40-Days Holy Spirit

A Retreat

Christian - Non-Fiction
139 Pages
Reviewed on 11/01/2022
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite

Simon Cockshutt opens 40-Days Holy Spirit: A Retreat at the beginning. Literally, at the start, the creation of the world. “God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” God, he concludes is a spirit. He wants us to know that and to open our hearts and know Him. Each of the forty chapters takes a step closer to God and all end with a prayer to help the reader achieve that should he or she so choose; He created us with free will. From chapter one, which considers the different perceptions two people may form of another person to the closing chapter, Unity, 40-Days Holy Spirit seeks to change your life.

Simon Cockshutt’s 40-Days Holy Spirit is an invitation to join him on a journey to the center of who we are: the children of God. Reading the book does not take long, and the “instructions” are clear. I discovered it might well take forty days to assimilate the intriguing message that with God we are more than we can be without Him. Written for Christians and non-Christians, I guarantee it will provide clarity for the first – it may well convert the second. I loved Simon Cockshutt’s style of writing – casual, chatty, and yet based on a sound study of the Bible. Reading 40-Days Holy Spirit felt like communicating with a friend. One who cared deeply about me and my relationship with God and His church.

Edith Wairimu

In his practical guide, 40-Days Holy Spirit: A Retreat, Simon Cockshutt explores the work and person of the Holy Spirit, weaving useful biblical wisdom into each chapter for everyday application. From the book of Genesis to the New Testament, the work shows that the Holy Spirit is present throughout the Bible. It urges us to invite him into our lives and develop an intimate relationship with God. The book explains that God welcomes us to be closer to Him; into a life of greater meaning and fulfillment. It includes a discussion about the role of the Holy Spirit and how he transformed the lives of Christ’s followers after Jesus left the Holy Spirit to them. The guide explains that the Holy Spirit continues his work today and encourages us to receive him so that he can work in us and through us.

In every chapter of the guide, I found encouragement, hope, and wise counsel which can be applied in daily life. I loved that the book’s language, style, and discussions are straightforward and can be accessed by any reader regardless of their depth of understanding of the Bible. There are also useful scriptures included at the start of each chapter for reference and further reading. Prayers relevant to each section are included at the end of every chapter as well. Simon Cockshutt also includes his experiences which makes the discussions relatable. The book inspires courage in us to live every day with the comfort of knowing that we are not alone. It also does a great job of showing that God is not distant or indifferent but He is a personal God, interested in people and their experiences. Readers will find the strength to face each day and develop a closer walk with God in 40-Days Holy Spirit: A Retreat by Simon Cockshutt. Highly recommended for any person who wants to learn about the role of the Holy Spirit.

Essien Asian

Have you ever caught yourself wondering why you were placed on this planet? Or how what you should be doing at any particular point in time relates to your overall purpose in life? These questions are asked more often than most people care to admit and different people have proffered diverse answers to them. Simon Cockshutt believes that there is a divine purpose to our presence and that the good Lord orders our steps accordingly. To be in tune with God's plans, we need to be connected to him perfectly. This is where 40-Days Holy Spirit: A Retreat proves helpful with its coordinated lessons and prayer points provided to assist both believers and prospective new adherents to the Christian faith in the early steps of their journey to spiritual enlightenment and singularity with our maker.

Before getting into the meat of the book, one must first understand that 40-Days Holy Spirit is not designed for reading in the way you would do with a novel. Instead, it is to be viewed as a daily meditation on matters of the spirit. Failure to do this will almost certainly leave a reader disappointed and either confused or dissatisfied by their experience. The pace of the book is sedate and at times simplistic as Simon Cockshutt takes his time to make his point in a manner that is accessible to the reader. His insights on the importance of the influence of the Holy Spirit in Christian affairs are quite revealing and he backs them up with appropriate Bible verses in a manner that is logical and visually appealing. The book is written to draw the reader closer to God both physically and spiritually, which it does rather effectively. An impressive body of work that I enjoyed reading.

Joe Wisinski

Simon Cockshutt's 40 Days Holy Spirit is a course in pneumatology, which is the study of the Holy Spirit. The book begins in the Bible book of Genesis, which means “beginning,” and in fact, it starts with chapter one, verse one of Genesis. Cockshutt’s intention in starting in Genesis 1:1 is to highlight the critical importance of the Holy Spirit in Christian theology. His goal throughout the book is to encourage his readers to develop a deeper relationship with God. Chapter titles include “How God Sees Us,” “New Birth,” “Pentecost,” “Peace,” and more. Each of the 40 chapters begins with a Bible verse. Then the chapters go into a study of the Holy Spirit as it relates to the quoted verse. Each chapter ends with a suggested prayer, again based on that chapter’s information.

I enjoyed learning more about the Holy Spirit by reading 40 Days Holy Spirit by Simon Cockshutt. He is clearly passionate about his topic and anyone who doesn’t know much about the Holy Spirit, or wants to learn more even if they know quite a bit, can acquire both knowledge and fervency from this book. I see the book as more than a textbook about the Holy Spirit, however. It could be a daily devotional, a sermon starter for ministers, or a guide for Sunday School teachers. The chapters are short, as befits a book of this type, and that helps readers achieve the maximum benefit as they apply Cockshutt’s information to their lives. I recommend this book to Christians who strive to deepen their faith, especially as it relates to the Holy Spirit.

Adanna Ora

Many people who identify as Christians are unaware of the Holy Spirit's influence. They are also unaware of how crucial the Holy Spirit is to success in both Christians and the wider world. In Simon Cockshutt's 40-day devotional book, 40-Days Holy Spirit, he introduces and contextualizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Additionally, it demonstrates the significance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, the church, and our culture. In 40-Days Holy Spirit, the author talks about the fruits of the spirit and relates the Holy Spirit to other Christian activities. It is jam-packed with Scripture, quotes from seasoned Christian preachers, and the author's own experiences to support his views.

In this devotional, Simon Cockshutt invites Christians to a life of introspection and prayer. He divulges profound knowledge and realities regarding the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. To impart thorough expertise on the topic to his readers, Simon writes with an expository approach. Although one would be tempted to conclude that the topic has been diverted, the author makes sure to tie it back to the Holy Spirit. This book will undoubtedly aid Christians in their mission and in living a life devoid of hardship. The Bible stories and quotes aid believers in their understanding. Every day is supported by prayers and advice on how to develop spiritually. You can't afford to pass up this chance to develop your faith through Simon Cockshutt's teaching. Even non-believers can benefit from reading 40-Days Holy Spirit. This book is excellent.