Too often the Christian life is reduced to moral behaviorism when the great message of the Gospel is that our Savior who lived and died and rose again has chosen now to take up residence through His Spirit in all who call upon him. With such a life within us, we need not eek it out waiting for our day in glory, we can know the victory of His life here and now as we trust no longer in ourselves but in the risen and victorious King. Here are some resources that will encourage you to seek life in no one or nothing else.
Calvary Road, Roy Hession
This book meddles. It explains in no uncertain terms that the road to enjoying Christ's life is through the cross--the personal laying down of one's rights and prerogatives. It will make you uncomfortable at times, but as the writer to Hebrews recorded: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
A Christian's Secret to a Happy Life, Hannah Whitall Smith
This classic with a sappy title is far from glib. It gives solid understanding of what it means to be content in any and every situation and to find victory over fear and depression and failure.
Classic Christianity, Bob George
How many Christians know the first half of the gospel--that Christ died for them, but have never experienced the second half of the gospel, namely that Christ rose again to live his life through them. In an extremely reader friendly way, George explains this costly shortcoming and helps the reader return to Classic Christianity.
Free at Last: Experiencing True Freedom Through Your Identity in Christ, Tony Evans
Handbook to Happiness: A Biblical Guide to Victorious Living, Charles Solomon
Written from a professional counselor's perspective, this book may a bit more academic or technical than fancies most readers, but it is an excellent presentation of how exchanging our life for Christ's is the only sustainable means to the abundant life.
Lies Women Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free, Nancy Leigh DeMoss
One can't enjoy the indwelling life of Christ if one is not living by the truth. In this volume DeMoss tackles 40 different lies women believe such as "God should fix my problems", "I don't have time to do everything I am supposed to", "God can't forgive what I've done", and "I should not have to live with unfulfilled longings." For each, she shines the truth of God's word and explains how surrendering to the life of Christ is the only way to be set free.
Lifetime Guarantee, Bill Gillham
Scripture tells us that the world, the flesh and the devil are the great enemies of humanity. While Gillham certainly speaks of the world and the devil, perhaps no book more clearly explains the way of the flesh and the way it keeps the believer from enjoying the very life of Christ. From yucky flesh to plain vanilla flesh to USDA grade choice flesh, Gillham exposes it all and shows the way forward in Christ.
My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers
These daily readings may only take you a few minutes to take in, but they may change you for a lifetime. Poignant and enlightening truths of life in Christ are presented in every day of this 365-day devotional that you are sure to keep coming back to year after year.
Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence
There must be something to be gained from a book that has been in continuous print for over three centuries. In this short compilation of letters written by a 17th century French monk, Brother Lawrence explains that "There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God."
The Saving Life of Christ, Major Ian Thomas
"The Major" as he was affectionately known by those affiliated with Torchbearers International is one of the key figures in my own spiritual heritage. Here is a man who not only spoke of the indwelling life of Christ but who lived it out. This book in particular is good for those who have lived a good and "Christianized" life, but who find themselves void of the power of Christ Himself.
They Found the Secret: Twenty Lives That Reveal a Touch of Eternity, Raymond V. Edman
Those who learned the secret of exchanging their lives for Christ have made their mark precisely because Christ was making his mark through them. In this selection of 20 biographies, Edman focuses on that point in life when people like John Bunyan, D.L. Moody, and Amy Carmichael came to experience Christ as their life.
Victory in Christ, Charles Trumbull
Written some hundred years ago, Trumball explained what is meant by Paul's words to "live is Christ" as well as anyone. Not believing that Christians must be stuck in an endless cycle of ups and downs victories and defeats that leave them where the left off, Trumbull explains the necessity to lean fully on Christ, so that it is "no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me."
Victory Over Darkness and Bondage Breaker, Neil T. Anderson
These two books were extraordinarily helpful to both my wife and I in our early married life. They helped give us the nuts of bolts of what it meant not to rely on ourselves but on the new identity we enjoy in Christ.
Exchanged Life Ministries Texas
Focused on proclaiming the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection this ministry provides weekend training, Christ-centered counseling, and teaching resources. Far from theoretical, Exchanged Life Ministries seeks to make the Christian life truly practical, but pointing people to the only one who can truly live it out--Christ Himself. For other opportunities outside of Texas, see the Association of Exchanged Life Ministries.
