Within the faith, favor, prosperity and increase movement are people who choose to believe in their "faith," rather than placing their faith in God. This places man in the power position of using God, instead of surrendering himself to be used of God. With positive affirmations and confessions in action, and by claiming authority, many believe their mind power can compel God to act on their behalf, according to their will. This belief implies God surrenders His holy sovereignty, wisdom, purpose and plan.

FROM THE BOOK, "CHRISTIANITY IN CRISIS" BY HANK HANEGRAAFF WE READ:

Chapter 6, page 73:

 "In Faith theology, faith is a force.  It is the stuff out of which the universe is made and is the force which makes the laws of the spirit world function.  So how do you get the laws of the spirit world to function for you?  According to the Faith teachers, it is through the use of formulas.  Not only do these formulas of faith cause the laws of the spirit world to function, but they also cause the Holy Spirit to function for you.  God is demoted to the status of a mere bellhop who blindly responds to the beck and call of formulas utterd by the faithful.  Faith formulas are the name of the game....In the book titled "Two Kinds of Faith, E.W. Kenyon insists that it is our confession that rules us.  Kenneth Hagin once complained that unsaved people were getting better results from their faith formulas than were his church members.  And it dawned on him what the unsaved were doing, Having Faith In Your Faith."

WELCOME TO THE SECRET LAW OF ATTRACTION ACCORDING TO CHRISTIAN MYSTICS:

For more information about The Secret Law of Attraction, please reference on this website, the webpage article: "The Secret Law of Attraction - According To God".

Hanegraaff continues to relate this blasphemous false gosple in Chapter 12, "The Demotion of Christ," page 137:

"Almost all cults and world religions compromise the deity of Christ, and the Faith movement is not exception.  So far we have seen the Faith teachers re-create man in the image of God, demote God to the status of man, and deify Satan as a god.  Now we will see them demote christ to the level of a mere mortal.  Consider this incredible statement by Kenneth Copeland:  'Adam was the copy, looked just like God.  If you stood Adam upside God, they look just exactly alike.  If you stood Jesus and Adam side-byside, they would look and sound exactly alike."  

Here a leading Faith teacher claims no difference and no distinction between God and man.  Upon being questioned about this blasphemy, Copeland replied, 'I didn't say Jesus wasn't God, I said He (Jesus) didn't claim to be God when He lived on earth.'" 

Page 138:

"In John 10:30 Jesus says, 'I and the Father are one."  Modern readers might misunderstand the significance of His statement, but the ancient Jews most certainly did not.  They knew precisely what Jesus meant.  they didn't even wait for further clarification.  Immediately they picked up stones and denounced Christ for blasphemy, because they said, 'You, a mere man, claim to be God' (John 10:33).  ....Incredibly, the very next verse of the same chapter (John 10:34) is precisely the one used by Faith teachers to prove that men are gods!  In the space of two verses, Faith theology manages to make Jesus into a little man and man into a little god.  Apparently, almost everyone gets to be God...except Jesus."

Page 69-70: The Origin of the Faith Teaching:

Where do these guys get this stuff?

"...standared proof text used by the Faith teachers is Hebrews 11:1, which in the King James English reads, 'Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.'  

Page 170: Hanegraaff explains:

"First, remember that Scripture must always be interpreted in light of Scripture.  That being the case, faith cannot be rightly understood to mean 'the building block of the universe,' since it is never used in that sense in the book of Hebrews, much less the entire Bible.  Secord, the word translated 'substance' in the KIV is more accurately rendered 'assurance' (see NASB).  Far from being a tangible material, faith is a channel of living trust - an assurance - which stretches from man to God.  ....Finally, consulting an interlinear Bible quickly demonstrates that the word translated 'substance' in the KJV is the Greek word hypostasis, which in the context of Hebrew's 11:1 means 'an assured impression, a mental realizing.'" 

"Scripture must always be interpreted in light of Scripture." 

POSITIVE CONFESSION AND VISUALIZATION ARE OCCULT METHODS

Confessing a life free from problems may positively feed the mind and spirit of people who are suffering in poverty, depression, despair, or a meager existence however, it is by no means the answer to their problems. It is a hyped-up, popular message, to think by planting seed money into a ministry you can sit back and get rich. But this is not the message my Bible tells me. Would the faith and prosperity message of today hold truth in third world countries surviving in meager existence?

