Foreword
by Bill Johnson

In recent years, Michael and Jessica Koulianos have become personal friends of mine. This has been a great privilege and joy for me, as they are amazing and very real people. I have loved seeing how the message they’ve declared from the pulpit is lived out when the crowds are gone. I’ve also enjoyed watching them put absolute trust in God when they’ve faced some pretty rough situations. The idea of surrendering all to Jesus is not just a good idea; it is their reality—and wonderfully so. Truth must go beyond concepts and principles and go deep into the heart so it can be measured. And the most practical place to see the impact of truth upon a life is in one’s relationships. Of all the relationships that matter, family is first. They have done family so well.

Authenticity is one of the primary things I look for in a person who stands in a pulpit declaring what God is saying. It’s important for me to know whether they preach ideals they’ve not yet practiced or whether they speak from their own experience. It’s not that I’d find fault with or accuse those who aren’t quite what they teach, as we all see things that are beyond our own experience. It’s just important for me to know what has been proven through the test of a life lived well and what remains an unproven idea. Authenticity is one of the building blocks of trust in ministry. And it’s a joy to say this family is genuine and trustworthy.

One of the other things I look for in a person’s life is joy. This has become more and more important to me as I get older. My own weakness in my early years has made this a personal priority. I certainly knew joy and enjoyed so many of the blessings in Christ. But I also knew too well how to be intense, often draining the joy out of the delightful journey of following Jesus. Perhaps the greatest feature of the author and his family is this quality—joy! They know how to enjoy family, friends, ministry, and life itself, celebrating the goodness of God throughout the journey. It’s beautiful to watch. From a life lived well, Michael has written what will ignite the hearts of many, encouraging them to draw near to God at any price. Holy Spirit is a tool that God will use to transform many lives.

The following pages are rich in history, brilliant in practical insights, and filled with a whole bunch of inspiration for anyone who hungers for more of God. Many years ago, Michael said “yes” to an invitation given by the Holy Spirit Himself. This book is the product of the journey that came from that “yes.” He writes with authority because it comes from his own fruitful experience. He discovered that to follow Jesus well, we have to become sensitive to the Holy Spirit, for Jesus is Lord of our life only to the measure that we respond to the leadings of the Holy Spirit.

Throughout this book, the author gives us compelling reasons to live a life full of the Holy Spirit. And while in this kind of life we find out who we are and how God wants to use us, the real prize is God Himself. We all want to be used by God to affect humanity. We all desire to impact the course of world history. But knowing God is the main thing, from which the rest of life is to f l o w.

The simple but profound conclusion is that life is all about Jesus. Michael came to realize and believe wholeheartedly that the Christian life is the life of Jesus in us and through us by the Holy Spirit. He speaks of the Bible as “much more than a book. It’s an experience” and adds, “Did you know that the church fathers called the Holy Scriptures ‘the book of experience’? But they were after something more. They were after the Person of the Bible. God gave us the Bible to bring us to Himself.” I love this, and you will too.

Ready yourself to enjoy this encouraging and instructional book that will impact your own relationship with God, leading you to a more fulfilled life.

Bill Johnson

Bethel Church, Redding, CA

Author of When Heaven Invades Earth

and God is Good