sgys banner books

JOEL OSTEEN and LAKEWOOD CHURCH

“I don’t get deep and theological.”~Joel Osteen, New York Times July 18, 2005

Note Joel’s own words here: “I don’t get deep and theological.” In other words: “I’m a spineless moral coward who refuses to stand on what God’s Word clearly states and don’t get into God’s Word or preach it – other than to misuse a verse here or there for my own self-serving purposes. No, instead I teach you the self-serving, luciferic doctrines that your unrepentant heart wants to hear. And I am a millionaire many times over for doing such. Thank you for being so gullible and biblicalically-illiterate and patronizing my church business – my empire.”

Have you stopped to think about the title of Osteen’s best selling book? Anyone living their ‘best life now’ … that means they are going to hell and have forfeited eternal glory in Heaven for this fleeting, sinful world. Jesus says “They have their reward.” (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16) If this life is your “best” life, that means you are going to hell because Heaven is going to be glorious for those who follow Christ to the end of their lives and “not be moved away from the hope of the gospel” by following greed-driven, lying wolves like Osteen (Colossians 1:22-23).

Osteen gets an “F” for his false teaching in “Your Best Life Now.” He gets an “F” because this book should have been titled “Your Best LIE Now.”

—IF YOU are defending Osteen, you are defending a known wolf and condemning others for not agreeing with you. YOU are the judgmental one. It’s time to really repent. — Anyone who can agree with this Christ-denying heretic (Osteen) is also an unsaved antichrist.

Notice below in this video clip how that it took the woman calling in to say the truth he refused to preach and even denied. Notice how he says repeatedly “I DON”T know” “I Don’t know” … does Joel not have access to a Bible? He says he judges no man – BUT JESUS WILL JUDGE ALL MEN and if they deny Christ with their own lips the LORD Jesus says we know them by that bad fruit because He says “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34) So we DO know other men’s heart to a good degree by the “fruit” of their mouths (Matthew 7:16, 20). Jesus says to discern others “by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, 20). What you will see here is that Osteen doesn’t want ot take a stand for what the Bible says because he’s trying to please the world in order to continue to grow his own temporal empire in lieu of being a humble servant being used to build Christ’s kingdom by sowing the truth in the hearts of men. He lamely says “I’m going to let God be the Judge” and YET refused to say what the JUDGE has told us in His Word. The Judge is God and He has not been silent. His Word is clear: “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish (go to hell).” (Luke 13:3) Jesus also says “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God … ye must be born again.” (John 3:3, 7) Christ also states: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16) Oh and the LORD’s apostle Paul said: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

Did the JUDGE make Himself clear?  Watch this lame, spineless, Christ-denying moral coward who isn’t saved ….

—- You know, people so love being lied to – being told that God just wants to pamper them – that if you dare interfere with the c-l-o-w-n whose lies they are devouring, they will viciously attack you. – “My people love to have it so.” (Jeremiah 5:31) Anyone who doesn’t see that Osteen’s “gospel” is completely irreconcilable with New Testament Christianity/doctrine/truth, has no clue what the Bible says. This hour was foretold: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (stories).” (2 Tim. 4:3-4) …. That’s all Joel does is tell stories …. he’s just a flattering story teller that makes unregenerate (unsaved) people feel good about themselves in their current lost, sinful condition. He refuses to tell his audience about sin and that they must repent or they cannot be saved from eternal damnation (Lk. 13:3, 5, etc.). Is that love or hate? Hate.

Playing stupid to protect the wolf who is telling your unrepentant heart what it wants to hear reveals self-serving cowardice. Ignorance is a curse, not a Christian/biblical virtue (Proverbs 15:14).

“The simple (Heb. silly, seducible, foolish) believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” Proverbs 14:15

Jesus says we ARE to “know” (discern) others “by their fruits” and Osteen’s fruit, his doctrine, is not the original Gospel (Matthew 7:15-21). Any second grader who reads the Gospels knows that. The apostle Paul says Osteen is “accursed” for preaching “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9)

Osteen refuses to preach the original Gospel once delivered to the saints (or anything remotely close to it) and by this alone we know he is “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9).

THE only reason people like Osteen is because he is telling them what THEY want to hear in their sinful, unrepentant, alienated, lost state. He is lying them into eternal damnation. No true, Bible-loving Christian would take this guy seriously. – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Ever notice how Osteen holds up a Bible and has his audience make a confession? Part of Osteen’s canned script that he recites out loud and has his audience repeat is that “I am what it (the Bible) says I am.” Yet, you never hear Osteen lead his self-centered audience to say: “LORD, I know You promised suffering to those who truly follow You. And, if You say I must die to self and to suffer and be persecuted for serving You, then I know You will grant the grace for me to be brought through it all, come what may!” Red Flag!

Concerning the cross-less, counterfeit gospel preached by Osteen, Mark Heatherly notes:

“The cross has multiple aspects but the main one is to nullify the ‘negative’ elements that are deeply infused within the heart and soul of man. The cross serves as a filter of sorts to screen out all that is not in conformity with Christ , the new and perfect man. Everything in the old man is fallen;  heart, mind, will and emotions and even the conscience. God placed us in Christ so that when He died, we died. This is the objective side and then on the subjective side, we then must ‘die to self, take up our own cross daily and follow Him.’

The cross has to work deeply and thoroughly throughout our inward parts (heart n soul)  to bring us into conformity with Christ.

The practical working out part is every time we deny self-centered thoughts, desires, and impulses. The suffering the death of self involves when we endure sufferings and shame, when we give thanks sacrificially, when we turn the other cheek, or go the extra mile, and etc. Modern Christendom is in a state of apostasy… just as the Lord and His apostles foretold of these last days, people gather to themselves teachers who tickle the ears such as Joel Osteen! Hosanna, Lord Jesus.

The gospel Joel preaches is self exaltation! He does not preach the exaltation of Jesus Christ, the only truly good, righteous and perfect man. He actually preaches anti-Christ because everything he advocates is the opposite of the true gospel which is Jesus Christ, the hope of glory, and not me and what God has done for me. Rather, Jesus has said to lose your life while Joel says, ‘Your best life now’ The true gospel is Christ-centered while preachers like Osteen prostitute his followers out to self-indulgence in this fleeting world! Read James chapter 4! James clearly portrays us as being married to God who has given us His blessed Holy Spirit that we might be sanctified, set apart from the world and the self-centered, self-seeking indulgences therein which are of the enemy of God, Satan! James calls those who love the world, adulteresses because they have left their first love, abandoned the blessed Holy Spirit, and allowed their affections to go out to the world and the things therein through their self seeking flesh!

What Joel preaches comes straight from hell! It comes from the father of lies and all deception! Wake up people! Be SOBER and ALERT in your spirits for these things are ONLY spiritually discerned! You cannot discern this with your soul! Satan has dominion in that realm because of our flesh. The only safe haven, indeed even our rest, is within the human spirit where the Spirit of truth resides! Walk therein and do not be fooled. Just because someone stands in a church pulpit, holds up a Bible and says ‘God’ occasionally does not guarantee he knows God and speaks truth. Deception would have no fruit if it was fully exposed in light! A wolf could not walk and fellowship within the fold of the sheep, unless that is, he were clothed in sheep’s skin and looked just like them!” Mark Heatherly

It’s obvious that so many are passionate about their love for Osteen and his message. But why? With all due respect, I must refrain from endorsing such a ministry as Osteens.  His message is full of fables and myths and is clearly not the true Gospel. Osteen refuses to preach the essentials of the original Gospel, such as repentance from sin, God is holy and commanded us to be holy, the death burial and resurrection of Christ, the soon return of Jesus, the divinity of Christ, etc., etc., etc.

How can any student of the Bible see anything but disparity, contradiction, and mutilation when they hear such flowery, flesh-flattering, sin-pandering speech such as what this smiling wolf spews out?????

ANY PERSON WHO WOULD DARE TO DEFEND THE PITIFUL FALSE TEACHINGS OF A MAN LIKE JOEL OSTEEN IS EITHER NOT SAVED OR IS A BABE WITH DANGEROUSLY MINUSCULE BIBLE LEARNING UNDER HIS/HER BELT.

Such a person has no clue to Bible doctrine. | See Cameo Collusions  Conspiring to “Destroy Souls!” Beware of the Cameo Appearance Hoax  There are Biblical Keys for Discerning Wolves.

