Why God Allows Adversity
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Psalm 84:5-6 / Pastor Jimmy Swaggart Bible Commentary
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
(There is no blessing to the man who follow the ways of man)
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
In every Christian life, there are one or more "Valleys of Baca." We are placed there by the "LORD of Hosts," for our Spiritual Enrichment. It is the intention of the Holy Spirit to teach us the lesson He desires to teach, which He does in the "Valley of Baca," and then to turn it into a "well."
If the spirit of the Believer is carnal, this valley will only be a valley of weeping. But to the Spiritual Heart, it will be a new nature and an unfailing reservoir of strength and refreshment.
The Holy Spirit also tells us that it is not His intention that we remain there. We are only "passing through." Most of the times, a "Valley of Baca" is put in our path in order that we may come to the end of ourselves and realize that Christ is our Source for everything, while the Cross is the Means.
Every Believer must learn God's prescribe order of victory - The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2)
WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT FOR BELIEVERS TO PLACE THEIR FAITH EXCLUSIVELY IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST?
It is difficult for Believers to place their Faith exclusively in the Cross of Christ because it goes against the flesh.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
(There is no blessing to the man who follow the ways of man)
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
In every Christian life, there are one or more "Valleys of Baca." We are placed there by the "LORD of Hosts," for our Spiritual Enrichment. It is the intention of the Holy Spirit to teach us the lesson He desires to teach, which He does in the "Valley of Baca," and then to turn it into a "well."
If the spirit of the Believer is carnal, this valley will only be a valley of weeping. But to the Spiritual Heart, it will be a new nature and an unfailing reservoir of strength and refreshment.
The Holy Spirit also tells us that it is not His intention that we remain there. We are only "passing through." Most of the times, a "Valley of Baca" is put in our path in order that we may come to the end of ourselves and realize that Christ is our Source for everything, while the Cross is the Means.
Every Believer must learn God's prescribe order of victory - The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2)
WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT FOR BELIEVERS TO PLACE THEIR FAITH EXCLUSIVELY IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST?
It is difficult for Believers to place their Faith exclusively in the Cross of Christ because it goes against the flesh.
The Vicissitudes Of Life
Luke 6:46-49 NKJV - Jesus said , it will be "vehement," i.e., strong with every attempt to destroy.
Build on the Rock
46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.[h] 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.[i] And the ruin of that house was great.”
According to the scripture, this will come no matter how much faith a Christian will have. All faith will be tested. And greater faith will be tested more. All character will be refined (Isaiah 48:10 NLT, Psalm 105:19 NLT).
Luke 6:46-49 NKJV - Jesus said , it will be "vehement," i.e., strong with every attempt to destroy.
Build on the Rock
46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.[h] 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.[i] And the ruin of that house was great.”
According to the scripture, this will come no matter how much faith a Christian will have. All faith will be tested. And greater faith will be tested more. All character will be refined (Isaiah 48:10 NLT, Psalm 105:19 NLT).
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:11
Amalek was to dwell in the land, but not to reign in it. Romans 6:12 says, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies." The command would be unmeaning if the sin nature were not existing in the Christian. The sin nature dwells in a Believer, but dwells and reigns in an unbeliever.
Let me say this again! Do not miss this!
Works of the flesh
Paul tells us this in the 5th Chapter of Galatians. The entire Book of Galatians, but especially the 5th Chapter, is a warning from Paul to the Church at Galatia, which is also meant for us. The warning is that if they place their faith in anything except “Christ and Him Crucified,” that “Christ shall profit you nothing” (Gal. 5:2).
The Apostle goes on to say that if the Believer doesn’t adhere to the Way of the Spirit, which is the Way of the Cross, then works of the flesh will manifest themselves. He said:
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).
Now let me say it again, because it is so very important:
If the Believer doesn’t understand the Cross of Christ, as it regards Sanctification, then, in some way, one or more of these “works of the flesh” are going to manifest themselves in his life. As stated, such is inevitable! The first four, “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lasciviousness,” are obvious and easily understood. But the modern Christian quickly dismisses “idolatry, witchcraft, and heresies,” thinking they do not really apply today.
