Enemies of the Heart

Enemies of the Heart, Andy Stanley. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Multnomah Books, 2010, 2011. 218 pages. Reviewed by Rev. Russell A. Whitfield.

Andy Stanley has communicated four critical forces that are common to every person, and has given biblical advice to deal with these damaging powers. The book, Enemies of the Heart, is a collection of chapters that introduces and discusses four emotional forces in a biblically relevant, readable, practical, honest way. The twenty chapters of Stanley’s book are divided into four parts to help his readers deal with these four enemies: guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy that come from within a person’s heart. The first part addresses the roots of these enemies, the second part deals with each of the four enemies individually for deeper clarification, the third part offers advice that will effect change, and finally Stanley takes two chapters to express the effect the heart change will make on future generations as well as other areas of one’s life.

As senior pastor and founder of North Point Ministries Inc, Stanley has written several practical resources that help communicate Biblical Truths to other ministries and lay people as well. He has taken real life examples both from his personal life and the lives of others to illustrate the effects these Enemies of the Heart have on an individual. Stanley recognizes that in his own life he had to confront certain enemies that were set to damage his life and relationships.

Enemies of the Heart explores four destructive forces that infiltrate an individual’s life with the aim to destroy their home, career, and relationships. The first section of the book is titled where did that come from? and is introduced with a verse from Jeremiah 17:9 to explain the deceitfulness and sickness of the heart. In the first two chapters of this section, he describes two incidences that provide a clear picture of why this book was written. He shares about a personal occurrence one evening while lying in bed. He had felt an unusual feeling in his chest, and later found out that he had an irregular heartbeat. Another occurrence he describes was when the famous basketball player Pistol Pete Maravich suddenly collapsed while playing basketball right before an interview he had later with James Dobson. Maravich had a heart condition, but did not know about it because he was in fit condition. These two occurrences are used to help the reader understand the importance of monitoring the condition of their heart spiritually.

The next section of his book is titled Deeper Debts. Stanley introduces the four enemies and how each is fueled by a dynamic that must be confronted on an individual basis. He takes a separate chapter to describe each of the four enemies and the destruction each will cause to the heart. He begins this section taking time to identifying these four enemies as debts that are considered the debt to debtor dynamic that always causes imbalance in any relationship. The next four chapters deal with the debts individually. The first chapter is titled Guilt: I Owe You, secondly he deals with Anger: You Owe Me, Next he focuses attention on Greed: I Owe Me, and lastly he considers Jealousy: God Owes Me.

The third section offers some effective ways to effect spiritual growth and transformation in an individual’s life. In chapter ten, Stanley’s aim is for individual Christians to begin the process of monitoring their heart and not just their behavior. In order for spiritual growth and transformation to take place, there needs to be a “spiritual” heart surgery to happen. As he begins this section, Stanley takes some time to explain how making changes to one’s habits can affect the kind of spiritual transformation needed to deal with the dangerous enemies of the heart. He uses a character named Brian who has a bad heart to illustrate the lifestyle changes needed to have a healthy heart spiritually. It took a visit to the doctor for Brian to realize that he needed to make some lifestyle changes that would strengthen his heart. Brian was not willing to make the lifestyle changes needed to strengthen his physical heart, much like the average individual’s lack of understanding needed to make spiritual changes in order to lead a healthy spiritual life.

The nine chapters in the third section confront each enemy of the heart with the truths of scripture, and practical advice as to how each one needs to be confronted. Stanley begins by addressing the power of guilt by being overcome through the habit of confession (1 John 1:9); next he offers the most freeing advice of forgiveness as a way to “Get rid of all anger…” (Ephesians 4:31); then Stanley approaches the enemy of greed by offering an attitude of generosity; finally the last enemy he confronts is jealousy that should be overcome through the celebration of other’s successes and decisions.

The final section of his book, entitled Moving Forward, ends with two chapters that enlighten his readers about the effects these four enemies could have on later generations, as well as other spiritual struggles individuals might be confronted with, especially his male readers. The habits of our hearts become the best models for those in the home. Stanley readdresses the importance of monitoring one’s heart from the warning found in Proverbs 4:23 to guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

The last chapter, About Lust, gives his readers the main reason why it is important to maintain a healthy heart. He concludes the chapter saying, the healthier our hearts, the easier it will be for us to keep this God-given appetite properly focused and under control.

Stanley has done an excellent job communicating the dangers and power guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy have on an individual’s life. He has written a strong resource that confronts these enemies that come from within our hearts with the power of God’s Holy Scripture. I was convicted that continued monitoring of our hearts spiritually proves to be a major need as we seek to truly live this abundant life God desires for us as believers. As you read this book, you will catch yourself taking time to analyze the habits of your own heart and its condition. I highly recommend this book to every Christian, young or old, as well as an individual small group seeking a powerful resource.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers of their Blogger Review 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.”

Making the Right Choices Part #1

Making the Right Choices

Wednesday November 30, 2011

Daniel 1-3

The Context

1:3-7: King ordered that certain young men of the Israelites from the royal family to be brought suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable and to teach them the Chaldeans language and literature.

He gave these young men new names:

Daniel (God is my judge): Belteshazzar (Lady protect the king)

Hananiah (The Lord is Gracious): Shadrach (I Am fearful of the God)

Mishael (Who is what God is?): Meshach (I am of Little Account)

Azariah (The Lord has helped Me): Abednego (Servant of the god Nebo)

2:46-49: Appointed these men to manage province of Babylon.

The Journey

3:1-2: King set up an image to symbolize rule the king has over Babylon.

3:3-7: Decree/command issued that all the officials of the province gather for the dedication of the statue and bow down to worship.

3:8-12: Some of the people came to the king to tell him about the ones who he set up to manage the province of Babylon were Jews who do not serve his gods or worship them.

3:13-15: The king was furious and ordered these men to be brought to him. He gave them a choice: bow down and worship this statue or be thrown in the furnace.

3:16-18: These three young men made their decision based only on the promises of the God they serve.

3:19-23: The king in his increased fury ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than before. It was so hot that the four soldiers that took Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to the furnace were all killed.

3:24-30: The king later became alarmed at the sight of not three men, but four men unbound and walking freely in the furnace. The fourth looked like a son of the gods. So he called these men out of the furnace and seeing that the fire had no effect on their bodies or clothes, the king issued a decree to the God of these man that no one say anything offensive to the God that these men risked everything to serve.

Application

Whose voice did S, M, A choose listen to?  Whose voice are you listening to?

What were the consequences that S, M, A faced if they chose not to heed to their God?  What were consequences that they faced if they chose to heed to their God?

What consequences if any have you faced lately b/c of your choices you had to make?

Are there good and bad consequences?

Why do you think most young people choose to not follow God’s commands?

What connections do you see between the Bible study and the drama?

Erin is pressured by Tim to skip school.  How would you

respond to Tim?

The nurse died with regrets.  If you were trading places with the nurse, what would you regret about your spiritual life and relationships?

How did S, M, A stand the test of their faith?

1) They understood the character of God.

(Quote from Ravi Zacharias)

2) They were bold in their faith (3:16-18).

3) They exercised their faith.

(Quote from enemies of the heart)

Book Review: Dug Down Deep

Dug Down Deep, Joshua Harris. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Multnomah Books, 2010, 2011. 271 pages. Reviewed by Russell A. Whitfield.

Joshua Harris has brought fresh insights to the table concerning practical issues that every Christian deals with. In his past writings, as well as Dug Down Deep Harris has again done a thorough job of applying God’s truth to life situations. The book, Dug Down Deep, is a collection of chapters that covers the basics of Christian faith in a relevant, readable, and practical way. The thirteen chapters of Harris’ book are written to provide the reader with the materials needed to deal with the question posed at the beginning. Harris personalizes the parable found in Luke 6:47-48 by asking the question, What are you building your life on? as a way to introduce the basic truths that are crucial for every Christian to build upon. The first two chapters deal with his spiritual journey that led to his understanding the need to know God. He introduces terms such as: theology, orthodoxy, and doctrine, and how they matter to every believer. His next eight chapters focus on the basic truths of the Christian faith such as: God, Scripture, the person of Jesus Christ, the Cross, salvation, justification, sanctification, the Holy Spirit, and the Church with the last chapter titled Humble Orthodoxy.

