Todd Bentley Revival in Lakeland - An Email From ‘A Lakeland Resident’
This post is from the site http://churchwarnings.blogspot.com/2008/05/todd-bentley-revival-in-lakeland-email.html/
Date written: Thu, 1 May 2008
Hi,
I live in Lakeland and I have a few observations.
First, I work and live in this “revival” town and have yet to have anyone of the tens of thousands who have been “revived” contact any of my non-Christian friends. In fact they’re oblivious to the goings on as are most of the area, besides maybe seeing/hearing/reading some of the local media giving a token reporting of what is going on.
It seems to be a “groupie” revival, just for the “hungry” Christians, I guess. Thousands are spending their hard earned, or church’s, money to make the pilgrimage to the latest “outpouring.”
I understand people being hungry for God.
I believe God heals, delivers, and sets free those who call upon His Name. Otherwise, what are we praying for?
There is a spirit in Lakeland, but how much is of the Holy Spirit and how much is flesh?
I have been listening to Todd since about the first week of the revival, after a pastor friend forwarded an email from Stephen Strader, the pastor of Ignited Church, the host church for the “revival,” attached.
I was appalled that a pastor would send a 5 page long document as an email, about a “revival” without the mention of JESUS or the BIBLE, and with only mentioning God five times. But to make up for it, he mentions the name of TODD 23 times. Please, check it out for yourself.
I was immediately tempted to reply to that friend to not send me any more garbage emails like that, when I had the wisdom to share my response with my wife, and she said he wouldn’t understand, as he and several from his church were excited about this “revival.”
So what do I do, when people I know are engrossed with a “revival” that’s all about Todd, and what Todd is doing, how Todd’s seen angels, how Todd’s anointing is so wonderful, and how God is supposedly healing?
I decided to watch the revival services, as broadcasted by Ignited Church, and check it out for myself.
The worship was typical charismatic Pentecostal contemporary worship. And then Todd took over.
What was notable was the “angels” references throughout the “ministry” time of Todd. He did read from the pulpit, not from the Word of God, but from a letter of supposed prophecy about what God was doing, about the “healing angel” that supposedly accompanied Todd, as was supposedly the case with other historical figures in “healing revivals.”
What was and continues to be notably absent is any reason to bring a Bible to a service, any call for repentance or any call for holiness in the saints.
But there is a constant call to sew financially into this “revival,” to come to Lakeland to take some of this (Todd’s) anointing home with you, and to tell others about this “revival.”
And the altar call prayer went something like, Jesus, come into my heart, I need you, I need your healing, I need…..I want….I need… I want…I want…I need…I want……..thank you Jesus, amen. And then they were prayed for, many of Todd’s converts fell to the floor under the push/anointing of Todd, and then they were shortly picked up by the ushers to make room for Todd to pray for others, at the end of the service.
To be fair, I would like to add that in most of the “salvation” prayers that I’ve heard of Todd’s, he adds, “forgive me of my sins.”
I was a bit concerned at the lack of reverence for God, lack of emphasis on Jesus or God’s Word, and lack of any reference to repentance in the meetings.
But people were okay, because there were “signs” and “miracles” and “healings” that were apparent to them.
I decided to see if I could find out who Todd Bentley was.
The website he runs, freshfire.ca, is riddled with New Age and Gnostic teachings from Todd himself. Basically, there is simply heresy in many of his teachings.
I decided to share my newfound information with other people visiting the Ustream.tv page for Ignited Church, in the chat on the page.
Naturally those who adore Todd were opposed to any mention of his New Age, Gnostic teachings, or his heretical teachings about angels and speaking with dead people.
As the days went by, not much changed from Todd, but more and more became excited at the “revival, ” wanted to come to Lakeland to participate, and what’s better, those concerned about the revival began asking legitimate questions about Todd, his past, what was going on currently, and basically how is this “God.”
And then came the Ignited chatroom moderators, to ban by IP, anyone who dared question the revival.
One day, in the middle of the afternoon, I posted this:
Colossians 2:8, 18-19 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Two minutes later, I was banned from the chatroom, by IP.
That same evening, back with a new IP, I noticed others posting concerns and even more Scriptures. Banned.
But with the changes in the chatroom, along with the change in “revival” venue to Auburndale, along came those seeking to see if this was God, from around the world.
People hungry to see God truly move in their lives, and wondering if this were real.
I’ve had the honor of chatting with many of them, sharing the truth of Todd’s teachings and history, and pointing them to the Word of God.
And, since Ustream.tv is a video website, it allows users to comment on the videos/streams. I continue to post the truth about Todd as a comment to the Ignited Church’s broadcasts, as a user.
Now it’s approaching 8000 at the meetings, and they have to spend tens of thousands a night to host the event.
And an event it is, as people are coming to be touched, yet Lakeland is untouched.
Still my friends who are unsaved say they haven’t heard about the meetings, except that I’ve asked.
So much for shaking this city, or anything for that matter, except for those affected by Todd’s “ministry.”
This “spirit” that has descended upon Lakeland, has attracted thousands, and will continue, if what I read in the chatroom is correct, for no other reason than that thousands are planning to come.
Too bad the sheep have to be proven stupid again.
Mail received by ‘A Lakeland Resident’
REVIVAL EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER WEEK!!!
Stephen Strader
Apr 5, 2008
Dear Ignited Friends,
The revival will be extended another week!!!
When I stepped into the sanctuary Friday night, the atmosphere was different than I’ve ever felt before. There was intense praise & worship. Expectancy was in the air. But something was definitely different!
Todd was looking at me with this “look” and I heard myself say to him, if you want to go another week, we’re ready! He nearly exploded! He started telling me all of the things that were happening throughout the time prior to the service. Prophetic words and confirmations that we should extend the meeting. He then got up and told the congregation! The place went wild!
He had me share my feelings with the congregation. I had two of our prophetic members share prophesies. ALL IN AGREEMENT! FULL STEAM AHEAD! There is just TOO much to share.
Then I had everyone to get on their knees and humble themselves before God. This was a SOBER MOMENT!!! The Healing Movement from Central Florida was being BIRTHED! I’m skipping over so much… but I’m trying to give you the highlights!
Todd told everyone, “I want to release this healing anointing over every person… tonight is a COMMISSIONING…”
There was a holiness in the room… the weight of God’s glory was incredible.
Todd shared his experiences with the healing angel. He told everyone how he felt the healing angel touch his back several times in the Thursday night meeting.
Suddenly, the air shifted, and Todd began to give words of knowledge. He called out Lupus, Lime Disease, Spinal Cord injury… the stage filled with about ten people…Each time Todd’s left hand touched their hand or arm, the Holy Spirit would tell him what was happening… he commanded the disease to come out… the power would hit each one.
