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Howard Katz

Each believer will be tested in seven essential relationships as mirrored in the seven precise steps an ancient potter would have taken in forming a clay vessel.

Seven Essential Relationships - How to Pass God's Crucial Tests by Howard Katz:

Have you ever felt as if your life was turned upside down? Joseph did. Can you imagine being thrown into a pit by your own brothers? And then taken out—only to be sold into slavery in a foreign country—away from your friends and family—having to learn a new language and way of life, not as the served but as the servant. Suppose you worked for your boss faithfully, only to find yourself falsely accused and thrown into prison for a crime you didn’t commit. That was Joseph’s life—at least at the beginning.

But God had a plan, a great plan for Joseph’s life. Seven Essential Relationships illustrates from the life of Joseph, how God desires for all of us to enter into seven key relationships with Him, which will bring the fulfillment of His plan for our lives. We see each step developed through the life of Joseph as he triumphed over his trials, and became the man God wanted him to be, seated at the right hand of Pharaoh.

Throughout our Christian walk we will be tested in each of these essential relationships. These include our relationship with God’s Word, our relationship with the world, with authority, with way in which God deals with us, with God’s plan for our lives, in our personal relationship with God Himself, and with His glory. Seven Essential Relationships describes how our spiritual growth is shaped by our response to each test. Author Howard Katz describes each relationship and its corresponding test and uses candid examples from his own life to illustrate each crucial relationship.

As we observe Joseph’s life, we acquire an eternal perspective into how God orchestrated and used adversity to shape Joseph into a vessel able to accomplish the plans God predestined for his life. Joseph grew into each crucial relationship and passed each corresponding test. God’s plan was accomplished as Joseph ultimately governed Egypt, and all of Israel was saved. The author’s unique revelations into Joseph’s life make the story come alive with fresh insight into how Joseph’s afflictions shaped his character.

As a continuing theme throughout the story, each relationship is prefaced by a description of how an ancient Israelite potter would have fashioned a clay vessel. Each of the seven steps in the creation of a clay vessel mirrors one of the seven essential relationships. The process begins as the clay is removed from the earth and completed with the final firing—resulting in a beautiful vessel exclusively designed by the potter and fit for his specific use. This is what God wants to do in our lives—to mold us into the people He created us to be, able to use the gifts and abilities he has given each one of us, that we might fulfill His perfect will for our lives.

Excerpt from Seven Essential Relationships:

THE WAY IN WHICH GOD DEALS WITH US
The Preparation Test

The fourth essential relationship is with the way in which God deals with us and the accompanying test is one of preparation. When the clay became evenly consistent and malleable, the ancient potter pulled a wire taut and cut the clay in half to expose its inner parts. If any air bubbles or defects were present, he put the clay back together, and pounded it with a mallet to remove the air. This was a critical step because if the air bubbles were not removed before the formed clay vessel was placed into the kiln to be fired, the heat would cause the air bubbles to expand and the vessel would be ruined. Many of the air bubbles hidden in the clay would be small and may have appeared insignificant to the untrained eye, but in the heat of the kiln those small pockets of air greatly expanded with disastrous results. Any flaws in the preparation of the vessel hindered it from being completed and becoming a vessel of glory fit for the master’s use.
When God is beginning to deal with our hearts, we may feel that the issues He is exposing are not that important and if left alone would never cause problems. We may think, I have that area of temptation under control. But later when we are exposed to fiery trials or God’s glory those small areas of temptation quickly expand and grow out of control—and suddenly what we once considered a minor character flaw wreaks havoc in our life.
For this reason the preparation test is very important as God deals with the deepest, inner issues of our heart. One of the attitudes the air bubbles can represent is pride. We may not even realize we have pride, but when the glory of God touches us, unless we have dealt with our pride, we will take some of the glory for ourselves, blow up like a balloon and explode in a burst of self-destruction. We have often seen people who were powerfully used by God who self-destructed because of pride, their life left in shambles. Pride causes a person to be unteachable and incapable of receiving correction. When God prospers us and our ministry becomes successful, we need to be especially humble, open to correction, and watchful to avoid the snares of the enemy. God wants to rid us of our defects and He squashes the “air bubbles” in us as He does a deeper work within our hearts. When God exposes the pride within us, and our plans or sense of self-importance are deflated, we may experience discouragement. In this way, pride and discouragement are related. Pride causes us to become puffed up with a sense of self-importance. If we fail to deal with the hidden areas in our hearts when God exposes them, those areas will cause destruction and much discouragement later.
Often we are unaware of our own flaws. There were no obvious faults in the clay either; only when the potter cut it open did the flaws become visible. When flaws are revealed in us we think, Whoops, there’s an attitude I didn’t know was there! Our natural tendency is to blame others for our defects instead of dealing with the sin and wrong atti- tudes within our own hearts. The preparation test prepares us for the things that God has planned for us in the future. We should not resist the way in which God deals with us but welcome and embrace it even if at the time it causes us great pain or humiliation. We should respond to God immediately and deal with our sin as God reveals it—before it expands in the fire and blows up in our face as a much bigger problem than if we had dealt with it earlier.
Even as the Lord admonished His people in Psalm 81:13-14: “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries.” The process of our deliverance from sin and bondage slows down or speeds up depending upon our response to the way in which God deals with our personal lives. This preparation protects us from hidden failures, weakness, or sin in our souls, which would surface in the future when God wants to use us in ministry.