As senior pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland of Sovereign Grace network, Harris has interwoven his personal experiences from being the average church kid to the person he is now who aims to truly know God with the basic truths of Orthodox Christianity. Harris recognizes that his focus in his own youth group experiences was not leading him to the clear vision of God and His awesome Word. The experiences of Harris’ younger ages have been used in his life to help him understand that everyone who thinks of God is a theologian, but not necessarily a good theologian.

Dug Down Deep aligns life experiences of the author’s path to spiritual maturity with the basic tenets of the Christian faith. The first two chapters talk about his spiritual journey from just being a church kid to realizing his need to truly know God. In the first chapter, Harris says, We are all theologians and theology matters. He shares about a time in his youth group when he was asked to do a Michael Jackson impersonation to illustrate the point that no matter what we are doing, we are all theologians good or bad. His experiences as a teenager have confirmed in him the importance of orthodox theology because if we get it wrong, then our whole life will be wrong. Next in chapter two, Harris reminds the reader that the wise builder was motivated to set his foundation deep on the rock. The motivation of the wiser builder, according to Harris, is set to remind every believer that pursuing orthodoxy and sound doctrine has to begin with a heart drawing close to Jesus(the ROCK)--not to a theological system, denomination, or book. The next eight chapters deal with the basic tenets of Christianity individually along with Harris’ personal experiences carefully woven into the pages for better understanding. These basic tenets of the Christian faith are: God, the person of Jesus Christ, the Cross, salvation, sanctification, the Holy Spirit, and the Church. The last chapter titled, Humble Orthodoxy, focuses on what he saw as important for every believer who is either new to the study of theology or been studying theology for awhile. According to Harris, each believer must ask the question: what will we do with the knowledge of God that we have? He has written this chapter with the understanding that Christians must approach the theological knowledge they have with the attitude of living it out.

Dug Down Deep, in my opinion, is a Christian theology book written in the most practical way for every believer young or old to understand. Harris has thoroughly crafted a work that informs its reader of the basic tenets of the Christian faith, as well as challenges them to become individual theologians. The humor and personal experiences expressed in each chapter has strengthen the believability and relevance of each doctrine discussed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers of their Blogger Review 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.”

Strengthen What Remains

The Gathering

Wednesday November 2, 2011

“Staying watchful”

Revelation 3:1-6

Theme Verse: Revelation 1:19

Author: John

Background of city of Sardis:

1) Famous for its red dye and woolen goods.

2) Known for its immorality.

3) Received no commendation from the Lord.

4) They were recognized for its reputation of being alive

“The church of Sardis was in the period of the Reformation era, which was Martin Luther’s attempt to reform the Roman church. The Reformation church held strong orthodox doctrines.”

--Abeka

How do we “strengthen what remains” as Christians:

1) Don’t let the world catch us off guard

(1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4)

          -“Be Alert”

2) Remember what you have received and heard

(2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:4)

         

3) God will honor the name of the true believer (v. 4)

He will take notice of the smallest number of those who abide with him…

4) Is your name written down?

-God will remember & honor the name of the faithful and chosen believer

-God will blot all who claim to have a name but do not

Recognize:

1) Need examine your Spiritual Life

2) Need to understand true Repentance

3) Need to be not caught off guard

Who holds the keys of hell and death and determines the destinies of nations and individuals (Psalms 9:16; Acts 17:31).

Questions you have to answer yourself?

Are focused on your walk with God?

When the music is silent, what remains true?

Have you been caught off guard?