I remember opening my Precious Moments Bible as a teenager to attempt to read Genesis. Curled on my bed with the Bible open, I struggled to make it through, not understanding why flawed people like Abraham, Lot, or Jacob were included in this holy book.

Only after placing faith in Christ and reading the Gospels did I finally start to understand the bigger picture of Scripture. All biblical history pointed to the One who was nailed to a cross and rose from a tomb. His spoken words to others drew my eyes and filled my heart. Finally, I could read and understand the Holy Bible.

Many new believers intend to read all of God’s Word eventually, but need somewhere they can start. They seek a place within God’s story of love and redemption that is understandable and introduces them to the larger picture of Scripture. Is there a way to approach the Bible without having to flounder through the early parts?

The following list of books in the Bible provides a starting place for new believers as they journey into God’s Word. This way, they do not have to thumb through the pages, wondering how everything fits together. They can instead read foundational parts of the Bible that help them see the grand story of salvation and provide them with essential knowledge for studying the rest of Scripture.

With a Bible in hand and this list in tow, we can start our journey.

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Critics abound who want to destroy faith in the Bible and the message it contains. We must be knowledgeable about the doctrine of inerrancy so we can defend the truth and point others to their need for Christ.

We all have a history. The moments that make up our lives form together to create a story that is intertwined with the stories of others. Although some of us might think that people in history have no connection to our personal lives today, the people who have gone before us do affect us.  

As night comes, many of us are ready to wrap the covers around us and drift to sleep. Our days were hectic with stressful tasks, and the responsibilities of the next day hang heavy over us. The Lord knows we are tired – He created us for rhythms of work and rest – and He understands the times when we drift out of consciousness as we mumble a few words in prayer during bedtime.

What He also knows is that we need time with Him throughout the day. We need the reminder of what our life should be focused on and what is truly important: the Lord and our relationship with Him.

Prayer is the best way to wind down from the exhausting busyness of the day and find peace before we lay down to sleep. Talking to God not only allows us an opportunity to express our concerns and fears to Him, but also intentionally repositions our focus on Him. Through the act of prayer, we are participating with all the saints in the practice of reminding ourselves that we do not live by our own strength or decision.

Our lives come from and are sustained by God, and He is the reason we can sleep in safety and peace despite our circumstances. We are spiritually recharged through conversations with our Savior.

So, during our bedtime routines, let us carve out a space to be present with the Lord and pray to Him. We might still find ourselves becoming drowsy and falling to sleep while talking to Him. But peace and hope will be much more present in our lives because we will be turning our thoughts back to the One for whom we were made.

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When God’s will feels difficult, Matthew 26 points us to Jesus in Gethsemane. This devotional invites you to bring your fear, reluctance, and uncertainty to the Father and trust that His will is still good.

Summer holds a special place in the lives of children. They are on break from school and their days expand for new opportunities and adventures – vacation with family, camp experiences in the outdoors, or simply more time to explore other hobbies and interests. Summer is a time of excitement as memories are made.  

As an adult, the positive association may still be present, but there is no “summer break” for those with jobs and responsibilities. The days continue as usual with the mundane demands that are a reality in life. But adults, like children, need a time of rest to be recharged and to receive a renewed perspective. In our faith, this is true as well, since believers who have been running the race for many years may have lost that initial spark of fervor when they first placed faith in Christ, a summer season of the soul when everything appeared fresh and they soaked in the presence of their Lord as much as a kid at play under the sun.  

How can an adult recapture that sense of awe while also striving for greater maturity? 

Although there are many ways to find rest amid the hectic hustle of daily life, reading good books is a significant step toward maturity and renewed vision. In the company of good books, we encounter other Christians and their stories, which can give us strength to keep running the race of faith and to see with fresh eyes what truly matters. We might be surprised by the way a single book can impact our lives, meeting us at the place where God knew we would need the words.   

Consider using the following summer reading list to refresh and reignite your faith. Some of the titles here are older books, others contemporary, but each has the capacity to transform our focus if we are willing to spend some time walking in the company of those who have also strived for greater connection with the living Lord. Through reading, we are reminded that growing in love for Jesus is a grand adventure that extends far beyond summer break.         

