Believe Boldly

Erica Willis

Description

Learn to Unleash the Supernatural through Simple, Confident PrayingWe long to see firsthand the power of God as displayed in the Bible. Miracles, prophecy, dreams, healing--most of these tend to be missing from our normal, safe, predictable faith. Yet we tend to view any movement of God outside our own experience with mistrust and confusion. But what if we've got "normal" all wrong?In these pages is an invitation to a new way of living: embracing God's power through simple yet bold prayer. It's for the night owl, the caffeine-addicted, even the skeptic, beckoning all of us out of our comfort zones with stories of spiritual breakthrough, mind-blowing miracles, and physical healing. Here are the tools you need to work through your doubts, open up to the miracles of God, and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. You will learn to hear God's voice, trust his leading, and walk empowered by limitless prayer. It is time to see God transform your faith into a thrill-seeking adventure.

Sujets

• Prayer in Christianity
• Pentecostalism

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 20 février 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493413539
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2018 by Erica N. Willis
Published by Chosen Books
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.chosenbooks.com
Chosen Books is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1353-9
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations identified ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2011
Cover design by Emily Weigel
Endorsements
“Erica Willis is not only a fantastic writer and speaker, but she’s also the picture of encouragement and inspiration. Her irresistible energy, combined with relatable humor and a genuine passion for Jesus, draws the reader in to both her story and the incredible story God has written for each of us.”
Mary Carver, co-author, Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts
“Erica’s fun and witty way of sharing God’s revelation in her life is compelling in an I-can’t-put-it-down kind of way. Her increasing understanding and experience with the Holy Spirit will challenge and encourage you. Don’t miss out. There is so much more to God than we think.”
Janet McMahon, church planter; co-founding pastor, Restore Community Church, Kansas City, Missouri
“Many of us want to find divine moments in the daily grind, yet they seem inaccessible or only for certain types of people. Believe Boldly serves as a guide written by a humble learner for those who want to learn how to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. With practical examples and stories of experiencing the power of God through prayer, Believe Boldly offers women hope that Jesus is able to change our hearts to live out His love in powerful ways.”
Jessica Leep Fick, author, Beautiful Feet: Unleashing Women to Everyday Witness
“Erica’s words are the reminder that every ‘normal’ mom needs—a fierce truth that our unchanging God is no less present and miraculous for us in the midst of diapering and making peanut butter sandwiches than He was for Moses on the mountain top, and that He holds us just as dear.”
Jenny Rapson, editor, ForEveryMom.com
“If the church has a ‘lost art,’ it’s prayer. Erica pulls back the drapes of what it means to pray—really pray—and invites us all into that divine adventure. This is not a theoretical, analytical or philosophical book about prayer. This book is prayer, and in it Erica gives a real-life playbook for the real-life Christ follower. Simple and magnificent, current and timeless. Bravo, Erica!”
Paige Henderson, co-founder, Fellowship of the Sword Ministries
“Erica Willis truly is one of those people who oozes Jesus. As she shared her journey into complete obedience and abandonment to Holy Spirit, I realized I was asking myself, ‘Sam, are you seeking Holy Spirit like that?’ As you read, my prayer is that what Father has done in Erica will encourage you to fix your eyes on Him and jump into all that He invites you to.”
Sam Perry, worship pastor and lover of the Bride; founder, BackPorchMinistries.org
“Erica’s excitement for God comes through in every line of Believe Boldly . She has experienced the power of prayer and surrender to the Holy Spirit in amazing ways, and she invites you, through this book, to embark on your own journey with God. With relatable stories and infectious joy, Erica shares from her heart and encourages us to take bold steps of faith and believe Him for more—of everything.”
Rachel Anne Ridge, author, Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life , Faith, and Second Chances and Made to Belong: A 6-Week Journey to Discover Your Life’s Purpose
Dedication
To Joey, the man who captured my heart but never tried to tame it.
Contents
Cover 1
Title Page 3
Copyright Page 4
Endorsements 5
Dedication 7
Foreword by Suzanne Eller 11
Acknowledgments 13
Part One: My Doubting Heart 15
1. Normals vs. Supers 17
2. Do Not Be Afraid of the Dark 31
3. Baby Steps 47
4. Passion and Perseverance 63
Part Two: God’s Perfect Truth 77
5. Satan Is a Jerk 79
6. Armor Up 93
7. His Presence 107
