There are a lot of Christians sad, angry and confused right now. Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley, leader of the Lakeland Florida Revival, announced that he and his wife Shonnah are divorcing.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Aug 14/ THE VOICE magazine: Advancing Christian Life & Culture
“It is with considerable sadness then, that we must temper the jubilation we know you all feel with the sobering news that Todd and Shonnah Bentley are presently experiencing significant friction in their relationship and are currently separated,” the statement read.
“We want to affirm that there has been no sexual immorality on the part of either Todd or Shonnah, nor has there ever been. Undoubtedly the pressures and the burden of the Outpouring, which approaches 144 days on August 23rd, have helped to create an atmosphere of fatigue and stress that has exacerbated existing issues in their relationship,” the statement continued.
“We wish to stress however, that the Outpouring is not “to blame” for the current chain of events and that in effect we have no interest in blaming anyone, but rather we deeply covet your prayers for Todd and Shonnah and for Fresh Fire Ministries during this time,” the statement said.
When I first read the news I felt sad and prayed for the Bentley’s and their children. Then I got angry because this didn’t have to happen. There were plenty of danger signs along the way. Even Dr. George Wood of the Assembly of God offered some wise guidance on scriptural revival for people to read. We posted it on this web site, “AG Statement on Revival.” We also posted our concerns “Thoughtful Concerns about the Lakeland Revival.” Unfortunately those that questioned anything were told they were attacking Todd Bentley, a mighty move of God and were quickly labeled as judgmental. People need to remember not every caution is an attack from the devil and can save lives and even marriages.
It’s obvious now the danger signs were ignored by mostly everybody anywhere near the Bentleys and the enemy has more ammo to discredit Christianity. With help from God TV and the Internet the revival was marketed as the hottest thing since sliced bread and people by the thousands came to Lakeland from Europe and America. Were the Bentley’s ready for this level of ministry? What about the people around them?
When cautions of concern regarding scriptural error, the angel Emma and exaggerated testimonies of healing, miracles and people raised from the dead were offered it appeared that Bentley was finally receiving some counsel, guidance and possible positive advice on his edginess. (Physical aggressiveness on international television, for example, can get you and others sued.) Some thought this might stabilize the revival before it got even crazier.
On June 23rd well known leaders and members of C. Peter Wagner’s, International Coalition of Apostles, Canadian pastor John Arnott and California pastors’ Che Ahn and Bill Johnson ordained Todd and offered apostolic oversight to the Lakeland Revival. Many wondered what that apostolic oversight would entail. This televised ordination (spiritual covering) through the laying on of hands with personal prophecy over Bentley’s life opens up a lot of questions such as:
- Did these men have a personal relationship with Todd Bentley? (1 Timothy 5:22)
- Did they know he was having marriage problems? (Somebody sure did.)
- Were those prophetic words judged? (Then, now, ever?)
- Did they think the Bentleys were able to handle the spiritual warfare on that level?
- What about the other ministers on the platform?
- Were they taking an active role in the revival?
- Did they provide wise counsel regarding the questionable esoteric messages being taught?
- Did they stick around?
- What is the role of true spiritual fathers?
- What are they going to do now?
- Who helps clean up the mess?
We should all remember that revival is not about Todd Bentley or any other preacher, it’s about Jesus. It’s not about being on TV, big crowds under a tent, or selling tapes, videos or air time either. It’s about turning the hearts of men, it’s about repentance from sin and it’s about reaching the world for Christ. It looks like a lot of people used this revival to advance their ministries. Now the Bentleys need some serious help to restore their marriage. I wonder how many will come to their aid without the television cameras and big crowds.
I know there are lots of people as frustrated as me that have something to say about this but let’s remember the thousands of people who are hurt that need to know that Jesus is still Savior. He is still the one that shed His blood for their sins. We also need to pray for the Bentley family and all those who worked with them in the Lakeland meetings. Again, this could have been avoided with wise counsel. The warning signs were there and few saw them.
The Lakeland explosion is a classic example of what not to do. I think we should all repent because this didn’t have to happen.
Your partner,
Jonas Clark
Publisher
The Voice magazine
Contact The Voice magazine editor at editor@thevoicemagazine.com or 954-456-6032.
FREE download of The Voice magazine
We should pray for the Bentleys. Frankly, I don’t know what people are upset about, other than stand with and pray for the Bentleys. It is them who are going through the problems. Why should others be judging them? Ministers are human as well. There was no infidelity. Where is the sin? God hates divorce, sure, but we are all outsiders. Please do not start judging other people’s marital issues.
I have looked as an outsider looking in at this whole thing and it just supports my theory that the charismatic, pentecostal, word of faith, third wave, apostolic or whatever buzz word you want to call it is all false…false…false!!! Unless you are one of the hiararchy whole makes all the money and basks in the fame and attention.
I feel for mr bentley in a way, he was used as a pawn, very zealous to do the right thing, convinced by himself and the other so called leaders who just pushed him closer and closer to the edge of the cliff until he falls off and they all walk away squeaky clean. disgrace. i am so glad that i am out of it. i was at a high level in one of these prohectic/visionary churches were it was sooooo spiritual to deal out a good lump some of your hard earned money, work your socks off and carry the pastor’s suitcase in on the promise that one day you will be the “anointed one” and for what NOTHING!!!. They leave you in a mess.
