No Other Rock

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~ Phillipians 4:13

Note: This devotion is for August 27 and 28

I have watched a lot of Joel Osteen on television and listened to the audio version of his book. I plan on doing the same with his next book that he releases too.

And it’s funny, because while I like and appreciate Osteen’s messages, they seem just a little lacking in fundamental Biblical discipline. That’s not to say I think his messages are non-Biblical.

Quite the contrary. The problem is ME and not HIM or the BIBLE.

MY problem is that I have grown accustomed to having to have a solid sermon where I am asked to look at X number of scriptures in my Bible. Afterwards, I’ll be encourages to attend Sunday school (though I don’t do so very often) and then I will be encourages to read and study my Bible on a nightly basis.

That’s just the way it’s done.

At the same time, I will be told that I am a “sinner” and that I must be “broken” and I’ll have to “surrender” everything for Christ. While all that is true, when you really think about it, you have to wonder why anyone would ever become a Christian when their support group is a mass of enablers for a self-defeating prophecy.

Osteen, on the other hand, preaches to millions that YOU CAN be a Christian and STILL BE HAPPY too. His books are titled “Your Best Life Now” and “Become a Better You” while his message titles feature uplifting concepts that most “traditional” churches don’t feature.

AND THAT’S WHY PEOPLE LIKE HIM!

Now this is not a blog entry simply to defend Joel Osteen and suggest his critics are irrational. Rather, I use it to illustrate that there is a place for his type of ministry messages. Look at the very passage that begins this devotion. It is about gaining strength FOR YOU THROUGH HIM. It is not to say “I am a weak, puny little Christian who does not deserve to walk on this planet.”

Sure, there are going to be times in life where we are to bear burdens and there will be times in life that we don’t feel all that grand, but those are the times we should not allow misguided “traditions” to make us feel worthless.

Neigh, we are to feel STRONG. We are to feel WORTHWHILE. We are to feel ENCOURAGED because through Christ, we are so gifted.

Today, I pray that you and I will remember the secret of the I Can life through Christ.