Freewill

[Anto9us2]

They are merciless to Osteen

lol

 

[stovebolts]

They are merciless to Osteen

lol

Unlike other sites that build their membership by tearing others down, we believe we are called to encourage and lift one another up in the name of Christ.

Personally, I believe we all have our place in Gods Kingdom. For example, I never gave Osteen much thought. For exposure, I read a few articles of his and they didn't resonate with me. Year's later I lost my second child and I was left deeply hurt and lost as my world fell apart and I shut down which rippled in every area of my life.

I ended up getting what I believe was meningitis and the headaches were debilitating. I wanted to die, but I was afraid of the pain. It was at that time I saw Osteen on some show talking about his new book and it sparked my interest so I purchased it on audio and I listened to him three or four times.

His book was God sent and it helped me get my feet back on the ground. More importantly, it got me out of my multi year long state of depression and encouraged me to a better life.

My life, while not perfect is better because God used Osteen to speak to me. My marriage has never been better and my faith in God has never been stronger.

I have heard him on XM and not every motivational sermon he gives is for me. But i know the Body of Christ is diverse so while i don't listen to Joel, i know God is using him to heal broken lives.

We all play a role in Gods Kingdom, regardless of denomination or pet doctrine.

 

[for_his_glory]

I feel we are getting off topic here. This thread isn't about Arminians vs Calvinists or bashing Joel Olsteen or any other religion or Pastor. This topic is about freewill and what scripture has to say about it.

StoveBolts presented an important topic that does need to be discussed so we can understand what freewill is according to what God has already had His prophets and Disciples to write for our understanding. Let's get back to the topic of the OP, thank you.

 

[for_his_glory]

God revealed who would inhabit eternity with Him through the prophet Isaiah: For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and revive the heart of the contrite ones, Isaiah 57:15.

In order for our heart to be revived we must first humble ourselves and choose Christ as it is our nature to either choose to follow Him or to reject Him.

The scriptures below are about our freewill.

Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

[jerry63935]

I never gave Osteen much thought. For exposure,

God will use who he wants when he wants.. i am not a joel osteen fan at all. paul wrote he chose the foolish things of this world to confound the wise . so that was just for you . i do believe he is saved just not crazy about his preaching..

 

[jerry63935]

I feel we are getting off topic here. This thread isn't about Arminians vs Calvinists or bashing Joel Olsteen or any other religion or Pastor. This topic is about freewill and what scripture has to say about it.

a good rabbit chase is good lol preachers do it all the time

 

[rstrats]

for_his_glory,
re: "In order for our heart to be revived we must first humble ourselves and choose Christ as it is our nature to either choose to follow Him or to reject Him."

Would a person first have to believe that a supreme being exists?

 

[JohnDB]

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

By your love for one another they will know you are my disciples.

 

[jasonc]

Forces beyond us limit our freewill.
We can desire to change ,but not have the power .try asking an alcoholic ,or smoker about quitting and see.

Freewill isn't our ability to change in this debate ,it must be seen in our view .

 

[jasonc]

If God preordained a church,that only applies somehow to it and not its make up despite how the Spirit gives out it gifts?

I don't get to decide which of the 12 gifts I get ,God does.

 

[rstrats]

JohnDB,
re: "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. By your love for one another they will know you are my disciples."

So freewill isn't involved, then.

 

[rstrats]

jasonc,
re: "Forces beyond us limit our freewill."

Such as the inability of being able to consciously choose to believe things.

 

[Michael74]

We can desire to change ,but not have the power .try asking an alcoholic ,or smoker about quitting and see.

You aren’t powerless when it comes to entering treatment or a recovery program. You aren’t powerless when it comes to choosing not to drink or use drugs. But you are, however, powerless when substances are in your body.

They can choose not to drink. They can choose go to meetings and to ask their sponsor for help. However, once they take a drink they are powerless to say no to subsequent drinks. Their systems are chemically changed by alcohol. Alcoholics have to choose to engage in total abstinence.

