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June Giveaway: Spirit Rising by JimCymbala

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On the first Friday of every month, we are giving away one free book. The books will be carefully chosen from the BLB Bookstore and are recommended for Christian growth and edification.

This month’s giveaway is Spirit Rising: Tapping into the Power of the Holy Spirit by Jim Cymbala

Description

For some of us being a Christian is harder than it should be. Discouraged, anxious, worn down, we wonder what happened to the power and the joy that Jesus promised. Jim Cymbala believes that many of us are missing something vital.

Christianity, he says, for even the best-intentioned person or church, is impossible without the Holy Spirit. You can have regular devotions, great preaching, a strong emphasis on the Bible, a great worship team, and a congregation that is trying, but if you aren’t vitally in touch with God’s Spirit, you are missing out on the life God has for you. The Holy Spirit, he points out, is God’s agent on earth. Yet he is the least understood, least preached about, and least discussed member of the Trinity. That is sad, because without him, our spiritual lives will always become dry, mechanical, and a struggle.

Too often, the body of Christ is divided into two sides. One side stresses the Word of God, separating itself from what it views as the emotional fanaticism often linked to those emphasizing the Holy Spirit. The other side is sometimes known for drifting into unbiblical manifestations and unorthodox teaching while attributing it all to the Spirit of God. But the Christianity we see in Scripture is both grounded in the Word and full of the Spirit.

With stunning stories of how God is working in the lives of people and churches today and biblical teaching about the Holy Spirit, Jim Cymbala invites you to experience God in a fresh and vital way. Nothing else will change our prayer life, our study of God’s word, and our worship more than opening our hearts to the Spirit. If we want power, confidence, joy, peace, and more love in our lives, then we need a better understanding of how and why the Spirit moves so we can join him there.

Giveaway Rules: Fill out the form below to enter the contest. You may only enter once; duplicate entries will be disqualified. As soon as the winners have been chosen, all contact information submitted will be erased. Entries may be submitted until Monday morning, 8am PST. Winners will be notified by email.

Comments

  1. I have the Holy Spirit but I struggle with when he’s talking to me, sometimes what he wants me to do something and how he works in my life in certain areas. Just one thing for example, when I sing and I allow the flesh to lead, I can’t remember the words to a song and I’m really nervous but when I let the Holy Spirit do it, the words just fall from my mouth, I sing better and I lose all contact with the world while I’m singing which is fantastic for me and I’m truly blessed when it happens but I don’t know how I let go and allow the Holy Spirit to do his work. This doesn’t happen a lot but when it does happen everyone says how well I sang and how they were blessed by the song. God bless and if anyone has any suggestions, I welcome them.

  2. Elaine,

    As a pastor and preacher, I can tell you that many times I don’t get up to the pulpit and “feel” the anointing of God. But, God’s word says that we “have an anointing from the Holy One.” So, if God’s word is true (which it is), I must choose to either trust it, or doubt it. If God has called you to ANY task, He will equip you to complete it, and, since His anointing is upon you, there need be no fear. Really, a large part of nervousness comes down to plain, old pride. We are getting up there in our flesh and wanting to make a good impression. However, when we do this, we are trying to bring glory to ourselves, though it may be subconsciously. But, if you will go to that microphone, realizing that outside of Christ you are absolutely nothing (John 15:5), you are going there as an empty vessel. As an empty vessel, there is nothing else to be done but for Christ to fill you up with Himself. This way, Jesus gets all the glory, we get none. Believe His word, that He will supply ALL your need, whether physical or spiritual. Continue to be faithful to sing, and let Him fill you up with Himself!

  3. This is an off-topic email because I can’t find any “contact” information on the Blue Letter Bible website.

    I was reading http://www.blueletterbible.org/study/intros/john.cfm#15b and discovered an error: The citation (i.e. 15) should be to “Eusebius. Hist. Eccl. 6.14.7″. It’s only off by one, but people should accurately cite their quotes!

  4. All I know is when I do not submit to the Holy Spirit that things are out of order. When I pray in the Spirit as the word said that we do not know what to pray the Holy Spirit filter out whAT is wrong and what I don’t need and give what I need to Jesus so that it can manifest whAT HE HAS FOR ME.

