My Studies and Books

I write primarily about the believer’s spiritual growth unto Christlikeness and the processes God uses to accomplish this. I pray that if you decide to read these books God will mature your heart all for His glory.

My first book - Walking the Walk by Faith

Walking the Walk by Faith

My second book - Possessing the Tresure

Possessing the Treasure

I have also placed some Bible Studies I have written on the subpages. You can access them under Mission Pages on the side bar. I pray that God will use them to bless you and mature you unto Christlikeness.

Follow the link below to the document that I wrote in 2006 to give to my then-pastor when he asked for input into whether our church should implement the Purpose Driven Church model.   Why Study the Purpose Driven Church

26 Responses to “My Studies and Books”

  1. Henry Frueh, on June 8th, 2006 at 2:24 pm Said:

    I have just found your blog and I’ve been blessed. I saw your name on “Slice” and came here. I have a new blog name Following Judah’s Lion and it contains some devotional writing. “You’ve got to want it” is one you might enjoy. I try and keep a balance between exposing the falling away and seeking His face. PTL-Rick

  2. Mike Ratliff, on June 8th, 2006 at 4:56 pm Said:

    So is it Rick or Henry? :-) I found your blog, but I couldn’t find that post. Did I get the right blog” The address I went to is: http://judahslion.blogspot.com/

  3. erik, on June 10th, 2006 at 11:09 am Said:

    Hi Mike- i just found your blog via a common tag: “justification by faith”…it is so encouraging to find believers passionate about reformed theology.

    //erik raymond
    http://www.IrishCalvinist.com

  4. Mike Ratliff, on June 10th, 2006 at 3:27 pm Said:

    Thanks Erik. Reformed Theology is the only doctrinal system that is bound to God’s glory alone and I believe the only one true to sacred scripture.

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

  5. The Aspiring Theologian, on June 15th, 2006 at 2:23 pm Said:

    Mr. Ratliff, do you have any more books you are working on or have on the way to publishing?

  6. Mike Ratliff, on June 15th, 2006 at 6:00 pm Said:

    Albert,

    I am working through the planning of three seperate books, but nothing is set in concrete yet. I have taken a self-imposed Sabbatical from writing manuscripts since I finished Judge Not! back in February. However, it's time to get back to work. I wrote the first two books one right after the other and then started working on what became Let's Reason Together and The Pilgrim's Heart. I finished those three manuscripts in roughly a year with nearly non-stop research and writing. I took a month or so off then wrote Judge Not!. Well it's been about four months now and I do feel like I am up to it again.

    One of the books I would like to work on is based on the conversation between Christian, Faithful and Talkative from Pilgrim's Progress. Do you remember what that converstion was about?

    Another book I would like to work on would explore the differences between genuine Chiristianity and humanistic Christianity.

    The third one is secret. I can't really talk about it yet, but it would be an expose' on a subject near and dear to my heart…

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

  7. sarah, on July 2nd, 2006 at 6:00 pm Said:

    Mike,
    I tried to read your book but could only get the picture of your book…?

  8. Mike Ratliff, on July 2nd, 2006 at 6:08 pm Said:

    Walking the walk by Faith and Possessing the Treasure are published books. That means I cannot post them online without violating copyright from my publisher. :-(

    There are times I wish I had not had them published so I could get them online where people could read them without haveing to order them. I have written three other books, but I have chosen to publish them on my blog instead of trying to get a publisher to look at them. I find that when people read what God has me write it is far better than restricting access by having to buy a book.

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

  9. sarah, on July 6th, 2006 at 12:55 am Said:

    Mike,
    the other books you have written that you have published on your blog…are you not afraid that someone might steal your work and publish it under their name in a hardcopy (I don’t know if that’s a word) book?

  10. Mike Ratliff, on July 6th, 2006 at 6:55 am Said:

    Thanks for you concern Sarah. God impressed upon me that what I write is for His glory alone and was meant to be read by those of His chosing.Therefore, I step out on faith here and believe that God will use the messages He gives me according to His will and for His glory.

  11. sarah, on July 6th, 2006 at 9:31 am Said:

    Indeed He will and in a mighty way. God bless you and your family.

  12. Lin, on July 10th, 2006 at 9:09 pm Said:

    >>Another book I would like to work on would explore the differences between genuine Chiristianity and humanistic Christianity.>>

    I can hardly wait to see this one.