One lady with lupus… her eyes opened wide like she was seeing an angel… he saw that the Lupus was destroying her muscles and kidneys… she felt “lighter”… her right hand began shaking and moving… that was where the pain was the greatest… and she was healed… hands began to
tinkle… inflammation was going down…
A Lady brought her cell phone on stage with her daughter on the phone that has Lupus… Todd took the phone and asked the daughter… “how would you know that God has touched you… she said – I could walk without pain…” He commanded the pain to come out of her body… right over the phone… he told her to get up and move around… bend over… see if there is any pain… any heat? Todd had the whole crowd to reach out towards the cell phone as the lady was taking steps of faith… “what’s happening?” She started feeling sensation through her body…
Then Todd gave a word of knowledge, that someone in the right center section had a broken back… here she came… walking haltingly… she was about 70 years old… she laid back under the power… her husband told Todd she had a skiing accident 15 years ago on her honeymoon… Todd felt the healing angel came and stood over the lady on the floor…
Then Todd called out a tumor in the front of the throat… several came forward…
While they came, a man on the platform was standing in proxy for a friend with lupus… and Todd prophesied a healing anointing over the man to take it to the nations…
The first lady with a lump on her throat – swallowed and the lump was gone! The second lady with lump – couldn’t find it…! The angel interrupted Todd and said God was healing prostate…A man on the stage had lumps and lupus… a heat was all over his body making him sweat…The lady from the skiing accident stood up… he prayed for her again… Another Word of knowledge for a man with a damaged spine – operation on your spine - come now!
Suddenly the healing saturated the entire room… people began to moan and several even screamed as the power ripped through the audience. Then the lady on the cell phone hollered out – her daughter’s pain was totally gone…Then Todd called out everyone with two hearing aids…While they were coming… he prayed for a man with prostate… slammed to the floor…The husband of the lady injured in the skiing accident had damaged his hearing… he instantly grabbed his ears as he fell…
Then Todd called out for someone with a medical bracelet…Then a man with enlarged prostate, also damage in the left ear, over he went! A lady preacher had lumps on her liver… Todd felt fire shoot out of his hand as she fell… oh, the shouting fit she had! Another man with hearing aids… Todd commanded the deaf and dumb spirit to leave… as he prayed, a sober presence of the HS came into the room…Then several more with hearing problems…Then a young lady with NO kidneys started feeling heat across her back… she came up on the stage… Todd told her he was feeling heat across his back…
Then a young girl got her dad on the phone – he had a lump on the throat – Todd told her to pray for him… the power of God began to shake her violently as she commanded the lump to go!
The young girl with NO kidneys said her back was growing hotter and hotter… Todd had her dad check her back, it was very hot…
Then a lady named Judy had text msg one of Todd’s team that she had a lump disappear from her breast the night before when Todd prayed… she came up to testify… the power began to flip her around like a puppet on strings… then out she went! BAM!
Then Todd lined up the whole church… prayed for everyone to receive an impartation for the healing anointing.
There is still time to get here!!! Saturday 10am 6pm Sunday 10am 6pm
Monday through Saturday 10am & 7pm nightly. The night services are full to capacity. You have to get here at least 45 minutes early to get into the sanctuary. After that, you’ll probably sit in the overflow! But don’t worry. The Holy Spirit is IN THERE TOO!!!
2nd e-mail to Churchwarnings from ‘A Lakeland Resident’
Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 09:24:57 -0400
I had a few more notables as well.
Ignited Church, the host church of this “revival,” is one of two churches that were created when Carpenters Home Church sold their 10,000 seater facility, schools, and grounds as they were unable to support the costs, as the attendance was slipping.
Another pentecostal/charismatic church, Without Walls Central, affiliated with Randy and Paula White, purchased the properties in exchange for their church in Auburndale plus paying many millions.
The pastor of Carpenters went to the Auburndale church location, a 1500 seater church, with the core of the CHC congregation, and some went with the pastor’s son, Stephen, to a for sale hardware store, similar to a small Home Depot or Lowes, and spent part of the proceeds from the sale of Carpenters to pay for the renovations and the county’s first video church sign by the highway.
When the “revival” began to grow, and they did the math, they approached Without Walls to see if they could use their facilities, as thousands were to be expected in attendance in several weeks. They did not allow Ignited, or Fresh Fire to use their facilities, currently.
It is notable that none of the larger Charismatic/Pentecostal churches, Without Walls Central (Randy & Paula White), Victory Church (The Assemblies of God), or Family Worship Center (Word of Faith), three out of the 6 largest churches, all who one would consider “hungry for the move of God” have not come out in support of Todd, or this “revival.”
In fact, I was surprised to hear that Sunday, a little over a week ago, one local charismatic style pastor, who I thought would heartedly embrace this revival, said this is not revival, for they do not preach repentance and Jesus is not central in their services.
People are waking up to facts. I had one young person in Europe note that their Dad and Mum were concerned about what they’d seen, and said that he would check out the information I provided.
Continue to pray for wisdom of those who are learning about this “revival.”
Thousands are hearing that others say God is moving in Lakeland, and are booking reservations, rather than spending time with the Lord reading their Bibles, comparing the Bible to what they see and hear on the Ustream.tv Ignited Church broadcasts every day at 10am and 7pm, and researching Todd’s teachings and history for themselves.
I guess to them, “feeling” the Holy Spirit is so much more important than making sure you’re embracing the right spirit.
Do these sheep even know their Master’s voice?
From-’A Lakeland Resident ‘ U.S.A.
I agree. One night, Friday, I believe, the name of Jesus
was noticably absent. Last night, it was a little disturbing to see Paul Cain, the poor man being barely
coherent, used to substantiate what was occuring. When we base a “work of God” on a prophecy and not on the Word we are already beginning to shipwreck. What an opportunity was available to preach a strong message from the Word of God calling people to holiness and truth, but the strong preaching of the Word is sadly lacking, which is a warning sign and and symptom in itself. Why is judging things by the Word of God considered “mindy” –if we stray into supernatural airspace or even the airspace of our own unrenewed minds without the Word of God we are in grave, grave danger. The “new breed” better be people of the Word of God, and not just a cursory reading, or they will be more than tossed about by winds of “change.” The continual reference to angels is a giant red light. Time will reveal the truth. The Word of God already does.
Don’t be ridiculous,
according to the Jesus of the bible (which is the true Jesus): a simple Christian (let alone a minister) should be 1. Speaking in tongues, Casting out devils, Healing the diseased, raising the dead, performing his miracles and greater ones etc.
Don’t believe the philosphies of weak churches who need excuses for why God isn’t moving through them (in fact the bible says to turn away from them).
