Fresh Power: What Happens When God Leads and You Follow

by Jim Cymbala, Dean Merrill (Primary Contributor)

We Need God’s PowerDrawing examples from the Bible and from the sidewalks of New York City, Fresh Power shows what happens when the Spirit of God moves in our midst. He longs to reveal the mind of God to us and to release heaven’s limitless resources to meet the desperate needs around us.Fresh Power will expand your vision for what God can and will do, and inspire you to pray like never before for God’s power in your church―and in you.

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

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

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

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on unleashing the power of the Holy Spirit. This book explains the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how we can harness His power! Through life examples and scripture Pastor Cymbala not only explains but shows us living proof of God’s grace on His believers!! Highly recommend this book!

[Nathan Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of this book, Jim Cymbala reminds us that all the work accomplished by the Lord today is done through the Holy Spirit. Yet so many churches and Christian leaders down-play the role the third person of the Trinity has in our individual lives and in ministry. This book is an energetic reminder that our only ability to be made more like Christ and to see the power of God on display in our own lives and our churches is by the power of the Holy Spirit. Fresh Power stirs in me a longing for the same type of outpouring of God's Spirit that was experienced at Pentecost and in the early church. May our knees be worn from kneeling in prayer, our schedules centered on waiting for the Lord, and our lives surrendered in obedience to the Holy Spirit!

[Tim Baumgartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, along with his other two (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire; Fresh Faith), 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 the Holy Spirit.

This book is meant to clear up some of the clutter regarding the Holy Spirit. This pastor is a Pentecostal Pastor, who loves to emphasize the Holy Spirit, but still critiques some of the hazards of some forms of Pentecostalism. The Holy Spirit has inspired this church to pray 24/7 . This is where their power comes from--being connected to the One who Jesus promised would provide the power in John 14:26 if we just wait on Him! What a NEEDED reminder!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I'm not rating this book 5 stars, is because I wasn't spiritually shaken by it. It was very enjoyable and I think it's a book anyone can read no matter where they are spiritually. There were many touching testimonies that made me both smile and cry, because they all show how loving and wonderful the God I serve is and how vital Holy Spirit is to our daily lives. I never want to be a "Sunday Christian" who only lives for Him and in honor of Him a few hours a week. I desire to be Holy Spirit lead and directed every minute of every day, and this book talks about how important it is that we as a Church do so. I cannot imagine, nor do I want to, what life would be like had Jesus not sent Holy Spirit to live in and amongst us, can you?

[Paige Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

You seriously can’t go wrong reading of Jim’s books! His anointing to preach the message of the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit is undeniable and if you are craving the More that you know must be available in your walk with God, any of his books are a great place to find encouragement and insight to help you along the way. Highly recommended!

Favorite Quote: “God can do more in one day than we can accomplish in ten years of human effort. I have spent months laboring to push doors open that only God could release and I am still learning that far more is accomplished by persevering in prayer than in taking charge of things myself. “

[Glen]

This work, written with such a pastoral voice, draws the reader into a deeper spiritual yearning for the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. Cymbala boldly calls the church to holiness through an encounter with God’s Spirit.

Contained in these pages is a beautiful mixture of biblical teachings, inspirational anecdotes and practical advice. You quickly sense an urgency in this appeal for Spirit-led ministry so often lacking in in performance driven church models. His words are unambiguous and stir the reader to press for more openness to God’s empowering presence.

[Aaron Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I wouldn't say there was anything new here to learn, it was so refreshing to read stories of the Holy Spirit's power at work in changed lives, to be reminded to seek the blessings of the third person of the Trinity, to have my ministry utterly rely on Him. Just the reminder I needed at this time in my life!

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Churches have sermons, activities and services but have no fruit. What's Missing? The power of the Holy Spirit in leadership to touch hearts, bring conviction, surrender and belief for transformed lives.

[Marco Sanchez (Dragondarkness30) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book I really feel this book can be read again to remind ourselves as believers what we should be doing in our churches and our faith to seek God with fresh eyes and have transformed hearts.

[Marcus Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read exploring how to experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and churches, including inspiring stories and practical insights to encourage us to seek a fresh outpouring of the Spirit.

[Emma Jean Peralta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another banger from Cymbala. He weaves such rich theology alongside deeply impactful stories so well! I’m never bored reading his work. Loved it & so spurring to pray for the activation of the Spirit in your life.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great read.

[Maita Domaoal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious reading of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. You will be blessed to read it.

