What do you think?
Rate this book
Living Water
Living Water is a compelling saga of Brother Yun’s sacrifice to bring Jesus and the Bible to non-believers. Through his dynamic teachings, Brother Yun shares a message of radical trust and authentic Christian discipleship to churches around the world. Using the message of the Bible and interweaving it with stories of life-changing faith, Living Water distills the wisdom of this courageous Christian man who suffered intense persecution for his beliefs. Brother Yun challenges Christians to go deeper in their faith, and become bold in their witness for Christ. He shows how God can make you as bold as a lion, and bring your days as a timid Christian to an end. The book of Acts continues today in the lives of courageous believers like Brother Yun. An inspirational challenge to deeper discipleship, Living Water offers moving stories of struggles and victories, miracles of grace and mountains moved.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
98 people are currently reading
724 people want to read
About the author
Brother Yun
14 books48 followersYun's book claims both extreme persecutions and miracles of deliverance similar to ones found in the Bible. Despite a life of poverty in China, he since has spoken to thousands internationally, possibly millions, with the gospel message. Seen as a rebel among some Chinese for not joining the 'official' government-controlled Christian organization (see: Three-Self Patriotic Movement), he was imprisoned and tortured by the government authorities. His book claims that he became a highly wanted man across several provinces. He was finally arrested and sentenced to many years in prison. However, Yun continued his ministry while in prison, with more miraculous results. As a result, many prisoners and even some prison officials became born-again Christians. While he gained increasing favor from some officials, he also became a target of increased persecutions by others. He was repeatedly beaten and became severely malnourished. While in prison, Yun writes about undertaking a total fast without food or water for 74 days.
After many years in prison, he escaped from Zhengzhou Maximum Security prison from which it is reported that nobody had previously escaped. He described how he heard the voice of the Holy Spirit, telling him to simply walk out the heavily guarded prison gate. Risking being shot to death on the spot, he wrote later that he obeyed the voice, and walked straight through several prison doors that were somehow left open in front of many prison guards, across the prison yard and finally out of the main gate. Yun stated that it was as if he had become invisible to the guards who stared straight through him. Although many expressed doubts that such a thing could happen, some prison guards had lost their jobs for this 'embarrassing mishap.' It is reported that the official investigation by the Chinese Government concluded that "Yun received no human help in his escape." These reports have been also confirmed by numerous prisoners who occupied the same prison cell as Yun. He remains the only person to have escaped from this notorious maximum security prison.
After many years in prison, he escaped from Zhengzhou Maximum Security prison from which it is reported that nobody had previously escaped. He described how he heard the voice of the Holy Spirit, telling him to simply walk out the heavily guarded prison gate. Risking being shot to death on the spot, he wrote later that he obeyed the voice, and walked straight through several prison doors that were somehow left open in front of many prison guards, across the prison yard and finally out of the main gate. Yun stated that it was as if he had become invisible to the guards who stared straight through him. Although many expressed doubts that such a thing could happen, some prison guards had lost their jobs for this 'embarrassing mishap.' It is reported that the official investigation by the Chinese Government concluded that "Yun received no human help in his escape." These reports have been also confirmed by numerous prisoners who occupied the same prison cell as Yun. He remains the only person to have escaped from this notorious maximum security prison.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 14, 2012
I must confess, rather shamefully, that I haven't heard of Brother Yun before reading this book. However, after reading this book, I find that I deeply admire Brother Yun. You see, Living Water is a "collection of his teachings that evolved from his life experiences of persecution and revival in China."
The book is divided into three parts - Freedom in Christ, Streams of Living Water and Soldiers for Christ. Each section contains many small chapters; each focusing on one individual topic. In this way, I discovered that this book is best read a chapter at a time, much like a devotional. The contents of this book is like a personal sharing, as Brother Yun uses the Bible and his personal life experiences to share what he has learnt.
What most impressed me from this book was the lack of bitterness. Brother Yun has been in prison and persecuted for Christ, but he accepts this with a gladful heart. In fact, he calls prison a 'school' and confesses that he has gone to prison because he's ministry overtook his relationship with God, and says that prison was a wonderful opportunity for him to draw near to God.