Endorsements of Seven Essential Relationships:

Stan Telchin, Author of Betrayed and Abandoned:
“Howard Katz asks us this important question: ‘Why are all believers not experiencing victory?’ As you study and apply the seven truths this book illuminates, you will find you are able to walk in the victory God desires for you. Read it carefully and you will be blessed.”

Wayne Hilsden, Senior Pastor, King of Kings Community, Jerusalem, Israel:
"Howard Katz didn't write this book like he was cramming for final exams. This is the result of decades of learning intimacy with God at a depth few know about these days.

From the life of Joseph, Howard Katz reminds us that there are no shortcuts to really knowing God. Most of it's learned in the school of hard knocks.

Howard Katz brilliantly interweaves the vivid metaphor of the potter and the clay—an image that will make this book stick in your brain ten years from now.

This is one of those books you shouldn't rush through. And it's one of those rare books you'll find yourself picking up and reading again as a reference, especially when you go through one of those Joseph experiences.

This book cuts like a scalpel. But thankfully, Howard Katz provides an anesthetic of humor throughout, while he presses ahead with open-heart surgery.

I've known Howard Katz for two decades. He walks the talk. As a businessman and a pastor he lives in the real world. In this important book Howard Katz cuts to the chase and gives us the real deal."

 

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Harvey Katz

Get ready to see God do some exciting work in your life as you study Becoming a God Magnet. You may find yourself attracting people to God in a way you never imagined possible!

Becoming A God Magnet by Harvey Katz is a powerful, effective guide to personal evangelism. Filled with personal stories and principles of how to share the Gospel with others, Harvey first describes his own journey of discovery as a Jew to find his purpose and meaning in life through Jesus Christ. He then shares the secrets he has discovered that make believers effective in sharing their faith - what works and what doesn't - in one-on-one relationships with others. Harvey's friends and family, noticing over the years his unique gift of drawing others to Christ, encouraged him to write this book.

If you've ever felt your heart pound as you opened your mouth to share your faith...This book and study guide are for you!! The secret is becoming a god magnet – living a life that genuinely draws a hurting world to Jesus.

A separate God Magnet Study & Discussion Guide is available to be used by groups where a leader oversees the discussion (leader’s material in back of study guide) with each member of the group having their own guidebook or alternatively, by individuals for personal study. The materials (book and study guide) are ideal for churches desiring to reach out to the lost by guiding their own members in methods and tools of personal evangelism.