Victoria Osteen: “We’re doing it for ourself, not God”

Of smooth talking wolves, Louise S. Writes:

“It really is NOT that difficult to tell who these false prophets are. The rah rah self-exalting sermons are NOT substance enough for the people of GOD seeking JESUS and HIS SPIRITUAL TRUTHS. They are just nice superficial speeches! There are NO solid convictions. It takes GUTS and FAITH to be a TRUE FOLLOWER of CHRIST and it will COST you EVERYTHING. The total surrendering of our WILL, PLANS, surrendering to HIS WAY and our own personal journey to the cross. That really is what is not preached in our churches. Most are NOT willing to pay the price to be a true discipline of CHRIST. Not an easy journey but worth it! HE, the GREAT I AM, made HIMSELF a whip and confronted face to face these false prophets, hypocrites. HE turned their money table over; and called them a bunch of adders (snakes) and said ‘your father is the devil!’ Is that BOLD enough for you? HE also said they would NOT see HIM again ‘until they said “blessed is HE who comes in the name of the LORD.’ These people use GOD, HIS teachings, for their own selfish gains but JESUS saw the corruption/whoredom within even though the outside looks fancy. They DO NOT follow the command and principal of GOD’s LOVE or work for HIS KINGDOM; but for their own! They hold NO real substance or depth within them. They are just empty suits making pretty speeches; tickling your ears, saying what they think you want to hear. They DID NOT appreciate or see the value in JESUS, the carpenter’s son, NOT knowing they were in the presence of Majesty. It is NO difference today!” Louise S.

Paul the apostle tells us that these smooth talking devils are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and that they “mind earthly things,” and that their “god is their belly” or carnal appetites (Philippians 3:18-19). That simply means they are in the “ministry” for self-serving purposes.

—- In light of this luciferic “we are little gods,” heresy, read this following Bible passage and note that this is perhaps prophetic of this late hour when so many have fallen away from Christ and therefore fall for these self-serving manipulations to get things for themselves.

“Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” Psalms 12:1-4

Note that “Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” (v4) This is a antichrist declaration of of the denial and refusal of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In other words “We will not trust in God to do HIS will in our lives but rather WE will use our own tongues to get what WE want – to confess blessings in to OUR lives!” This goes for PMA (positive mental attitude) and the so-called law of attraction Osteen uses also. The common denominator is complete rebellion and therefore seeking to make their own way, do their own thing, and be their own little god or ruler and determinator of their own “success” and destiny.

The word says that homosexuality is an abomination unto God. “Pastor” Joel Osteen has made a name for himself as a positive and uplifting minister who focuses in on life’s pleasantries. Despite his wild popularity, he‘s also frequently criticized by some who feel he doesn’t address some of the more nitty-gritty issues that exist in both the secular and religious worlds.

When it comes to sin — something Osteen clearly believes in but rarely discusses in his sermons — the faith leader is often targeted for not addressing the issue upfront and regularly. On Sunday evening, Oprah Winfrey interviewed Osteen on her new program, “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” where he delved deeply into his views on homosexuality and sin.

“Will a gay person be accepted into heaven, as you see it?,” Oprah asked the famed pastor. “I believe they will,” he responded. ”Sometimes we look at gay being a bigger sin than being proud or not telling the truth. I don’t think God categorizes sins.”

Here, Osteen made it clear that he believes homosexuality is sinful. But Oprah pushed him a bit harder to solidify his stance, asking, “Does that mean that you’re saying that you believe that being gay is a sin?”

“I believe that homosexuality is shown as a sin in the scripture,” he responded. “Oprah, it’s a hard thing in a sense, because I’m for everybody. I’m not against anybody. I don‘t think anybody’s second class,” Osteen continued, as he explained that the Bible’s message on the matter, in his view, is clear.

Notice Osteen, the spineless moral coward’s use of phrases like “Oprah, it’s a hard thing in a sense, because I’m for everybody. I’m not against anybody. I don‘t think anybody’s second class.” Did you catch what he is trying to do? Do you discern the self-preserving, manipulatory spin here? He’s trying to base what the definition of sin is by how HE feels about it and how people will respond to HIM if HE calls sin sin according to God’s definition. Yet, the God who made all that is gave us His Word and specifically lists and defines what sin is and how it offends Him and defiles the participant (Galatians 5:19-21). Only the LORD Himself is “Holy, holy, holy,” and only He can define what sin is and if these sin send people to hell (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). God defines what sin is, not man. So, Osteen is basing his answers to life and sin on how it will effect HIM and HIS REPUTATION and not on what God says. Osteen needs to repent and be saved (John 8:47; Romans 3:3-4).  Osteen is clearly all about self and not the Savior and attracts those who are using Christ’s name in vain to greedily covet and get things, popularity, favor, and this fleeting worlds goods for themselves – because like him, they are serving the god of self, they are worshiping at the altar of self. He has repeatedly rejected Jesus Christ and anyone who thinks this man is a true pastor should themselves repent and be saved.

ANY person who thinks Joel Osteen is even saved is clueless and probably needs to get saved. What is it going to take!? How many times does this moral coward have to deny Christ publicly for people to see this stage show scam for what it is? Actually, God has a place for false prophets like Osteen. He uses dupes like this to set a hook in the jaws of all who do not truly love Him and therefore are not willing to lay down their lives to serve Him. … “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure (hold themselves accountable to) sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

Disciple or “Champion”?

“You were born to win; you were born for greatness, you were created to be a champion in life” – Joel Osteen (p. 35).

“Born to win”?

“Born for greatness”?

Where’s that in God’s Word? Does Osteen know better than Jesus Christ, the prophets, and Christ’s apostles? After all, they made no such claim in the 66 glorious books of Holy Scripture. Christians are called saints and disciples, and followers of Jesus but never called “champions.” Such a term is a flesh-flattering ploy from the mouth of a modern deceiver who is using ancient methods to beguile the gullible.

– WARNING –
Enter this page at your own risk: This website is intentionally for those who love and seek to obey the LORD who is the Truth, are teachable, taking up their cross daily, and growing daily in His holy grace (Jn. 14:6; 2 Pet. 3:18). The information contained herein may be hazardous to falsehood and false prophets/teachers. There will be no pandering to deception, human sentiment, philosophy, flattery, or lies, but rather godly edification with truth and love (Jesus willing). Those of the true remnant of the LORD possess a heart after the LORD and mind the things of Christ and His kingdom and are not afraid to discover that a leader, whole movement, or teaching they have previously espoused is actually false when tested in the light of Holy Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Jesus is their “first love” and they will have no “idol shepherds” nor pet doctrines of men or devils (Mk. 7:6-9; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:4-5; Zech. 11:17). Those who seek to cover for and defend the very leaders Christ warned are ravening wolves who devour His people while operating in sheep’s clothing, will not enjoy this site (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:27-32). Yet those who are “valiant for the truth” may very well love it (Jer. 9:3; Jn. 8:47; 18:37). Those who are fast asleep spiritually and therefore do not recognize the impending danger of deceivers and their distorted misrepresentations, are in for a shock (Exod. 20:3-4; 2 Cor. 2:17). Our prayer is that these will choose to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God in repentance and full obedience to His holy Word. God bless you richly in Jesus’ holy name.

In his blatant refusal to obey the divine command to “preach the word,” Joel Osteen is leading millions astray with his false gospel which couldn’t drown a flea in its spiritual depth (or rather, lack thereof). In his preaching and in his statement here (to the New York Times) Joel announces for all to see that he is not interested in getting into the Word of the God he claims to serve, much less instilling God’s truth in the hearts of his audience. This means he is creating a god in his own depraved image and selling it to the gullible. The fact that so many people think Joel Osteen is a Christian leader and embrace his ministry underscores the biblical illiteracy and “itching ears” among those claiming to be God’s children (2 Tim. 4:2-4). Where did the LORD instruct us to learn of Him, obtain His truth, and grow to become mature believers, rooted and grounded in Him? Try John 5:39; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17; Heb. 5:11-14; and 1 Pet. 2:2 for starters.

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (living) and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word (nothing else); be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. “ 2 Timothy 4:1-4

Like Billy Graham, Joel Osteen continually refuses to tell America the truth when interviewed on shows like Larry King Live.  What did the Son of God say of such cowardice?

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38

Never in the history of this rebellious nation of people has there been a greater need for authentic men who fear God to stand up and tell people what the LORD requires of us (as individuals and as a people).

