In Rushing the Gates of Heaven: For Those Who Are Thirsty !, Nathan French, a pastor from Washington State, offers a special look at the personal conversations he has had with God. French previously wrote It’s Not Meant to Be a Secret: God Wants to Talk to You, in which he shared his dramatic story about drug use and a failed suicide attempt, failed because he believes God intervened to save him for better things. Nathan’s father, himself a minister, came to bring him home and help the healing begin. In addition, his mother has been his main supporter and editor of his writings, fully believing in her son’s ability to communicate with God and convey His words. God has clearly blessed Nathan with phenomenal parents.
In Rushing the Floodgates of Heaven, Nathan shares with readers the personal journal entries he made between September 2011 and April 2012, picking up where his first book left off. In each entry, record what you hear God say to you. These are not prophecies like those of Isaiah and Jeremiah, but rather friendly conversations, although the voice of the Old Testament God is clearly heard here as is the gentle voice of Jesus. In addition to the words themselves, Nathan often has visions of Jesus doing simple things like sitting next to him that reflect the personal closeness that God desires to have with all of his children.
In the passages, we get some clues about Nathan’s process of conversation with God. Nathan writes what God tells him. In one passage, God says:
“When I talk to you about these things, it is important to remember that you do much better when you do not have your own thoughts on the road. Write only the word that I give you below. Your faith brings the next word. That is how you know it is from Me because surely if you did this apart from Me, you would not have complete sentences. “
In another passage, God comments:
“Note that when you write by faith, you don’t know what the next word will be until you write the last one. Write by faith, not by thoughts. Process the information with My Spirit, which bypasses the mind and sends signals from the heart. The more pure is the heart, purer is the sign. Tear off everything that is not from the light and let My light shine. ”
But more important than the process of how Nathan communicates with God are the words that God shares with him.
Some of these words are quite dramatic. For example, during a church service, God says to Nathan:
“Point out the solution, don’t focus on the problem. Always remember that I reward every act of faith. Put your foot in the water and hit the rock as I tell you. I am preparing to bring fire, and each person will experience me. hands to the sky, then let them fall and say, “I release the Holy Fire from heaven. I will descend to purify my saints.”
Following this message, Nathan tells us that “During the church service, a young man broke free from addiction. His feet were so hot that he took off his shoes for several days.”
All posts have daily topics or topics and sometimes there are several per day. Topics discussed include how people treat Santa Claus in comparison to God, the importance of forgiveness of others, forgiveness of sins, the value of unity among Christians, guidance on how Nathan should serve as a pastor, gossip, jealousy, obedience and need for people. to return to the Lord. I love the passage on the importance of unity among Christians when the Lord says, “Everyone has problems and pains that need help. People need each other; the days of Lone Ranger Christianity are over. Unity requires more. one’s”.
About Nathan’s church, The Rock of the Harbor, God tells Nathan to explain to people when they ask what the mission of the church is: “We are a non-denominational Christian church that does not compete. We welcome people from all areas of faith with a focus on love and acceptance. Our vision is to unite the body of Christ. Testimony, prophecy, healing, and deliverance are a regular part of our ministry. Equipping the body of Christ in the fullness of God is our mission. “
In one passage, Nathan is conversing with God, unaware that his parents in the other room are listening to the blind singer Andrea Bocelli on television. During their conversation, God tells him: “The reason my blind singer can sing with such purity and power is because he cannot see the audience. When you no longer notice the audience and simply act according to My purpose, it will become the open door. ” where many will walk. My will is to bring you victory. My will is to tear down fortresses. A fortress cannot exist in total surrender. I don’t take down fortresses unless I receive a permit request. “
In another passage, God calls Christians to repentance and self-examination:
“Too many Christians don’t know how to do a proper self-test. The pain of rejection, abandonment, and fear of not living up to or obsessing over past sins keeps them from wanting to examine themselves. It’s like having a room in your house where you put garbage, the more time passes, the more garbage is collected and the more you do not want to enter there.
“The secret is to cleanse the chambers of your hearts and keep them clean by frequently evaluating what they are putting into them. Constant evaluation and reflection will help you put aside the offenses and the bitterness of the offenses caused by judging. Perfect peace you find yourself when the house is clean and in order. Putting your house in order means more than your place to live or your surroundings; it means your body, soul and spirit. Then you can see clearly in the mirror and know what needs to be corrected. . “
I could cite many more passages in the book as examples. Instead, I’ll just say that there are some amazing stories at the end of the Book of Times where God has told Nathan to speak to certain people who have allowed him to help bring them to Christ. There are a couple of stories of what could even be considered miracles, like how Nathan got money to buy a house and how he asked God to let him meet Joel Osteen and God did it on his birthday.
I’m sure there will be skeptics, but that is why you should read Rushing the Floodgates of Heaven for yourself. The Lord works in mysterious ways, so we never know how He will choose to speak to us. Perhaps it has drawn your attention to Nathan’s book for some reason.