Let us address that:
First of all, any suggested way of victory other than the Cross of Christ, such as the “Purpose Driven Life,” the “Government of Twelve,” the “Word of Faith,” or “Denominationalism,” etc., constitutes idolatry. In effect, it is the same as Old Testament times, when Israel would begin to worship idols instead of Jehovah. To be sure, Israel actually referred to these idols as Jehovah; but the Lord definitely did not look at it in the same manner! And neither does He look any differently at modern idolatry!
Furthermore, all of this constitutes “heresies,” in which the modern Church abounds.
Let me say it more clearly:
Any doctrine, way, scheme, or direction made up by men, which means it is devised by men and not by God, is constituted by the Lord as “heresy,” which is a “work of the flesh.” Let me say it again, and because it is so very, very important! Any way other than “Christ and Him Crucified” is, in the eyes of God, “heresy.” Once one begins to understand these “works of the flesh,” these things become more obvious.
The Message of the Cross - Pastor Jimmy Swaggart
Amalek was to dwell in the land, but not to reign in it. Romans 6:12 says, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies." The command would be unmeaning if the sin nature were not existing in the Christian. The sin nature dwells in a Believer, but dwells and reigns in an unbeliever.
Let me say this again! Do not miss this!
Works of the flesh
Paul tells us this in the 5th Chapter of Galatians. The entire Book of Galatians, but especially the 5th Chapter, is a warning from Paul to the Church at Galatia, which is also meant for us. The warning is that if they place their faith in anything except “Christ and Him Crucified,” that “Christ shall profit you nothing” (Gal. 5:2).
The Apostle goes on to say that if the Believer doesn’t adhere to the Way of the Spirit, which is the Way of the Cross, then works of the flesh will manifest themselves. He said:
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).
Now let me say it again, because it is so very important:
If the Believer doesn’t understand the Cross of Christ, as it regards Sanctification, then, in some way, one or more of these “works of the flesh” are going to manifest themselves in his life. As stated, such is inevitable! The first four, “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lasciviousness,” are obvious and easily understood. But the modern Christian quickly dismisses “idolatry, witchcraft, and heresies,” thinking they do not really apply today.
Let us address that:
First of all, any suggested way of victory other than the Cross of Christ, such as the “Purpose Driven Life,” the “Government of Twelve,” the “Word of Faith,” or “Denominationalism,” etc., constitutes idolatry. In effect, it is the same as Old Testament times, when Israel would begin to worship idols instead of Jehovah. To be sure, Israel actually referred to these idols as Jehovah; but the Lord definitely did not look at it in the same manner! And neither does He look any differently at modern idolatry!
Furthermore, all of this constitutes “heresies,” in which the modern Church abounds.
Let me say it more clearly:
Any doctrine, way, scheme, or direction made up by men, which means it is devised by men and not by God, is constituted by the Lord as “heresy,” which is a “work of the flesh.” Let me say it again, and because it is so very, very important! Any way other than “Christ and Him Crucified” is, in the eyes of God, “heresy.” Once one begins to understand these “works of the flesh,” these things become more obvious.
The Message of the Cross - Pastor Jimmy Swaggart
The hands "upheld" signified total dependence on the Lord. When the Believer is totally depending on the Lord, and what He did for us at the Cross, the victory of Christ belongs to us; otherwise, it doesn't!
Exodus 17:12 says, "But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun."
(The "Stone," as well, is symbolic of Christ. Moses exhaustion portrays the fact that our own efforts soon result in spiritual burn-out. But once we are in God's glorious way [sitting on the Stone], the victory is ours. "Aaron" was a Type of Christ as our Great High Priest, and "Hur," whose name means "light," speaks to us of the Holy Spirit. This is the help afforded the Child of God. But unfortunately, most Christians are trying to hold up their hands [trusting in God] by their own personal strength, which is doomed to failure.)