Christ makes it crystal clear here that “whosoever” is ashamed of Him and won’t speak His “words” before men, will be rejected on Judgment Day.  The Almighty is not impressed with man’s temporary popularity; in fact He says it’s one evidence of the “false prophets.” (Lk. 6:26; 16:15)

“As the aging Robert Schuller, Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Paul Crouch are being retired and shown the door, a spanking brand-new generation of ministers and evangelists are being ushered in by the Devil to take their place.  The new preachers–men like California’s Pastor Rick Warren. The Purpose-Driven Life) and Texas’ Joel Osteen (Your Best Life Now) are flashy, shiny, and smiley.  They use positive talk, make people feel good, and get them to thinking about ‘Me, Me, Me, Me…’  The Rick Warrens and Joel Osteens evade topics like sin, judgment, Hell, and condemnation. They trumpet the New Gospel–that God is always good and that He has a satchel-full of cash he’s just dying to give out to every believer if only they’ll think good thoughts.  What about false religion?–Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Witchcraft?  Don’t worry.  God is working behind the scenes to get those people to Heaven–and they don’t need to be evangelized at all.  ‘So long Christian missionaries–It’s been good to know you!’  Find your purpose, find prosperity–get greedy, stop barking.  Surround yourself with purple haze–The New Generation of Christian leaders are here, and watchdogs everywhere have simply gone to sleep.” Tex Marrs

I am jumping on and staying on the JESUS bandwagon and departing from and exposing false ministries like Lakewood/Osteen which refuse to preach the original Gospel and are therefore preaching “another gospel” and are “accursed.” (Gal. 1:6-9). The first word of the Gospel is “Repent” and Osteen will never be heard preaching that men must repent (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 3:19; 17:30…). “God … commandeth ALL men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30)

Jesus says there is NO salvation without repentance (Lk.13:3, 5). Do you know these verses? If you go to Lakewood it points to a serious problem in your heart – you are not a truth seeker on your own (2 Timothy 2:15). You don’t know God’s Word for yourself and are being deceived and will be “destroyed” if that doesn’t change (Hosea 4:6). You only know the few little tidbits of Scripture Osteen deceitfully sprinkles out there. You are fulfilling the last days prophecy of 2 Timothy 4:2-4. These people are not seeking Jesus and His Holy Truth. If they were they would see right through the thin veneer of this scam. Do you know what 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 says?

WHAT OSTEEN PREACHES TO THE CHOIR

If you watch Osteen on TV or read his book, you will notice many essential components of the true Gospel missing, including what Christ taught about the denial of self in contrast to the elevation and worship of self, which is exactly what Osteen promotes through his new age success and positive mental attitude (PMA) teachings. If you do not have a life in the Word for yourself, you will never know what Osteen purposely leaves out. Joel Osteen champions the cause of those who worship at the altar of self. There is no mention of denying oneself, taking up the cross to crucify the lusts of the flesh, and following Jesus. Osteen’s message is all about self-attainment and self-promotion instead of self denial, which is what Jesus commands and His apostles taught. This alone makes his gospel another gospel, not the real Gospel.

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any manpreach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9

In his messages, Osteen seeks to convince people, as he twists and misuses Scripture, that Jesus came to make them victorious in every area of their lives at all times. The great apostle Paul said that he learned how to abase and to abound. There were seasons of plenty and seasons of trial by having little. God provided. He said he learned to be content through those experiences and could have never learned such and been deepened in God without those precious trials where his Potter molded him more into His holy image (Rom. 8:29; Phil. 4:11-13; 1 Pet. 4).

Any person or even angel from Heaven (not hell), who preaches “ANY other gospel” than that seen in the record of the Word of God, is “accursed.” This simply means that if what a person preaches does not include the essential components of the Gospel found on the pages of the New Testament canon, he is false and cursed of the LORD. It does not matter how nice a person he seems to be. – “For the LORD seeth not as man seeth.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

WHAT OSTEEN PREACHES TO THE LOST

Universalism: The extreme form of universalism is the belief that all people are going to Heaven. The more subtle and just as deadly form of universalism is that anyone who is sincere about whatever religion they choose is going to the same Heaven Christ spoke of. The difference in Christ and these false prophets of universalism is that the Son of God told us that without repentance and the receiving of Him as LORD, hell is the eternal abode of all rebels. (Matt. 4:17; Lk. 13:3,5; Rev. 20:15, etc.) Christ is the one and only way to Heaven and the name of “Jesus” is the only name under Heaven whereby “we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Here is the official script of Joel Osteen on the Larry King Live show where millions were watching: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html Read this and see Osteen do everything in his power to deny that Christ is the only way to God and deny what His Word says about homosexuality, Muslims, etc. Joel Osteen is clearly a man whom rebellious people have heaped to themselves, exalting into leadership, yet in this interview, 8 times he says “I don’t know.” He simply doesn’t know God’s Word or he has such a weak relationship with Him that he doesn’t possess enough spiritual prowess to have the bold unction of the Holy Spirit to declare the truth in love.  Has Osteen ever been authentically born again? After all, in this interview he tells Larry King “I have always believed.”  In the absence of any profession of faith like “I was born in sin but have now been born again/saved/washed in the blood of Jesus”, one must wonder. Was Joel born like only Jesus was – sinless? Or, does he have the sin nature like all of Adams descendants? – “All have sinned.” (Rom. 3:23) If Osteen was born in sin like the rest of us, then he must be born again to be in God’s kingdom. Why no mention?  How can one “have always believed” if we are all born in sin? See Romans 5:12.

Osteen also says “I can’t judge somebody’s heart…I’m just going to let god be the judge of that. I don’t know. I don’t know… “ Okay, we all know God is the real Judge, but what did GOD tell us so clearly in His Word? Did the Almighty mean what He told us in His Word? What did God tell us about the things Mr. King was asking Osteen about — Muslims and atheists going to Heaven, homosexuality, etc.? Didn’t God give us His Word on these things and “all things that pertain to life and godliness”(2 Pet. 1:2-4)  Of course He did and yet Osteen copped out in order to protect his own self-serving agenda and reputation, instead of losing his life/reputation as Christ commanded we must do to be His (Lk. 9:23-24; Jn. 12:14-25). If this isn’t a denial of Christ, then what is?

Could it be clearer? “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.”  (2 Tim. 2:12)

Beloved, the fact that Joel Osteen didn’t have the simple answers to Larry King’s elementary questions alone should declare to any genuine born again believer that Joel doesn’t represent Jesus Christ whatsoever. And, the fact that Osteen doesn’t know the LORD enough to have enough boldness to proclaim the name of Jesus, the only name under which any person can be saved, should even further confirm His wayward spiritual state.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Osteen’s “apology letter” does nothing to negate the fact that he is simply not representing Jesus Christ and certainly not qualified to be leading others. He is leading them astray. Jesus warned us that blind leaders lead those who follow them into the ditch of deception and ultimately destruction (Lk. 6:39).

In his book, Your Best Life Now, Osteen states:

Pages 61-62: “Sadly, of all the people who came out of Egypt, only two men, Joshua and Caleb, ever entered the land God intended for them….Their lack of faith and their lack of self-esteem robbed them of the fruitful future God had in store for them…..Remember, God had already guaranteed the Hebrews the victory, but because of their poor self-images, they never made it into the Promised Land. They never fulfilled their destiny, all because of the way they saw themselves.”

One who read Joel’s book comments: “Wow that’s the most perverted view of that I’ve ever heard. Someone actually paid for a book with that in it!”

Of Osteen, Ingrid Schlueter writes:

“Osteen’s using 130 Scriptures (in his book) doesn’t mean a thing when it comes to biblical orthodoxy. Satan’s greatest successes have involved the rise of leaders who copiously quote the Scriptures to make their own heretical points. Scripture is not to be treated as a source for proof texts for false teaching. Osteen has no biblical defense for his ‘best life now’, ‘God wants you to be a success’ message. In fact, Osteen’s message runs counter to Christ’s clear command that we deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him. There is no personal cross in Osteen’s message to the world, only a better, more effective ME. He has people raise a Bible over their heads at the start of his messages to assure everyone that he believes the Word of God. Then he proceeds to completely contradict the very Word he claims to follow. We are here on this planet for God’s glory, not our own. God does not want us on a journey of deeper ‘self-discovery’ as Osteen claims in his new book. He wants us to go deeper and deeper into the knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ. We are to decrease and Christ must increase in our lives. This biblical framework runs counter to everything that Osteen represents…Joel Osteen needs to repent of his false teaching and his man-centered gospel and stop misleading the millions of people who follow his ministry. He is a false teacher and the consequences are eternal.”

Want to argue with the Almighty? Go right ahead. Exposing is a biblical mandate and the sentimentality of men is not going to alter His divine nature in such a matter. Truth must be contended for in order to protect God’s people from being spoiled/deceived and led to damnation – Rom. 16:17-18; Eph. 5:11; Colossians 2:8; 2 Thess. 2:3,9-12; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Jude 3-4.

Most people have no idea how many verses and texts there are in the Bible concerning false prophets and their doctrines and methods.

