Recently I was preaching from Psalm 144……."Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. {2} He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield and I take refuge in him…….." (NLT)
In preparing my notes……I was so excited about addressing God as my rock and noting that it is God who trains us and it is God who gives us the skill we need for the warfare we face. I was also excited about God as my "loving ally" and my fortress, my tower of safety and my rescuer. I wanted to make sure that I painted an accurate picture of what these things were and how God wanted to be those things in our life that I almost missed it.
Even though God has clearly spoken to me about three weeks prior to this preaching time and told me this passage contained a prophetic word for the church I was working with at the time……..I still didn't see it.
It wasn't in my notes. It really hadn't entered my thoughts during the time of preparation. But included in my time of preparation is always a prayer that God would prepared my heart for the time of preaching. If I have all the points, understand the meaning and have great illustrations to bring things to life but don't have a heart that is right…….I might as well just stay seated. I would rank up there with the clanging gong that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13.
But I still almost missed it…….right up to the time I started speaking. And while I'm speaking, the Holy Spirit is speaking………to me. And He points it out.
The most important thing about the battle is not my training, or the skill God gives…..it's not found in the six things listed in verse 2…….it's found in verse 1. It's the first three words of verse 1……"Praise the LORD!." It was an act of worship. It was a proclamation that even though there is a battle raging my spirit man says, "Praise the LORD!."
As I was speaking the Holy Spirit drew me to the time in Exodus where God gives the commandments….Exodus 20. Take note of what is said there….." I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me." (NLT)
David's first act was to worship. I wonder what would have happened if his first act had been to lament about the battle…..or express concern over his lack of training and skill…….or to ask God where He was……..or to wonder if God had God stopped loving him……I wonder what would have happened. As it was he worshipped first……."Praise the LORD……….who is my rock." He provided a good pattern for us. Perhaps the answers are not always in the training or learned skills but in worship. Or better yet…….the answer is in worship and in allowing God, our rock, to train our hands, skill our fingers, be our ally, our fortress, our tower of safety, our rescuer and our refuge. No wonder the first words out of his mouth were "PRAISE THE LORD!"
And to think……I almost missed this. Thank you LORD for your Holy Spirit who reveals all truth. PRAISE THE LORD!
Always in Pursuit!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Review for "Has God Spoken? Proof of the Bible's Dviine Inspiration" by Hank Hanegraaff
Review for “Has God Spoken? Proof of the Bible’s Divine Inspiration” by Hank Hanegraaff, published by Thomas Nelson
It was a great privilege extended to me by the folks at Thomas Nelson, Book Sneeze, to receive this book and to review it.
I should simply start off by emphatically saying that I loved this book. I though Hanegraaff did a great job of presenting the information in an enjoyable manner but also in a well organized method.
Not only did the style of writing and organization of the book make it an interesting read but it is also very teachable. It would work well for a small group; large group; or individual study.
The Bible Answer Man has presented the various proofs by utilizing acrostics. The overall acrostic for the book is the word “M-A-P-S.” The four letters represent the four parts of the book “Manuscripts, Archaeology, Prophetic, and Scripture.” Each of these words has its own acrostic as he systematically presents evidence to show the Bible really is God’s spoken Word and refutes critics for their arguments against the Bible being God’s spoken Word.
One other thing Hanegraaff did that I appreciated was that he provided some of the arguments from modern day skeptics. The list of these modern day skeptics includes popular author Richard Dawkins; and Bart Ehrman, distinguished professor of religious studies at the prestigious University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hanegraaff writes that Ehrman appears to be “peculiarly proud of causing the faith of many of his students to waver.”
As this book takes you through a variety of proofs….all working together…..you will not only find your own faith being strengthened but you will also find that you will be able to help those who are asking questions and faltering in their own faith.
This is the first book written by Hank Hanegraaff that I’ve read. He has written many. This book, “Has God Spoken?” is the final book in a trilogy written by Hanegraaff. The first two books were: “The Farce of Evolution” and “Resurrection.” I think after reading this book, I would most certainly enjoy and benefit from reading the first two books of this trilogy.
I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who has questions or to anyone who simply wants to know more. You won't be disappointed!
It was a great privilege extended to me by the folks at Thomas Nelson, Book Sneeze, to receive this book and to review it.
I should simply start off by emphatically saying that I loved this book. I though Hanegraaff did a great job of presenting the information in an enjoyable manner but also in a well organized method.
Not only did the style of writing and organization of the book make it an interesting read but it is also very teachable. It would work well for a small group; large group; or individual study.
