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Meeting God Face to Face: Daily Encouragement to Seek His Presence and Favor
PURSUE A LIFE DEVOTED TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD Did you know that you have the same access to God the Father that Jesus has? Meeting God Face to Face is a 365-day devotional based on Bill Johnson’s best-selling book Face to Face With God. Each day’s reflection contains a Scripture verse, a short reading, a highlighted point to ponder, and lines for journaling. Much of the content of this devotional and its companion book, Face to Face With God, was first preached by Bill Johnson in 2002. This message became his whole life—a life devoted to discovering and hosting the presence of God. Pursuing this goal has been costly, but it did not prevent him from making it his sole reason for living. If you desire to grow in intimacy with God and develop a stronger sense of and appreciation for His presence, this book is for you! Deepen your relationship with God by pursuing His favor and continuing the spiritual journey you started through Face to Face With God.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2019
24 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Bill Johnson
765 books535 followersBill Johnson and his wife Brenda (Beni) Johnson are the Senior Pastors of Bethel Church in Redding, California. Johnson is a fifth generation pastor.
Johnson was born in Minnesota in 1951 and became a Christian as a young child. Soon after, Johnson read seven books on prayer, which significantly affected his perspective and subsequent ministry.
Bill Johnson and his wife have three children: Eric, Brian and Leah.
Johnson speaking at a conference
Bill Johnson and Beni (Brenda) began as singles pastors under his father at Bethel. In 1979, they became senior pastors of Mountain Chapel in Weaverville, California.
While pastoring in Weaverville, Johnson attended a 1987 conference led by John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Church Movement. According to Johnson "A number of healings and manifestations broke out and I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't object to it, I wasn't opposed to it; I just didn't know how to pastor it in a way that it would continue and increase".
In 1995, Johnson attended the Toronto Blessing revival at the Toronto Airport Vineyard church. Johnson relates: "In Toronto I said, 'Lord, if You touch me again I will never change the subject.' So I went up for prayer every time it was offered. I didn't have anything dramatic happen, but I came home and said, 'I am going to give the rest of my life to this.'"
In February 1996, after 17 years of leading the Weaverville church, the Johnsons were invited to become senior pastors of Bethel. Today Johnson describes Bethel as a church where "everything we do either fuels revival or is fueled by revival." Under his leadership, Bethel left the Assemblies of God in 2006 to become a nondenominational charismatic church.
According to a recent book written by Johnson, "Face to Face with God", Bethel is "a church where supernatural encounters with God happen regularly, miracles are common, and the congregation has an infectious passion for spiritual growth." The church has approximately 1,500 members, and a School of Supernatural Ministry.
Their Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry has 1,200 students enrolled with over 370 from other countries. Johnson leads a network of churches dedicated to global, multi-generational revival, Global Legacy. Johnson has written a number of books and travels extensively as a featured revival conference speaker. Johnson is also involved with the Northern California Revival Fellowship, a group of north Californian pastors committed to revival.
Source: Wikipedia
Johnson was born in Minnesota in 1951 and became a Christian as a young child. Soon after, Johnson read seven books on prayer, which significantly affected his perspective and subsequent ministry.
Bill Johnson and his wife have three children: Eric, Brian and Leah.
Johnson speaking at a conference
Bill Johnson and Beni (Brenda) began as singles pastors under his father at Bethel. In 1979, they became senior pastors of Mountain Chapel in Weaverville, California.
While pastoring in Weaverville, Johnson attended a 1987 conference led by John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Church Movement. According to Johnson "A number of healings and manifestations broke out and I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't object to it, I wasn't opposed to it; I just didn't know how to pastor it in a way that it would continue and increase".
In 1995, Johnson attended the Toronto Blessing revival at the Toronto Airport Vineyard church. Johnson relates: "In Toronto I said, 'Lord, if You touch me again I will never change the subject.' So I went up for prayer every time it was offered. I didn't have anything dramatic happen, but I came home and said, 'I am going to give the rest of my life to this.'"
In February 1996, after 17 years of leading the Weaverville church, the Johnsons were invited to become senior pastors of Bethel. Today Johnson describes Bethel as a church where "everything we do either fuels revival or is fueled by revival." Under his leadership, Bethel left the Assemblies of God in 2006 to become a nondenominational charismatic church.