Essentials of False Leaders | Scam Pastors | Sin: Man’s Core Problem | Goat Entertainers

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments for My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

FEEDBACK:

“Joel Osterizer does plenty to MixMaster the word of God til it is nothing like it is written. Just another lukewarm cherry picker.” Theodore W.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

Why do you keep trying to tear down God’s children? …  The heavenly Spirit that lives inside of us gives us a nudge when there is something that is not right. I am getting that nudge right now and I am in no way trying to degrade you. The Holy Spirit is just letting me know something is just not right with this.”

REPLY:

Hi Rhonda. The burden of proof is on you to proof that Osteen, a clearly false teacher, is a child of God. The Bible is God’s final Word and it says “damnation (hell)” lies just ahead for all “false teachers” and “false prophets.” – “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their DAMNATION slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:1-3) I have seen a lot in my day and time and this is just another sad case of one man tearing down another what without a just cause. So sorry for you.

You obviously love the wolves, the very “enemies of the cross of Christ,” more than you do the  millions they are leading to hell (Philippians 3:18-19). Where’s the love of God in that?

I’m sorry you are currently so very blinded Rhonda. Feel sorry for yourself friend. If you can’t see that Joel Osteen is not preaching the original Gospel, you must not know or have forgotten the message Christ and His apostles preached. You are defending the enemies of the LORD and are in danger of His wrath.

You could not possibly be being moved by the Holy Spirit because He specifically mandated that true disciples of Christ “mark” those who cause division by preaching contrary to the doctrine of Holy Scripture (Romans 16:17-18). You have a problem with God friend. He mandated such. by name…… Are you daring to say that the LORD’s apostle Paul was not doing God’s will by marking the 8 wolves he marked in 2 Timothy (2 per chapter BY NAME)?????

– In Defense of Wolves (video) | Beware of the Wolf Defenders | Naming Names: Is it Biblical?

EMAIL RECEIVED:
    Hello, I just read the article “Joel Osteen Exposed” and WOW I was reading the wrong book!  I just moved to Florida and I wanted to know if you could recommend any church’s in the Brevard County area? Thank You, Lisa

Mind if I speak as a man? If so, here goes…..

I am really amazed at how people can be so clueless as to give even a moment to ministries like Joel Osteens. How plastic, canned, shallow, and fake does it get!? It just can’t get any more shallow and yet tens of thousands flock to that house of idol worship (of self) every Sunday and via the airwaves to hear how the god that Osteen worships and preaches can make them more happy as they enjoy their best life now. This is Satan’s message of deception – the message of trading one’s eternal birthright/blessing for a momentary bowl of soup (Heb. 12:16). This is what Esau did and God gave it to us in His Word to prevent us from doing the same thing – to throw away our eternity with Him for a temporal fix we won’t even remember a few days after we reach out for it. Who’s taking the bait? God help us!

Some of us are being led astray because we do not know the Word (Hos. 4:6). Choosing not to develop a deep love for divine truth and endure sound doctrine unfailingly leads to delusion and damnation (2 Thess. 2:10-12; 2 Tim. 4:2-4).

Listen to the words and goals of the apostle Paul in Philippians 3. Measure whether or not this is what Osteen (and any leader) is speaking. See if there is a difference – Read carefully here below what Paul spoke under the direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost:

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11

Love gives and lust gets. Paul was pouring out his whole being – spirit, soul, and body to the One who bled for his innumerable sins and unspeakable degradation and depravity. This apostle of Jesus told us that he himself would lose out if he didn’t remain crucified to the world and the sin nature (1 Cor. 9:27). Jesus said one must give up all to be His:

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

In Osteen’s messages, nothing is ever mentioned of holiness or laying down one’s life. These truths are purposely ignored. In fact, I challenge anyone to find the word “holiness” in any of Osteen’s messages. Also, “sin” and specific sins in the Bible like “adultery,” “fornication,” “extortion,” “evil concupiscence,” “witchcraft”….. (see Gal. 5:17-19). The denial of self is never mentioned because it is the opposite of what Joel teaches – he teaches people to aggrandize and esteem their depraved selves, which is Luciferic (Isa. 14:12-15).

What do we not understand about the words of the One we claim to worship?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.  But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-26

    Where do Osteen and the other false prophets of our day ever speak of eternal things and the jeopardy of soul for those who trade in their eternal birthright for temporary pleasures? Remember Esau?

Those who love the self-life love Osteen and his message. He champions the cause of those who have a mere form of godliness and yet deny the life of complete submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. For this reason, if you question Osteen, you mess with their little false security zone and you will be attacked and persecuted for it. But take heart, this means you are in the truth (Matt. 5:10-12; Lk. 6:26, 46; 16:15; 2 Tim. 3:12).

Do you not want a man who fears God with backbone and fortitude? How can we sit under such spineless and shallow messages and then turn around and defend such foolishness? How can this possibly be?! Do our hearts not hunger and thirst for the true milk and meat of His holy truth/Word? (Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2) Does deep call unto deep in our hearts? (Ps. 42:7)

I have personally had numerous people aggressively attempt to come to the defense of this false teacher and others. As the LORD would have it, many times they will initiate the conversation (having no idea of my view). When Osteen’s name comes up, I always ask a simple question: “According to the historic record of the Holy Bible, Did Jesus Christ come to the earth to make us happy in this life or to make us holy?” Joel Osteen stands or falls on the answer to this question. If you have ever watched him you know that he seeks to make people happy with as little truth or partial truths as he can get away with (it doesn’t take much in this biblically illiterate society of people who claim to know Christ). After watching Osteen for a few minutes this past weekend, all I can say is, “God help the next unsuspecting soul who comes along trying to justify Joel’s self-worship message!” You all pray for me okay – I need to try to be a good boy….oh and most of all, pray for whoever that poor unsuspecting soul might be! (j/k) You know I will be nice – for at least 30 seconds…..ha…LORD bless us to win others to You by speaking your truth in love and never to seek to just win an argument! God is love.

Friends, I am honestly trying to reconcile how in the world anyone claiming to be a Christian lines Joel’s message up with the Word of God and can possibly defend his message which is completely opposite of/opposed to what the LORD told us. This is sad, yet isn’t it a fulfillment of what was foretold of the very last days leading up to Christ’s return? Is the great falling away in full swing? (2 Thess. 2:3, 10-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; Jude 3-4)

Is Joel Osteen a true New Testament Christian leader or a perpetrator of the new age message of self-love? Does he preach the Gospel Jesus and His apostles preached that the self-life is to be denied and not fed and fattened?

Beloved, our standpoint is never to try to imbue others with our limited view or force people to see things our way – we are but men. But we freely speak as we are hopefully led according to the Word and Spirit and hope you will personally weigh all things in the light of God’s holy truth and be a Berean believer who studies to show your own self approved unto God so you will not be eventually ashamed at your own gullibility, but will rather rightly divide between the holy and the profane (unholy). See Prov. 14:15; Ezek. 44:23-24; Acts 17:11; Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 2:15. I don’t know about you but I have personally been deeply embarrassed at my own naivety in certain instances in this life and do not wish to ever be again. We must look well to our way, ever learning divine truth that we might not be misled.

“The simple (naïve) believeth every word: but the prudent (wise; discerning) man looketh well to his going.” Proverbs 14:14

This writer is just as prone to sin (and maybe more) than anyone else. That’s a given (Gen. 6:5; Jer. 7:9; Rom. 6-7). Yet, what good does it do to deny the truth and lie against it in order to justify living in sin? (Rom. 6:1-2; James 3:14) What will be our lot on Judgment Day if we deny the divinely-given truth of God’s Word that will judge us on that Day? (Jn. 12:48; Rom. 2:16; Rev. 20:11-15) Is soothing our consciences in this life more important than preparing to meet our Maker and spend forever with Him? Do we want to choose the honest or the dishonest approach? Will those who deceive themselves not eternally regret such a foolish decision? Consider the rich man who died in Luke 16. When he died he immediately awoke in the tormenting flames of hell because he refused to truly serve God in his brief earthly existence. Perhaps he went to church every Sunday, said prayers, etc. and had a form of godliness but denied Christ in order to serve his own selfish “needs” and desires (2 Tim. 3:1-7). Perhaps this same man worshipped God with his lips yet his heart and therefore deeds were far from Him (Mk. 7:6).  This exact and real man Jesus told us about is at this moment still in the horrible and filthy bowels of the domain of the damned. In a million years he will still be there – not one second will have expired from eternity’s time clock. See Luke 16:19-31.

This story of this “certain man” Jesus spoke of in Luke 16 reminds me of a dream a God-fearing preacher once had (Lk. 16:19-31). He said he had a dream and in that vision saw a frantic man running through waist high fire picking up the bodies of men and after identifying them, throwing them back down in disgust. The hysterical man in this dream was furious. The preacher was shaken by what he saw and asked the LORD what this vision meant. The LORD answered: “This is an angry man in hell, looking for a preacher that lied to him!”