  5. Ephesians 6:10
    Finally my brethren be strong in the LORD
    And in the power of HIS might

    Ephesians 6:11
    Put on the whole armor of GOD that you may be
    able to stand against the wiles of the devil

    Ephesians 6:12
    For we wrestle not against flesh and blood
    But against principalities against powers
    Against the rulers of the —DARKNESS— of this world
    Against spiritual wickedness in high places

    1 John 1:5
    This then —IS THE MESSAGE—which we have heard of HIM
    and declare unto you—THAT GOD IS LIGHT—
    and in HIM is no—DARKNESS—at all

    1 John 1:6
    If we say that we have fellowship with HIM
    And walk in —DARKNESS—we lie
    —AND DO NOT THE TRUTH—

    1 John 1:7
    But if we walk in the—LIGHT—as HE is in the—LIGHT—
    We have fellowship one with another and the blood of JESUS CHRIST HIS son cleanses us from all sin

    Ephesians 6:13
    Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of GOD
    That you may be able to withstand in the evil day
    And —HAVING DONE ALL— to stand

    Ephesians 6:14
    Stand therefore having your loins girt about with—TRUTH—
    And having on the breastplate of—RIGHTEOUSNESS—

    Ephesians 6:15
    And your feet shod with the preparation of the
    —GOSPEL OF PEACE—

    Ephesians 6:16
    Above all taking the shield of—FAITH—
    Wherewith you shall be able to quench all the
    —FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED—

    Ephesians 6:17
    And take the helmet of salvation
    And the sword of the spirit
    —WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD—

    2 Corinthians 10:3
    For though we walk in the flesh
    We do not war after the flesh

    2 Corinthians 10:4
    For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal
    But —MIGHTY THROUGH GOD—
    To the pulling down of strongholds

    2 Corinthians 10:5
    Casting down —IMAGINATIONS—and every high thing that
    —EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD—
    And bringing into captivity —EVERY THOUGHT—to
    the obedience of CHRIST

    2 Corinthians 10:6
    And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience
    when your obedience is fulfilled

    2 Corinthians 10:18
    For not he that commendeth himself is approved
    —BUT WHOM THE LORD COMMENDETH—

    LOVING THE LORD

    • Steve,

      Thank you for responding to my last post regarding your use of capital letters. I am once again puzzled by your post but not entirely because of the capital letters. I can see that you are emphasizing certain words with capital letters that are not themselves emphasized that way in Scripture. I’m OK with that because I can see that you are making a point not only with your choice of Scriptural references but also with your choice of words to emphasize. So, what puzzles me is the overall tone of your post given the fact that a book about the power of the Holy Spirit is being advertised and given away by the host. I can’t see where anything that Blue Letter Bible wrote was associated with “the wiles of the devil”, darkness, untruths, “fiery darts of the wicked” or somehow contrary to truth. I also completely fail to see how what any of the other BLB readers/commenters contributed would be worthy of the charge you are making in your comments. I have read many of your recent posts and see similar language implying that something written is off the mark or not scripturally correct. Opinions are fine (we all have them) but I’m lost on what sparked your sermon-like posting on good vs. evil, wickedness vs. righteousness, light vs. darkness, etc. Would YOU please clarify? Kalvin

      • Proverbs 19:21
        There are many devices in a mans heart
        Nevertheless the counsel of the LORD that shall stand

        Psalm 33:10
        The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught
        HE maketh the devices of the people of none effect

        Psalm 33:11
        The counsel of the LORD standeth forever
        The thoughts of HIS heart to all generations

        Luke 6:45
        The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good
        and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil
        for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks

        Matthew 19:17
        And HE said unto him why callest thou ME good
        There is none good but one —THAT IS GOD—
        But if you will enter into life keep the commandments

        1 Corinthians 4:6
        And these things brethren I have in a figure transferred
        to myself and to Appollos for your sakes
        That you might learn in us not think of men above that which is written that no one of you be puffed up for one against another

        Psalm 119:104
        Through thy precepts I get understanding
        Therefore I hate every false way

