Joel Osteen book "Your Best Life Now"

[Depleted]

Job lived to be 210. His trial lasted about a year, according to the Jewish Encyclopedia. That means that 209 of his 210 years he enjoyed health and prosperity. In fact, Satan's whole point of contention was that Job only served God because God blessed him, so there's no denying that God did in fact bless His servant Job for 99.5% of his life.

Wow! You certainly have quite the effect. For the first time ever, I almost vomited just reading those words.

Have ten of your children killed, and then tell me that trial only took a year simply because you recovered your riches back.

 

[Depleted]

Wow.

You ever lose everything you ever had? I am sure Job did not think losing his wife, all his children and all he had was just a minor occurrence.

Job is not the poster boy of what all Christians will look like (wealth wise, he should be our guide spiritually however, wow what great faith) Non of the disciples were rich, Paul had wealth, but we see deep in his ministry he had to be supported by churches, even to the point he had to work so as not to be charged with only doing this for money, The christian church we are told sold ALL they had and gave of their excess to the church and to help each other

Ummmm, for better or worse, Job got to keep his wife.

 

[7seasrekeyed]

I am gobsmacked at how the horrible suffering of Job is dismissed with monetary recompense as if that is or was, the aim of the entire episode

I don't think you can know God at all if that is what you actually derive from the book of Job

It keeps getting worse

just when you think you know how bad WOf is, they surprise you by showing the root of the callous dismissal to those they say have 'no faith'

folks..you ain't got God if you think riches was what it was about

what you have, is 'another jesus' and he looks an awful lot like the devil


now tell us that wasn't what you meant

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

I am gobsmacked at how the horrible suffering of Job is dismissed with monetary recompense as if that is or was, the aim of the entire episode

I don't think you can know God at all if that is what you actually derive from the book of Job

It keeps getting worse

just when you think you know how bad WOf is, they surprise you by showing the root of the callous dismissal to those they say have 'no faith'

folks..you ain't got God if you think riches was what it was about

what you have, is 'another jesus' and he looks an awful lot like the devil


now tell us that wasn't what you meant

That was sort of my takeaway too...
I thought, oh, you mean God will bless me 99.5% of the time? I only have to get through the 0.05% of the time that He doesn't?

He was blessing Job all along, not 99.5% of the time! How is it not great blessing to be able to say, after a great trial, I had only heard about God but now I have met Him!

Until you suffer through what God gives you to suffer through (or permits, if you prefer), you continue to insist that He can't work all things, even suffering, to our good.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

We learn the obedience of trust through the things we suffer.

 

[PennEd]

No offense, but you're incredibly ignorant. Joel Osteen hasn't taken a salary in over ten years. He made his millions as an author, and has never made any pull for offerings. He was a middle class guy who was content in running the video production of his father's ministry for many years until his dad passed away and he took over the church. As for being a Universalist, that's nonsense. He believes that there's only one way to heaven, and that's through Jesus. He messed up in the Larry King interview when he was new to the whole PR game, and he issued an apology to his supporters. https://albertmohler.com/2005/06/25/joel-osteen-issues-apology/ If you want to disagree with the guy that's fine, but let's not engage in the un-Christian and un-Christlike practice of spreading lies, okay?

I don't think you meant to be offensive, but you can't say " no offense, but your ignorant", and NOT be offensive.

I read the apology, and I may be nitpicking, but I'm not crazy about it. It is wonderful that he is saying definitively that Jesus is the only way, but this "relationship" business (although we certainly have one with Him), and especially this following business,(although we certainly should) is NOT what saves us.
We are saved by being born again by trusting in Jesus perfect Sacrifice, and subsequent resurrection. I think there is a distinction there that Joel misses.

So hopefully he trusts JESUS and not the other stuff.

 

[Depleted]

I don't think you meant to be offensive, but you can't say " no offense, but your ignorant", and NOT be offensive.

I read the apology, and I may be nitpicking, but I'm not crazy about it. It is wonderful that he is saying definitively that Jesus is the only way, but this "relationship" business (although we certainly have one with Him), and especially this following business,(although we certainly should) is NOT what saves us.
We are saved by being born again by trusting in Jesus perfect Sacrifice, and subsequent resurrection. I think there is a distinction there that Joel misses.

So hopefully he trusts JESUS and not the other stuff.

Guaranteed, when someone starts off with "no offense," the very next words are intentionally offensive. Like saying, "I'll give you a million bucks, not."

 

[lastofall]

[for me anyway] you do have a great hunger and thirst for righteousness, but it is misplaced by free-thinking, which characters like whom you've mentioned look for. In Christ we are to deny our own will, and by all means learn to not think above (beyond) that which is written, to avoid exaggeration and over-estimation, which is exactly where listening to any one other than the Lord Jesus Christ comes from. Again if we do not deny our own will, then we cannot cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God; neither can we bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, except we repent ourselves of our own will, and rid ourselves of free-thinking.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Wow! You certainly have quite the effect. For the first time ever, I almost vomited just reading those words.

Have ten of your children killed, and then tell me that trial only took a year simply because you recovered your riches back.

I wonder how anyone who has children could even think that way. My mother died 10 years ago. And although I know she is in heaven, I still mourn her often, especially around the holidays. I could not imagine losing one child, let alone multiple children.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Ummmm, for better or worse, Job got to keep his wife.

Oops, I stand corrected.. For some reason I thought he lost all, included his wife. Thanks sis for keeping me on track.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I am gobsmacked at how the horrible suffering of Job is dismissed with monetary recompense as if that is or was, the aim of the entire episode

I don't think you can know God at all if that is what you actually derive from the book of Job

It keeps getting worse

just when you think you know how bad WOf is, they surprise you by showing the root of the callous dismissal to those they say have 'no faith'

folks..you ain't got God if you think riches was what it was about

what you have, is 'another jesus' and he looks an awful lot like the devil


now tell us that wasn't what you meant

It is quite sickening as to how low they will go.

 

[BenFTW]

And here I thought there were a bunch of sheep in this thread, only to find what appears to be gnarling wolves. I'm sorry Joaniemarie for the harshness and crudeness that our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are directing towards you. Keep your chin up, and stay strong. They will mock, but God gets the last laugh, as do you. Remain faithful because He is.

 

[Depleted]

Oops, I stand corrected.. For some reason I thought he lost all, included his wife. Thanks sis for keeping me on track.

His dear, loving wife told him to curse God so he could die.

As a dear, loving wife, I really do get seeing hubby in such serious pain, sometimes you think, "Take him, already, Lord." But I don't think it's encouraging to tell hubby to curse God.

That's why I remember her. She reminds me of stuff I think and don't say. (Yes, sometimes I really do think it without saying it. Not often, but it happens. lol)

 

[Depleted]

And here I thought there were a bunch of sheep in this thread, only to find what appears to be gnarling wolves. I'm sorry Joaniemarie for the harshness and crudeness that our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are directing towards you. Keep your chin up, and stay strong. They will mock, but God gets the last laugh, as do you. Remain faithful because He is.

Wolf to wolf?

I was born in the day time but not yesterday.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

And here I thought there were a bunch of sheep in this thread, only to find what appears to be gnarling wolves. I'm sorry Joaniemarie for the harshness and crudeness that our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are directing towards you. Keep your chin up, and stay strong. They will mock, but God gets the last laugh, as do you. Remain faithful because He is.

Mocking God huh?

Thats says a lot man. That says a lot!

 

[NoobSaibot]

Good review. Thank you for sharing Joaniemarie. I love reading autobiographies, so inspiring. My circumstances have not been great lately but I felt what you shared and how you dealt with the incoming replies you shared your gentle spirit with me.
I just thought of a scripture that made me think of you. 1corinthians What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or shall I come in love with a gentle spirit. I could not help but think of you. May your day be full of the Lords joy. Be blessed be bold be courageous.
Sending you brotherly Christian hugs and love down under, from New Zealand.

 

[UnderGrace]

When I read it is mocking Joanie, not God

Mocking God huh?

Thats says a lot man. That says a lot!

 

[BenFTW]

Mocking God huh?

Thats says a lot man. That says a lot!

Two users in particular for quite some time have mocked Joaniemarie in her threads, and other believers like their posts, perpetuating that ungodly behavior. They are passive aggressive, and often use sarcasm. They put up a facade of righteousness and being well informed of the Bible, but talk is cheap. Where is the love? All Joanie is asking is for people to listen to a review that may clarify one's perspective of a preacher that previously they may have had a disdain for out of bias, and ignorance (and false information).

This thread practically confirmed the OP's point.

 

[Chester]

All Joanie is asking is for people to listen to a review that may clarify one's perspective of a preacher that previously they may have had a disdain for out of bias, and ignorance (and false information).

This thread practically confirmed the OP's point.

I knew nothing about Joel Osteen when the thread started - except having heard his name - I watched the controversies on the thread - I listened to the review - I take what I hear to what the Word of God says . . .

I find the book and the author woefully lacking in depth, truth, and Biblical accuracy.

 

[BenFTW]

I knew nothing about Joel Osteen when the thread started - except having heard his name - I watched the controversies on the thread - I listened to the review - I take what I hear to what the Word of God says . . .

I find the book and the author woefully lacking in depth, truth, and Biblical accuracy.

You're free to reach such conclusions, but others, just as freely, disagree. I echo the words of the Apostle Paul.

Philippians 1:18 King James Version (KJV)

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.