2 Timothy 3:12(NLT) Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

I received an e-mail the other day by a fellow worker for Christ who had just read Mr. Osteen's  book "your best life now".  To put it simply, he went over the deep end on this one.  He expounded on what a great word this was.  As an old school pastor I firmly believe that we should not elevate men.  I also believe that the Lord expects more from us than most of the modern day men of God tell us. 
        No, I have not read this book nor do I  plan on it. Osteen’s message is described as ". . . simple self-help message that congregates say is both uplifting and accessible. . ." Osteen proudly wears the title of "the smiling preacher." His theology has been described as "cotton candy" theology - tastes good - but no substance.

On Larry King Live, the following very disturbing conversation occurred with Larry King and Joel Osteen:

It sure seems that Osteen openly denies that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way of salvation. Matthew 10:32-33(NLT) 32"If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven.  33But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven. It seems that Mr. Osteen falls into this category and I  will not read a book written by a self proclaimed happy gospel preacher who openly denies the 100% truth of the Bible and the Word of God.

        Sadly not preaching the truth, but being politically correct is becoming a more and more popular thing. There's a new poll out which points to a growing rejection among Evangelicals that Jesus is the only way of salvation. For years, most evangelical Christians have been taught and accepted the words of Jesus in John 14:6, where He states, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man cometh unto the Father but my Me." But now a new Newsweek/Beliefnet poll is showing a shocking number of people who call themselves evangelical and born-again have come to reject those words. The question in the poll read: "Can a good person who isn't of your religious faith go to heaven or attain salvation, or not?" According to the poll results of more than 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older, 68 percent of evangelical Christians believe "good" people of other faiths can also go to heaven. Nationally, 79 percent of those surveyed said the same thing, with an "astounding" 91 percent agreement among Catholics, notes Beliefnet. Beliefnet spokesman Steven Waldman calls the results "pretty amazing."  

        Ok,  back to my original question, your best life now or later?  I cannot speak for you my friend but my Bible tells me that a day is as a 1000 years to the Lord.  So basically, my 52 years of life so far does not even get me a 1/10th of God's average day.  But, because I accept that Jesus is my Savior and that every  word of God is true and faithful I will be in eternity with the Lord.  I also know that in this life there will be trials and tribulations. John 16:33 (NLT) 33I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."


        I cannot speak for you, but I want my best life after I am dead and in the arms of the Lord.  Now do not get me wrong I am not saying that you must be down trodden and miserable.  I am not saying that the Lord wants you poor broke and destitute.  But what I am saying is where do you truly want your best life to be?  On this dirty rotting old earth NOW or in eternity with Jesus?   We Christians have taken our eyes off eternity and put them on the moment, ourselves and our selfish needs.   On an average, Christians spend more each day making themselves happy then helping mankind.  On the average Christians spend more on the payments for their toys than they do giving to continue the Work of God.  On an average Christians spend more each day feeding their pets than feeding the hungry of America. "Do not give to a Pug-nosed Bulldog the love a baby ought to be getting" Billy Sunday 1910.  At least 68% of professing Christians say that John 14:6 is not true.   Do any of these things pierce your heart?  If not, then you are into the "your best life now" cotton candy gospel and not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   If none of these things pierce you to the very depth of your soul then you are in trouble my friend. 
        Each and every day I see more and more "Christians" soft peddle the Word of God.  I see more and more so called radical for God Christians take the easy way.  Jesus said Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT) "You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.   And only a few ever find it, only a few will find it.  Let those words sink in. 

        The lines are being drawn, the sides being chosen.  Which side you choose?  As for me and my household we will stand on Jesus' side and live by Paul's words.  Romans 8:35-36(ASV) 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?   36Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long;  We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.