According to a recent book written by Johnson, "Face to Face with God", Bethel is "a church where supernatural encounters with God happen regularly, miracles are common, and the congregation has an infectious passion for spiritual growth." The church has approximately 1,500 members, and a School of Supernatural Ministry.
Their Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry has 1,200 students enrolled with over 370 from other countries. Johnson leads a network of churches dedicated to global, multi-generational revival, Global Legacy. Johnson has written a number of books and travels extensively as a featured revival conference speaker. Johnson is also involved with the Northern California Revival Fellowship, a group of north Californian pastors committed to revival.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 10, 2019
I had hoped this would be a devotional to help me seek and be in God's presence this year. Johnson says in his introduction that he wrote this devotional to stir up our desire to be close to God. (vii)
He starts out well. He reminds readers of the cost of seeking God's face – everything. The supernatural reality of God's presence may mean we lose our dignity or respectability. I was encouraged when I read, “Ministry to God is the most important responsibility of all, and it is available to every believer.” (10)
Johnson did not stay long on the subject of seeking God's presence or ministering to Him, however. He moved quickly from being in God's presence to doing something as a result of it. By day 65, “God's favor rests upon us when we are being and doing that which He created us in His wisdom to be and do.” (65) Being in God's presence is not an end in itself but a means to use God's power in ministry, in areas of influence and for completing God's assignments. He does return from time to time to choosing the main thing, knowing and loving God. (71) But he seems to quickly return to “what we've been given to do in life...” (73) Even God's grace, favor, “always goes with an assignment.” (90) I was disappointed that Johnson described the face of God as “the ultimate place of favor and responsibility.” (176) What happened to intimate relationship and deep communion?
I was disappointed that there was not much instruction on how to actually enter into God's presence and develop the habit of meeting Him face to face. Johnson writes on Day 136, “What will it take for you to truly count the cost, step out of your comfort zone, and boldly enter God's presence?” (136) But the succeeding days return to more about our assignment rather than how to enter into God's presence. (141) Even the baptism in the Spirit is not something to deepen our relationship with God but to be filled with His power to demonstrate the life of Jesus to the world and affect the course of world history. (147,148)
If you are looking for a devotional to help you experience God's presence, perhaps by prayer or meditating on His word, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a book that is more about walking out that relationship, such as the choices we make and the assignments we are given, this is a good one. (78)
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
He starts out well. He reminds readers of the cost of seeking God's face – everything. The supernatural reality of God's presence may mean we lose our dignity or respectability. I was encouraged when I read, “Ministry to God is the most important responsibility of all, and it is available to every believer.” (10)
Johnson did not stay long on the subject of seeking God's presence or ministering to Him, however. He moved quickly from being in God's presence to doing something as a result of it. By day 65, “God's favor rests upon us when we are being and doing that which He created us in His wisdom to be and do.” (65) Being in God's presence is not an end in itself but a means to use God's power in ministry, in areas of influence and for completing God's assignments. He does return from time to time to choosing the main thing, knowing and loving God. (71) But he seems to quickly return to “what we've been given to do in life...” (73) Even God's grace, favor, “always goes with an assignment.” (90) I was disappointed that Johnson described the face of God as “the ultimate place of favor and responsibility.” (176) What happened to intimate relationship and deep communion?
I was disappointed that there was not much instruction on how to actually enter into God's presence and develop the habit of meeting Him face to face. Johnson writes on Day 136, “What will it take for you to truly count the cost, step out of your comfort zone, and boldly enter God's presence?” (136) But the succeeding days return to more about our assignment rather than how to enter into God's presence. (141) Even the baptism in the Spirit is not something to deepen our relationship with God but to be filled with His power to demonstrate the life of Jesus to the world and affect the course of world history. (147,148)
If you are looking for a devotional to help you experience God's presence, perhaps by prayer or meditating on His word, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a book that is more about walking out that relationship, such as the choices we make and the assignments we are given, this is a good one. (78)
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 19, 2019
Meeting God Face to Face by Bill Johnson/Growing in Prayer by Mike Bickle
Published by Charisma House January 08, 2019/February 05, 2019
Genre: Devotional, Spiritual Growth
Pages: 365/230
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars – both
______________________________________________________________________________
Publisher’s Description
Did you know that you have the same access to God the Father that Jesus has? Meeting God Face to Face is a 365-day devotional based on Bill Johnson’s best-selling book Face to Face With God. Each day’s reflection contains a Scripture verse, a short reading, a highlighted point to ponder, and lines for journaling.
