One of my favorite past-times is reading, specifically inspiring books that motivate you to better yourself. Oftentimes in my relationship with Christ, I feel as if I'm being a lukewarm Christian, and that I'm stuck in a rut that leaves me discouraged. Sometimes, I feel as if I'm not doing enough as a follower of Jesus, but I struggle with finding the inspiration to help. One of the best things to do to strengthen your relationship with God is reading books based off of Christianity. Whether you're looking for new inspiration, feeling in a rut, or wanting to improve your quiet times -- here are 13 different books to help improve your relationship with and get closer to God:

1. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

This is a book with a devotion for every day of the year. Each devotion is written purposefully to make it seem as if God himself is speaking to you, and this brings a sense of security to the quiet time. It honestly makes you feel closer to Christ.

2. The Shack by William P. Young

After his daughter dies, a man gets a note from "Papa" (God) telling him to return to where his daughter was killed. The man gets manifestations of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Most of the book narrates the conversation the man had with God, and showed the transformation of how the man restored his faith, as well as finding peace with the fact his daughter was killed. This is a great book to read after you've lost a loved one, or when you just need something to restore your faith.

3. A Modern Girl's Guide To Bible Study by Jen Hatmaker

This book is written specifically for women who are always busy, always on the move, and hardly ever have any time to themselves. It helps you learn how to absorb the most from your quiet times, and makes the quiet time more fun in general.

4. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream by David Platt

This is a good one for when you're feeling like a lukewarm Christian, because it shows us what Christ wants His followers to look like. The book shows how a life transformed by Christ should really look.

5. Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

This book is another great one to read when you're feeling like a lukewarm Christian. This teaches us to live on fire for Jesus, and to be excited in every aspect of life. It's easy to let the world make us so-so, but we have to be greater for God.

6. Love Does by Bob Goff

Filled with tons of different stories to uplift your spirits, this book points us to the more important things in life. This shows how abundant God's love truly is.

7. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

If you're ever feeling as if you don't have a purpose in life, read this book. This book shows the five different people you meet in heaven, and each one explains the connections between your earthling life and your new life in heaven. They each show how important here our life on Earth is, and how important all of our actions are. This book will make you rethink the way you live, and will truly inspire you to live life for your eternal life in Heaven.

8. Traveling Light by Max Lucado

If you're ever feeling like life is just too much, sit down and read this. This book shows us that carrying emotional, negative baggage can harm your spiritual health. This is an amazing reminder that Christ died to carry all of this baggage for us -- give it all up to Him, and your load will become lighter.

9. Steadfast Love by Lauren Chandler

This book is perfect for when you're feeling in a rut. Lauren Chandler perfectly describes the Lord's huge love for each of us, and it's hard feeling uninspired after reading about how big God's love really is. It reminds us that there's no love out there greater than the one He provides.

10. Jesus > Religion: Why He is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough by Jefferson Bethke

Based off of the viral video, "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus." This reminds us the true meaning of Christianity. A friend of mine, who recommended this book to me, read it four times - it's that good.

11. It's Not About Me by Max Lucado

Something we often do as Christians is forget that God already has a beautiful plan laid out for us. This book shows us that we need to ditch the lives we think we want for ourselves, and start to trust that God will provide.

12. A Sweet & Bitter Providence by John Piper

Based on the book of Ruth, this book shows us how everything that happened back then still has major relevance to these times. This book teaches us about male/female roles and relationships, and the providence of God.

13. Named By God by Kasey Van Norman

This book is a must-read for any girl who has ever felt like she wasn't enough; any girl struggling with addiction, parent issues, self-image struggles; any girl who is struggling finding her identity. This book is for any woman who has had issues with marriage, infidelity, cancer, or any other hardships brought to life. This woman has been through it all, literally, and wrote this to show us how important we truly are. This book shows us how extreme God's grace is, and how merciful He is -- even when we hardly deserve it.

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