God TV should be ashamed of itself, espeically the Alecs. How much of beleivers money has gone into this whone farce and where is the fruit? Where (as with all these tv evngleists) are the healings? God TV should apologise and give the money back but they wont on both accounts.
There are too many so called “prophets” in this world today with too many self driven dreams and visions. I know what I am talking about as these people have caused me a whole world of damage and it took me a while to forgive them and I am quite a forgiving person.
May the good Lord look after the Bentleys…I really believe that he meant well, but the real villians are those who drive these wacky and false preachers.
Where is the real church? because all I see it her evil twin.
Judge not for the same measure you judge others so you will be judged
classic defensive charismatic response…come out of the closet and admit for once that it is all pizza dreaming and playing with peoples lives. will the real church please stand up!
we are in the great falling away. Men will love themselvesMORE than God. Thus sayith the Lord I WILL RESTORE TODD AND HIS WIFE AND HIS MARRIAGE,I STAND AT HIS DOOR AND KNOCK. MY LOVE AND BLOOD CAN HEAL ALL HURT BROKENESS AND REBELLION.MY DEATH ON THE CROSSS AND RESSERECTION CAN HEAL TODSS BACKSLIDING AND I LOVE HIM FREELY. DIE TO YOURSELF. MY SPIRIT WILL CAUSE YOU TO OBEY MY COMMANDS AND DO THEM I WILL HEAL TODD IF HE LETS ME.I WILL TAKE HIM OUT OF THE LAND OF WANT OF DIVORCE AND INTO A WIDE PASTUE OF MY DIVINE LOVE. I STILL HEAL MARRIAGES!! IAM THE GOD WHO HEALS YOU!!!
I will be praying for you Changeling. I’m sorry that these people have caused you a whole world of damage. On behave of them, i ask for your forgiveness for whatever they may have done to you. I also ask that you would just seek more of God…. and by doing this, I pray that He will speak to you about this whole Florida Outpouring. If you would like to talk more about this, or about God, i would love to share what God has done for me and my family through this outpouring and through Todd. God Bless you and peace be with you!
dam………. the enemy! sneaky trickster……. We have all seen the “ways” of the one that seeks to destroy…… BUT….. we KNOW who WINS! OUR GOD!
Lord Jesus we know your heart is broken over the Bentleys… we know you can restore and make new! We trust you Father God….. we know you will heal the Bentley marriage, We thank you for it. May you recieve ALL the Glory…. Father God! You alone are holy and worthy! Do you mighty works in the hearts of all those involved. Protect the sweet and innocent. We love you, we adore you. In the name of Jesus Christ.
AMEN!
Brothers and sister I urge you to not judge, just pray for the Bentleys…. it is the best thing we can do. Pray for soft hearts that are willing to let OUR LORD work. We all have seen the heart of Todd and know this is just an awful attack, guard your hearts my dear ones.
Blessings to all who call upon the LORD!
Jonas says: “I think we should all repent because this didn’t have to happen.”
I am not really sure Jonas is talking about. I think the ones who need to repent are those who promoted and hyped the false revival from the beginning.
The “Florida Outpouring” was called into question by many a discerning Christian very early on.
It’s interesting how people like Lee Grady and others can talk about all the problems of Todd Bentley while continuing to allow the heresy to continue in other camps.
Those who ‘commissioned’ Todd Bentley are equally heretical in much of what they teach. I am talking about C. Peter Wagner, Canadian pastor John Arnott and California pastors’ Che Ahn and Bill Johnson.
The key is to return to the Word of God as our only rule for all faith and practice. Men like Todd Bentley and Bill Johnson stand out like a sore thumb when held up to the light of scripture.
Here is the real challenge for the likes of Charisma Magazine. Stop publishing the books, articles, etc of heretics like Joyce Meyer, Che Ann, John Hagee, Benny Hinn, etc.
This really is a sad situation. My heart goes out to all those effected by this meltdown, most of all the Bentley family.
I think you raise some really good questions what apostolic oversight entails practically, that could be potentially really helpful to learn from.