Much of the content of this devotional and its companion book, Face to Face With God, was first preached by Bill Johnson in 2002. This message became his whole life—a life devoted to discovering and hosting the presence of God. Pursuing this goal has been costly, but it did not prevent him from making it his sole reason for living.
If you desire to grow in intimacy with God and develop a stronger sense of and appreciation for His presence, this book is for you! Deepen your relationship with God by pursuing His favor and continuing the spiritual journey you started through Face to Face With God.
______________
Every believer who sincerely desires an intimate relationship with God must discover the transformational power of prayer. This one-hundred-day devotional, inspired by Mike Bickle’s best-selling book Growing in Prayer, will give readers daily inspiration, knowledge, and guidance to help them cultivate deeper intimacy with God through prayer.
Each day contains a quote on prayer from a classic Christian author, a passage from a chapter in Growing in Prayer for reflection, a Scripture verse or reference, a prayer starter, a suggestion for practical application of the principle being taught, and lines for journaling.
This devotional will help energize a prayer life that has become routine, stale, or nonexistent and will be a welcome resource for believers who desire to grow in prayer.
______________________________________________________________________________
Story Notes
I am reviewing these books together as I feel they compliment each other and give more depth to a daily quiet time.
Bill Johnson’s 365 day devotional will bring encouragement, lessons to learn and a chance to bring believers closer than ever to the Lord.
I really enjoyed reading this devotional for review, though I will admit that I didn’t get to every page yet. Its difficult to read what is supposed to be for a year within a month but I wanted to get a good grasp before I reviewed and here is what I saw: To begin with, this book is definitely geared towards those who do not currently spend time in daily quiet with the Lord. It has short passages for each day with challenges and a space for personal reflection that will help new Bible studiers figure out how to set aside time to learn from and hear from God. I liked that each day built on something from the day before and that Mr. Johnson asked tough questions meant to be pondered. And the inclusion of personal experiences or encounters with God will be encouragement for those seeking to know Him better. I will say that while I found the content to be very good, it may not appeal to believers who have been studying for a long while. Its not particularly “meaty” enough if you just read one day at a time, but I found it better when I read 3-5 of them at a time. I will certainly recommend this study for those looking to find a new way to grow closer to God or those who are new believers. It give fresh perspective to things we may have read or seen many times before.
__________________________
Mike Bickle’s 100 day devotional seeks to teach believers the power of prayer to transform their relationship with God into what God intends it to be – an ongoing conversation that brings strength and comfort every day.
I’m still working through this devotional and I’m loving the content. Each day builds on the last and the challenges that Mr. Bickle gives come straight from the Word. He began each day with a quote on prayer and then would answer a question about why, how, when, where or how much we should pray. This led to the question of what the reader should then do and a challenge for the day. The readings closed with a prayer and space for reflection of what was learned or what will be done that day. I like that while the daily readings were short, the questions or challenges included required me to ponder them and consider what I needed to pray about now or all day. I found myself thinking of those readings throughout the day and praying for those I love and respect more frequently than before. I also found myself checking in more often with others about what is happening with them and if they had any prayer needs or updates. I fully intend to finish this devotional and will certainly pass it on to others. This devotional could be done by new believers or those who are finding their prayer life a little lack-luster these days. Readers will come away with encouraged hearts and new challenges to pray more often and longer in order to grow closer to the Lord and do His will. I will certainly recommend it to others and hope they will encounter God in a deeper way and improve their daily conversations with Him as I am now doing.
I received both of these books free of charge from Charisma House in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from Charisma House for either of these reviews and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
Published by Charisma House January 08, 2019/February 05, 2019
Genre: Devotional, Spiritual Growth
Pages: 365/230
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars – both
______________________________________________________________________________
Publisher’s Description
Did you know that you have the same access to God the Father that Jesus has? Meeting God Face to Face is a 365-day devotional based on Bill Johnson’s best-selling book Face to Face With God. Each day’s reflection contains a Scripture verse, a short reading, a highlighted point to ponder, and lines for journaling.
