faith 
I was Born Again surrounding the background of the Word of Faith movement which has a few scarlet threads of emphasis. The hallmark Scripture of the Faith movement (or as it was in my early Christianity) is Mark 11: 22 – 24.
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (NKJV)
The emphasis is on saying so much that a heart belief erases doubt; thus what we have in our life (negative or positive) is a matter of the words we speak. This is why Word of Faith people are so Bible oriented. If we speak God’s Word over our lives (preferably before a need but to also eventually overcome a crisis) our heart becomes aligned with the Word of God.
It is like the old computer adage: Garbage in/Garbage out. The constancy of what a person says will more than likely be the result of their existence – negatively or positively.
From this thread springs forth related threads such as prosperity or healing (and probably more, I am not an expert or I would be totally victorious in my life).
I do not wish to affirm or criticize this thinking except in this: The foundation of Mark 11: 22 – 24 is excellent; however when people emphasize threads to extrapolate material gain over spiritual gain problems begin to arise. This is why I think so many Ministers of God (especially the ones involved in Televangelism but it does not stop there) are becoming involved in scandal or the appearance of scandal by jealous association. When Ministers utilize the donations of the sheep to enrich themselves rather than enrich the Kingdom of God a deviation of purpose emerges. Of course in a Minister’s private life from wages or personal investment the blessings of wealth emerge, than it is the Accuser attempting to derail legitimacy by painting a picture of greed.
Those who are not good stewards of money (often times people simply are not capable stewarding beyond an ability so I am not assigning judgment on poor stewardship) are often willing to denounce the wealth and prosperity of Faith Ministers.
A legitimate Ministry is the Elijah List. I say legit because it is a for profit business that makes no allusions to a non-profit status for donations. It is simultaneously up front about making a profit as well as furthering the Kingdom of God by disseminating the sale of a focused line of books, Teaching CD’s and Music Cd’s. The Elijah List sells the publications of Ministers representing a non-profit 501(c) 3 tax deduction status.
The point I am trying to build to is this: Faith is not a voodoo tool for material self-aggrandizement; rather Faith is a means for humanity and the Godhead to become one in the Kingdom of God/Heaven. It is a point of Heaven and earth supernaturally uniting under the Lordship of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God has made that possible by incarnating Himself in the likeness of human flesh through Christ Jesus for this purpose of union.
Now I have said all this because I want you to read an essay from Bobby Conner as delivered by the Elijah List with the theme of seeking first the Kingdom of God. It is quite awesome!
JRH
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The Kingdom of God is Emerging--God's Word will be Displayed in Power and Action
November 19, 2007
"The Kingdom of God is more than a good method or a great message. It consists not of eloquent words--but is a demonstration of the power of God."
Jesus Christ is the most single-minded person who has ever lived. His entire earthly life, including the whole of His public ministry, was focused on one thing: announcing and establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. He announced it with His preaching, teaching and healing; He established it through His death and resurrection. The first recorded words of Jesus deals with the Kingdom: "From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, 'Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand'" (Matthew 4:17).
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, the first thing He told them to ask of the Father was for His Kingdom to come to earth: "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in Heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10).
Because the Kingdom of God was so central to the purposes and plans of Christ, He wanted His followers to constantly seek after its unveiling. If the Kingdom of Heaven was Jesus' central priority, it must be ours as well. We must keep the main thing the main thing.
The phrases "Kingdom of God" and "Kingdom of Heaven" are a common and fundamental part of Biblical theology, with the word "Kingdom" appearing 150 times in the New Testament alone. Its root meaning is God's royal kingship and power, His divine authority to lead and rule. God is the supreme ruler over all creation. The royal rule of Christ is invincible, imperishable and will last forever (see Colossians 1:13-20, Revelation 1:8).
Jesus declared that this Gospel of the Kingdom was to be preached in all the world. Our mission on earth is to obey Him, and we need His anointing to empower us to carry out His command. As the Body of Christ, we are to live a life so yielded to Jesus that the Kingdom (the power and authority) of God is recognized here on earth, even by those who do not believe. We are to be so obedient to our King that His Kingdom will be expressed on this earth to an ever-increasing extent--no matter how much the influence of the powers of darkness grows--just as it will be shown in its fullness at the end of the age.
The Kingdom of God is more than a good method or a great message. It consists not of eloquent words--but is a demonstration of the power of God. A well-delivered sermon or an expertly reasoned teaching is not enough; people need to see God's power on display. The people of this generation are ready to see God's Word displayed in power and action. Only then will they begin to see and believe in the Kingdom of God and to trust Christ as their Savior and Lord.
The Works of Jesus--We Are Ambassadors
As Jesus Himself stated boldly: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:12-14).
Every true believer is to be doing the works of Jesus; this is the evidence of the Kingdom of God. We are here on earth to do the very works of Jesus. This is the ministry of the Kingdom. If we are to be doing the works of Jesus, we would do well to understand what works He did.
Matthew 4:23–24 gives us a clear picture: "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them."
We are to preach the good news of salvation, teach the Scriptures, heal the sick, and set the captives free--just as Jesus did.
To distract us from declaring and displaying these works, the enemy of our soul attempts to get us to look and live in the past. Many believers today seem to prefer to reminisce about the mighty moves of God in former times rather than get involved with what He is doing now. While we should be thankful to God for every move of the Spirit, we can't live life always looking back. We aren't going to move forward very fast if we're always staring in the rearview mirror. We must see God at work in our day today. God is the God of the NOW! He is the great "I AM" who encompasses eternity.
Paul describes our mission and commission in terms of government and diplomacy when he says that we are "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20). The word "ambassador" is the English translation of the Greek word "presbeuo," which has the root meaning of being a senior representative possessing power and authority. An ambassador represents the government that appointed him. His power and authority are delegated. When he speaks in his official capacity as ambassador, his voice is the voice of the government he represents.
In the same way we, as God's ambassadors, represent His government--His Kingdom--here on earth. He has delegated His power and authority to us for that purpose. If we are His ambassadors, we have His authority to act in His name and on His behalf. This power and authority are actively at work in us right now!
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! We are to declare the same message as our Master. He has entrusted His Body, the Church, with the administration and expansion of His Kingdom on earth, which He established. We must extend to the world the same invitation as Jesus did when He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). This is an open-ended invitation for all who will to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The time is now! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
Blessings,
Bobby Conner
EaglesView Ministries
Email: manager@bobbyconner.org