The book is easy to read and is very inspiring. Brother Yun doesn't mince words when he condemns the Western Churches for focusing more on theology than a relationship, for focusing on building churches instead of the Church. He offers a very strong call to revival and shows how God uses persecution to build His Church up.
I heartily recommend this book. It's a simple book with a very powerful message. To end, I want to share a passage from the last chapter that I found inspiring:
"His power and life resides in my heart, here and now! And He resides in the hearts of all who believe in Him.
Time is short and is valuable. Don't waste any more time trying to serve God in your own strength and with your own ideas.
Jesus is alive!
Stop living like He is dead.
Let the living Jesus shine from your life. There is no reason to go around with a sour face! Turn your mourning into dancing and your sorrow into joy."
(First posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
The book is divided into three parts - Freedom in Christ, Streams of Living Water and Soldiers for Christ. Each section contains many small chapters; each focusing on one individual topic. In this way, I discovered that this book is best read a chapter at a time, much like a devotional. The contents of this book is like a personal sharing, as Brother Yun uses the Bible and his personal life experiences to share what he has learnt.
What most impressed me from this book was the lack of bitterness. Brother Yun has been in prison and persecuted for Christ, but he accepts this with a gladful heart. In fact, he calls prison a 'school' and confesses that he has gone to prison because he's ministry overtook his relationship with God, and says that prison was a wonderful opportunity for him to draw near to God.
The book is easy to read and is very inspiring. Brother Yun doesn't mince words when he condemns the Western Churches for focusing more on theology than a relationship, for focusing on building churches instead of the Church. He offers a very strong call to revival and shows how God uses persecution to build His Church up.
I heartily recommend this book. It's a simple book with a very powerful message. To end, I want to share a passage from the last chapter that I found inspiring:
"His power and life resides in my heart, here and now! And He resides in the hearts of all who believe in Him.
Time is short and is valuable. Don't waste any more time trying to serve God in your own strength and with your own ideas.
Jesus is alive!
Stop living like He is dead.
Let the living Jesus shine from your life. There is no reason to go around with a sour face! Turn your mourning into dancing and your sorrow into joy."
(First posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
December 29, 2008
Following Jesus is more than just saying that you "believe" in Him. The journey begins in your heart, and from there it overflows in the way you live your entire life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Brother Yun's experiences and insights reminded me that the call to pick up your cross and follow Jesus is just as Greg Boyd's recent sermon series explained: it's free but costs everything. Yun reminded me of the unparalleled, mysterious power of the Holy Spirit, and that just because God calls you to do something doesn't mean that it will be easy. In fact, it might be the most painful experience of your life. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for reminding me through Brother Yun of the passion, joy, peace, and sincerity of what it means to take on the name of Christ.
January 25, 2011
I bought this book after reading The Heavenly Man and it has not disappointed me. My daughter and I read a chapter together when we were able to, and I would find that I would be thinking about what we had read all the next day. I bought a second copy and sent it to my friend in another city, because it is rare to find such profoundly inspired literature in our day and age. God is surely still speaking to some people and obviously, like in the case of Brother Yun, some people are still listening. I am a changed person because of this book and a better Christian. Yun has the mind of Christ and God's Spirit is certainly speaking through this book.
May 6, 2018
In "Living Water", Brother Yun gives an outstanding perspective on Christians, Christianity, and the church from the point of view of a Chinese evangelist who's endured persecution and torture for forty years.
His bold vision for Chinese Christians is to carry the gospel to all nations south and west of China until they reach Jerusalem. After enduring and escaping torture, nothing fazes him, nor many Chinese Christians.
His book Living Water holds inspiration and correction for Christians of all cultures. Read it and be ready to repent.
His bold vision for Chinese Christians is to carry the gospel to all nations south and west of China until they reach Jerusalem. After enduring and escaping torture, nothing fazes him, nor many Chinese Christians.
His book Living Water holds inspiration and correction for Christians of all cultures. Read it and be ready to repent.