  13. Mike Ratliff, on July 11th, 2006 at 7:37 am Said:

    Lin,

    That project has morphed into my study “The Compromised Church.” That doesn’t mean that I may not write a book on this same subject, but right now God has me working on my study of suffering from the book of Job.

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

  14. Ken Silva, on July 13th, 2006 at 7:09 am Said:

    Hi Mike,

    Pray things are well. I don’t know if you’ve seen this new feature artcle, but something tells me you’ll like it my brother. “The Purpose Is Driving God Away” : http://www.apprising.org/archives/2006/07/the_purpose_is.html

  15. Mike Ratliff, on July 13th, 2006 at 7:28 am Said:

    Great post Ken! I read it and commented. It was very powerful. All, if you haven’t read Ken’s post, follow that link in his comment above. Very powerful!

  16. Adrian Cremasco, on September 11th, 2006 at 6:23 am Said:

    Mike Ratliff, I know it is Gods Glory but thank you for interpreting His word for us. It has been Life changing.In your comment to another person on July 6,2006 you say that God will choose the people He wishes to read it, I am one of those people who God choose to find you web site.I am amazed at His wonders.Hope to see you in Heaven (have you got in great ideas about standing firm).

  17. J. Gary Ellison, on April 13th, 2007 at 7:52 am Said:

    Personal note to delete. You must be one very busy blogger! I just found your site and it is packed!
    One correction: “receive” not “recieve” in your quote:
    The Pilgrimage Cry
    May the Lamb that was slain recieve the reward of His suffering!
    Blessings!

  18. Mike Ratliff, on April 13th, 2007 at 8:03 am Said:

    Gary,

    Thanks for the correction. I actually copied that line from sermon by copying and pasting it. :-) However, I should have checked it. I’m sure you will find other similar errors in my posts. :-) I type much faster than I think sometimes.

    In any case, thanks for visiting my blog.

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

  19. Rachel, on May 21st, 2007 at 12:04 pm Said:

    Dear Mike,

    When I first read your comments on Slice, I knew you were filled with the Holy Spirit. Later, I found your site here. You are being blessed by God and are a precious brother in Christ. God bless you and keep you and may you feed many lambs in these last day.

    Love in Christ,
    Rachel

  20. Mike Ratliff, on May 21st, 2007 at 12:09 pm Said:

    Rachel,

    Thank you! I confess that I often feel like I am none of those things. God has me repenting so much that I wonder at times why He wants anything to do with me at all.

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

  21. Rachel, on May 21st, 2007 at 2:24 pm Said:

    Dear Brother,

    It is because you are being granted the gift of repentance that you are being sanctified and therefore able to be used as a vessel for our Lord. We will pray together that we both be granted the gift of repentance until we draw our last breath.

    Love in Christ,
    Rachel

  22. Mike Ratliff, on May 21st, 2007 at 2:27 pm Said:

    Yes indeed Rachel!

  23. E. I. Sanchez, on May 24th, 2007 at 10:03 pm Said:

    I would appreciate a book [I don't know if you're taking requests :-)] on the subject of Suffering and Evil from a Reformed Theology perspective.

    EI

  24. Danny, on June 28th, 2007 at 2:26 am Said:

    Hi, I am a youth pastor,and believe that God can perform miracles thru people…i have 2 sons who are now in college,,,due to economic condition and my income,seemingly we cannot let them finish their studies,but i have the faith it won’t happen to my children,i dont want them to regret that they become a pastors kid..instead make them proud..so,in my own way,and i hope that God is with me..He’ll touch people to help us and become my son’s sponsor…my eldest son has 1 more yr in school the youngest has 2 more years..NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.you can connect with me thru our website.Thank you for taking time to read…

  25. Mike Ratliff, on June 28th, 2007 at 7:15 am Said:

    Danny,

    Nothing is impossible with God. Our job is to conform our wills to His. I pray that God will give you the desires of you Heart.

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

  26. leilani, on July 18th, 2007 at 1:13 pm Said:

    I never get on the internet, but I just came upon your site. I am sure God’s hand is in that all the way. I am looking forward to reading your articles and growing. I’ve been “very, very busy” lately and feel God is calling me back to a closer relationship with Him.
    I love God for His faithfulness,mercy and grace!!

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