Have you been feeling a little sluggish in your faith lately? Like you wished you could find a way to set your soul on fire for God again but not sure how? If yes, then you’ll definitely want to read today’s post.
My friend and sweet sister in Christ, Lisa Whittle, has a new book releasing tomorrow titled I Want God. When I first read the title of her book, I found myself thinking “well, don’t all Christians want God?”. But you know what? After thinking about it, the truth is, we often don’t. I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve wanted so many different things, worked for different things, pursued different things, and stayed super busy – all the while not wanting God enough to really want Him, work for Him, pursue Him and step back from my busyness to spend time with Him.
In fact, even over the past year, as I’ve been gearing up for my own book release, I’ve realized that I sometimes spend so much time working on the things of God, that I neglect to actually pursue God in my heart. I’m serving in ministry, and reading the Bible, but in a way that meets my needs for information and tasks for the day – not in a way that stirs up a daily soul revival in my heart. And I want that! I want God, and want to want Him, every day.
So, if you can relate, let me introduce you to Lisa Whittle. Below are a few questions and answers from her about her new book that I think will spark some interest in your heart for checking out I Want God. And if you would love a free copy, leave a comment on my blog simply expressing your desire and need for a soul revival, and you’ll be entered to win!
(Winners announced later this week, no email replies will be entered into the drawing. Good luck!)
(1) So Lisa, what led you to write I Want God?
I wrote I Want God at a time when I was really sick of my struggles, my fears, myself, basically – I call it the heartcry of the sick of me life. It was at a point of desperation and wanting to quit the ministry that my heart just cried out for God to consume me more than my life currently was and what started out as a blog post turned into an anthem for many of my readers who wanted God in that way, too. (That blog post, by the way, is included as a little bonus in the back of the book.) I remembered that the only way I’ve ever gotten better about anything in life is to focus on God harder, and that is really what I Want God was and is for me.
(2) What’s different about I Want God, compared to the other books like it out there?
You know, there are so many great books out there. Truly. I think what makes I Want God so beneficial is that it is very bottom line, simple even, and tells the reader specifics rather than a lot of fluff they have to figure out. Maybe it’s because I’m basic and straight forward, but I just think people crave some core truth in a world where there is so much information out there it causes us to be on overload. I Want God is a book I still pick up for myself to see where I am off when I find myself in a place I don’t pursue God like I should.
(3) Who did you write your book for, and who can benefit from its message?
I wrote it for the person in a place of lack – starving, desperate, need-God-to-consume-them-more-than-what-is-currently-consuming-their-life. I wrote it for the person who lives in a place of plenty but it’s still not enough. I wrote it for the searcher and for the one on the spiritual roller coaster – wanting God one minute then not as much, the next. I wrote it for the spiritually dead – the believer who is stifled in their relationship with God and can’t figure out why.
(4) What were your hopes when you started writing this book?
My goal for this book is that it would be a guide for years to come to help readers see where they are when they find themselves spiritually off course. I wanted it to convict, inspire, and most of all, help the reader remember their God. My biggest hope is that someone will read it and need to stop and put it down and get on their face before God. To hear that it has done those things for early readers means a great deal. One of those early readers, Jill, calls I Want God “a wrecking and a revival and a resurrection, all at once.”
(5) What do you feel is the greatest obstacle people must overcome in order to make a deep desire for God a priority?
You know, that’s a good question. My first instinct is to say that everyone has different obstacles. For me, it is my desire for comfort. For others, it may be a desire to have people’s approval. So to a degree, we all have a different “issue” we face that most keeps us from God. But as I think about it, probably it can boiled down to a universal issue of self. Self is our greatest obstacle and most often keeps us from God.
(6) What is your prayer for anyone who reads I Want God?
Absolutely, that God will use it to change them in some way. We have enough stirred believers, and that is a spiritual waste because it doesn’t have lasting impact. I pray that their prayer will become that of David’s in Psalm 142:5. That right in their living room, on the beach, wherever they read it, a soul revival will begin. I’m trusting God for that to happen!
