Book Review: SUN STAND STILL By Steven Furtick

The cover of this book comes with the byline: “What Happens When You Dare To Ask God For The Impossible”. 

Pastor Furtick’s writing style may not come across as pleasant particularly for readers who belong to Gen X or earlier. Nonetheless, SUN STAND STILL comes packed and loaded with a battery of truths to re-awaken our ho-hum Christian mind. 

Here is a sample for the uninitiated reader: “I’m not writing to calm or coddle you. With God’s help, I intend to incite a riot in your mind. Trip your breakers and turn out the lights in your favorite hiding places of insecurity and fear. Then flip the switch back on so that God’s truth can illuminate the divine destiny that may have been lying dormant inside you for years. In short, I’m out to activate your audacious faith. To inspire you to ask God for the impossible. And in the process, to reconnect you with your God-sized purpose and potential.” 

The chapters of this book are as follows:
1. Welcome to Audacious Faith
2. Prayer That Stops the Sun
3. Page 23 Vision 
4. The Sun Stand Still Lexicon
5. Ignite the Ordinary
6. Wave Jumper
7. Tiny Babies, Giant Faith
8. The Surcharge of Sacrifice
9. The Simplest Systematic Theology Ever
10. Hear. Speak. Do.
11. The Solid Ground of Audacious Faith
12. Mistake into Miracle
13. When the Sun Goes Down
14. Pray Like a Juggernaut
15. Permission to Pray Practically
16. Sweet Southern Audacity
17. Push While You Pray
18. From the Promise to the Payoff
19. Ten Dimensions of a Sun Stand Still Prayer
20. In the Middle of a Move of God

The theme of this book is presented seamlessly from start to finish and pivots around Joshua’s Sun Stand Still prayer and the Page 23 vision from Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire (written by Pastor Jim Cymbala). 

Along the way through this book, the author managed to sneak-in theology in his characteristic lingo. So, just when you thought that Christian literature has peaked, Pastor Furtick is pushing the limits and expanding the boundaries of writings in Christendom.

Here are just some examples of the theology-simplified:

• Hearing the Word initiates faith. Speaking the Word activates faith. Doing the Word demonstrates faith.

• Twelve Audacious Faith Confessions: 
1. I am full forgiven and free from all shame and condemnation. 
(Romans 8:1-2; Ephesians 1:7-8; 1 John 1:9). 

2. I act in audacious faith to change the world in my generation. 
(Joshua 10:12-14; John 14:12). 

3. I have no fear of anxiety; I trust in the LORD with all my heart. 
(Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7).

• Prayer is the arena where our faith meets God’s abilities. …

Two of my favourite excerpts are as follows:-

“How did God choose to accomplish the redemption of the world? By His grace – and through the willingness of Jesus to sacrifice His life. How will God accomplish the impossible vision He has planted in your heart? By His grace – and through your willingness to sacrifice your life for the sake of Jesus. I’m not suggesting that you’ve got to work really, really hard for God to work in you. That’s heresy. Grace is something God works in you. And by that grace, He works faith out of you.”

“Your vision should never be limited to who you are or what you think you can do. The size of your vision isn’t even determined by who God is. The scope and impact of your vision will be determined by who you believe God is – and whether you have the courage to respond accordingly. If you’re going to have a Page 23 vision and Sun Stand Still prayers, you’ve got to have the right idea about who God is to you and what He wants to do through you.”

Read this book and feel the excitement of living in the Kingdom of God as Pastor Furtick  narrates his real life encounters and firm grasp of theology in his down-to-earth let’s-get-going style. Blessed reading!

STEVEN FURTICK is the founder and lead pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, named by Outreach magazine as one of the top ten fastest growing chruches in the nation. 

Learn more about the Sun Stand Still Movement at www.sunstandstill.org


Please feel free to check out 2 of my favourite Christian bookstore and resource locations:

• The Ink Room 

• SKS Book Warehouse   

Testimony of Judith Halim

Judith Halim's journey was very tough ... she persevered and passed her trials or tests, and she can now share her testimony of God's grace. Click here to listen to her powerful testimony.

As I listened to her testimony during a recent cell group meeting, Hebrews 11:6 came forth as rhema to me.

 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

Yes, let us be very clear that without faith, it is absolutely not possible for us to please God. Impossible; no way! Given good parents, children would readily believe and lay hold of their parent's words or promises and would not call the parent a liar.

Sadly, many adults do not approach God in childlike faith and demonstrate unbelief rather than faith by their very actions. Boy (girl), we are gonna to so miss out on the goodness God when we lean on our own understanding rather than trust God. 

Judith kept on trusting God and pursue the truth of God's Word such as:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

When we face impossible situations or need help, we can come boldly to God's throne of grace to ask Him for our needs. But, if we can't believe that God is who He says He is and we magnify our problems rather than God, we are dishonouring Him unwittingly. We are saying, by our actions, that God is not good enough for us.

But, if we can believe and seek Him diligently, boy, o, boy, we are gonna be rewarded! When we honour God by our faith, He will honour us. Remember, faith is the currency of heaven.