thank you beloved…that is a very nice gesture ad greatly appriciated. i have served at a “high” level in the so called church and seen things going on there that you would not believe in the 20 years i was in there. this latest saga of mr bentley (now being reveiled) being involved with another woman is nothing new. there are many leaders, of which i wsa one of them, who used this powerful belief system to cover over the darker stuff that goes on in their private lives. believe me i beleive that in the begining they (and myself) allment well…but something dark takes over and the prodict becomes far more important than the giver of the product in the end. i will find my way again, dont you worry but i will be very surprised if i ever do set foot in one of those churches again….the search continues…
changeling…wow, what an honest reply to the other comments…i, too, involved in the ministry can realte to your past as we have seen many minister friends go down in a similar way…it is sickening to us when the devil devours on of our own in such a humiliating way for everyone involved…it is the enemy’s favorite way to make a mockery of Jesus compassion for all sinners….just know that “He who began a good work in you WILL be faithful to complete it….” your words..”i will find my way back” are just confirmation that you know what is best for you and you are acknowledging that there is hope still for your life…thanks for being sooooo honest…may God bless your future endeavors more than anything you have ever done or ever hoped and dreamed to do…He can do it…
Well the Discerning True Prophets I know here in my nation and region (Gold Coast ,QLD,Australia) ALL saw the warning signs back in march 9th - 15th 2008 when Todd and the Revolution Church(Nuno Marques,Partners in harvest),held their conference here on the Gold Coast Australia. We ALL saw (22 prophets in our ministry!) some very clear character and spiritual flaws and we were distressed about Freshfire and Revolution ministries,in the grieving of the Holy Spirit.So much hype and spiritual pride was displayed during the “Downpour” Conference here on the Gold Coast,Australia,that we were in serious intercession for our nation,to prevent “freshfire”, “revolution church” and “partners in harvest” from hyjacking God’s plan for us Australians. They were all stating (as distinct “outsiders”) massive claims that they were about to become the headship ministry for revival here in Australia,and that we should ALL join their networks in order to be a part of the “Move of God” coming to Australia! The sheer pride level was tangible,and dirty in the atmosphere,and we felt the resistance from God concerning them. We “TRUE AUSTRALIANS” (there were NO Australian speakers!) know what we are called to be to our nation,but we just work hard and soberly in Christ to acomplish our callings,giving God the Glory at ALL times,to the best of our ability! The Downpour Conference clearly caused us locals to get on our faces before God and repent for anything GOD showed us was preventing Him coming to our land through us.The disgusting level of Pride in the speakers of the Downpour Conference (most of them!) really prevented God from doing what he wanted to do,and God resisted freshfire and revolution church BIG TIME,and we paid the price for their Pride etc. We prosper in our local/international ministry,but we wanted Australia truly impacted by God During the conference,and the Impact i felt was when an Australia Apostle/Intercessor jumped up on stage with His (real steel) SWORD and battled in Intercession and tears for His nation! That was truly God….but unseen by Todd and Nuno for what it really was!They were all blinded it seemed,by their agendas and pride.
So When we saw the Lakeland revival break out,we saw terrible levels of pride parading itself in fleshlike manner,and although we know Todd is called of God in an extraordinary way,we also saw the pride seen here in Australia,just manifest 100 fold,and self exaltation based ministers came out of the woodwork to parade themselves for self gain and self promotion….which grieved us so much more,and we felt the grief of the Holy Spirit and His Anger too at times. Our job is not to judge of course,but we saw this coming when Todd Bentley from freshfire,and revolution chuch Gold Coast (partners in harvest,torronto) were parading themselves here in Australia.It was mere Immaturity and total lack of discernment on Todd’s/revolutions part which ignited this pride based scenario amidst what Gos wanted to do,but God saw it coming and alert us Prophets to pray hard,and in humility. I will be continuing to pray humbly for Todd bentley,but this example God is making of Him,is also a rebuke to ALL those whom attached themselves to Todd Bentley for their own selfish gain before man,and we should ALL have the “true spirit of the fear of the Lord” from this massive fall of Todd bentley.He will not come back from this I feel,and now it’s up to us all to learn from everything thing we’ve seen,and not judge lest we be judged. God the righteous judge has actually just judged this Lakelands thing and Todd Bentley,and that’s just the beginning…..many will now be exposed for the EXACT motives of their heart,and they cant stop God from doing it.Jesus is coming back for HIS BRIDE,without spot or wrinkle. Hopefully the true Apostles and Prophets can decrease now,that Jesus Christ can truly Increase,so His kingdom may truly come through His Meek ones.May God have Mercy on us all! This is a Massive lesson,Don’t allow the “UN-DISCERNING” foolish ones convince you that its not deadly serious whats just happened to Todd Bentley,because it is God’s True Fear returning in judgement of HIS HOUSE -US! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! Todd never had the fear of the Lord! Let’s be wise and protected in the “Spirit of the fear of the lord!”. God’s love is always balanced by His spirit of fear! I will be checking my heart daily,before God! Thats wisdom,and we must make it to heaven in a “Good and Faithful” Manner,having pleased our God according to HIS precise will and mission for us individually and as a body of Christ. Never ha there been such a need for the true spirit of the fear of the Lord to manifest in our souls! Todd will never fully recover from this,and the issue is only partially revealed to the general public anyway I feel,by the spirit of God! So we are all going to get exposed,so true Holiness can manifest. Oh how the Jeremiah Prophets are about to wail in the grief of God for His people who have gone astray! God help us all hey! Repentance and Restoration is the Heart of God for us all if we fall,but it takes a long time to be delivered of the Issues behind the fall,and Todd is one such Individual.We are not given prominance in God’s kingdom because we are perfect or mature,its just another level from which to become a true “Bond-servant” of Christ,and to humble ourselves before the almighty,walking in fear and trembling at being chosen to represent a Holy God! God is Love,and we pray and hope all “good” things for Todd and His family. What a massive sign of the times the church is now emerged in! The “Hard” scriptures are now being fullfilled! We must Seek truth like never before,with solid gospel doctrine of Jesus christ and him crucified!,and avoid seducing and flattering preaching! The church is actually in a serious season of deep conviction and correction right now,in God’s love for usof course! Let’s embrace our chastising Father now o.k!!…..There were countless mistakes and statements made by Todd at Lakeland that displeased God (some good too of course),and God shut it all down quite quickly wouldnt you say? And that was His mercy to Todd,and to prevent the false from spreading around this Planet! (because it was spreading like “wildfire”,not “freshfire”).The devil must not find anything “In Us” that he can destroy us with,and the spirit of the fear of the Lord is our protection from sin,sickness,death and devils/evil! The Last days Prophecy is being fullfilled before our very eyes,and we ought to be so,so serious about our hearts,motives and words right now! God the Lion is here! Truly the way to eternal life is Narrow,and Truly few are Chosen…..and I hope I’m one of them! The true Prophets of the Lord Jesus christ know what season God’s church is TRULY in right now,and they are Praying harder,longer,deeper,higher than ever before before God’s eternal throne of mercy and Grace! Love God,Love our Neighbour,Love our enemies,,,,and satan will have nothing in us! God is giving massive grace to the humble,let’s humble OUR SELVES before our Mighty God,and listen,and Pray.God Bless you
Let’s keep all these matters before God, in prayer.
