Book Summary | The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life

Author : Billy Graham 

The Holy Spirit is the promise of Jesus Christ to his disciples. The author is only of the most renowned and his speeches are always inspiring. The book is on the Holy Spirit, which the author tries is best to describe and as understanding the trilogy is difficult. The book has 18 chapters describing in the Holy Spirit to the need of the hour. An amazing description on the way the Holy Spirit works in our life and intercede on Christ behalf.

Chapter – I: Who is the Holy Spirit

The holy spirit is not an impersonal force, like gravity or magnetism. He is a person, with all the attributes of personality. But not only is He a person; He is divine as well. The attributes are
He is enteral | He is all powerful | He is everywhere present | He is omniscient | The holy spirit is called God | He is creator.
There is one body and one spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling.

Chapter - II : When the Holy Spirit has Come
There are three main expressions used in old testament for the work on Holy Spirit on human being
He came upon men | He rested on men | He filled men   
Pentecost is the day marked as crucial turning point in the history of Gods dealing with the human race. It is one of the five past events, all of which are essential components of the Christian gospel; the incarnation, The atonement, the resurrection, the ascension and Pentecost. The Holy Spirit also acts through the people of God, who are called the salt of the earth and the light of the world by Jesus.
Commitment without reflection is fanaticism in action. But reflection without commitment is the paralysis of all actions.           

Chapter - III : Holy Spirit and the Bible        
This chapter the author presents the Holy spirits work in the scriptures, both from old testament and the New Testaments. As we approach the end of the age, persecution is going to be intensified.

Chapter - IV: The Holy Spirit and Salvation 
Science and technology cannot change man's basic nature. Economic restructuring cannot change man's basic nature. No amount of self-improvements or wishful thinking can change man's basic nature. Only God the one who created us can recreate us.      
Spiritual regeneration is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Regeneration is not the work of the evangelist; it is the work of God's Spirit. the indispensable condition of the new birth is repentance and faith, but repentance and faith itself does not save. The new birth will bring about change in your relationship with God, a change in your relationship with your family, a change in your relationship with yourself, a change in your relationship with your neighbours, Gradually, if you are an obedient believer, it will bring about a change in disposition, affection, aims, principles, and dimensions.

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Chapter - 5 : Baptism with the Spirit  
Baptism with the spirit is a collective operations of the spirit of God; it includes every believer. There are seven passages in the New Testaments that speak directly of the baptism with the spirit.

Chapter - 6: The Seal, The Pledge and the Witnessing of the Holy Spirit       

Chapter - 7 : The Christian's Inner Struggle 
We have two natures within us, both struggling for mastery. Which one will dominate us? it depends upon which one we feed. If we feed our spiritual lives and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us, he will have rule over us. If we starve our spiritual natures and instead feed the old, sinful nature, the flesh will dominate.
The Scripture teaches that sanctification has three parts, first - the moment you receive Christ, Second - as we progress n the Christian life and third - when we go to heaven. Whether we realize it or not, we are growing spiritually through the conflicts, turbulence, troubles, temptations, testing’s and so on that afflict all Christians slowly or rapidly       

Chapter - 8 : The fullness of the Spirit
Power is dynamically related to person. This person is the Holy Spirit Himself, indwelling the Christian and filling him with the fullness of his power. He will permit us to have only as much as power as He knows we will use or need. Unfortunately, many Christians are disobedient and having prayed for power, have no intention of using it, or else neglect to follow through in active obedience. I think it is a waste of time for us to look for power we do not intend to use; for might in prayer, unless we pray; for strength to testify, without witnessing for power unto holiness, without attempting to live a holy life; for grace to supper, unless we take up the cross; for power in service, unless we serve. Someone has said, “God gives dying grace only to the dying".   

Chapter - 9: How to be filled with Holy Spirit
The New Testament teaching on how to be filled with holy spirit can be summarized in three terms;
Understanding | Submission and Walking by Faith        

Chapter - 10: Sins against the Holy Spirit      
Two sins against the Holy spirit can be committed - one is to grieve the holy spirit and other is to quench the spirit.           

Chapter - 11: Gifts of the Holy Spirit 
Wisdom | Understanding | Counsel |Fortitude | Knowledge | Piety | Fear of the Lord.

Chapter - 12: Further Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We can possess three kinds of wisdom, the first comes to us naturally, the second comes from learning and the highest kind of wisdom comes directly from God and is associated with the particular work of the Holy Spirit.    

Chapter - 13: The Sign Gifts  
The sign gifts include healing, miracles and tongues.     

Chapter - 14: The Fruits of the Holy Spirit    
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control  

Chapter - 18: The need of the hour    
Eight characteristics of outpouring of Holy Spirit          
1. There will be a new vision of the majesty of God
2. There will be a new vision of the sinfulness of sin
3. There will be an emphasis on the necessity of repentance, faith and the new birth
4. There will be the joy of salvation
5. There will be anew realization of our responsibility for world evangelization
6. There will be a deep social concern
7. There will be increased evidence of both the gifts and the fruit of the spirit
8. There will be renewed dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

A book that needs to be re-read for greater inspiration and faith building.

Book Summary | The Grand Weaver - How God Shapes us Through the events of our lives

Book Title: The Grand Weaver : How God Shapes us Through the events of our lives 

Author : Ravi Zacharias 

I have listened to many podcast of Ravi Zacharias, listening to his lectures brings a kind of eagerness as he relates the life with scriptures to get engaged for a Purpose.  I didn’t knew that Ravi would be called by God, on the day, I started reading this book “Grand Weaver”.  In the introduction of the book – Grand Weaver, the author simply asks “why has God made it so difficult to believe in him? This can be a common metaphor for many of the believers, especially in the difficult and struggling time.   This book is around Gods design and is mysterious intervention in our lives to know the specific purpose for each one of us.  The authors belief that God intervenes in the lives of everyone and God speaks to us in different ways and at different times. The book is about calling for each of us, designed to fulfil each individual uniqueness. Once you being to see Gods hand in our life, we will know that his workmanship within us and through you was tailor made, just for you. That’s why the title of the book Grand Weaver.

