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How often do you read Christian books? The power of reading cannot be overemphasized and when you exercise that power in reading Christian stuff, your life gets better many times over than when you don't read them. Christian books are a life-support system for a victorious Christian life. This article helps you to understanding why reading Christian literature is vital for a successful Christian life.

Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come-and the books, especially the parchments - 2 Timothy 4:13 (NKJV)

and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you - 2 Peter 3:15 (NKJV).

When I was younger still in my parents' house, I noticed that my mum did the buying of the Christian books most of the time and my father did the reading of these books most of the time. My father handled anxiety far better than my mother; in fact she felt it was her duty to worry. When I became more matured in the Lord, having been reading Christian books, I concluded that if my mother read the books she was buying more, anxiety wouldn't have been a problem for her.

Christian literature from proven authors are like explanatory manuals for the bible. God is no more writing scriptures to be added to the existing bible, but He is writing books now. Just like the scriptures never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), so also these Christian books are written by holy men and women that were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Paul, the apostle both read and wrote books. His books were so important to him that the ones he forgot at Troas, he had to ask Timothy to bring for him - 2 Timothy 4:13. And Peter obviously read books written by Paul too as 2 Peter 3:15-16 implies.

The books of the New Testament after the four gospels are books that give deeper understanding of the gospel of Christ. The authors wrote according to the revelations they got from the Holy Spirit. Even so now, Christian believers write according to the revelations they get from the Holy Spirit and they give deeper understanding of the gospel of Christ too.

Many times, while reading the scriptures, there are some scriptures that won't be very clear to you but when you hear a teacher teach on it, comparing scriptures with scriptures (rightly dividing the word of truth - 2 Timothy 2:15) and comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13), as revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, your eyes of understanding become enlightened - Ephesians 1:17-18

There is power in reading Christian literature. I have always believed that it is wisdom to watch what you eat and drink as you get older even when you believe that God will satisfy you with long life (Psalm 91:1, 16). But I didn't have the strong will to work on it faithfully until I read in a book, "fulfilling your days" by David O Oyedepo, that long life is a product of wisdom and understanding. He used Proverbs 3:13-16 and Proverbs 4:7-10 to buttress this truth. The willingness to control what I drink and eat came on me after reading that.

These books given by inspiration of God, are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that a Christian may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work - 2 timothy 3:16-17.

Furthermore, God uses these inspired books to communicate revelations to millions. The author puts it down in a book, you read it and share with A and A shares it with B, B shares with C and chain continues down generations. This revelation remains long after the author is gone. This is in line with 2 Timothy 2:2, where Paul told Timothy, "The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

These Christian books carry answers to your questions, solutions to your problems and are guides to how to turn your tests to testimonies and your trials to triumph. So, if you have any challenge, get Christian books on that topic by proven authors, read them till your eye of understanding is enlightened. God, with the help of Holy Spirit will give you a solution through the books.

I heard a testimony of a woman in a wheel chair, who got her healing by reading a book on healing. While reading it, without taking note of what she was doing, she got up from the chair to do something, only to realize that she actually walked from her chair to the place where she needed to do something. Obviously, the book jacked her faith so high that she already saw herself walking with her two legs. Her spirit had soaked in this truth so much that her flesh had no choice but to obey it. That was the power of reading at work.

Also, in these Christian books you read the testimonies of people with issues related to your issue, you read of how God took care of their issues and your faith in God that He would do the same for you comes alive, and before long you are sharing your testimony too. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelations 19:10) which when you receive is fulfilled in your life too.

Again, like iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), these Christian literature sharpen your spiritual life. You read of people on fire for God and you want to be on fire for God too. You read of how people are enjoying victory over the enemy and you are fired up to walk in the same victory. No inspired Christian stuff ever leaves you the same if you will open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you.

I have discovered from my own experience that a successful Christian life will be a struggle without these inspired books. Any time I go on break from reading them, my spiritual fire goes down. I may be reading the scriptures, getting revelations, walking right before God, but it is never the same compared to when I combine these with reading Christian books. So, I have resolved to read at least two or three pages a day, no matter how busy I may be, and often I succeed in reading many more pages at the end.

Now, you may wonder how to know the proven authors if you are a baby Christian or new to reading books. I will suggest how I started. I started off with my pastor and his mentors. At least, I have listened to my pastor, he teaches nothing but the word of God and his life style is exactly what he teaches; so, I was safe reading his and his mentors' books. Then when people I know who love God and are walking in obedience to Him talk about other authors who have imparted their lives, I also check those books too. In all, I behave like the Berean Christians (Acts 17:11), I check up what I read with scriptures and I open up to the Holy Spirit for His guidance too. Now, I can go to any book shop and with the help of the Holy Spirit buy books to read.

Truly, there is power in reading Christian books. A successful and victorious Christian life may end up being only a dream without them. God is not writing any new book of the bible but He is writing books today through inspired men and women. One book in relation to your challenge may be the key you need to come out of that predicament. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to the right book today and you will be the next to share your testimony.

Ngozi Nwoke