One pastor preached a sermon where he related how some people with anger management issues say they can't resist hitting their wives when they get mad. Yet if you put that same person next to a 6'5" 250 pound football player they somehow manage to control themselves and not hit the football player. People can control themselves if they want to. It might take total abstinence to doing things those that make them mad, but they can choose walk away when they first start to feel angry. Don't let the adrenaline build up in their system.

 

[jasonc]

They can choose not to drink. They can choose go to meetings and to ask their sponsor for help. However, once they take a drink they are powerless to say no to subsequent drinks. Their systems are chemically changed by alcohol. Alcoholics have to choose to engage in total abstinence.

One pastor preached a sermon where he related how some people with anger management issues say they can't resist hitting their wives when they get mad. Yet if you put that same person next to a 6'5" 250 pound football player they somehow manage to control themselves and not hit the football player. People can control themselves if they want to. It might take total abstinence to doing things those that make them mad, but they can choose walk away when they first start to feel angry. Don't let the adrenaline build up in their system.

Aa is how effective ,less then 3 percent and how do I know that from,reading it and asking a friend who is in that field.most will die from,it.
If it was as simple as a choice ,then how many Christians are fat,sugar addicted and also the rest.
Our sin,nature can't be Willed away.other wise we could choose to be good and not need God at all.


The samr areas for na,aa type addiction are found in the above .yet plenty of people fight and fight and never quite defeat the battle of the bulge .some do,but it's God blrssing them

I,have battled this.prayer ,may get God to hear but only when He decides am,I free.

Many see Jesus but die from,obesity despite their best efforts .
Was their will weak?

 

[daninthelionsden]

They can choose not to drink. They can choose go to meetings and to ask their sponsor for help. However, once they take a drink they are powerless to say no to subsequent drinks. Their systems are chemically changed by alcohol. Alcoholics have to choose to engage in total abstinence.

One pastor preached a sermon where he related how some people with anger management issues say they can't resist hitting their wives when they get mad. Yet if you put that same person next to a 6'5" 250 pound football player they somehow manage to control themselves and not hit the football player. People can control themselves if they want to. It might take total abstinence to doing things those that make them mad, but they can choose walk away when they first start to feel angry. Don't let the adrenaline build up in their system.

When I first went on disability, I self medicated and got to where I was drinking 4oz of Tequilla a day. After several months and coming to the end of my rope of denial and sticking a gun in my mouth, I realized my problems did not have solutions Tequilla could solve. I began carefully measuring how much I was drinking and ever so slowly backed off just a tiny bit every day. I prayed for deliverence from this monkey on my back. Now alcohol makes me sick. I even tried having an emergency stash of beer in case I wasn't able to join my wife here in Hawai'i, but drank very little of it and now there are unopened beer bottles on the floor of our garage in Houston,,,,,they are testament to God's deliverance...to the world I'm sure it looks like "Geez he must've been an alcoholic"

 

[JohnDB]

JohnDB,
re: "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. By your love for one another they will know you are my disciples."

So freewill isn't involved, then.

How you deduced this is way beyond my understanding.

 

[for_his_glory]

for_his_glory,
re: "In order for our heart to be revived we must first humble ourselves and choose Christ as it is our nature to either choose to follow Him or to reject Him."

Would a person first have to believe that a supreme being exists?

I totally agree with this as we have to come before the Lord with a humble heart. I would think one has to believe first even if they have not much knowledge yet or else they would not come before something they do not believe in. John 3:16

 

[Shekinahglory]

I guess for me free will needed to be granted by God for us because of love. Without freewill we could not love God. Call it whatever you might but love must be freely received and freely given in return.

 

[jasonc]

I guess for me free will needed to be granted by God for us because of love. Without freewill we could not love God. Call it whatever you might but love must be freely received and freely given in return.

We have no,ability outside of God to change ourselves .

I'm not suggesting no will .irony I'm,not a Calvinist nor even a believer in perseverance of the saints .

 

[JohnDB]

We have no,ability outside of God to change ourselves .

I'm not suggesting no will .irony I'm,not a Calvinist nor even a believer in perseverance of the saints .

I think what you are saying is called "enabled".

God enabled me to believe...and when I went looking for Him He found me.

Maybe something along those lines?