When Heaven Invades Earth by Bill Johnson
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.78 You Save: $7.21 (45%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.49 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of When Heaven Invades Earth
Book Review: This book was a blessing before I even read it!
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the ongoing prayers I've always had is for the Lord to give me more faith. I found out about Bethel Church and Pastor Bill one day when watching Christian World News a few weeks ago. I went on the web shortly after the program to find out more about Pastor Bill and his church. Its at that point that I found out about his book, "When Heaven Invades Earth." I liked what I had read from the reviews on Amazon so I made it a point to check out the book next time I was in Barnes and Noble.
A week or two later my wife and I were sitting in Barnes and Noble reading in the cafe. I had just finished reading a few chapters in the bible when I got up and told her that I was going to check and see if they had a copy of the book. I checked the Christian section and lo and behold, they had one copy. "Great!" I thought and brought the book back to the cafe to look through. Upon opening, I discovered that something was written on the back of the front cover:
"From: The Clancy's
We love you Bono!!
Thank you
I hope this book blesses you!!"
I thought to myself "that was strange," and showed it to my wife. What could that mean? The only Bono that I could think of was the one from U2, but that didn't make too much sense. At that point I had a feeling. I just KNEW that the Lord wanted me to have that book. I tested that feeling and went back upstairs to the nearest customer service desk. I asked if they had any other copies of the book in stock, because the one I found there had been written in... knowing that they probably didn't have any other copies in stock. They thought it was strange that it was written in like that. They looked up the book in the computer and told me that they shouldn't even have THAT copy! The two people at the customer service desk told me that they had never seen anything like that happen before. I asked them that since the book was written in and it apparently shouldn't even be there, could I just take it home? They looked at each other and told me to go downstairs to talk to the manager.
At this point I was getting more and more excited. I got my wife and we both went downstairs to the other customer service desk where the manager and others were. Interestingly enough, the woman right in front of me was asking where she could find "The Purpose Driven Life." Incredible! I told the customer service rep that the people from the other desk told me to come look for the manager. I told her the same story. She told me that someone else probably put it on the shelf and that she had never heard of that happening before either. I then asked her as well, if this book isn't Barnes and Noble's and its been written in, can I just take it? She told me that in a situation like that, they would normally put it in the lost and found, but she'd ask her manager (who was right next to her, busy with another customer). She summarized the whole story to her manager, who briefly glanced at the book. The manager motioned in my direction and said "just give it to him." The other customer service rep shrugged and then handed the book over to me and told me that it was mine! Free!
I then made some small talk with her, wondering what the Bono reference that was written in the book could mean. I knew of only two Bono's... Sonny Bono and the Bono from U2. She then let me know that U2 had a book signing in the store about a month earlier for a book they just released! The mystery was solved. Based on hearing that, "the Clancy's" that were mentioned on the front cover must've brought "When Heaven Invades Earth" to give to Bono during the book signing. After the book signing, one of two things must've happened. A bunch of things that people brought in to give Bono were left behind and one of the people working at Barnes and Noble put the book meant for Bono on the shelf... or possibly that BONO HIMSELF put the book on the shelf!
The most amazing thing is that this book was an answer to my prayer to God to give me more faith before I even read it! It was a book on faith and how we need to have more of it, and it was by faith that I got that book from Barnes and Noble for free!
I echo everyone's positive comments about this book and would give it 10 stars if I could. It's rare that I consider a book life changing, but this is one of them! Do yourself a favor and pick this book up
Book Review: This is anything BUT
Summary: 5 Stars
To those who would contend that the teaching in this book is false, the Kingdom of God is not ultimately set up to appeal to the human intellect, but to point back to the Father, whose system of logic transcends ours.
Many of the actions Jesus took when He walked the earth were intended to offend the natural mind of the Pharisees. "The Kingdom of God is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God, to the pulling down of strongholds."
When we place total reliance on the teachings of others in lieu of an individual Spirit-led understanding of the Scriptures, we unknowingly adopt the same attitude the Israelites took on when they chose to let Moses discern God's voice for them.
