Barefoot in His Presence: Kingdom, Holy Spirit and prayer. How God establishes His will and purpose on earth

By Gerhard Kotzé

A Fire that keeps on burning.
That is the way God chose to reveal Himself to Moses.
His resources are infinite. There is no end to Him. He is from eternity to eternity.
God loves to involve people in what He is doing. He reached out to Moses who, like me and you, blew a previous opportunity. He involves people like that in what He is doing. He fills them with His Sprit, who works in them a longing toward their God, which is best expressed through prayer.
The infinite One touching and empowering the finite ones.
‘Barefoot in His presence’ follows the footsteps of Jesus to see how God es¬tablishes His will and purpose on earth in hearts that are yielded to Him. Of the twelve disciples that He chose, only one asked, “Lord teach us to pray”. He drew them all together to teach them what He Himself is still doing to this very day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Digital On Demand
• Release date: Oct 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9780796112224

Book preview

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BAREFOOT IN HIS PRESENCE: Kingdom, Holy Spirit, and Prayer.

How God establishes His will and purpose on earth.

© 2023 Gerhard Kotzé ISBN: 978-0-7961-1221-7

All rights reserved. NO portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy recording, scanning, or other – except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles without the prior written permission the publisher.

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This book follows the American spelling rules

Dedicated to

My wife and covenant partner

Amanda.

Thank you for your love, inspiration,

and making me a better person.

ENDORSEMENTS

Ps Gerhard Kotze has been an amazing example in my life. Over many years, he’s not only been a faithful teacher but also a steadfast father in the house of our Heavenly Father. I have seen him refined, walking the talk through fervid fire. He’s a bondservant who loves Jesus as Saviour and Lord, with a passion for seeing His kingdom come. This passion continues to burn even stronger, as it did in Moses’ latter days - his eyes were not dim and his vigour not diminished. When he speaks, or writes, I would listen ... for I know that the man himself has already been ... barefoot in His presence!

Dr Johannes van der Sluys, Shofar Church, Walvis Bay, Namibia

As I read the pages in this book, the words that appear in my mind are: Changed by His Presence and Changed into His Likeness. I believe that this book will help us tune into the frequency of the Spirit. More than ever before, we need the transforming presence of God to return to the Church and I believe this book will rekindle the hunger and thirst for His presence. Many times we enjoy the presence, but are not changed by His presence.

May this book propel our pure pursuit of God without ambition or needs or any wants in our hearts. Thank you, Ps Gerhard, for stirring the body of Christ to return to its first and only love.

I see a pure generation rising to be Changed by His presence and Changed into His Likeness!

Ps Cyrus Gomez, The Rock, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

P assion is whatever a person is willing to suffer for. It is what you hunger for so intensely that you will sacrifice anything to have it. This summarizes my friend and brother in Christ! His friendship has refreshed and encouraged me often. Over many years, it has been an honor to see how he has refused to camp in the comfort zone, as His presence is Gerhard’s life!

Ps Tersia Crous, Gateway City Church, Ermelo, RSA

At Bible school, I studied under the mentorship of Gerhard and, to this day, I know him as a man of integrity and character. As from the introductory part of this im mense workmanship, he mentions Holy Ground as a place of separation. And it sums up his life, as man who separated and dedicated his life, for the sake of the kingdom and the edifying of the body of Christ. The fruit of his mentorship goes very far, and I firmly believe it is due to him being a good student himself and honoring the apostolic leadership under which he served for many years.

Gerhard is well-balanced and sound in his approach toward scripture and lifestyle. Through knowing him personally, this book has been written over a period of many many years, through hardships and victories.

I count this as one of the greatest honors with lifelong gratitude towards him, to share this comment, as part of a lifelong dedication.

Ps Ettiene Binneman, Fatherheart Ministries, Vryburg , RSA

ENDORSEMENTS

We all want to be close to God, hear His voice, and do His will. We want to experience God’s presence, joy, and peace. Barefoot in His Presence gives practical tips and guidelines on how to position and align our hearts in the presence of our King. Reading this has opened my eyes to practical ways I can live a life dedicated to God and aligned with His will for my life. It has also helped me to have the proper perspective on what is happening in my life to understand the good and the bad. I loved the practical wisdom and many references to the Word of God with appropriate applications. Words like, The devil will test and tempt you when you are not in a good space., or The acid test of our faith, of being a disciple, of following Him every day and being led by His Spirit, boils down to one question. Are you in the centre of His will? can be the difference between giving up on what God has called you to do or enduring to the end. How you finish is so much more important than how you start. This book is full of life-changing wisdom. I will reread it and reference it in future.

