Fresh Faith: What Happens When Real Faith Ignites God's People

by Jim Cymbala, Dean Merrill, Merrall Cymbala

Like a Fountain of Clear Water Cleansing a Stagnant, Cynical Culture . . .FRESH FAITH One thing moves faith. Not doctrinal savvy. Not willpower. Trust in God alone stirs him to move miraculously on our behalf. Time and again, Jim Cymbala, author of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, has seen the power of faith displayed in the lives of the ordinary people in his church---and in his own life. He has seen drug addicts and prostitutes set free, marriages restored, and sinners transformed by the love of Jesus Christ. All through the kind of radical, living faith described in this book. Pastor Cymbala calls us back to a fiery, passionate preoccupation with God that will restore what the enemy has stolen from our first love for Jesus, our zeal, our troubled children, our wounded marriages, our broken and divided churches. Born out of the heart and soul of The Brooklyn Tabernacle, the message of Fresh Faith is illustrated by true stories of men and women whose lives have been changed through the power of faith. The same faith that can transform your life---starting today, if you choose.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Nonfiction, Faith, Prayer, Theology

Paperback

First published August 17, 1999

About the author

Jim Cymbala has been the pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle for more than twenty-five years. The author of the best-selling titles Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire; Fresh Faith; and Fresh Power, he lives in New York City with his wife, Carol Cymbala, who directs the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

Reviews

[Stanley Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simple. I usually don't like simple books. But this is a huge exception. It is one of the most formative books in my spiritual journey and I'm really grateful that I learned about the importance of prayer from this work.

[Candace Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim is one of my favorite Christian authors for the simple fact that he never makes the content within in the pages about him but rather he uses illustrations from the lives of others, keeping the focus of the book %100 centered on the Lord.

[Michael Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using events in the Bible and things that happens in his church show how God can come to revive and enliven possibly stale faith to make it fresh again.

[Paige Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim has an annoying habit of writing books that completely wreck my life and cut so deeply into my soul that I feel like I’ve just undergone open heart surgery. This was just another of those. Trying to pick a favorite Quote from it is like trying to choose which one of my children is my favorite. This book will encourage and challenge you in incredibly deep ways and if you let it, it will reignite a passion for true faith and humbling to ask God to do a mighty work in your life to restore everything and anything the enemy has stolen. I can’t recommend this or Jim’s other books enough! If you want more of Jesus and his mighty power at work in your life, this book is an excellent place to start!

Favorite Quote: “As Jesus said to two blind men “According to your faith will it be done to you” (Mat 9:29) This means that my life or yours has only as much of God as our faith permits.”

[Daunavan Buyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. Lots of stories and scriptures really helped the book move along quickly (I read it in one sitting). I was looking for a book that helped define faith Biblically and this book did that while provoking my own faith. I really like what he had to say about unbelief and how the enemy tries to steal away our faith through unbelief, complaining, and seeing our circumstances as larger than God. John 10:10 is the answer and Life to the Full as promised by Jesus is a life of Faith!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book, I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to go higher in their faith life and their relationship with God. I cannot express how much of a blessing the Fresh....books have been and I look forward to reading again and again.
"Faith is like the hand that reaches up to receive what God has freely promised...Real faith is produced when our hearts draw near to God himself and receive his promises deep within us."
Absolutely 5 stars!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring. Love the stories of God's life-changing work in people's lives. He is faithful. Let us be faithful to Him too! This is worth coming back to read again. Thanks for the loan, Mom.

[Tim Baumgartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, along with his other two (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire; Fresh Power), that I'm aware of, was another I did not want to put down. The author, Pastor Jim Cymbala, whose famous Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has influenced a lot of American Christian culture, drew me in with lots of gripping stories of how the Gospel is powerful enough to change people from what seem to be hopeless situations--through faith and prayer.

This book is a call to faith and prayer. God has inspired this church to pray 24/7. This is where their power comes from--being connected to the Vine!

Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." What a NEEDED reminder!

[Gregsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started this book - perhaps a ten step how-to book. What I read was, in a way, much better. Rather then tell you how to have more faith, Cymbala shows you through the stories of real people. He also gives practical advise on how to apply some of the lessons from Scripture. For example, Cymbala points out that many people today focus on the commands of God rather than his promises. It's the promises of God and the work he does in keeping those promises that builds our faith.

Fresh Faith, for me, was not a page turner, but it contain many golden nuggets of truth that will help me on my journey for greater faith.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly, a book worth reading again and again. More practically encouragement and exhortation from the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle church. At the end of the book are 33 Treasures or scriptures about faith. He defines and illustrates what it is to have genuine life-changing faith no matter what you have gone through or done with your life. More stories like in his first book about people that God has transformed and rescued from the dead, some truly amazing testimonies. And we all could take a look at our daily walk with God and look to find a renewal and revival of our faith in God and the work and life of Jesus Christ.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastor Cymbala encourages us to develop a deeper relationship with God. He explains that sometimes what we need is so far beyond our own human ability that we need to pray in dependence of God for Him to move in our lives and draw us closer to him in obedience and faith. These should be deep meaningful words and not just Jesus words that sound good in the right crowd. At the end, faith is focused in the future and on what we cannot see. Pastor Jeffress says faith in the assurance that God will do what he says he will do. Malachi says God loves us. Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Cymbala is like reading a trustworthy sage. You can count on straight talk, genuine humility and an unabashedly passionate plea to rely on the Holy Spirit.

This book feels like a combination of the writer’s sermons, real life ministry experiences and core beliefs. It deals with how we open up to the Spirit’s moving in our lives. There is a strong emphasis on prayer and applying the Word. It was refreshing as always to listen to his voice.