Is this to say that we should abandon our historical understanding of Scripture? No. It is to say that theology is merely a human guide for understanding the Scriptures and not intended to replace the study of them. The Holy Spirit is the One the Father has ordained to bring the written word to life, and it is the inspiration (or breath, if you will) of God through the Spirit (rhema) that brings the understanding of the written word (logos). (Incidentally, the Greek word for "word" when describing the sword of the Spirit in Ehpesians 6 is "rhema," not "logos.")
As a Charismatic believer (if that is cultic to some, I'm sorry you feel that way), even I had to mull over much of what Bill Johnson wrote in this book. I was especially caught off guard with the statement, "Most people repent enough to get saved, but not enough to see the Kingdom." However, upon taking on the role of the Berean and considering this statement in light of Scripture ("analogy of faith" is the seminarian term for this), God revealed that I had been too focused on the natural realm by relying on my own understanding, and that I should repent of this God-limiting mindset by allowing Him to provide further revelation.
Again, God is not bound by our theology. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. To enter and experience the Kingdom in action, I must approach it as a child, and not deceive myself by thinking that my M. Div. or Th. D. automatically qualifies me as one who knows God's voice. (For more on hearing the voice of God, I recommend "Communion With God" by Mark Virkler ([...] ).)
Did you ever notice in Luke that the main message Jesus had before the Sermon on the Mount was, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand?" Did you also notice that beyond that, His preaching consisted not of words, but of signs, wonders, and various workings of miracles, followed by a statement that he needed to preach in other areas beyond Galilee? Bottom line: not a lot of words, but a whole lot of action!
I believe this is Bill Johnson's main point-- signs and wonders must follow those who believe. In a postmodern world, where traditional logic has less and less value in the marketplace of ideas, a love-motivated work or sign is more likely to generate a greater hunger for God and draw one into a relationship with the Father. Note that when Jesus performed signs and wonders, people then paid attention to what He had to say about the Kingdom of heaven.
St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words." I believe what Bill Johnson hits on in this book puts that statement in a whole new light. I highly recommend that everyone desiring to see the Kingdom come in power should read this book in preparation.
Book Review: Giving the King and His Kingdom
Summary: 5 Stars
Before I begin, I rate books on IMPACT - how much they've truly changed my life. God has used this book to literally effect every area of my life and the lives around me. It most certainly deserves the highest rating possible.
Growing up my dad would tell me stories from the Jesus Movement. Stories of angelic activity, people getting healed, saved, and delivered, people receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in radical ways, etc. All my life I wanted to experience these things: to see God work miracles through His people as He did in the early church, the Jesus Movement, and truly all throughout time. I wanted to see Jesus glorified through life altering encounters.
I read this book sometime around 2006. It took me 6 months to read. God used it to so transform my thinking that my life has never been the same; this has been one of the most impactful books I've ever read. Since reading it, I've known that God is still working miracles, that He's still healing people, that He is doing as much now as He did in the early church.
In 2008 I moved to Redding, CA, where Bill Johnson pastors Bethel Church and the leadership here runs a school called Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. After going through the 1st Year program, it is now a regular thing for me to see people healed of all sorts of ailments, sicknesses, diseases, etc. Does every person I pray for get healed? Not yet. But what if 1 person out of 1,000 got healed after you prayed for them? What if that person and their entire family was transformed, turning their hearts to God and living for Him? Wouldn't that be worth it - Christ receiving the reward for His suffering? God so wants us to fulfill the great commission; to preach His Kingdom and love; to bring Heaven to Earth in the most tangible of ways. I wish every Christian (including Catholics) would read this book and start the journey [if it hasn't already started for you] of partnering with our Lord - our Love - in bringing His Kingdom and His will into every person's life around us. He is so worthy. Bless you! =)
Much love,
Jonathan Cline
PS. A little tip: when praying for anyone regarding anything, before you begin, become aware of God's presence. Since He is Love (and the Healer, and Provider, and everything good) it's best to be fully aware of Him, conscious that you're giving people Jesus, not just a prayer. May we all learn to love people with the very love of God! =D
Similar Books I Recommend:
"The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind" by Bill Johnson (the sequel to "When Heaven Invades...")
