When Heaven Invades Earth
POSTED IN Uncategorized April 30, 2010
Our next book is “When Heaven Invades Earth” by Bill Johnson. This book was recently added as a text book at Yale University.
“It is truly possible for human people to walk in the devine, and Christ came to show us the way. It is by rediscovering our true identity in Him that we can begin to move into the promises of God regarding the miraculous… When Heaven Invades Earth provides all the equipment you need to experience miracles every day.”
Get a copy from your favorite book distributer and join us as we dissect this relevant and inspiring book.
Chapter 1: The Normal Christian Life
“It is abnormal for a Christian not to have an appetite for the impossible…”
As believers there is that “something” inside that is desperate to see the impossible. Don’t allow other Christians, non-believers, or “what your church says” stop you from reaching for the impossible. Is a God that fits within our understanding really worthy of being worshiped?
Bill opens with an inspiring wedding story in which the marring couple creates an environment rich with miracle opportunities. We are the ones responsible for creating an atmosphere for God to move. Partnership. Life was never intended to be “the God show”. Look at some of your healthy relationships, are they at all one-sided? The fact is that the healthiest relationships are those forged from interdependence.
Top of page 26 “before the wedding ever started…” This portion is about the American church finally waking up to the reality that God is not intimidated, and that He will heal, save, and deliver. Coming to God with expectant hearts is the only way to access Kingdom power. In an immature heart the goal is numbers. People are numbers and testimonies are for bragging rights within your Christian circle. What Bill is talking about is a paradigm shift that we all must make from seeing things through eyes of “fear” to “potential miracle” opportunities.
The Miracle Continues: Healing Ministry Practical Application
This is a great section- if you read between the lines you can get some solid teaching on the “how-to’s”. While talking to this man they discover 3 main areas of need. 1. Wrist 2. Leg 3. Neck (cancer and muscle) Instead of bombing this man with proclamations and shouting promises they became acquainted with his trouble. Then they went after it one step at a time. In every case they removed (when possible) anything that a person may have hope in (braces, canes, etc.).
“The response of the church is very matter of fact” I find it interesting that most believers are more surprised when God heals than the person they pray for. If you have been fortunate enough to witness or be part of blind people being healed you may have wondered why they aren’t more excited when they receive their sight. If we have an opportunity to pray- that person thinks we actually believe it will happen or they wouldn’t let us pray for them (we should believe). When it happens, they simply got what you said they could have. I am always excited about what God does; but I am never surprised to see it happen.
Middle of page 27: “His doctor gave him a clean bill of health…”
It would seem that God loves show-and-tell. First we show people His real love, you know, the kind that actually affects them physically, and then we get to tell them about the Kingdom. This is what opens the avenue to a real “life-changing” encounter, and a genuine heart submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Just another day:
God is not running low on miracle power or the desire to perform them. It seems that most have a mindset that the blame always belongs to someone else. Ever heard that old break-up line “its not you, its me.”? I want to suggest that, “its not God its me.” God is never the problem and neither are the people you pray for. There is a stirring in our generation, a stirring that says, “I WANT A REAL GOD.” This book is about that journey- “a quest for the King and His Kingdom.”
I understand that most are not living a normal Christian life, but a complacent, and honestly, boring one. It’s hard enough to find a place that is willing to accept the power and organized chaos that only shows up when Holy Spirit does; but willingness typically turns into pretending. We say we are willing, but when things get messy we back off or quench the move we are so desperate for. Normal Christian Life, I believe, is openly displaying the raw power of God; and it is anything but boring.
Chapter 2: Commission Restored
The first part of this chapter deals with the idea that Jesus was, in fact, all man; instead of our idea of God in a man-suit. Jesus said that He could do NOTHING w/o the Father; no spiritual capabilities. He came to show us what real people could do in right relationship with a real God.
Jesus becoming “all-man” raises many interesting questions which is a bunny I won’t chase save to say even though Grace came to us for free- it came to Father and Jesus at a GREAT cost; Free grace, not cheap grace. Saying Jesus did all He could do because He was God and we cannot because we are not God (and we certainly are not) is treating grace in a cheap fashion.
Jesus had no sin separating Him from Father and He was completely dependent on Holy Spirit. In contrast, we are sinners made right through Him (also no separation) so the question becomes clear; how dependant are we on Holy Spirit?
The Original Commission
Gods intention for creation was that we would multiply under His rule producing offspring also under His rule and extend the boundaries of the garden through the simplicity of or devotion to Him (a healthy love relationship that grows). God could have destroyed the devil with a word, yet He chose to defeat darkness through you and me, His delegated authority. We love Him by choice and His desire is to experience the benefits of a genuine love relationship.
A romance Story
We were created in His image for the purpose of intimacy; dominion expressed through love. How do religious people deal with that? No rules? No control? Just the relationship between you and Creator. If you love Him there need be no written rule- LOVE. 1Cor 13
Satans point of attack from the beginning has always been at identity. He challenged Gods identity and got himself kicked out of heaven. He challenged Adam and Eves and was successful. He challenged everyone along the way to Jesus and ultimately Jesus Himself (after the 40 day fast).
I think you’ll find satan up to the same tricks, I mean, why change it up if its still working right? The fact is YOU are God’s child (restoration thanks to Jesus) and you have the ability to DO exactly what you were commissioned to.
We are Born to Rule
Jesus restored what was taken in the garden- basically Jesus said, I got it all back, now you can use it and reclaim mankind. We can only give what we have. What we have been given is the Kingdom. We can only keep what we give away- remember the story of the talents (Mat 25:14). So we have the Kingdom, and we must give it away.
Kingdom simply means, Kings Domain. We just give to people what satan has taken away- their right to salvation, healing, and deliverance.
The Key of David
“Deliver us from evil.” The word evil represents the ENTIRE curse of sin; which includes; sinful actions, pains, and poverty.
We have been entrusted with the keys to the Kingdom- which means we become the gatekeepers. Holy Spirit is in prison within the hearts of unbelieving believers. What an awesome responsibility we carry- realizing that it is up to us to make the Kingdom available to others.
A Revolution of Identity
Bigger vision does not necessarily equal larger numbers. One is identity the other is simply math. Identity and purpose are found in intimacy with God. The more intimate you become with Creator, the greater your vision becomes.
Bill wraps up this chapter challenging the point that we are conditioned to think things that require courage, faith, and action are for somebody else or another time period; that if it’s good, it cannot be for now.
If your idea is that things must get worse before they get better, than you will actually find yourself rejoicing at the devils work. As society, families, our health all crumble around us we say, “look how bad it is, surely Christ will come soon.”
We are the bride. Do you think Christ (you know, God) wants to come back to a scraggily bride, beaten and bruised, haggard from the world she lived in? Or do you think He wants to return for a beautiful, well functioning, well groomed bride, one fit for her King?
A revolution is coming, in fact, it has already begun. Identity restored; God’s people waking up to the fact that they ARE made right with Him. No longer will we put up with the devil’s attack on who we really are; Children of The King. When we discover who we really are our purpose will also become clear and what has become the great omission will be restored to the great commission.
Chapter 3 Repent To See
Bill starts this chapter by discussing the kind of King Christ was and what true repentance is. Jesus came in an unexpected manner and dealt with the enemies of man; sin, the devil and his works, and self-righteousness fostered by religion.
Turning from sin isn’t necessarily repentance, but the fruit of repentance. Repentance isn’t to stop doing bad things; it is changing the way we think. Bringing the Kingdom to earth is only possible for those who truly surrender.
The idea is to change our thinking so drastically that our consciousness becomes filled with the Kingdom. Being filled with the Kingdom keeps us from being easily distracted. The unseen realm is greater than the seen realm; repentance allows you to live and operate from the unseen realm. By our genuine surrender to Jesus we gain access to the king’s domain.
It is your hunger that draws on the Kingdom and releases the power of God. The Kingdom comes in the presence of the Spirit of God.
Bill goes on to explain that the be-attitudes are the lenses that we should see the Kingdom through; if you are repentant this is how it looks. This isn’t a bunch of new laws, it is actually grace; “happy are those…”, not “obedient are those…”
Light is greater than darkness and the invisible is greater than the visible. As we reach for the invisible and demonstrate the Kingdom, the realm of darkness will be unable to advance. Faith is the key to unlocking the invisible door and repentance is what draws the power to heal and deliver.
Chapter 4: Faith- Anchored in the Unseen
This is one of the larger chapters and could easily become its own book. Instead of writing one, ill just share with you some of my favorite quotes and reflect on some. The comment section is still not up, but your comments are important to me. e-mail them to thefireshack@yahoo.com and I will be sure to post them!
Faith is the mirror of the heart that reflects the realities of an unseen world- the actual substance of His Kingdom, through the prayer of faith we are able to pull the reality of His world into this one. That is the function of faith.
Faith actualizes what it realizes.
Faith provides eyes for the heart.
Our imagination is food for faith. Let your heart dream and explore heaven.
Many of us have thought that the ability to see into the spiritual realm is more the result of a spiritual gift than an unused potential for everyone.
This levels the playing field doesn’t it! We are without excuse, faith is available for us all.
It is in the environment of worship that we learn things that go way beyond what our intellect can grasp.
Above all, value His presence.
The natural realm carries the witness of His greatness…for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.
When we submit the things of God to the mind of man, unbelief and religion are the results.
When we learn to receive from our spirit, our mind becomes the student and is therefore subject to the Holy Spirit.
Faith is the currency of Heaven.
How much are you worth?
Even though we may know the will of God from scripture, we still need the Holy Spirit to help us with the interpretation, application, and empowerment to perform His will.
It is NEVER enough just to know about God- a genuine relationship is what really matters when it comes to following His will, that and flexibility of course. After all, what if He tells you to sacrifice your son and just as your getting ready to pull the trigger He says, “stop.” Will you have the clairvoyance to hear and know your shepherd?
Fearfulness is the same as faithlessness
Issues such as bitterness, jealousy, and hatred qualify as the decay of the heart
“balance”- the best way to keep our nice image intact.
I love seeing the religious cringe… is that bad?
Those with faith blaze a trail that threatens all of our comfort zones. Faith offends the stationary.
Again, …is that bad?
My faith is not just an abiding faith; it is active. It is aggressive by nature.
The whole nature of faith implies a relationship with God that is current.
Faith is not the absence of doubt; it’s the presence of belief.
Exponential power is the product of the unity of faith.
There is power in testimony- share them often and publicly when appropriate.
Rest is the climate that faith grows in.
Religion says, “work work work, do do do.” God says, “rest.”
[Prayer] it’s the only thing the disciples asked Jesus to teach them.
I may have been asking all the wrong questions, have you?
