It has only been a very short time in which we have seen the normalcy that we as believers had grown so accustomed to go through a radical metamorphosis.    Much of what has been taught, in regards to the battle that we were told we would and would not encounter, is now being challenged by today’s real life reality.  Many believers today are feeling shell shocked when it comes to the battle ground that now lay before them.   Thus we are now faced with the question of  What battle are we to press ahead toward full speed, and what battles are we to back away from.

It was  not too long ago that the message that proclaimed that we as believers could name and claim anything we wanted and it would be ours. In the late 70s and early 80s, this teaching which is often referred to as “the name it claim it doctrine”  spread like wildfire.

  It was widely taught that if a person expressed faith in the promises of God, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28, they would be greatly blessed.    Thus believers were encouraged to embraced these promised, with confidence, based on these words of Christ.  “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.   For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”   Matt 18:18-20 .

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”  MK 11:23-24).

 

    This teaching spawned mega churches all over the world, as believers flocked in droves to hear about their “covenant right” to health, wealth, and prosperity. Believers were assured that faith in Christ, when combined with living a godly lifestyle, and positive speech, concerning one’s confidence in God’s promises, would always result in one obtaining health, wealth and overall prosperity.  Thus many believers embraced the notion, that God would do anything we by faith we asked, (or as some taught, “command”) Him to.

   

   

 With the  troubling times that we now live, and the pain and suffering which affecting believers and unbelievers alike.  With the advent of troubling items, such as CORVID-19, and similar items affecting both believers and unbelievers, troubling questions have now arisen. This is especially true for those believers who have been consistently taught, that they can speak a word of faith, which will hinder, sickness and suffering from coming their way. 

The issue at hand is not whether or not we should have faith in God to the point of expecting from him:  The real  issue is comprehending our most important needs, and seeking to utilize our faith in these areas. And when doing so having a right understanding of the proper balance between God's sovereignty,  our faith to obtain from God.   Over the past few decades many have embraced the “name it claim it” doctrine.  In fact a common cliché among believers, when it comes to negative situation, (sickness, financial hardships, family issues, etc) is “don’t claim it”  or “I bind that.”

As we noted earlier, What is so troubling is that many of the ministers who have taught this doctrine, and those who embraced it, have themselves gotten sick and in some cases died. We in no way mention this as a means by which to mock or ridicule these individuals, (the same can easily happen to me).   When it comes to pain and suffering, I have had my share.  

Over the years believers have been encouraged to use their faith to get whatever their hearts desire.  In truth there is nothing wrong with expressing one's confidence in the promises of God.  But we should keep in mind, that these expressions of faith must be based on a rightly divided word.   All some seem to have heard was "by faith you can have anything you want".  In this highly charged climate of faith, some have spoken a  positive word of faith for unity and blessings over their family and other relationships.  Yet in spite of these expressions and confessions of faith, for many, the turmoil and strife remains.  Many found that their faith did not stop the physical abuse on the part of their spouse.  Others came to realize that naming and claiming their child for Christ, did not stop their troubled child from continuing down the wrong path.

 

 

   Some claimed perfect health for themselves or a loved one, yet frail health still remains. Others who when they were younger named and claimed perfect health, now are finding in old age, they are  susceptible   to the ailments as everyone else.  Thus they are experiencing, hair loss, having to wear glasses due to bad eyesight, high blood pressure, arthritis, alshimers etc.    In the economic climate we are facing today, many are facing troubling times financially.  Included in this group are many sincere believers. 

 

   Some believers who gave themselves, their pocket book,  and their faith completely over to the doctrine of health and prosperity are now expressing feelings of disillusionment.  Did God fail them??  Others say they will keep believing for health and riches until it comes to pass. Something every believer and those who are aspiring to be effective believers has to come to terms with is, what can and should we expect from God?  It is critical in these trying times for our faith to have a proper scriptural balance. 

  There has been much  discouragement and disillusionment on the part of many believers. Much of this is due to a lack of a right teaching and a right understanding in regards to the true redemptive benefits of Calvary.  As a result of this lack of understanding, when that which believers, have named and claimed   does not materialize, they become disillusioned. They either feel that their faith has failed God, or God has failed their faith.   CLICK THE NEXT TAB TO ADVANCE THE SLIDES BELOW

All an honest minded person has to do is look around us to see that the times that the Bible spoke of is now upon us.  The threat of a thermo nuclear war now is looming over our planet.  We are experiencing one disaster after the other, Global pandemics such as  COVID-19, are now becoming today’s grim reality.   Global warning, is now putting our entire planet at risk,  the flooding in our coastal cities,  strong earthquakes in various places.

 

  In some of our major cities our drinking water has become almost undrinkable due to contamination.  Over the last few years we have watched in disbelief as nations all around the world have suffered terrorist attacks. In the United States we have gone through one disaster after the other:  We are seeing an alarming rise in senseless violence, being perpetrated against innocent victims.   According to biblical prophecy, the end of days will be the most perilous and dangerous times mankind has ever witnessed.  "And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation." Daniel 12:1.

In a grim prognosis, renowned British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking , (8 January 1942 – 14 March 2018)  warned that the human race today is facing the "most dangerous" time in its history.   Hawkins has openly declared himself to be an atheist in that he rejects the conventional notion of God or a creator.  Yet his prognosis (in spite of his rejection of the Bible),  regarding the times we now live, perfectly matches, how the Bible said these times would be. 