Much of the content of this devotional and its companion book, Face to Face With God, was first preached by Bill Johnson in 2002. This message became his whole life—a life devoted to discovering and hosting the presence of God. Pursuing this goal has been costly, but it did not prevent him from making it his sole reason for living.
If you desire to grow in intimacy with God and develop a stronger sense of and appreciation for His presence, this book is for you! Deepen your relationship with God by pursuing His favor and continuing the spiritual journey you started through Face to Face With God.
______________
Every believer who sincerely desires an intimate relationship with God must discover the transformational power of prayer. This one-hundred-day devotional, inspired by Mike Bickle’s best-selling book Growing in Prayer, will give readers daily inspiration, knowledge, and guidance to help them cultivate deeper intimacy with God through prayer.
Each day contains a quote on prayer from a classic Christian author, a passage from a chapter in Growing in Prayer for reflection, a Scripture verse or reference, a prayer starter, a suggestion for practical application of the principle being taught, and lines for journaling.
This devotional will help energize a prayer life that has become routine, stale, or nonexistent and will be a welcome resource for believers who desire to grow in prayer.
______________________________________________________________________________
Story Notes
I am reviewing these books together as I feel they compliment each other and give more depth to a daily quiet time.
Bill Johnson’s 365 day devotional will bring encouragement, lessons to learn and a chance to bring believers closer than ever to the Lord.
I really enjoyed reading this devotional for review, though I will admit that I didn’t get to every page yet. Its difficult to read what is supposed to be for a year within a month but I wanted to get a good grasp before I reviewed and here is what I saw: To begin with, this book is definitely geared towards those who do not currently spend time in daily quiet with the Lord. It has short passages for each day with challenges and a space for personal reflection that will help new Bible studiers figure out how to set aside time to learn from and hear from God. I liked that each day built on something from the day before and that Mr. Johnson asked tough questions meant to be pondered. And the inclusion of personal experiences or encounters with God will be encouragement for those seeking to know Him better. I will say that while I found the content to be very good, it may not appeal to believers who have been studying for a long while. Its not particularly “meaty” enough if you just read one day at a time, but I found it better when I read 3-5 of them at a time. I will certainly recommend this study for those looking to find a new way to grow closer to God or those who are new believers. It give fresh perspective to things we may have read or seen many times before.
__________________________
Mike Bickle’s 100 day devotional seeks to teach believers the power of prayer to transform their relationship with God into what God intends it to be – an ongoing conversation that brings strength and comfort every day.
I’m still working through this devotional and I’m loving the content. Each day builds on the last and the challenges that Mr. Bickle gives come straight from the Word. He began each day with a quote on prayer and then would answer a question about why, how, when, where or how much we should pray. This led to the question of what the reader should then do and a challenge for the day. The readings closed with a prayer and space for reflection of what was learned or what will be done that day. I like that while the daily readings were short, the questions or challenges included required me to ponder them and consider what I needed to pray about now or all day. I found myself thinking of those readings throughout the day and praying for those I love and respect more frequently than before. I also found myself checking in more often with others about what is happening with them and if they had any prayer needs or updates. I fully intend to finish this devotional and will certainly pass it on to others. This devotional could be done by new believers or those who are finding their prayer life a little lack-luster these days. Readers will come away with encouraged hearts and new challenges to pray more often and longer in order to grow closer to the Lord and do His will. I will certainly recommend it to others and hope they will encounter God in a deeper way and improve their daily conversations with Him as I am now doing.
I received both of these books free of charge from Charisma House in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from Charisma House for either of these reviews and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
January 30, 2019
This is one of the best devotionals I have read since Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.
Bill challenges the reader in a small paragraph to go deeper with God. You start with a passage of scripture the sets your heart ready to hear Bill’s thoughts. It stirred my heart and drew me closer to Jesus.
It ends with a point to reflect on and a place to write your thoughts.
I highly recommend this devotional. If you don’t have a lot of time but want to encounter God’s presence and set the tone for your day, pick up this book.
A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.
Bill challenges the reader in a small paragraph to go deeper with God. You start with a passage of scripture the sets your heart ready to hear Bill’s thoughts. It stirred my heart and drew me closer to Jesus.
It ends with a point to reflect on and a place to write your thoughts.
I highly recommend this devotional. If you don’t have a lot of time but want to encounter God’s presence and set the tone for your day, pick up this book.
A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews