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Fall in Love with Reading: Book & Bible Devotional Recommendations

Fall in Love with Reading: Book & Bible Devotional Recommendations
Fall in Love with Reading

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible."

I don’t know about you, but I love to read! But, if I’m being honest, I don’t always like to read my Bible. I run out of time in the morning. I’m too tired at night. I don’t know what to read. I just don’t feel like it. These are the excuses I like to make.

Yet, the few days that I do read my Bible, I always feel better. My mind is clearer. It’s easier to be patient. I have more joy.

If reading the Bible helps us to have a better perspective each day, why is it so hard to read it then? How do we find ways to fall in love with reading God’s Word?

Living in the Bible

We need to start by making a plan.

Figure out where and when you’re going to read it each day. Then find a method that brings you the most joy.

Maybe you love reading devotional books that guide you through Scripture. If that’s you, then find a devotional book you like.

Maybe you love journaling and taking notes as you read through. Get yourself a journaling Bible, a notebook, and your favorite pen.

Maybe you prefer to listen to the Bible. Download a Bible app (YouVersion is my favorite) and get listening!

Maybe you love diving deep into the historical and literary context of the Bible. Get yourself a set of commentaries or a study Bible, download the Blue Letter Bible app, and pull out your favorite notebook.

For those who need reading plans and journal devotionals, I would recommend the Bible Recap, devotional journals from Delight Ministries—”Christ-centered community for college women— and For The Girl—a branch-off online ministry of Delight—and the Daily Grace Co.

Here is a list of devotionals from Delight Ministries & For The Girl that I have enjoyed (or am looking forward to enjoying):

  • “Garden”: an in-depth study on the fruit of the Spirit.
  • “In My Feels: How to Feel God When I’m Not Feeling It”
  • “Face to Face: A Six Week Study to Help You Grow Your Intimacy With God Through Knowing His Character” (the For The Girl store is closing in the next few weeks, so get this one soon!)
  • “Awe & Wonder: A 24-Day Advent Study to Help You Dwell in the Wonder of the Christmas Story” (This is an Advent study that I’ll be going through this year!)

And a list of devotionals from the Daily Grace Co that I’ve learned a lot from:

  • “Come & See: An Invitation to Know and Trust Jesus More Than Ever Before” (a Bible study on the Gospel of John)
  • “Grace in the Wilderness: A Study on the Book of 1 Peter”
  • “Delight: A Walk Through the Psalms (Psalms 1-30)”

I love going through devotional books like those from Delight Ministries because they make reading the Bible an interactive experience. They tell you exactly what to read, they do an excellent job explaining the Biblical text, and they give plenty of opportunity to reflect on the reading.

So find the method of reading the Bible that works for you! Don't give up either because it will take both time and discipline to fall in love with reading the Bible.

Just like we eat more than meal a day, we need to constantly be going back to Scripture throughout the day, every single day.

Visit Good Books

And now for the bookworms like me! You are allowed to read books that are not the Bible! Charles Spurgeon did say that we can “visit many good books.”

So here are some of my favorite book recommendations that you can enjoy as the cozy season weather falls upon us.

For those who desire to live more in step with Jesus...

  • How to Put Love First: Find Meaningful Connection with God, Your People, and Your Community by Sadie Robertson Huff & Christian Huff
  • Not Part of the Plan: Trusting God with the Twists and Turns of Your Story by Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal

For the Bible, theology, and Church history nerds...

For the Fantasy lovers...

For the hopeless romantic...(no spice, Christian romance)

For those ready for Christmas...

As Charles Spurgeon said, “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” Together let’s take some intentional steps in creating a plan for our daily Bible reading time.

“This Book of Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed. For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 (ESV)

Additional resource: Blog post from November 2023 – "What Do I Do When Spending Time with Jesus is Hard?"