Happy Mother’s Day to each and every one of you precious moms!

Never think for a minute that your love, hard work, prayers, dedication and devotion go unnoticed. For the Lord God knows each and every act of selfless service and every loving sacrifice you make for your family to the praise of His name – that His love might shine through you.

For this reason, do not grow weary in well doing for the Lord promises that in due time you will reap a bountiful harvest (Galatians 6:9-10).

Remember, blessings abound for you! For a mother’s love is the first glimpse we behold of the unfathomable love of Christ.

Today and always, may the Almighty Lord be the source of your love and the power of your strength and the joy of your heart.

Joyfully Serving Him, Kelly

A Tribute to Mothers
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many daughters have done well,
But you excell them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord,
She shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
–Proverbs 31:25~31

There are many Christian books that have influenced my life by either helping me to increase my knowledge and/or helping me to grow in my walk with the Lord. Yet, out of the many books I’ve read, these five are the ones that have made the most significant impact in my life thus far.

Each of these books have challenged me and have practically ministered to me as I’ve read, meditating and prayed over the truths and wisdom they exposit from God’s Word.

Please note: If you opt to purchase any of these books using the affiliate links below, a small portion of the sale goes to support The Nourishing Home at no additional cost to you. There is no obligation to purchase, but if you do, you are helping to support the free resources, meal plans and recipes here at The Nourishing Home. Thank you!

The ESV Study Bible 
The ESV Study Bible provides a wealth of resources that make studying God’s Word an easier and richer experience.

One of my personal favorites are the introductions to each book, which include helpful information about the author; date/place of writing; an extensive chart of key themes; a summary of how the book fits in with the rest of the biblical storyline; an outline of the book; and maps showing the setting of the book.

I also really appreciate the ESV’s system of 80,000 cross references and a thorough concordance – these two resources help to facilitate easy location of important words, passages, and biblical themes.

I am so thankful for my ESV Study Bible – it has been an invaluable resource in helping me to really dig deeper into the truths of God’s Word!

The Knowledge of the Holy
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

If there was just one book outside of the bible that I would urge everyone to read – it would hands-down be A.W. Tozer’s The Knowledge of The Holy.

This incredibly insightful and awe-inspiring book explores the attributes of God with the purpose of helping us see God for who he really is – in all of His majesty, glory and power! I cannot recommend this book enough. Reading this book will not only help you grow deeper in your understanding of God, but in your worship and praise of Him!

Because He Loves Me
Fitzpatrick has written an incredible book that beautifully illustrates that the gospel is not only essential for bringing us to saving faith in Jesus Christ, but it’s also central to living out an effective, Spirit-led Christian life!

She reminds us and expands upon our knowledge of the fact that as a believer, our true identity is “a beloved child adopted by the Father, espoused to the Son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit!” Throughout the pages of this heart-lifting book, Fitzpatrick encourages Christians to accept God’s forgiveness, walk in love, and live gospel-centered relationships.

For me personally, this book has ministered to me in helping me to be able to fully release the baggage of a past filled with a works-based faith and embrace the grace and love of the Lord through living out the gospel everyday.

Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone
Many of us don’t stop to think about the idols in our lives, I know I didn’t think about them as fully and rightly as I should have before I read this life-changing book!

Idols of the Heart reveals that “idolatry lies at the heart of every besetting sin.” If you think of idols as statues in far-off lands, think again. Idols are the desires, longings, and expectations we worship instead of the true God.

This book is an incredible resource in helping Christians to honestly assess (through prayer and petition to God) the idols in our lives and provides solid biblical counsel on how to effectively overcome them in order to live a more holy, God-focused life.

Feminine Appeal
This inspirational book comes along side women (like a kind and wise mentor-friend) to help us better understand and live out the Titus 2 principles that God desires for His daughters to embody.

Each of the seven Titus 2:4-5  principles has an entire chapter devoted to helping us understand and live out these virtues by providing amazing biblical insight, practical real life examples and thought-provoking study questions for introspection.

Feminine Appeal is truly the BEST book I’ve read on living out the principles of Titus 2! That’s why, I’m forever grateful to God for spurring me on to read it and to Carolyn Mahaney for being the willing instrument that the Lord has used to encourage so many women to strive to His higher calling for us as wives, mothers and women of God!

Share Your Thoughts!
I hope you will consider reading one or more of these wonderful resources. And if you have already, please feel free to share a comment below on how these have made a personal impact in your life. Also, please feel free to recommend other books that you’ve found to be exceptionally helpful to you in increasing your knowledge of and love for the Lord. Thanks, friends!

Joyfully Serving Him, Kelly