The Holy Spirit doesn't require much of us, but He does require one thing, and without reservation. Our Faith must be exclusively be in Christ and the Cross, understanding that this is God's Prescribed Order of Victory. When we stay "victory" we are speaking Victory in every capacity, be it spiritual, financial, domestically, physical, etc. God's Prescribed Order of Victory is "the Cross of Christ."
The Way Of The Spirit
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-2, 11)
Results: Victory (Romans 6:14)
Man's Way
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!
The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)...the only way to Jesus Christ is by the Means of the Cross (Luke 14:27). The only way to the Cross is a denial of self (Luke 9:23). If any person tries to come any other way, Jesus says, "they are a thief and a robber" (John 10:1).
Exodus 17:13 says, "And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." (The "sword" here is a Type of the Word of God [Eph. 6:17]. The Word of God holds the answer to every single problem which pertains to "Life and Godliness" [2 Peter 1:3-4].)
The Expositor's Study Bible - Pastor Jimmy Swaggart
Exodus 17:12 says, "But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun."
(The "Stone," as well, is symbolic of Christ. Moses exhaustion portrays the fact that our own efforts soon result in spiritual burn-out. But once we are in God's glorious way [sitting on the Stone], the victory is ours. "Aaron" was a Type of Christ as our Great High Priest, and "Hur," whose name means "light," speaks to us of the Holy Spirit. This is the help afforded the Child of God. But unfortunately, most Christians are trying to hold up their hands [trusting in God] by their own personal strength, which is doomed to failure.)
The Holy Spirit doesn't require much of us, but He does require one thing, and without reservation. Our Faith must be exclusively be in Christ and the Cross, understanding that this is God's Prescribed Order of Victory. When we stay "victory" we are speaking Victory in every capacity, be it spiritual, financial, domestically, physical, etc. God's Prescribed Order of Victory is "the Cross of Christ."
The Way Of The Spirit
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-2, 11)
Results: Victory (Romans 6:14)
Man's Way
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!
The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)...the only way to Jesus Christ is by the Means of the Cross (Luke 14:27). The only way to the Cross is a denial of self (Luke 9:23). If any person tries to come any other way, Jesus says, "they are a thief and a robber" (John 10:1).
Exodus 17:13 says, "And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." (The "sword" here is a Type of the Word of God [Eph. 6:17]. The Word of God holds the answer to every single problem which pertains to "Life and Godliness" [2 Peter 1:3-4].)
The Expositor's Study Bible - Pastor Jimmy Swaggart
Paul said:
“For Christ sent me not to baptize (presents to us a Cardinal Truth), but to Preach the Gospel (the manner in which one may be saved from sin): not with wisdom of words (intellectualism is not the Gospel), lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (This tells us in no uncertain terms that the Cross of Christ must always be the emphasis of the Message.)
“For the Preaching (Word) of the Cross is to them who perish foolishness (Spiritual things cannot be discerned by unredeemed people, but that doesn’t matter; the Cross must be preached just the same, even as we shall see); but unto us who are saved, it is the Power of God. (The Cross is the Power of God simply because it was there that the total sin debt was paid, giving the Holy Spirit, in Whom the Power resides, latitude to work mightily within our lives.)
“But we preach Christ Crucified (this is the foundation of the Word of God, and thereby of Salvation), unto the Jews a stumblingblock (the Cross was the stumblingblock), and unto the Greeks foolishness (both found it difficult to accept as God a dead Man hanging on a Cross, for such Christ was to them).
“And I, Brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom (means that Paul depended not on oratorical abilities, nor did he delve into philosophy, which was the rage of that particular day), declaring unto you the Testimony of God (which is Christ and Him Crucified).
“For I determined not to know anything among you (with purpose and design, Paul did not resort to the knowledge or philosophy of the world regarding the Preaching of the Gospel), save Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified.” (That, and that alone, is the Message which will save the sinner, set the captive free, and give the Believer perpetual victory [I Cor. 1:17-18, 23; 2:1-2].)
Paul also said, “But God forbid that I should glory (boast) save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (what the opponents of Paul sought to escape at the price of insincerity is the Apostle’s only basis of exultation), by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (The only way we can overcome the world, and I mean the only way, is by placing our Faith exclusively in the Cross of Christ, and keeping it there [Gal. 6:14).)