Persons practicing positive confessions and affirmations to change reality, are involved with occult magick of the mind.  Which often includes creating through the usage of visualization, on what they term is the “astral realm.” 

Such belief systems of thought are promoted by Oprah Winfrey and the movie, “The Secret Law of Attraction. These systems of willed intent and thought control are titled, “Creative Visualization,” and/or “Positive Affirmations.” Or a combination of both in the “Kabalistic System" of magick.  Included is often the addition of treasure maps (visual pictures of what you desire to obtain), which occult magick teacher - practitioner, Donald Michael Kraig, touts in his book, “Modern Magick – Second Edition – Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts,” (pages 290-292).

Kraig writes concerning the “Kabalistic System” on page 293, “If you re-read some of the earlier material given in this course you will notice that in one place it is mentioned that the *astral plane, also known as the Yetziratic World, is related to the emotions. The secret is that the more emotionally involved you can become with your goal, the greater your changes for rapid success. 'Sort of ' wanting something will not have the success of 'gotta have' something.”  

We are told in God's word, not to let the heart of our emotions get in the way of doing His will. 

“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:9-10).

* The astral body and plane is defined in Nevill Drury's book,  "The Dictionary of the Esoteric," page 20, "The double of the human body, usually regarded by occultists as its animating force, providing the body with "consciousness." 

 The astral body has a luminous, shining appearance, and is capable of passing through psychical matter.  The act of willed separation of the astral body from the physical is known as astral travel.  Occultists believe that at death the astral body leaves its physical counterpart and finds a new existence on the astral plane."   

Metaphysical, occult methods of affirmation (word power), and visualization, begin by utilizing the power of the mind and emotions, to create a thought empowered image within one's imagination.  This inturn, with practice of will, creates on the emotional plane of the "astral." 

 "The Mystical Qabalah," author Dion Fortune writes (page 223-224). "It is very important that we should realize that these lower Sephiroth of the Plane of Illusion are densely populated by thought-forms; that everything which the human imagination has been about to conceive, however, dimly, has a form built about it out of the astral light, and that the more the human imagination has dwelt upon it to idealise it, the more definite that form becomes." 

As Christians, we need not worry about attacks from the astral travels of dark esoteric - occult knowledge and practice of those who wish to do us harm,  For God's word proclaims, "No weapon formed against us will prosper..." (Isaiah 54:17).  Salvation and the word of God protects us.  The power of the name of Jesus -  shields us, and His Holy Spirit guards us. 

We also know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord: 

The apostle Paul tells us in 2nd Corinthians 5:5-11, "Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.  Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight- we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.  Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.  For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences."  - New American Standard

King James Version, 2nd Corinthians 5:8-11, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord.  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

Lest we forget, God is all powerful. He declares concerning those who follow wrongful motive and course, “Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.  Like an east wind I will scatter them before the enemy. I will show them My back not My face in the day of their calamity” (Jeremiah 18:15-17).  

The law of attraction, visualization, and treasure maps creating your own astral reality, touted by occult practitioners of magick to form it's double "reality on the physical plane," will not still God's mighty hand of authority or providence! 

"IMAGINATION AND VISUALIZATION"  -  BY DAVE HUNT 

(from Occult Invasion, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR, 1998)

Dave Hunt writes, "Occultism has always involved three techniques for changing and creating reality: thinking, speaking, and visualizing.  The first one is the most familiar, having been promoted in the world and the church as "Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale and as "Possibility Thinking" by Robert Schuller. 

 The second is mostly known among charismatics.  It is the "Positive Confession" (or Positive Speaking) of the Faith Movement.  The third technique is the most powerful.  It is the fastest way to enter the world of the  to enter the world of the occult and to pick up a spirit guide.  Shamans have used it for thousands of years.  It was taught to Carl Jung by spirit beings, and through him influenced humanistic and transpersonal psychology.  It was taught by Napoleon Hill by the spirits that began to guide him.  Agnes Sanford was the first to bring it into the church.  Norman Vincent Peale was not far behind her, and his influence was much greater."

SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

We are told in Matthew 6:33, But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. By isolating scripture, sheep in “expensive” wolves clothing are preaching a different gospel. Many even charging hundreds of dollars for week-end seminars or words of knowledge and prophecy based on seed faith attraction, increase, and prosperity.

Professing a partnership with God many such ministries claim in seed, time, and harvest faith, a 100 fold return on the money given to their cause and ministry.   Most often, they are the one's receiving the 100 fold return they arrogantly boast about.

 “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).  

 These wayward preachers prey on the naive, poor, and innocent.  Teaching them to give in order to receive.  

 Instead we are instructed in 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8, "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.  Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsions; for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed..."   

The apostle Paul gave us all an important principle of interpreting scripture in 1st Corinthians 2:13, This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught us by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. Consider everything God's word has to say on a subject. Only doctrine based on a “holistic” view of scripture follows this Biblical rule. 

IN CHRIST, "WHEN I AM WEAK, THAN I AM STRONG"

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:

 “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. (8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. (9) But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (10) That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, than I am strong.”

Another Biblical example of man's weakness in a crisis and God's mighty strength can be seen in 2 Chronicles 20, when King Jehoshaphat admitted he had no might against an enemy alliance praying in verse 12, “O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” They did not claim their victory, they prayed to God admitting they were weak and powerless. God gave them victory in a time of crisis.

The disciples recognized and admitted they did not have enough to feed the multitudes when Jesus Christ provided an abundant supply (Luke 9:12-13). When the disciples admitted they had caught no fish, Jesus directed them to, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (John 21:6).

In every instance, they were “not” told to replace negative confessions with positive confessions. They were not admonished to ignore their trying circumstances and visualize, meditate, or confess a positive outcome. By faith, they took their problems to Jesus, and trusted in Him to do what was best. They also put action behind their faith as they tossed their net on the right side of the boat. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the huge capacity of fish.

MANS WILL REPLACING GOD'S WILL

When positive confession dictates a person's personal will instead of God's, he attempts to replace God's creation (man), above the creator (God). As if man could control what God could and could not do. God's will can be known and claimed by faith, however, God's ways are not always man's desire. James 4:3, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

Before reaching Calvary's Cross, and ultimately fulfilling God's remption plan for humanity.  Jesus Christ, in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed to God, "if it were possible the cup might be removed."  In prayer, He recognized the will of the Father, but knew, as mortal man, His "Cross" would be difficult to bear.   Luke 22:42, 

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 

 Jesus Christ gave us the lesson of obedience, despite painful circumstances.  Jesus Christ died an unimaginable death on Calvary's Cross.  His loving sacrifice, and obedience to God's will. provided all humanity salvations redemption plan.  

If Jesus were following the positive confession movement of many in the 21st Century, His prayer may have been, “I rebuke you Satan, and the plan you have made known against me.  Man was not created by God to suffer, but to triumph.” Ultimately, by submitting to God's will Jesus Christ did triumph over Satan, but this feat wasn't accomplished by usurping God's plan with His own. Nor did it come to pass without pain and suff

Christ suffering was a fulfillment of prophecy (Luke 24:25). Life on Earth includes pain and suffering.  However, we as Christians are to boldly consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:17).

 Paul was shown he would suffer (Acts 9:16). Yet in Colossians 1:24 he states:

, “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” Paul speaks in Acts 20:23-24, “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (24) However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”

SOME OF GOD'S MOST FAITHFUL ENDURED TORTURE, TRIALS, AND TRIBULATIONS

As often in life, our problems are not always a result or an indication of a lack of faith. Some of God's most faithful endured torture and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them.

They wandered in deserts and mountains and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us that only together with us they would be made perfect (Hebrews 11:35-40). 

"Blessed is the man whom Thou dost chasten, O Lord, and dost teach out of Thy law; That Thou mayest grant him relief from the days of adversity, Until a pit is dug for the wicked.  For the Lord will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance." -  Psalms 94:12-14

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory..."  - 2nd Corinthians 4:17

"But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand or on the left, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."  -  2nd Corinthians 6:4-10

UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LORD'S WILL IS...

While it is true that Jesus said:

 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father" (Luke 14:13). This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of Him (1 John 5:14-14). Paul speaks wisely in Ephesians 5:17, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”

By becoming obedient servants, yielded to the will of God , we are used by God even unto suffering, to serve His higher Holy purpose and plan. 