The Bible Answer Man has presented the various proofs by utilizing acrostics. The overall acrostic for the book is the word “M-A-P-S.” The four letters represent the four parts of the book “Manuscripts, Archaeology, Prophetic, and Scripture.” Each of these words has its own acrostic as he systematically presents evidence to show the Bible really is God’s spoken Word and refutes critics for their arguments against the Bible being God’s spoken Word.
One other thing Hanegraaff did that I appreciated was that he provided some of the arguments from modern day skeptics. The list of these modern day skeptics includes popular author Richard Dawkins; and Bart Ehrman, distinguished professor of religious studies at the prestigious University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hanegraaff writes that Ehrman appears to be “peculiarly proud of causing the faith of many of his students to waver.”
As this book takes you through a variety of proofs….all working together…..you will not only find your own faith being strengthened but you will also find that you will be able to help those who are asking questions and faltering in their own faith.
This is the first book written by Hank Hanegraaff that I’ve read. He has written many. This book, “Has God Spoken?” is the final book in a trilogy written by Hanegraaff. The first two books were: “The Farce of Evolution” and “Resurrection.” I think after reading this book, I would most certainly enjoy and benefit from reading the first two books of this trilogy.
I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who has questions or to anyone who simply wants to know more. You won't be disappointed!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
PLOACH
PLOACH
What an interesting word. Actually it was a nickname for a professional baseball player towards the end of his career.
Robin Ventura….recently named Manager of the Chicago White Sox baseball team is the owner of that nickname. It’s a combination of two words……player and coach.
He received this nickname at the end of his 15 year career in professional baseball. During his career he played first and third base for four major league teams, the White Sox, Mets, Yankees and the Dodgers.
It was during his time with the Dodgers that he earned the nickname “PLOACH.” It was given to him by his teammates. They realized that as a veteran player…..he was 37 years old by this time……that not only was he contributing on the field but he was contributing on the bench by helping the younger players develop their skills, attitudes, habits and life skills away from the field. He wasn’t a coach….yet…..but he more than a player. He was PLOACH!
So what does this have to do with us? A lot.
In 2 Timothy 2 Paul gives three metaphors for the Christian Life. One of these metaphors is that of an athlete. (The other two were a soldier and a farmer)
I realize that Paul was probably focusing on the idea of being in continual training, staying focused and disciplined so that when the race was run, the athlete would receive the Victor’s Crown. But I also wonder if Paul had something more in mind…….such as PLOACH.
I’m sure some of the “older” athletes helped the younger athletes. Perhaps even encouraged them; challenging them to go beyond what they had ever done before. And helped them realize the importance of always being in training and always to be willing to do whatever it took to win.
I’m sure some of the older athletes were jealous; some perhaps even would try and sabotage the careers of the younger ones. Those things happen in baseball in business and even in the Church.
But we need to follow the examples of the right thing to do….such as Paul….he was coaching right up to the end. And athletes like Robin Ventura……PLOACH!
Always In Pursuit!
What an interesting word. Actually it was a nickname for a professional baseball player towards the end of his career.
Robin Ventura….recently named Manager of the Chicago White Sox baseball team is the owner of that nickname. It’s a combination of two words……player and coach.
He received this nickname at the end of his 15 year career in professional baseball. During his career he played first and third base for four major league teams, the White Sox, Mets, Yankees and the Dodgers.
It was during his time with the Dodgers that he earned the nickname “PLOACH.” It was given to him by his teammates. They realized that as a veteran player…..he was 37 years old by this time……that not only was he contributing on the field but he was contributing on the bench by helping the younger players develop their skills, attitudes, habits and life skills away from the field. He wasn’t a coach….yet…..but he more than a player. He was PLOACH!
So what does this have to do with us? A lot.
In 2 Timothy 2 Paul gives three metaphors for the Christian Life. One of these metaphors is that of an athlete. (The other two were a soldier and a farmer)
I realize that Paul was probably focusing on the idea of being in continual training, staying focused and disciplined so that when the race was run, the athlete would receive the Victor’s Crown. But I also wonder if Paul had something more in mind…….such as PLOACH.
I’m sure some of the “older” athletes helped the younger athletes. Perhaps even encouraged them; challenging them to go beyond what they had ever done before. And helped them realize the importance of always being in training and always to be willing to do whatever it took to win.
I’m sure some of the older athletes were jealous; some perhaps even would try and sabotage the careers of the younger ones. Those things happen in baseball in business and even in the Church.
But we need to follow the examples of the right thing to do….such as Paul….he was coaching right up to the end. And athletes like Robin Ventura……PLOACH!
Always In Pursuit!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)