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The Walk of Faith
- By Apostle Anthony Berry
- Published 08/24/2010
- Deliverance
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Apostle Anthony Berry
I have been saved for 27 years, and have experienced a number of situations where the only way I was able to be delivered is through God's merciful graces. It is my obligation to share the agape of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to a loveless civilization.
View all articles by Apostle Anthony Berry
Here is an excerpt from the book that I am writing named "The Walk of Faith"
Chapter 1
How many times have we heard the word faith attached to a statement by a minister, brother, or sister of the church? The action of faith is used in at least four ways that I can think of right now.
1. The walk of faith
2. We walk by faith
3. We walk in faith
4. We walk of faith
Faith
1. Belief or trust: belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof.
2. Religion or religious group: a system of religious belief, or the group of people who adhere to it.
3. Trust in God: belief in and devotion to God.
4. Set of beliefs: a strongly held set of beliefs or principles.
5. Loyalty: allegiance or loyalty to somebody or something.
I think that faith works for the Christian when they make faith an act of knowing; and not simply believing. When you only believe in something it is often very easy to doubt. While this won’t stop God from operating according to your faith, I believe that it will slow God’s answer or blessing down quite a bit.
Walking by faith
At one time or another we have all used faith to get whatever we thought that we needed to have a more fruitful life. Non-church members have used faith but do not really know what faith is or where it comes from. Most of the time, when people receive something that they have been wishing for, they will say that it was their good luck. It’s just too bad that they don’t realize that something more powerful than karma or luck is involved.
God operates according to an individual’s faith. He is so merciful and good that the person exercising the faith does not even have to believe in him. The best say that I can give my opinion is that it is God’s nature to work according to a person’s faith. I think that faith smells so good to God that he gathers it all to himself, and blesses it.
Faith Sold over the Airwaves
Some men use the faith of unknowing people to their advantage as a scheme to get more and more money. Some of these men are not men of God, but they are men of filthy lucre as the Bible says. I will not mention the names of these “preachers”, but they prey on a person’s lack of a faithful relationship with God, and that makes these (ministers) rich. They prey on people that believe they6 need a go between to receive a blessing from the Lord. One well-known televangelist tells his audience “If you send me a thousand dollar seed of faith, she cumin in a hunda kelbasa, God will hear from heaven and he will bless you openly.” He then has people that testify that they have been blessed because they sent in the seed money. They are pictured in front of a beautiful house or a fancy car. There are so many endless success stories that you cannot count them with numbers. Then there is the radio personality that asks the listening audience; “Has bad luck been plaguing you? “Is witchcraft, hoodoo, or voodoo making your lie miserable? Then call Rev-----.”
These “ministers” know the working of faith, and even though a few of them are con men, they would be astounded to find out how many unknowing people have been blessed by giving these men their money. These unknowing people send their hard earned money to these ministers believing that their requests are being prayed over, and because they sent their money to this “great holy man”, the will receive whatever it is they asked for. If only they knew thatthey could have received their blessing, and saved some money by just placing their faith in God. Many times these people want the thing that they have asked for more than to have a relationship with the Lord. It is one of those: You want me to give you money, gifts, and a better way of life, but you do not want to spend time with me things. Because they have paid a “holy man” to pray for them, they have abounding faith. Not in God mind you; but in the mant that they have paid to pray for them to receive what they desire from God.
There was a expose conducted by CNN a few years ago. The expose concerned an internationally known televangelist. The report showed how this ministry treated the requests for prayer that it received. The standard operating procedure was for the envelope to be opened, whatever cash or checks to be removed from the envelope (leaving the letter inside) and then for the envelope with the letter still inside to be thrown away. The request for prayer was never read. This was caught on camera unknown to the administrators of the ministry. It is a shame when God’s business of winning souls becomes man’s business of turning a dollar. Ministers that exploit the public’s lack of faith are the ministers that Jesus calls wolves in sheep’s clothing. These (holy men) could not exploit the masses if the masses were aware of what the Bible says about asking in faith. I am a witness of how God will give good things to those that seek him. God has given me everything that I asked for in faith. I know that when I ask something of the Lord and sometimes there is a waiting period involved. I just thank him in advance, then I wait and see the salvation of the Lord.
