The YBPDLN Ping List is generally published infrequently, but based on the exploits of the megachurch pastors posts can spike for a period of time. If you would like on or off of this list please FReepmail me.
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The YBPDLN Ping List is generally published infrequently, but based on the exploits of the megachurch pastors posts can spike for a period of time. If you would like on or off of this list please FReepmail me.
On my 2.5 hour round trip commute, I’ve listened to the bible on mp3 for the last several months. I’ve “burned through” the NT several times and am currently up to the end of Ezekiel, having re-listened to many parts before continuing on.
I now see Proverbs as wisdom 101, Ecclesiastes as wisdom 301 and the NT as wisdom 401. I used do go to a mega church. I was actually saved and the next week started going to one (that is one of the more interesting “coincidences” in my life).
And the author nails the warnings in Ecclesiastes. Frankly, I think that when one is focused on the good or bad happening in this life, they are focused on the wrong thing. In my small baptist church in rural KY, everyone knows I see this life much like a video game. I put a quarter in back in 1954 and am playing as best as I can, but it is not my “real” life. Sure, I come out in how I play the game and, as a Christian, I try to play by the rules, but I know that the enemy lurks behind rocks and sometimes I am tried by “bad things” happening to me or those I love.
But in the end, it’s Game Over, and then I’m in the “real world”. What matters then is if I am Christs or not. I’ve made my choice. What happens in this life is all there for teaching and the gaining of wisdom, be it apparently good or bad.
And one last analogy: The professor in school that made your life most miserable was also the one you learned the most from.
“the Osteenian view that suffering is always a sign of God’s displeasure.”
That is most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!
I guess God was showing His “displeasure” with Jesus, when he received stripes for our healing, and when He bore our sins on the cross....
I guess God was also angry with all of the Apostles when they were beaten and put to death!
No, in this world, we will all have trouble and The Lord delivers us out of them all. If we do everything perfect and nothing bad ever happens, then why would we need God or Jesus for that matter? No, it is in the bad times that our Love for Him is proved through faith, just like Abraham.
Olsteen is preaching a false Gospel.
To add to your observations. They never want to talk about Jesus, saying if I have suffered, why would you expect less.
Job’s conclusion was that God is God and I am not in my paraphrase.
I don’t know about the rest of you but it is ONLY in the troubling/hard areas of life that I turn to him and have had my greatest growth and gotten to know Him.
I have started to pay for troubles for people. It is the most encouraging of prayers as it always gets answered.
I don’t think you can preach truly.
In our responses, sometimes we tend to communicate only the correction and suffering.
“The son of God prayed for release from a dreadful death and his prayer went unfulfilled.”
What Christ prayed was, “if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me.” He always prayed, “Thy will be done.” He concluded that the cup could not pass from Him until He first drank from it. After He drank from it, the cup did pass from Him, and He was raised from the dead.
I’m not trying to split hairs, but I take issue with the idea Chirst’s prayer was unfulfilled. God the Father ALWAYS answered His Son’s requests because His Son ALWAYS did His Father’s will.
I understand that Christ, in His humanity, did not want to go to the cross. And this seems to be the point of the above statement, but the statement is not technically correct.
But the illustration of Christ’s prayer does support the main argument against the fallacy that God’s perfect will means never having to suffer. Victory is the ultimate outcome but not continuously realized by having a trouble-free life.
ping
If we are born again, we need to feed the new spiritual man and the only food that strengthens our new man are Gods Words, not some preachers interpretations of His Words, including Rick Warren.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
For me, it comes down to one thing. When asked if Jesus is the only way to God, Osteen hemmed and hawed and stumbled over his answer. This happened twice, on O’Reilly’s show and on Larry King. No minister of the Gospel should have a problem answering that question.
Every time I see Mr. Osteen on the T.V. I think of a used car salesman or snake oil salesman. It immediately sets my teeth on edge. HE is like many other t.v. preachers, the package gets in the way of the message. GOD told me to tell you to send me money and we both will be happy !!
By their fruits .. and fleets of aircraft and autos, ye shall know who they are.. nuff said.
So how does one discern the everyday trials and sufferings from the times one is being disciplined? Never heard anyone address this nor any Bible verses come to mind.
John 10:10 Amplified Bible
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
If you get the full revelation of what Jesus is saying in John 10:10, the world becomes far less confusing. There is no darkness in Light, no evil in Good, and no selfishness in Love.