Are you looking for a way to get closer to God? Looking for a way to deepen your relationship with him? If so, then you should consider reading one of the books of the Bible. However, which book should you choose? Are all of them equally valuable? The answer is no! There are some books that are better than others in helping us get closer to God; these are called “theologoumena.”
Have you ever wondered what is the best book of the Bible to read? You may be asking yourself, “What makes a book of the Bible special?” Well, there are many factors that go into making a good book. The first factor is relevance. The Bible is relevant to every aspect of our lives. It deals with topics such as family relationships, marriage, politics and even social issues. The second factor is clarity. The Bible is very clear about its message which makes it easy for anyone to understand it regardless of their background or education level. And finally the third factor is authenticity. The Bible was written by people who actually lived during biblical times so there are no doubts about its authenticity because it was written by eyewitnesses who were there when these events took place.”
Best Book Of The Bible To Read To Get Closer To God
If you are looking to strengthen your relationship with God, the Bible is an excellent place to begin. The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by at least 40 different authors over the course of roughly 1,500 years; therefore, it can be overwhelming. Thankfully, there is a great amount of cohesion found between the various books and authors as they all point you toward a loving and just God who wants to save you from sin and give you eternal life.
To help you get started on your journey through this life-changing book, I have compiled a list of my favorite books for starting out in your faith and growing closer to God.
James
James is the first book of the New Testament, and it’s written by James, who was Jesus’ brother. The letter is addressed to churches in Jerusalem, where James was the leader of the church.
James discusses what it means to be a Christian who acts like Christ: being humble and serving others. When you read this book, you can’t help but feel inspired by his words!
Psalms
The Psalms is a collection of poems and songs from the Bible. It’s also known as “the book of praises.” The book is divided into five sections, each titled after its first words:
- Book 1–Psalms 1-41 (hymns and songs)
- Book 2–Psalms 42-72 (hymns and songs)
- Book 3–Psalms 73-89 (hymns and songs)
- Book 4–Psalms 90-106 (hymns and songs)
- Book 5—Psalms 107-150
Proverbs
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom, not necessarily a single book. It contains over 30 chapters and each chapter has its own unique message.
It’s important to note that the Bible is full of books that contain wisdom but there are some that stand out as being more useful than others. One such example is the book of Proverbs because it gives you lessons on how to live your life based on God’s word and principles.
John
The fourth and final book in the New Testament is John. Written by the Apostle John, this gospel was most likely written more than 30 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is a very important revelation because it means that he was not an eyewitness to what he wrote about. He was relating what others had told him about Jesus, who had lived long before his time!
John includes all four Gospels combined into one book (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). It begins with God’s creation of everything out of nothing (Genesis 1:1-3), then tells us how sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience (Genesis 3:15-24), followed by Noah’s Ark during The Great Flood (Genesis 6-8), Abraham being called out from Ur to become God’s chosen people (Genesis 12:1-9) and finally Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers despite them knowing he would one day become king over Egypt (Genesis 37-50).
Romans
Romans is a letter written by Paul to the church in Rome, which was one of the earliest churches. The book is part of the New Testament and is one of the longest epistles. It’s also an important book that has a lot to say about Christ, salvation, ethics and our role within God’s Kingdom.
Romans is often called “the gospel according to St. Paul” because it contains some of his most important teachings about Jesus’ life on earth as well as his death and resurrection from death.
Isaiah
The book of Isaiah is a collection of 66 short chapters, and it contains many prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. The first chapter opens with this statement: “The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah” (Isaiah 1:1).
Isaiah was a prophet who lived in the 8th century BC. He frequently refers to himself as “the man named Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz” (1:2), which means “quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil!” (Malachi 3:19). He speaks often about how God loves justice (1:17), but commands his people not to worry because he has provided an escape from their enemies through his Son Jesus Christ (2:2-4).
Ephesians
Ephesians is a letter written by Paul to the Ephesians. It is one of several books in the New Testament known as epistles. It is a book of hope and encouragement, love and grace, faith and forgiveness, protection and provision.
Philippians
The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi. It is known as one of the most beautiful and comforting of all the epistles. Philippians is full of encouragement and hope, making it a good book to read when you are feeling down.
The Bible is made up of 66 books and can be overwhelming, but if you start with the book of James, you can gain inspiration and hope for a blessed life.
If you are looking for a book of the Bible to read, then James is a great place to start. It’s the first book in the New Testament and it offers us hope and inspiration with its practical wisdom and spiritual insight.
