Commendations on
Everyday Extraordinary Lives
Life in the power of the Spirit
[Formation]
This engaging and accessible course comes highly recommended for anyone wanting to explore more about the extraordinary life that is possible for anyone in a relationship with Jesus through God's Spirit. Paul Bradley's engaging style and insights into the Bible will give ordinary Christians a way in to understanding the God's promises about becoming like Jesus, and why this is open to everyone.
Dr Lucy Peppiatt, Principal, Westminster Theological Centre.
Paul Bradley has produced a highly useful resource for the church. In an age where the church seems to have wandered away from Christ and onto more material and mundane matters, this is a timely call to return to personal holiness and dedication to Christ and His cause. It is only when the church keeps its eyes fixed upon Christ that the church and individual believers can be truly effective.
Rev Dr Paul Bailie, CEO Mission Africa; Presbyterian Minister, OT Lecturer, Adjunct Faculty at Union Theological College.
Knowing Paul and his gifting for study and discipleship, this book is a great tool that will inspire and enhance the reader to a life filled with the Holy Spirit. Having had Paul's personal input to discipleship and having used his previous writings before in group study, they are simple yet constructive for small group discussion. Thank you Paul, yet again, for a well-written and constructive book for churches to avail off. We will be implementing this book through our discipleship programs and are very much looking forward to its release.
Pastor Philip Emerson, Emmanuel Church, Lurgan.
This is an incredible tool that helps us dive into the Scripture, gaining a deeper theological understanding that informs our lives on the most practical yet profound levels.
A really useful resource for those seeking to live everyday extraordinary lives in the power of the Spirit. Paul has combined biblical insight and real life stories with time to pray and wait on the Spirit to help us become more like Jesus. Why not try it in your small group?
National Director of Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland / Operations Director, Causeway Coast Vineyard / Business Leader / Theology Graduate/ Political Researcher and Commentator / Westminster Theological Centre, Business Theology lecturer.
These studies reflect Paul's trust in Christ and total dependence on Gods Word to instruct and guide him and the presence of God the Holy Spirit to encourage, strengthen and equip. Paul loves the whole church in all its expressions and it is a pleasure to warmly commend these studies for individuals or groups to benefit from.
Canon David McClay, Archdeacon of Down & Dromore Parish / Director of New Wine Ireland / Rector of Willowfield Parish Church, East Belfast.
God’s purpose is for every Jesus follower to be ‘conformed to the image of his Son.’ God sends his Spirit to make this a wonderful possibility and this engaging devotional study by Paul Bradley is an excellent resource to help individuals and groups prayerfully discover how this can be a reality in their lives.
Dr Gary W Burnett, Honorary Lecturer, Institute of Theology, Queens University Belfast / Author of The Gospel According to the Blues
Everyday Extraordinary Lives is a unique daily devotional that is accessible to everyone, no matter our level of knowledge of the Scriptures. Each day this devotional inspires us to live lives empowered by God's Spirit; seeing ourselves as the catalysts God has chosen to bring hope, faith and love into the world around us. This is an incredible tool that helps us dive into Scripture, gaining a deeper theological understanding that informs our lives on the most practical yet profound levels.
Dana Masters, Lagan Valley Vineyard Lead Team & Jazz Singer.
This is a simple 10 part series that focuses us on ‘the fruit of the Spirit’. Quite a challenge - as we can all end up with a defensive and unChristlike - 'Well that's just how I am!' There are two tools in use here, firstly story telling to help readers remember the issues - and then the series is loaded with helpful Scriptures to underline the importance of each characteristic. A good and helpful first look, refresher or serious focus on the need to develop Christlikeness.
Gerald Coates, Founder of Pioneer Network, Speaker, Author & Broadcaster.
In Everyday Extraordinary Lives, Paul Bradley effectively leads the reader to both see the goodness and greatness of God but also to desire character change. God alone can do immeasurably more with the person who will surrender to his working in their lives. Bradley assists both the individual and the connect group in making this happen. I can't wait to have my church begin to use this excellent tool.
Rev. John W. Telman, Pastor of Abundant Life Church, Cranbrook, Canada.
You present an excellent template for personal bible study, not only for examining ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ as you’ve done in this booklet, but for relating any portion of the scriptures to our personal lives: What does the passage say, how can I illustrate this, what does it mean for me, and how can I pray it through…I think what I so deeply appreciated was the importance you placed on prayer in this framework, not simply as a traditionally Christian after-thought, but in recognition that we cannot on our own power or through our own wills attain Christ-likeness. I especially appreciated the link between this book and your previous work on unpacking truth (what all good exposition is, really). This is so foundational, so essential, and so crucial for personal spiritual development that I am going to incorporate these two books in an introductory course for pastors in a new seminary we are founding in Anchorage, Alaska. Many of the native pastors in rural Alaska have had little or no biblical, theological, or practical training at all, even in the area of personal spiritual growth. Introducing the goal of ‘likeness to Jesus’ along with a neat, transferrable template like this – well, Paul, it’s made to order! By the way – we begin our initial course work with an estimated 70 pastors starting on September 8.
Dr. Doug Norwood JR, D.Min. Allentown, PA. / Executive Director of Broken Jars Ministry / Missional lecturer, Asia Theological Centre, Singapore.
