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What the Spirit Is Saying to the Churches
People today are hungry for God's sure guidance in their churches. But how do they find it? One of the strongest prophetic voices to the church today, Henry Blackaby, helps Christians grasp God's pattern for strengthening their churches, rather than relying on human ideas and methods that leave God on the periphery. They'll learn how to be sensitive individually and corporately to the effort of the Spirit, exploring the trustworthy principles by which the Lord longs to guide each congregation toward its own distinctive mission.
89 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 6, 2009
Blackaby is rather vague about what the spirit is saying to the churches. While he has a few interesting points and gives some great detail into the faith that his Canadian Faith Baptist church has, I found the book lacking...
June 4, 2017
I love what this book is about. I just wish there had been more detail on how the Lord led. The little bits that are there are wonderful, but this is a story that deserves a lot more pages. I felt like I should have connected to the story on the heart level, and I just never did. It sometimes felt like reading bullet points rather than prose.
January 2, 2019
Spirit-infused
Wonderful spirit led context and experiences. Here Gods voice through its pages. I thoroughly enjoyed could not put it down.
Wonderful spirit led context and experiences. Here Gods voice through its pages. I thoroughly enjoyed could not put it down.
August 23, 2009
This book explains principles learned by him as a pastor of a small Canadian church from 1970 to 1982.
The idea that God would communicate His will and direction to a pastor and His church is really refreshing.
This is different from other books in that he minimizes church government, elder rule, vision of the board and emphasizes that the Spirit can and does, give direction to the group as a whole.
The concept revolves around specifically praying for direction, waiting, adjusting and stepping out on faith, when the individual senses God is giving the 'go-ahead'.
Short readable book by Henry Blackaby. I liked it because I can apply the principles to my life in ministries I am involved with.
An outline of the chapters and key verses follow:
Introduction
God Speaks to His People
Zechariah 1:3 (ESV)
3 Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts:
Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.
Chapter
1. God Takes the Initiative
John 15:16 (ESV)
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
2. What Only God Can Do
John 12:26 (ESV)
26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
3. Seeing God Work
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
4. Hearing Him
Isaiah 46:11 (ESV)
11 ...I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
5. Believing Him
Isaiah 49:23 (ESV)
23 Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”
6. Adjusting to Him
Luke 14:27 (ESV)
27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:33 (ESV)
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
7. Obeying Him – And Seeing Results
Revelation 2:10 (ESV)
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
If we are pray-ers and alert, God can and will move us along as He intends.
The idea that God would communicate His will and direction to a pastor and His church is really refreshing.
This is different from other books in that he minimizes church government, elder rule, vision of the board and emphasizes that the Spirit can and does, give direction to the group as a whole.
The concept revolves around specifically praying for direction, waiting, adjusting and stepping out on faith, when the individual senses God is giving the 'go-ahead'.
Short readable book by Henry Blackaby. I liked it because I can apply the principles to my life in ministries I am involved with.
An outline of the chapters and key verses follow:
Introduction
God Speaks to His People
Zechariah 1:3 (ESV)
3 Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts:
Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.
Chapter
1. God Takes the Initiative
John 15:16 (ESV)
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
2. What Only God Can Do
John 12:26 (ESV)
26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
3. Seeing God Work
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
4. Hearing Him
Isaiah 46:11 (ESV)
11 ...I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
5. Believing Him
Isaiah 49:23 (ESV)
23 Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”
6. Adjusting to Him
Luke 14:27 (ESV)
27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:33 (ESV)
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
7. Obeying Him – And Seeing Results
Revelation 2:10 (ESV)
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
If we are pray-ers and alert, God can and will move us along as He intends.
June 1, 2019
In this day and age, more books like this are needed. Books that tell Christians of God’s abundant grace and provision for His people. Books that show that God is far from silent. Books that lead Christians into deeper fellowship with the Lord and each other.
In a simple, yet powerful way, Henry Blackaby explains both his personal journey as well as his church’s as they selves deeper into faith and obedience. With powerful examples of God’s provision, Blackaby encourages other Christians to believe that God’s will can and shall be done only because of God Himself.
A fantastic book that showcases the power of prayer, faith, and obedience and how it can affect you in everyday life, I would recommend this to anybody who needs a boost in his walk or even just proof that God responds to godly prayer.
In a simple, yet powerful way, Henry Blackaby explains both his personal journey as well as his church’s as they selves deeper into faith and obedience. With powerful examples of God’s provision, Blackaby encourages other Christians to believe that God’s will can and shall be done only because of God Himself.
A fantastic book that showcases the power of prayer, faith, and obedience and how it can affect you in everyday life, I would recommend this to anybody who needs a boost in his walk or even just proof that God responds to godly prayer.
February 14, 2013
Simple and inspiring guidelines for how to hear from God corporately. Using his personal examples from ministry in Canada, with generous quotations of relevant verses.
Basically, I think it boils down to recognizing opportunities for ministry as God's leading, and then being willing to make the sacrifices to take action. When this happens, we will see God's presence and power. It will always be stretching and costly, and God will always provide and do the work. As a result, God will be more real and active, and his speaking and guidance will be more evident.
Basically, I think it boils down to recognizing opportunities for ministry as God's leading, and then being willing to make the sacrifices to take action. When this happens, we will see God's presence and power. It will always be stretching and costly, and God will always provide and do the work. As a result, God will be more real and active, and his speaking and guidance will be more evident.
October 17, 2008
Encouraging quick read.
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April 17, 2009What the Spirit Is Saying to the Churches (LifeChange Books) by Henry Blackaby (?)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews