For I Believe God

For I Believe God

'For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.  'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:12-13

"Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. Acts 27:25

All things are possible to those who believe including impossible dreams such as knowing the power of God’s love, His mercy and the power of His grace and greatness!  For those who will let him, God will take them by the hand and bring them into new lands and show them the greatness of His  power if they will only believe!"

For those who believe God has no problem meeting all their needs and dealing with all that is committed into His hands so that He may receive the glory for what has been done. For those who believe God has no problem to show Himself strong and prove to this wicked world that He is  God and the King of kings.  God’s great and wonderful power shall flow through believers as they desire and believe Him to even in the midst of great destruction including financial circles.

In this day and time, trouble seems to surround us on every side. If it's not a failing economy, it's a failing business, a failing marriage, or failing health. Yet, in the midst of seemingly overwhelming problems, God has promised to deliver us just like He delivered Apostle Paul who was on his way on a ship to Italy under the care of a Roman Centurion. The bible records”

Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.  And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.   When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.  But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.  So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.  And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.  When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.  And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.  Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.  But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.  "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.  "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,  "saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.  "However, we must run aground on a certain island." Acts 27:9-26

As a result of Paul’s words and faith not one of the 260 persons on the ship  when they ran the ship aground. They all escaped safely to an island Malta where the natives showed us unusual kindness. And where when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.  But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. And the bible records:

In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. Acts 28:7-10

God not only delivered Apostle Paul and his companions in the midst of a deadly storm but He also used him to be a blessing. When the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came they were healed. Jesus and Apostle Paul both proved that God’s will is healing for man. All through God’s Word He wants us healed – physically and financially. God’s plan is prosperity for the believer. In fact, according to Luke 12:32, God the Father takes pleasure in giving the Kingdom to His children. Psalm 35:27 says that God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His saints. And according to Galatians 3:13, Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law. The curse of the law as described in Deuteronomy 28 is death, sickness & disease, and poverty. Jesus died so that we wouldn’t have to. He carried our sickness & disease and by His stripes we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). The price for our healing has been paid. And according to 2 Corinthians 8:9, "He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."  There is no doubt that eternal life, health, and prosperity is God’s will for every believer. And God’s word is unchanging:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.  And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.  1 Corinthians 16:1-3

Apostle Paul told us that in the New Testament that he had given orders to the churches of Galatia concerning the collection for the saints; On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper. There was no discussion about:

 God put forth a plan for His house on this earth to be blessed. We know that the church building is not the church. Every born again believer is the church and their body is the temple of God. However, the local church is where the body of believers meets and is God’s storehouse.

God’s plan is for each believer to place ten percent (the word tithe means a tenth) of their increase into the storehouse. With every church member being obedient to this, there is sufficient bread in God’s house. The more a Christian prospers, the more they have to give. Ten percent of a million dollars is greater than 10% of nothing.

Unfortunately it has been publically shown that many pastors in America such as Pastor Randy White of Church Without Walls who preach the tithe use it to spend it upon their lusts not the sheep as reported by Athletes and evangelists cross paths By John Barr  ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. -- Bishop Randy White and his wife, pastor Paula White, once headed up one of the fastest growing Christian congregations in the country. In its heyday, Without Walls International Church boasted more than 23,000 members, took in as much as $40 million a year in donations and attracted dozens of professional athletes to its high-energy services.

Some of the athletes were so moved by the Whites' message of prosperity through faith that they donated hundreds of thousands of dollars -- one former player even donated a World Series ring -- and showered the couple with lavish gifts, such as designer shoes and expensive suits.

In the decade leading up to 2007, the Whites amassed wealth and attained a lifestyle not unlike the star athletes who came to their church. In July 2005, the couple purchased a luxury condominium in New York City's Trump Park Avenue building for $3.5 million. In 2006, they bought a home on Tampa's exclusive Bayshore Boulevard for $2.1 million, according to real estate records. Randy White owns or leases several luxury vehicles, including a 2006 Bentley, according to Florida motor vehicle records. For years, the couple had access to private jets, either leased or owned by their ministry.

Major League Baseball players Gary Sheffield, Darryl Strawberry and Carl Everett and NFL players Michael Pittman, Hardy Nickerson and Derrick Brooks were among those who attended services at a converted Canada Dry plant in Tampa, Fla., a short drive from the Buccaneers' Raymond James stadium, according to Randy White.

Today, however, most of the big-name athletes are absent from the reserved front-row seats they once occupied as VIP members, and in recent years the church itself has undergone significant upheaval. The Whites divorced in 2007 after 18 years of marriage. Without Walls, according to several former staffers, is mired in debt and bleeding membership. The church recently staved off foreclosure proceedings, and has been the subject of a Senate investigation into its finances. Church leaders have had to contend with the resulting media scrutiny.

It's a stunning reversal of fortune for a house of worship that was built on the prosperity gospel message -- a controversial evangelical Christian doctrine that teaches members that through tithing, the practice of donating 10 percent of one's income to the church, they'll be rewarded, not just spiritually but financially. 

These foolish pastors should consider the fact that they are cursed by God, not blessed for Him, for stealing the tithe:

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.  "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.  "So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them." Ezekiel 34:1-6

God reprimanded and cursed the shepherds "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.  "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.

 “Woe to the shepherds” is not a blessing but a curse when spoken by God – it definitely doesn’t mean “something good is going to happen to you?”

WALTER KAMBULOW
VICTORY MINISTRIES