[Alex Lupoian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is easy to read, easy to understand. It shouldn't be hard to put into practice.
Jim Cymbala seems to me to be a true man of God.

[David Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balanced Book on the Spirit

This is well worth the read. It’s an excellent, balanced approach to the work in power of the Holy Spirit in life and ministry.

[Nicolas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy this authors books, but I found this one dated and a little clunky.

[Steve Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his frank, no-holds-barred style, Jim Cymbala exhorts Christians to quit trying to do church on their own and to return to a reliance on the Holy Spirit to empower them and their ministry. Cymbala offers simple, direct teaching and provides moving examples of the Spirit's work in the lives of common people. True to its name, this is a powerful book.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. It simply, explains what the church truly needs to do in today's world. So often we Christians try and "do" something to cause the Holy Spirit to move. Truly the work has been done already, and we should wait upon the Lord. All our "good" deeds are merely expressions of the love of God that is in us. Without Fresh Power we become ineffective. This is not a book about rolling down the isles, it a book full of truth and fantastic examples of how the Spirit has moved in Cymbala's ministry and how it can be in all our lives if we simply wait with faith filled hearts expecting God to move. In short, we must strive to let the Holy Spirit into our lives so He may use us to do the work that God has for us to do.

[Ross Heinricy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Jim Cymbala has done an incredible job of relating spiritual truth in a powerful way. He ministers through his writings the need we all have for the Holy Spirit of God to breathe on us and our churches and our ministries.
This book is a follow up to Fresh Wind..., and different enough for you to take the time to read and digest every word. His timely stories of victory and overcoming in and through the Holy Spirit in the life of the people and ministry of Brooklyn Tab are second to none. He is also very open about the down and dark side of an inner city ministry, personal tragedies and triumphs, and the overall struggles of life.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calling the church to rely on the Spirit rather than gimmicks, fades, or trends, Cymbala describes that power God has in store for the believer. At its essence, Fresh Power follows the work of the Spirit recorded in the book of Acts, offering contemporary examples of the Spirit’s power active in the church. Cymbala challenges the church to live and minister in the Spirit’s power, while mourning the spiritual emptiness in many systems and methodologies. B

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Cymbala has once again distingushed himself with this excellent work and treatment of relying on the power of the Holy Spirit in every instance of life... The modern church is so plagued with political correctness that she has lost her strength as a change agent in the culture. Pastor Cymbala helps to refocus the energy by pointing searchers and pastors alike to the original source -- the Holy Spirit of God.

[Dottie Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh Power is a sequel to Cymbala’s previous book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. Both books encourage Christians to seek the power of the Holy Spirit in our every day lives and both books challenge the church to depend on prayer and on the Holy Spirit rather than on man devised programs. . The book is full of biblical illustrations and contemporary stories of changed lives. This inspiring, timeless book encourages all Christians to depend on the Holy Spirit.

[Filip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the narrative bothered me and almost every chapter brakes into a dramatic and very emotional story/puzzle piece, the book plainly speaks about the problems of the modern church of Christ.

I learned that it is important to learn to rely on the Holy Spirit and let him work through you, and not the other way around.

In the end I do recommend this book to all believers.

[Kevin Driskill · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good book about spiritual matters. It teaches about the Holy Spirit using biblical expository of the early church and work of church leaders. This book fills the gap between radical extremism and self-righteousness. I believe it is a transforming read for those who are put off by chaos and confusion but searching for true power in their Christian life.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The role of the Holy Spirit is so vital for any believer to understand & Pastor Cymbala does a great job defining that role & hammering home the truth that we can do NOTHING without the living water of Christ - the Holy Spirit. The last chapter of this book really spoke to me; recommended reading for any believer.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt really challenged by this book to get back to prayer. I believe I cried several times as I realized I don’t HAVE to pray—I NEED to pray! Cymbala helped me realize that without that connection with God, I will struggle every time trying to do things on my own. Everything that I need I can find in His presence. Excellent book!

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read this book. I finally "got it" I was never taught about the Holy Spirit except that He was part of the Trinity. I really like Jim Cymbala. He's real. He and his church is all about prayer and it's evident that they really believe what they preach. He walks the talk.

[Michele McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a testimony of prayer and God's power. You can not walk away from this book unchanged.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will remind you of the power you walk in with the Holy Spirit. What a refreshening!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly candid and Biblical teaching from a megachurch pastor.