This has been another great year of reading! I love books and I especially love the encouragement I receive from the Lord by reading the books He has written through these wonderful authors.
Check out my favorite books of 2016:
Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads by: Suzanne Eller
As a woman who hungers for Jesus, Suzanne shares with us her journey of following Jesus wherever He leads. That means doing things and going places we never believed or thought we would go. It means surrendering and giving Him control. It means walking deeper and deeper with Him. It means living a life sold out for the Savior. Do you say yes to Him? My prayer is that you do!
The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by: Mark Batterson
I did an online Bible study of this book on my blog this past August and absolutely LOVED it! Get out your highlighter because you will be lighting this book up! Mark Batterson teaches us how to circle our dreams/hopes in prayer. He give us three circles: dream big, pray hard, and think long. And he encourages us to keep on circling our dreams in prayer. Don’t give up just because God has not answered your prayer. Keep praying and keep circling! This book will change your prayer life.
Wait and See: Finding Peace in God’s Pauses and Plans by: Wendy Pope
I just finished reading this book as part of an online Bible study by Proverbs 31 Ministries. I really enjoyed this book as I am in a waiting phase myself (waiting for someone to want to publish my book). Wendy draws her insight from David’s story. I love how she looks at his life and helps us to see that waiting is not a bad thing. Sometimes God uses our waiting phase to grow us and shape us for that next phase of our journey. If you feel like you are waiting on God, read this book. It will encourage you so much!
I Know His Name: Discovering Power in the Names of God by: Wendy Blight
One of my favorite things to do is to really dig into Scripture. These days when I’m reading a verse, I find myself trying to find out as much as I can about that verse. In this book, Wendy Blight digs into knowing the names of God: Elohim (The One who created you), El Roi (The One who sees you), Jehovah Nissi: (The One who stands guard over you), and Jehovah Rapha (The One who heals you). This is a book I LOVED because I yearn to know more about God and all of the many names of Him. I also loved it because it wasn’t just a book to read, but more like a Bible study with questions and Scripture to look up at the end of each chapter. A great ready and a great study!
The Purpose Driven Life by: Rick Warren
I know what you’re going to say….Vanessa, this book was written in 2002 and you’re just now reading it? It’s crazy, I know! This fall, my community group tackled this book. I am so glad I finally read it, because it was amazing. Rick Warren does a beautiful job of describing the five purposes for our lives: you were formed for God’s pleasure, you were formed for God’s family, you were created to become like Christ, you were shaped for serving God, and you were made for a mission. If you are searching for your purpose and want to know more about God and what He desires for you, then read this book!
Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears by: Kelly Balarie
This book has not released yet (it will be available on Amazon on January 3rd), but I am on the book launch team so I’ve begun reading it. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Kelly has dealt with fear in her life and she writes about how she found the courage through God to conquer it. Kelly cheers you on and wants you to be a part of the fear fighting team. No more listening to the lies Satan feeds us! Stand on the name of Jesus and proclaim freedom from your fears. You will finish this book and will have hope that you, too, can be an overcomer. Go buy this book next week!
My prayer for you in 2017 is that you have a hunger and a thirst to know God more. You can first find Him in the Scriptures. He is there and speaks directly to us. And you can also search for Him in books that He has used other Christians to write. God is amazing and speaks to us in many different ways.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
1 comment
Thank you!