There is a reason why this type of confidence game is so easy to play. It is not because “There is a sucker born every minute” as P.T. Barnum says. It is because faith is a test for everyone that uses faith, the test is more difficult if a person doesn’t have an active relationship with God. I say once again; God gave everyone a certain amount (measure)of faith. That faith is further divided into different areas. In other words; one person will have more faith in on area than another. A person can have more faith in the area of God’s healing power than his providing power. This person will be healed very quickly, whether they go to the doctor or not, but it takes longer for them to receive the good things that they ask from the Lord and vice versa.
Another enemy to faith is not believing that you are worthy to receive what you ask from God. Many people, because they feel that they have fallen into some type of sin, punish themselves. They feel like they father in heaven is punishing and they are not worthy. Think about when you were a child and did something naughty. Your father told you that he won’t give you asked of him because you were naughty. Dad had mercy on you most of the time and gave you what you asked after he felt that you suffered enough. Its slightly different in God’s case though; if you see yourself the way that God sees you, then you know that God doesn’t give what you ask on condition. He gives you what you ask because he loves you, and feels good to give his children every good thing. Jesus said “I came so that you have life; and that more abundantly.” It is unfortunate that we are taught to feel this way in some of the churches that we attend.
Some ministers even teach that God is not your sugar daddy. This is the most hurtful thing that I have heard preached. If a person asks many things of god, mostly of a material nature, the ministers feel that the person only wants materials things from God. Jesus said that he would give us our hearts desires, so how could this statement be true? God loves his children, if we believe in and trust in him, he will give us the desires of our hearts, within reason. Ask, and it will be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he tht seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread shall he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, he will give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your father which in heaven give good things to them that ask him Mat. 7:7-11.
Other verses concerning asking God:
Matt. 21:22, Mk. 6:22-23, Eph. 3:20, Jam. 4:3
When you walk by faith, faith is beside you in whatever you do. You must walk by faith before any of the other three faith walking statements can apply. Walking by faith and not by sight is the act of not being hindered by what you think you cannot do. It is the first step toward the spiritual freedom that Christ offers. I mean let’s look at it for a second… For all of the miracles that Jesus performed in his ministry; when he and the twelve went to visit Jesus’ hometown Jesus could not perform any miracles there. The mindset of the people was “Isn’t this Joseph the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? Are his brothers not James and Joses, and Simon and Judas?” In other words, who the heck does he think he is?” Matt. 13:53-57. And you know what? The Bible says tht Jesus could not perform any miracles there, and why? The people did not believe in him. And because of their unbelief (lack of faith), Jesus did no great works there.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11 (for reference read the whole chapter).
By Elder Anthony Berry
Chapter 1
How many times have we heard the word faith attached to a statement by a minister, brother, or sister of the church? The action of faith is used in at least four ways that I can think of right now.
1. The walk of faith
2. We walk by faith
3. We walk in faith
4. We walk of faith
Faith
1. Belief or trust: belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof.
2. Religion or religious group: a system of religious belief, or the group of people who adhere to it.
3. Trust in God: belief in and devotion to God.
4. Set of beliefs: a strongly held set of beliefs or principles.
5. Loyalty: allegiance or loyalty to somebody or something.
I think that faith works for the Christian when they make faith an act of knowing; and not simply believing. When you only believe in something it is often very easy to doubt. While this won’t stop God from operating according to your faith, I believe that it will slow God’s answer or blessing down quite a bit.
Walking by faith
At one time or another we have all used faith to get whatever we thought that we needed to have a more fruitful life. Non-church members have used faith but do not really know what faith is or where it comes from. Most of the time, when people receive something that they have been wishing for, they will say that it was their good luck. It’s just too bad that they don’t realize that something more powerful than karma or luck is involved.
God operates according to an individual’s faith. He is so merciful and good that the person exercising the faith does not even have to believe in him. The best say that I can give my opinion is that it is God’s nature to work according to a person’s faith. I think that faith smells so good to God that he gathers it all to himself, and blesses it.
Faith Sold over the Airwaves
Some men use the faith of unknowing people to their advantage as a scheme to get more and more money. Some of these men are not men of God, but they are men of filthy lucre as the Bible says. I will not mention the names of these “preachers”, but they prey on a person’s lack of a faithful relationship with God, and that makes these (ministers) rich. They prey on people that believe they6 need a go between to receive a blessing from the Lord. One well-known televangelist tells his audience “If you send me a thousand dollar seed of faith, she cumin in a hunda kelbasa, God will hear from heaven and he will bless you openly.” He then has people that testify that they have been blessed because they sent in the seed money. They are pictured in front of a beautiful house or a fancy car. There are so many endless success stories that you cannot count them with numbers. Then there is the radio personality that asks the listening audience; “Has bad luck been plaguing you? “Is witchcraft, hoodoo, or voodoo making your lie miserable? Then call Rev-----.”