Link to Blog: www.lisawhittle.comÂ
Link to Instagram: https://instagram.com/lisawhittle
Link to Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaRWhittle
Link to Facebook: https://facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Whittle/189067321123012?fref=ts
Link to Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/lisarwhittle/
So do you need a soul revival, friend? Leave a quick comment on my blog to enter to win a free copy of Lisa’s new book, or click here to order your copy today.
(Winners of last week’s copies of Magnetic were Lisa Haines, and Lexi S.)
Believe it or not, I was thinking about this on my way to work today. Wondering why can’t I feel “on fire” for God all the time? I can be full of God and high on His love one moment, and then in the next breath feel a million miles away from Him. So I was excited to say the least when I saw your blog today.
Gina I truly can relate…. I know God wants us to be on fire for Him… So why can’t we?!?! We desire it?!? What keeps us from being those hot embers of Gods spirit ALL the time?? I would hate to know I missed an opportunity (blessing) to witness to someone because I “just wasn’t feeling it” that particular time!
Reading the post about the book “I want God” my mind and heart responded with us, that’s me being dedcribedcmore than once and I need some help. This book sounds like it would be a great addition to my morning devotions and/or to read at any time of the day I could find few extra minutes:)
I want to have an all consuming love for God rather than being consumed by life and my need for approval.
I have been praying for a soul revival!!
I’m in need of a soul revival! I’ve just been lacking something and I think it’s more of God!
I definitely need a burning soul revival! God has put a dream in my heart and I need HIM, to the fullest, in order accomplish this dream. It’s totally beyond me for sure!!
This book sounds like it was written just for me. At the present I am struggling with my adopted 16 year old. She is currently living with her birth mom and I am blaming anyone and anybody. I know there is a reason for what we going thru but I am questioning everything and why would God do this to me/us. i really feel like he forgotten. I am trying to find my faith but cannot see it outside of my tears. I just need to find my comfort and trust in the Lord again.
I am the searcher! I would love to read this book.
I am sick, and scare and tired and I need my soul to be on fire so that I can remember that with God all things are possible and He is with me. I need to catch the flame of desire for being on fire for my God so I can again enjoy my life regardless of my circumstances and how scary they seem at this point in my life.
Oh YES I need a soul revival!
I would love to read “I Want God”. I think in this day and time we all need more of God. Our spirits need to be on fire for God and we need to be full of Him to be able to share the with our friends and family. The world needs more of God. My spirit could use more of God.
God Bless Everyone
I think this sounds awesome!! So often I am distracted by my “self” I would love to find ways to put God first and foremost. It is my goal but little distractions usually fill my days.
I need this & have been wondering why I’m still struggling after 7 years! God saved me from dying But for what? I’m better physically but not mentally & need a little help to get back on track!
so need this book! after leaving a job working in ministry I am burned out… Looking for God
Would love to have Lisa’s book. Everything she says is everything I personally relate to – like she knows everything you are thinking….
I’m there! Stuck in a rut and I Want God…
Dear Traci,
Most definitely!!! My soul needs all the help I can get from the “right” sources and places. Thank you so much for your message and chance today.
Bless you all!
I want to just sit at his feet feeling us rushed by the world.
Unrushed not “us rushed”
I am just so tried of feeling dead on the inside. I want to be on fire for God so that I can be all that He has created me to be.
Mrs. Whittle is an amazing author…”Behind Those Eyes” has remained on my bookshelf for years, despite the revolving door of books around it. I have been through what I am referring to as a “spiritual drought” the past year or so and I am so hungry to be filled by the Word and rekindle that flame with God. I think this book is a must-have for that.
I want and need a soul revival. I also feel that when I am finished with the book that it will help the ladies in our transitional house.
Would love to have this book!
I was at a retreat this weekend and my prayer request for the prayer wall was for personal revival. This morning I was asking God for it again. I am so worn out and I know areas of my life are not honoring God. I need revival.
I would love to read this book. I have been in the wilderness for so long and would love to have a soul revival.
Looks like an awesome book. I will have to read it sometime.