Read and BELIEVE the Jesus of them bible, and yes the Holy spirit should be in communion with our rebirthed spirit after all God is the father of spirits. What do you mean which spirit is there? Satan does not cast out Satan, and he does not heal, I was there this is pure Holy Spirit in action.
This might shock you, but Jesus is a lot more powerful than the Devil. He just needs yielded vessels.
Much love to you, and seek Jesus for yourself with a hunger deep within.
What only counts is:
http://blip.tv/file/766923
Chris:
Who here says that a Christian should not be performing signs and wonders of the BIBLICAL kind? The point is, not just the nature of the signs in themselves though, but the message that they point to. If the message is antichrist, what does it say of these signs and the power they are done by?
CJB: you are welcome to post here but PLEASE don’t spam on multiple threads the same comment.
Chris, who says Satan is being cast out of these people?
This might shock you, but the devil is a lot more deceptive than the church gives him credit for.
You say you were there and you discerned it as the Holy Spirit? If this is the case you should be able to also test the ministry and words of Todd Bentley that you saw and heard, and weigh them against the Bible and teaching of Jesus.
I agree with this posting 100%. There is a person that attends these meeting every year with the circle of ministers that run in this ministry together, and chuck pierce. I shared a vision i saw and she wanted to give me a book on angels, and in my spirit i didnt feel right, and the night before she was to give me the book, the Lord took me to colossians 2 as well and needless to say I left the book on the table, and then they wanted to give me a chuck pierce cd which I cannot listen too. I used to read the Elijah List and then read things written by Kim Clement and they were just off! then I just stopped reading the Elijahs list b/c it was mostly about angels and all this other stuff that dont line up with the word. Then I watch a video clip of this revival this article was written about and man…. I don’t know what I was looking at but it wasnt the holy spirit. Young people doing the head bang in the spirit, etc…… This ministry and circle of ministers is borderline if not fully spiritism! working with, talking to familar spirits (demonic spirits) necromancy! God forbid…. enough truth to make it sound good but that 3% posion will kill you (spiritually)
I agree with these points. In all my research, I have heard Todd Bentley only mention the true Word of God THREE TIMES, and each of these three references were horribly misinterpreted.
What we are seeing is not coming from God’s infallible Word. Satan has the ability to heal and perform signs and wonders. Did you expect him to come with red tights and a pitchfork to deceive God’s people? Of course not. He will come “as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), looking very much like a godly thing, but slowly and steadily leading the flock into disaster with false doctrine and made-up stories about visiting with angels. Notice that subjective experience has the benefit of being completely unverifiable, so we just have to take Todd’s word for it. Convenient, isn’t it?
We must stand on our ONLY solid foundation–the WORD OF GOD. Signs and wonders are not enough to signal of a movement of God. Jesus said that “an evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign” (Mt. 12:39). Do we desire miracles more than Jesus Himself? Is His grace truly sufficient for us? Is His sacrifice enough? Scripture says it is. May each of us pray for wisdom and direction as more and more false teachings will arise as the years pass.
As many weeks as I’ve watched the revival, I have yet to see Todd preach, but rather he performs, or “demonstrates” his “anointing,” according to his defenders.
Yep, I wrote that letter. I live in Lakeland.
It’s a come to Lakeland for a touch by a spirit, revival, not a real one.
There is no sense of the awe of God that was a staple of past revivals.
There is no mass repentenance in the community, a staple of historical revivals.
There is no prayer, intercession for years by the locals, that is a staple of past revivals.
Frankly, it doesn’t meet the criteria of past revivals, even if you include Brownsville.
Very miniscule amounts of the Word, and very little repentance is apparent in this “hype” they call “revival.”
Most notably, as demonstrated by Hell’s Best Kept Secret, http://livingwaters.com/start.shtml, Todd is gathering false converts.
Food for thought.
I truely concern, Even the older unmarried christian woman.AT MY CHURCH, I believe it has spread thur my community.(people has great needs, and they are not willing to wait. They want Jesus Now~! they want to be rescued from these precevied threat!)Lonelss, finincal hardships, and the list goes on.
Has been drawed in to this web. They Get mad at me, when I dont conform, to they believe, Iam Just sick after reading these commets! Balance my live with KLV reading.
but, I perfer the radio station
Iam the way. Verse by Verse teaching, diffrent history,deep with out crazy.
Pray, To the Father, If He be his then God must be loud to correct him or them.
We are held accountable what we teach!
That I have a revrend fear!
When I get up and teach Gods word!
I usally reframe from speaking about dreams.
to bulid my case of salavtion.
Jesus and His work only can I trust,
all others are false doors, leading to dammation.
May God the Father enlight your way in ths earth.
Hold fast to the BlOOD STAIN BANNER, JESUS THE CHRIST.
GOD THE FATHER, CREATER OF ALL MANKIND!
PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL, BLESSINGS.
Oh my gosh. One word. JEALOUSY! Why don’t YOU get busy and go out and tell your friends and take them to the revival yourself?! EVER HEAR THE WORD…TAG, YOURE IT!? Maybe God wants that to be YOUR JOB in this picture!
Angels are very real people. How long are we going to be afraid of the Spirit realm? Get a clue!!!, ask Jesus to open your eyes! THERE ARE ANGELS EVERYWHERE and there are DEMONS TOO. DEMONS CAUSE DIVISION! WHAT IS THE MOTIVE OF YOUR HEART? DO YOU THINK YOU ARE OPERATING WITH THE LOVE OF GOD WHEN YOU ARE JUDGING YOUR NEIGHBOR AND CRITICIZING THEM?
Show me in the Bible where Satan healed someone? If you are so dead set on seeing it in the word, then SHOW ME WHERE IT SAYS THAT!?
Just because YOU aren’t seeing it or hearing it, doesn’t mean it is not true. It probably means that you are not really a “Believer” at all and you have a hard and stubborn heart. It is never too late to repent =)
Jesus Heals. Satan Steals, Kills, and Destroys. (Divides)
Who’s team are you on again? You cannot serve 2 masters.
Thanks!
Digitalnomad777:
So I am jealous am I? Yet I could easily preach a false eartickling message, and lie about and make up about angels and third heaven encounters and prophecies, and brownnose false prophets like Bob Jones and Paul Cain, and sign my soul away to C Peter Wagner and the devil, and fleece the flock, and not love truth, and tell lies, and make a mockery of the saints and become very famous and loved too if I wanted fame or fortune or adulation - we all could if we did not love God or truth enough. But I happen to love truth and God more.
How could I be jealous of someone who teaches doctrines of demons, who operates in the counterfeit, and whose heart has become so hard he will fleece and lie as he has? Why on earth would I be jealous of that? Why would I be jealous of someone who has to resort to the counterfeit - when I know the truth, know genuine supernatural power and divine revelation and have eternal glory to look forward to instead of the abyss? Why would I want to exchange truth for a lie? What on earth would I have to gain - unless I was carnal and wordly minded and did not have in mind the things of God, that is?
Hey, if I wanted to do works like Bentley; I’d just sell out and let Satan in….I could get even more famous with remarkable anointings and signs and wonders. All it takes is a total lack of integrity and lack of fear of God….and the loss of my soul as I side with the antichrist forces of evil.
There’s several scriptures where Satan does great signs and wonders to decieve even the very elect - but somehow I do not think you even want to know them. If I gave them to you would you listen - would you? Or would you come back with another childish retort that I was just jealous?!
Interested in talking to anyone who has had a child healed, saved, or delivered, or talking to a child or youth who has been healed or delivered, or saved after your parents prayed for you for a long time. Please email me your story. Being in Austin, Texas is a plus. If selected, you could tell your story on my radio show. Would be truly excellent if you could come up with doctor’s reports that proved your healing. I am a believer and want to put irrefutable stories on my show. Thanks.
I choose to allow God to be God!!!!!!!!!!!
I choose to allow Jesus to be my Sacrifice.
I choose to limt access of evil inpulse
to my trainable mine.
I choose to Be good to my Family and Children of God.
and the children of the Lost who needs to Know Your Love.
I choose to pray and hold my tongue about others.
This will only Split the waters of discourse!
Then by to night or tomorrow, this will all be change and forgotten. For another HOT TOPIC will consume us!!!!!!!!!!!!
May God Blessed you and me, in all our judgments
I watched many God TV broadcasts and find this is pure & true Bible based, relationship with Jesus based events.
The writer should get his facts straight: Many times Todd said only Jesus can save you; you need Jesus to be healed, etc. Over and over he also said that it’s not him (Todd) doing the healing, but Jesus. Over and over he gives God the glory for God’s work. It’s called the Florida Revival, not the Florida Teaching (with respect) and that’s why there tends to be more revival activity than teaching activity, although, if you listen carefully, you can even pick up sound biblical teachings. Todd has acurately quoted the bible many, many times during broadcasts.
Lastly, there is not a constant call to sow into the ministry. i heard only two requests, right at the end of the service), in two seperate meetings in over 6 broadcasts. (that’s standard protocol; they also need to eat and pay bills and God will bless them financially).
PS: Todd says “come get some”, not “come take some”.
i hear what u r saying but lets not get so of targetthere is one thing i remember todd teaching and most of all balance DOnt u think God has already figure out what he is going to do with todd at the end when God is going to judge each and everyone of us and the ones that r in ministry.remember what christ said WOE to u rigiouse people for holding people back on the Kingdom of God.check your heart out before u give quick comments.
U havent seen nothing yet what the finger of God well do.
its more then just the word revival so go back to your prayer closet and think and write some thing out of tune.
Andre:
You need to get into the word of God a bit better
I totally agree Andre. I am not about to say that Todd Bentley is a perfect man, or that all of his doctrine is sound. But one thing is for sure…and that is that God is moving through him. All through the Bible God moves through imperfect people! That is the beauty of the Gospel! It is a LOVE RELATIONSHIP! God moves through his children who take him at his word! If we all had to be perfect to make it to heaven we would all be screwed! Same thing with moves of God! I mean, look at how God moved through Jonah…and he was in FLAT OUT REBELLION! A WHOLE ENTIRE CITY repented because of what he finally did, and I am SURE there were scoffers that scoffed at him too! And geez, look at what they did to the Apostles…and if you READ the book…none of them were “perfect” and I am sure that it really didn’t have much to do with their “doctrine” it was about WHO THEY KNEW. How dare I say that? Because it was ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIP…NOT DOCTRINE! Jesus basically told all of the Pharisees that their DOCTRINE was a bunch of BALONEY. The Apostles had GOD ALMIGHTY on their side! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! DON’T HATE ON WHAT GOD IS DOING!
May millions more come to know him, and may we all realize that it is by FAITH that we are saved…not doctrine =)
Doctrine = Dookie
Jesus defied all of the religious people’s doctrine. He STILL DOES IT TODAY TOO! He showed them that HE was what they were looking for…not the perfect DOCTRINE. Doctrines can’t save you…JESUS CAN. He is not a DOCTRINE, he is THE SON OF GOD. Their DOCTRINE was not getting ANYONE saved, healed or delivered.
Let the Spirit move. And please…GET IN, OR GET OUT.
This is not about your opinion. This is about the Kingdom of GOD. HE IS THE HEAD. WHAT HE SAYS GOES.
All I have to say is READ JOHN 5:39&40.
Apart from what does God say in this case, as compared to what the Latter Rain movement and Todd Bentley and his false lying prophets say (I can see frogs coming out of their mouths) -
What about the bible, does what that say ‘go’ to? Going, going, gone…..
So I was right then when I said you will not listen to scripture? - ‘There’s several scriptures where Satan does great signs and wonders to decieve even the very elect - but somehow I do not think you even want to know them. If I gave them to you would you listen - would you? Or would you come back with another childish retort that I was just jealous?!’ - because you now say it’s not about doctrine - so any excuse to avoid the truth, quote scripture to back you up when it suits you (and twist it), but if scripture contradicts you then discard it and ignore it or say it does not apply and only religious spirits/pharisees stick to scripture anyway. Logical, concistent and truth loving? Hardly!
Well many will not be able to claim they have a real relationship with the real Jesus if they do not know sound gospel doctrine, or hate doctrine so much.
Does the spirit in you hate doctrine? If so it reveals itself to be antichrist as the spirit of truth leads into all truth, not into all experience… even all relationship as per your definition. For if you know God, if you are a son of God, you or your spirit would not testify against and rubbish and throw aside doctrine and truth, but would rather love and cherish it and uphold it. What does this say then about the spirit of this revival? Antichrist.
Do you really love lies? Really? Do you really love an antichrist and his signs and wonders? Why don’t you just admit it? You don’t want to hear the truth, you love these signs more. Will you accept the mark of the beast in time too because Bentley or someone like him says so and these signs testify to it?
Nope I sure won’t. I would have my head chopped off first! The spirit in me is the HOLY SPIRIT. He DOES lead me into all truth, and has taught me many things about the word of God. The MOST IMPORTANT THING that I have learned is that the Word of God was meant to be a launch pad for people to enter into personal relationship with God…not a reason to enter into deep theological debates and arguments over the scriptures that testify about him! Satan is at the root of that every time, as he seeks to divide and conquer.
I just want you to know that I will be praying for you. It has not been my goal to offend you or to harm you with my words. I only wish that people would accept the love and grace of God and not bash it and try to rule out everything that they do not understand. It is most definitely a SUPERNATURAL walk walking with the Lord Jesus. I understand some of what you are saying. I just do not think it is good to throw out the baby with the bath water.
