Has God Spoken?: Book Review

Has God Spoken?: Proof of the Bible's Divine Inspiration By: Hank Hanegraaff This book is a work of apologetics and read as such, filled with stories of those opposed to God and the argument that God exists. The book is written on a highly intellectual realm, and reads as a seminary text. Some of the ideas behind the book such as the use of acronyms are helpful in trying to obtain the information (MAPS – manuscript, archaeological, prophecy, scriptural synergy). True to form with many apologists, the book is geared to the likes of upper level college and professor discussions. I found that the book is not to be taken lightly and would not recommend it to just anyone. There are several stories through the book that I found myself unfamiliar with, so I felt lost and confused. I believe that as time goes on, I will gain from the book. I think that fans of Ravi Zacharias would enjoy the flow and feel of the book. I believe God has spoken, but he does not use a language that is above the everyday person. I understand that most apologists battle college professors, but it is the average person that has more day to day contact with unbelievers. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Friday Quote

Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.

Fyodor Dostoevsky

God will be with us

1 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
(Isaiah 43: 1-3, ESV)

This is a promise I believe we can still hold to this day. Hold onto radical faith in the Creator.

Radical Urgency

Radical - Week 4
Covenant Church - Shepherdstown, WV
Message by Pastor Terry Crawford

Jesus vs John the Baptist =============== John 4:1-3 (NIV84) ---------------The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

Jesus vs John the Baptist =============== Jesus does not have an urgent interest in a contest over converts with John the Baptist, nor does He seem interested in a political fight.

Jesus talks with a woman =============== John 4:27-30 (NIV84) ---------------Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

Radical urgency =============== Radical urgency does not come from what we know; it only comes from who we know.

Unknown Food =============== John 4:31-34 (NIV84) ---------------Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

Filled by Following =============== We get filled as we follow.

Quote =============== “The greatest single hindrance to evangelism today is the secret poverty of our own spiritual experience.” - John Stott

Harvest Now =============== John 4:35-36 (NIV84) ---------------Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

Seeing Urgently =============== Seeing with the urgency of the gospel results in action.

Church Link =============== Covenant is a God-centered church, leading people into an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, purposefully building bridges that connect Christ to our community, region and world. http://www.covenantexperience.com/ (link)

Connection News Letter =============== Helping you stay connected to Covenant. http://www.covenantexperience.com/images/images_C6791/October%20%202011% 20Connection.pdf (link)

Radical - Week 1 =============== Message by Pastor Terry Crawford (What Does the Gospel Demand)
http://www.covenantexperience.com/files/podcasts/20110925WebMaster.mp3 (audio)

Radical - Week 2 =============== Message by Pastor Terry Crawford (Radical Sacrifice)
http://www.covenantexperience.com/files/podcasts/20111002WebMaster.mp3 (audio)

Radical - Week 3 =============== Message by Pastor Terry Crawford (Radical Compassion)
http://www.covenantexperience.com/files/podcasts/20111009WebMaster.mp3 (audio)

Please God, not people

Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. Galations 1:10, NLT

Do you spend your life trying to please everybody? Paul had to speak harshly to the Christians in Galatia because they were in serious danger. He did not apologize for his straight-forward words, knowing that he could serve Christ faithfully if he allowed the Galatian Christians to remain on the wrong track.

Whose approval are you seeking--others' or God? Pray for the courage to seek God's approval above anyone else's.

from Life Application Daily Devotion

Why Lables?

