On My Bookshelf:
My Library of Faith Books
There's no substitute for the Word of God through personal Bible study. While I hope this blog & these faith resources inspire you and deepen your relationship with the Lord Almighty, my voice only echos His message. If you have to choose between the two, read your Bible and hear of Jesus' saving grace from Him, not me.
I encourage you to start a habit of reading your Bible and praying daily if you don't already. God may speak into your current struggle using the verses you read, or you may come to more greatly appreciate His love, mercy, greatness, patience (and so many more)... His true character can only be known by drawing close to Him through His Word.
I encourage you to start a habit of reading your Bible and praying daily if you don't already. God may speak into your current struggle using the verses you read, or you may come to more greatly appreciate His love, mercy, greatness, patience (and so many more)... His true character can only be known by drawing close to Him through His Word.
Bible Study
There are many translations of the Bible & many study Bibles out there. I only list what I use because I personally like them and they may help you on your faith walk.
*You'll note the links of the books take you to Lifeway.com. I have no affiliation with Lifeway and linked there to support a Christian book seller. These titles are also available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other book sellers.
![Picture](/uploads/8/4/1/9/84198614/editor/journaling-bible.jpg?1574363198)
ESV Single Column Journaling Bible, Published by Crossway
I use the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible for Bible study when I want to read for content and personal understanding away from explanations and commentary.
I love that it reads more like a traditional book (it's not double column like traditional Bibles) and has lined margins on the side for me to write important points or cross references. I like to highlight verses and write notes, this Bible has room for all that. It's great for coming back to sections when I need encouragement or to remember God's faithfulness.
Downsides: This isn't a study Bible, though there are good cross-references to verses and short explanations. If you're looking for a more developed explanation this Bible doesn't offer that feature, I do also like the ESV Study Bible, but it's not good for note-taking like this one.
I use the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible for Bible study when I want to read for content and personal understanding away from explanations and commentary.
I love that it reads more like a traditional book (it's not double column like traditional Bibles) and has lined margins on the side for me to write important points or cross references. I like to highlight verses and write notes, this Bible has room for all that. It's great for coming back to sections when I need encouragement or to remember God's faithfulness.
Downsides: This isn't a study Bible, though there are good cross-references to verses and short explanations. If you're looking for a more developed explanation this Bible doesn't offer that feature, I do also like the ESV Study Bible, but it's not good for note-taking like this one.
![Picture](/uploads/8/4/1/9/84198614/editor/nasb-image.jpg?1574363268)
Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, Published by AMG Publishers
This study Bible is available in the English Standard Version (ESV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), and King James Version (KJV). If you're buying your first study Bible the ESV or NASB version might be easier to read & understand than the KJV. You might consider checking out Bible Gateway to see how the different versions read before you purchase one.
This is a great Bible resource if you've wondered what the original Bible said in Hebrew or Greek and don't speak those languages. There's an Old Testament and New Testament Dictionary to define what select words in each verse mean in their original language.
There's also an introduction for each book of the Bible and commentary on certain verses to help the reader understand Biblical context and purpose.
Downside: The explanations for the verses/ sections are not verse by verse but more by section. The ESV Study Bible has verse by verse commentary that I also use.
I use this Bible when I 1) meditate on God's word because it gives me a clearer understanding of specific words and 2) when I want to compare it with the ESV (see below) translation. I own the NASB version.
This study Bible is available in the English Standard Version (ESV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), and King James Version (KJV). If you're buying your first study Bible the ESV or NASB version might be easier to read & understand than the KJV. You might consider checking out Bible Gateway to see how the different versions read before you purchase one.
This is a great Bible resource if you've wondered what the original Bible said in Hebrew or Greek and don't speak those languages. There's an Old Testament and New Testament Dictionary to define what select words in each verse mean in their original language.
There's also an introduction for each book of the Bible and commentary on certain verses to help the reader understand Biblical context and purpose.
Downside: The explanations for the verses/ sections are not verse by verse but more by section. The ESV Study Bible has verse by verse commentary that I also use.
I use this Bible when I 1) meditate on God's word because it gives me a clearer understanding of specific words and 2) when I want to compare it with the ESV (see below) translation. I own the NASB version.
Christian books that helped my faith walk
I'm an avid reader (though these days they're more often audiobooks).
These are a few books that have really helped me on my faith walk.
In my opinion, Christians need to be readers, re-readers, re-tellers, book-club leaders of the stories and books that draw our hearts back to repentant obedience to the Lord. So here I'm sharing my most influential.
These are a few books that have really helped me on my faith walk.
In my opinion, Christians need to be readers, re-readers, re-tellers, book-club leaders of the stories and books that draw our hearts back to repentant obedience to the Lord. So here I'm sharing my most influential.
![]() The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer (There's also the Resolution for Men by Stephen Kenrick, Alex Kendrick, and Randy Alcorn) I found this book incredibly convicting and it really challenged me to be a woman after God's heart. This book breaks a woman's life into categories/ resolutions and challenges her to put Jesus at the center of them all. I reread it every 2 years or so. |
![]() The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel This is a great book for skeptics (written by a former atheist) and for people who want a few more resources and facts beyond what they can find in the Bible. It examines Jesus from a historical, medical, psychological, and other points of view and in the end challenges you to decide-- who do you say He is? |
![]() Boundaries by Dr. John Townsend and Dr. Henry Cloud This book falls more in the life application of scripture/ counseling category. I really liked it and found it accurate to it's application of scripture. It's a book that debunks a lot of commonly reinforced ideas to which I and others have fallen prey. Ex: the Christian martyr, the self-sacrificing servant, never saying no, etc. It's a book that I think everyone should at least read and consider. I found it very convicting. |