I just happened to be reading Jay Adams’ blog and found the last two post interesting. They touch on a matter that has long been a serious problem. Too many folks depend on their feelings rather than the facts. Adams gives us food for thought:
“I FEEL IT’S SO”

Can you give me even one good reason?

“No, I don’t need reasons—I just feel it’s so.”

That short exchange might take place many times a day between Christians. But it never should.

You may be wondering what the subject is that the two parties are discussing. It doesn’t really matter. I left it out for a good reason—to show the bare outlines of the issue.

The issue being, of course, how we know anything about God to be true or false.

There is no biblical precedent for basing the truth or the falsehood of any belief upon how one feels; yet many do so.

Our faith is one that can be objectively set forth—and has been—in a Book from which God expects us to learn what is/isn’t true.

What Jesus told us that Abraham said to the rich man suffering in hell was that people won’t believe even if someone rose from the dead (which, of course, He did). Experience and feelings won’t cut it! Instead, if a person wants to discover the truth he should turn to the Bible: “they have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them” Jesus said (Luke 16: 29).

It’s the same today-to learn the truth, and benefit from it—one must turn to the Scriptures. Stop listening to feelings; start listening to truth.

Following up on my comments about “feelings” as a guide, I’d like to make one other point.

When I taught in the doctoral program at Westminster West, there were students—pastors, I should note—who would ask, “Prof., what do you feel about so and so?”

Often, to make the point, I’d say (with a smile), “Lousy.” Or, if the response seemed appropriate, “Great!”

Invariably, they’d go on to say something like, “No, you don’t understand. What I’d really like to know is what you feel about. . .” entirely missing my point, or unable to express themselves in any other way.

So, I’d continue, “You got my feelings. I’d like to give you my opinion, or belief, or conviction. But what you asked for is feelings.”

People today use weak language—pastors ought to be the last to do so. No one ever nailed another to the door for expressing his feelings. It’s when you state your convictions that they do!

When pastors are willing to speak in such a weak, namby-pamby way, no wonder the members of their congregations have few, if any, strong convictions. Let’s learn TO STAND UP AND PLAINLY DECLARE WHAT WE BELIEVE OR—BETTER STILL—WHAT GOD SAYS!

I have hesitated to write this article because I feel almost certain that some folks will not understand what I’m saying, but I feel compelled to do so anyway. These words are not meant to be hurried over without careful reading and serious thought. I might not be saying what you first think, so slow down and listen carefully.

With the presidential election just ahead of us there are some things that we need to think about. Regardless of who is running for office our choice should be based on the person’s character, beliefs,and ability to do the job. But since we are stuck in a two party system we sometimes don’t have much of a choice, so we vote for, what is commonly called, “the lesser of two evils”. Unfortunately when that happens we’re in trouble either way–since when does God approve of one evil over another? Either evil is offensive to God and troublesome to us. I believe we are in more trouble than we know.

People on both sides think that if their man gets elected it will be a step in the right direction to solving our problems. Wouldn’t that be nice! But it’s not going to happen. If you really believe that you haven’t fully examined the record of both the candidates. They are more alike than different–IMO. They are closer to the same than most people imagine. I’m not saying it doesn’t make any difference who wins–I believe it does. However, I am saying that regardless of who wins our problems aren’t going to go away. Anytime we vote for the “lesser of two evils” we are in trouble–evil is evil.

The reason I’m pointing this out is to get folks to see that we are in trouble and we won’t get out by way of the ballot box (Reagan is dead). Getting out to vote isn’t a quick-fix cure-all. We won’t rise above our problems until we get down on our knees. The root of America’s problem isn’t political at all– it is spiritual. We might be the kindest, most benevolent nation on earth, but we are evil. I know that might not set too well with some of you, but it is true. If we use God’s Word as the standard, that is an undeniable fact. We have broken God’s laws, flaunted our rebellion in the face of God, and ignored His warnings– without any fear of the consequences. How can you not call that “evil”?

Do I care who wins this election? You bet I do! But the winner is not going to be our savior. Only God can deliver us from this mess we’re in. Until God’s people are revived our nation has no chance of getting better.

After his visit to America in the 1830’s, Alexis Tocqueville said:” Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” How is it that a Frenchman could see what we don’t?

There was a time when we understood. Just read the record form our forefathers, examine our legal document, listen to the songs, and look at your money–it’s all right there for everyone to see! “In God we trust”, but do we now? I’ll let you answer that.

