More of God: Seek the Benefactor, Not Just the Benefits

by R.T. Kendall

Many of us want more from God instead of more of God.Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." This is a promise. No one needs to tell you if the water you drank when you were thirsty made you feel better. So too with experiencing God. When it happens, you will know it for yourself.

More of God is about moving beyond faith. It is about getting more of God. Experiencing more of God. Every book in the Bible, especially the books of the New Testament, are written for this purpose. Take the letters; those who are addressed were already saved. But the writers wanted their hearers to experience not just more knowledge about God but more of God.

Everything in this book is designed to make you hungry. Thirsty. As you read, keep in mind that the ever-increasing hunger for more of God is from God.

Kendall's "Don't settle for more mere information about God. Or more theological knowledge. Give yourself no rest until you cross over that crucial line from secondhand knowledge about God to firsthand knowledge of God. There is nothing more exciting than when you see for yourself that God is real, Jesus is real, the Holy Spirit is real, and the Bible is true!"

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2019

Reviews

[Jerrye Tellmeagreatstorylove · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of God by R. T. Kendall

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

____________________________________________________________

Story Notes

R. T. Kendall’s latest study shines a light on how a Christian approaches God – do we seek Him to get more OF Him in our lives or more FROM Him in our lives? – and how different our experience with God will be with the answer to that question.

I have had the joy of being a Christian for almost 24 years and I am so thrilled to know that I don’t have it all figured out yet! Some days I think I’ve learned a great deal and then the next I discover that there is so much more to learn. But that is not a reason to despair, rather it is one to get excited about. How boring and useless Christian life would be without the chance to learn new things everyday when we seek our Father’s face! R. T. Kendall’s latest study brought me to my knees in several areas of my life that I had not considered a problem before. He began his look at a Christian’s possible view of God by delving into the difference between more FROM God versus more OF God. This is critical to how we as Christians live our lives: do we want to just be satisfied with getting things from God or would we rather have God himself? Dr. Kendall rightly suggests that those who only want more from God will never know the incredible joy and intimacy that He offers to those who instead seek Him for gaining Him. Also, he emphasizes that we might miss the whole point of the Christian life, which is to find out the will of God and do it. I totally believe that I am guilty of this but I pray that in the future I will turn my attention to the seeking of God Himself so that I may know what is His will and therefore bring Him glory. The chapter on Accepting our Limitations was a very good one that I needed to refreshed on. Dr. Kendall urges us to understand that while we may be doing the things God has called us to, we have to live within the limitations God has for us. This means that we cannot expect to be the best, most popular or the most in demand even if we are doing the things God called us to do. ” I am not Billy Graham”, he says, and I know that I am not him either. I am not called to be a great orator of our faith and that is perfectly fine. God did not give me that gift and does not expect me to attempt to use it. Instead, He gave me the gifts of service, hospitality and helpfulness and asks that I use them in the ways/places He chooses. He also has not thus far called me to be in a place of great prominence, therefore, I have to remember that this is where He has placed me and that is exactly right. This was good encouragement for me to understand that I do not have to feel like my gifts are less than other’s just because they are not being spotlighted. And I should not expect others to have the same gifts or ability or to look at them as less or better than me for what they do have. Another chapter entitled ” Total Forgiveness” hit me hard about really letting go of hurts from others. There are those in my family who have hurt me deeply in ways they are probably unaware but that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t still forgive them. How many times have I heard Luke 6: 27 – 28 and thought I was doing okay with this but in reality I was still hoping for vengeance to fall on them? God grabbed my heart as I read and showed me how important it is to truly forgive and begin to pray blessings on those who’ve hurt me. I felt such a deep hurt that I had missed this chance thus far but then felt such a relief and joy that I didn’t have to pray for God’s vindication – He is able to do this when and how He chooses without my help. I am now daily (sometimes hourly) re-forgiving and praying blessings so that I may gain more OF God by doing as He asked. There are so many other good chapters and passages of encouragement and conviction to be found in this wonderful book. I highly recommend that Christians read this book and truly ponder their answer to Dr. Kendall’s question – which is really a question from God. What will we give up, let go of, change or accept so that we might move beyond getting from God to getting God Himself? Dr. Kendall clearly is allowing God to speak through him to shine His light into the darkest corners of our hearts and souls to root out those things which are not of Him. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book, not just for review, but for my personal study as well. I will certainly be recommending this book to others as it has been an excellent encouragement and conviction in my life.

(A side note to ensure perfect honesty, my only negative from this book was Dr. Kendall’s frequent reference to other books he has written. It did not change my rating but I would have preferred much less mentions.)