"John G Lake: His Life, His Sermons, His Boldness of Faith" by John G Lake (Oneness with Christ)
"Destined to Reign" by Joseph Prince (His grace & finished work of the cross)
"Good Morning, Holy Spirit" by Benny Hinn (relationship with God is crucial!)
"Miracle Workers, Reformers, and the New Mystics" by John Crowder (restoring intimacy & power to the Church)
Book Review: exposed my biases and left me without argument
Summary: 5 Stars
I would never have picked this book up off the shelf based on its subtitle, but read it on the recommendation of a friend. I began reading it as a dialogue, reading to refute lots of its points, seeing only what I expected to see. Before long, I began to be convicted - in the powerful way that the truths of scripture cut like a double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), yet the sense of conviction came not with a sense of defeat or guilt - but with excitement at seeing the gospel afresh as truly GOOD NEWS - and further revealing the nature of our God - pure goodness.
I began to realize that in my sphere of influence, there has never been "permission" to fully take God at His Word in so many passages. Simply hearing an articulate voice validate a lot of what Jesus (as well as Paul and others) seem to say, but "couldn't possible have meant" gives me fresh excitement and permission to explore the Bible for myself in a way that throws off biases I didn't realize I had.
One thing that has always made me a "safe" type of Christian to date is fear of the Great Commission. I've always been afraid of the idea of bringing a disingenuous word to a non-believer in the hopes of evangelizing them. What I'm realizing is that I was right to not want to "evangelize" in accordance with the mindset I've had, because the gospel I would've been proclaiming was not the gospel of power that is found in the New Testament - but rather, a disingenuous one. The Christian culture I've been surrounded by has put the cart before the horse: highlighting the parts of scripture which claim that all believers should bear witness to the wonders of God, yet not really giving permission to seek them (which lends crucial authenticity to that witness) or to really believe "the God of wonders" Himself.
Bill Johnson (and I'd never heard of him and know nothing else about him) comes off with nothing but humility and love in terms of attitude. I feel both challenged and in awe of how big our God is.
I am definitely going to read this book again and take notes.
Book Review: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOOK!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first book I have ever read by Bill Johnson. My church is currently using it for Level 1 of their School of Leaders class, which my parents are in. So when they came out of class with their new books for Level 1 I was excited! So when we got home after church I took one of them and read it. First of all I had high expectations because it was a recommended book by my pastor. When it was recommended, plus at one time the book club at our church was reading it, I wanted to get my hand so much on this book. So when I got a hold of it I read it. It was so anointed and full of revelation.
First of all, having been raised in Pentecostal churches all my life i knew what the bible talked about things such as healing and I know it is the will of God for us to be healed and the bible talking about the supernatural. I knew the bible talked about signs and wonders confirming the word, BUT GOD HAD TO TEACH ME SOMETHING THROUGH THIS BOOK!!!!
The author talks about how the supernatural is the normal life for the believer, about the present state of the Kingdom of God, and how we are ambassadors for his Kingdom, about what we need to do for revival, and much more. I learned that I as a believer should expect the Supernatural! Plus he shares powerful stories how ordinary people are performing the supernatural in their everday world! It increased my faith for the supernatural and I called upon God to forgive me for not expecting the supernatural like I should have! I learned that the supernatural IS A NORMAL PART OF A BELIEVER'S LIFE!!!
It actually is a balanced approach to the Kingdom and I love how simple and easy it was to read this classic work by Bill Johnson! Every believer needs to read this book!!!! So if you are curious about the supernatural, wonder about the Work of the Holy Ghost, or if Pentecost is already a way of life for you, then you DEFINETLY NEED TO GET "WHEN HEAVEN INVADES EARTH" TODAY!!!