131: Bill Johnson - Hosting the Presence: Unveiling Heaven's Agenda

Welcome to The Shaun Tabatt Show! Today I sit down with Bethel Church leader Bill Johnson to talk about his book Hosting the Presence: Unveiling Heaven's Agenda, which has been a HUGE blessing to me in the current season of my spiritual journey.

Here's the ground we cover in this conversation: 

First off Bill, let’s get into a bit of your backstory. When did you first discover this idea of “hosting the Presence” and how did you cultivate a deeper hunger and desire for experiencing more of God’s Presence in your life? (00:37 - 01:23) When I’ve talked with others who have read Hosting the Presence, the one illustration they often mention is the dove resting on our shoulder. Explain how this picture helps us to better understand what it looks like to host God’s Presence. (01:24 - 3:33) What are some of the ways the Holy Spirit manifests himself on individuals and also corporately, say in a larger group setting and how should we be ready to respond when we see the Spirit moving? (3:34 - 5:12) In the book, you say, “my strongest tool for discovering God’s Presence is my affection for Him.” Give us a few examples of what that looks like. (5:13 - 8:32) Towards the end of the book, you say that if you have 10 minutes to pray, take about 8 minutes for worship. It’s amazing what you can pray for in 2 minutes. That’s a principle you learned from Derek Prince. Talk to us about the ways in which worship has been the number one way God has taught you about His Presence. (8:33 - 12:27) You say that encounters with God through His Word is a close second to worship. How has God used His Word to teach you about His Presence? (12:28 - 15:24) I know like me, you’re a big fan of church history. Would you mind pointing us to one or two individuals who were strong carriers of God’s Presence? (15:25 - 17:54) Bill, as we get ready to close, would you mind praying for the listeners and inviting them into a deeper experience of God’s Presence? (17:55 - 19:24) Bill, if the listeners want to connect with you and find out more about your ministry and resources, where should they go on the web? (19:25 - 20:28)

About the Book:  Let the Spirit live inside you!

Are you hungry for an encounter with Jesus? Do you want to make an impact on the world?

In this power-packed book, Bill Johnson discusses how you can be a person who hosts the Presence of God. Though all believers obviously have the Spirit of God within them, there is more that enables you to be so full that you overflow His Spirit into your world. Take a journey and meet many great prophets and kings from the Old Testament who were known as people of the Presence—people who, in Johnson’s words, “God wanted to be with.” In this succinct and powerful book, Johnson encourages you toward a pursuit of the Presence of God above all else.

In this book, you will discover: How to pay attention to the Holy Spirit and respond to Him. How the Holy Spirit manifests Himself. Biblical figures who were hungry for more of God’s Spirit and learned to host Him. Stories of Presence-filled revivalists and personal encounters with the Presence!

Bill Johnson writes: “We are enabled to partner with the Kingdom of Heaven and see it released here on earth! The Presence of God within us will bring reformation to the world around us—encountering a loving God!”

Host more of Him today!

About the Author:  Bill Johnson is the senior leader of Bethel Church in Redding, California. A fifth-generation pastor with a rich heritage in the power of the Spirit, he is the bestselling author of When Heaven Invades Earth. Bill and his wife, Beni, serve a growing number of churches through an apostolic network that crosses denominational lines, partnering for revival. Bill and Beni live near Redding, California.

Connect with Bill:

bjm.org ibethel.org Facebook Twitter (@billjohnsonBJM) Instagram

For additional show notes, visit ShaunTabatt.com/131.