“ If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mathew 16:24). “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).

Finally, one must ask themselves the following questions, “Could the prosperity, positive confession message be as effective in foreign countries as in our own nation? Is it as effective in the ghettos, slums, and welfare lines, as in modern and prosperous metropolitan cities? Could it be touted, accepted, and effective among deprived nations as well as affluent, and prosperous nations?” The answer to these simple questions is no, it is not, and to repeat the words of Christ himself, “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land” (Deuteronomy 15:11).

Jesus Christ's love is universal in its appeal, truth, and its testament. More important than physical and material prosperity, is the condition of the soul and its spiritual growth. Some of my souls greatest growth and maturity development came to pass after difficult and trying times in my life. It is in our daily walk with God, that we become sanctified in the truth; and God's word is truth (John 17:17). We do not know what tomorrow may bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:14-15). 

__________________________________________

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  JESUS CHRIST IS OUR HOPE AND GUIDE

By Synthia Esther

December 23, 2009

CNN, Larry King Live, December 22, 2009, aired the program topic, life after death titled, "Seeing The White Light."  The panel of guests on the television show included New Age author and metaphysical seeker, Dr. Deepak Chopra, who made the comment during conversation, "Hope is a sign of despair."  I agree with Henryk Sienkiewiez, "The greater the philosopher, the harder it is for him to answer the questions of the average man." 

 I shook my head in disbelief, striving to comprehend a life without the hope of our heavenly Father's love.  A life without the providence of God's mighty hand of grace and mercy. 

God's word states in Proverbs 13:12, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

THERE IS HOPE IN GOD'S PROVIDENCE

"...Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." -  Isaiah 40:30-31

HOPE IS "A GIFT FROM GOD"

Walter was driving in the rain on a long distance winter trip when he decided to stop for lunch at a truck stop.  Before going inside, he noticed a rather gruff looking middle aged man in tattered clothing, sitting hovered under the corner of the roof line of the restaurant, trying to avoid the rain.   Walter said a silent prayer to God for him before going inside the busy restaurant. 

 He then took a seat at the counter bar to eat, ordering a bowl of hot vegetable soup with a side of saltine crackers.  Lunch hit the spot in Walter's stomach on such a cold and rain soaked day.  Before paying for his meal, Walter felt an urge within his heart, quickened by the Holy Spirit, to order another bowl of soup and crackers to go.  He then asked the waitress to give it to the man outside, telling him, "This is a gift from God."  The waitress smiled in agreement, commenting, "God is good, isn't He."

Continuing his trip, Walter drove into the late night hours.  Struggling to keep his eyes on the road while remaining awake, became a rather grueling chore.  His worn wind shield wipers didn't seem to be keeping up with the torrent of rain pouring down.  Going around a curve, Walter lost control of his car, ending up in a ditch, unconscious.  Within minutes a lone stranger driving by noticed the wreckage, and stopped to help.  Unable to call 911 due to the lack of cell phone coverage on the patch of rural country road, the stranger helped Walter into his car and took him home.

Once they arrived, the stranger and his wife helped Walter.  The man gave Walter a fresh change of clothing, and his wife warmed a hot bowl of vegetable soup.  Sitting at their kitchen table, Walter also noted a small plate of chipped china covered with saltine crackers.  Tears welled up in Walter's eyes as the Holy Spirit's still small voice whispered, "this is a gift from God."  

Not only had God arranged Walter's safety, health, and comfort.   He once again had confirmed His love.  Taking a bite of saltine cracker, Walter smiled remembering the written word of God in Matthew 5:13-16, "You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is not longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." 

OUR HOPE IS IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!

God's plan for His children is always filled with hope and a good future (Jeremiah 29:11).  Being kind to others, shows the world an example of Christ's loving kindness.  The word God is included within the word good.  When good deeds are done, God's presence is ever near.  Miracles happen when we place our hope in Jesus!  

Salvation in Christ is based on the glorious hope of all saints in the "resurrection of the dead," and eternal life (Acts 23:6; 26:6-8; 26:22-23; 28:20).   

Christ Jesus is our hope (1st Timothy 1:1; Ephesians 1:11).  "I keep asking the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the "hope" to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe," (Ephesians 1:17-18). 

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