How then shall we seek God in prayer? In his book "Break Through Prayer" (page 92 -93), Pastor Jim Cymbala writes: The first rule of prayer is not "faith", but whether the request is according to God's will. Let's not forget the LORD still sits on His throne as ruler of the universe. 

He went on to say that we can count on two clear and powerful promises that leave no question about God's will, namely:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NKJV)

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

As a matter of fact and as reminded by an intercessor friend of mine, the LORD's Prayer (The Model Prayer as NKJV captioned it) would be an ideal framework for us to use when approaching the throne of God's grace on our knees:

The Model Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13; NKJV)

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." 

Make no doubt, God keeps His promises willingly. As George Mueller has observed, "Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of God's willingness."

Let's take heart and keep on praying on for our breakthroughs in the light of God's word and His goodness and so much more (Love, Grace, and so forth). Hallelujah! In anticipation of answered prayers.

Grace, Grace

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’Says the Lord of hosts.  ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’” Zechariah 4:6~8 (NKJV)

Ephesians 2:8 speaks of saving grace; the grace of God for our salvation. And, this verse reveals to us that grace is free gift of God, not of our own works and it is activated through faith in the Giver -- God Himself. 

But, I have been further enlightened through the teachings of John Bevere that grace is not just for salvation and it can apply to other aspects of life, too. That was a powerful revelation which liberated me from my limited or ignorant view of grace.

Just last week, while listening to a YouTube message by Pastor Jentezen Franklin on "Grace, Grace", I was further enlightened by his categorization of grace into:

1. Saving Grace (Ephesians 2:8; NKJV);

2. Justifying Grace 

"... being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ" (Romans 3:24; NKJV) 

3. Teaching Grace  

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11~14; NKJV)

4. Enabling Grace

"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14~16; NKJV)

Now that we know better, we could be happier and live victoriously as we become both the hearers and doers of God's Word.

 As Pastor Dennis Burke has rightly noted in his book "Grace (Power beyond your ability)": "We have been invited to come boldly before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find the grace we need to help us through any situation. The more time we spend in the presence of God, the more we will grow in the grace of God."

And, now, if you have got the time and hunger, may I entreat you to hear out Pastor Franklin's message on Grace, Grace by clicking here.

Understanding Grace

One of the very best teaching I have heard on grace came from Dr. A. R. Bernard who preached it at City Harvest Church on 18 January 2014.

He started off his teaching on the purity of love. If there are reasons for love, it means that there are conditions. I love you IF ...., you get the drift. That's human love. 

On the other hand, God's love or God's kind of love is unconditional. A man, for example, is to love his wife redemptively, sacrificially and unconditionally. Yes, a man is to love his wife as Christ loves His church. God is love. Pure love is redemptive, sacrificial and unconditional. These constitute grace, and we need solid-food teaching in the Body of Christ on grace (and much more) to ground and establish us in the eternal Word of God. And, live life as God has intended for us; His Words are Spirit and Life.

Before the advent of Christ, we have the law which constitute the rules that govern human conduct. The law of Moses is a complete system lacking nothing.  When Jesus came, He elevated the Mosaic laws and raised the bar for He examines and deals with the intent of our hearts. It is already a sin when we conceive it in our minds before we decide whether to proceed with it or not!

In the Kingdom of Christ, we are blessed and highly favoured. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. We are now in this window of time called the dispensation of God's grace. 

Grace is an expression of God's love and graciousness is the quality of being warm hearted, considerate, affectionate, forgiving and sympathetic. With grace, what we believes determines what we receive whereas the law is merit and performance based.   

In the account from John 8:1-12 on the woman caught in the very act of adultery with the male counterpart conspicuously left off the hook, the Law (Pharisees) accuses and wanted to know what Grace (Jesus) would say. Jesus said, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

Dr. Bernard summarized that: 

1) Jesus did not dispute the charges;

2) Jesus gave her protection from the accusations of the law;

3) Jesus gave her dignity;

4) Jesus offered her forgiveness;

5) Jesus released her from condemnation; and

6) Jesus made a demand on her lifestyle ("go and sin no more").

I think the biggest slice of takeaway from this message for the Body of Christ is that SIN HAS CONSEQUENCES as certain quarters of believers may be over-emphasizing grace to the point where sin is like a mere mosquito-bite to be soothed by the balm of Christ's blood.

As recorded in John 5:14 after Jesus had healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda who had an infirmity thirty-eight years, He cautioned him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." 

With humility, fear and trembling, I submit the following 2 Scripture verses which shed further light that sin has consequences, too, even after we have come to an initial saving knowledge of Jesus Christ:

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away,to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." (Hebrews 6:4-6; NKJV)

"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord.And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:26-31; NKJV)

The call remains remain for us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus. More grace to love people into the kingdom of God and more knowledge for us to stay in the Kingdom of God till Christ comes again. And, to be mindful that grace makes a demand on our lifestyle. For we were bought at a price so as to glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:20; NKJV)

P/s: This article is adapted from Dr Bernard's sermon at City Harvest Church on 18 January 2014 and, if you are interested, please proceed to procure a CD copy from The Ink Room.