Each person is uniquely designed by God to express His life message to others. This study guide helps the reader discover—through powerful, effective tools of personal evangelism—how every believer can be used by God to reach the lost.

Endorsements of Becoming a God Magnet:

David Mainse, Host and founder of 100 Huntley Street TV program
Reinhardt Bonnke, Founder of Christ for all Nations
Stan Telchin, author of Betrayed
Wayne Hilsden, Senior Pastor, King of Kings Community, Jerusalem

Detailed endorsements

 

Excerpt from Becoming a God Magnet:

A God magnet? What is a God magnet?

It all started when my kids were young. We were riding in the car. My daughter and one of her friends were talking in the back seat. “He’s a chick magnet,” one of them said. They were talking about a boy in their class, who was apparently creating quite a stir among the fourth graders.

A chick magnet, I thought. I want to be a God magnet! I want to draw people to Jesus.

As we become God conscious and Christ centered, we can become magnets for God, people who will draw others into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. That is what this book is all about . . .

You may not be as gifted an evangelist as someone else you know, but God wants to attract non-believers to Jesus Christ through your life. You are meant to be a “God magnet.” That is what this book is about: Letting Jesus live His life through you so that you bring others to Christ.
As we lift up Jesus, He will attract people to Himself. He does the work through you and through me. Every Christian can draw people to Jesus, because of who He is in us. Everyone needs Jesus and everyone deserves an opportunity to hear about Him.
I remember the peace I experienced when I first came to Christ. It was truly “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8, KJV). In my early years as a Christian, I experienced such joy when God answered my simple prayers or when I read Scripture and found precious insights in His Word. I felt blessed to know God. It was this early experience of God’s joy that motivated me to tell others the Good News about Jesus Christ--His life, death and resurrection and the eternal life He offers to those who receive Him.
I was lost and in darkness before Jesus became my Savior and Lord. It was wonderful to discover that Jesus offered me the amazing gift of eternal life. I just had to share it with others: I was “bursting at the seams!” A friend and I began witnessing for Christ in our high school. Much to my amazement, people starting giving their lives to Jesus Christ. It is true that some rejected our message (and us), but that was a small price to pay for the wonderful results we witnessed among those who believed!
That was over 30 years ago. Since then, I have had the privilege of sharing my faith with many others. I marvel at the work of the Spirit of God as He touches and transforms lives. I have seen and experienced both the joys and disappointments of sharing my faith, and through these experiences I want to share with you what I learned along the way.

Excerpt from Becoming a God Magnet Study & Discussion Guide:

How to Use this Guide:

This study guide is designed to help you use all you’ve learned from reading Becoming a God Magnet to start the work God is calling you to do – attracting people to the Gospel through His power at work in your life.
Whether you use this guide by yourself or as part of a group, it should lead you to a deeper understanding of how to share your faith with others. You can take the passion you feel for evangelism now that you’ve read Becoming a God Magnet and channel that passion into embracing God’s call. Don’t stop at just being inspired to share your faith; start doing so!
This guide is organized into four parts, just like Becoming a God Magnet: an introduction, a first part that focuses on how to identify the needs and desires inside people’s hearts, a second part that emphasizes building godly character and inviting the Holy Spirit to empower you, and a third part that deals with the many methods you can use to present the single most important message of all – the Gospel.
Each part contains three sections: Ask, Pray, and Act. The Ask section features questions for reflection and discussion, the Pray section features ways you can talk and listen to God about the questions you’ve just considered, and the Act section suggests ways to put the concepts you’ve learned into action.

How to Get the Most Out of Group Study

Small groups have great potential to enhance and enliven our spiritual learning and growth. Like most group activities, however, this potential is realized only when all agree on a few basic guidelines. Here are some suggestions:
Take your turn. Small group discussion works best when all have a chance to make a contribution. This means being brief and succinct, staying on topic, avoiding lengthy illustrations or personal stories and not speaking again until everyone else has had the chance to speak once.

Listen with an open heart and mind. The whole point in studying together is to learn from each other. Respect the thoughts of others even if you disagree with them.