Tani Hill
Los Angerles, Ca. USA
changeling thank you for your comments! I’m so glad to see that there are others who are not afraid to speak out and not hide your feelings! It is time for the church to truly stand up and be real. I’m afraid that they have not been real for so long they have no idea how to.
Oh and it just cracks me up when the “judging” scripture goes up becuase are you not doing the same thing? Seriously. Think for yourselves, I don’t think Jesus is afraid of that!
I wonder if part of this doesn’t have to do with exalting a novice before their time. I have observed, that when a spiritual gifting is noticed in a person, especially if they are young, there are some people that give them alot of attention and kind of puff them up. I think we need to make sure a person is rooted and grounded in the faith before we get excited about the gifting.
In this respect, I think the responsibility rests on the shoulders of those who did so early in Todd’s ministry.
Amen
the problem with it all is the exavt place that people are supposed to be in Jesus. When Gods worth goes forth and also Praise enthusiastically there are going to be manny wonderful things happen. For what ever the venue for the most part( except in a spirit of mockery) God’s word is Life in itself no matter who speaks it. The Same with God’s Praise. I don’t care if you are in jail oo where ever, God is going to inhabit his praises even if who is leading it or started it is a little screwed up. What causes these breakdowns is because most people guage themselves by where they fit in with those around them, and if they are given an important position by some charasmatic person who is speaking God’s word they jump bon the band wagon and want to be part of it. However the down fall always comes for 1 simple reason. Who ever it is up front up there has not truely died on the cross completely with Jesus out of love for others and their need for salvation above and beyond their own self. And truly died and the only reason they are here is to completely give themselves to others through Christ. And if they are married to one who is the same, then they are one with God and each other and egos and socalled pressures that come in are of no conseqwuence to any of that. Period. They are given to God and they give themselves to each other as in God’s Word. Now when we have the foundation on solid ground then we can stand and bear fruit from that place. fruit that bears fruit, Fruit that bears fruit that remains. People call bearing fruit all kinds of things, saying I am planting seeds and it says that in the bible that one plants the other Harvests etc. and ues that to justify not being and doing what they really should be. There is a verse in there that says if we don’t bear true fruit we will be cut off and thrown into the fire. We need to think about this thing and realize that few are truly bearing fruit. People might pick someone up and tal;k them into the sinners prayer, but some are bound up in grave clothes and need help and need to see the love of god through jesus through some one going all of the way to the cross for them in dieing to selfish time or other things that opens them up to the real heart of jesus. There is much to this that is not being done, the time is getting late cnazzz@yahoo.com
thanks for the nice comments back. honesty is the end product of going through the pains and trails of life i guess. for now, i sit back and watch…and wait for something much darker has to emerge in these days before it all gets better. if i really knew what it was i would dear to say, but i wont be arrogant enough to “prohetically” guess, but it looks very much like it is going to come out of what we know as “church” and is beginning to manifest already.
i am not a prophet but i have tried to play bein the prophet with disaterous results and when people whos personal lives (like myself) are a mess, try and play being the prophet…only pain, suffering and trouble can come of it.
thanks once again
some good, sensible people on here!
Only fools teach judge not when Jesus and Apostle Paul told us to judge the evil wicked and false ones such as Todd Bentley , John Arnott, Patricia King, Stephen Strader!
MT 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
1COR 5:13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”
1COR 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
To put away an evil doer you must judge him first? And that is what the board of Fresh Fire Ministries did when the found out that Todd was a pathological liar and an adulterer, they asked him to step down and get out of the ministry until he repents of everything!
I have to truthfully say that I’m not shocked as to what is going on with Todd Bentley.
I first came across a number of his videos several months ago and they deeply concerned me. As a woman who is prophetic in ministry there are lines of the authority one must walk in. Mainly, do not add to or take away from the Word of God. Todd was saying an angel? “Emma” had spoken to him and commissioned him? Even the Apostle Paul had stated this:
Galatians 1:8-9 But though we or an Angel from Heaven, Preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed. Aswe said before, so say I now again (Paul is re-emphasizing the importance of the previous verse) If any man Preach any other gospel than that you have received let him be accursed.
If hands were layed upon this man(Todd) who was he accountable to. Where is the Godly counsel. Did they or he think he was above Godly counsel.
Also, I don’t like the explanation of saying that the stress and fatigue took a toll on the marriage. Haven’t I heard throughout my 32 years of salvation that ministry to the Lord comes first, then your spouse and children, etc., etc.
All the glitz and glamour of ministries such as this has taken its toll on God’s people.
