Contending For the Hopeless Carrot On A Stick: seeking miracles as a quick fix

Jeff Maples from Pulpit and Pen writes:

A popular worship song by Chris Tomlin summarizes the miracle seeker’s sentiments thus: 

Water You turned into wineOpened the eyes of the blindThere’s no one like youNone like you. . . .Our God is greater, our God is strongerGod You are higher than any otherOur God is Healer, awesome in powerOur God, Our God

These lyrics, while true, actually embellish the work of the Holy Spirit by distorting the purpose of miracles. There is a serious error penetrating the walls of Christ’s church that is leading people away from the true gospel into a false gospel of hopelessness. There are preachers and teachers who suggest that divine miracles are the primary purpose of the Christian faith and that contending for them should be our mission. This view is prevalent in the Word of Faith (WoF) and Prosperity Gospel camps. The carrot of hope in temporal miracles sells–it sells books, music, and speaking engagements. Notable proponents of this theology include Steven Furtick, Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, and many others. Biblical passages that are descriptive of a historical event are regularly twisted into a prescription for all people who will “activate” their faith in some way. Miracles, as opposed to Christ, then become the quintessential element of faith....

End quote.

Read the whole article here. He goes into what should be our focus.

Miracles are not a secondary issue to the deceived--why is it to most Evangelicals?

Matt Chandler is also in this group (he was extra special--he was given a prophecy that he'd pull through his brain tumor).

Expecting miracles, even demanding them from God, is just a way to skirt around the trials of life that He brings our way (trials will prove our faith or prove our illegitimacy). Sound doctrine is to be held on to especially in times of trials so that by His grace through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, we grow into a mature man in Christ. Skirting around difficulties at best is asking to retard growth and forever be immature which will lead to divisions, arguing, etc. 1Ti 6:3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 1Ti 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 1Ti 6:5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

Jas 3:13  Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 
Jas 3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 
Jas 3:15  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 
Jas 3:16  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 
Jas 3:17  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 

Jas 3:18  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.