I've just finished reading one of the most amazing books I've ever read. I saw Banning Liebscher speak and lead the ministry at the Jesus Culture event in London last October, and was instantly struck by his passion, fervour and relentless love for the Lord, and I bought his book.

As a reader, I tend to start books read 40-50 pages and then buy another one. I have so far done this with no less than 7 books this year, and felt that this trend was becoming ridiculous. At the start of this week I prayed and asked the Lord to tell me what I should be reading. Rather than tell me directly, He responded with the words "Burning Ones". I know that this is a song by Jesus Culture (from the Consumed album), and set about listening to that track. This word has been slowly unpacking itself this week, and I believe it is in the bridge of the song where the Lord's word has it's heart:

"So let this light be like a fire, Let our lives be like a flame, Fill our souls with Your desire, Let our passion bring You fame"

Passionate, God-centred lives, burning like fire, shining light for all to see (in a nutshell). Banning's book "Jesus Culture" has the subtext "Living a life that transforms the world". Section 3 of this book is called "Burning Ones". This is the book the Lord was pointing me to.

This book begins with words to the effect of "You're reading this book because You are one of a new breed of revivalist emerging in the earth. God has chosen you to be integral to this." Did not see that coming! After an initial few pages of "Lord, are You sure?" He began to reveal things to me. He started to show me that some of the struggles I'd been through are not unique, and that in Him I have been given the greatest love I will ever know. Keeping that a secret is not an option.

At the aforementioned Jesus Culture event in London I was healed of a problem with my wrist that I'd suffered with for 16 years. Banning was leading a time of ministry in which the Lord gave Him words to pray for "anyone who had a problem with arthritis or arthritic symptoms, specifically in relation to joints". Yep. Then, "anyone who has been suffering with this problem for over 10 years". Kelly (my wife) was sitting next to me and prayed for me, and I wasn't sure whether it had been healed. I had (and in fact still have) a click in my wrist when I rotate it, and because that hadn't gone, I was unsure as to whether I had been healed. After a second round of prayer it still hadn't gone, so I was still unsure.

I had for several years been periodically wearing a wrist support for this ailment, and in fact had been wearing it up until the day of the event. Suffice to say, I haven't worn it since. Every day my faith grew that it had in fact been healed to the point where there could be no doubt. Banning's book contains countless testimonies like this, and there are people everywhere who need to know God's healing power. I now feel compelled to go and find some of them!

To this end, having read everything Banning has to say on this subject, I intend to endeavour to Advance the Kingdom in whatever way I can. My prayer for you is that you will ask the Lord to show you His heart for you. This book tells in hundreds of places just how much the Lord wants you, how much he wants to use you to advance His Kingdom and reveal more of His love to you and others. Bless you.