December 29, 2021
I first read of Brother Yun in his other book “The Heavenly Man.” He was a persecuted Christian in China who went on to give his powerful testimony here in the United States as well as many other countries. This book is actually a collection of his sermons. He minces no words when it comes to the state of the church in the Western World/America. Many of his sermons uncovered layers of lies the American church has come to embrace. He seemed to focus often on the wealth and prosperity preaching that has run rampant here…which has had unintended consequences for the state of our church. Persecution in China has led all Christians to be evangelists, often greeting one another with “How many souls did you lead to salvation today” in place of a “Hello.” It appears we have lost our way and become lukewarm and cold when it comes to evangelistic endeavors. Brother Yun deconstructs the entire Western model of church and believes there should be no 1-2 leaders speaking on high platforms while the rest of us sit placidly listening week after week. He compares it to a prison and a warden. I can say this was eye opening and until we are confronted with an ‘other’ model to compare with, we blindly sit by and allow our structures to endure unchallenged.
I learned a lot about the persecuted church and subsequently the fire and revival it produced in China. When American churches come under persecution, the outcome will inevitably be the same. That day is coming.
I learned a lot about the persecuted church and subsequently the fire and revival it produced in China. When American churches come under persecution, the outcome will inevitably be the same. That day is coming.
July 24, 2014
This book is a collection of the messages Brother Yun has delivered to Western Christians and Churches. After leaving China and prison for telling people about Jesus, Brother Yun came to the West. What he found here surprised him. No matter the size or kind of church, he felt little of the Holy Spirit. Brother Yun began to preach to bring new life to Western Christians. It was a privilege to read these messages. I highly recommended this book.
February 15, 2017
Want an inspiring story of perseverance through hardship? A man that has a reason to live that is above and beyond himself.. This man changes the world. Nietzsche stated "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." Brother Yun's story is that of a man who had a 'Why', and was willing to endure any 'How'. Dedicated to spreading Christianity in a troubled and struggling nation, Brother Yun reached millions of persecuted humans. Great follow-up to 'Heavenly Man'.
January 19, 2009
Peel away the clogged western arteries feeding an over-stuffed western worldview, and live out the Gospel.
August 20, 2009
Excellent material that is a great once a week read. He has excellent things to say on the church and Christianity. I enjoyed reading.
November 18, 2021
A beautiful story of a man doing God’s work no matter the cost. Thought provoking and it’s what we as Christian’s are to do, spread Gods word and love. We will be persecuted, but we are just living on this earth as a temporary place. Store up your treasures in Heaven.
May 15, 2020
This book was a great encouragement to my faith, but also the source of so many questions. It encouraged the stirring in my heart which tells me that Christianity isn't just an add-on to life, or even a lot of Bible knowledge and living in a lawful way. Christianity is so much more than that, and should be something that sets us far apart from the world, firing us to go forth and represent God before the nations. But at the same time, I have questions. I have been told so many times that we can't expect God to save huge numbers of people all around us. That ministry is slow. I now have two perspectives on this. And Brother Yun's is the one that resonates more strongly with what I read in God's word.
July 6, 2024
“When it comes to serving God, we must never focus our attention on the size of the task, for it will squash our vision and enthusiasm. We should always place our eyes on the size of our Lord”
May 24, 2021
A friend of mine lent this to me to understand the power of the Holy Spirit further and for inspiration.
Living Water is written by Brother Yun, who spent years in gaol in China. He was persecuted for his faith. He is a strong, faithful and inspiring man who shares his teachings in this book.
The book tells snippets of his life throughout, however it is not an autobiography. It is a book of his Christian teachings. I love that throughout the book he refers to the stories of the Bible and explains each story. He does not expect the reader to have prior knowledge of every Bible story before reading this. I loved his teachings and felt particularly connected to the Holy Spirit due to some of the teachings. He refers to scripture that is life changing. I learnt and felt a lot during the time I spent reading this book.
Brother Yun lives his life for God and is one of the most faithful people I have read about. I would recommend this book if you aspire to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Living Water is written by Brother Yun, who spent years in gaol in China. He was persecuted for his faith. He is a strong, faithful and inspiring man who shares his teachings in this book.