May God have mercy on us all.
Sincerely,
A.J.
AJ/Digitial:
I am not offended, nor do I feel harmed - I am asking honest - sometimes shocking - questions of you, because when people’s spirits do testify against something that should be revered, it is time to search ourselves, ok, and ask are we, could we, be being led astray, as the Holy Spirit would never testify againt these things or discount them, or consider them of so little account.
Passionate and sincere people are most at danger in times of spiritual deception.
Deception is normally subtle at first for the decieved and gets more and more ‘off’ as time goes on but by that time you are ensared. Because follow the thinking where Latter Rain is going,- an antichrist dominion, a false antichrist rule by the new apostles and prophets…why would you or any other Todd Bentley follower not take their movement’s mark when these wonderful signs and experiences testify to it (a powerful delusion) - not even realising or thinking or considering it was the sign of the beast but something wonderful and godly. Honestly, why not? I am not being rude, why not, consider the scenario - how would you tell apart from doctrine - if you have accepted the signs point to them as being of God you will do what they say and not even consider it is the beast - but I declare they are part of a beast, the papal beast too. And they will betray true Christians thinking they do God’s work!
I understand only too well where you are coming from.
This is ridiculous. Jesus is the focus of the revival….if he was a “false prophet” he couldn’t preach in JESUS’ NAME! That is not possible. The Lord is moving mightly in those services. Todd loves Jesus, the people love Jesus and mroe than anything JESUS loves us and wants a relationship with us. Revivals always bring out those who question….but, ask the Lord, and He will show you the truth. Hearts are prue in the revival…seeking the LORD not Todd, and if they are seeking Todd that’s their fault and mistake. Todd can not without the Lord’s Power heal…or preach in Jesus’ name if he is a phony. Moral of the story: where the Spirit is, there will be doubts and questions, but, while you are doubting the ones who believe are getting touched by the Spirit. You can write me if you want…caitlynnanna@graceprep.com we can talk about this.
LOVE JESUS! LOVE HIS SPIRIT! LOVE REVIVAL! NOT MAN!
Cait
opps…when I said he I meant Todd not Jesus obviously, haha (in the first line)
Cait - false prophets and false teachers and antichrist spirits use the name of Jesus, don’t you know this?
There are loads of phonies on the Christian circuit - do you think God strikes the false ones dead if they use Jesus name, or somehow they cannot the utter the name? Don’t work like that.
Do you truly think someone who is not in love w/ Jesus would be addicted to him like Todd is? I think not. He is not a phony. His heart is true. The whole thing about revival is not about MAN but about Jesus and thosepeople are going there for JESUS that’s what they want and need. That’s what I want and need. I refuse to look down upon a revival that’s going through the Spirit…the number one offense is to speak against the Spirit…and I will NOT do that. The Lord is working in Lakeland, He has been working there for decades….there was a huge revival there in the ’80s and ’90s when I lived there…the Spirit is in Lakeland…always has been. Let’s not judge the Holy Spirit’s new move andwave!~
Of course he is not a phony, and is addicted to Jesus …because he says so and kisses babies.
But if someone loves God, they love truth - but Todd lies and teaches false doctrine and rips people off and leads to a false Christ. But ah, love him, he loves God and he’s such a cutie pie. Yeah right.
Yes but that does not mean you do not discern first between what is the Holy Spirit, flesh and demonic. Test all things the Bible says - test it!
I can understand where you are coming from…but, the Holy Spirit moves freshly all the time…there is always a new move of Him. How is Todd “falsely” preaching? He is doing everything in JESUS’ name..not Todd’s name…not Roy Fields’ name…not Steve Strader’s name…not SATAN’S NAME! JESUS’ name! He even has altar calls, which is more than most people can say. This revival isnt about Todd…or Roy…Steve…BUT JESUS…the one true Lord…and we need Him, more everyday…I will not surpress the Spirit…HE is what I need.
God bless you.
I totally agree Cait. Jesus said seek and you will find. He also said that if you ask your Father for a fish he will not give you a stone! We have a loving Father who is well able to keep his children out of deception!
I am very confident in his ability to correct me! He does it all the time! =)
One question for you endtimes…
I mean this and ask it out of the most sincere heart…
What if you are wrong? Have you ever considered the possibility that this IS in fact God and that you might actually be working AGAINST him in the way that you are saying such critical things? What if you are the one who is in error?
I am not wrong - if I were not so confident I would not speak as I have. Because the Bible more than backs up even if the revelations I have had and my discernment did not. This is the result of years worth of God speaking to me through scripture and direct revelation….but anyone can see Latter Rain is antichrist if they but research it.
And digital, if the bread and stone were meant in the context you mean it - why would the apostle John exhort us to test the spirits?
If there had been huge revivals in Lakeland, the town would have been transformed [or at least greatly impacted with conviction of sin] right ? All these ‘Waves’ either the 1st, the 2nd or the 3rd have never achieved this, not even in one small town. But sure, it has made many believers run to the ‘hot spots’
Yes, and look at the hundreds of people that have been healed and set free and received salvation. Jesus said that whoever is not against us is FOR US. How much are you helping people by spreading your messages of hate and criticism? Jesus said to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, and I totally understand why now. All you are doing is sowing discord among the body. You are sowing confusion. YOU are the one who is deceived and you have NO IDEA. I thank GOD that he is moving through broken vessels like Todd Bentley. Wisdom is proved RIGHT by HER ACTIONS.
Matthew 11:19
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ‘ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
2 Corinthians 1:12
Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace.
HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT.
GOD BLESS YOU!
The yeast of the pharisees…Now what exactly was the “yeast” of the pharisees? In Matthew 16, where our Lord tells His disciples to beware of the yeast of the pharisees, look at the whole scripture in context. Right before He told them that, the pharisees were looking to the Lord for a sign and a miracle. The Lord said that that a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after signs. THAT my friend was the leaven of the pharisees.
Here’s an excellent article on “phariseeism”.http://signofjonah.wordpress.com/2007/08/29/repost-the-true-pharisees/
And NO I am NOT a cessationist. The true gifts are evident in all Christians, not necessarily the famous ones.
I should have said that the gifts of the Spirit are for all REAL Christians, not necessarily the famous ones.Ever notice how a lot of “famous” Christians seem to have “something” that noone else does?