One thing that frustrates me is how we tag things as Christian. Like if your not a Christian you are not allowed to enjoy or like this. But the same can be said for the other side, if your a Christian you can't enjoy a none Christian entities.
I have never seen in a phone book a listing for secular plumber's or electricians and a listing for Christian ones. That fact is they are plumbers and the like who happen to be Christian.
Why do we classify music this way. I find that there many talented bands not getting the exposure that others get, simply because they are labors Christian. If would could get over lableing things we may just be able to create more brings for Jesus to cross.
I find people are more will to explore Christian culture if they are allowed to view and listen with out the lable. Instead of saying hey come check out this Christian Rock band, just tell them to check out a great rock band, that happen to be Christians.
Being a Christian I know the reputation we sometimes are perceived to have, so I try to approach things as a person who happens to be a Christian. I think it helps to break down defences and open up the lines of communication. Just don't lose yourself to the world, for we are to be in the world, but not of the world.
Step out today and try to communicate in a slightly different way, leading more to Christ through better views. Remember we are all people, but not all Christians. This can be changed by opening the communication lines and not applying unneeded lables.

Radical - Week 3

Covenant Church - Shepherdstown
Message by Pastor Terry Crawford

Question 1 =============== Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?

Question 2 =============== Do we want to remain in religious ruts and in a consumer style faith or do we want to get radical and change the world?

Bible Reference 1 =============== Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV84) ---------------Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Two Ingredients of Radical Compassion... =============== Supernatural awareness of the condition of the lost.

Two Ingredients of Radical Compassion... =============== Sacrificial obedience to the commission of Christ.

Note 1 =============== Awareness of the condition of the lost enables us to see their size, feel their suffering and realize their separation.

Note 2 =============== When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them

Note 3 =============== When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Bible Reference 2 =============== Revelation 20:15 (NIV84) ---------------If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The Commission of Christ... =============== Jesus beckons us to pray.

The Commission of Christ... =============== Jesus summons us to go.

Note 4 =============== Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Note 5 =============== As we go with radical compassion, we will learn to trust God’s provision and depend on His power.

Quote =============== “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me… Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful--that’s what matters.”

Question 3 =============== Followers of Christ, what matters to you? Have you done something wonderful?

Rejoicing

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4: 4-9, ESV)

Love from God

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. ( 1 John 4:7-8)

Persecuted for Christ

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)

This to me does not sound like a promising piece of scripture. No one wants to be persecuted. The reality is, that many are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Paul who pen most of the New Testament was persecuted, thrown in jail, but he continued to push on and speak the truth. Recently Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was put to death in Iran because of his faith. He was persecuted because of his belief in Jesus and turning away from Islam. He could have end the persecution, by simply denouncing the Christian faith, but he could not, because he knew it to be the truth.

In America we have it easy. We are not typically persecuted for our faith as long as we are in the US. We lose touch with the rest of the world. There are many around the globe that meet in secret at night to study God’s Word. If they were discovered they could be killed immediately. You and I don’t have that fear. They worry about losing their lives and families, but we worry about what to wear to church and where we want to eat after wards. Many of the underground church worry about if they will have anything to eat.

If we are unable to venture to these areas to help, we must join together to pray for these churches that are holding strong to their faith in God through Christ Jesus. As I grow older, I find myself having more of a heart to want to make changes. I know that this is God placing a burden on me, so that I will want to help in some way. I also want us to remember that there are many in our own country that need our help and support. Through Jesus we can make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.

Lean on the Lord

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Radical - Week 2

Message by. Pastor Terry Crawford Covenant Church - Shepherdstown, WV Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:30am to Sun, Oct 9 at 12:00am EDT http://bible.us/e/CJm

Jesus requires … =============== superior love.

Jesus requires … =============== exclusive loyalty.

Jesus requires... =============== total loss.

Bible Reference =============== Luke 14:25-26 (NIV84) ---------------Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple.

Note 1 =============== Superior love in Jesus changes our perspective.

Exclusive loyalty =============== Luke 14:27 (NIV84) ---------------And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Note 2 =============== Through the cross of Christ, we die to the life we live which changes our priorities.

Bible Reference 2 =============== Luke 14:28-33 (NIV84) ---------------“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

We are... =============== We are workers constructing a building.

We are... =============== We are warriors fighting a battle.

For the cause of Christ =============== For the cause of Christ, we give up everything we have which changes our possessions.

Bible Reference 3 =============== Hebrews 10:32-36 (NIV84) ---------------Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.