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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Joel Osteen's book Your Best Life Now has caused many people to seek their "best life now." Among the claims Mr. Osteen makes are "God wants to increase you financially" (page 5). He goes on to exp...
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Jennifer Henkel
Supporter
This is simply the "health and wealth" so-called gospel, that Jesus wants to come into your life as your servant, instead of the other way around. Try telling our brothers and sisters in North Korea, Vietnam, Sudan, and many other places where Christians are hated and severely persecuted that they just need more faith, and Jesus will deliver that new car and fat bank account, not to mention popularity! The message in YourBest Life Now is very "me-centered" and NOT Biblical. Jesus says we are die to self, not indulge self.
Vin Smith
Supporter
I have wondered about a scripture for over fifty years. Here it is. Matthew 7:23, KJV. "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Seems to me those who profess the prosperity gospel are poster boys and girls from those who proclaim Jesus, but do not live by Him.
Danny Hickman
Supporter
Yes, I believe believers can live the life Pastor Osteen describes in his book as your "best life now", NOW. The life he depicts in his sermons is a life that honors The Lord for who He is and for all He blesses His servants with. The Word says that "All good things comes down from The Father... God is sovereign over all, the rich as well as the needy" So a good interpretation of James 1:17 is that ALL that comes from The Father is good, whether it feels good or not. I'm not a fan of prosperity teaching, but I don't have to be to understand that God made some of His children rich on purpose according to the scriptures. Not everyone is destined by God to be wealthy, but that doesn't mean God takes issue with those who do well financially. I don't think Pastor Osteen is COMPARING the life to come with this life when he says BEST life.I think he's saying that this life can be a BLESSED life in every sense of the word BLESSED. There are many "Christians" who, judging by their comments, believe that to desire to abound in the blessings of this world is to deny The Lord His proper place in your life. I disagree. Some people are ambitious and some are not. Some desire to preside and thereby serve, and some only want to help those who preside. All the above described followers of Christ need to be taught to live the BEST life they can, right here, right now, for The Lord Of Glory. That's all I think Pastor Osteen and Lakewood Church is trying to model for a world that needs to witness something positive about a life lived for Christ. I personally get excited at the teaching and preaching of 'The Grace of God' of how He cleansed me for no other reason than that He loved me just as I am. And there are those "of the faith" who will take issue with what I just stated. Pastor Osteen's words are being twisted in my view.
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