And we love and defend Osteen and the other pied pipers? Or, do we love Jesus as we claim? If so, we will embrace the words of the Master and reject the lies of Satan’s ministers who fill most pulpits in this late hour (2 Cor. 11:11-15). How can we love and create a soul-tie with any person who is leading others to the fires of damnation with these lies?

All who know and love Jesus and are going to Heaven, love and obey His words (Matt. 7:21; Mk. 8:38; Jn. 8:47). These same people “HATE every false way.”

“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:104
“Therefore I esteem ALL thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:128
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Proverbs 8:13
Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment (truth; discernment) in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:15

Let’s fear God in truth and fear no man!

Thank you for allowing me to openly share. Feedback encouraged.

Blessings in Jesus, Saints

Below is a very insightful response concerning Joel Osteen. There is much to be grasped here:

    “God bless you…Thanks for writing this and for supplying great scripture. I personally have experienced this ‘Joel Osteen love affair’ with (I thought) a true sister in Christ. When I visited her last yea, and saw his books all over her house, I lost it. I tried very hard to control my emotions and calmly explain to her that he is all about “self.” She is so angry with me and defends him and others, like Joyce Meyer, with a fervor. I thought if only she could have that kind of passion for God’s truth. We had a deep, close relationship, but that’s been stolen – which makes sense since the evil one comes to steal, among other things. After that instance, I tried to send her things to read and websites to go to so she can study for herself. First she told me that she could not access anything I sent her – and when I started cutting and pasting things for her to read (so she didn’t have to go to the website herself) she told me to remove her name from my e-mail addresses. She refuses to check him out. She is so convinced that I am judging another Christian and then she sort of gave me a compliment. She told me I have a problem with ‘sin.’ She said I have no tolerance for it and that we are all sinners, even me. She also kept bringing up my past sins too. This is a very scary situation because to me, Linda was a strong believer, but of course, I realize now that she is not studying the true Word of God (NLT and Amplified), and has created another image of God in her mind. She has a perverted understanding of grace. We often talked about this over the years – I never felt it was right in my heart and now I know that was the Holy Spirit. Linda insists a mutual friend of ours who has gone back to drinking is saved. I grieve for Linda personally because she is a mouthpiece and a so-called leader in her church – she is influential. Our mutual friend should be warned about her sin of drunkenness, but instead Linda tells her Jesus will never leave her. Linda is so headstrong and prideful. She wants to be right all the time and it’s so hard to get through to her. I pray that God has not sent great delusion on her and that there will be an opportunity for her to see the truth and be reconciled to the Lord. I continue to pray for God to guide me. Linda told me if I continued this way that I would not have any friends in my life – that I am too judgmental and do not represent the love of Jesus. While that statement hurt me for a while, I come to realize it was a spiritual attack and that I just need to continue speaking the truth and reminding Linda and others that real love is telling someone the truth – not what they want to hear. God’s Word is truth. She is not even willing to search out the truth about the bible translations. So, I guess it comes down to enduring to the end, keep on speaking and giving people the truth, so they can study and research for themselves because if they truly do that God will be faithful. If they don’t well, then they will be deceived because they are choosing to be.
    Sometimes I just can’t understand – While people tell you they want God’s truth, yet they are not willing to seek it out and test the spirits. I just need to keep praying and seeking the Lord’s guidance to be a true witness for Him. I am giving books this year for birthdays, Christmas, whatever – books like yours (‘Lie of the Ages’) and from Gail Riplinger too – planting seeds so others will seek the truth. I can’t even find a pastor who teaches from the King James version. But God is good – He gave me your website and others who fear and honor God’s most Holy Writ. We persevere and endure to the end – Amen? Amen! Thanks again for your e-mail.” Laurie

Laurie rightfully speaks here of the “Joel Osteen love affair.” What is the root of those who would buy into, ardently defend, and follow this mere man who is teaching and leading people contrary to the very Word of God? Could it be self-love? Could it be that Osteen and a myriad of other seeker-sensitive leaders who pollute the landscape of “Christianity” in America are feeding the very thing Jesus commanded us to crucify? “Is there not a cause?” (1 Sam. 17:29)

It’s easier to go with the flow of the universal sinful nature. We all have it and deceivers capitalize on it by instructing people to feed it or ……… Think about the profitability here. This offers a lucrative opportunity. It’s easier to get people to remain in the depraved lifestyle by feeding their innate passions than to teach them that they must crucify their sinful nature (Rom. 6). One will live and the other die. The self-life must die if Christ is going to reign supreme (Gal. 2:20). In God’s kingdom economy there can be no resurrection before there is a willing death and burial of the old man. Jesus will reign supremely and victoriously in the life that is freely given over to Him. This is the life where that person has truly surrendered and given up his right to himself – the right to rule his own life. He has given over Himself to One who is mightier than he is, One who is all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful, and is love. He is worthy of our worship. We are nothing without Him. We can do nothing without Him. He who made all things an sustains all things by His very Word is to be considered to be laudable and worthy and given the throne of our hearts. He is worthy of all of the worship of His saints.

“When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 2 Thessalonians 1:10

We see here that Jesus is “glorified in his saints.” This is a defining characteristic of those who are truly “his saints.” His saints don’t glorify themselves (self-idolatry), they glorify Christ the LORD! The LORD of all glory is truly and literally “admired in all them that believe.”

Beloved, please read carefully the following words of divine-inspiration:

“That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31

When we see and observe how deceived even well-meaning leaders are in embracing and teaching the luciferic self-love message, it should cause our hearts to become ever more grateful for the holy Scripture in that “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” are contained therein (2 Pet. 1:3-4). The Precepts of the LORD given to us truly are a “lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.” (Ps. 119:105) “The entrance of his words” into our minds and hearts truly “giveth light” to the darkness of our understanding.

We can see today how many leaders and Christians have crafted their belief systems from the very things the Holy Spirit warned us of – “philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world.” Let’s peer into the more complete text from which this was taken:

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:8-10

My question to those who still believe that Jesus Christ taught us to love ourselves is simple: Please show in context anywhere in the Scriptures that Jesus and or His holy apostles ever taught men to love themselves. Jesus repeatedly commanded us to “deny” ourselves so why would He ever tell us to esteem ourselves? He commanded us to love God and our neighbor, not ourselves. There are only TWO commands in Matthew 22:37-39 and not three commands! Go read this beloved. Friends, as we are becoming one with and more intimate with the LORD, we will have His identity in us as He fills our hearts and lives. He will build us up because we are complete in Christ (Phil. 2:8-10). Beware of psychoheresy!

My personal exhortation to you is to never believe or teach anything but what is in the Holy Scriptures and if the doctrine of learning to love oneself is not found in the Bible, do not teach it but rather expose it as false, a very “doctrine of devils.” (1 Tim. 4:1-6) We should at once repent of believing anything the LORD didn’t give us in His Word which contains “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

Let Us Rejoice! – Jesus is Coming,

Todd

Pied Piper of the Self-Life
Tracking Osteen

Mind if I roll on a little bit more with the Osteen rant? Or is this a rage? Are we still open to learning? Are we learning to discern more effectively by the Word and Holy Spirit as the day of Christ nears and the foretold deceivers increase daily in their influence and deceptions? I believe talking about these things opens up conversation and deeper thought concerning what is going on and helps us all individually in sorting through to the heart of important matters. Father, in Jesus’ name please bless us to love You more and supremely and to be kept from the enemy and his agents and their doctrines of devils. Amen. Okay, here we go…….

