Passion For Jesus: Growing in Extravagant Love for God

by Mike Bickle, Jack Deere (Foreword)

Have you ever wondered how God feels about you?

If you could get just a glimpse, you would become a new person. No matter who you are or what you have done, He longs for you to know the truth - that His affections for you are very deep, even when you are at your weakest.  Seeing the passion and splendor of God's personality will help bring you to personal wholeness and spiritual maturity.  And it will awaken in you a fervent devotion to God- and a passion for Jesus.

 "Anyone who knows Mike Bickle, knows that he has subordinated everything in his life to this one acquiring passion for Jesus. And therein lies the power of this book." Jack Deere, Th.D., author and lecturer

"I have been stirred by reading Mike Bickle's spiritual odyssey in this book. His passion for Jesus is infectious." Stephen Strang, founder, Charisma magazine

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Theology, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1993

About the author

Mike Bickle is the director of the International House of Prayer Missions Base of Kansas City, an evangelical missions organization based on 24/7 prayer with worship that is engaged in many evangelistic and inner city outreaches along with multiple justice initiatives, planting houses of prayer, and training missionaries.

The International House of Prayer has continued in non-stop prayer led by worship teams since September 19,1999, and is committed to combining 24/7 prayers for justice with 24/7 works of justice. Around 1,500 people (staff members, students, interns) serve full-time on the missions base, investing fifty hours per week in the prayer room, classroom, and ministry outreaches. Mike is also the founder of the International House of Prayer University which includes a full-time Bible school, music school, and media school.

Reviews

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me shed tears more then once , a true book about the deep love God has for us, a treasure that offers beautiful truths that are hidden by the evil one. Warmly recommend this book!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

not me sobbing at every chapter of this book

[Jess Ness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goes into depth of the reality of Jesus' passion and gives very timely and helpful direction on how to grasp that truth and cultivate a passion for Jesus in our own lives.

[truesuns]

This is the second book that I’ve read by Mike Bickle. Covers much of the hallmark of Bickle’s teachings (that he has come to be known for) such as:

- Jesus’ love for and towards us in our weaknesses
- Extravagant devotion to Jesus (Mary of Bethany)
- How to not live a life gritting your teeth to serve God but to actually enjoy it (Love God (First Commandment) -> overflowing to Loving your neighbours (Second Commandment)).
- Bridegroom-Bride paradigm (Song of Solomon)

I read Pleasures of Loving God and Seven Longings of the Human Heart first, a couple of years ago and have listened to many of his teachings over the years. If you have done so too, he covers similar ground in Passion for Jesus as those aforementioned (moreso the former).

Simple truths, plainly written, doesn’t try to be pretentious. A real sincerity about the way Bickle addresses the subject, which is something that I have observed to be consistent in both his teachings and other writings.

[Read for my personal spiritual growth so I will not be giving this a rating this.]

[Julie]

I read this in high school. I believe it made an impact on me at the time but after being a Christian for 30+ years I can not recommend any book by Mike Bickle (or any other NAR leaders). This is not because of the recent allegations, but has been my stance for years. His message is post-gospel centered. The main thing is the gospel and should always be the central theme of any message. His teachings/writings do not focus on the "here and now" but the "yet to come" and often times are extrabiblical, fully depending on man's work to accomplish God's plan.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took a lot of notes through this book! Not a fast read! My biggest takeaways: “There is no substitute for waiting in His presence.” “God didn’t call you or me to be successful; He called us to be faithful...If God gifts you to be a ________, then you will never be fully fruitful doing something else.” “Never make the mistake of thinking Jesus demands extravagance. He only requires the simple giving of our hearts in love and obedience, the taking up of our crosses and following Him.”

[Joseph Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of good stuff in this book. It came to me at a time when God was seeking to awaken in me a passion for Jesus, and the contents of this book were a great milestone in that process. Definitely worth the read!

[Chase Minshew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love Mike Bickle. This book is full of Truth, I just find him hard to read sometimes. It doesn’t grip my attention as much as his preaching does. This rating isn’t a reflection on Mike’s teachings, I love him and all of the IHOPKC family. Just not my favorite Christian author.

[José & Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Solo la conciencia del amor y del afecto de Dios por nosotros hace que nuestro corazón comience a arder por Él, Dios no solo nos amará cuando seamos perfeccionados, sino que también disfruta y nos ama mientras caminamos hacia esa perfección. Excelente libro!".

[Nate Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, both compelling and engaging.

[Frank Sarabia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing. I identify with him when he speaks of his Dad...🥺💔

[Susanna Howell · Rating 2 out of 5]

liked hearing some background on mikes life. i think hearing personal testimonies really make things more real.

[Jeske · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok. Some passages were very insightful and some passages made me sigh (out of irritation).
Some things i want to remember: (in Dutch sorry)

God bestaat niet slechts in, maar ook buiten ons domein van werkelijkheid.

Niet onze goedheid, maar Gods goedheid ligt aan zegen ten grondslag.

De levensopvatting van het menselijk ras zal veranderen als ieder mens kan geloven dat we onder een vriendelijke hemel leven en dat God, hoewel hij in kracht en majesteit verheven is, naar onze vriendschap verlangt.

Als we niets hebben om voor te sterven, dan hebben we in werkelijkheid niets om voor te leven.