When you disagree, follow the advice of Ephesians chapter 4, which says to speak the truth in love (4:15), to be humble, gentle and patient with one another (4:2) and to speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their need (4:29).

Avoid speaking critically of others and do not disclose personal information shared with you in confidence to the group.

Keep whatever is said in the group of a personal nature within the group. The power of small group study comes from transparency, but this requires the protection of discretion and confidentiality.

Come to the group prepared to learn, to encourage one another and to grow together. Pray for your fellow group members and look for ways to help and encourage them during the week.

A Word to Small Group Leaders
Even if you are only leading the group on one occasion, keep these guidelines in mind:

To prepare, read the related chapters in Becoming a God Magnet, then work your way through the questions in the Ask section for the study you are leading.

Bear in mind that some of the questions will solicit a variety of viewpoints and stories. Help the group to remain open to the riches of the various perspectives around the circle.

Good group discussion involves a healthy balance of give and take. Encourage each member to share their thoughts, but avoid pressing those who are less talkative. Help generous contributors make room for the views of others. Ask members to address their comments to the entire group – not just you.

Remain sensitive to time. If a particular question or topic sparks strong interest, allow the group to pursue it within reason. In some cases you may need to summarize and move on to the next question. In others, it is best to nip a totally irrelevant topic in the bud by suggesting it as the subject of a future meeting.

Individual Study

Here are some suggestions for using this guide for an individual study of Becoming a God Magnet:

Develop a regular time and place for your study each day or every other day.

Try doing each study over the course of a week if you can.

As you go through each section, read the relevant chapters in Becoming a God Magnet so the material will be fresh in your mind.

Share what you are learning with others. Discuss some of the questions in the Ask section with a few fellow believers and see what they have to say.

Ask a close Christian friend or prayer partner to hold you accountable to the plans you make for implementing the suggestions in the Act sections. Share your plans with them and ask them to check back with you within a specified time frame to see how well you followed through.

Some of the questions can be used as discussion starters with non-believing friends. For example, you could say, “I am reading a book that claims everybody ‘worships’ or is devoted to something in their lives. Do you agree? Can you think of someone who is like that?”

Get ready to see God do some exciting work in your life as you study Becoming a God Magnet. You may find yourself attracting people to God in a way you never imagined possible!

Endorsements of Becoming a God Magnet.

Wayne Hilsden, Senior Pastor, King of Kings Community, Jerusalem:
“Becoming a God Magnet is full of real-life stories of success and failure. Some might make you cry—others will certainly make you laugh. I don’t know anyone more motivated and gifted in personal evangelism than Harvey Katz. The results speak for themselves.”

Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, Founder, Christ for All Nations:
“Harvey Katz epitomizes the essence of a personal soul-winner. His love for those from every creed and culture who are seeking truth has motivated him on a daily basis. His book, Becoming a God Magnet, will challenge you and provide practical tools in effective soul-winning. I heartily encourage you to read this book!”

Stan Telchin, Author of Betrayed and Abandoned:
"I admire Harvey Katz’s determination to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus and his desire to help make other disciples. Indeed over the years of our friendship he has become a God-shaped magnet. And in his new book, he will help you understand how you can become one too. Read it. You’ll be blessed as you do."

David Mainse, Host of 100 Huntley Street TV Show and Founder of Christian Crossroads Communications:
"What if you could find a fruit tree that produced a fruit with nine flavors? What if the tree grew along the roadside and therefore available to everybody? The fruit is brilliantly colored. Would you be drawn to such a tree? Would the tree pull you to it like a magnet?
Harvey Katz in his personal life is such a tree. When one experiences Harvey, you “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8). The flavors are all there. You can’t miss the love, the joy, the peace, the patience, the kindness, the goodness, the faithfulness, the gentleness, the self-control. Of all the people I know, Harvey stands out as the person described in the first Psalm of David. “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season.” (Psalm 1:3) Therefore, in my judgment, Harvey is very well qualified to write such a book as this."

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