I fully understand the idea of wanting to be inspired. All of us go through seasons in our life where we need to be influenced by someone with a different or wider view of God and God's economy. Reading good material is the hallmark of our response to God's invitation to be more like Jesus. Here is a list of the best books I have read. They are all inspiring and full of godly wisdom, as well as doctrinally sound.
One thing I want to mention that I think is important when recommending books or anything for that matter. No book is perfect in its theology. No writer has captured all of God and penned the words that will inspire every reader. I also think it is unfair and truly prejudiced to judge someone because they may have read a book by an author that you have heard doesn't fit your churches theological bent. I have found that many great men and women of faith disagree on major doctrines and yet they still love and serve God with ferver and they serve mankind with love and compassion.
My favorite book of all time is: The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
This book reveals a deep and abiding love for the things of God, and without reservation I can say that every page is full of wisdom. The deeper you dig the bigger the gems.
My second favorite book is Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge
Wow! Bob Sorge has chipped away at his mountainside and burrowed a hole that goes deep, deep, deep. He has exposed nuggets of truth that inspire and enlighten. This is an excerpt from the book. "To wait on God successfully, we must come to derive more fulfillment by being with Him than by working for Him."
The Deeper Christian Life by Andrew Murray
Andrew Murray was a Dutch reformist that spent most of his life in Africa. During his life he drew closer and closer to God and reveals this depth of relationship in all of his books (about 250.) There's nothing old fashioned about this man's work even though most of his material is more than one hundred years old. Timeless truths prevail.
Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis
This book was written in the fiftenth century. It is comprised of one page chapters where Thomas brings out attributes of God and worships God through his writings. This is the second most sold book in the world next to the Bible. This book is for the most serious of believers, those who really want to know just how deep a man or woman can go with God.
The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee
This is a very difficult read. The truths revealed are innumerous, but his writing style isn't for everybody. But if you want to grow and you don't mind being challenged on the edge, Watchman Nee will take you on a journey that leads to revelation.
The Power of Prayer by R. A. Torrey
"It is the most effective work that anyone can do: that is, we can often bring more to pass by praying than we ccan by any other form of effort we might put forth." Torrey shares what works. Men like Torrey didn't just pray, prayer was more a part of who they were than their own name. This is a must read if you are or want to be a prayer warrior.
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Imprisoned by the Gestapo in Germany in 1943 for his faith, Bonhoeffer continued to inspire anyone who came into his presence. He was sentenced to death and killed just a few days before the prisoners were liberated by the allies. This man knew God. His insight into the shallow worldly lifestyle that is so prevalent today is second to none. A must read for anyone thinking about giving their life to the ministry.
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
"It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of Christianity by our own arguments; nobody can prove the truth of Christianity save the Holy Spirit, by His own almighty work of renewing the blinded heart."
The Cross of Christ by John R. Stott
There is no substitute for a brilliant work. Stott goes to the heart of the matter and gives insight to the work of the cross. He not only discusses its efficacy, but he unravels the history behind God's idea of the cross and its long term affect on future generations. Stott is a well educated writer and his academic approach to the subject is methodical and concise.
I would be remis if I did not recommend my book, The Power of God Thinking by Keith C. Powell.
This book is a faith work for believers that must go deeper to be fulfilled. It is chocked full of timeless truths that can easily be applied in one's life so that you can enjoy your life with a deep understanding of how God operates today. God's truths are timeless, but God is contemporary and operates in real time with real people to solve real problems. You will be blessed.
Other books of great interest
The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitehall Smith
God a Biography by Steven R. Mosley
His Upmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
Spiritual Leadership by Blackaby
Seven Guides to Effective Prayer by Colin Whittaker
True Submission by Charles Grandison Finney
Extravagent Worship by Darlene Zschech
Purpose in Prayer by E. M. Bounds
All of Grace by Charles Hadden Spurgeon
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
In His Steps by Charles Sheldon
Prevailing Prayer by Dwight L. Moody
Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray
Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton
Foxes Book of Martyrs by John Foxe
True Vine by Andrew Murray
Root of the Righteous by A. W. Tozer
With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray
Many of these great books can be found at Bridge-Logos online bookstore.
http://www.bridgelogos.com/index.htm
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