The word “James” means “supplanter,” which makes sense when we consider how this letter shows us how God wants us to fill our lives with faith: We can depend on him, trust him, listen to his voice and follow him wherever he leads.
The Bible is a vast collection of books, but if you’re looking for inspiration and hope, then it’s best to start with the book of James. This book is filled with stories that will inspire you and can teach some valuable lessons about how to live life.
Best Book Of The Bible To Read When Depressed
What are 5 good chapters that we can read during really tough times in our lives? What ones would you recommend?
The Confidence of our Calling: Romans 8
This might be one of my favorite chapters in all the Bible, whether things are going well or not. Here’s why. This chapter has what has been called “the golden thread” or “chain” of salvation which is in Romans 8:29-30 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” This gives us the knowledge that salvation is fully a work of God because it is God Who foreknew us, Who predestined us, Who called us, Who justified us, Who glorified us…notice it is all He Who has done these things in us…not we ourselves, thereby God receives all the glory. Doesn’t He deserve it? He is the justifier Who justifies us.
5 Good Chapters Of The Bible To Read During Tough Times
This is what Paul means in Romans 3:26 “It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” This is why “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). This chapter:
gives us perspective on life (Rom 8:28);
gives us reason to endure the present (Rom 8:18);
gives us a clear conscience (Rom 8:1);
shows us Who is responsible for our salvation (Rom 8:29-30); and
shows us that we are conquerors but only in Christ (Rom 8:37).
The Confidence of the Shepherd: John 10
John is my favorite of all the gospels and possibly chapter 10 is my favorite chapter in this book. It is so hard to narrow down only one chapter because I love chapters 3, 6, 14 and so many others but there is something special about chapter 10. For one thing, we see Jesus being portrayed as the Good Shepherd and how good this shepherd is that will lose none of His sheep! Jesus says “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). This shepherd is unlike any other shepherd there is and it is “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:17-18). The shepherd voluntarily laid down His life for us, His sheep, who should have been headed to the slaughter; instead, the Good Shepherd that He is, He headed to the slaughter for us and was silent before the slaughters. Here are some reasons that I love John chapter 10, this chapter:
shows our security in Christ and in the Father (John 10:28-29);
shows that Jesus Christ is truly God (John 10:30);
shows that the Good Shepherd knows His sheep’s voice and the sheep know His (John 10:3-5); and
shows that the Shepherd voluntarily died so that we wouldn’t perish (John 10:15).
The Confidence of our Faith: 1 John 3
I call this chapter to the litmus test of the Christian faith. I believe that if a person professes faith in Christ and yet does not change their lifestyle, they are lying to themselves, to others and ultimately, to God. John knew that many would come and profess Christ and many would even be part of the church but when they left the church, for whatever reason they gave, they weren’t really a part of the church in the first place (1 John 2:19) so in the next chapter (1 John 3) he provides us with rational evidence of whether a person is just professing or confessing faith in Christ or if they are really possessing saving faith in Christ. John clearly says that a person can talk all they want about whether they are a Christian or not but here is the evidence of whether that’s true: “whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:10b). The real proof is the fruit of that person’s life (John 15) and not the words out of their mouth because “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). This chapter:
– proves the fact that whoever does not sin really knows Christ (1 John 3:6);
– shows the fact that whoever does sin doesn’t really know Christ (1 John 3:9); and
– establishes the fact that whoever sins is of the Devil and we know that whoever is truly abiding in Christ is abiding in Him because of their lifestyle of not living in sin (1 John 3:8-9).
The Confidence of our Calling: Ephesians 1
This chapter may contain the single greatest verses for evidence that God has called us and sealed us ahead of time…before we were born and even before the earth existed. Here’s why I can say that with assurance. God has said in His Word that He choose us before the foundation or creation of the world (Eph 1:4), He predestined or predetermined to have us adopted into His family (Eph 1:5), He revealed this mystery to us because it pleased Him (Eph 1:9), and it was by His predetermined counsel that we have already obtained an inheritance (Eph 1:11). None of this would be possible unless it was made so by Christ (Eph 1:20), this chapter:
shows that God planned to save us long before we or the earth even existed (Eph 1:4);
shows that God planned all along to adopt us into His family because it pleased Him to do so (Eph 1:5); and
shows that our inheritance as adopted children was all His idea (Eph 1:11).
The Confidence Our Father’s Love: Psalm 103
I remember giving this chapter as a Bible study to the local nursing home residents and the tenderness of this psalm made one lady cry. Why? It was because it made her think about her own father who had many years ago gone to be with the Lord and how much her earthly father loved her but as much as he loved her, her heavenly Father loves her even more. We are reminded to contemplate all of God’s wonderful benefits (Psalm 103:2). We should remember that He is very slow to anger but rich in mercy toward us (Psalm 103:8) and that He has graciously removed our sins as far from us as infinity (Psalm 103:12). God knows that we are very fragile and that He really didn’t deal with us according to our sins in the way that we surely deserved (Psalm 103:10, 14). This chapter:
reminds me that God is greater than any loving earthly father (Psalm 103:13);
tells me that God doesn’t actually give us what we deserve because of our sins (Psalm 103:10);
reminds me that God has taken our sins away from us so far that we cannot even imagine it in our finite minds (Psalm 103:12); and
tells me that His mercy is upon those who fear Him for all time (Psalm 103:17).
Conclusion
What chapter in the Bible would you include as your favorite during difficult times? I know that there are many more than 5 chapters that can help us deal with life’s most difficult issues. That is the power that is found only in the Word of God and no place else. There is no human source of such comfort, such joy, such peace, and such power than the Word of God for which we ought to give thanks for.
Books Of The Bible To Read When You Feel Distant From God
Jesus never said the road would be easy. He spoke of all the ways the world would affect us, and the trouble we would face as Christ’s followers. He knew. Knew that we would struggle to hold on to him in a world that can be cold. When we face feelings of emptiness, it is usually because our hearts have grown heavy. When we feel lost, it is usually because we have allowed that heaviness to hold us back from seeking Jesus to lift it. The bible verses below are reminders that Jesus knows we all face times such as these. He was human too, and therefore, understands the weight of the world we live in. But he has overcome the world, and if we allow him to do so, he can help us to do the same.
Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
God didn’t send Jesus to praise the perfect. He didn’t place him on the cross for those who had it all together. He gave his son so that those of us who were lost could return home. We would have had no other way. This broke God’s heart so much that he came for us. He is the same God today who fought for you then. When we find ourselves lost once again, we can turn to the cross and remember that Jesus points the way home.
Psalm 25:16-17 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.
There is not a feeling we can have that God is not aware of. He knows when we are hurting, lost, lonely, and afraid. When we cry out to him in our affliction, he responds tenderly. While our troubles may not go away, his loving response to our prayers can help us face them with renewed strength.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
So often in the Bible, God implores his people to not be afraid. He knew that our hearts were not made for this world, but for the one from which we came. Knowing that as he did, he placed within us a piece of himself…a reminder that we are not alone. When emptiness threatens to fall upon you, look inward to the place where the Lord resides. Strength lies there, with Him
Luke 15: 22-24 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
There have been numerous times in my life in which I have felt that I had surely wandered too far away from God. I would tell myself that even the most loving father would have grown tired of my antics by now. But through my relationship with Jesus, I have come to learn that he is not impatient, that he does not mind waiting, and that he does not give up on my return. Luke 15:22-24 speaks to God’s perseverance when it comes to his children. It reminds us that the Lord does not judge our travels, but instead celebrates our return.
Galatians 5:4 “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.”
Sometimes when we find ourselves at a place of spiritual emptiness, it is because we have strayed away from what we keeps us full. We have succumbed to the worlds ways, and tried to earn our way to acceptance. Grace eludes us, not because God does not offer it, but because we are choosing not to believe it is for us. Choosing, instead, to believe in Jesus’s gift, allows us to return to the fullness of a relationship with God.
Luke 15:4-6 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”
There is no one too far gone to be found. God is not satisfied with saving some of his children. He wants us all home, as any good parent does. He knows sometimes we wander too far and wind up alone. When one of his children go missing, he secures the rest of his family, and goes after his child. Then he carries them home again. Over and over again.
Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”
The aching threat of emptiness creeping into our hearts often leads us to crouch down and put our hands over our heads. We feel defeated and beaten down from fighting to believe in God’s plans for our life. Feeling nothing would be so much easier we tell ourselves. So much safer. But safety doesn’t come from a lack of belief, but rather from an abundance of it. When we dare to trust that, regardless of what comes next, the Lord will remain faithful, we are shielded from the threat of emptiness. We can look up knowing we are safe.
Final Thoughts
The best protection we have against feelings of emptiness and loss is the constant presence of the holy spirit. We will all face days in which we have nothing left. Days in which we cannot see our way home, no matter how hard we look. Regardless of what we are facing, if we continue to seek God, we can never get so far away that we cannot be pulled back. He loves us enough to always come after us. He leads the way home, and rejoices when we follow. And if we allow him to do so, He will use his love to fill us back up again.