I have tried to summarize these 8 chapters.

Chapter – 1: DNA Matters:

Gods gifts are unique and these gifts even when in flaw has a great message to convey. It depends upon the way one view and treasure the gift. It reminds that each person is unique and special but not flawed.

# Accepting and celebrating the thread of your own personality is the first grasp of the Grand Weaver’s design in your life. You are not a number. He knows you by name. Every stage of the process may not look picturesque, but every detail will come into focus and possess its share of beauty.

Chapter – 2: Your Disappointments:

Every individual born in this earth will undergo pain and suffering and disappointments in their own way. There cannot be a measurement to know who suffered more main and who had highest disappointments. We always feel that we are carrying the heavy burden, compared to others and author narrates a beautiful story of Golden Window.  One can observe the patterns of the disappointments and take three distinct steps in this journey before the pattern becomes visible and we being to see the work of God.

The author suggests three steps in this journey before the pattern becomes visible to see the work of God

1       1.   Involves the heart:

Three things happen to heart: it will grow hard, it will be broken or it will be tender. God the grand weaver seeks those with tender hearts sothat he can put his imprints on them. Your hurts and disappointments are part of that design, to share your heart and the way you feel about reality.  A heart is close communion with God helps carry out through the pain, beyond the power of words.

2.   Involves the Mind

Brain is to the body and the mind is to the soul. Faith is a thing of the mind. The entire financial structure depends on credit, trust, confidence, belief and faith.

3.  Finding the road

Chapter -3: Your Calling Matters

Immense success does not always bring meaning or fulfillment.  A calling is simply God’s shaping of your burden and beckoning you’re to your service to him in the palace and pursuits of his choosing. It is God’s vital purpose in positioning you in life and giving you the vocation and context of your will to serve him with a total commitment to do the job well.

God trained Moses in a palace to use him in a desert. He trained Joseph in a desert to use him in a palace. Some come through winding paths, some through the nicely paved road of privileged birth or influential friends. Others come through the visitation of circumstances with wandering and sudden signposts. Finding one’s calling is one of the greatest challenges in life, especially when one has gifts that fan out in many directions.

One simply cannot know one’s call without coming near to God in prayer.  The purpose of prayer and of God’s call in your life is not to make you number one in the worlds eyes, but to make him number one in your life. The second significant clue - the willingness to be outshone while shining for God. Humility is the touchstone of serving God. The preparation for the call through prayer and the attitude of living out the call in humility, takes the final step.

Chapter – 4: Your Morality Matters:

The fundamental difference between a naturalist worldview and a religious worldview is the moral framework. The first four of the ten commandments have to do with our worship of God, while the next six deals with our resulting responsibilities to our fellow human beings. These commandments base a moral imperative on our spiritual commitment, first towards God and second towards humanity.  Morality is the fruit of your knowledge of God, conscious or otherwise. Morality can build pride as well philanthropy true spirituality will never submit to pride.

Chapter – 5: Your Spirituality Matters:

Jesus challenged three different types of spirituality; Traditionalism, legalism and superstition.

Spiritual seduction is the deadliest of all seductions because it barters away the soul. Truth is the thread that separates true spirituality from false spirituality.

Chapter -6: Your will Matters:

We must take hold of God’s promise to bless us. The gospel declares that the Holy Spirit brings about the new birth and that because of the Spirits power within us, we gain the ability to do God’s will.

Willful walk with the lord – Ask without Pettiness | Being before Doing | Convictions without Compromise | Discipline without Drudgery.

Chapter -7: Your worship Matters

Worship is coextensive with life. Worship is ultimately seeing life Gods way. Three principal realities combine in worship; Mystery, Community and Liturgy.

Chapter – 8: Your Destiny Matters:

The cemetery new or old is not our ultimate destination; it is merely a place in which to remember the symbols of a farewell. The person is not there; only the last memory is there. The respect shown in a cemetery comes not becomes it is home, but because it is where we bid believing loved ones a temporary good bye.

A wonderful book, with a beautiful flow with real life’s stories that connects with present experiences or few heard stories make this awesome read and reflection.

Book Summary | The Ultimate Prayer Challenge: A Devotional That Will Change Your Life

Author: Adam Houge

There is an unseen force behind us which cannot be denied and this brings the hope in us at the times of uncertainties and in the period of difficulties. That force may be the God and it becomes vital to interact with God and the way we interact we define it as prayer. Prayer is a way of surrendering to God. Prayer is also a way of encouragement for hope.  The book is categorized into two parts.

-          The 7 most powerful prayers

-          The Prayer warrior’s 30 days’ challenge

First Part is on the most powerful prayers. These are the selected prayers from the author. It’s all about the reflections on life and insights taken from the scriptures. This being led by the spirit: an interesting insight to rebuild faith and works of holy spirit.   

The Second part of the book is the Payer warrior 3o day challenge an interesting narration and flow for 30 days helping in enhancing faith building and prayers.            

The uninteresting take on the first and second part is the authors response as the lord’s answers is really raw, making think differently as each person when he reads and meditates develops his own thoughts may not and will not resemble to the authors response.

If the rational on

-          Do we really need challenge for Praying and what will be the benefit?

-      Is there something called the best prayer and does God only listen to the best prayer and respond to those who will use the best prayers?

-     How one will ensure that there is continuity in prayer and does not get diverted from the prayerful life due to the challenging and difficult environment.

Then this book provides insights that one can meditate upon.