One of the signs to tell that a ministry is WRONG is when all the attention is placed on the messenger and not the message, or the One who the message of the Gospel is about…Jesus!
Complete allegiance to a personality because of the works is nothing more than idolatry, and the body of Christ is saturated with this type of Spirit.
Let’s remember….signs and wonders should follow us, we shouldn’t be following after signs and wonders!
I for one love Todd Bentley like a son. Wendy Aleck in her book “Journal of the Unknown Prophet ” from God TV says that there are many in the church that have deep wounds and areas that they have not let the Lord heal and the Lord calls these people His champions.But that the eenemy is going to target these areas in the end times which I have watched one right after another.Christians are the only ones who shoot their wounded when they are down. I myself know first hand the anointing that Todd Bentley carries and so does the enemy. The Lord is using alot of young people in the end times because they are quick to beleive and go.Not Religeous There are two books that everyone married and in ministry should read one is a marriage book that saved our marriage and many others called The Man Of Her Dreams/The Woman of His by Joel and Kathy Davisson Awesome insite. Also Experiencing the Fathers Embrace ” by Jack frost lots of revelation and wisdom there too.Todd is young and God does not call perfect people.I beleive there is going to be a mighty testimony that comes out of what Satan has meant for destruction. I would not dare judge or point the finger but pray Maybe he needed more intercessors covering him.Someone said once that you can talk about me all you please but I am going to talk about you on my knees. Jonah just did an article on gossip.Our words are powerful and can create destruction in others lives.
Also to continue my last post The Word says we are to judge the fruit not the people.Todd Bentley has had alot of good fruit healings I can testify of miracles that the Lord used him to flow thru. There are alot of young people that came in under his ministry that wouldn’t have felt fit to come into the kingdom because of their life style or tattoos and piercings because of the judging of religious people Thru Todd the Lord was saying not many wise men after this world are called.He uses the foolish and weak things of the world to confound the wise.I love the Lord with my whole heart He just doesn’t have my heart I have His for people and I have been told that. So I do recognize real people full of the love and compassion and mercy of the Lord Todd was one. The enemy just came in and distracted him and deceived him in the areas he had not grown in yet.As all of us have. The Lord says a good man falls 7 times but the Lord will uphold him.
What was not in the above article but was on the Fresh Fire website is this:
“We wish to acknowledge, however, that since our last statement from the Fresh Fire Board of Directors, we have discovered new information revealing that Todd Bentley has entered into an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff. In light of this new information and in consultation with his leaders and advisers, Todd Bentley has agreed to step down from his position on the Board of Directors and to refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his personal life.”
That is what the big deal is about. It is not that he is getting a divorce, but that he was having a “unhealthy relationship” with a female member of his staff. I knew that this “movement” was not from God. As a matter of fact I read a Rick Joyner book that basically stated that it was inerrant in the forward, then had many errors throughout it. I began to look into this “prophetic movement” that’s going on and God spoke to me that there is much error going on especially in the upper levels. I believe in the 5 fold ministry and the gifts of the spirit. I also believe in baptism of the Holy Spirit as well. There are many that put there stamp of approval on Todd Bentley and as far as I am concerned, they put themselves in the category of false prophets and apostles. Bob Jones, C. Peter Wagner, Rick Joyner, Bill Johnson, and all the rest in that circle are position and title seekers. You have to be careful when you are hearing or reading “extra biblical” revelation or prophecies. We are to test the spirits and discover whether they are of God. This “prophetic movement” seeks after signs and manifestations more than God. It is a dangerous thing to crave the manifestations of God more than the God of manifestations. They are easily deceived and Satan can appear as an angel of light and call himself “Emma” if he wishes. Jesus will never say “tell them about the angel”. The angels are ministering spirits that always point to God and give Him glory.
God is trying to say “HEY!!!! This chaotic out of order stuff is not of me!!!” by allowing the Todd Bentley thing to happen right now. This 3rd Wave / Vineyard movement swings open wide the door for Biblical error and even heresy if it goes too far. This should be the moment of solemn repentance and humble redirection for this “prophetic movement”. The prophetic movement needs to participate in a revival instead of hosting one. God is a God of order and not chaos.
lets pray 4 both todd and shonahh
dnt condemn lets u a next in line
this were we proved we love jesus
and our neighbours minsters dnt act like mirram accusing moses
or like noah son ham be spirtial
from minster
Eish.This is so sad,’you who stand, watch that you don’t fall’. It is interesting how quickly we move from the seat of love to the seat of judgement.
We are called to love and support, people don’t understand ‘the body parts that suffer’ needs attention.
My brother Tod, I pray that you will stand strong, and that your brothers and sisters in the Lord wil stand with you and not stone you like the pagans.
The love, the love, stop judging the man, freaking love him, thats it.
Don’t the church understand that the world is watching, satan is watching - Love is the only sign of the true deciples of Christ.
Everyone that reads this, please pray. Today their is no joy in heaven.
Herman
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest though also be tempted.”
It is ‘easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.’