I received this book free of charge from Charisma House in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from Charisma House for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[Shane Ryan Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction to its author, R.T. Kendall, as it covers those topics he has frequently preached on and written about in other books for years. R.T. has become one of my favorite Christian authors, and this book even comes with a glowing recommendation from another one of my favorites, Tony Evans. So who is R.T. Kendall? He is an American from Kentucky who, as a young man, went to Oxford and later was named by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones as his successor in the pulpit at Westminster Chapel in London, where R.T. had pastored for 25 years. After he left Westminster, God called him to return to the USA and minister to the Charismatic denomination (who tend to fall short on sound doctrine and having a Biblical foundation) in an attempt to bring about some correction in their thinking-- although too few in that denomination appear to be listening and taking his teachings to heart. This is how R.T.'s American publisher became Charisma House. R.T. is not a member of the Charismatic denomination but has been able to appear in some of their pulpits to preach. Sadly, many reformed pastors and teachers treat him with disdain. Like his mentor, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, R.T. believes the gifts of the Spirit are still for today but neither man was ever a member of the Charismatic movement. (The late John MacArthur and Iaian Murray and others have made claims that Lloyd-Jones was a Cessationist like them despite contrary evidence found in Lloyd-Jones's writings still available in print, as well as the audio recordings of his sermons preserved and made available to the public by the Martyn Lloyd-Jones Trust.) Want to know more about R.T. Kendall? Then start with this book as its pages touch upon many of his life's messages (e.g. totally forgiving those who hurt you, dignifying the trial, fearing God, revival, seeking God's praise rather than man's praise, knowing the scriptures, prayer, controlling the tongue, vindication).

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dont typically write reviews. but Love love love!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it has transformed me

[Allie Silvernale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book!!

[Brian Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book on how to recieve more of God. The chapter that stood out the most was the one on forgiving those who have sinned against us.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kendall asks some thought provoking questions. Do we want more of God or more from God? Do we want to know God for who he is and not for what he can give us? Are we willing to hunger and thirst after God?

Kendall covers many topics, such as accepting the way God made us, walking in the light, trials as gifts from God, forgiveness, being in the Word, and more. He covers all these areas because he writes, “we cannot be selective with the options that lead us to receive more of God.” (146) A half hearted attempt will not do.

There were a couple of surprises in this book. Kendall admits that he cannot adequately describe what getting more of God is. (28) He is quick to assure us, however, as our hunger and thirst for God increases, we will come to know more of God for ourselves. (28) Kendall emphasized our asking God for mercy before we rush into his presence, based on Heb. 4:16. (31) A good reminder for those of us who just “come boldly” into God's presence without prior preparation.

Probably the greatest surprise for me was Kendall describing the Shekinal (glory) cloud as dark. Of the cloud over the mercy seat he writes, “that cloud was a dark cloud.” (67) Kendall points out if we want more of God, we must love the glory of God, which ever way it shows up, however uncomfortable we may feel. (68)

I really appreciate that among the realm of charismatic authors, Kendall is very critical of the “name it and claim it” theology. Referencing Matt. 6:31-33, he says the teaching “encourages one to focus on the very thing that Jesus said pagans seek after! I think we should run as far away from that way of thinking as we possibly can!” (43) Seeking first God's agenda should be our priority in wanting more of God rather wanting more from God. I like that.

One of the reasons I like Kendall's teaching is because he is a sort of Reformed and charismatic hybrid. He is firm on God's sovereignty and writes that the teaching you can lose your salvation is a heresy, albeit a harmless one. (103) Yet he seriously advocates speaking in tongues and is sad that some oppose the practice.

The only aspect of the book I did not appreciate was Kendall frequently mentioning the previous books he has written.

I recommend this book to Christians who are not satisfied with knowing about God and seriously desire to know and experience more of God. Kendall says he has written this book to make us hungry for more of God. Are you willing to give the time and priority to knowing God? If so, this book will get you on your way.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Of God by R.T. Kendall is a very powerful book that is designed to help us draw closer to God. “We can have as much of God as we want” said A.W. Tozer. How much of God do you want?
R.T. Kendall asks us if we want to know God or to know about God. There is a huge difference. The difference between heart and head knowledge.
Do we want to know God to take delight in Him? Or do we want to know God because we want something from Him? These are good questions that force us to stop and take stock of our motivation for knowing God.
Drawing closer to God involves knowing Him intimately. How do we do this? By reading His Word. By spending time with Him. By praying and listening to Him when He speaks. We will never get to know God intimately if we never stop talking. We must listen for His answers.
“This life is not all there is.” So where do we want to spend eternity?
More Of God is a very readable book. R.T Kendall’s style is engaging. He draws the reader in and invites them to personally know God.
More Of God provides a scripture at the start of each chapter. Scripture underpins all that R.T. Kendall says. This book is a useful tool in our walk with God. There are chapters about purity, trials, forgiveness, faith, gifts and so much more. R.T. Kendall invites us to draw closer to God, and to know Him as our personal Saviour. “If we could get saved reading a self-help book… our precious Saviour died for no reason.” If you put into practice the lessons learned within this book, you will draw closer to God.
Another powerful offering from R.T. Kendall.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.