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First-century Christians were more aware of the symbolism behind the Lord being their Shepherd. Tending sheep was an everyday occurrence for many of these Christians, and even if they did not directly work with a flock, they undoubtedly saw shepherds at work. They also were familiar with Old Testament stories about people like Moses and David who served as shepherds, guiding and protecting their flocks.

In contrast, for those of us in the twenty-first century western world, the idea of tending sheep is a foreign concept. We live in an age of grocery and food delivery, as well as a time when we instantly purchase items online and have them delivered within 24 hours. There is not much that we can compare in modern life to the work of a shepherd.

Yet, the image of God as the Shepherd of His people is prominent in Scripture. We find Him mentioned as the One who guides and searches for His sheep (Psalm 80:1; Ezekiel 34:11-12). And, of course, the famous Psalm 23 paints a vivid picture of the Lord leading His sheep beside green pastures and through the valley of the shadow of death.

Jesus evoked this Old Testament imagery when He stated, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). His statement identifies Himself as God while also giving a picture of His love. A good shepherd will not leave his flock or entrust the sheep to a stranger. He will protect them by his own power and ensure they arrive safely to and from the pasture.

Christians today might not see individuals driving their flocks through fields or towns. Neither will they fully grasp the intricate workings of the relationship between sheep and shepherd. But something that will never change, regardless of our culture and background, is that the Lord God is our loving Shepherd. It is a role He has held in the past, present, and will continue to have in the future.

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Colossians 2:7 tells us to be “rooted and built up in Him… strengthened in the faith.” But in a busy world, it’s easy to settle for a shallow connection with God—turning to Him only when we need something.

God is inviting you into something deeper.

In The Lord of the Rings, King Theoden becomes enfeebled by listening to the words of Wormtongue, his advisor. These lies poison the mind of the King of Rohan and keep him from being a threat to the evil wizard Saruman.

Only when the lies of Wormtongue are exposed by Gandalf the White is Theoden freed from the bondage and able to see the truth.

Characters like Wormtongue remind us of an important lesson: be careful who you listen to.

We all recognize the need to heed that advice, but we often do not apply it to the voice in our heads that speaks up when we are anxious and afraid. This voice can debilitate and hinder us. People who live with anxiety know all too well what these words are and what they sound like.

Listening to the whispers of anxiety is not wise because they are not words of truth. Rooted in fear and worry, anxiety tells us lies that can keep us from living in faith.

We must learn to tune out these words and instead listen to the truth. Using Scripture, we can fight against the twisted words of fear. For truly, those words can sometimes come from the enemy.

The first step in combating the lies of anxiety is learning to identify them. Sometimes, in our fearfulness, we can rationalize the worry we feel and make convincing excuses for our anxiety. We may even feel that the words that pop into our heads during anxious times are true.

To fight against the lies of anxiety, we must practice discernment and test everything against Scripture. We cannot always control the flood of fearful thoughts that overwhelm us during stressful and trying times, but we can control how we respond. By applying the Bible to our lives, we can learn to combat lies with truth.

An important note before we begin: if you find that your feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or fear continue, do not be afraid to reach out to someone you trust. Persistent and chronic anxiety could be a sign of an anxiety disorder or could be connected to other issues, such as depression.

A trusted family member, friend, or ministry leader can help you find a Christian counselor or therapist. There is nothing wrong with seeking help and you should not feel afraid to do so if your anxiety is crippling.

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As the day winds down, it can be hard to quiet your thoughts. The worries, unfinished tasks, and lingering emotions often follow us into the night, making rest feel just out of reach. But what if the end of your day could become a sacred pause instead of a restless struggle?

This beautifully designed Evening Prayers to End Your Day in Peace journal offers a simple, meaningful way to turn those moments into intentional time with God. Each prayer gently guides you to reflect on your day, release your burdens, and rest in His presence—reminding you that you don’t have to carry everything into tomorrow. Alongside the prayers, there are dedicated journal pages to help you process your thoughts, express gratitude, and focus your heart on what truly matters.

Whether you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, grateful, or simply tired, this resource meets you right where you are and leads you back to peace.

Take a step toward restful nights and a deeper connection with God. Download your copy today and begin ending each day anchored in His presence.

If you feel tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed by the brokenness around you, this prayer is for you. May God renew your strength, steady your heart, and help you fix your eyes on the eternal hope found in Jesus.