The ONLY way that a man can be rich like Abraham, will be when he learns to stay constantly on his knees. The “eye of a needle” is actually a servants gate (not the main gate) by which late travelers and others get access into the city after the main gate is closed for the night. The camel has to stoop down and get on it’s knees and crawl through the ‘SERVANTS’ gate to get into the city. Jesus said that it was easier for the camel to do this than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The prosperity message has to stop. Even if we do get blessed and God gives us a million in the bank, do you really think he gave it to you for spending on selfish materialistic gain? or even the building of a ministry that shows how ‘influential’ you are in Christ that serves your own selfish intents? Why do we preach prosperity and healing over a Holy relationship with Jesus? Because people are selfish and more interested in what they can get out of God than having a relationship with him. When He doesn’t give them what they want when they want it, they prostitute themselves to the world for fleshly gain. Todd Bentley is no different than any of the other preachers that appeal to sinner’s fleshly desires rather than God’s desire for relationships with them. The preachers that focus on this are the same - more interested in what they can get out of God than the relationship with Him and ONLY THE RELATIONSHIP can keep a man or woman out of sin. Signs and wonders are supposed to follow those that believe, but you MUST KNOW a person on an intimate level in order to believe in them. You MUST have a relationship with Jesus in order to believe in Him and to have true signs and wonders follow. Otherwise, you’re nothing more than a false prophet that God said would perform signs and wonders and lead people astray.
Deu 13:1 ¶If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
Deu 13:2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
Deu 13:3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deu 13:4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
Deu 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn [you] away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Only the RELATIONSHIP is important. While I’m not against the teaching of “seed, time, and harvest” as God clearly makes evident is his principle for acquiring needs through giving (planting), praying (watering), and thankfulness (God gives the increase), we must judge our own hearts which is more important to us, the gift or the giver? The church must stop hiding its fleshly lustful desires behind the pretense of Christianity. Yes, God says you can be rich, blessed, pressed down, shaken together, and over running - but I appeal to you was it worldly materialistic gain or blessings of joy, peace, thankfulness, stability, “power, love, and of a sound mind” that he was speaking of? I’m convinced that once the “joy, peace, and thankfulness” are our number one (true) priority, the monetary comes to fund the preaching of THAT message - the joy and peace and thankfulness that comes from a close RELATIONSHIP with God!
The Word says to search your own heart and JUDGE YOURSELF.
“1Cr 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Are you more interested in what you can get from God than the relationship WITH Him?
Let’s shed some clarity on Judging. The Bible CLEARLY states, that judging the people OUTSIDE of the church is for God and THOSE are the ones that are not to be judged so that we be not judged. But for those of us in the church, we are clearly to JUDGE one another.
1Cr 5:9 ¶ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
1Cr 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1Cr 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Cr 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Cr 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Anyone that hides behind “judge not that you be not judged” is hiding something. I do operate in the prophetic and my spiritual father says that I walk in a prophetic office. While I’m still learning what that means, I do know that I discerned issues surrounding Todd Bentley as “off” but I must say in addition to, not any more of Bentley than any other preacher that is preaching a self serving gospel.
GOD IS CALLING US ALL BACK TO HOLINESS! He’s calling us back to REPENTANCE and to a relationship with Him.
WHY do you think we’ve seen so many ministers announcing DIVORCE in the church??? BECAUSE THE CHURCH HAS DIVORCED IT’S GOD. The Bride of Christ has gone astray and has ‘SEPARATED’ herself from her Betrothed. The church has given itself over to her own lustful desires of the fame and wealth of the world rather than the wealth of Holiness and the inner peace, joy, and stability that only Holiness provides.
Until the church restores its RELATIONSHIP back to her true Husbandman, these “Divorce Announcements” will continue. There will be announcement after announcement after announcement of more divorce among the famous ministries until the Church faces reality and REPENTS AND TURNS BACK TO GOD and restores her relationship with Him.
Each man and woman must SEARCH YOUR OWN HEART and at the best of your knowledge confront yourself as to your motive behind your “Christianity!”
Don’t worry over Todd Bentley and his family. Worry over yourselves. The only way that the Bentley family and all the other families that have announced divorce can be restored is if the Church as a Whole, repents and comes back to God and All His Holiness.
I make this proclamation: “2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” SEEK HIS FACE, seek a RELATIONSHIP with Him. If the church will do this, you’ll see not just the Bentley family, but many of the famous ministry leaders marriages restored whole!
We, yes WE, must leave the bed of our adulteries and return to our God, our true Husbandman in righteousness and Holiness. If we will do that, we will see God heal our land spiritually and then physically.
Be blessed in His Peace, Joy, and Holiness.
Renee
Renee
Regarding the “Revival” in Lakeland FL
By Rev. Abel Aureli
This letter was written about two months ago, way before anything was known about Todd’s marriage problems. In fact, I don’t mention anything about it in the letter.
______________________________
Often we feel that we have something to say about these so called revivals, but then we back up because we fear that if we are wrong, God will burn us up or send us to hell, because we would be sinning against the Holy Spirit!
The truth is that if we do have the Spirit of God and we have the work of God at heart, we need to judge the spirits to see if they are of God or not! (1 John 4:1). This means that we need to make a judgement between the Word of God together with the Spirit of God and we can make that judgement without having to fear that we may be sinning against the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, this is exactly what the “revival” leaders warn people about before anything else. “Be careful, do not speak bad about these things because you could be blaspheming against the Holy Spirit”! So, everyone keeps quite and minds their own businesses, while the enemy has a free way in deceiving simple souls, and most of the time the “authors” of the so called revival ends up getting very rich.