“You know what will keep the passionate followers of Christ true to Jesus in the end times? It’s that tight, close, intimate relationship with Jesus. I know Todd spends at least 3 hours a day alone with Jesus before he goes into those revival meetings in Lakeland. I know that the first years after Todd got saved he would spend 4 to 12 hours a day in his room just chilling with the holy spirit. It’s been cut down to 3 hours now because Todd is in the ministry. You know Paul from the bible? He took 3 years to be alone with Jesus after he got knocked off his horse. It was in those three years that Paul learned the gospel through “a revelation of Jesus”, not by man(Galatians 1:12). It was in those three years that Paul went up to the 3rd Heaven to chill with God (2 Corinthians 12:1-6). I mean that is what happens when you spend time with God, He just takes you home for a few days and teaches you who He is and what He did on that cross. It’s in those hours a day that you truly get to know the Jesus that died for you…and no one, not even the devil can take that away from you. When the Antichrist says that He is God, we’ll know Jesus and we’ll know that man is not God!
I am trying to spend a few hours a day with God, just falling more in love with Him, and less in love with the things of this world. So that in that day I will not be deceived into thinking that some “Man of Lawlessness” is my Jesus.”
So that is what I write to “endtimespropheticwords” when you were saying that the passionate lover’s of God will fall away along with Todd. Todd’s my brother, and if you’re saved…then you’re my brother too, and I’m not going to bash you.
When I first came across Todd and his ministry last year…I took my time in getting to know him. Because what Todd speaks seems to line up with the bible, but it’s just so far out there. So I mean, after bringing this before God and testing it….I’ve learned that Todd does really love God and has a true relationship with God. If you’re offended at Todd, well, just remember that God will offend the mind to reveal the heart.
May God bless you with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God!
I want to respond to Cait, Your Question and comment….
“if he was a “false prophet” he couldn’t preach in JESUS’ NAME! That is not possible.”
I know someone who had the same question.
Here’s a verse that seems to answer that exactly….
THE WORD (gnb)
- “So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do. “Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God’s message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’ Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’ “So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.”
(Mat 7:20-24)
ANOTHER WARNING from JESUS directly.
- “Someone may say, “Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!” But don’t believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will come and work great miracles and signs. They will even try to fool God’s chosen ones. But I have warned you ahead of time.”
(Mat 24:23-25) (..Note they are doing great miracles and signs…
- Col 2:18 “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.”
What to do?
PRAY!
-”Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psa 139:23-24)
DISCERN The prophets,
-”And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.
(1Co 14:29)
CHECK the WORD (Acts 17:11)
And CHECK your own HEART DESIRES.
- “When someone is tempted, he should not say, “I am being tempted by God,” because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. Instead, each person is tempted by his own desire, being lured and trapped by it. When that desire becomes pregnant, it gives birth to sin; and when that sin grows up, it gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my dear brothers.”
(Jas 1:13-16)
Then TRUST GOD!!
MY FINAL COMMENT AND OPINION
If this was 2000 years ago and this were Jesus and I stayed away, I would miss out, as Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. But I am safe to miss out if I ignored this preacher. I already have the Word “Jesus” (John1) in Gods Word the bible as confirmed and revealed to me through the Holy Spirit in my heart. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word,(Eph 6:17)they go together. It is the Word that cuts….
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.
Why is it we have the Word without the Spirit or the Spirit without the Word in so many churches?
As I understand, the Holy Spirit wields the Sword which is the Word to reveal God to us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal the Holy Scriptures to reveal the Heart of God. There is nothing more exciting than that, no greater joy, no greater love. With that I have no needs, I have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. I could die today safe in the arms of my precious saviour Jesus.
I have read all of those negative and defending posts above. Lord have mercy on what we think.
Too bad we couldn’t meet in better circumstances to discuss this very real problem of discerning the Todd Bentley healing outpouring (revival) in Lakeland, Florida.
Three weeks today I started watching the revival on God TV. I usually only watch Rodney Howard Browne on that channel and have found a lot of the shows from the UK to be void of the Holy Spirit (a little dry) except for Rodney and Steve Hill that is.
I was also a little concerned about Todd’s lack of using the gospel to explain what is going on or to even justify himself or his ministry. The Holy Spirit as my guide I continued to watch.
He does use the name of Jesus to heal, he does have a geniune gift of discerning of spirits, words of knowledge, healing and prophecy are all present in the three weeks I have watched.
He has only asked for money to be contributed to God tv to continue the showing of the Lakeland Revival and he has only asked like twice.
They do ask for an offering from the people attending true, but that is before the scheduled event is broadcast live.
Todd lives a modest life style in Canada. Todd has said he has not taken a penny for his service to the Lord during these revival meetings. Todd has plainly stated that he wants milions to carry revival on to the masses not for personal in richment.
Jesus is present in the healing, Jesus is present in the worship, Jesus is the reason for this revival.
A healing revival is different than the Toronto revival or even the Brownsville revival. Those revivals just had people jumping up and down with a lot of extra energy.
This revival is a heaing revival, people are being healed, people are starting to believe in Jesus because of Todd Bentley. People all over the world are starting to get excited.
This revival is international and revival fires have already started in Ireland with 23 catholic priest converting to Christianity. Now that is a miracle.
Don’t be so negative … Oswald Chambers said, “when your right about religion … you are really wrong”
This is not religion, this is a move of the Holy Spirit, this is a healing revival like I have never seen before.
I believe and I pray that you would believe also that Todd Bentley can not continue this revival unless it is from God.
Don’t limit your God to what you feel good or bad … if they are truly being set free by the Spirit of God in Jesus name you will see the fruit.
When the fire runs out everyone will know it, not just a few.
I look forward to checking out Todd Bentley’s healing outpouring in Lakeland, Florida in person … but right now I am in the Spirit every night right here in Northern California being refreshed and renewed.
Lord Jesus give us a sign for unity (peace of brotherhood) on the next seven days of God tv showing the healing revival.
The Blood of Jesus purifies what we think so we can do the will of God Hebrews 9:14
I pray the Blood of Jesus for all that are watching and discerning.
Revival Hotline
Need something explained to me if possible, when I asked someone I fairly know what they know about Todd Bentley, as I did not feal right about the way he was talking and acting and she gave me Hebrews 1:13,14 How can they be ministering spirts if they are not from God?
Matthew 12:25,26 if satan cast out satan, he is divided against himself: how shall then his kingdom stand?
Everyone one I know who have been around false prophets they feel worse after, and also faith sometimes seems like healing and lots of people have died or gotten worse after hands were laid on them for healing, that never gets any attention.
Please I need to know about how Hebrews has to do with this?
Cheryl, God gives everyone special gifts and Todd just chooses to use the gift the Lord gave him…preaching and having healing (thru Jesus’ name) services….we all should use what Jesus gave us. It’s not about the fame…it’s about the SPIRIT and where HE chooses to move and through who,.