The book tells snippets of his life throughout, however it is not an autobiography. It is a book of his Christian teachings. I love that throughout the book he refers to the stories of the Bible and explains each story. He does not expect the reader to have prior knowledge of every Bible story before reading this. I loved his teachings and felt particularly connected to the Holy Spirit due to some of the teachings. He refers to scripture that is life changing. I learnt and felt a lot during the time I spent reading this book.
Brother Yun lives his life for God and is one of the most faithful people I have read about. I would recommend this book if you aspire to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
February 6, 2012
Short Review: This seems to be a series of sermons (or articles) that have been put together into book form. Brother Yun (an exiled Chinese underground church leader) is particularly speaking to the western church. It is good for us to hear what Christians outside the west have to say to us. This is not light teaching. I spend about three weeks on it. But it is very readable and convicting.
My only negative is that there are some repeated stories and illustrations in the different chapters (which is what makes me think this is a series of sermons or articles, not a straightforward book.)
I would read the biography Heavenly Man first, to give you a context of who Brother Yun is and why you should listen to what he has to say.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/living-water/
My only negative is that there are some repeated stories and illustrations in the different chapters (which is what makes me think this is a series of sermons or articles, not a straightforward book.)
I would read the biography Heavenly Man first, to give you a context of who Brother Yun is and why you should listen to what he has to say.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/living-water/
April 21, 2013
Whilst I am a firm believer in the miraculous, as well as in Divine Intervention, I also believe that there is a difference between fact and fiction. As such, I am of the opinion that a lot, if not all, of what Brother Yun has been said to have done, is either:
A) Misinformed.
B) Exaggeration.
C) Fiction.
This book is rubbish and only the blindest, irrational sheep would believe it.
A) Misinformed.
B) Exaggeration.
C) Fiction.
This book is rubbish and only the blindest, irrational sheep would believe it.
January 25, 2018
Hallelujah! If you want to feel challenged/ encouraged- read this book! Every chapter is like a sermon, and by the end I couldn't keep my excitement in!
Brother Yun shares about Christians in China & the revival that's happening over there right now. God is doing mighty things in China! This book is written to Christians in the west, who want to see revival happen here as well.
Brother Yun shares about Christians in China & the revival that's happening over there right now. God is doing mighty things in China! This book is written to Christians in the west, who want to see revival happen here as well.
July 29, 2009
I really appreciated this book more than his Heavenly Man. For some reason, putting his experiences within devotional chapters made it much more grounded than his more basic autobiography. Maybe that's my shortcoming...hmmmm.
June 12, 2013
This is a tremendous book that focuses on Discipleship and sharing the Gospel. Brother Yun shares several examples of how Jesus is at work in China and how they are reaching out to win Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists to Jesus.
March 5, 2018
Just, WOW! This is easily one of my new favorite books of all time. All the teachings and messages in this books are powerful indeed, and without a doubt inspired by the Holy Spirit.
"If this don't light your fire, your wood's wet!" :-)
"If this don't light your fire, your wood's wet!" :-)
April 16, 2022
Loved reading this collection of his sermons! Each one is powerfully convicting and encouraging. We must live our lives according to the Spirit at work in us! God is with us every step of the way and we must follow His plan for us.
April 1, 2011
I need to read this book at least once a year! Excellent!!
January 9, 2012
great book from a man who is truly living out the Christian life. A total must read, very convicting....
April 30, 2012
This book is an amazing glimpse into the faith of one man who overcame such horrific circumstances by simply believing God is who He says He is.
November 17, 2012
Inspiring
May 20, 2013
This book is really eye-opening to the Christian faith. :)
January 7, 2017
Good book
February 28, 2017
Very inspirational read, encouraging us all to be filled with the Holy Spirit so we can spread God's word!
October 20, 2018
Inspiring read, but not as good as "Heavenly Man" by the same author
April 5, 2022
A great book to show the importance of missions and evangelism. Brother Yun has an amazing story and his autobiography, The Heavenly Man, had a profound effect on me. However, from a reformed perspective, Living Water is somewhat problematic. Yun seems to say that there is little value in seminaries, the church as an institution, and it’s leadership. Furthermore, although he asserts the sovereignty of God, it is clear he writes from an Arminian perspective. Nonetheless, Yun has tremendous love and zeal for the Lord and I have nothing but admiration for his heart for missions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews