Prayer, Lies and Esther – Books to Read

Do you struggle with which books to purchase as a Christian? This article contains reviews of three Christian books I recommend.

I have a confession to make: I am a bibliophile. Books – I love everything books – reading, purchasing, even just holding them. I would love to have all. the. books., (and of course, the time to read them).

In all honesty, though, I really struggle with which books to buy when shopping for a new Christian book. Should I purchase a devotional or a biblical fiction book? Should every purchase I make be spiritual or can I purchase fiction?

How to Choose Your Next Christian Book

There are millions of books from which to choose – secular and Christian. Deciding which will be the best choice for me to make and spending my money wisely . . . well, those are difficult decisions, aren’t they?

I try to ask these questions about the books I choose: Will the book be helpful? Will it teach me something or confirm some truth I know? Is it Biblical? Can I read it and not be ashamed if someone I know from church walks in? LOL. Just threw that one in there on a lark. No, seriously.

I have three Christian books I’d like to discuss and recommend for you today.

A Woman After God’s Own Heart

A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George

I distinctly remember reading this book about fifteen years ago. The title of the book appealed to me, since my heart’s desire was and is to become a woman after God’s own heart! I would love to be in the same category as King David – the faithful shepherd boy who slew Goliath, the man who spared Saul’s life even though Saul tried to kill him on several occasions, the King who loved God and danced with joy when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem, the “man after God’s own heart.” What an awesome privilege that would be!

Elizabeth George writes this book in such a personal way. It feels like she is talking just to you as you read. With anecdotes and scripture to support what she says, the book is still written in a very conversational way. It’s like sitting at the table with her, drinking coffee and talking about life and about becoming a “woman after God’s own heart.”

How does one become “A Woman After God’s Own Heart”?

So, how does one become this type of woman? The book is divided into three parts, Pursuing God, Pursuing His priorities, and then practicing His priorities. But what does that really look like?

To break it down one level, as we Pursue God, we learn to be devoted to Him, to abide in His Word, be committed to prayer and obey our God.

As we Pursue God’s priorities, we learn what our priorities should be: our husband, our children, our home, ourselves, and our ministry.

When we practice God’s priorities, we learn to seek first things first and to follow after God’s heart.

Why should you read this Christian book?

The book is full of practical advice to help you pursue the God you love, determine what your priorities should be, and how to practice God’s priorities. At the end of each chapter, there is a section called Heart Response that helps you internalize all you learned in the chapter.

It would make a great small group study. There is a study guide available to accompany the book. I urge you to click the link below and check out this book. You’ll have the blueprint for becoming A Woman After God’s Own Heart.

Lies Women Believe

Lies Women Believe by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

I first read “Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free” in 2001. I attended a women’s retreat at which Nancy was the guest speaker. She was a dynamic speaker and shared several of the “lies women believe”. She refuted each of the lies with scripture and examples from real life. I was captured by her careful research and ability to help us understand why we shouldn’t buy in to the lies we grow up with as women.

Nancy explains that the lies Christian women believe are at the root of most of their struggles. We believe lies about God, sin, priorities, marriage and family, emotions and more. Each chapter covers several of the forty lies she covers. At the end of each chapter, she includes a chart that counters the lies covered in that chapter with the truth according to the Bible. She then provides a “Making it Personal” section with questions and ways for you to: Agree with God, Accept responsibility, Affirm the Truth, Act on the Truth, and Ask God to help you walk in the Truth.

Examples of the lies we believe? We believe lies about ourselves like, “I’m not worth anything” or “Physical beauty matters more than inner beauty.” We believe lies about sin like, “My sin isn’t really that bad” or “God can’t forgive what I have done.” There are so many lies we’ve grown up with . . . lies we told ourselves or lies others led us to believe.

Why should you read this Christian book?

I believed many of the lies covered in this book. I trust we all believe some of them . . . not that we would actually admit that out loud to anyone else. Am I right?

This book just helps point out some of the lies and gives us hope that we can stop believing them. God’s truth is the best way to counter each of the lies we believe about ourselves.

You can read this book alone or get the study guide that is available and can use it in a group setting.

I highly recommend Lies Women Believe if you want to understand how God made you as a woman – a child of the King – and how to identify and refute the lies society and we tell ourselves.

Esther, Royal Beauty

Esther Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt

Growing up, I wasn’t a huge fan of history. I learned what I needed to in order to pass tests and get good grades in history, but it always seemed so dry. Reading about things that happened so long age to people with whom I had no connection. But when I my first historical fiction book, history came alive for me. I realize when reading a book with a combination of history and fiction, the fiction is just that . . . made up. BUT, I also know that the “history” part of it is based on actual events. All of a sudden, I was interested enough in the event taking place in the book to actually look up more information about it. Who knew you could learn from reading fiction??

Case in point, “Esther, Royal Beauty” by Angela Hunt. When I purchased the book, I never thought, “Gee, I’ll be reading the Bible.” I knew that a large part of the book was fiction. Many of the conversations “in real life” did not occur exactly like depicted in the book. BUT, after reading this book, I gained a new appreciation for all the research Angela did before writing it. She gave me insight into the culture in Persia during biblical times. She stayed so close to the book of Esther in the Bible, it was almost like reading the story straight from the Bible (in a new, modern translation, of course).

How should you read historical biblical fiction?

Let me address the elephant in the room with that question. I do NOT believe, in any way, that the Bible is fiction. Every word of the Bible was divinely inspired by God. What I am saying is, maybe you – like me – would find additional insight into the customs of the day by reading biblical fiction. My only caveat is to make sure you are reading the works of someone who believes the Bible and stays close to the story.

If you still hesitate to read biblical fiction, read the story from the Bible first. Then read the fiction author’s version of the story. How closely does it stay to the Bible? If the author takes too many liberties then abandon ship. If the book denigrates God or His power, it is not “read worthy.”

Why should you read this biblical fiction book?

Angela Hunt is a powerful storyteller. I’ve read other books by her and I’ve heard her speak at conferences. I can attest that she is a Christ-follower and she stays very close to the biblical version of the stories.

“Esther, Royal Beauty” is the same story as in the Bible, with the same players . . . Jews in exile, Xerxes (the king of Persia), Esther, Mordecai, Haman . . . and a slew of others to fill in the details. Even though I’d read the story many times in the Bible, I was so enthralled with her writing I couldn’t wait to get to the end of the book to read the ending. 🙂

You will not be disappointed with this book. I encourage you to purchase and read Esther, Royal Beauty now!

Next Steps

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