 

   Hawkins noted that the planet is in crises, he said that the world is facing huge environmental and technological challenges and needs to unite and work together to protect the humanity. "We face awesome environmental challenges: climate change, food production, overpopulation, the decimation of other species, epidemic disease, acidification of the oceans. Together, they are a reminder that we are at the most dangerous moment in the development of humanity," he said. "We now have the technology to destroy the planet on which we live, but have not yet developed the ability to escape it.”

 

  According to the Bible, the end times will be a time when knowledge, technology, and human mobility via modernized transportation would increase dramatically. “Even to the time of the end: (when), many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Dan 12:4.  

Christ tells us that rather than these advancement, ushering in a utopic conditions, just the opposite will occur.  This major increase in knowledge and technology when combined with a major increase wickedness, violence, will lead mankind to the brink of global destruction:  So much so that Christ tells us,  "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, Matt 24:22.     

WELCOME TO THE FIGHT--- This may come as a surprise to some, but these and similar adversities are the very items, that God equips us to overcome.  Whether by faith we are shielded from these situation, or by faith we go through these situations.  It is time to stop acting like our God is a wimp.  You must rise up and be bold in the faith. You must emulate Joshua and Caleb, who once they saw the prize refused to blink. God loves you , he offers rest for your inner weariness, peace in the midst of the storms of your life.

But in order to obtain the promise of God you must by faith fight for them. With the events which are now transpiring, it’s evident that the giants in the land of promise are looming everywhere, and at times they may seem taller than ever.   New pandemics coming upon us,  The increasing resentment toward the believers, because of our stand against cohabiting, and LGBTQ-ISM in general, and same sex unions in particular, etc.   Yet this is the time that God has appointed for to stand and fight. 

The scriptures tells us that in the end times, many will fall away from the faith.   This is not the will of God that we give up and go quietly in the night, but this is the time for us to be fully prepared to be fully engaged.  In this book we address the issue of successfully fighting the good fight of faith. It is God’s will that we walk in victory and power.  The key to doing both, is closely linked to our having a right understanding of what the war is all about.  We need to know where the real battlefield is, who our adversaries are, and what constitutes victory in the sight of God.  When we arm ourselves with a mind to suffer, endurance will come, Paul tells us how to fight back compare

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  Ephe 6:11-18

FIGHT OR FLIGHT??---- The apostle Paul who was no stranger to trials, persecution and suffering, for the gospel sake, encourages us with these words. ‘ Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1st Tim 6;12.  Rather preparing themselves to endure and overcome, during these trying times, many believers are now doing just the opposite. Rather than preparing themselves for this end time fight, they  are expecting to take flight rather than having to fight. 

Today it is a commonly taught and accepted doctrine by many, that Christ will rapture the believers off the earth, before things get too bad.  A commonly quoted scripture as proof is the following. “10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”  Rev 3:10.

Fight or flight?? Some say that before these end times condition develop the believers will be raptured away from the earth.  Thus they say that we need not worry about having to fight the fight of faith, because by then we will have taken flight, (in the rapture).   Other say that these conditions are a sign that Christ is about to return to the earth, and set up a thousand year kingdom, where He will reign from Jerusalem.   Still others say that the conditions which were prevalent during the days of Noah and Lot, are once again prevalent.

They further add that this is a sign that the world will be ending very soon. There is much debate among believers  in regards to “The end time tribulation”, will believers go through this time of great persecution?  The “rapture”,  will believers be raptured away before the so called “great tribulation”? The Millennial reign,   Is Christ coming back to reign on the earth?   Not even scholars of eschatology can interpret these texts with a great deal of certainty.  

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HOW TO OBTAIN TRUE CONTENTMENT

TABLE OF CONTENT

HOW TO OBTAIN TRUE CONTENTMENT----------------------------------------1A---5A

HEALTH, WEALTH AND PROSPERITY, HAVING A BALANCED EXPECTATION--------------1---20

WHY THE SWITCH FROM THE TRADITIONAL TESTIMONY OF FAITH?-----------------------21---34

WHAT ARE THE TRUE BENEFITS OF THE KINGDOM AND THE NEW COVENANT------35---69

BY FAITH, WE CAN COMMAND GOD AND HE WILL OBEY, TRUE OR FALSE?------------70---74

WHEN THE FAITH OF MAN COLLIDES WITH THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD----------------75---80

WHY SOME PEOPLE BY FAITH, THINK THEY ARE SMARTER THAN GOD-----------------81---89

MANY STRUGGLE WITH FAITH AND THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS-----------------------90---93

MOCKING THE SAINTS WHO HAVE SUFFERED FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM---94---102

FIGHTING BACK REJOICING IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS-----------------------------------------103---110

A PERVERTED GOSPEL, LEADS TO A PERVERTED FAITH-------------------------------------111---117

THE RAMPART IDOLATRY AND COVETOUSNESS WITHIN THE CHURCH-----------------118---132

THE MOST COMMONLY NAMED REASONS FOR SICKNESS AND SUFFERING----------133---146

UNDERSTANDING WHAT CHRIST DESTROYED AND WHAT REMAINS---------------------147---160

WHEN THE EXPECTED MIRACLE OR HEALING DOES NOT COME TO PASS-------------161---162

THE HONESTY OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, IN REGARDS TO SICKNESS---------------------163---170

GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN-----------------------------------------------171---174