Is Faith being contaminated?

[fenton]

In America we hear so much about faith healer are crooks and they are only out to steal peoples money.

In Africa and countries like that it seems there are more healings and miracles taking place. Because no one has told them they can not believe?

Has our faith been contaminated by what we hear?

Do we fear what people would say if we say "we went to a church that prayed for me and I got healed" and that puts doubts in our heart which hinders our faith?
Because we know that the first thing out of their mouths are " right, I don't believe in that faith healing stuff, that went away with the apostles and so one.. or, God doesn't do that anymore?

[Lifesaver]

In America we hear so much about faith healer are crooks and they are only out to steal peoples money.

In Africa and countries like that it seems there are more healings and miracles taking place. Because no one has told them they can not believe?

Has our faith been contaminated by what we hear?

Do we fear what people would say if we say "we went to a church that prayed for me and I got healed" and that puts doubts in our heart which hinders our faith?
Because we know that the first thing out of their mouths are " right, I don't believe in that faith healing stuff, that went away with the apostles and so one.. or, God doesn't do that anymore?

God give us all faith.  We choose to use it negatively or positively  If we allow our faith to lead us to do negative things then it is only because we  allow it - by whatever excuse we have.

Livesaver     

[stevehut]

Fenton, I don't doubt that God still works miracles today.  I have witnessed many.

However, Jesus never said "come and see me at 2:00 next Tuesday and I will raise the dead."  It happened spontaneously, and it wasn't the norm, even for Jesus.

There are many American preachers today (I don't know about African preachers) for whom "miracles" are the primary emphasis for their ministry.  Which teaches the people to be mightily impressed by the exotic.  Which, I believe, is a big mistake.

Miracles were sent to persuade people to believe.  Once you do believe, you shouldn't need a regular diet of miracles.  Jesus didn't do it "on schedule."

Steve   

[turtledove]

 I believe that the gifts of healing are operating today; but our focus must not be on the gifts..although when they come we are to receive them, thank God,  and be grateful.  We need to praise and worship God because God is God..The Giver is always more important than the gifts.  

And caution is always good.. We need to see   the "fruit of the spirit".. in the lives of those who minister gifts. See Galatians 5:22-23. (NIV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control . "

1 John 1:4 (NIV)   "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."  

[Lifesaver]

... Miracles were sent to persuade people to believe.  Once you do believe, you shouldn't need a regular diet of miracles.  Jesus didn't do it "on schedule."

Steve   

Sorry Steve, but we do need  constant mirracles because God said " ... my elect lives by faith ..."  We need the mirracles to prove that our faith is alive.  Like our bodies, faith has to be exercised, otherwise it  will be dead and we will not be of God, as He said.  Here are the reminders that we need  constant mirracles  in our lives:

" James 2:18
... shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works ...
James 2:20
......  faith without works is dead ...
James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."



Lifesaver