Whether for personal devotion or church group study, Paul has penned a very readable, intuitive and most importantly, anointed study that will bless and edify the reader. I believe this book will provide, not only a valuable teaching aid for church leaders and pastors, but allow the individual to further develop their personal walk with God.
James (Jim) Connolly, Pastor of House of Worship, Belfast.
The desire of every Christian to become progressively more like Jesus can at times get displaced in our lives. Despite being the highest aim imaginable, it’s counter intuitive to that all too prominent human trait of self-reliance. Therefore, whether your personal devotional journey is based around one or all of the facets of reading, reflecting, responding or resting, the Extraordinary Lives series is for you. Paul Bradley has set out a very worthy framework for the disciple who wants to take in more and more of the Truth. Significantly, Extraordinary Lives will help sustain the believer to remain in His presence by giving due priority to the Spirit’s leading in a world obsessed with individual achievement, and individual standing. Personal and corporate use of the Extraordinary Lives material will most certainly aid the Christian in the quest to respond faithfully to God’s perfect calling.
Philip Pentland, Senior Manager, Expedia Europe (EMEA).
Becoming a follower of Jesus involves a lifetime commitment to spiritual formation and transformation into Christ-likeness. Paul reminds us that we have not been left as orphans in this call to change and that we have both the Word of God and the Spirit of God to help in building and shaping our character on our spiritual journey. We also have the body of Christ to build each other up, and in ‘Life in the Power of the Spirit’, Paul has captured for us a way, that as individuals or together in groups, we can practically apply the Word of God to grow in the fruit of the Spirit and so to help us mature in Him. I commend this study guide.
Paul Betts, Lead Pastor, Christian Fellowship Church, Holywood, Northern Ireland.
Paul Bradley has done an excellent job in writing "Everyday Extraordinary Lives." This ten week Bible study guide handles the subject of fruit of the Spirit in an attractive and compelling style. He blends scripture, testimony, group discussion, prayer, contemplation and action plans, masterfully. I love how frequently he gives the reader permission to "neighbour nudge" in order to promote participation. This study on the "Fruit of the Spirit" is so needed for Christians from every persuasion. Bradley promotes Christian maturity in a tasteful manner and avoids any doctrinal hot buttons or Christian fads. He handles these well-worn paths of righteousness in a fresh and innovative manner. Finally this guide is appropriate for believers of all maturity levels.
Steve Schmelzer, Lead Pastor, Joy Christian Fellowship, Medford, Oregon & Founder of Zoe Bible College.
Anyone who has met Paul Bradley will know that he is a gifted communicator. It seems like a big challenge to become more like Jesus, but in this study guide Paul breaks down barriers and preconceptions, opens doors and shows the way. His witness, and that of his wife Caroline, has been a bigger influence on many others and myself in the past and, I am sure, in the future than he knows. I hope this informative and entertaining work will be used by many groups in many places. I look forward to this winter when we will be rolling it out in Second Saintfield.
Peter Shaw, Managing Director, DFC (NI) Ltd.
Paul, another excellent resource with practical and powerful outworking.! I can see this resource having a wide and varied reach because of its brevity, simplicity and concise nature. There is a world of difference between fruit and success; it’s the fruit and that of the Spirit that determines the health of the vine. This is what God has been preparing you for, all your days, equipping and empowering you with a legacy for a generation. Thank you.
Samuel McIlwrath, Lead Pastor, Forestside Christian Centre, South Belfast.
‘Everyday Extraordinary Lives, Life in the power of the Spirit’ written by my friend, Paul Bradley, is an impacting devotional book full of inspiration and truth. This book has already awakened me to apply the truths on a daily basis that have been so beautifully described in the devotional. Thank you for keeping it simple and easy reading, causing many people when they read this book to re-evaluate their walk in the Spirit, thus creating a deeper desire to walk in a supernatural lifestyle, just like Jesus!!!
Libby Louman, Pastor at City Bible Church, Mill Plain Campus, Vancouver, Washington, USA.
It has been a privilege to read this 10-week study written by Paul in his own unique way. The heart behind the study is clearly to move the individual into a deeper level of relationship with Jesus. Those experiencing a life of mediocrity may begin to experience that overcoming, conquering life through the finished work of the cross. As you work your way through the study, I'm sure you will begin to see that you are more than a natural man, but rather one who can indeed live as Jesus did on the earth. Great job Paul - well done!
Roy Stewart, Regional Pastor, Living Rivers Church, Ballymena.
This connect group devotional is a simple and practical study to help equip group leaders as they disciple people in becoming more and more like Jesus. Where better to start than with 10 sessions on the fruit of the Spirit being discussed and applied together. To live extraordinary lives daily empowered by the Spirit we must be planting the right seed to bear good fruit. This group guide is a seed pack, ready to be distributed into those who desire to become more and more like Jesus everyday. Thanks
Jonathan Biggers, Lead Pastor, Life Center, Centralia, Washington, USA.
A special thank you also goes out to Danni Gowdy for the customized book illustrations. Danni recently achieved her MA in book illustration from Cambridge University,UK. Danni can be contacted on Twitter @danni_doodles and on Facebook at dannigowdyillustration or www.dannigowdy.com. Danni is Paul’s niece.