Christian Book Review - Hang On, It's Not Over Yet

Title: Hang On, It’s Not Over Yet
Author: Joseph Arhavbarien
ISBN 9781907294419
Review Date: January 12th, 2011
Reviewed by: CBM Christian Book Reviews
9.1 on a scale of 10.0 stars

Author Joseph Arhavbarien in his book, “Hang On, It’s Not Over Yet” writes in a concise and organized manner to show that in the face of great adversity one can move forward in life to realize their dreams and find victory.

The author sets a firm foundation upon which one can build, revealing a step by step path of finding success in life and how to overcome overwhelming circumstances, while exhorting the reader to have a definitive goal and not to give up, even in the face of great difficulties. The author continues to encourage all that a positive, believing attitude is of utmost importance while waiting for the unseen to be seen. The author reveals that all is not lost and that one must ‘hang on’ to their dreams while trusting and relying upon God Almighty to help bring them to pass.

The author teaches that trust and belief upon what God has spoken to you and upon what the Word of God says is also a key factor. This book continues to encourage the importance of searching out the scriptures and coming to the knowledge and wisdom of what God has to say about your life and your destiny, while teaching that all have a predestined destiny. This book will stretch your faith, stir your faith, strengthen your faith and help you to see your dreams come true.

Using his experiences, despite overwhelming circumstances, from his own life coupled with some notable historical figures, the author lays foundational principles that with faith in Christ through trust and perseverance, one can continue on to the road to victory. Despite situations, circumstances, age, gender, creed, culture or environment, this book will stir your faith that, “All things are possible with God and for those who believe”.

Not only a good read, this book is very uplifting and encouraging whereby it counsels one on the path of how to achieve great things in life and not only gain success in the temporal world we live in, but also keeping in mind the spiritual laws that also govern our world. As air is invisible to the naked eye, so to are the spiritual laws that God has set forth in this universe. The author encourages you to seek wisdom from God and therefore adhere to these spiritual laws.

“Hang On, It’s Not Over Yet” is a work of encouragement, not merely as words written, but from the application of life experiences of those finding victory in the face of great adversity and overwhelming obstacles.

This book will not only edify and encourage you to live your life to the fullest, but to also never give up on your dreams until you see them through to fruition.

Hang On, It’s Not Over Yet by Author Joseph Arhavbarien

A Must Read Book
Reviewed by: CBM Christian Book Reviews

9.1 on a scale of 10.0 stars

Witnessing For Christ In Today's World (5)

What are we to say about the distinction between “believing” and “belonging”?

There may be people of ‘vague faith’ who do not have a feeling of belonging because they do not really want to move beyond a ‘vague faith.’ Surely, we must ask whether this kind of ‘vague faith’, which shows no real interest in becoming a life-changing faith in Christ, should be described as ‘believing’.

There may also be people of a very strong faith who do not have a sense of belonging when they come to our congregations because they do not feel that Christ is at the centre of all that we do. Often, such people will go elsewhere, feeling that they must look for a fellowship of believers who seek to keep Christ at the centre of their worship and witness.

Whatever else may be said about ‘believing’ and ‘belonging’, those who wish to focus attention on Jesus Christ must surely agree with the statement that “any attempt to promote the church as an institution, to ‘sell’ the church as a form of religious commitment is futile.” We do not promote the church. We “preach … Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5). We do not ‘sell’ the church. We point people to the Saviour, emphasizing that “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Some Important Lessons About Faith

Luke 18:1-43
Here, we learn some important lessons about faith. (a) Our faith is precious. We must not lose it! The question is asked, ‘When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?’(8). ‘Don’t lose heart’(1). (b) We are to have a humble faith (14). Pray, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner’(13). ‘Receive the Kingdom of God like a child’(17). (c) We are to have a committed faith (22), always remembering that salvation comes from the Lord and not from ourselves (26-27). Our commitment can never be a way of earning God’s salvation. He always gives us so much more than we could ever give to Him (29-30). (d) We are to have a Christ-centred faith, centred on His death and resurrection (31-33). (e) Our faith is to be full of worship. Our eyes opened by Christ and to Him, we are to glorify God and give praise to Him (43).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Jesus Speaks About Temptation, Forgiveness, Faith And Service.

