Books for the Devotional Life
What exactly is a “devotional” book? The very word “devote” means, to set apart or consecrate – and so a devotional book is any book which assists us in the moments we take for quiet, personal time with God in secret. A book which helps you start or finish the day with some reflections on God’s Word, always with practical applications to consider and examine ourselves with, is a devotional book. Thes
These are some of our best. In fact, we are confident that, among the many books in print today which claim the title “devotional”, you won’t find ones anywhere that surpass these in value. Some of the devotionals are oriented to men, some to women, some to teens and some to children. Many are suited to anyone who desires to grow in their faith and Christian walk.
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40 Favorite Hymns of the Christian Faith (Leland Ryken)
Every hymn begins its life as a poem—and we can give our favorite hymns fresh life by returning to their poetic roots. This anthology of several centuries’ worth of great hymns invites us to experience these works as devotional poetry—to slow down and savor their well-turned phrases and evocative language. English professor Leland Ryken provides some historical background for each hymn, but his focus is on literary analysis. Combined with relevant Scripture texts, the result is a wonderfully devotional and poetic study of the Christian faith.
$16.99 -
40 Favorite Hymns of the Christian Life (Leland Ryken)
We treasure hymns for their messages of comfort or conviction or for their associations with beloved believers and meaningful events. But many hymns are also powerful works of devotional poetry—displaying levels of artistry that we easily miss when we are simply singing through them.
This anthology of great hymns invites us to experience these works as poems—to slow down and savor their well-turned phrases, their surprising metaphors, and their evocative language. English professor Leland Ryken provides historical background and literary analysis for each hymn, finishing each with a Scripture reading to accompany it. The result is a wonderfully devotional and poetic study of the Christian life, drawing on hymns such as “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Be Thou My Vision,” “In Christ Alone,” and many more.
$15.99 -
40 Favorite Hymns of the Christian Year (Leland Ryken)
For generations, Christians have celebrated holidays and seasons with special songs. We all have favorite Christmas carols or Easter hymns, and some of us associate certain hymns with events like Thanksgiving or the New Year. But often we overlook the fact that these familiar songs are also powerful works of devotional poetry.
This anthology of great hymns associated with the calendar year invites us to experience these works as poems—to slow down and savor their well-turned phrases, their surprising metaphors, and their evocative language. English professor Leland Ryken provides historical background and literary analysis for each hymn, finishing each with a Scripture reading to accompany it. The result is a wonderfully devotional and poetic study for the Christian’s year, drawing on hymns for the New Year, Good Friday, Easter, Christmas, and more.
$15.99 -
A Godly Woman’s Adornment: 4 Vol. set by Lydia Brownback
Lydia Brownback’s women’s devotionals on Joy, Trust, Contentment, and Purity have ministered to many women with their brief but rich daily readings. One of our best-selling series for women who crave readings that make them think seriously about applying God’s Word to life.
As endorsed by Elyse Fitzpatrick:
“Lydia Brownback’s books are skillful devotionals for those who face the challenge to ‘fit it all in.’ Biblically rigorous and deeply perceptive. Godly insights from a godly sister.”
$59.96 -
Augustine on the Christian Life: Transformed by the Power of God (Gerald Bray)
Augustine is widely considered to be the most influential theologian in church history after the apostle Paul. Dramatically converted from a life of licentiousness to one of wholehearted devotion to Christ, the humble North African pastor quickly established himself as a leading figure within the ancient church. In Augustine on the Christian Life, historian Gerald Bray explores the rich spirituality of this extraordinary man, examining his historical context, approach to the Christian life, and work as a preacher and teacher of God’s Word. Drawing on Augustine’s many writings—including his classic spiritual autobiography, the Confessions—Bray demonstrates Augustine’s enduring relevance for Christians today.
$21.99 -
Bad Memories: Getting Past Your Past (Robert D. Jones)
Do memories of your past haunt you? Is there help for people who suffer because of their own past?
Most people who suffer from bad memories want them to disappear. Some want to deny the problem and “just forget the past.” Robert D. Jones shows that God provides a solution to the haunting problem of nagging bad memories.
What is God’s answer? If you belong to Jesus, God has something better for you, Jones writes. God does not want to remove your memories; he wants to transform them into something good. God is bigger than your past. Your memories of past sins–even the worst ones–can be opportunities for life-changing growth. You do not need to avoid, run from, or get rid of your past. Jones points out that painful thoughts may still intrude, but you need not escape them.
