So, I've been listening to a lot of different podcasts and I've been pondering a lot of questions. One I wanted to explore a little bit on today is what I like to call "feel good" ministry or worship. What I mean is that is it good or bad to view worship that makes you "feel good" about Him?
There are many different ways to worship and praise God. There are many different ways to view your relationship with God as well. But is there a right way or wrong way on how you view it? Joel Osteen, the pastor of the famous Lakewood Church has been criticized for a number of things, including that he preaches what people want to hear; on entertainment not on preaching God's whole word (http://www.forgottenword.org/osteen.html). Today, I watched Osteen's sermon "2011 Is Going To Be Your Year" in which Osteen preaches that we are to get ready for God's blessings.
Is it bad to have want and desire for God's blessings? Is it bad to expect them? Or to believe he will give them to you if you are faithful? However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9. This verse refers that God has a plan or blessings that he has made ready for us. Would this be bad to believe in? However, For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3–4. This refers to that there will be people who preach the word to the people, but are teaching false doctrine. How can we know what is true and what is false?
I don't know if there is a "true" and "false" way to worship God. Of course, I can think of extremes here, but they are all subjective it seems. How can we know? What should we do if we feel there is false teachings? What should we do if we feel what is taught is truth and someone accuses us of false teachings? These are hard questions to answer. Honestly, I don't feel that I'm qualified or anointed with the ability to judge. I would not want to be someone who wrongfully calls God's word as false, and then receive judgment from Him! What I do know is that we need to stay faithful in God, and he will take care of us.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
May God bless you in your faith and love.
Your Brother, Josh
that's definitely something i've questioned myself too, on both sides of fence. there are times when i get too caught up on the emotional aspects of our relationship with God, just the "feel good" kind of moments or the down in the dumps kind of times that dictate too much of my spiritual walk. but then there's other times when i hesitate to include personal goals or wants in my prayers cause i feel like it's just too selfish and that stuff like getting a good grade on a paper or winning a basketball game just shouldn't be included in prayer. if you gain some more insight in the questions you brought up i can't wait to hear an update
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