I have to disagree with you. I am not denying your experiences are true but there are examples in the scriptures that conflict with some your post.
1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Acts 3:1-11 (NLT)
I see no evidence of this guy having any belief or faith in God for a healing. He wanted money, he didn't get any money but he did get a miraculous healing.
v 7 say peter helped him up. this shows that peter did not do all the work. the man did his part of believing by acting on faith that what they said was true.
You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you.13 Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News.14 But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself.15 Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible.16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?
Gal 4:12-16 (NLT)
Paul endured sickness in his body (flesh) while being obedient to God's call for him to preach the good news.
this is where studying of different versions to get the main idea of what is being said comes in handy. [sup]12[/sup]Brethren, I beg of you, become as I am [free from the bondage of Jewish ritualism and ordinances], for I also have become as you are [[sup][e][/sup]a Gentile]. You did me no wrong [[sup][f][/sup]in the days when I first came to you; do not do it now]. [sup]13[/sup]On the contrary, you know that it was on account of a bodily ailment that [I remained and] preached the Gospel to you the first time. [sup]14[/sup]And [yet] although my physical condition was [such] a trial to you, you did not regard it with contempt, or scorn and loathe and reject me; but you received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus [Himself]! verse 12 shows what the infirmity was that paul was fighting. it was a war with the flesh paul is talking about and not an illness.
But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
2 Cor 11:21-27 (NLT)
Paul also endured all kinds of suffering while doing God's will.
this may be revelation to you but the reason for all the hardships was because paul refused to do as he was told. God told paul over and over again to go to the gentiles but if you read scripture you will see that paul. acts 9:15 paul told he was to be sent to the gentiles but where is the first place he goes? v 20 to the synagogues which are full of Jews and as a result . v 23 the Jews conspired to kill him. v 29 he was anointed to preach to the gentiles but paul goes to the Hellenists (the Grecian Jews) who want to kill him now. acts is full of this type of thing where the gentiles that heard were amazed but the jews always wanting to kill him. it was not until paul departed for greece that he started to get onto the correct plan God had for his life.
1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
James 4:1-3 (NLT)
Here in verse 3, James explains why they are asking but not receiving what they ask for and there's no mention of not believing or a lack of faith. He plainly says it's their selfish motives.
3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:3-10 (NLT)
Paul is very clear hear in his first letter to Timothy, especially in verses 8 and 9.
I am very familiar with the WOF (blab it grab it) teachings by such people as K. Copeland, C.Dollar that teach things like "God wants us all to be rich (material wealthy)" and that "Christ suffered so we don't have to".
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
Heb 5:8 (NLT)
If Christ had to suffer in order to learn obedience, it is beyond me how some think we can learn obedience without suffering. Bottom line is that the WOF teaching is a dangerous deception and a hindrance to proper spiritual growth. If these faith gurus have such power why don't they speak against world hunger and disease. Well the answer is simple, look at how they live and know that we are seeing their best.
first off Jesus was rich. being the first son of mary and joseph Jesus inherited everything. look at luke 9:13 which says [sup]13[/sup]But He said to them, You [yourselves] give them [food] to eat. They said, We have no more than five loaves and two fish--unless we are to go and buy food for all this crowd, do you understand the cost of paying for food for 5000 men and that does not include the women or children?
Look at something Paul said to Timothy.
10 But you, Timothy,
certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.13 But evil people and
impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
2 Tim 3:10-13 (NLT)
The WOF paradigm is a difficult stronghold to get free from, at least that has been my experiences. This is not an attack on you Miss Hepburn but is intended to be a correction to the WOF errant teachings. I hope you and any others here will consider the scriptures posted and ask HolySpirit for guidance. May Father through the power of HolySpirit give us all the mind of Jesus the Christ.
whether you decide to believe in the wof messages of prosperity or not will not get you sent to hell so it does not really matter. but if you want to live in the best God has to offer then we need to listen to these wof prosperity messages. you do as you please but as for me i plan of living in the best God has for me to live in. i will not put limits on God if i can help it. if i have limited thought process concerning the things of God i pray that he will show me where i am wrong so i can correct my thinking and keep an open heaven over me and my family.
God bless you all