I have been a Christian for 29 years and I LONG for those “ON FIRE FOR GOD DAYS”, in the beginning!!! I’ve been sick with dibilitating illnesses for 17 years now, ( bed-ridden and home-bound ). Unlike most people, I have lots of time, and wander why with all the reading, listening, praying and studying HIS WORD that I’m not EXPERIENCING HIS PRESENCE, like I did in those early years. I’m not able to go to Church and fellowship, so I miss that very much! “I WANT GOD” IS MY HEARTS CRY!!!
Every one needs a stirring in their hearts at some point in their lives…. Even the most deticated! I do really well at times … Getting up early to do my devotionals & read scripture & just talk to God!! I feel great afterwards, but then life happens…. I get busy with kids, husband, work and just what ever else may come up… I definitely need a stirring in my heart during those times !!! Can’t wait to read this book!
I have always heard that revivial starts in a person’s heart so I would like to start it in mine! I think this book could help. Thanks!
My husband and I have been going through something very similar. Attending church and leading ministries is just not enough. We want more God! We want so much that we are overflowing and others see it and ask about it! We want Jesus tattooed on our faces (figuratively speaking!) so it just oozes out. I think our generation is realizing that this Christianity thing is so much more about relationships than rules. We need Him because we are imperfect. Hallelujah!
Ooh… I want in! 🙂
I so Need a soul revival. My husband has been diagnosed with brain cancer and I just feel like I am in a fog everyday. I know there is something else God wants me to do but I havent heard what that is yet!
Thank you!
I so want God! I am hanging onto an issue that is totally His and I need to let it go!
Super excited to find this on FB today! Going to try to win one to read and pass ’round to my soul sisters! Stoked 🙂
Love hearing from all of you about how we all need a soul revival! Sometimes it just takes making a conscience effort to realize how much we need Him and need to seek Him. Thanks everyone for your comments so far!
I would love to read this book. I have been asking the Lord to help me draw near to Him as I feel as if I am so far from Him. I have prayed for the joy of my salvation and for the fire I used to have, but just seem to be in a rut.
I want God. So wholly and desperately. I crave a connection and revival of my soul, much like I had at 13 while being at church camp. Thank you for sharing this book with us!
I can’t get enough of God…I want MORE AND MORE AND MORE! I feel this is going to be just want I need in a book! Thank you!
So grateful for the timing of this message. THIS could me by statement, too:
“I wrote I Want God at a time when I was really sick of my struggles, my fears, myself, basically – I call it the heartcry of the sick of me life. “
I feel that I am in a season of pruning and growth right now and God keeps showing me more and more how much He is the answer to all my questions and struggles.
this book sounds like just what I need! Been going too long letting the every day mundane things crowd out what I SAY is really important – knowing God more. I can relate to the need for comfort to be a factor that gets in my way, and yes, it is basically a problem with putting self first. Been trying to change for SO long…I need God to do a miraculous work of revival in my heart. Me “trying” is just not working! So great to read all the other comments from so many women who long for more of God!
I’d love to read this book!
That is where I am right now! Thank you for the chance to win a copy! God bless!
I can so relate to the “sick of me” life. I’m tired of feeling numb and just going through the motions. I need more of Him and less of me! Heaven is coming and this book has been written for such a time as this! May He be magnified and glorified!
don’t we all need this?! sounds like a great read.
I’ve found myself very busy with “life”; kids, school, weddings, work, and at the same time trying to understand where I fit in as a Pastor’s wife. I feel completely drained and am looking to re-fuel so I can follow where God is asking me to respond.
I read the Bible daily and have a desire for more of God, but the busyness if this life drains me. Sometimes I even feel like skipping church just to get a rest. I know that’s not the answer but it has been a temptation recently. Even though I love The Lord and love spending time in his word, I am in need of a soul revival!
Thank you for posting this. I can so relate. I spend a lot of time serving God in ministries and reading His Word and reading spiritual growth books but still a missing something.
I would LOVE to win this book! I DO want God, it’s just so easy to get distracted by all the busyness around me, to constantly be aware of His Presence.
I would Love a copy of Lisa Wittle’s new book. I think we could all use a some soul revival. Get back to basics so to speak.