It had been on my heart today to just try to communicate some edifying biblical truth about grace, and the fruit of the Spirit, etc. and be a good boy, letting everything else alone for a season. But Ouch! As I was brushing my teeth and picking out some casual clothes to wear and then leave my place and go do some writing and fellowship with some believers, Joel Osteen came on TV. So, I listened. Joel was speaking of “marked moments” in our lives where the LORD has ordained that we meet the right people and get a great deal on a house or are launched into a million dollar business deal. His whole message, as is always the case, dealt only with money and increase in this fleeting world. Did Jesus tell us not to lay up treasure in this life, but to lay it up in our heavenly home? (Matt. 6:19-21) Did Jesus tell us He was preparing a place for us here in this world or in His “Father’s house”? (Jn. 14:1-6)In Osteen’s message there was no mention of Heaven or escaping the wrath to come by getting into and remaining in the truth and not allowing any sin or false teaching to derail us. Every example of what he called “marked moments” was concerning money and real estate, and other earthbound pursuits. The Word “eternity” or Heaven we never mentioned. His whole messages deal with being “successful” in this life. But what did Jesus say about this in His kingdom message which directly opposes that of this world? In Luke 16, just before the Son of God spoke about a rich man and a poor man who went to different places in eternity, He told those who coveted the things of this world: “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Lk. 16:14-15)Like the religionists of Christ’s day, there are many today in “Christian” circles who “justify” themselves and the messages and pretty boy pulpiteers they have linked into that tell them nice little flowery yet deadly things. This is the indication of “covetous” hearts that are not truly right with God – if they were right with God they would abide content with the truth that they have all because they have Jesus who is our “exceeding great reward” and the only true riches (Gen. 15:1; Eph. 5:5-9; Col. 2:8-10; 1 Tim. 6:9-11; Heb. 13:5-6). LORD Jesus please help us!“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have (2 divine commands)(WHY?) for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6Okay, back to the multitudes that want a “Jesus” and a salvation that doesn’t require anything of them, just a free ride to Heaven with no requirement to live holy in this life. Nothing has changed. Saints, there is truly no new thing under God’s sun – the depraved and “desperately wicked” hearts of men are “only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5; Eccl. 1:9; Jer. 17:9). Watch this conversation in Jeremiah 30 for insight into what has always and is currently transpiring among the masses and their leaders:“(God told Jeremiah) Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers (leaders), See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit. For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Isaiah 30:8-15 This is the telling statement: “Which say to the seers (leaders), See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” (Isa. 30:9-11) Did you see that? The “rebellious people” who claimed to know the LORD were telling His leaders to speak “smooth things” to them and to “Get you out of the way.” In other words, “Get out of our way with speaking God’s truth! Stop hindering us living the way we choose to live! Stop telling us to deny ourselves and leave us alone and let us do our own thing without hindrance! Let us alone so we can be lawless – we are eternally secure! ”In Osteen’s message sin or suffering was never mentioned, neither was denying oneself, taking up the cross and following Jesus. The whole goal was the same as new agers – to be our own god by ordering your own world with your positive confession and positive thoughts. The typical light fanfare of Joel’s fairytale message that centers upon man was applauded by his audience. Nothing ever mentioned about reaching sinners with the law and the Gospel. The crowd applauded repeatedly and at certain landmark statements as if to say “Yes Joel! Just keep telling us what we want to hear and what feels good to us at the moment! Keep refusing to truly preach the full-counsel of God’s Word! We don’t want the hard truths. We will no longer patronize you if you preach on sin, holiness and the cost of being a true disciple of Jesus!” Beloved, if you know what goes on in these pleasure-seeker palaces of self-worship, you know that lives are not being changed. No, rather the rubber of reality hits the road as soon as those people leave the building in the vast majority of cases. When they leave, having not repented and drawn closer to the LORD – His way – they are left to deal with who they still really are. Throughout Scripture the LORD calls His people to return to Him – to repent and fall upon His mercy. “Repent” is the first word of the true Gospel and yet such a word will never be heard coming from the mouth of false prophets (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Acts 3:19). If a false teacher uses that word it will not be in its true or full biblical context. God wants to change who we are and bless us, but it must be via His prescribed method and process as given to us in His Word. This is where the deceivers are luring and capturing folks for Satan’s kingdom. People who are biblically illiterate do not realize the things the LORD told us in Deuteronomy 8, in James 1:2-4, and in 1 Peter 1-5. Do you? Beloved the message of the false prophets is the Laodicean message of being “at ease in Zion.” (Amos 6:1; Rev. 3:14-21) Where will those who follow these fables be when we soon are thrust into increasing and great tribulation? The ignorant and naïve who do not seek the truth are being set up by the false prophets to submit to the ultimate false prophet – the antichrist. This is the great falling away that will snare the souls of all those who do not love the LORD and His truth with their whole hearts (2 Thess. 2:1-12).Discernment key: Watch for the goal of a person’s message. Measure it against what the subject of the message of Christ and His apostles is in the Word. Beloved, simply listen to the message and meditate upon the Holy Scriptures. Compare the message and the goal of the message. The goal of Osteen’s message is to attempt to make people happy in this fleeting world, right? What was the goal of Christ’s message? “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” (Col. 1:22) What was the openly stated goal of Jesus’ apostle Paul? “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Col. 1:28)So what is the difference between the false and true leaders today? According the Holy Writ, the difference can be seen in the goal and subject matter of their message. Is their message earthly or eternal? Does it pertain to getting stuff and becoming great in this life or in the one to come? The answer to this determines who is true and who is false. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Is a man’s message vertical first and foremost, or is it merely horizontal? This is an acid test to identify the true and false leader. So, let us go forth from this moment forward more equipped to discern between messages that are true or false according to the Word of the One we love above all others (Ezek. 44:23; 1 Jn. 4:1-3).Saints, do you know anyone who is an Osteen fan? I seem to effortlessly run into Osteen fans every week and always shoot them to the page we have on the site. Go to ARTICLES page, then scroll down left column to sub-titled “Wolves Expose.” Below is a victorious example of how the LORD is using this page. This lady was initially upset as she listened in on a conversation her sister and I were having about Joel Osteen. Her sister and I agreed that Osteen’s gospel was false. Stacy became very upset and defended Joel and said he had a good heart. Not everyone is going to initially respond this way, but we must begin the process in their hearts, so they can begin to see the false Gospel and to draw near to Jesus. God is love, todd

Victorious Eye-Opening! Watch as this lady who once followed Osteen has her eyes opened by the LORD!

todd: do you want the truth?

Stacy: yes

todd: did osteen die for our sins? or did Jesus?

Stacy: Jesus

todd: good

todd: i want to shoot you to a resource to look at if you are open

Stacy: ok

todd: for further research so you can make a more informed conclusion

(10 minutes later) Stacy: i don’t think i can read anymore of this

todd: ok

Stacy: its an act

todd: an act?

Stacy: he’s (Osteen) not real, he makes it sound like an act, an easy life, people do this and that, is it hard to lead a christian life…i don’t think it’s that hard, to me, it’s fun, that’s not right at all (joel makes it sounds easy)

todd: who joel?

Stacy: yes

todd: are you seeing the light on him?

todd: do you now begin to see he is a false teacher?

Stacy: yes, absolutely

todd: praise God sister

todd: Jesus is the Truth

todd: and all who contradict HIM are false – including this fool

todd: still reading?

Stacy: yes, it gets worse and worse

todd: is God opening your eyes?

Stacy: yes

todd: Jesus be praised….we have no hope without Him!

Stacy: thank you

todd: yw stacy

todd: “the fear of the LORD is clean” Ps 19

Stacy: i didn’t believe you, i would have never believed you

todd: till you saw the Word on it?

Stacy: yes, i couldn’t find the Word in it

todd: God’s Word is truth

Stacy: it’s like he (Osteen) believes you just don’t have bad thoughts, there is no repentance …just close your eyes and pretend like it doesn’t matter, think happy thoughts and it goes away

todd: well put stacy

Stacy: yes, but i couldn’t find Gods Word in anything he said, it was all about him

todd: it’s like we are our own “little gods” and all we have to do is to think the right thoughts and say the right things and shazaam we order our own world and destiny…it’s totally God-less….nothing but a new age lie

Stacy: well i believed that lie and made myself my own little god

todd: Jesus loves you and is delivering you stacytodd: with His truth as you cling to Him alone

todd: and allow all idols of our hearts to be slain like dagon the false god 1 Sam. 5:1-7; Ezek. 14:3

Osteen says Mormons are Christians

Additional resources for your investigation and discernment. See what others are saying of Osteen below:

Joel Osteen: Christless “Christianity” (WHI) [1of4]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHglKISyaKsfeature=related

VIDEO of disciple outside Osteens church preaching

JOEL OSTEEN: True or False? http://av1611.org/osteen.html

OPEN LETTER TO THE DECEIVED JOEL OSTEEN 
JOEL OSTEEN: Preaching a False-Positive with a Smile http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm

JOEL OSTEEN http://www.geocities.com/Bob_Hunter/osteen.htm

Osteen is classic word/faith, twisting Scripture, teaching a false Christ and purposely excluding many Bible truths from His messages in order to win men to himself. The fact is that Osteen simply does not preach the original Gospel which begins with the command to “repent.” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17; 30, etc.).

FALSE PROPHETS IN THE CHURCH http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/word-faith.html#josteen

Compromise – A False Gospel http://www.hissheep.org/messages/compromise-a_false_gospel.html

Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us (highly suggested book)

Predators in Our Pulpits (highly suggested book)

Osteen says Mormons are Christians

Sign up here to begin receiving the Moments with My Master email sent out to edify Christ’s people.

