A good book

I love reading books.  I have always loved reading.  My reading “habits” have changed over the years though.   I used to read romantic novels all the time.  At least one a week, I bet.    I don’t think I have read one in years, though.

The best book I have ever read, and still read is the Bible.  There is NO WAY I could write here, in this blog, everything I have ever learned from studying the Bible.  And I am still learning and hopefully will be until the day I meet my Savior face-to-face.

 

Even while studying the Bible, I still read books.  Well, that is until I was introduced to Beth Moore, and there was no time to read!  OMW I love her studies – so in-depth – so deep and SO MUCH HOMEWORK!   Life-changing FOR SURE!

Now, if I can get a book done in six months, it’s a miracle!    I just finished a book I started last year sometime, not a novel, but a “self-help” kind.  Do you like those?  I don’t.  Personally, I think the Bible is THE best self-help book there is and would rather just study it til I “know it all” (if you know what I mean) but my sister recommended this one, and I’m glad she did as I really learned a lot. 

There have been a couple of other good ones I have read over the years, like, The Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent and Spiritual Warfare by Ray Stedman.  Also, Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst.  Along with, Bait of Satan – Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense by John Bevere, the one I just finished, I thought I would look through these good books and summarize  some of the “good” points – lessons – suggestions – taught me so my “self” would be “helped”. 

The family blessing includes:  meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value to the one being blessed, picturing a special future for the one being blessed and an active commitment to fulfill the blessing.

This book started me on my journey of dealing with abandonment, etc.  It showed me how blessed I was and didn’t even realize it and how I needed to commit my life to blessing others, not to just being blessed myself.

The book by Ray Stedman had three strategies for disarming Satan: 

Appropriating by thoughtful consideration the complete protection of Christ;
Praying; and
Standing firm in the Christian faith with the certain knowledge that the battle is the Lord’s.

This is the book that taught me how to put on my armor EVERY DAY.  (Ephesians 6) and to stand firm. 

Growing closer to God has a whole lot less to do with any action we might take and a whole lot more to do with positioning our hearts toward His.

I’m a doer and a fixer.  But I can’t do ALL and I shouldn’t fix anything!  Craving God, His Presence, all He is – just H-I-M  with empty hands and an eager heart has been life-changing for me, to say the least.

Pride keeps you from dealing with the truth. It distorts your vision.  You never change when you think everything is fine.

Godly wisdom is willing to yield.  It is not stiff-necked or stubborn when it comes to personal conflicts. 

It is more important to help a stumbling brother than to prove yourself correct.

When offended, I have learned to listen and keep my mouth shut until they have said what they need to say.  If I don’t agree, I let them know I respect what they have said and will search my attitude and intentions.  Then I tell them I am sorry I have hurt them.

We must examine our hearts and open ourselves to the correction of the Lord, for only His Word can discern the thoughts and intentions of our hearts.

If we keep the love of God as our motivation, we will not fail.

We are to maintain an attitude of pursuing peace through humility at the expense of own pride.  It is the only way to see true reconciliation.

That says it all, doesn’t it? 

A “good book”, based on Biblical facts, can teach SO MUCH.  I just wish I could remember it all (AND DO IT TOO) so I wouldn’t need any “self help”.  Fortunately, I have a good highlighter J and sense enough to go back and learn it again (and again and again . . . ).

Most fortunately, though, I (we) have a Savior who forgives over and over and over.   And THAT is the best message of all!