The Apostle Paul said:
That I may know him (referring to what Christ did at the Cross), and the power of his resurrection (refers to being raised with Him in "Newness of Life" [Rom. 6:3-5] ), and the fellowship of his sufferings (regarding our Trust and Faith placed in what He did for us at the Cross), being made conformable unto his death (to conform to what He did for us at the Cross, understanding that this is the only means of Salvation and Sanctification); If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead (This does not refer to the coming Resurrection, but rather the Believing sinner being baptized into the death of Christ [refers to the Crucifixion], and raised in "Newness of Life," which gives victory over all sin [Rom. 6:3-5, 11, 14] ). (Philippians 3:10-11 NKJV)
The Expositor's Study Bible - Pastor Jimmy Swaggart
“For Christ sent me not to baptize (presents to us a Cardinal Truth), but to Preach the Gospel (the manner in which one may be saved from sin): not with wisdom of words (intellectualism is not the Gospel), lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (This tells us in no uncertain terms that the Cross of Christ must always be the emphasis of the Message.)
“For the Preaching (Word) of the Cross is to them who perish foolishness (Spiritual things cannot be discerned by unredeemed people, but that doesn’t matter; the Cross must be preached just the same, even as we shall see); but unto us who are saved, it is the Power of God. (The Cross is the Power of God simply because it was there that the total sin debt was paid, giving the Holy Spirit, in Whom the Power resides, latitude to work mightily within our lives.)
“But we preach Christ Crucified (this is the foundation of the Word of God, and thereby of Salvation), unto the Jews a stumblingblock (the Cross was the stumblingblock), and unto the Greeks foolishness (both found it difficult to accept as God a dead Man hanging on a Cross, for such Christ was to them).
“And I, Brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom (means that Paul depended not on oratorical abilities, nor did he delve into philosophy, which was the rage of that particular day), declaring unto you the Testimony of God (which is Christ and Him Crucified).
“For I determined not to know anything among you (with purpose and design, Paul did not resort to the knowledge or philosophy of the world regarding the Preaching of the Gospel), save Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified.” (That, and that alone, is the Message which will save the sinner, set the captive free, and give the Believer perpetual victory [I Cor. 1:17-18, 23; 2:1-2].)
Paul also said, “But God forbid that I should glory (boast) save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (what the opponents of Paul sought to escape at the price of insincerity is the Apostle’s only basis of exultation), by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (The only way we can overcome the world, and I mean the only way, is by placing our Faith exclusively in the Cross of Christ, and keeping it there [Gal. 6:14).)
The Apostle Paul said:
That I may know him (referring to what Christ did at the Cross), and the power of his resurrection (refers to being raised with Him in "Newness of Life" [Rom. 6:3-5] ), and the fellowship of his sufferings (regarding our Trust and Faith placed in what He did for us at the Cross), being made conformable unto his death (to conform to what He did for us at the Cross, understanding that this is the only means of Salvation and Sanctification); If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead (This does not refer to the coming Resurrection, but rather the Believing sinner being baptized into the death of Christ [refers to the Crucifixion], and raised in "Newness of Life," which gives victory over all sin [Rom. 6:3-5, 11, 14] ). (Philippians 3:10-11 NKJV)
The Expositor's Study Bible - Pastor Jimmy Swaggart
To be led by the Holy Spirit means complete control. When we study Luke Chapter 4, Luke points out four key words:
1. Full
2. Led
3. Power
4. Anointed
You can't be led by the Holy Spirit if you are not full of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 5:6 King James Version (KJV)
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
1. Full
2. Led
3. Power
4. Anointed
You can't be led by the Holy Spirit if you are not full of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 5:6 King James Version (KJV)
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Laish said: It’s a scientific fact that men have a real hard time admitting they are wrong .
Please, post a study you are basing this sexist presumption on 
Well, I want to apologise to every women who see my statement to Mysogynistic. I don't mean any prejudice. In Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female. And if we are to discuss about gender differences I believe it is better with a different thread.
