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I totally agree, Hoss. If it weren’t for the times in my Christian life where I had trials, testings, heartaches, wants, sickness and needs and seen how my Heavenly Father resolved(s) these in His time and for His purposes, I doubt the faith I have would be as strong as it is. They have worked together for GOOD - even when not as I would have wanted them to at the time. Looking back, I see the hand of God and rejoice that HE is in control and not me. That old song is so true - If I never had a problem, I’d never know God could solve them. His strength is made perfect in my weakness and I have learned that in whatever state I am in to be content.

Hoss, I do not at all believe in the prosperity message as believed by many Christians. James says that you ask amiss, if you ask for something to consume it upon your lusts, which is the way much is asked for by them, you will not receive it. They also, if you delve into their teachings believe that they have become a christ themselves. They are Jesus' brother and Jesus has given them the ability to become a christ in their own right along side of Him. This is blatantly false doctrine. They believe such things as that they can create and cause things to come into being by the power of their words and actions. This is blatantly false. We haven't any power of our own. The excellency of the power is of Christ and we are the earthen vessels.

I do believe, however, that if we come to God in humble, child like faith that He is willing to heal us, as very clearly demonstrated by Jesus. Many are sick for many reasons, one primary one being a lack of belief in God's willingness to heal us. Another is that those who seek healing are almost always encumbered by a load of false doctrine which obfuscates their ability to have proper faith in our loving Father. Those who possess wonderful, correct doctrines are also steeped in the belief that they have been taught that God doesn't always want to heal.

The fact that The LORD is willing and able to heal doesn't mean that He often will. It is because of our failures and false beliefs, not because He isn't willing and able. The Bible says that He chastises every son that He loveth. Many are being chastised, but unwilling to accept the idea that they and their faith aren't always nearly perfect (pride), they do not seek The LORD for the reason/reasons that they are being chastised.

Also The LORD tests us. Many point to Job to prove that the righteous get sick and are troubled, but they forget the outcome. Job, after severe testing, was delivered. He was healed, became wealthy again and even had children to take the place of those children that he had lost. His ministry was also restored. After severe testing we find a very victorious outcome.

What did Job gain through his test. He had been spending his thoughts and energy justifying himself rather than The LORD. He gained a greater knowing of The LORD and His absolute and perfect righteousness. He learned that he and his righteousness was nothing compare to the perfect righteousness of God. He repented in sack cloth and ashes.

Like Job The LORD sends us through tests, some shorter and some longer. But it is the will of The LORD that we should come through them and be restored. The LORD will not perform His awesome wonders if we do not have humble, simple faith, knowing that He is willing out of His abundant love and also able to do mighty miracles for us, which as Jesus said brings Him glory.

Absolutely true... That is the Gospel. The only gospel. And, in our lives, God has plans for us that may or may not involve lack of health, suffering, pain, and loss. Others may have fullness of health and finances as part of Gods plan. But, claiming that we don't have health or wealth because we lack faith (part of the "Prosperity Gospel") is a false teaching based on willfully misinterpreted verses cherry-picked out of context.

The health, wealth, and prosperity folks don't ever seem to pay much attention to Hebrews 11:32-40

Hebrews 11:32-40And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.

Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.