$5.99 -
Bavinck on the Christian Life: Following Jesus in Faithful Service (John Bolt)
Herman Bavinck looms large as one of the nineteenth century’s greatest Christian thinkers, contributing much to modern Reformed theology. Yet, despite his theological prowess, Bavinck was first and foremost concerned with being “a worthy follower of Jesus.” In this book, John Bolt—editor of the English edition of Bavinck’s four-volume masterpiece, Reformed Dogmatics—brings the great Dutch theologian’s life and work to bear on following Jesus in the twenty-first century, helping us see the direct connection between robust theology, practical holiness, and personal joy.
$19.99 -
Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship (Jonathan Gibson)
Every Christian knows the importance of a daily quiet time with the Lord. But anyone who’s been a believer long enough has likely experienced seasons that feel more mundane or routine, leading to aimlessly skimming a couple of Bible verses or praying the same prayer over and over.
In Be Thou My Vision, Jonathan Gibson has created a 31-day liturgical guide designed to provide structure to the daily worship of individuals and families. Each daily reading includes a call to worship, adoration, confession, assurance, creed and catechism, the Gloria Patri, a prayer of illumination, Bible reading, intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer. Designed to be read in 15–20 minutes a day, this beautifully produced liturgy will give readers focus and purpose to their daily quiet time while teaching them historical prayers, creeds, and catechisms that point them to Christ.
$32.99 -
Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life: From the Cross, for the World (Stephen J. Nichols)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer died a martyr’s death at the age of 39 but remains one of the most influential and challenging theologians of our time. His writings teach us the value of cross-centered theology, and his courageous actions against the Nazi regime compel us to consider the cost of discipleship. From Bonhoeffer we learn that the Christian life is lived both alone and together, and that there is a stark difference between cheap and costly grace. With insight, clarity, and wisdom, Stephen Nichols guides us through the words and deeds of this humble yet heroic pastor, whose example shows us that the Christian’s life flows from the cross, for the world.
$21.99 -
Bread of Life: Savoring the All-Satisfying Goodness of Jesus through the Art of Bread Making (Abigail Dodds)
11 Nourishing Devotionals to Satisfy Your Soul Along With Sweet and Savory Recipes
Millions of people have rediscovered the joy of homemade bread making. A quick search on Pinterest or Instagram brings up step-by-step instructions and captivating photos for everything from sourdough to naan. Bread satisfies our bodies, but our spirits cry out for even greater sustenance.
In Bread of Life, Abigail Dodds—an avid baker and mother of 5—invites readers to ponder and celebrate God’s spiritual and physical provision in Christ through the hands-on art of bread making. Offering readers easy-to-follow directions for everything from focaccia to chocolate babka along with full-color photographs throughout, this unique book is an enriching blend of devotional meditations and recipes that invites readers to ponder the true bread of life as they bake for their families and friends.
- Each of the 11 chapters features a bread recipe with easy-to-follow instructions
- Makes for a fun family activity
- High-quality photography captures the baking process and final product
- Discussion questions for group study at the conclusion of each chapter
- A great gift idea
$29.99 -
Calvin on the Christian Life: Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever (Michael Horton)
John Calvin, a man adored by some and maligned by others, stands as a legendary figure in Christian history. In Calvin on the Christian Life, professor Michael Horton offers us fresh insights into the Reformer’s personal piety and practical theology by allowing Calvin to speak in his own words.
Drawing not only from his Institutes and biblical commentaries, but also from lesser-known tracts, treatises, and letters, this book will deepen your understanding of Calvin’s theology and ministry by exploring the heart of his spiritual life: confident trust and unwavering joy in the sovereign grace of God.
$21.99 -
Car Line Mom Devotional (Caris Snider)
In Car Line Mom devotional, she offers you that very same encouragement with 100 fun, warm, and on-the-go devotions that remind you of God’s love, energizing you for the many stops ahead in your journey for the day. As you take in each day’s devotion, and enjoy relatable stories, life-giving passages of Scripture, and daily action steps, too.$17.99 -
Contentment: Joy That Lasts (Robert D. Jones)
Are you in financial trouble or a dead-end job? Single and wishing you were married? Married and wishing it was better? Longing for more security? When life gets tough, contentment is hard to find.