Luke 17:1-37
In verses 1-10, Jesus speaks about temptation, forgiveness, faith and service. (a) Temptation- ‘watch yourselves’, always remembering that we can only win victory through the strength of the Lord (3; 1 Corinthians 10:13). (b) Forgiveness- This is practical teaching. We not only receive forgiveness for ourselves. We are to forgive others (3-4; 1 John 1:9; Ephesians 4:32). (c) Faith- There will never come a time when we no longer need to pray, ‘Increase our faith’. What great things can be achieved for God, when our faith in Him is strong (5-6; 1 John 5:4-5, 14-15). (d) Service- We are always ‘unworthy servants’. We never outgrow our need of ‘God’s mercy’(10; Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 4:1). We need ‘the attitude of gratitude’(17-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Jesus is coming again (24). Be ready for Him!
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Trusting In The Lord

It is good to trust in the Lord!
Great topic Charles.

Without Faith, There Is No Power!

Luke 8:22-56
‘Where is your faith?’(25). The Lord is not looking for lip-service. He is looking for real faith. Some beg Jesus ‘to depart from them’(37). They don't want to know! Others long to ‘be with Him’(38). They don’t want to go! Some have no interest in worship. They don’t really want to get to know Jesus. Others love to ‘worship’, but they are so slow to witness. They need to hear Jesus’ words - ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you’(39). Real faith worships. Real faith witnesses. We need both - Worship and Witness. Some - ‘the multitudes’(45) - touch Jesus superficially. They are interested - when everything seems exciting! They touch Jesus religiously. They do not touch Him by faith. Where is the ‘power’, the resurrection power (46,54)? Without faith, there is no power!
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

The Word Of God Does Not Benefit Us When We Do Not Receive It With Faith.

Genesis 18:1-15
Is anything too hard for the Lord? (14). We need to hear these words as God’s call to greater faith. Sarah, like Abraham, had heard God’s promises, yet ‘she laughed to herself’(12). We can hear God’s Word, and still remain, in our hearts, men and women of unbelief. The Word of God does not benefit us when we do not receive it with faith (Hebrews 4:2). God knows what is in our hearts, just as He knew what was in Sarah’s heart (13-15). He knows the human heart, ‘deceitful above all things’(Jeremiah 17:9), yet He continues to love us. He does not give up on us. He perseveres with us. He could have given up on Sarah as a hopeless waste of His time, but He did not. ‘The evil heart of unbelief’ is always with us, but God is constantly at work to create in us ‘a clean heart’( Hebrews 3:12: Psalm 51:10). 'Soften my heart, Lord’(Mission Praise, 606).

Genesis 18:16-33
In the face of the threatened judgment of God upon Sodom and Gomorrah, we find Abraham engaging in mighty intercessory prayer. He is not concerned only about himself and his own salvation. He is prayerfully committed to seeking the salvation of others. This is a mark of spiritual maturity - a deep concern for the salvation of sinners, leading to earnest intercessory prayer for them. Abraham drew near to God (23; James 4:8). He pleaded with the God of grace to have mercy on the city (23-25; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 1:15; John 3:17). With a deep love for the people, Abraham prays with boldness and persistence (27,32; Hebrews 4:16). A great many people refused to honour God, yet His purpose was not hindered. The remnant seemed impossibly small. It was the beginning of blessing for all nations. ‘To God be the glory, Great things He has done’(Church Hymnary, 374).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

'‘When You See A Rainbow, Remember God Is Love.’

Genesis 9:1-19
'‘When you see a rainbow, remember God is love’. The rainbow reminds us of the gracious promise of God (13-15). If the love of God is revealed in the rainbow, it is more fully revealed in the Cross: ‘We sing the praise of Him who died, of Him who died upon the Cross... upon the Cross we see in shining letters. ‘God is love’, He bears our sins upon the tree. He brings us mercy from above’. When we read the Old Testament stories, we must learn to see their place within the fuller Story, the Story of God’s salvation: ‘I will sing the wondrous Story of the Christ who died for me’. This is the greatest Story of all - ‘the Story of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love,... the Story of wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin’. ‘This is our Story. This is our Song, praising our Saviour all the day long’. This is ‘the Story to tell to the nations’(Church Hymnary, 258,381,132; Mission Praise, 59,744).

Genesis 9:20-29
What a sad episode this is! It teaches us that yesterday's victories can become today's defeats, if we do not keep close to God. We read, in Hebrews 11:7 of Noah the man of faith, but here we have a very different picture. The lesson is clear - ‘The arm of flesh will fail you; Ye dare not trust your own’. We must not look to our own strength to keep us in the way of faith and obedience. It cannot be done. We fail. ‘God can do anything but fail’. We must affirm our faith in God - ‘All my hope on God is founded’. In man, there is no sure foundation - only ‘change and chance’. There is nothing that will last - ‘only pride of man and earthly glory’(Church Hymnary, 481,405). Can we be guided through change and chance? Yes, but we must learn from Noah’s fall - Past grace is no guarantee of present growth - , and we must keep our eyes on Jesus, ‘the Author and Finisher of our faith' (Hebrews 12: 2).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Let's Walk With God And Enjoy His Blessing.

