The goal of reading and studying should not be knowing, it is should be living. Many people have a head full of facts but a life empty of truth. In fact, the very educated and learned Apostle declared, “Knowledge puffeth up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Our desire is to grow, not just just know.
Through the years the Lord has used a wide range of books to encourage me and challenge me regarding different areas of my Christian life. A book often has its greatest impact because of the timing in which it is read. This is why one person’s “favorite” may not be another’s. It would be impossible to provide you with an exhaustive list of even the books that have been of benefit to me and Solomon said it well when he wrote, “of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12).
Please permit me to share 5 books that are a tremendous help on living a victorious Christian life:
Not I, But Christ by Stephen F. Olford (Olford was a powerful preacher of God’s Word and a man mightily used of the Lord. This book is an in-depth study of one of my favorite verses of Scripture, Galatians 2:20. The simple, clear writing style is easy to follow and I would strongly recommend you read any thing Olford wrote.)
The Calvary Road by Roy Hession (Hession knew something about revival and the life of the Spirit in the believer. In this classic book he explains how that revival is simply the life of Jesus poured into the human heart. Read this book and be ready to spend some time in prayer.)
Relax and Let God… by James E. Duncan, Jr. (This little book was used of God in my life to open my spiritual understanding to the vital connection between a life of faith and a life of victory. The victory is won or lost in the mind and Duncan shows how many of our long held assumptions do not line up with Scripture. Thoughtful and helpful.)
Abandoned to Christ by L.E. Maxwell (You should try to get everything you can by Maxwell. He understood by experience the life of Christ in the life of a believer. His writings make me think!)
The Indwelling Life of Christ – All of Him in All of Me by Major W. Ian Thomas (I love this book. Thomas explains how victory is not won by trying harder but by discovering the power of the indwelling Christ. Amen! Read this and by God’s grace ask the Lord to make it a reality in your life.)
This is a good starter list. What books would you add to the list of books on the victorious Christian life?
Read each article in this series:
5 Books To Read About Jesus (And One Bonus)
5 Books To Read For Bible Study
5 Books To Read On Prayer + 1 I’m Reading Now
5 Books To Read On The Holy Spirit
