Name:
WRSP 410
The Pursuit of God – A. W. Tozer
Chapter 1
Summary:
The first chapter which was titled “following hard after God “discusses our pursuit of
God. The chapter lets us know that we pursue God because he has put that desire within us. The
author uses the scripture John 6:44 which says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent
me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day” to show us that the father himself has to draw
us to him. The author lets us know that the desire to follow God comes from him but the process by
which it is carried out comes from following after him hard.
The author states that if one wants to find God one must be determined to find him . The author
admonishes the reader to come to God as simple as possible. He advises the reader to follow hard after
God one must come to God as a child. He advises the reader that if we’d all do this and look For God one
will surely find him. He finishes the chapter by reminding the reader that the one who has God has
everything all in one.
Analysis:
This chapter was a real revelation of what it takes for one to follow hard after God. The
chapter enlightened me into the importance of coming bare before God and not trying to impress
God. But being real for he knows me within and without. The chapter brought to realization that
it is important to “follow hard after God “. for one to see God in action in their lives one must be
willing to drop all things and follow Christ and Christ alone.
What I Have Learned:
I learned in this chapter that following God is not only a Sunday obligation but an
intentional commitment of transformation. I intend to follow hard after God in my life and
ministry in every way possible.
Name:
WRSP 410
Chapter 2
Summary:
The second chapter entitled “ the blessedness of possessing nothing” discussed the
Importance of removing self from our lives. The author begun by explaining
how the “woes” of man begun. The author then went on to discuss how things have taken over
our hearts and mind. The author discussed the importance of denying one’s self to see God.
The author discussed how nothing belongs to us. He made it clear that our talents and
possessions they can hinder one from seeing God. The author closed out the chapter by giving an
example of Abraham and how he followed hard after God. The author admonishes us that we
must be willing to follow God whether it is painful or not just as Abraham did and in doing that
he was blessed.
Analysis:
This chapter was very interesting to me. It made me realize that as Christians we are not
to worry about possessions. We are to follow Christ with all we have. We are to not cling on to
anything but Christ. It made me realize that even worrying about our possessions shows that we
don’t love God enough. As Christians our first Priority is to please God with all we have.
What I Have Learned:
I learned that I must follow God with ALL my possessions. In my life and ministry I am
going to strive to follow God more than ever before.
Chapter 3
Name:
WRSP 410
Summary:
Chapter three entitled “removing the veil was about the veil in which we Christians have
put within our hearts. In the chapter the author discusses how in the old testament there was a
veil in which blocked men from the presence of God. This veil was removed by Jesus Christ
when he died for our sins. The author lets us know that now the only thing blocking us form the
presence of God is the veil in which resides in our hearts.
The author refers to the veil in which is in our hearts as a the fleshly fallen nature living
on. The author discusses how we were created for God and to draw from his smile. The author
then discusses how we are guilty of what is deemed a “foul revolt”. The author then lets us
know that many self-sins which include self-righteousness, self-pity, self-confidence, self-sufficiency,
self-admiration, self-love keep us in this veil which separates us from the presence of God. The author
then admonishes the reader to let go of these things to see God and remove the veil that separates one
from him.
Analysis:
This chapter brought to light the importance of removing the veil. The chapter showed
that these “self-sins which have become part of today’s society are doing havoc to our
relationship with God. Christ died for the sins of man so that the veil would be removed. God has
done his part so now we must do ours to see him.
What I learned:
I learned that the veil has been removed by God. I must and will keep all sins that will
separate me from Christ out of my life and ministry so that I may see God.
Chapter 4
Summary:
Name:
WRSP 410
Chapter 4 which was entitled “apprehending God was about how we as Christians can
apprehend God. The author begins by explaining that even though Christians know of God he is
no more real to them as the non-Christian. He then makes the readers to know that even though
God is real and willing to be with Christians many don’t find him because of chronic unbelief.
The Author admonishes the reader to open their eyes to the spiritual world. He lets the
reader know that the spiritual world runs with the spiritual world. The author admonishes the
reader grow spiritually. He encourages the reader to look unto God. The author admonishes us
that as we grow in the things of God with obedience we will begin to see and feel God.
Analysis:
This chapter showed the importance of seeking God within the spiritual realm. It showed
the importance of believing in God fully. The chapter showed that it can be easy to call yourself a
Christian and not see God. This chapter showed the reality of God in the spirt realm which is
available only if one is willing.
What I learned:
I learned that it is important to grasp God in the spirt realm. I intend to grasp God with all
my strength spiritually and physically in my life and ministry.
Chapter 5
Summary:
Name:
WRSP 410
Chapter five which is entitled “The universal presence “was about the omni presence of
God. The author lets the reader know that no one is further or nearer to God than any person in
relation to distance. The author lets the reader know that the reason some appear closer to God
than others is because of their commitment to prayer and intimate relationship with him.
The author advises us to develop our spiritual response to God. He lets the reader know
that this spiritual response is a Gift that is given to us By God. The author Admonishes us to
exercise this gift which has been given unto us. The author admonishes the reader to open their
eyes to the presence of God. The Author then makes the reader to know that developing this
spiritual response takes time and action to be effective.
