I love devotional books and Bible studies! I can literally spend hours in a Christian bookstore pouring over its shelves of studies and devotionals. There’s just something about picking them up, touching, smelling, and imagining which ones the Lord will have me study at some future point in my life. And those on the shelves that have already been a part of my life ~ they are like running into dear old friends. And as I stroll those Bible study isles, I can’t help but remember the life happenings my family and I walked through as the Lord led me in each particular study.
As much as I love these books and so very much appreciate the ones God has called to write them, I’m still a proponent of learning to receive a Word from the Lord through (what I call) the raw Word of God. There’s something energizing about sitting down with the Lord and His Word alone, and having Him leap off of the pages of Scripture straight into the heart and mind. Getting Back on Track – The Spiritual Life part 1 offers a good start in learning to receive from the raw Word of God.
As I am studying, the two websites that add to my own personal study of the Word are:
BibleGateway.com and Biblos.com
Both of these sites are full of resources and references that the everyday Bible student would need. I can hardly write a lesson or message without them.
For today’s post, I want to share a few of my all-time favorite Bible studies and devotionals. Some of these are staples in my life – I’ll go through them every several years. They are like family to me. Much of my walk with the Lord has been challenged and changed because of these books. Just thinking about them makes me smile.
Daily Devotionals
My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers
I actually prefer the original edition, with the older language, probably because that’s the one I started with some 20+ years ago. It’s been modernized since then. You can even read it online here.
Daily Light for the Daily Path compiled by the children and grandchildren of 19th century London bookseller, Samuel Bagster
This book is a compilation of Scripture. No “man made” words. Just beautiful scripture and I adore it. I keep this one by my bed. The Daily Light for the Daily Path that I have is in the KJV. But just the other day, I downloaded a free version of this book in the God’s Word translation. I have searched everywhere to find the free download to share with you, but for the life of me, I can’t find it! However, you can sign up for each day’s devotional to be e-mailed to you on this site.
Streams in the Dessert by L.B. Cowman
Just like it’s name suggests, this devotional book offers streams of encouraging water for the parched soul. You can sign up here for each day’s devotion to be e-mailed to you.
These next 3 books aren’t devotionals, but I read them as if they are. These are books that I re-read every five or so years. Wonderful wonderful wisdom from two of my favorite writers: Andrew Murray and Brother Lawrence.
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Amazon has a free edition of this book here.
Waiting on God by Andrew Murray
Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray
Both of these Andrew Murray books can be found here. Many of his works are free in e-book form. He wrote many others, and some on prayer that I have stored away in my Kindle app to read one of these days… 🙂
Bible Studies
If you’re looking for a transformational Bible study, again, the Christian bookstore and internet shelves are full of them. But there are two that have had the greatest impact on my life and walk with the Lord. If I could only recommend one Bible study ever, it would be Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. Our church ladies just finished going through this study in the fall. It was my ninth time to study this book, and I learned something new every day!
And if I could only recommend two Bible studies, I would add Living God’s Word by Waylon B. Moore to the list. This study “demonstrates how to move from a Bible verse to life change and helps you cross the bridge from devotional to motivational study.” A men to that!
Living God’s Word is much shorter and lighter weight than Experiencing God, but the outcome is just as rich. Both Bible studies teach how to practically and powerfully live-out the Word of God.
I almost didn’t write this post because how in the world could I talk about wonderful Bible study resources and just name a few? There are so many resources available to help believers grow in Christ. If you have some favorites of your own, please share! Leave a comment and tell us about them. That’s the beauty of walking with the Lord… He uses numerous ways to accomplish the beautiful things in each of His children’s lives. The important thing is that we get back on track in our walks with Him.
Now onto those FREE resources ~
Free Resources in e-book form:
I’m sure there are others, but I know for a fact that these three sites offer many wonderful Christian books, both old and new, for FREE.
Gospelebooks.net offers free and discount books for the Amazon Kindle. (And just an FYI, anyone can have a free kindle app on their computers or tablets or smart phones.) Sometimes these discounts and freebees will be available for only a day, so I try to check it daily. Sometimes it will say “free” on the price, but when I try to download it, the price has already gone back up. This is the link to the section on this site that lists only the free books. Lots of goodies here!
Project Gutenberg is a site where thousands of books of all types have been made available for free. Many of these are in EPUB form. Others are in plain text form. All will work on computers, tablets, and smart phones. The old literature classics are available, as well as many older theological, spiritual growth, and Christian fiction books. These are books that were written before copyright laws were in place and are considered public domain. You can search by author, book, or category. I had a lot of fun looking through all of the choices.
Many of the writings of Charles Sheldon (most recognized for In His Steps – WWJD), Andrew Murray, John Bunyan (most recognized for Pilgrim’s Progress), and George Muller are available here. Plus there are other favorite classics like those written by Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austin, and all of those authors we so fondly remember (or try to forget *grin*) from our beloved High School and College English Lit classes. *another grin*
Totally Free Kindle Books is an Amazon site where free books rotate quickly on and off of the list. All types of books are here – not just “good ones” – but if you check it frequently, you’ll find some blessings. When you find a free book on Amazon that you download, pay close attention to the bottom of the screen. It will say something like “Others who bought this book also bought” and other free books will be listed there. My kindle app (on my computer, smart phone, and tablet) is full of these freebies. Many of the free public domain books are found here among these lists.
Have fun on your search for resources to help you get back on track and stay on track in your walk with the Lord. 🙂 If you know of others, please share!
PS:
*For the next few days, I’ll be away from my computer. So, I’m posting some “oldies but goodies” from the blog archives that fit the theme of “getting back on track.” I pray that they, too, will be a blessing to you.
With love and prayers for your walks with the Lord~
Jennifer