Experience the Impossible: Simple Ways to Unleash Heaven's Power on Earth by Bill Johnson Page A
Authors: Bill Johnson
Ads: Link
His Father say. But this time, the people did not understand what was spoken. In fact, they found His words offensive. While the disciples also failed to get the message, they did recognize that when Jesus spoke, they received life (see John 6:68).
In the context of community, there is grace to receive things from God that would be threatening otherwise. Love enables us to extract the richness of life that God intends to give us through a word we do not yet understand. That is a huge part of the life of the follower of Jesus. As someone once said, “God offends our minds to reveal our hearts.” This was never truer than in John 6.
Prayer
Father God, I want to live in love as You designed it. Help me not to live in independence and call it obedience to You. I desperately want my love for You to be measured by my love for people, my sense of community. And in the context of community, help me to embrace those things You have brought my way that are designed for Your glory and for my benefit, even though I may not understand them completely. I trust You and give You praise.
Confession
I will live in love. I will live in community. My heart is set on glorifying God by how I value people. As a result, I have purposed not to react to the things I do not yet understand, but will seek for understanding in the context of my love for God and my love for people. I do these things for the glory of God.
37
Faith
One of my greatest joys is to stand with faith-filled people. But one of my greatest honors is to stand in the midst of unbelief.
J ust being in a room filled with faith is a joy beyond description. True faith is not burdensome or self-promoting. It does not need to prove itself. Instead, it gives overwhelming confidence in the ever-present goodness of God, the One who acts on behalf of His own.
It is one thing to see an individual with great faith; it is quite another to see the same from a company of people. This is rare indeed. But I believe it is about to become the norm. I am thankful to be able to say that this reality is increasing almost daily. As a result, the exploits that are done for the glory of God are staggering. This biblical mandate of faith is being lived out by a community of believers who have the same level of devotion to Christ. The variety of gifts and expressions creates the most beautiful tapestry I have ever seen. This is the privilege of living in a community of believing believers. But it seldom starts there.
Before there is a community of great faith, there must be a person who puts a stake in the ground and says, “I will live by faith regardless of how many people join me.” Great movements usually start with one person who says he will follow God regardless of who else follows. He seeks to honor God in the way that pleases Him—with great faith. Tragically, I have heard good people state that they are waiting for a spouse to believe before they will pursue this God of the impossible. Others wait for family members or friends. Still others want their church elders to lead the way. Regardless of how sane that reasoning sounds, it is insane. The issue is not, Who should believe with us? It is, What will I do with the God-given moment before me? The grace to believe is a gift from God that must not be disregarded through delay. It is not a disposable commodity. It is a most precious gift from God.
While I will always prefer being able to stand in faith with the great company of believing believers, I embrace the moments when I am forced to stand alone. Those are the moments that shape us. They rid us of that dreadful fear of man that is so often given a virtuous name, such as honor or wisdom . In those moments we find out what really is in our heart of hearts.
A word of caution in order: Even though I cherish the moments to stand when others do not, these moments must never allow me to ignore the fact that I am still only one member of a very huge Body, and that accountability and
In the context of community, there is grace to receive things from God that would be threatening otherwise. Love enables us to extract the richness of life that God intends to give us through a word we do not yet understand. That is a huge part of the life of the follower of Jesus. As someone once said, “God offends our minds to reveal our hearts.” This was never truer than in John 6.
Prayer
Father God, I want to live in love as You designed it. Help me not to live in independence and call it obedience to You. I desperately want my love for You to be measured by my love for people, my sense of community. And in the context of community, help me to embrace those things You have brought my way that are designed for Your glory and for my benefit, even though I may not understand them completely. I trust You and give You praise.
Confession
I will live in love. I will live in community. My heart is set on glorifying God by how I value people. As a result, I have purposed not to react to the things I do not yet understand, but will seek for understanding in the context of my love for God and my love for people. I do these things for the glory of God.
37
Faith
One of my greatest joys is to stand with faith-filled people. But one of my greatest honors is to stand in the midst of unbelief.
J ust being in a room filled with faith is a joy beyond description. True faith is not burdensome or self-promoting. It does not need to prove itself. Instead, it gives overwhelming confidence in the ever-present goodness of God, the One who acts on behalf of His own.
It is one thing to see an individual with great faith; it is quite another to see the same from a company of people. This is rare indeed. But I believe it is about to become the norm. I am thankful to be able to say that this reality is increasing almost daily. As a result, the exploits that are done for the glory of God are staggering. This biblical mandate of faith is being lived out by a community of believers who have the same level of devotion to Christ. The variety of gifts and expressions creates the most beautiful tapestry I have ever seen. This is the privilege of living in a community of believing believers. But it seldom starts there.
Before there is a community of great faith, there must be a person who puts a stake in the ground and says, “I will live by faith regardless of how many people join me.” Great movements usually start with one person who says he will follow God regardless of who else follows. He seeks to honor God in the way that pleases Him—with great faith. Tragically, I have heard good people state that they are waiting for a spouse to believe before they will pursue this God of the impossible. Others wait for family members or friends. Still others want their church elders to lead the way. Regardless of how sane that reasoning sounds, it is insane. The issue is not, Who should believe with us? It is, What will I do with the God-given moment before me? The grace to believe is a gift from God that must not be disregarded through delay. It is not a disposable commodity. It is a most precious gift from God.
While I will always prefer being able to stand in faith with the great company of believing believers, I embrace the moments when I am forced to stand alone. Those are the moments that shape us. They rid us of that dreadful fear of man that is so often given a virtuous name, such as honor or wisdom . In those moments we find out what really is in our heart of hearts.
A word of caution in order: Even though I cherish the moments to stand when others do not, these moments must never allow me to ignore the fact that I am still only one member of a very huge Body, and that accountability and
Similar Books