Genesis 5:1-17
From the story of Cain - taking God for granted (the opposite of grace), approaching God proudly (the opposite of faith), rebelling against God (the opposite of obedience) - , we come to a list of names and numbers. In this first part of the chapter, there is nothing of any note. Perhaps, this is the significant feature of this long list of names. There is nothing considered to be worthy of special note, except the length of their lives. What a sad reflection on the value of a life when all that can be said is this: He lived, and he died! What we must remember is this: the quantity of our years is less important than the quality of our living. How long we live is less important than how well we live. We have been ‘created...in the likeness of God’(1), yet so often we miss out on this spiritual dimension. We have been ‘blessed’ by God (2) - ‘Count your blessings’.

Genesis 5:18-32
In this second part of the list, two names get a special mention - Enoch and Noah (22,24,29). The reference to Enoch is the more memorable of the two. Enoch's life was characterized by grace, faith and obedience. The life-story of so many others could be told without reference to God. Enoch's story was the story of God at work in his life. So many life-stories end with the words, ‘he died’. Enoch's life on earth points beyond itself (24). Enoch had ‘walked with God’(22, 24 ). Building his life upon the God of grace, Enoch had, by faith, stepped out of this present world and into ‘what we hope for’, ‘what we do not see’(Hebrews 11:5,1). What a testimony Enoch left behind him! Not much is said about him, but what power of the Spirit of God there is in these few words! The reference to ‘the Lord’ in Noah's life (29) prepares us for what is to come (chapters 6-9).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

‘Without The Shedding Of Blood There Is No Forgiveness’ - ‘The Blood Of Jesus Christ Cleanses Us From All Sin.’

Genesis 4:1-5
The name of Abel appears among ‘the heroes of the faith’(Hebrews 11:14). The story of Abel is a story of grace, faith and obedience. Abel's sacrifice was a blood sacrifice while Cain’s was a fruit sacrifice (3-4). The blood sacrifice points forward - via the Old Testament sacrificial system - to the greatest sacrifice of all - ‘the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin’(1 John 1:7; Hebrews 9:12). The blood sacrifice points to salvation by grace - ‘without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness’(Hebrews 9:22). Abel’s sacrifice was an act of faith: ‘By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain did’(Hebrews 11:4). The blood reminds us that true faith is always faith in Christ and never ‘faith’ in anything we can ever offer to God. Abel was obedient, bringing ‘the firstborn’to God. ‘In the course of time Cain brought some...’.

Genesis 4:6-16
In the story of Cain, we see the development of sin. Jealousy leads to anger, and anger leads to murder. In this story, we see ourselves in the ‘mirror’ of God’s Word. Here, God emphasizes our exceeding sinfulness - ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt’(Jeremiah 17:9). Our sinfulness leads us away from ‘the presence of the Lord’ to ‘the land of wandering (Nod)’(16). This is the work of Satan in our lives - Genesis 4 is an extension of Genesis 3. Even in the land of wandering, the hand of God is upon us. This is the meaning of ‘the mark of Cain’- ‘so that no one who found him would kill him’(15). Even in our wanderings, God is waiting in mercy for us to make our way back to Him by coming in faith to Jesus Christ our Saviour. Even when ‘sin’ is a good bit more than ‘crouching at the door’, it can be ‘mastered’ through Christ (6; Hebrews 7:25).

Genesis 4:17-26
The story of Cain and Abel is a continuing story. Abel died, yet ‘by faith still speaks, even though he is dead’(Hebrews 11:4). Cain ‘went out from the presence of the Lord’. He became ‘a restless wanderer’(14,16). What a contrast there is between these two brothers! For Abel, there was glory in the presence of the Lord - ‘By faith he was commended as a righteous man’(Hebrews 11:4), he was ‘justified by faith’(Romans 5:1). Cain was quite different. Far from God, he had no peace. He was haunted by his sins. What does God’s Word say to us about Cain? - ‘Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother... because his own actions were evil and his brothers were righteous’(1 John 3:12). Cain’s sinful influence continues. We must be on our guard. The chapter ends with hope: ‘At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord’(26).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com