Paulus gebruikte de uitdrukking 'bolwerk' als omschrijving van elke vorm van denken die zichzelf boven de kennis van God plaatst, waardoor de vijand het gedachteleven van zo'n persoon ongestoord kan beïnvloeden.

Zoals een haai door bloed wordt aangetrokken, zo wordt de satan aangetrokken door duisternis.

Zoals de maagd die uitroept: 'uw liefde is kostelijker dan wijn' zo komen wij tot het besef dat geld en materiële dingen niet kunnen voorzien in de behoeften van de geest. Het op de voorgrond plaatsen van de gemeente of de wereld biedt geen oplossing. Geen enkele relatie met een ander menselijk wezen zal ooit de diepe verlangens van onze geest kunnen bevredigen.

Passie voor Jezus is niet de vrucht van onze toewijding aan hem, maar van het besef van zijn toewijding aan ons.

Proberen om de duisternis in eigen kracht uit ons hart te drijven, is frustrerend en zinloos. Maar op het moment dat Christus aan ons geopenbaard wordt, en zijn licht in ons hart binnenkomt, vlucht de duisternis. Hetzelfde geldt voor natuurlijke duisternis in een kamer. De duisternis verdwijnt op het moment dat we de lichtknop indrukken. We kunnen natuurlijke duisternis op geen enkele ander manier verdrijven. We zorgen ervoor dat het licht kan schijnen en onmiddellijk verdwijnt de duisternis. We matten onszelf af als we ons concentreren op het uitdrijven van duisternis. Alsof we op die manier de weg vrij kunnen maken voor meer licht in ons leven. We vallen de duisternis indirect aan door ons over te geven aan het licht.

Onderlinge strijd en scheiding zijn het gevolg wanneer gelovigen dichter tot elkaar proberen te komen, zonder dichter tot Jezus te komen.

2 kor. 3:18: En wij allen, die met onbedekt gelaat (we hoeven ons niet af te scheiden van God meer, te schamen, maar ook: oprechtheid, niets verbergen) de heerlijkheid van de Heer als in een spiegel (spiegels gaven in die tijd slechts een vage reflectie, we zien dus in raadselen, nog niet zoals hij werkelijk is, maar slechts gedeeltelijk) aanschouwen, veranderen naar hetzelfde beeld van heerlijkheid tot heerlijkheid, door de Heer, de Heilige Geest.

De definitie die sommige christenen aan het begrip heerlijkheid hebben gegeven is zo verheven, dat ze van mening zijn dat die heerlijkheid onbereikbaar voor hen is. Het gevolg is dat zulke gelovigen tot de conclusie komen dat God niet werkelijk bestaat of dat verlossing niet echt werkt. En toch werkt het veel beter dan wij wel beseffen. Eerst wordt het puin van ons verleden opgeruimd. Vervolgens wordt het fundament in God gelegd. En op een dag zal er een prachtige tempel op deze ruïne verrijzen. Zach 4:6-10 & Fil 1:6

God heeft ons niet geroepen om succesvol te zijn, maar om getrouw te zijn.

[Akeyla Pratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bickle makes a lot of good points about the need of the church to focus on the love of God and to know God's heart, but his dry presentation didn't help me feel connected to God's love. I purchased this book expecting to feel totally on fire for God by the end, and instead I got through it with a few nods and a couple smiles, nothing that left me impressed. His words felt somewhat distant to me, like he was holding back in an effort to be more professional or concise.

So overall, this book has good concepts, but Bickle would benefit from developing a more genuine, approachable style.

[Sarah Moody · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good practical guide to getting into a deeper connection with God. a little back story in the beginning about the author which really set's the mood for what he has to say over all. there are some comical parts in his personal story that really makes you as a reader not feel so dumb with your own experiences of growing deeper with Jesus. Super encouraging and practical.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author talked about spiritual life in a way that was encouraging and inspiring, not preachy. I really liked all the stories he told from his life of struggles and triumphs. It really brings something to life to talk about how you've seen it play out in life or how you learned it.

[Elise Vazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book grabbed me. I long for a true passion for Jesus and as I read this book, I came away with a clearer understanding of God's crazy, extravagant love for me. Understanding that will give one an extravagant love for God as the author writes. An excellent, life-changing read.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best, most relevant Christian book I read in a long time. Helps with attaining deeper intimacy with Jesus.

[Dr. Paul T. Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a a great book for those wondering if God is mad at them, as discovering the emotions of God is not taught often or well in our generation.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

bickle's own testimony of his encounters with God's extravagant love. (: really good insight & a book you can learn from.

[Stuart Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty heavy on the bridegroom stuff, but you can't deny the results. It's more a testimony than a how to, but it's inspiring none the less.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right on and so much to digest and think about.

[Gengis Coutou · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had a huge effect on mu life as a new Christian although I don't agree with his view on Song of Salomon

[Andy Hickman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personal testimony of IHOP founder.

Bickle, Mike. Passion for Jesus: Growing in Extravagant Love for God. Lake Mary, FL: Creation House, 1993.

[Lucas Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro excecional. Um convite para desenvolver uma paixão santa por Jesus. Mais que recomendado.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite book of all time...great revelation of how much God not only Loves us but Likes us!!

[Lisa]

Annie's Recommendation; top 5 books her guy-pals are reading