I glean encouragement from so many different sources and I love sharing what is currently speaking to me. So today I am beginning what will be a monthly "pick" post. Several have contacted me, asking for my recommendations on books, music, and various other tools and resources that help me and/or encourage me in my day-to-day life. To be honest, my lists are so long that it can get really overwhelming! So each month, I plan to post a list of my recommendations for the month: a song that has strengthened me, a book that has given me an extra "omph!" and any resource that has been spiritually profitable. :) Feel free to share your own picks in the comments below!
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the fruit of the spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." I have had this verse written on a board in my kitchen all month. Notice that it does not say fruits, but fruit. I cannot simply exhibit one trait of godliness and expect it to be enough. It's a package and if I am to walk in the Spirit as any who are born again should, then my life will bear the fruit of the Spirit.
Song: Audrey Assad has some beautiful lyrics. Her song, "Humble" has been on repeat on my playlist for weeks now. Read the lyrics and definitely buy the song here! It's worth every penny.
Book: Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand is one of the most spiritually awakening books I have ever held in my hands. When I first read it, I literally could not control my tears when I learned about the love of Christ manifested through this man's deep suffering and persecution. Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand began the Voice of the Martyrs ministry and have a powerful story. This book is one that I believe should be mandatory for every Christian to read.Sermon: I have been meditating on this sermon since I listened to it earlier this month. It's so easy to be distracted in our Christian life by doing all the right things and having all the right motives and desires. However, if we simply rely on doing things the right way, going to the right places, and etc, we are really living through our flesh and not the spirit. This sermon by Eric Ludy is called "A Distracted Devotion" and you can watch the sermon or download it to your iPod here.
What about you? What has spoken to you this month and has drawn you closer to Jesus Christ? Feel free to share in the comments below! :)
I am waiting for my copy of Tortured for Christ to come in the mail. Looking forward to reading it!
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