Whew. I can't believe we're less than a month away from 2021! I think we can all agree 2020 took us by surprise, but by the grace of God we are still here. I've been using the last month of this year to get still. I know when a new year comes we tend to make our lists of goals and resolutions, and while nothing is wrong with doing so I can't help but reflect on the 2020 we never thought would be. 2019 ended, we said our "Happy New Year!" on January 1, and then March came taking this world into a turn we didn't see coming. If 2020 taught me anything, it is that some things will be unexpected, not according to plan. In the midst of all the changes and uncertainty, the greatest blessing I've received from this year was deepening my relationship with Christ. He has been the anchor of my soul, heart, and mind in such an unpredictable year. While loved ones and community helped get me through too, it was in those alone times that I think strengthened me the most. It was reading a good devotional, writing in my journal, or saying a 15 minute prayer that turned into a whole worship session. Those are the moments that I can never forget. We can make all the plans, but ultimately God is in control (Proverbs 16:9). Who knows what 2021 will bring? We can only hope, trust, and believe in God's goodness, faithfulness, and unfailing love. So, to help you launch into the new year on a high note, I'm sharing five Christian books that have blessed me in various seasons of my life and are on my list of 2021 reads.
This devotional has been my favorite devotion yet. Shirer takes you through 90 days of drawing closer to God and how we can hear His voice in our own lives. I think my favorite aspect of this book was Shirer's anecdotes and very relatable tone she used throughout the book. It made me feel safe and easily apply the scriptures she paired with each day's story and overall teaching to my own life.
This book has taken me the longest to finish because it is a DEEP book and every page packed with highlight-worthy chunks. The title itself basically tells you all you need to know about the book. Warren breaks down how to live a purposeful life as a Believer by providing answers you probably didn't realize you had questions about. To give you an idea of some of the sections in the book: "What On Earth Am I Here For?", "You Were Created To Become Like Christ", and "You Were Planned For God's Good Pleasure". I don't want to give it all away but this book has definitely been eye-opening and helped put things in perspective for me as a Believer of Christ Jesus. Hope it does for you too!
Where my prayer warriors at? This is another great read by Priscilla Shirer! She dives into the power of prayer, the power of a praying woman, and how to pray effectively. If you're looking to go into 2021 with the tools you need to succeed in every area of your life, prayer is key!
This is a lovely book that you can finish in one sitting! It's such a beautiful read filled with prayers to help guide you in specific areas such as "prayer for my mind", "prayer for God's love", and "prayer to speak over yourself", just to name a few. Along with the guided prayers, Rozier also encourages through a "daily prayer reminder" to help put your prayer into perspective. This is great if you are just starting out in your prayer life or looking to dig a little deeper too.
5. Discouragement, Doubt, & Compromise: Overcoming the Challenges of Life by Pastor Ray Hadjstylianos
Pastor Ray wrote this book to serve as a "how-to" guide for fighting against the schemes of the enemy that can often leave one discouraged, doubtful, and compromise in those challenging seasons or testing moments. The book is filled with encouragement, accompanying scripture, and strategies on how to push past feelings of defeat and step into conqueror mode!
I hope you would find great blessings by at least one of these books and that it helps you go into 2021 leaving everything in God's hands. Leave a comment below if you do read or have read any of these books before. I would love to hear your thoughts! Happy reading and cheers to a new year very soon.