8. Shedding Skin 123
9. Good-bye Fear 135
Part Three: A Spiritual Launching Pad 147
10. Stomach Grumblings 149
11. Who Untied My Bowtie? 163
12. Healing 175
13. Dream a Little Dream 189
14. Best of Both Worlds 205
About the Author 217
Back Cover 219
Foreword
Our world doesn’t fully understand Christianity right now. Some look at faith and wonder if it is contained in a church building. Others decide that if it is what is portrayed on social media, they will pass. Others long for truth and hope, but it feels as though Christianity is for only those who have it all together.
But what about us, those who call ourselves believers?
Sometimes we can get just as tangled in what looks like Christianity.
That is why I love Believe Boldly so much. It is an honest look at how we linger right on the edge of what Jesus promised, when He is inviting us to jump into the deep with Him. It feels as though I am sitting with a good friend as we unwrap the amazing promises Jesus shared.
As I write these words, I have just returned from a weekend of ministry. Women flew and drove in from all over the nation. All weekend long we soaked in the beauty of the rustic, secluded ranch where we stayed. We explored the promises of God. We prayed.
These are women who long to make a difference in the world with their faith. They drove long distances because they want to follow Jesus, wherever He leads, whatever He asks, whatever miracle He wants to do in or through them. They understand that Jesus loves them and that He rescued them.
They dare to believe there is even more than that initial and beautiful encounter with Jesus.
Jesus invites His followers to encounter Him daily—with strangers, in our relationships, in our homes, in our workplaces and in the hardest parts of ministry. He invites us to listen for His voice and surrender in response.
He asks us to believe that His promises are for today.
We are called and compelled to be salt and light in a world that doesn’t understand Him but is seeking truth.
That is why Believe Boldly resonates in my soul. It is a song that plays over me while I go about my daily routine, wearing my OU T-shirt and yoga pants, my hair in a ponytail. I am an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, yet I dare to believe that when we believe, we are loosed to live our faith boldly.
Our faith changes us, and then it changes the world around us.
If you are spiritually hungry for all that Jesus offers . . .
If you long to walk with other women who long to make a difference with their faith . . .
If you are crying out for God to restore the joy of your salvation . . .
Believe Boldly just might be the spark that begins that beautiful work in you and through you.
I believe that God is raising up an army of Jesus followers to live our faith shoulder to shoulder. Loving him. Loving the world tangibly. Believing boldly together .
Suzanne Eller, international speaker and blogger; author, Come with Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads and Come with Me Devotional: A Yearlong Adventure in Following Jesus
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I would like to thank my husband, Joey. No matter how big or crazy my ideas sound, you never bat an eye. Thank you for giving me space to write. There will be an extra jewel in your crown for every time you said, “Whatever you need, I’ve got your back.”
To my kids, whose lives are such an intricate part of my faith story: You are my inspiration, and I cannot cuddle you enough to convey my deep love for you. I hope the hours invested in this book while you are little will be inspirational as you grow up knowing that following Jesus does not mean always getting to do the “fun thing.”
I would like to thank Kim Bangs and the entire Chosen Books team for investing in bringing my voice to the Baker Publishing world. You have all supported my story and viewpoint from day one. I remember the day God told me I would be publishing my book with you. It is fantastic to see that come to fruition. A special thanks to my editor, Kathryn Deering, who filtered all my excitement and candor (!!!) into material that is both endearing and inspiring. I love how God used the strong voice in you to bring out the best in me.
This book would not have had a launching pad without my coaches, leaders and participants from #theFives. To my coaches: No one will ever know the hours you have sacrificed developing spreadsheets, praying over names and missing time with your loved ones to further the cause of prayer across the United States. Jesus saw every late-night text and heartfelt comment you shared. Way to run your race! To my leaders: Thank you for stepping up to lead even when you were scared or unsure of your abilities. You are bold and strong, and lives have been changed by your example! To those who participated in #theFives: Early-morning prayer has never been easy for me, but your encouraging comments and prayers have moved more than one mountain. Never give up, especially when that alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m. I am cheering you on!
Thank you to Restore Community Church for training and sending Joey and me into our nex