So to every of my sisters in the Lord, I am sorry. Pardon me. Don't be offended.
I will be more focused now.
So to every of my sisters in the Lord, I am sorry. Pardon me. Don't be offended.
I will be more focused now.
Concerning the term: 'Word of Faith' which some are saying is not scriptural. The last time I checked my Bible, the Apostle Paul calls the Gospel we preach by the exact same name, "Word of Faith". Here is what it says:
"But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach"-- Rom 10:8
And if I am now called a cultist for preaching the word of faith like the Apostle Paul, then I believe am in a very good cult.
"But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach"-- Rom 10:8
And if I am now called a cultist for preaching the word of faith like the Apostle Paul, then I believe am in a very good cult.
Well, for your information, I also do have good education like you do. But I see it needless, to be parroting it about or to be basing my ministerial authority on.
The Apostle Paul says he didn't base his gospel on the enticing words of man's wisdom but on the demonstration of the Spirit and Power of God (1Corinthians 2:4).
You see dear Sister Angela, I've known many a good preacher like your very self. Who preach "good and hermeneutically sound" doctrines. Some of them have even received Nobel Prizes. But what these 'good' doctrines end up doing for the recipients is that it only end up making them feel good and learned in their mind. With no tangible result to show. No fruit or gift of the Spirit to show.
They remain powerless against sinful habits, oppression of the devil, sickness and diseases, poverty etc...
They can go about condemning and fussing against sin and other things but they lack the power to produce any notable Christian results.
And of course, "to be good without Power or results, is not far from being good for nothing".
I am saying this because I started my Christian Journey with one the 'good' churches. I was in them for years, hearing sweet messages but with no tangible transformation in life. In short, there was no single difference between me and unbelievers then. I still struggled with sinful habits, was oppressed of the devil. Still got sickly like every other person. Wallowed in lack and want...
Until I got into a church where the word of faith is preached with power. And from then on wards till date, my transformation and exploits are uncountable. I have lived a virtually heaven on earth life. I have dared the 'undarables' and got away hurt free by the Power of God through faith.
So the difference between just sweet words and faith is incomparable.
Before I go further, I would want to hear some of the results you've received from the Lord with your "Sweet, Academic and Hermeneutically" sound doctrines. Because I am more interested in empirical evidence than "Human Authority References" (Most Economists like myself are like that).
The Apostle Paul says he didn't base his gospel on the enticing words of man's wisdom but on the demonstration of the Spirit and Power of God (1Corinthians 2:4).
You see dear Sister Angela, I've known many a good preacher like your very self. Who preach "good and hermeneutically sound" doctrines. Some of them have even received Nobel Prizes. But what these 'good' doctrines end up doing for the recipients is that it only end up making them feel good and learned in their mind. With no tangible result to show. No fruit or gift of the Spirit to show.
They remain powerless against sinful habits, oppression of the devil, sickness and diseases, poverty etc...
They can go about condemning and fussing against sin and other things but they lack the power to produce any notable Christian results.
And of course, "to be good without Power or results, is not far from being good for nothing".
I am saying this because I started my Christian Journey with one the 'good' churches. I was in them for years, hearing sweet messages but with no tangible transformation in life. In short, there was no single difference between me and unbelievers then. I still struggled with sinful habits, was oppressed of the devil. Still got sickly like every other person. Wallowed in lack and want...
Until I got into a church where the word of faith is preached with power. And from then on wards till date, my transformation and exploits are uncountable. I have lived a virtually heaven on earth life. I have dared the 'undarables' and got away hurt free by the Power of God through faith.
So the difference between just sweet words and faith is incomparable.
Before I go further, I would want to hear some of the results you've received from the Lord with your "Sweet, Academic and Hermeneutically" sound doctrines. Because I am more interested in empirical evidence than "Human Authority References" (Most Economists like myself are like that).
Well, I do not live in poverty. In fact, we are more than comfortable! We both worked hard, neither job high paying. We didn't spend unwisely and God has blessed us. And that has been since we left your so-called "power" churches. No demons in our home either. The power of prayer and living godly lives has prevented that.