Often, some “big shots” will jump on the wagon of the so called “revival” to get a free ride (exposure), until things start to get shaky and wobbling. At which point, they are very quick to jump off the car, possibly saying that they always had a thought that the thing may not have been that real, after all.
Being a PK, born and raised in a church, now in my twenty-fifth year of our ministry (I was a though headed man), I believe that there have been times when I have made the wrong judgement and I will probably make a few ore before I die, but usually, when we speak about the things of God, I have a very clear sense of the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I am aware of the fact that God is not conditioned to men and He doesn’t have to do things according to our blue-prints. So, one revival does not have to be an exact copy of the preceding one. Which means that, I am the first one to say that even in Azusa Street, of which every Spirit Filled Christian likes to be associated with, many, probably the majority of the Methodists said that it was not a true revival from God, and that’s why we still have Methodists today, who had a different leading from their spirit, that is, to ordain Gay people to the ministry! So much for the “sound doctrine”. They had a different revival!
The same thing happened in Topeka, KS. Many did not accept that revival as being from God either, yet many did believe that it was from God and they proved that to be right. Many years late we had the Toronto Blessing, which was somewhat much stranger than the first two, where we heard that they had people who barked like dogs under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, while others laughed like crazy and not being able to stop. Whatever! I do believe that whenever a revival starts the enemy will show up to make people do and say foolish things, but they should be under control by the leaders. More than laughing, I believe that the people of God needed to “cry” and repent to God. But, I have not been there, just as I have not been in Pensacola, nor in Lakeland! I have quite an assurance from the Word of God, that as Peter said to Cornelius, (Acts 10:34, 35) “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Praise God!!! Of course, this doesn’t mean to say that God couldn’t tell me to go to such and such a place to such and such a man of God and hear His Word!
But, if you have to run, or if you believe that by running to Azusa Street or to Topeka, KS, or to Pensacola and Lakeland, FL, you will get your impartation or your new anointing, we may as well start teaching the new believers that we need to go all to Jerusalem and tarry there for forty days, in order to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The Church in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria to pray for them to “receive” the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, but as Simon offered them money to get the same …”anointing or impartation”, Peter cursed him and his spirit to go to hell (perdition). (Acts 8:18-23). So, what are these thousands of people getting when they go before Todd Bentley in Lakeland? What do they hear? Is there a different God in Lakeland than it is in their city and church? If so, they should start getting the right God in their hearts! From Italy I have watched a couple of those programs on God Channel, and in both programs I could not sense the Holy Spirit at work. The only thing I could see it was Todd Bentley shaking his head like if he himself couldn’t believe what others were saying or that he had to do something strange to prove that he couldn’t control himself, but I could not hear the Word of God from him. It was just mumbling and mumbling empty words to which people applauded and yelled to, but it was just the flesh! He was just carrying on and letting himself carried on by the emotion of the people who went there to …supposedly get an …impartation.
Where does this take me and you? I will probably make myself a few enemies and some others would have pity on me and pray for my deliverance and salvation and that I will repent of my sin of supposedly, “blasphemy” against the Holy Spirit, but as I said, when I see something, or read something, or hear something which is really from God, I can sense the Holy Spirit witness in my heart that it’s from God. I get touched and my heart blows up in such a way that I can’t contain the joy and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. There are other things which are just from the flesh, like when you hear some so called prophesies in some churches, when they start with the Holy Spirit and end up adding things from their own spirit. I hope you can recognize that. One half of the prophecy is from God but the rest of it is from the flesh! But worse off, then there are things which are evil and part of a witchcraft, which we need to rebuke and not be afraid to reprove.
I know that by reproving this so called revival will upset many people who spent perhaps thousands of dollars to get there and to live in a very expensive hotel for a week or two, in order to get as much impartation as possible from …supposedly God, so if I say that it was just a …hot water bubble, they will resent it, but what would Jesus say to them? Go and be blessed otherwise you’ll get offended? Did He tell the Disciples to call back those people who had left Him, because he was going to change His doctrine, make it sweeter and apologize to them? What good would I do to you if I approve something which is wrong, so you want get offended? “What would a man profit if he gains the whole world and then he loses his own soul? Or, what would he be able to give, to rescue his soul in that day”?
Only too often we hear preachers tell people (especially women), that they need to feel good about themselves, to be able to …accept themselves and forgive themselves (otherwise they can’t accept and forgive others), and even if they keep sinning every day, and there’s no change in their lives, that’s …OK, God doesn’t mind it! Can you hear the enemy talking there, in those words? Do whatever you like, sin and go to bed with as many people as you like, and then feel good about yourself and …forgive yourself, so you can forgive others! And if a Pastor should preach otherwise, leave that church as fast as possible before he will make you feel guilty and rotten. Of course I know that God forgives if we repent and forsake our sin, but He also says to …follow peace with everyone and …Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord! (Hebrews 12:14). If your life is not changing and it doesn’t show a new birth, and you are still living in sin, and you feel good about yourself, watch out because you are on your way to hell.