These “ministers” know the working of faith, and even though a few of them are con men, they would be astounded to find out how many unknowing people have been blessed by giving these men their money. These unknowing people send their hard earned money to these ministers believing that their requests are being prayed over, and because they sent their money to this “great holy man”, the will receive whatever it is they asked for. If only they knew thatthey could have received their blessing, and saved some money by just placing their faith in God. Many times these people want the thing that they have asked for more than to have a relationship with the Lord. It is one of those: You want me to give you money, gifts, and a better way of life, but you do not want to spend time with me things. Because they have paid a “holy man” to pray for them, they have abounding faith. Not in God mind you; but in the mant that they have paid to pray for them to receive what they desire from God.
There was a expose conducted by CNN a few years ago. The expose concerned an internationally known televangelist. The report showed how this ministry treated the requests for prayer that it received. The standard operating procedure was for the envelope to be opened, whatever cash or checks to be removed from the envelope (leaving the letter inside) and then for the envelope with the letter still inside to be thrown away. The request for prayer was never read. This was caught on camera unknown to the administrators of the ministry. It is a shame when God’s business of winning souls becomes man’s business of turning a dollar. Ministers that exploit the public’s lack of faith are the ministers that Jesus calls wolves in sheep’s clothing. These (holy men) could not exploit the masses if the masses were aware of what the Bible says about asking in faith. I am a witness of how God will give good things to those that seek him. God has given me everything that I asked for in faith. I know that when I ask something of the Lord and sometimes there is a waiting period involved. I just thank him in advance, then I wait and see the salvation of the Lord.
There is a reason why this type of confidence game is so easy to play. It is not because “There is a sucker born every minute” as P.T. Barnum says. It is because faith is a test for everyone that uses faith, the test is more difficult if a person doesn’t have an active relationship with God. I say once again; God gave everyone a certain amount (measure)of faith. That faith is further divided into different areas. In other words; one person will have more faith in on area than another. A person can have more faith in the area of God’s healing power than his providing power. This person will be healed very quickly, whether they go to the doctor or not, but it takes longer for them to receive the good things that they ask from the Lord and vice versa.
Another enemy to faith is not believing that you are worthy to receive what you ask from God. Many people, because they feel that they have fallen into some type of sin, punish themselves. They feel like they father in heaven is punishing and they are not worthy. Think about when you were a child and did something naughty. Your father told you that he won’t give you asked of him because you were naughty. Dad had mercy on you most of the time and gave you what you asked after he felt that you suffered enough. Its slightly different in God’s case though; if you see yourself the way that God sees you, then you know that God doesn’t give what you ask on condition. He gives you what you ask because he loves you, and feels good to give his children every good thing. Jesus said “I came so that you have life; and that more abundantly.” It is unfortunate that we are taught to feel this way in some of the churches that we attend.
Some ministers even teach that God is not your sugar daddy. This is the most hurtful thing that I have heard preached. If a person asks many things of god, mostly of a material nature, the ministers feel that the person only wants materials things from God. Jesus said that he would give us our hearts desires, so how could this statement be true? God loves his children, if we believe in and trust in him, he will give us the desires of our hearts, within reason. Ask, and it will be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he tht seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread shall he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, he will give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your father which in heaven give good things to them that ask him Mat. 7:7-11.
Other verses concerning asking God:
Matt. 21:22, Mk. 6:22-23, Eph. 3:20, Jam. 4:3
When you walk by faith, faith is beside you in whatever you do. You must walk by faith before any of the other three faith walking statements can apply. Walking by faith and not by sight is the act of not being hindered by what you think you cannot do. It is the first step toward the spiritual freedom that Christ offers. I mean let’s look at it for a second… For all of the miracles that Jesus performed in his ministry; when he and the twelve went to visit Jesus’ hometown Jesus could not perform any miracles there. The mindset of the people was “Isn’t this Joseph the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? Are his brothers not James and Joses, and Simon and Judas?” In other words, who the heck does he think he is?” Matt. 13:53-57. And you know what? The Bible says tht Jesus could not perform any miracles there, and why? The people did not believe in him. And because of their unbelief (lack of faith), Jesus did no great works there.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11 (for reference read the whole chapter).
By Elder Anthony Berry
Spread The Word
1 Response to "The Walk of Faith"
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said this on 21 Oct 2010 10:30:41 PM CST
Excellent and insight write up..
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