Ps Jaco Janse van Rensburg, Shofar Somerset-West, RSA

Gerhard Kotzé is a friend whom I have known for many years. He has a passion for the Word of God. He gives the reader an insight of what it is to walk in total obedience with Jesus and putting Him first in our lives. Gerhard takes us on a barefoot walk through the Word of God. You will be edified while reading it.

Ps Anton Bredell, Shofar Piketberg, RSA

Practical, thought-provoking, and life-changing. We read and can read many books on prayer, but what makes this one special to me is how Gerhard makes scripture shine and how he brings the Bible stories alive, while we learn valuable lessons on prayer and intimacy with God. Barefoot in His presence is not a five steps to great prayer book, but will lead you to a fantastic, intimate, and vulnerable place where you will know that He eagerly listens to you and welcomes you. You will be inspired to spend more time with God in prayer and to journey closer to him for the rest of your life.

Ps Kobus Meyer, Shofar Brackenfell, RSA

None of us want to miss the boat and spend a life of emptiness without God’s guidance. Gerhard’s message comes from a humble, authentic father in the faith who knows how to draw his strength from his heavenly Father. This book powerfully guides you to want more of God and teaches you to eliminate your own guidance and follow God’s infinite wisdom.

Ps Hercules Opperman, Shofar London, UK

There is no lack of worship, preaching, programmes and activities across the majority of churches today except prayer. In his book, Pastor Gerhard has uniquely deliv ered a very interesting and refreshing Biblical perspective on the way that one should pray.

This is truly a must-read book for those who would like to rediscover the joy and power of a prayer life. Pastor Gerhard writes at length about why and how Jesus taught us to pray. There is a good balance between man’s hunger for prayer and God’s covenantal commitment to respond to our pursuit.

True, desperate prayers are always simple prayers. They carry the power and authority to break into the spiritual realm, bringing a shift to all earthly authorities. May your prayers be always heaven-invading and earth-transforming.

Dr. William Vun, Glory Christian Church, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

What a radical departure from the typical academic approach we normally take toward God. Many churches are filled with information about God, but few need a veil to hide the glory shoots of His blinding Presence radiating from a personal encounter.

If you rush through this book, you will miss it. Linger on its truths until you are possessed by its fragrance in a life-changing encounter.

Whether you are an individual, a congregation, or a ministry, the principles and truths that follow will enable you to be more effective, not just in His kingdom, but they will propel your personal relationship with the Lord into new dimensions, allowing you to move accurately in the destiny He has for you.

Dr. William James Carney (Bill), Christian Family Church, Kraaifontein, RSA

FOREWORD

What an incredible privilege to write a foreword for this timely book written by a man whose very life personifies the principles set forth in this work. As one of the apostolic team members of our church family, I have come to know Pastor Gerhard Kotzé (Pastor G, as he is affectionately known) first as a colleague as he faithfully serves as a pastor in our church family, and also as a dear brother in Christ whose life of integrity, humility, resilience and faith I have come to greatly admire.

I have had the honour of observing Pastor G’s life as husband, father, grandfather and pastor as he has consistently manifested the principles set forth in this book, and can say without a shadow of a doubt that the impact behind these words is undergirded by the fire and power of the Holy Spirit, a submission and unwavering commitment to see the kingdom of God come, and the integrity of an integrated and prayer-filled life. Such a life cannot help but bear fruit, not just in the very life of the person producing that fruit, but also in those privileged enough to taste thereof. There has been more than one occasion where I have personally benefitted from a word received from the Father’s heart and delivered to me with humility and conviction that anchored my faith and resolve when I needed it most.

There can be no greater fruit than the joy of seeing the author’s children continuing in this legacy of prayer and commitment to Spirit-filled Kingdom impact in their spheres of influence. This bears testimony to the fact that the principles in this book have not just been well-researched and taught from the pulpit over many years, but that they have, above all, been well-lived in the secret place, away from the public spotlight where it matters most – at home.

Years ago, Joshua placed a choice before the people of Israel – Choose this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. You hold in your hands a book written by a man whose very life gives us all that same invitation, not simply on account of his ministry as a preacher-pastor, but because his prayer-filled and resilient faith has been born and shaped in the furnace of immense pain and personal disappointment, and yet still carries an undeniable vigour, passion and childlike innocence that believes that the Hand of Heaven can still be moved by the prayers of man.

May we follow barefoot in the footsteps of one who has faithfully prayed and lived the great prayer of surrender and power, Father, let Your kingdom come and let Your will be done, here on earth as it is being done in Heaven. Amen.

Ps Heinrich Titus, Apostolic Leader, Shofar Christian Church; Pastor, Shofar Somerset West

CONTENTS

ENDORSEMENTS

BAREFOOT ENCOUNTERS

PART 1 KINGDOM, HOLY SPIRIT AND PRAYER

CHAPTER 1

Signs of the Kingdom

THE KINGDOM