We attended your charismatic and Word Faith churches, for 15 years, and the only thing I learned was how greedy people can be, how deluded people are, and how little it is possible to grow, under preaching that emphasizes the self, rather than God.
My life is based on the Word of God, not these false doctrines, which basically are about greed for power, money and some imaginary claimed healings. (Not saying God does not heal, just that he does not need some kind of faith healer to heal! And God does NOT heal on demand! He heals for HIS glory)
The Word Faith movement is based on a hermeneutical lie. It pulls verses out of context, and cobbles together a few proof texts to produced an ear tickling doctrine of demons. While I am sure there are people who are "sincere" in their beliefs, unfortunately they are sincerely wrong.
As far as results, I will leave Jesus to judge that, one day when he returns. I will say he has totally transformed my character from a selfish, miserable person paying lip service to Jesus while waving my hands with a big smile; to an honest, kinder woman, who relies on God through good and bad. He has given me a ministry to the hurting and broken, showing people how to rejoice in the midst of the fire and the flood, and that God is totally sovereign, and really cares for our ultimate good - that being the transformation of our character into the image of Christ.
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Cor. 3:18
One day, when Jesus returns, I will not be sick or in pain. But, until that day, I am glad to be a servant of God, and to minister to those who have been hurt by the trials and tribulations of living in a fallen world - including those so badly hurt by this terrible condemning and false doctrine, that everyone should be healed on command of a person, or themselves. And the terrible and evil judgment that they "are in unbelief" rather than helping people understand who God is, and his love for us.
My character has been radically transformed by God. How about you?
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Let's take some point from what you just wrote to discuss.
I see you've taken your present position and have also persuaded others to do same from your personal experience. Once when I also faced some challenges and exercised my faith without getting the exact results I expected, I also wanted to take it out on the teachings I received from my word of faith teachers.
I even started blaming the teachings. Until the Lord realigned me. The Lord let me know I was toeing the wrong path. The teachings I received, were all based on the unadulterated word of God. But yet because of my experience, I started faulting my teachers, instead of learning what God was teaching me...
And by so doing, I was inadvertently (like you now) fighting the truth of God's word.
When I learnt that, I had to quickly retrace my step and get on the faith track again according to the written word of God. I don't assume anything I believe. I ensure it is captured in God's word. If it is captured in God's word, I engage the grace of the Lord in me to align myself to what the word says.
But for so many, they try all they can to explain the word of God to suit their experiences. And make it seem that what is written is a lie. And I see you are not far from this error, hence I am trying to correct you as a beloved sister. Please stop toeing this line.
Then to your question of character. Well, by God's grace the difference between my character then and now is a comparison between death and life and heaven and hell. The Lord has given me a masterful dominion over sinful habits and have replaced them with the sweet fruits of the Spirit. To God alone be all the glory.
I see you've taken your present position and have also persuaded others to do same from your personal experience. Once when I also faced some challenges and exercised my faith without getting the exact results I expected, I also wanted to take it out on the teachings I received from my word of faith teachers.
I even started blaming the teachings. Until the Lord realigned me. The Lord let me know I was toeing the wrong path. The teachings I received, were all based on the unadulterated word of God. But yet because of my experience, I started faulting my teachers, instead of learning what God was teaching me...
And by so doing, I was inadvertently (like you now) fighting the truth of God's word.
When I learnt that, I had to quickly retrace my step and get on the faith track again according to the written word of God. I don't assume anything I believe. I ensure it is captured in God's word. If it is captured in God's word, I engage the grace of the Lord in me to align myself to what the word says.
But for so many, they try all they can to explain the word of God to suit their experiences. And make it seem that what is written is a lie. And I see you are not far from this error, hence I am trying to correct you as a beloved sister. Please stop toeing this line.
Then to your question of character. Well, by God's grace the difference between my character then and now is a comparison between death and life and heaven and hell. The Lord has given me a masterful dominion over sinful habits and have replaced them with the sweet fruits of the Spirit. To God alone be all the glory.