        Psalm 119:24
        Thy testimonies are my —-DELIGHT—-and my counsellors

        Psalm 119:99
        I have more understanding than all my teachers
        For thy testimonies are my meditation

        Proverbs 8:14
        Counsel is mine and sound wisdom
        I am understanding I have strength

        Galatians 3:27
        For as many of you as have been baptized into CHRIST
        have put on CHRIST

        Proverbs 23:12
        Apply thine heart unto instruction
        And thine ears to the words of knowledge

        Proverbs 8:10
        Receive MY instruction and not silver
        and knowledge rather than choice gold

        LOVING THE LORD

        • Steve,

          Do you truly believe what you wrote? Have you even read the book Spirt Rising? I gather you have not and cannot give any specific, factual reasons for your negativity towards it other than you think it is evil and false and “above that which is written”. Were the Church Fathers wrong or false or evil for their writings? Or anyone else who wrote a letter or a sermon or a book for that matter? It is my prayer that you come to a healthy interpretation of 1st Cor 4:6. I would suggest a good commentary but I think my suggestion would fall on deaf ears. Kalvin

          • Kalvin I absolutely believe what I posted —AND TRUST IT–IT IS TRUTH–
            It came from my LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST WHOM I LOVE WITH MY WHOLE HEART

            2 Timothy 3:15
            And from a child thou hast known the
            —HOLY SCRIPTURES—which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
            —WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS—

            2 Timothy 3:16
            All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness

            Matthew 7:13
            Enter ye in at the straight gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat

            Matthew 7:14
            Because strait is the gate and narrow is —THE WAY —WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE—
            AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT

            Proverbs 8:8
            All the words of —MY MOUTH—ARE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS there is nothing froward or perverse in them

            Proverbs 8:9
            They are all plain to him that understandeth and right to them that find knowledge

            Proverbs 8:20
            I lead in —THE WAY—of righteousness
            in the midst of the paths of judgement

            Proverbs 8:33
            Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not

            Proverbs 8:35
            For whoso findeth ME findeth LIFE
            and shall obtain favor of the LORD

            LOVING YOU FATHER AND YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST

        • Steve,

          I come in peace brother. I can see you are a devoted follower of our Lord Jesus Christ and truly take his word to heart. I saw an opportunity to explore a situation in which I felt you were judging a book by its cover. However, I have examined my motives and thought about your responses to my questions quite a bit and I have come to the conclusion that my questions were inappropriate, wrong and guided by division and a need to feel “right” at your expense. In the unity of Jesus, I apologize and humbly request your forgiveness. Kalvin C.

          • Kalvin
            Yes forgiveness of course
            THANK YOU LORD MAY YOU Continue to grow us all

            HELP US JESUS THAT WE MAY LOVE YOU MORE

  6. I had the pleasure of hearing Jim Cymbala speak and pray not long ago at a conference in Augusta, GA. His book was just coming out at the time. I was impressed with his view of the church and how to communicate with God, his emphasis on “being still” and listening for the Holy Spirit. There are many denominations, but only one church. – Yvonne

  7. This book sounds interesting; I might check it out! May I just reaffirm what the summary of the book says: “Christianity, he says, for even the best-intentioned person or church, is impossible without the Holy Spirit. You can have regular devotions, great preaching, a strong emphasis on the Bible, a great worship team, and a congregation that is trying, but if you aren’t vitally in touch with God’s Spirit, you are missing out on the life God has for you.”
    You are not only missing out on it, but you are completely missing it! God desires to fully sanctify all of His children (making them like Christ and forming Christ in them–2 cor 3:18, gal 4:19): “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”–Gal 3:3. We can only be made like Christ by His Spirit, since the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ (John 16:14 “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”). Yet I also agree that this must, must be fully founded in the Word of God as well–it is our milk, bread and so many other things to us. It is interesting, Eph 6 says that “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”–the second clause references the Spirit “which [Spirit] is the word of God”. Only knowing God’s word by mental knowledge does not help us grow in making us like Christ, but we must let God minister His word through His Spirit to us that He may “sanctify and cleanse [us] with the washing of water by the word” –see Eph 5:26. I am glad that God’s work in me does not depend on what I do for Him, but what He does in and for me!