With so many devotionals for women out there, which ones are worth your time? There are fun women’s devotional and some with hand-painted scripture vignettes. There is nothing wrong with those but sometimes you need devotionals that will truly encourage and challenge you.
You do not want something that is just going to give you feel-good aphorisms during a coffee break. You want a devotional book that will enhance your scripture reading and keep pushing you to be the person God created you to be.
This post is all about devotions for women that will encourage and challenge your faith and help you grow as a Christian.
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What are devotional books?
Devotional books are a compilation of daily readings that may contain scripture passages, personal stories, and scriptural truth. The daily readings are usually short devotionals meant to focus your eyes on God’s promises and biblical truth.
Although devotionals for women can be very helpful in your spiritual journey. They can encourage you in God’s word and give you a deeper understanding of God’s goodness.
However, they should not replace your personal bible study time. They should be used to enhance your quiet time and they should be read alongside the Bible, not instead of the bible.
You are a busy woman. I do not deny that one bit! So am I. And although it can be tempting to complete a short devotional reading and call it a day, we must prioritize being in The Word of God and know it entirely. Not just bits and pieces of it in a devotional book. God’s Word is our daily bread, not devotional books.
Even as a busy twenty-first-century woman, you must spend time in the Bible first and use devotionals as a supplement to your spiritual diet. Some women read a devotional for 5 minutes and use it as a “spiritual pick me up.” If a spiritual diet only consists of this, the diet will not provide any long-term strength and grace. We need so much more than this! Be in the Word and use these devotions as supplements to your personal Bible reading. That is truly how you will get to know the Almighty God.
What Are The Best Devotional Books for Women?
With that being said, I have enjoyed many devotional books throughout the years and I am going to share some of the best ones here along with some quotes from each book.
The following books are full of depth and truth and will enhance your personal quiet moments with God.
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
This is a classic that every Christian woman should read. It contains a daily devotional for the entire year. Chambers bases each daily devotional on one scripture verse and writes a thought about that scripture and a life application.
His devotionals are challenging and thought-provoking. They are encouraging but they also help you see if there is any secret sin in your life. This is personally one of my favorites. It will enhance your daily devotion to God in your day-to-day life and deepen your love for Him.
This devotional book comes in Classic Language and Updated Language. I recommend the updated language which is easier to understand unless you prefer the classic English language and you have experience understanding it.
The imitation leather devotional journal is also a wonderful option where you can write notes and daily devotional prayers. It also makes a fabulous any occasion gift.
Favorite Quotes from My Utmost for His Highest:
“If we try to overcome self-consciousness by any common-sense method, we will develop it tremendously. Jesus says, “Come into Me and I will give you rest,” i.e., Christ-consciousness will take the place of self-consciousness. Wherever Jesus comes He establishes rest, the rest of the perfection of activity that is never conscious of itself.”
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
“The one marvelous secret of a holy life lies not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus manifest themselves in my mortal flesh.”
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
Also, check out:
My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language Hardcover
My Utmost for His Highest Devotional Journal: Updated Language
My Utmost for His Highest: Classic Language Gift Edition
A Godward Life: Seeing the Supremacy of God in All of Life by John Piper
This book contains 120 daily meditations on the supremacy of God in all of life. This devotional book is very encouraging as it leads you to understand more deeply the greatness of your heavenly Father and biblical truth.
Piper writes meditations of scripture passage and life-changing promises. He reflects on God’s faithfulness and gives reflections from his own life and even his own marriage to his wife, Noel.
Favorite Quotes from A Godward Life:
“Our prayers are the means God has appointed to do what he most certainly will do – finish the great commission and establish his kingdom.”
John Piper, A Godward Life
“The Bible is a fountain for spiritual thirst and food for the soul. It is a revelation of God, a living power, and a two-edged sword. None of this, however, changes the fact that apart from the discipline of reading, the Bible is as powerless as paper. Someone might have to read it to you, but without reading, its meaning and power are locked up.”
John Piper, A Godward Life
Daily Strength for Daily Needs by Mary Wilder Tileston
This is a 365-day devotional book. Each day’s devotion has inspirational quotes pulled from some of the most famous Christian writers in history and is followed with encouragement for your day. These devotions have inspiring messages that will calm any anxiety-filled soul and lift your eyes upward unto Jesus.
This is a great devotional when you have a few quiet moments and want to reflect on God’s faithful promises.
This devotional is very inexpensive and it is FREE for Kindle!
Favorite Quotes from Daily Strength for Daily Needs:
“Thou that hast given so much to me, Give one thing more, a grateful heart. Not thankful when it pleaseth me, As if thy blessings had spare days; but such a heart, whose pulse may be Thy praise.”
G. Herbert, Daily Strength for Daily Needs
“Now our wants and burdens leaving to His care who cares for all, cease we fearing, cease we grieving, at His touch our burdens fall.”
S. Longfellow, Daily Strength for Daily Needs
Edges of His Ways by Amy Carmichael
If you are not familiar with the writings of Amy Carmichael now is the time. I believe every Christian woman should read her writings and encouragements. She was a woman truly devoted to God and her prayer life was one that we should all imitate.
Some daily devotions start with a bible verse, others are just thoughts on your walk with God. They are just right-sized readings to incorporate into your day alongside life’s demands.
Favorite Quotes from Edges of His Ways:
“It is so much easier to pray about doing, and to talk to others about it, and to sing about it, than it is simply and honestly to do that very thing. ”
Amy Carmichael, Edges of His Ways
“If the oil is to feed a lamp so that it burns continually, it must be pure. In how many ways the question is brought home to us! Are we willing for whatever is required for purification? Have we any mental reservation?”
Amy Carmichael, Edges of His Ways
Streams in the Desert compiled by L. B. Cowman
This daily devotional lives up to its name. It is truly streams of water in the desert of life. In seasons of life, we may go through difficult trials and situations. These daily readings bring encouragement through those seasons of drought and remind you that god hears all your prayers and pleas for mercy and grace.
Cowman put together an impressive work of poems, scripture verses, and writings from Christians throughout the generations. The devotionals provide godly wisdom and the most potent encouragement imaginable. These daily devotionals will lead you in heartfelt prayer as your heart grows in love for God’s word.
Also, This devotional book also has a companion devotional called Springs in the Valley, which has 365 daily devotional readings.
Favorite Quotes from Streams in the Desert:
“It is much easier to trust when the sun is shining than when the storm is raging. We never know how much real faith we have until it is put to the test in some fierce storm; and that is the reason why the Savior is on board. If you are ever to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, your strength will be born in some storm.”
Selected, Streams in the Desert
“The reality of Jesus comes as a result of secret prayer, and a personal study of the Bible that is devotional and sympathetic. Christ becomes more real to the one who persists in the cultivation of His presence.”
Cowman, Streams in the Desert
Also check out the companion devotional:
Springs in the Valley: 365 Daily Devotional Readings
Wrap Up
Daily devotions are a wonderful way to get to know God’s word more. May this list of best devotionals for women help you in spending time with God. As you know Him more you will become a confident woman in Him.
May our heart’s cry always be to not just have Him be part of our life but be our life!
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