Remember Lot’s Wife

Solomon, the greatest thinker whoever lived said, “As a man thinks so he is” (Prov. 23:7). Paul told the Colossians to think more about things above—thoughts of eternal value—than earthly ones (3:2). He told the Philippians to think about better things (4:8-9). And he flat out warned the Corinthians to “capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). Jesus often asked the question,“What do you think?”

If the first disciples had to be reminded not to be too occupied with earthly things, how much more do we! Earthly things can devour our mental energies and overwhelm our affections. And here’s a disturbing thought: what we think about reveals what we love. And John warns “if you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you” (1 John 2:15).

Lot’s wife loved the world. She couldn't stop thinking about the life she had left in Sodom; she couldn’t keep from looking back; and turned into a pillar of salt. In three power-packed words, Jesus warns, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). Considering her consequences, we have to ask “what was she thinking?” Whatever it was must have been pretty important to her! What do you think?

He Can’t Stop Thinking about You

“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar… How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. How vast is the sum of them. If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain” (Psalm 139: 2-3, 17-18).

I read a commentary on this verse that struck me. If you live to be 75 years old, you will live 2.3 billion seconds. And since there are trillions upon trillions of grains of sand, that means there will never be a moment in time when you are not on His mind! In other words, He can’t stop thinking about you.

And not only that, His thoughts are perpetually positive. The New Kings James version translates Jeremiah 29:11 this way: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Why is Deepak Chopra Agreeing with Joel Osteen?

Joel Osteen was on Soledad O’Brien’s CNN show last week, promoting his book, “I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak over Your Life.” The interview was particularly remarkable because Osteen appeared with Deepak Chopra, New Age author of “The Third Jesus” and the “Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga.”

Osteen explained to Soledad, “The theme of this book is simple: You’ve got to send your words out in the direction you want your life to go.” When O’Brien asked if he really believed that speaking declarations out loud can make them come true, Osteen assured her it does. But the really startling thing was that Deepak Chopra (who radiates the spirit of anti-Christ) agreed with Osteen, who beamed with pleasure at the former's affirmation. They were a virtual “mutual admiration society” of two.

Dr. Albert Mohler says, “The appearance of Osteen and Chopra together was a priceless demonstration that the New Thought/Positive Thinking philosophy that drives them both can be grafted onto either Christianity or Eastern religion. In the end, it all sounds the same.” Unfortunately, millions of Biblically-illiterate Christians will be taken in by Joel’s book, thinking that their POSITIVE “words” will effect changes that only the POWERFUL “Word” of God can (Heb. 4:12). I think Joel’s new book should come with a warning: “Let no one deceive you with empty words” (Eph. 5:6).

“Positive Thinking” Theology

When I saw this picture juxtiposing Joel Osteen's book of positive thinking with suffering children, I knew I had to write a post about it.  Even though a picture is worth a 1,000 words, I will add a few of my own.

The message of  Joel Osteen's book "Everyday a Friday" is that if we live our lives with a more positive and optimist spirit, we will be happier (think TGIF).  Tell that to the starving children of Africa, for whom everyday is one of misery, despair, and death.

Sound Bible teaching must be applicable to rich and poor, and to powerful and marginalized alike: the true gospel message must be relevant to all peoples and cultures.   The message of prosperity and positive thinking may look good on a greeting card, but it is shamefully lacking in sound doctrine and good exegesis (1 Tim 1:10; 2 Tim. 2:15).

Does Glenn Beck Speak for God?

“Whether we care to believe it or not, our country is in danger’s hour,” says Glenn Beck, popular conservative radio and television host (Fox), with a daily audience of millions. “And there’s only one answer… faith is the answer. Get on your knees… please, I don’t care what church you go to, no church at all, I don’t care. Turn to Him.” Almost sounds good, doesn't it! Wait a minute...

Glenn Beck, a converted Mormon having been raised Catholic, claims to be speaking for God. And conservative evangelicals are embracing him. In fact, I have had some friends ask me whether I think Glenn Beck is a Christian. Why? Because he speaks of ‘faith.’ So once again, I feel compelled to remind us what faith is. Faith is a belief in the Word of God. Faith believes IN JESUS. “Biblical” faith leads us to Jesus.

Many in our day speak of faith. But not Biblical faith. Faith is NOT some force in the universe we can call upon to make things come to pass. Positive thinking, maybe. But not faith. In these days, there are many who claim to be people of faith, claiming to speak for God (Luke 21:8). But beware! Even the slightest study on Mormonism should be enough to persuade you that Glenn Beck cannot possibly be speaking for God. And knows nothing of real faith.

See “How does Oprah define faith?” March 3, 2009 http://dyingtoliveabundantlife.blogspot.com/search/label/oprah

Is there Power in Positive Thinking?

On Joel Osteen's web site, he declares: “Your words affect your future. Speaking God's Word over your life can help you to live the life of victory that God has in store for you.” Many motivational teachers today (secular and spiritual) claim there are universal spiritual “laws” that any person can use that will affect their world—the most well-used of these laws is the “law of attraction,” or the “power of positive thinking.”

The law of attraction says you create your life through your words and thoughts. Erroneously, the “law of attraction” is often called “faith.” Wrong! Faith is not the power of the mind to affect one’s destiny. Faith is not speaking positive words. Faith is ‘belief’ in Jesus Christ’s work of redemption on our behalf. It is an assurance in Christ’s Words, believing His Words, keeping His words. And not without love—Jesus said “if a man love me, he will keep my words” (John 14:23). John said people who have faith will “love God, and keep his commandments” (1 John 5:2).

When Jesus said to the woman with an issue of blood that her faith had made her whole, He did not commend her for her positive confession but for her faith in Jesus—believing He was the source of healing! It wasn't saying the ‘right’ words, but believing in the Living Word that made her whole. (Mark. 5:25-34)