I myself is a revivalist and have been to Todd Bentley and Patricia King meetings in the past. Although I don’t follow either of their ministries real closely. Yes and some of the stories do sound rather bizarre. But I would remind all that we are all deeply flawed individuals that God is willing to use. I have seen thousands saved and healed by my wonderful Lord Jesus. I think “slaying in the spirit” is overrated a bit. Most churches I go to are not classical pentecostal and there is no slain in the spirit there. In those who it is their culture they fall over. I don’t really worry about it. I don’t often even feel the anointing on me as my Lord does His work, and other times I almost stagger under it. I don’t know why that is so. I just Love Jesus with all my heart. I have seen angels and even had some conversations with them, but I don’t talk about it as Jesus is the center. I do have an angel who accompanies me, but I don’t even know what he does and I don’t talk about it either. I am here to just illustrate something. All the angel hype is just that hype I believe. We must be careful judging manifestations of revival as every revival has had weird manifestations. Many accounts of past revivals have een sanitized of those accounts. The truth of any revival is manifold. 1. Is the church refreshed and brought into a new in living relationship with Jesus? This may involve much repentance on believers part before the joy comes too. 2. Are the lost being brought into a relationship with him? e. If it is a revival with signs and wonders to they point to Jesus as their author? 3. If healings is present, do they last? Can they be verified, maybe even medically. I have reports from doctors showing cancers gone etc.. Remember healings are just a sign to bring in the lost and a sign to the church of the reality of the spiritual plane.
Be careful of judging other ministries, especially in the manifestations area as that can be treading on God’s territory and you will lose every time you do that.
My advice - Just hunger for Jesus and more of the Holy Spirit to flow through you. Desire only the real things and ask God to lead you. His desire is to have a loving and intimate relationship with you. On others theology, eat the meat and spit out the bones. Does it compare to the Word of God or not.
Blessings on all on this site.
Evan Wiggs
I like what Evan was sharing. I will point out as I have previously that older Pentecostals I talk to , who’re almost 80, tell me stories of past healing/ miracle crusades by A.A.Allen, Jack Coe, Oral Roberts, Smith Wigglesworth, and others, They say with the “fire” always came “wildfire” from the enemy too. Those of discernment, always immediately took a firm hand in dealing with the devil or the flesh, and restoring things back on track. Some, like Smith, were very capable of handling it themselves whilst ministering. They said they see a great dearth of discerning these days,and not enough of those capable of dealing with the devil or the flesh like previous eras.
Some of the people whose posts I read through are obviously huge hypocrites with giant sticks in their eyes. Many are so busy finding slight flaws in what you disagree with that you don’t even realize you are breaking the rule Jesus gave us when He said, “Do not judge others and you shall not be judged.” Angels are creatures of love that are here to help us heal each other and I am astonished anyone would suggest using the healing power of God, Jesus, and the angels is a negative thing. Jesus said very simply, “Love one another as I have loved thee.” Rather than trying to love each and being supportive and positive of such healing, some of the comments I saw were very upsetting and hypocritical. Such attacking remarks aren’t lovely at all but obviously passing judgment of what Todd is doing. At least he is out there doing something for God’s good and not sitting behind a computer being a foolish critic of others. Some of the disciples closest to Jesus manipulated his words to suit their own religious agendas and I noticed that was the scripture often cited on this thread and not the actual words of Christ. What part of, “love one another as He has loved thee” don’t you understand? He didn’t make any conditions with that…He never said love one another unless they are doing something you don’t agree with and using the healing blessings of angels. Take the stick out of where ever it is in your scripture obsessed mind. Most of what Mary Magdalene said was omitted from the scriptures by some of the authors of those quoted various verses so how are you to trust a passage written by anyone who would exclude the woman Jesus loved the most? The light of God is that of tolerance and patience.
Love and Blessings,
Mary
please send me ignight churchs web sight.
i feel i will be healed when i watch it.
I am amazed and kinda of scared for people when I read so much negative, accusations, towards so many christian leaders. It kinda of scares me that the Lord would give them so much insight and revelation about so many people, and all of it so negative. Did we forget about restoration? Woe is me, lest I fall. Lord always keep me humble. I understand that there is false signs, false words, flesh and everything else satan conterfeits. Did we forget that God created everything, satan hasn’t created anything he counterfeits, oh I guess he does deserve some credit for pride, lol. I totally agree with discernment of spirits, this is something the Body of Christ needs to revive desperately. But I am disturbed at how much people seem to know about what is false and not. Does one person operate as the entire Body of Christ, eye, ear, nose, leg, foot, arm etc? Do those that are so quick to judge profess to know how everything functions? This truly scares me. Have those inquired of the Lord before they have shared so much information about so many leaders before posting it? Remember we are in human bodies and we all have weaknesses, no one is perfect. Have you ever preached something and then realized you were wrong? Did your theology change about Jesus as you became more intimate with Him, realizing that it wasn’t Him it might of been you? Well, I know I have and repented for it too. Unfortuntely, we are not totally perfect when we are saved and the Holy Spirit fills us. We still got crap, mindsets and wrong things that need to be removed. I personally read my Word all the time and have an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and continue to just want more of Him. I seek to know Him above all else with a pure heart. I have experienced some of things people have posted who say are false. I have from the beginning of my walk with the Lord have prayed to be able to discern between good and evil and to discern justice. You can’t tell me that I am in deception because I have experienced these things. The Lord says in John “Eternity is this; To know the one true God and to know Him.” That means we will spend eternity getting to know the vastness of God!! I would make sure that are judgements are from God and are not perception or opinion. One of the biggest tactics of satan is to bring division to the Body of Christ, through critism, judgement, of one another. The enemy has made great strides through unity of purpose, tower of babel, Islam to name a few. Boy there so many scriptures in the New Testement that have obviously not been applied or looked at. Our God is a Supernatural God, who will constantly offend the human mind, because it is he is Spirit. I pray the Lord continues to offend my human mind and that my knowledge of Him changes, as I become closer to Him. The supernatural has been taken from the church and perverted by the enemy, it is time for us to bring it back into the church! He will purify His Bride!!!
Earnestly seek the Lord with an open heart about whether all this in Lakeland is of the Him or not. He will show you through His Word, and by His Spirit. He is faithful.
Dear,Todd
Im writting you on behalf of lake ciy academy to ask for prayer,fr the reurection of a former teacher of mine.You can tell from her actions that she was on fire for God.She helped start many youth rallies and always looking to do more.Sh died this morning at 7:37 .Please pray for her resuerection,she has ied from cancer.
