5. Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life, Don Whitney
I read this book when I was a just starting out in ministry without any discipline in my life—especially when it came to the spiritual disciplines. Whitney’s book helped me see that God is always pouring out grace, but the way to get underneath that fountain of grace is by doing the spiritual disciplines.
4. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
I love the allegory throughout the book that helps the reader grasp the truths of the Bible. For example, at one point in the story Edmund (one of the children) reunites with his brother and sisters after betraying them and Aslan by helping the White Witch. As the White Witch comes to meet Aslan and sees Edmund with his siblings, she begins calling him a traitor and liar. Lewis tells us that Edmund “wasn’t ashamed because he just kept looking at Aslan.” Yes!
3. A Body of Divinity, Thomas Watson
If you have ever read any of Watson’s books you will find two things: 1) every sentence is a metaphor and 2) he can strike the affections like few can. Listen to this sentence, “Let a man who is thirsty be brought to Christ, an ocean of pure water, and he has enough. If there be enough in God to satisfy the angels, then sure there is enough to satisfy us.” Enough said.
2. Future Grace, John Piper
The concept of “future grace” changed my life. Future Grace is, as Piper defines it, “future grace is God’s power, provision, mercy, and wisdom—everything we need—in order to do what he wants us to do five minutes, five weeks, five months, five years, and five thousand years from now.” Future grace looks at how God has given grace in the past which leads to faith in God’s future provision for grace in what I’m facing.
1. Holiness, J.C. Ryle
There are few books that I read every year. Holiness is one of those books. Holiness is a must-read for every Christian. It will leave you thirsting for holiness and desiring to be more like Jesus.