We can’t just go through the motions of reading His word without opening our souls to Him.
Sounds like a lot of us “Want God”! I never really thought about what keeps us from having God. He is there for us always. It is us that change and our feelings lie. I honestly believe that the only thing keeping God at a distance from me is me! I’m looking forward to reading the book. 🙂
Who doesn’t need more of God in their life? I definitely do!!! I would love a copy of this book to help me continuing my growth of believing God is there for me if I let Him!
SOUL REVIVAL ….. ummmm Yes Please!!!!!!
I would love to own this book!
I feel like I am so in this place right now. I am so seeking God to show me what He wants to do in my life. So much seems to be going on to try to steal my joy but trying my best to keep my faith. Trying to be obedient in whatever He wants to do in my life; but not sure if I’m striving too much instead of surrendering. Praying for some positive changes in many areas; relationships, finances. etc. I really think I would like to read this book.
I want more of God in my life, and I think this book will help me achieve this. Thanks Tracie for introducing me to another blogger and author!
I want to be on fire for God! I want Him to consume me, more than my worries, my kids, my husband, more than Anything!!
I can definately relate to the blog today, I too serve in minstry, my husband works in full time ministry and sometimes I feel like it is duty rather than delight. My soul has been so malnourished, I want to want God.
The book sounds wonderful! Would love to get my hands on a copy!
This is just what I need! My soul definitely needs to be revived. I’ve been going through a dry spell lately and I need a little refreshing! Thanks!
What an awesome concept….I want to want God all the time..But in the flesh, that can be a scary concept. Sometimes what God wants can seem scary and overwhelming in our own strength and can force us to stretch and move out of our comfort zone.
To have faith to know that what God wants is always the best…regardless….should prompt us to always want what God wants, and always want God.
God is so AWESOME!!!!!!! He knew I needed to read your blog today and see this book! I would love to win this book! I so need a revival with God!
This devotional is just what I needed today! I would so like a copy of the book! Lisa Miller, Alba, TX
For the past two months I have being feeling Blah. I feeling like I’m missing something. After mass I feeling like my faith/safety cape is being removed from my shoulders the moment I step out of my church. Or I myself remove it and folded it nicely in the corner pew for next Sunday. I can’t seem to hold on to it. I start praying and I end up falling asleep. I do not this feeling at all but cannot seem to shake it off. Please pray for me. Thank you.
After reading the interview with Lisa, I am so interested in reading the book! For the last 2 years, I’ve been feeling like I just want to quit the only thing I’ve ever felt called to do…but I don’t know what else there is for me! I feel that sense of floating along, just doing the minimum and not really leaning into God for direction in my life. I Want God sounds like just the thing to get the spark going!
I want to be on fire for God all the time and it’s hard when you work and have to temper that desire to read your Bible and just pray when you need to be doing your job. I can pray and do my job but it does get tricky trying to walk and speak with people when your trying to read. This book may help me work that out.
That’s me…..the starving and desperate one who needs God to consume me more than what is currently consuming my life.
With so many distractions in the way I’m not hearing Him speak to me and I so WANT GOD!
Wow! Someone else has Thot they needed something more and was hungry for God. I thought I was just crazy and never satisfied. This sounds like a great book with real answers.
I have been in a really bad place for a while. I have this sin that I keep doing over and over. I seem powerless to stop it and I am hoping to see things from a new perspective through reading your book. I am scared about the state of my soul.
Sound like a good read and almost sounds like it was written for someone just where I feel like I am right now
Oh yes!! Hear the cries of my heart over the busy-ness and stresses of life! I want to realign and keep focused on Him 1st and foremost!!
Lisa, thank you for writing this book! It took me working through a very dark season in my life to finally come to the realization that my soul was sick, lost and stuffed deep beneath worry, anxiety and living my life based on everyone else’s expectations – all while I really believed I was pursuing my life based on God’s expectations. It wasn’t until I worked really hard and was totally honest with myself and God that I realized my soul definitely needed a deep level of healing and as you call it, a “revival.” As I work through this process, I believe your book will be a great blessing to me and I look forward to reading it!