I am rather amazed at what Christians are prepared to accept as ‘revival’. I’ve seen nothing remotely similar to Acts 2, where Peter preached a powerful sermon and 3000 were converted. On one side of the world Christians are being imprisoned, tortured and murdered for their faith. What are we doing? Falling around ‘drunk’ having been ‘zapped’ the spirit (so called), having our senses tickled and getting all loved up. Watching Todd Bentley emphasises the fact that we in the West haven’t the slightest clue about what revival actually means. Why hasn’t God gone to ‘refresh’ those suffering masses? Because they are experiencing true revival, not some hyped up candy coated, unbiblical mess. If you want to know what revival is really like, and what it means to be impacted by the Holy Spirit (along the lines of Acts 2) look at the Chinese church… The Word of God says that as Christians we are to expect suffering and persecution…and actually deception to mislead ‘even the elect’ (Matt 24:24 again). This is why we have to be on our guard. It’s not a question of having ‘planks in our eyes’ for goodness sake! We have to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves…and not be naive. When antichrist does finally appear with the false prophet they are going to have the capacity to call down fire from heaven. No doubt there will be Christians who will be impressed by that too…but it won’t be from God! The enemy can masquerade as an angel of light…which means he can be attractive and convincing, but if you, like me, are watching this stuff on TV and you are disturbed that what you are seeing is unbiblical…LISTEN to what God is telling you, and don’t be decieved into thinking that you don’t have the right to speak out about it. We are supposed to love the truth and defend it…not be made to feel guilty for doing so. The reason God warned us about false teachers and lying signs is that they would be subtle, and they would be in the church. Wake up, wise up and weigh it up. Those who are distressed about Todd Bentley have good reason to be. Revival starts with the Word…and with repentance… I’ve seen little if any of either.
Jodan,
I’m sorry for your loss. Your teacher sounds like she was a wonderful woman of God. God’s ways are not our ways; and, we don’t understand why God chooses to take certain individuals seemingly before their time of usefulness here is over. However, know this, your former teacher now has a perfected body cancer free!
I have been around and have seen moves of GOD at 54 years. Profound things have I experienced. “Touch not my anointed,” the work sayz. The church is critical and lashes out at times. I’ve been watching close, and the power and the word is lining up with a move of GOD. The appearance is not the best in my openion, but when is GOD a respector of persons. Todd is a tool that is being used, and breaks down the stereotype. When you find the perfect church than you better worry. GOD spoke to me and said if you never saw him, would you still react the same to what I am doing?
Bob,
I’m anointed. And, assuming you are born again Holy Spirit indwelled Christian, you are anointed as well. However watch out for the counterfeit:
18Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.[a] 21I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. 23No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.
26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. [1 John 2:18-27
I recently spent three days in Lakeland. Todd was only at one meeting which was a baptismal service.
While I was there, there was a great deal of scripture read or quoted. I attended a session on Saturday afternoon in which we were encouraged to engage in evangelism, and sent out into Lakeland to talk to people about Jesus.
Almost everyone we asked from waitresses to hotel clerks to the people we met while going door to door had heard of the ‘healing revival’.
One member of our church was healed of diabetes, and no has not had to take insulin for six weeks.
We are currently planning street evangelism efforts for our church here in Michigan. This was directly inspired by the evangelism sessions in Lakeland.
I don’t agree with everything that is going on in Lakeland, but I’ve seen good fruit.
As to it being about money, the offering is regularly taken at about 11:30 pm at the evening sessions, when half of the attendees have left. This doesn’t seem like a very good way to maximize income if that is really the focus.
I saw no ATM machines in the lobby, as World Magazine reported. Perhaps their correspondent had attended when it was in the stadium or conference center, where ATM machines would have already been present.
I did wonder if the people standing outside the entrance preaching against the revival wouldn’t have been more fruitful out on the streets of Lakeland preaching to the lost.
David,
Just a few questions.
When you went on the streets and evangelized, did you ask the people, “Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”
Did you tell them that they were sinners in need of a savior? Were they convicted of their sins? Did they accept Christ into their life so he could make them a new creation?
What happened during these outings?
Just curious.
David, what is your point?
You say, “…I’ve seen good fruit.” The fruit needs to line up with the Word of God. The fruit either comes from a good tree or a bad tree. Tod Bentley is a bad tree.
You say,”One member of our church was healed of diabetes, and no has not had to take insulin for six weeks.” Time will tell. Not only that, but suppose the person was actually healed. Do you think for one second God would still compromise His truth for the sake of anything? Satan can and does perform signs and wonders. IF a person is healed during one of these heretical meetings, it would make a person dependent upon ungodliness. For there is nothing godly and no fear of God in the midst of this blasphemy. Seems like most of the “miracles” being performed are easy enough to fake any way. Jesus healed ALL who came to Him. Not “partial” healings, that is being spouted off. Easy enough to “heal” a back ache or some other ailment as enough endorhines are being realeased just from being hyped up by man. But those who are severely in need are not being healed. Does anyone truly care about them? Or are they just in the way of TBs’ greatness?
You say, “We are currently planning street evangelism efforts for our church here in Michigan. This was directly inspired by the evangelism sessions in Lakeland.” I’m very curious. Exactly what will you all be doing to evangelize? What will your message be? Will there be the preaching of the cross? Will there be preaching of repentence? Or will it be, “Come and get some?” I am not trying to be sarcastic. I am just wanting a sincere answer. It is a shame that any church can not go and evangelize without needing to go somewhere and “get some.” For the Holy Spirit already dwells in us if we are true followers of Jesus.
Who will feed the little lambs if and when they come to Jesus? And what will you feed them? A sugar-coated gospel of “Jesus is the means to get anything and everything you want out of this life.” Or the true gospel of “Count the cost, you will be hated for His sake, pick up your cross and follow Him?” I’m very curious as to what kind of Jesus you and others will be trying to lead others to.
You said,”I did wonder if the people standing outside the entrance preaching against the revival wouldn’t have been more fruitful out on the streets of Lakeland preaching to the lost.” I imagine they WERE trying to preach to the lost. And to the deluded. As anyone with any true discernment would not be going to this thing. I am very glad to know there are those who would take the time to care enough for souls to go and try to preach the truth in leading people away from this apostacy. May more true soldiers in the true army of the Lord rise up in every city when TB and his motley crew come around with their poison and heretical teachings.
Okay, I have a little thing I want to point out about this third heaven issue people keep bringing up. I just read it in 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 like TimBob pointed out. Well, someone is lying or did not read the scripture very closely. Paul writes that he KNEW a man in Christ who was “caught up” (which I take it to mean you can’t get there by your own will), and to make matters even more difficult, the man told Paul he could not share what he saw or experienced there. So, why do people keep saying it was Paul, when it was just someone Paul knew? Why is this such a big deal when we have the Holy Spirit who can guide us into things we can actually share. I question exaggerations such as TimBob’s comment of Paul going to the third heaven to chill with God, both statements totally incorrect because Paul never went to the third heaven and besides never said the other man did such a thing as chilling with God. So in the words of a minister I heard once, some one is lying, God or man…you got it man is lying. Lets get this stuff straight before we make fools of ourselves by misquoting the scriptures like satan always enjoys doing.