Analysis:
This chapter explained the omnipresence of God. It is important for us to remember that
prayer is important for the Christian to get closer to God. The chapter revealed that we as
Christians have been given a gift of being able to respond to God spiritually. This chapter
revealed the importance of constant nearness to God to see his hand in our lives and be satisfied.
What I learned:
I learned that the presence of God is available to all who are willing to draw near to God. I will
draw nearer to God in my life and ministry to gain the satisfaction that comes from him.
Chapter 6
Summary:
Name:
WRSP 410
Chapter 6 which was entitled “the speaking voice is about the voice of God. The author
wants the readers to know that God is always speaking. The author lets the reader know that God
is always speaking but it’s up to the individual to listen to him. The author lets the reader know
that God speaks to us through his word and through nature.
Tozar lets it be known that the world is hard of hearing. The author lets us know that
many times we are rush through our time with God and don’t spend enough time listing to him.
The author tells the reader the author admonishes the readers to stop all their doing and try to
focus and listen to God to hear him speak clearly.
Analysis: This chapter brought to realization the importance of hearing from God. Often,
we are too busy with “life” so we don’t even spend the time to listen to the most important voice.
It is important no matter how long it takes to hear from God to shut out all things and concentrate
on God. The chapter really hit on a very important part of our Christian walk.
What I learned:
I learned that it is import ant as a believer to hear from God. I will be making sure to
cancel out all things and focus on hearing from God concerning my life and ministry.
Chapter 7
Name:
WRSP 410
Summary:
Chapter 7 is entitled “the gaze of the soul”. The chapter was about seeing God. The
author makes it clear to the reader that those who look unto to Christ shall truly be saved. He lets
the reader know that those who are looking unto God are having faith in God and that the two are
the same.
The author also makes it clear that there is a secret which many have found and that
secret is those who have communion with God. The author makes it clear that even when those
people want to concentrate on earthly things they still have deep communion with God. The
author concluded the chapter by letting the readers know that if they want to see God they must
be willing to direct their whole hearts unto him always.
Analysis:
This chapter brought to light the true concept of “seeing God. The author made the reader
understand that seeing God is the same as believing God. This was very profound. It was evident
that seeing God brings salvation. It became clear that to really see God one must have faith in
him always.
What I learned:
I learned that for us to see the God we must trust in him and believe in him. I will try and
believe God so that I can see his manifestation in my life and ministry.
Chapter 8
Summary:
Name:
WRSP 410
Chapter 8 which was entitled “restoring the creator “was about the restoration of the right
relationship that exist between God and man. The author makes it clear that the right relationship
between God and man has to do with God being put first. The author makes the reader to
understand that God is to receive all glory and honor because every soul belongs to him.
The author makes it clear that to restore that right relationship the reader must fully
surrender their all to God. The author admonishes the reader to surrender to the will of God. He
tells the reader to give God all the honor he deserves.
Analysis:
This chapter brought to revelation the importance of the original order. This order was set
by God. God is the highest form of wisdom. It baffles me why man would change that order.
This chapter brought to revelation the importance of restoring that order so that we may receive
his blessings. This is much needed in our society today.
What I learned:
I learned that it is important to honor God. In doing so I will find favor for my life and ministry.
Chapter 9
Summary:
Name:
WRSP 410
Chapter 9 which was entitled meekness and rest was about how most people carry the
heaviness of pride. The author also included the other burdens which we carry which include
being artificial and using presence. The author lets us know that by going to God we lose the
heaviness that comes with pride, pretense and being artificial.
The author lets us know that the way to Christ is to beat meek person. The bible tells us
that the “meek shall inherit the earth. The author lets us know that a meek person lets God see
him or her as they are. the author admonishes us that a meek person is still more important to
God than the angels. The author lets the reader know that to be truly meek one must not know
anything but to allow him or herself to honor God.
Analysis:
The chapter exposed the beauty of meekness. It made it clear that most people are carrying
heaviness in which is not needed. It was clear that the burdens being carried out which include
pride, being artificial and pretense are slowing us down as individuals. The chapter brought to
light the importance of being yourself to God and caring about nothing but pleasing Him. The
chapter made it clear that it is best to honor God more than anything else.
What I learned:
I learned that it is important for me to let go of all things and be meek before God.
I intend to drop all forms of pride and follow God in my life and ministry.
Chapter 10
Summary:
Name:
WRSP 410
Chapter 10 was entitled “the sacrament of living “. In this chapter the author discusses the
sacred secular argument. The author discussed how Christians often divide their lives into sacred
sections and secular sections. The author described how there were acts that Christians
preformed that were sacred such as prayer and acts that they performed that were secular such as
eating and working.
The author admonished readers to try and live our lives as God did on earth through Jesus
Christ. The author made it clear to the readers that when Jesus was on earth he only wanted
please God. He admonished the reader to do as Jesus did and not live a divided life.
Analysis:
The chapter was an eyeopener to the fact that most Christians live a divided life. We are
admonished to be whole before God. It is important to reevaluate one’s self and in that way not
fall into this divided life. The teachings of Jesus are the best roadmap in order not to fall into this
trap.
What I learned:
I learned that it is important for one to live a life like Jesus Christ did while he was on
earth. I intend to use his teachings in order not to divide my life and ministry into the sacred and
secular divide.