Louise S. writes: “People of GOD need to Be in HIS righteousness and CALL it OUT, tell it like it is. We must watch for the false prophets and the whores of Babylonian. They are in politics, church, and business. I talked to a pastor friend of Joel’s and asked him if Joel was saved. He almost fell over saying “are you kidding, I pray with him and he acknowledges Jesus as Lord!” I said “No substance and half truths and nothing but rah rah self exalting sermons.” He was shocked at revelation but hopefully will start to pay attention to his friend’s sermons!!! Ken and Barbie Osteen, nice couple, right! For society’s image!”

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Abiding

The Curse of a Divided Heart and Blessing of a Whole Heart! [podcast]


Israel’s heart was divided. The solution.

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images … 12  Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:2, 12 

King Asa: Tragic end of an otherwise obedient, fruitful, God-glorifying life….

Are you blessed or cursed?

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

King Asa trusted the physicians and not the LORD and he paid dearly.

“And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.” 2 Chronicles 16:12

Feet speak of foundation. Without feet, physically we cannot stand. Without a sound foundation of truth, of God’s Word in our lives, we shall not stand. Read Matthew 7:19-29.

One writes notes the following about the meaning of feet in God’s Word:

“Why Are Feet Important in the Bible? Just as men and women stand upon their feet as the foundation of upright posture, Bible verses also use feet as a euphemism to represent a strong foundation in various circumstances. Feet are not referenced as we see them today, but they are used as symbols to represent greater metaphorical concepts, such as guidance or direction.

The feet represented something that was common to all people but used differently. For example, one of the most noted scripture texts involving feet is Psalm 119:105, ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ This emphasizes how the feet are used to travel and traverse. Yet, without the word, the traveler is left walking in the dark without a known path.

Essentially, the feet are referenced as a critical part of life as walking was commonplace. We naturally travel where our feet lead us and the Bible verses use feet to represent a means of traveling through life itself. If we walk down a dark path, we are likely to stumble. If we walk down a holy path, we are sure to please God. All of this is facilitated symbolically by the feet.”

The foundation truth we learn in God’s Word and obedience to it determines the direction of our lives.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

Becoming Rooted and Grounded in Christ

Like Asa, many today trust the counsel of mere men, such as doctors and not God. This doesn’t mean going to a doctor is a sin and yet, the true disciple will primarily trust and obey and be led of the LORD, not men.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Read Hebrews 3-4 prayerfully for the eternal danger of having “an evil heart of unbelief” AFTER being saved. Repentance required.

“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” Psalms 12:2 

Got depression? Are you seeking the LORD in true repentance whereby He will grant you great joy? (Psalms 51; 2 Timothy 1:7) Or, are you seeking out and trusting the mere human, the finite pundits of this fleeting world?

“But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.” Job 13:4

Those who trust human physicians and not the Great Physician, are cursed, not blessed. Their faith in mere men reveals their utter rebellion.

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10 

2 Chronicles 15:17 – Upon becoming king in Judah, Asa, having inherited an idolatrous, lukewarm people, system… he began to command that…

  • The people do that which is right in God’s eyes (2 Chronicles 14:2)
  • That all idolatrous altars we torn down (2 Chronicles 14:3)
  • That God’s people seek His face (2 Chronicles 14:4)
  • That idol altars in the cities of Judah be removed – “and the kingdom was quiet before him” (2 Chronicles 14:5)  ….. Proverbs 1:33
  • Fenced cities be built …. so the land could be at rest, at peace, and not fear the enemy (2 Chronicles 14:6)
  • The people be involved in building fenced, walled, protected cities – “Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.” (2 Chronicles 14:7)  ……  1 Chron 16:11
  • Great military be built (2 Chronicles 14:8)

“The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and IFFFF ye seek him, he will be found of you; but IF ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2

“But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.” 2 Chronicles 15:17

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Hebrews 11:20-22 

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalms 9:17 

“Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” Psalms 50:22 

“Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20 

God blesses those who trust Him and curses, removes His blessings from those who once trusted Him and yet now have forgotten Him. When we willingly offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the LORD our God, He avenges us of all our enemies (Judges 5:2) …. “But IF thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.” (Exodus 23:22) 

“WHEN” does God avenge us of our enemies? “WHEN” does God judge our enemies?

“Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, WHEN the people willingly offered themselves.” Judges 5:2

When we offer our lives a living sacrifice unto the LORD – that is, we simply surrender this life to Him – the subduing of our enemies begins.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Asa reigned as king in Judah for 39 years (2 Chronicles 14-16).

In his final days, after obeying God and bringing much needed reform to the people of God, Asa forgot the LORD, and had grown cold in his faith and was therefore cursed with a divided heart.

All those who trust mere men, just because they have a white coat on and are called “doctor”, are going to die as did king Asa who trusted in earthly physicians, instead of the Great Physician! Repent now sinner.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7

Are you a pessimistic pansy or an optimistic overcomer? Are you like the 10 spies or the 2 who entered the promised land while the 10 sad sack whiners were shut out? “The righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1) Jesus asks “WHERE is your faith?” (Luke 8:25) Repenting for real and putting all your trust in the LORD is essential – and no one will be in the promise land of Heaven without sound, solid faith in God. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Hebrews 11:6). “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17:5) 

Read Revelation 2-3.

Remember the woman Jesus, the Great Divine Physician made whole of her issue who had previously spent all she had on human physicians?

“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him (accessed by faith in Him), turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith (in God not men) hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Mark 5:25-34 

You claim to be trusting God but you take a mood drug? I don’t think so. MOOD DRUGS ARE FOR THE WICKED UNBELIEVERS. PERIOD. REPENT.

When a person resorts to using a drug to uplift their mood, they are loving and believing the world more than God, forfeiting the blessing of God for a cheap substitute, and manifesting their contempt for the LORD, their unbelief. A born again, presently abiding disciple of Jesus has all the fruit of the Holy Spirit which include, “Love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23) God gives His people “power… love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) God’s Word has the answer to “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” and that specifically includes a “sound mind.” (2 Peter 1:3-4) Holy Scripture specifically uses the terms “sound mind” and “sound heart” which come only from learning and adhering to “sound doctrine.”

We live in a fallen world and were born in sin. Via the things that have happened to us and that we ourselves have perpetrated on others, fragmentation of our hearts has occurred. Only One can make us whole.

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:17-19

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3

Counting it all Joy

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8

Through the trials we face in this life, we must learn to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations”, trust God not men, ask for and rely on His wisdom and not waver, but rather finished our course trusting and walking with Christ to the end of our lives.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12

The Whole Heart

“And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.” 2 Chronicles 15:15

The result of seeking the LORD with a whole heart is that He gives us “rest round about.”

“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33

9 Times in the book of Psalms the words “Whole Heart” appear. Here’s the first 3 of that collection:

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my WHOLE HEART; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.” Psalms 9:1

“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my WHOLE HEART, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” Psalms 111:1

“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the WHOLE HEART.” Psalms 119:2

PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, I have sinned against You by not wholly trusting You. I have not sought You with my whole heart. Here and now I confess this for the evil sin of unbelief and rebellion that it is and ask You to please forgive me now in the name of Jesus. Please wash me afresh from all my sins with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Also please make my heart whole and increase and fill me with Your faith Father, and cause me to trust You with all of my heart, no matter what. I love You my dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fresh Start with God

MESSAGE RECEIVED:
 
“Hi Todd. I just want to make sure that when I’m talking about salvation but I am being biblically correct. I don’t believe in once saved always saved. While I believe God is always willing to forgive and restore the backslider. I do believe that a person can choose to turn away from God and go back to living a life of sin they’re for forfeiting their eternal life. Any correction would be greatly appreciated. In Christ. Andrea”
 
REPLY:
 
Yes amen sister Andrea
Nice to hear from you
Very important doctrinal topic here
All it takes to go to hell after being saved is to be “lukewarm” right? Yes. Revelation 3:15-16
These 2 categories are loaded: Check it out. LOTS of Scripture to shape pure doctrine in your heart and life and ministering.
In Jesus, todd
Continue Reading

Abiding

“NEVER take a Vacation from God” [podcast]


God’s Word teaches us to be diligent in knowing and following Christ – even when the word diligent is not used.

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Make the deliberate decision to “set…

“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.”  1 Chronicles 22:19

“Don’t you EVER take a vacation from God!” said my first pastor.

This beloved  brother knew exactly what happens when the disciple relaxes in his seeking of the LORD. Think foolish virgins. The result can be deadly, irrevocably.

He was dead on in this warning. Give the flesh an inch and it will take a mile, right?

Have you ever slipped backward? If so, you know it started with just not reading God’s Word one day. That one day turned into two, three…. Right?

