Frederick K.C. Price

Thankful, to me they all fit into one category, because they all "hang out" together-quote each other, attend the same conferences, etc.

For example-would you attend a conference where one of the speakers teaches that since Christ raised people from the dead, with the right training and faith you and I can do the same?

Well, if you were to attend The Joyce Meyer conference Sept. 29-Oct 1 in St. Louis Mo, you would be attending a conference that has just that. http://interactive.creflodollarministries.org/bible/bsc_rdead_t.asp


Brian, the prayer you gave as an example sounds Biblical to me. Leave the IF in. You are asking God according to His plan to heal you. It may not be His plan to heal you. It may be His plan to use cancer to bring you closer to Him, or to bring someone in your family closer to Him. When you pray "IF" it be Your will, you are showing God you are a willing vessel. You are being obedient, even unto death as the Bible says.

Thankful, how does leaving the IF out show lack of faith? Also, what do you mean by "limiting" God?

*edited to correct spelling

 

Thank you Blackbird and Thankful for your responses. I believe I see things much the same way that you do, Thankful.

Sure, I realize that there are a lot of people out there teaching a lot of things that aren't scriptural.....but I think that a lot of times, in our zeal for condemning these people, we throw the baby out with the bathwater.....the baby in this case being the need for faith.

I'm reminded of Matthew 13:58, where it says that Jesus "did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief". The Bible makes it clear that, without faith, God will not move on our behalf. Maybe the Word Faith teachers phrase it wrongly when they say that without our faith He "can't" move on our behalf, but the meaning is the same.

So, if I believe God's Word makes it clear that he desires for me to prosper and to be in good health, that it is His will for me to be in good health (which I do believe), then when I pray, if I ask Him to "heal me if it be your will", then, in effect, I'm saying "I'm not sure if you want me to be healthy or not, God".....even though His Word tells me that He does. So, to me, it seems that if I pray "if it be your will" in this situation, then I don't have belief (faith) in His Word, so I can't really expect for Him to move in my situation.

I do believe there are times when you should pray "if it be your will", just not when His will is already there for us to read in His Word.

 

Dina, I must have posted my response right after you did. Maybe we disagree on this, but thank you for your reply.

 

Brian, I pray that way because:
#1. We are told to.
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Matthew 6:9-13

#2. Because that is how Christ prayed:
"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew 26:39

#3. Because that is the way others in the Bible prayed/instructed/gave examples for us to pray:
"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." 1 John 5:14

"For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil." James 4:15-16

I guess I am lost as to where in the Bible it says that His will is for us to be Healthy and prosporous. Can you supply verses please?

 

Brian30755, This is a Baptist Only forum. Please post only in forums for all other denominations. Other posts by you in these forums will be deleted per Baptist Board Rules.

Diane Tavegia

 

Dina, I guess I can't.

 

Thank you Brian for explaining what I meant about the word "if".

Also, I see that I was unclear about my statement about my limiting God. I cannot limit God in any one's life except my own.

I was taught in a Baptist church that "God helps those who help themselves". I really believed this and I believed it was in the Bible. After all, my Sunday School teacher taught this, my University Baptist Bible professor taught this...Surely, they were not wrong. They were Baptist. This belief caused me much heartache because I couldn't control certain areas of my life. I also wasted a lot of time on worrying about the future.


Then through the study of Dr. price's books and my Baptist pastor, I learned that this was not in the Bible and that one must put all their faith and trust in the Lord our God to take care of me. Most things are totally out of our control. God is in control of all, but we must allow him to control our lives.

One bad Baptist pastor does not make all Baptist pastors bad even though he may "hang out" with other Baptist pastors.

I really do understand what you are saying, Dina.
I cannot limit God's power. I cannot tell God what to do, but I can stand on His promises for my life and trust Him. I really don't see how anyone can even exist in this world without knowing the love of God.

Further, I have never said anything about attending any of these conferences. I used to attend Baptist Conventions and conferences, but I'm more a stay at home person now.

For the record as you recall, I am a Southern Baptist and have been a Southern Baptist all my life and will die a Southern Baptist.