A stirring in my soul…..yes, please!!!
I would love a chance to win this book. I need God!!
I WANT GOD. This sounds like a book I so NEED !!
I have spent the last several years in a very difficult marriage and out of despair have pulled away from church and God. I know this is absolutely the opposite of what I needed to do, but I allowed my situation and despair to be an opening for satan to enter in. I am desperate to renew my relationship and closeness to God. I would appreciate your prayers to help me revive my spiritual relationship.
I’m at a stage where I feel hopeless and like leaving ministry maybe even church …Maybe this book will help me back on track! I would love a copy
I could really use a soul revival. I would love to win a copy of this book!
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I desperately need a souls revival. And I have no clue how or where to begin.
I want God! I would love to win this book. It sounds like such a fantastic book. I have so much going on in my life and feel so hopeless sometimes but then I look around and see we all are in need. Just different needs. We are lonely, afraid, feeling hopeless! we all need a revival! My heart goes out to you all.
Been praying for a change. Feel stuck and want a change. When I saw this book and read the post I thought this sounds like what I have been looking for and needing! Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Oh my. This book sounds amazing! Like it’s exactly what I need for the season I’ve been struggling through for the last several months. Thank you for offering.
I need more of God in my life to not feel so lonely. My husband went to heaven last year leaving myself and our 12 year old daughter. It has been a struggle. I could definitely benefit from drawing closer to God.
I want to have more of God. This is my heart’s desire after having been through hard times, and I want to share with others how to thirst after God and so I thought this book could help me be God’s instrument.
This is my heart’s desire to know of Him after having been through hard times, and I want to share with others how to thirst after God and so I thought this book could help me be God’s instrument.
I would be greatly blessed by the book “I Want God”. I am in a ministry position, sharing about Jesus everyday on the radio! I still yearn too know Him more!!!!
Sounds like a book I need!!
This book sounds like exactly what I need to read and hear. I go to church, serve other when I can, do bible study but it all feels routine, like I am missing something…missing God in all of it. I want God to be #1 in my life!
Even the title to this book is straightforward and it had right from the title. Even before the first sentence. I’m retired and actually spend the biggest portion of my day reading my Bible and Christian books. Reason being, to have that burning up for the Lord feeling in my soul that changes my life. I would love to win a copy of your book. God bless!
Thank u Tracie for sharing this post and about Lisa’s new book. I think all people want a soul revival even if they don’t recognize it as that. I would enjoy reading the book and sharing it with others. Blessings to both of you!
I would love to win a copy of I Want God. With the turn of events in this world it is really scary and I want my heart and the hearts of my love ones to be ready to meet Jesus when He comes. It sounds like this book will help us to want the things of God and not of this world that will keep us from going to heaven.
I need a soul revival because I have lost my mother, & father to death in 2006 & 2010 . I deal with the rejection of my family & it hurts so very much. I live in a very isolated area & my phone goes weeks without a call. Mothers day , my birthday, Christmas are all so lonely without my family. I used to be very involved in my Church & witnessed so much for the Lord & gave my testimony. I crave love & a closeness everyday that i know only God can give to me. I just want to stop hurting so bad over past mistakes & being made to feel so unloved my whole life. I want to have the Joy & peace that only god can give to me. I want to feel alive again & loved again! I want God to be proud of me!
Finish, follow up and revise if there is a need to.
Often people are gripped by intense feelings like anger,
hatred, depression, stress, boredom, loneliness, etc. I’ve had
a customer of mine decide to give up his long time love of chocolate,
and decide to just focus on calorie counting, minor exercise, and portion sizing.
The message of this book is so important and it would be so relevant and beneficial for me to read “I Want God.” I’m in a similar place to where Lisa was at before she wrote the book. I’m so sick and tired of my fears and struggles and I deeply desire healing and freedom. I have been feeling sluggish and stagnant in my faith and in my relationship with God for a long time now and I could sure use a great soul revival! Oh, how I need to how to make knowing God the greatest desire and priority in my life, and I long for God to set my soul ablaze with passion for Him! How great it would be to be consumed with God instead of life and all my pain and problems consuming me!