Torchbearers International
Established just after World War II to reach out to disillusioned German youth, Torchbearers now has 26 centers worldwide (from Texas to Sweden to India) that offer teaching and discipleship all centered around the adventurous life in Christ. With most centers providing both short-term bible holidays as well as 3 to 9 month bible schools, Torchbearers is a great place for young adults to set their sails and for older adults to enjoy a sabbatical.
Calvary Road, Roy Hession
This book meddles. It explains in no uncertain terms that the road to enjoying Christ's life is through the cross--the personal laying down of one's rights and prerogatives. It will make you uncomfortable at times, but as the writer to Hebrews recorded: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
A Christian's Secret to a Happy Life, Hannah Whitall Smith
This classic with a sappy title is far from glib. It gives solid understanding of what it means to be content in any and every situation and to find victory over fear and depression and failure.
Classic Christianity, Bob George
How many Christians know the first half of the gospel--that Christ died for them, but have never experienced the second half of the gospel, namely that Christ rose again to live his life through them. In an extremely reader friendly way, George explains this costly shortcoming and helps the reader return to Classic Christianity.
Free at Last: Experiencing True Freedom Through Your Identity in Christ, Tony Evans
Handbook to Happiness: A Biblical Guide to Victorious Living, Charles Solomon
Written from a professional counselor's perspective, this book may a bit more academic or technical than fancies most readers, but it is an excellent presentation of how exchanging our life for Christ's is the only sustainable means to the abundant life.
Lies Women Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free, Nancy Leigh DeMoss
One can't enjoy the indwelling life of Christ if one is not living by the truth. In this volume DeMoss tackles 40 different lies women believe such as "God should fix my problems", "I don't have time to do everything I am supposed to", "God can't forgive what I've done", and "I should not have to live with unfulfilled longings." For each, she shines the truth of God's word and explains how surrendering to the life of Christ is the only way to be set free.
Lifetime Guarantee, Bill Gillham
Scripture tells us that the world, the flesh and the devil are the great enemies of humanity. While Gillham certainly speaks of the world and the devil, perhaps no book more clearly explains the way of the flesh and the way it keeps the believer from enjoying the very life of Christ. From yucky flesh to plain vanilla flesh to USDA grade choice flesh, Gillham exposes it all and shows the way forward in Christ.
My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers
These daily readings may only take you a few minutes to take in, but they may change you for a lifetime. Poignant and enlightening truths of life in Christ are presented in every day of this 365-day devotional that you are sure to keep coming back to year after year.
Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence
There must be something to be gained from a book that has been in continuous print for over three centuries. In this short compilation of letters written by a 17th century French monk, Brother Lawrence explains that "There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God."
The Saving Life of Christ, Major Ian Thomas
"The Major" as he was affectionately known by those affiliated with Torchbearers International is one of the key figures in my own spiritual heritage. Here is a man who not only spoke of the indwelling life of Christ but who lived it out. This book in particular is good for those who have lived a good and "Christianized" life, but who find themselves void of the power of Christ Himself.
They Found the Secret: Twenty Lives That Reveal a Touch of Eternity, Raymond V. Edman
Those who learned the secret of exchanging their lives for Christ have made their mark precisely because Christ was making his mark through them. In this selection of 20 biographies, Edman focuses on that point in life when people like John Bunyan, D.L. Moody, and Amy Carmichael came to experience Christ as their life.
Victory in Christ, Charles Trumbull
Written some hundred years ago, Trumball explained what is meant by Paul's words to "live is Christ" as well as anyone. Not believing that Christians must be stuck in an endless cycle of ups and downs victories and defeats that leave them where the left off, Trumbull explains the necessity to lean fully on Christ, so that it is "no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me."
Victory Over Darkness and Bondage Breaker, Neil T. Anderson
These two books were extraordinarily helpful to both my wife and I in our early married life. They helped give us the nuts of bolts of what it meant not to rely on ourselves but on the new identity we enjoy in Christ.
Exchanged Life Ministries Texas
Focused on proclaiming the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection this ministry provides weekend training, Christ-centered counseling, and teaching resources. Far from theoretical, Exchanged Life Ministries seeks to make the Christian life truly practical, but pointing people to the only one who can truly live it out--Christ Himself. For other opportunities outside of Texas, see the Association of Exchanged Life Ministries.
Torchbearers International
Established just after World War II to reach out to disillusioned German youth, Torchbearers now has 26 centers worldwide (from Texas to Sweden to India) that offer teaching and discipleship all centered around the adventurous life in Christ. With most centers providing both short-term bible holidays as well as 3 to 9 month bible schools, Torchbearers is a great place for young adults to set their sails and for older adults to enjoy a sabbatical.