Contentment isn’t found, however—it’s learned, argues biblical counselor Robert Jones. In this pocket-sized exposition and application of Philippians 4:11—13, Jones draws parallels between the reader’s life and the various forms of hardship that the apostle Paul faced. Amid these, we too can experience what Paul experienced: inner satisfaction, peace, and confidence in God’s ability to care and provide.
Quick fixes fail, but Jones shows how, through the gospel, we can learn God-centered contentment each day.
$5.99 -
Count Me In: The Daring Life of a Jesus Follower (Travis Agnew, Alex Kendrick, and Stephen Kendrick)
Count Me In walks students through the entire Gospel of Luke and Jesus’s bold invitation to follow Him daily, obey Him faithfully, and trust Him completely. Each of the eight chapters focuses on an important element of discipleship, from studying Scripture to sharing Jesus with others. Students will be challenged with:• Do I value the right relationships?
• Do I have a healthy perspective of my earthly stuff?
• Do I let temptation and sin block my spiritual growth?
• Do I have a plan to keep my life intentionally grounded in Christ?$17.99 -
Daily Readings – William Wilberforce (Michael D. McMullen and William Wilberforce)
William Wilberforce is probably best known as the leader of the parliamentary campaign for the abolition of the slave trade in the United Kingdom. But behind his heart for justice lay a commitment and desire to serve God that permeated not only his life, but also his writings. Michael D. McMullen has worked extensively on the life and manuscripts of Wilberforce and has carefully selected these daily readings to help readers not only know the man better, but also to point their eyes to the God whom he served.
Taken from his spiritual journals and his one published book, as well as his unpublished works, letters and recorded reflections on scriptures, we meet in these writings a man who is introspective and self–deprecating, believing he fell far short of the standards expected of a Christian. But his devotion and love for the God who called him to be an ‘Agent of Usefulness’ is abundantly clear. These words that he wrote to challenge and encourage himself will do the same for a new generation of readers.
$25.99 -
Devoted to Jesus: From First Steps to Fully Surrendered (Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick)
Have you ever been personally discipled? Do you desire to walk closer to Jesus but wish someone would show you how? How can your faith become a thriving relationship instead of a religious duty? What are the keys to assurance of salvation, abiding in Christ, praying effectively, overcoming trials, and deeply loving others?$17.99 -
Edwards on the Christian Life: Alive to the Beauty of God (Dane C. Ortlund)
Jonathan Edwards is widely hailed as the greatest theologian in American history. In Edwards on the Christian Life, Dane Ortlund invites us to explore the great eighteenth-century pastor’s central passion: God’s resplendent beauty. Whether the topic was the nature of love, the preeminence of Scripture, or the glory of the natural world, the concept of beauty stood at the heart of Edwards’s theology and permeated his portrait of the Christian life. Clear and engaging, this accessible volume will inspire you to embrace Edwards’s magnificent vision of what it means to be a Christian: enjoying and reflecting of the beauty of God in all things.
$19.99 -
Faith & Life (B.B. Warfield)
B.B. Warfield stands as one of the greatest of Reformed theologians. He taught for over thirty years at Princeton Seminary, achieving an enormous output of learned and massive books and articles in defense of historic Calvinism.
Faith and Life reveals another side of the man. Warfield kept up the Princeton tradition of Sunday afternoon classes with the students of the Seminary in which, in his own words, ‘the deeper currents of Christian faith and life’ were explored. This book contains some of the memorable addresses he gave on those occasions. Always based on careful use of Scripture (Warfield has been called ‘a master of the Scripture’s meaning’), they are informal yet restrained, urgent yet tender.
The learned theologian had a child-like confidence in his Savior and in the reality of his own Christian experience. He once told his students, ‘In your case there can be no “either-or”, either a student or a man of God. You must be both.’ Warfield himself was both, as these pages reveal.
Among the various subjects dealt with, two stand out: the work of the Spirit in conviction, faith, adoption, and prayer; and the need for true devotion to Christ and his cause.
Although, on Warfield’s death, Gresham Machen believed that ‘old Princeton’ had died with him, this book can help the type of piety, long eclipsed, for which Warfield stood, to shine forth in its fullness again.
$22.00 -
Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer (Priscilla Shirer)
You have an enemy . . . and he’s dead set on destroying all you hold dear and keeping you from experiencing abundant life in Christ. What’s more, his approach to disrupting your life and discrediting your faith isn’t general or generic, not a one-size-fits-all. It’s specific. Personalized. Targeted.$17.99