Manipulative propheteers – and who said Lakeland was not about money?!

This is an account in Pastor Stephen Strader’s own words of what ‘prophet’ Rob DeLuca from New Zealand prophesied to the Lakeland faithful on May 2nd 2008: -

“The Lord told me that he wants me to receive a million dollar offering…  one thousand people that will give one thousand dollars…  Cornelius was a man who prayed and gave generously.  God rewarded him.  Tonight we have the opportunity to SOW INTO HISTORY TONIGHT…  Many came tonight to receive…  but how many of us came here to give? TONIGHT WE CAN MAKE HISTORY…  sow ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS into this outpouring!!!”   (Source here)

To say  this is bad enough, as it is distorted at best – but to prophesy it? Oh, that is manipulation of the highest order. The Lord rebuke this evil bunch! (They also prophesied another time that someone would give them land for a revival centre or the money for it, which is similarly manipulation)

By the way, a couple of weeks after this ‘prophecy’, Todd Bentley’s PR team are whinging they need more money to be ’sown’ and the ‘average offering is only 3-5 bucks a head’ (which is still a lot, even if true, given the size of the crowds and the ministry’s other sources of revenue) – so does this mean they never got their million bucks that particular night, or they are greedy, or they are repeatedly lying? If they did not  get the money it makes Rob DeLuca a false prophet, doesn’t it? And their prosperity angels, as discussed, are not that effective and if not vain imaginations of Bentley’s, are liars.  And if they did  get this money, then what does this say too of them?! Either which way, Todd Bentley’s crowd cannot be trusted. But then they have already proven that.

Why doesn’t Todd Bentley just sow some money, if he really believes in the principle, to get back one thousand fold, as he is so fond of saying? Or does he not practice what he preaches? (Evidently not, just as  the new prophetic or apostolic crowd have not come to him for healing eg Bob Jones with his ‘anointed kidneys’ – could they know something the crowds don’t – like Todd is a charlatan.)

On April 12th, more manipulation for money was evident (Source here, Pastor Stephen Strader’s own words again) – the message is clearly the more you financially give, the more you will get blessed.   If you do not give, you will not get. The greedy hucksters! Did Jesus ever take financial offerings at his ‘healing revivals’? Did he ever say ‘give me your money so you can be blessed?’   No, rather he said, ‘freely you have recieved, freely give!’  and he was against men such as this.  And Kira Mitchell, one of Todd’s associates, is in on the action too. If she were a woman of integrity she would have refused this ‘gift’ – the kid who gave the ring was only 17, but Kira is a grown woman, she has no excuse. Not only do they take these people’s possessions, but they boast about it and manipulate others to give beyond their means too, giving for all the wrong  reasons.

“Todd brought up a 21 year old young man named Billy.  He had given his new golf clubs to Todd the night before.  Billy felt strongly that he was to bring a sacrifice to prove his hunger for God.  He struggled all day long.    

Suddenly the Holy Spirit started to flow up and down Billy’s body!!!  

Shonnah, Todd’s wife, had told Todd a word of knowledge before service that there would be a young man coming to the meeting with an injury to his shoulder and he is a drummer and God wants to heal him.  BILLY WAS THAT YOUNG MAN!

Todd isn’t a golfer.  But God caused Billy to give one of his most precious possessions in order to receive from the man of God.

Then Amelia, 17 years old, had given her ring that she had since she was 13.  A promise ring.  She had given it to Kira (Todd’s assistant) last night.  She KNEW that she had to give the ring in order to receive what God has for her.

These two young people demonstrated for all of us to SOW INTO REVIVAL.  We have found a PRECIOUS TREASURE and BUY IT.  Of course you can’t “buy” the revival…  but you can make an offering that “costs you something” just like David did at the threshing floor.

We can’t receive until we GIVE.  It’s more blessed to give than receive.  

When Todd prayed for them – the Holy Spirit hit them so hard it knocked them AND the ushers back 10 feet and down on their faces!!!”

Oh Lord, Lord, deal with them! They do this in your name, but their hearts are far from you. In private they gloat about their ill gotten gains, and their lying lips salivate for yet more gold. Lord I beseech you to deal with these people, stir your hand and move in power and might that YOUR name may be glorified. They think they are covered in darkness, that nobody sees their deeds, that nobody knows what they do and how dark their hearts really are – and how they gloat, Lord, how smug, how satisfied they are, how safe they feel as they rub their hands together in glee as they plot together more of their own devised plans and pretend them to be yours – yet they despise you O God and they despise your flock! – But Lord, let what is done in the darkness come out clearly into the light so that men may fear your name once again. Pull apart their man made devices, tear down the barriers they hide behind and expose them, Lord! I know they have gotten away with this for years already, but Lord, I plead with you – enough is enough! My heart is heavy with grief, Lord, do not let them continue their plotting – foil their plans. Arise O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered!  You will be glorified. The way of the wicked man leads to nothing. May they perish in shame and be covered with scorn and disgrace.

Index to all Todd Bentley and Lakeland articles here