and women this book on the battlefield of the mind is a must for any serious seek of truth and victory.
Not a Fan cuts between pretend and real. So much in the church today, people are told to come to Jesus so they can be healed…which is true! Yet, it’s not all of the truth. Coming to Christ is about coming to Jesus so you can be transformed, not just forgiven and healed. Refreshing challenge to evaluate you own life up against the life of Christ.
Spiritual Java, Bill Johnson, Kris Valotton, Danny Silk, Banning Liebscher
Some books are great because they get you to experience the presence of God in new and life changing ways. I took my eldership through this book because it took us through loving God all over again and enjoying His grace like never before.
Spiritual Warfare, Dean Sherman
Few men I have heard understand spiritual warfare like Dean Sherman. As a world traveler, Dean speaks from true experience. So many that deal with this topic teach from hypothetical perspectives with little or no real life experience. Dean teaches from a heart that trust God and helps the student develop spiritual muscles for a winning fight.
Unmasking the Jezebel Spirit, John Paul Jackson
With keen insight, John Paul Jackson peers through the enemy’s smokescreen and exposes one of the most deceptive snares used to destroy the Church. This fascinating book is Biblically anchored and seasoned with years of divine revelation and thoughtful reflection.