When Hawaii became the 50th state of the Union in 1959 she brought with her this motto–“The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”. They had it right. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people”(Proverbs 14:34). The solution to America’s present dilemma and the hope for her future is repentance. Without that there is no end to our present problems, nor bright hope for tomorrow. We either repent or perish.”If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”–2 Chron. 7:14

You say you love this country, you claim that you would die for her if necessary, and you even pray, “God bless America”–you probably pray that your candidate will win. But are you willing to “humble” yourself, “pray”, “seek” God’s face, and “turn from” your wicked ways? Until we make this personal nothing changes for the better. It is one thing to love your country, it’s another thing to love God. It is in the latter that we find the help and hope we need. Nothing short of that can avail. Think about it!

By way of introducing my message Wednesday night I read Hebrews 11:33-40. If you haven’t done so in a while I suggest you do it today. We tend to forget what a great price God’s people have paid for being true to the faith. What they suffered was horrible, and in some parts of the world it still happens today. Why do we feel that we deserve to fare better? Are we better? Of course not. The fact of the matter is that if we live godly we will encounter persecution ( 2Timothy 3:12). Good people often have bad problems. Saints suffer. You can’t judge a person on the severity of their suffering—some of the best people have had the worst problems. But you can tell a great deal about a person’s character by their attitude toward their afflictions.

How we respond to our trials is crucial. If we get bitter instead of better, if we murmur and complain, if we fret and fume we make ourselves and others miserable. We lose our credibility as “believers”. The moment we act as though God is being unfair we toss our testimony out the window. When we rant and rave we cut off the line of communication with others and lose the chance to be a witness to them.

It’s when we accept what God allows or causes with a sweet spirit that others sit up and take notice. Now their ear is open and their heart is receptive. Now we have an opportunity to show others the difference that Jesus can make! We have it far better than we deserve and much easier than others, such as those described in Hebrews 11:36-38, and our pay-day is someday. We have no reason to believe that we can or should expect life to be a bed-of- roses. To the contrary–our Lord warned us of troubles and trials. He Himself suffered beyond anything that we can describe. Why should we complain?

We live in troublesome times, the days are difficult, but God’s grace is sufficient. He will empower and enable us to live victoriously. Our problems create for us a glorious opportunity to bear witness for Christ. Out of the bad can come good, just as God promised in Romans 8:28. Others have suffered, now it’s our turn. May we, by the grace of God, be so bold and brave! Think about it!

The headline read: “More Americans now commit suicide than are killed in car crashes as miserable economy takes its toll”. That is the most shocking headline I’ve read in a long time. It’s hard to imagine! More people kill themselves than are killed in car wrecks–that just doesn’t sound right. The study was over the decade ending in 2009. It showed that suicide was up over 15%, with more than 37,000 Americans taking their lives in 2009. And experts say,”Suicides are terribly under-counted”, so who knows what the number actually is. I suspect the figures for 2010-2012 are much higher. So it’s actually worse than the study indicates.

While the bad economy plays a role in this there are many other factors. But, I believe the root of the problem is of a spiritual nature. We have numerous agencies and organizations, and have spend millions trying to stop this epidemic, but it keeps getting worse. More people died from suicide than in the Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan during that time frame! e can blame the economy and a dozen other things, but the root of the problem is spiritual. Man was not meant to live apart from God and in rebellion against God. Without a personal relationship with Christ every area of our life is affected.

We live in a day that is not unlike the days of Noah when “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and –every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually”(Gen. 6:5). I’m no expert, but that sounds like insanity to me. Anytime a person lives without any regard for God and is continually thinking of nothing but evil something is terribly wrong.

It is sad to see so many people giving up on life–it doesn’t have to be that way. Life can be wonderful if you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you are unsaved, you are not solving your problems by taking your life. You are making things much worse — worse than you know. As long as you are alive there’s a chance for you to be saved, but hell awaits every unbeliever the moment they die.

We would do almost anything to avoid a car wreck or to stay out of a war, why wouldn’t we make the same effort to stop these senseless suicides? If you know of someone who is distraught and threatening to take their life reach out to them. Tell them of Christ, in whom they can find forgiveness, eternal life, hope and heaven. Knowing Him gives you something worth living for!

Well here we go again. Here’s another example of Joel Osteen’s ignorance of the Bible. Go to this link http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2012/09/staying-in-his-lanejoel-osteens-gospel.html#  and read the sad story of a man given a nationwide platform to affirm what the Bible teaches and doesn’t have the guts to speak the truth.

If you wonder why I continue to point out his faults and false teachings the answer is simple. He has a following of thousands who are being deceived and led astray. And every preacher has an obligation to “earnestly contend for the faith”( Jude 3) and denounce sin wherever it is found. He might remain silent on these issues I won’t. He is wrong and his followers need to be warned. I am not going to sit back and listen to people brag about what a great pastor he is when he is doing so much damage to the cause of Christ. If you have friends who are followers of Osteen you need to warn them about the danger involved in trusting him.