[Alejandro Obando · Rating 4 out of 5]

“El verdadero cristianismo se trata mas bien de conocer a Jesus y confiar en el, apoyarnos en el, reconocer que toda nuestra fortaleza proviene de El.”

“Lo importante no es iniciar la carrera, sino acabarla. Estar personas, al ceder ante el desaliento, nunca llegaron a ver el cumplimiento del proposito de Dios en su vida.”

“La batalla de la vida cristiana no es solo creer, sino seguir creyendo.”

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it certainly felt as though Cymbala dragged on in some parts, I found the overall effect of this book to be quite touching. By using real life examples and his own stories, Cymbala brings more meaning to the verses I’ve grown up reading. It was definitely helpful towards growing my faith and recognizing areas still in repair.

[Christopher Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third or fourth time reading through the complete “Fresh” series. Jim Cymbala speaks truth, not methods nor gimmicks. He speaks from the Scripture without make wild interpretations for the sake of sensationalism. Just pray and believe and wait on the Lord and trust Him to always do what is right!

Definitely recommend for others to read.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of good here, but this doesn't hold up as well as some of the authors other works. Some sections haven't aged well while others feel light on substance. Not bad, just right down the center.

[Michael Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best Christian books I’ve ever read. By the grace of God, this book found me when I was at a low point and it gave me the strength I needed and I believe will serve as a catalyst for what I hope to be a more joy and Jesus-filled life in the future

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what God knew I needed, especially during a time when I haven't been reading much and am currently going through the tenuous work of an upward climb in faith/life. Nothing is impossible for God! It is only our faith (or lack thereof) that puts limitations on Him.

[Nick Di Mauro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is even better than his debut, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire as it is more cohesive with equally powerful testimonies!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I read this aloud to my husband as we travelled....lots of food for thought!

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an uplifting, encouraging book about what faith can do when people are willing to act.

[Yvette Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I’m feeling a bit flat, I just read a bit of Jim Cymbala and then I’m good to go again. This man speaks truth with grace and God moves mightily through him.

[Susan Hetherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

Pastor Cymbala is direct, honest yet compassionate with his message in this book. I read this in two days I could not put it down.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another inspirational book on how faith in God can change lives! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Easy 12 day read, taking 1 chapter a day! I added it to my daily devotional time. I highly recommend it.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cymbala calls readers back to authentic, biblical faith. Born out of the heart and soul of The Brooklyn Tabernacle, the message of "Fresh Faith" is illustrated by true stories of men and women whose lives have been changed through the power of faith.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many good quotes:

It may not seem obvious at first glance, but the way we make decisions in life tells a lot about the kind of faith we have in Jesus Christ.

Satan wants us to focus on the problem, not the Provider... If we stop spending time with the Lord in prayer, the concerns of the physical world snatch our attention and dominate us, while the spiritual senses deaden and the promises fade.

I am absolutely convinced that the number one reason that Christians today don't pray more is because we do not grasp the connection between prayer and the promises of God. We are trying as individuals and churches to pray 'because we're supposed to' without a living faith in the promises of God concerning prayer. No faith life of any significance can be maintained by this 'ought-to' approach. There must be faith in God at the bottom.

Let's stop blaming our unbelief on the pastor we once had, on our childhood, on circumstances, or on anything else. There is no excuse for us not to believe in the Lord.

If you are paralyzed by your past, if Satan is destroying your gifts and your calling by his incessant replaying of old tapes, you're actually being hit by a double whammy. The original damage in the past is one thing - but now you're letting yourself be hurt and sidetracked again by the memory of what happened... We should not be ignorant of Satan's devices, and these ugly memories are one of the main weapons in his arsenal.

[Steve Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: if you read this book prayerfully and with an open mind, you will be convicted and your faith will grow. Jim Cymbala pulls no punches in identifying the weakness in the faith of many American Christians, but he doesn't just call us out. He calls us to renew our faith, and he gives us solid, biblical suggestions as to how we can do just that. This book along with the Spirit's promptings will change your life!

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Some of my favorite quotes:
How must God feel every Sunday when, all over the nation, so many people gather in churches but do so little actual praying?
The great battle of our spiritual lives is, "Will you believe?" It is not, "Will you try harder?"
"The hardest part of faith is often simply to wait".
Do we believe what our feelings and circumstances tell us, or do we believe what God has promised to do?
In fact, the greatest battle on earth has not been fought on the Normandy beaches or on Iwo Jima or in the Persian Gulf. Rather, it has raged inside your heart and mine: the battle to believe.
Faith is as essential to everyday living as it is to initial salvation.
How pitiful that millions of churchgoers cheer wildly and unashamedly for their favorite sports teams, but are silent as a corpse when it comes to praising God!
Faith is especially nurtured when we just wait in God's presence, taking the time to love him and listen for His voice.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith isn't just agreeing in the head this is true, Faith is believing within the heart. Faith is especially nurtured when distractions are removed so that the voice of God can be heard, this takes time with Him, time in His Word, and time meditating. But most of all its following Jesus even when we don't understand or know why, when, or how; just like Abraham.

This book is filled with fresh insight to the need and desire for Faith in our Christian Churches and lives.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Cymbala has a knack for Challenging the comfortable and Comforting the challenged... In this book he uses real life stories from members and guests at Brooklyn Tabernacle to draw the reader into the subject and engage us with the living Holy Spirit of God... If your faith has grown cold this is the book to re-ignite the fire that burned within at some time in the past...