Never must this happen. The war is won in the now. You must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

God requires that we “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

It’s only those who remain built up in Christ like the wise virgins of Jesus’ parable, who “keep” themselves “in the love of God” who are not going to fall away.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. … Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 20-25

Jesus warns:

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

How did this kind of wisdom get lost from us beloved of God?

The disciple must get out ahead of the flesh. He must be one step ahead – knowing by testimony of the Word and by personal experience that there is “NO good thing” in us other than Jesus (Romans 7:18). This is exactly why Paul also said things like:

“I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Exhorting the sheep of Christ, one pastor said:

“Have fun this summer.  Enjoy the outdoors. Travel to see friends and family. Explore the world.  Just don’t take a vacation from God.  He loves you more than you can imagine and wants to keep refilling your sack with his awesome gifts so that you can keep sharing them with others in your life!”

“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.” Proverbs 13:19

Various Quotes on the Importance of Diligence

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.”Calvin Coolidge

“But I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence…”―Charles Dickens

“Prefer diligence before idleness, unless you esteem rust above brightness.”―Plato

“Diligence is the mother of good fortune.”Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

“Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.”―Chuck Close

“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search.”―Nikola Tesla

“Laziness looks at excuses as something to treasure while diligence always focuses on excuses as an inconvenience to be overcome.”Dr. Lucas D.  Shallua

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”―Thomas Alva Edison

“That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence.”William Shakespeare

“Active valour may often be the present of nature; but such patient diligence can be the fruit only of habit and discipline.”―Edward Gibbon

“Diligence overcomes difficulties; sloth makes them.”―Benjamin Franklin

“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” Proverbs 26:13

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” Proverbs 14:23

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13

“Wherefore – Having such encouragement. Gird up the loins of your mind – As persons in the eastern countries were wont, in travelling or running, to gird up their long garments, so gather ye up all your thoughts and affections, and keep your mind always disencumbered and prepared to run the race which is set before you. Be watchful – As servants that wait for their Lord. And hope to the end – Maintain a full expectation of all the grace – The blessings flowing from the free favour of God. Which shall be brought to you at the final revelation of Jesus Christ – And which are now brought to you by the revelation of Christ in you.“―John Wesley

“Slothfulness (laziness, lack of diligence) casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Proverbs 19:15

Power Words Power our Lives!

Remember those power words your parents instilled in your growing up? Remember things like “readers are leaders”? How about “The early bird gets the worm”?

What are some of the good words your beloved parents instilled in you as a child that live on in your mind and heart daily?

My beloved father taught us five to “always be consistent.” Oh and these weren’t just words. Oh no. My brother and I are only 13 months apart and so when we started playing football at about 6 years old, my parents set us down and looked us in the eyes and said “If you start this football season, you WILL finish. We require it of you, so count the cost.”

Nothing replaces consistency. Say it out loud with me right now beloved of God – CONSISTENCY.

While we’re on this topic, I hope you won’t mind me saying that it is befuddling to see how people start doing something that works and then quit – from a work out program to a lifestyle change in eating and most devastatingly, serving God then quitting.

Wait a minute, you were doing _______ and it was working, was blessing you, and then you quit?

Hebrews 10:32-39

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hebrews 6:9-12

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

62 times the words “diligent,” “diligence,” and “diligently” appear in Holy Scripture.

Each time we read these words, they pertain specifically to serving God “diligently” with “diligence.”

“Diligent”

“He becometh poor (spiritually) that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (spiritually).” Proverbs 10:4


“Diligence”

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23


“Diligently”

appears 37 times in God’s Word

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“Looking DILIGENTLY lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15

“Keep your dukes up!”

Growing up boxing, from home training to being on a golden gloves team in high school, the command of the coaches was always and repeatedly “Keep your dukes up!”

Those who drop their dukes, their hands from covering their face, get hit, get knocked out.

Another sign on the wall of that boxing facility was: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” unknown

We are going to go through what Jesus foretold:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22 

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus I come to You now. Please forgive my sins of self-idolatry, slothfulness, and spiritual adultery.


Support | STORE | PodcastsMaking Peace with God | It is Finished! | DiscipleshipThe Gospel Centers Upon Christ’s Blood | Christology | The Gospel: What is It?

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Apostasy

“Simple Concerning Evil” [podcast]


Holy Scripture uses the phrase “simple concerning evil.”

“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple (innocent) concerning evil.” Romans 16:19

“But I would have you – Not only obedient, but discreet also. Wise with regard to that which is good – As knowing in this as possible. And simple with regard to that which is evil – As ignorant of this as possible.” John Wesley

Concerning Romans 16:19 Donald Stamps writes:

“God wants believers to be innocent (Gk. akeraios) in what is evil; this word means ‘unmixed’ or ‘pure,’ i.e., innocent like a child whose mind has not yet been exposed to evil or mixed with the values of the world (cf.1 Cor. 14:20). (1) This biblical principle is in direct opposition to the idea advocated by some that children of Christians should be exposed to sin, immorality, ungodliness, and the things of Satan in order to learn to confront temptation. Some suggest that children need not be guarded from ungodliness. However, according to biblical revelation, the philosophy is not only against God’s will for the believer, but also represents Satan’s own desire that everyone be exposed to the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3:5). (2) Knowledge of evil, along with continual exposure to Satan’s ways, will lead many from the path of faith and obedience. Lot found this out to his deep sorrow, losing his entire family for this reason (Gen. 13:12-13; 19:1-38). Scripture warns that ‘evil communications’ (i.e., company) corrupt good manners (1 Cor. 15:33), and that ‘Jesus Christ … gave himself … that he might deliver us from this present evil world’ (Gal. 1:3-4). Those who advocate exposing innocent children to an ungodly environment and/or influence are in danger of violating Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6. (3) Believers should do all within their means and power to guard their children from being exposed to the deceitfulness and sin and the perverseness of this generation. To refuse to protect our children in this respect disregards the Holy Spirit’s desire that they be innocent and babes regarding what is evil.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 1959

Spoil the innocence of a child or others and God will spoil, bring ruin to you.

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” 1 Corinthians 14:20

Concerning the fact and principle of offering children to Satan on the altar of Moloch, one source notes the following:

“Based on historical and biblical accounts, child sacrifice to Moloch was a Canaanite and Phoenician ritual, often described as offering children to a deity in a “tophet” (place of burning). Scholars interpret this act as a desperate attempt to appease a god associated with the underworld or to ensure divine favor in exchange for the ultimate sacrifice.

Why Children Were Offered to Moloch:

Appeasement of a Deity: Moloch (or Mlk) is identified by some scholars as an underworld deity or a Phoenician god linked to the underworld, requiring the ultimate sacrifice to ensure favor or safety.”

“Lot … Pitched His Tent Toward Sodom”

“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13  But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” Genesis 13:12-13

Of the act of Lot pitching his tent toward Sodom, the late Donald Stamps wrote:

“PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM. Lot’s great failure was that he loved personal gain more than he hated the wickedness of Sodom (v10-13). (1) If he had loved righteousness sufficiently (see Heb. 1:9), it would have caused him to remain separate from the wicked ways of sinful people. Instead he tolerated evil and chose to live in wicked Sodom (v13). Perhaps he reasoned that the material advantages, culture, and pleasures of Sodom outweighed the dangers, and that he was strong enough to remain faithful to God. Thus, he exposed himself and his family to the immorality, and ungodliness of Sodom, only to learn the bitter lesson that his family was not strong enough to resist its evil influences (Gen. 19:24-26; 30-38). (2) Parents must be careful not to place themselves or their children in a “Sodom,” lest they come to spiritual ruin as did the family of Lot.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 27

“Although Lot was distressed by the filthy deeds he saw and heard (2 Pet. 2:7-8), he still was willing to tolerate the wickeness of Sodom for social and material advantages (13:12 note). This compromise brought tragedy to his family (v24). Likewise, believers today who expose their families to ungodly environments and evil influences for social or material gain are setting themselves up for family tragedies.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 34

Gentlemen, if we lust for the things of this world, it will cause us to sacrifice God’s truth on the altar of our greed and cause needless destruction in our families.

Ephesians 5:1-17

“1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 

2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 

4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 

6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 

7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 

8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 

9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 

10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 

11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 

12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 

13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 

14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 

15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 

16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” 

“And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:17-19

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Key to a pure, innocent heart…. is that the LORD Almighty is truly first in our lives, that we are truly one with Him—just as Jesus prayed in John 17. The futile god of self must be denounced, as well as the sin of spiritual adultery and idolatry.

“Keep thyself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22

PRAYER: “LORD, right this moment, I release everything and everyone that I might be holding onto tighter than You….I will have no other god before You dear LORD…You Jesus Alone Are My LORD And Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Marlene Austin

Continue Reading

Categories

donate button round
sgys-books01

Trending