When God’s people got away from God, God allowed their enemies to make war to them, defeat them, deport them and make them prisoners, until they “repented”. Then, God sent deliverance and revival to them. Remember, …no repentance – no deliverance – no revival! Now, in order to repent, God’s people didn’t have to go to Jerusalem, but to God Himself. They didn’t get away from Jerusalem, but from God! They had to repent of their sins right there where they were living. They couldn’t even go to Jerusalem. It didn’t matter in which nation they were in bondage, they had to go back to God with their heart repented, not to Jerusalem. So, guess where we need to go today if we want to repent of our many sins and seek revival, Do we need to go to God, or to Lakeland, Pensacola, Topeka, Azusa Street, or even to Jerusalem?
That’s one of the deceiving spirits which leads and has been leading the Roman Catholic Church for generations, to these many Sanctuaries like Fatima, Lourdes, Rome and San Giovanni Rotondo, for …Pilgrimage, to receive miracles from the many Madonnas or from Padre Pio, or from any other supposedly saint dead person! And it’s the same spirit which is trying to deceive the people of God these days, to send or call them to these sanctuaries like Toronto, Pensacola or Lakeland or what it will be called the next place, but as Jesus said to the Jews, unless you all repent, you will all likewise perish!
So, where is God? Where should we go for revival? Is God only in Lakeland, or isn’t He in Heaven, on Earth and He fills the whole Universe and He also lives in the hearts of all the true believers and truly repented people Born of His Spirit? Again, I repeat; if we believe that by going to these places we will be able to get a quick fix without repentance, we are up to a great delusion. But that’s what many people are running to these places for today! To get a quick fix and never have to repent, and never have to go to church again, I can stay home and watch Todd Bentley on TV! Whow! And I don’t have to face that Pastor again and that such and such sister anymore etc. etc.
Peter said, …”now I understand that in whichever place people are, if they seek God with all their hearts, God will show Himself up to them” (paraphrased)! You see, Peter thought that God was only in Jerusalem or only among the Jews. Peter had so much growing to do after Jesus went to Heaven, that he had no clue. We see that, even when Paul reproached him in Antioch.
So, were should we run next, in order to get our Unction, Anointing or “Impartation”? And who will give it to us? I would suggest that physically, you will stay right were you are now, in your town and in your state. But Spiritually, my advice to everyone of us it’s to go right to God, humble ourselves and if necessary lock the door behind us and seek God’s face and forgiveness and the forgiveness of our brethren whom we offended, and I will guaranty you that God will show up sooner than we may think! If you need to go to Lakeland to find God, you may only find an emotion or worse, a deceiving spirit, which will cost you thousand of dollars which will go into the pocket of a few people, but that emotion with “deflate” just as sure as you wallet or bank account has deflated.
If you really are from God and you do not agree with what I wrote in this letter, don’t blast and curse me, but pray for me, OK?
But if you agree with it, just pass it on to your friends and relatives. You will be responsible to God plus to your friends and relatives, for what you will do with this message, if you believe it’s from God.
Missionary - Pastor Abel Aureli
my final word on this and this is a number of seriously disturbing questions.
mrs alec of god.tv told the world on t.v. that jesus himself was gonna show up to endorse this circus. well he would of known all about mr bentleys private life…so maybe god has relaxed to rules on moral conduct for ministers just for the sake of getting the numbers in and increasing the profits (no pun intended!) of the so called mega churches. if she is this so called “seer”…well she did not see this!
did these overseers (god.tv included) already know about mr bentley’s private life or did he keep the wool over his eyes? eitherway in this so called deep spriritual realm that these super apostles/prophets operate in, someone should of been able to pick this up…surely. like before, did they know anyway, but kept quiet?
in my own persoanl experience in the church i have seen this. i have seen a church torn apart (relationships destroyed) by “prophets” and seriously (by biblical standards) wrong things taking place by ministers yet still playing church with the righteous mask held firmly in place.
my feelings now are if there are prophets…they are very few and far between. it is very easy to “prophesy” you own will in the name of god…beleive me!!! i have done it!!! but on a vast national and international scale it is scary what is being done by these people and the ones who get hurt are us, the ordinary people.
the church has become a media circus…send in the clowns!! ooopppsss…they are already here!
This “outpouring” stuff is nothing other than self-induced touchy-feely
garbage justified with Bible verses taken totally out of context.
It’s completely subjective and therefore a tad narcissistic & brainwashing. These young kids are being brainwashed. You’d never know from these wealthy con-artist preachers that Jesus was a man who voluntarily became homeless and virtually penniless. Or that the first church in Jerusalem adopted a “communist” lifestyle, holding all things in common. Or that the Bible has far more to say about justice for the “poor, widows and orphans” than it does about the Holy Spirit & Jesus being your best little friend. The Hebrew prophets condemned Israel for their materialistic idolatry and that the poor suffered under great injustice. YOU’LL NEVER HEAR THAT BIBLE TEACHING IN 99% OF AMERICAN CHURCHES!!!! Read Revelations about the Whore of Babylon - what country is it describing? The merchants of the earth weep….These fools have no idea what “prophecy” is.
^I believe in the out pouring, because it is Biblical.
Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
However the increase in deception in the church has caused false revivals to spark because satan knows and will trying to decieve many.
Whom among the so called spiritual Bentley bashers has the right to cast the first stone? I wonder if Jesus where here what would He write on the ground about them that would send them scurrying away? The church in many ways have become like the Pharisees. Instead of love and forgiveness there is condemnation and piercing with many arrows. What happened to such teachings as “Judge not lest ye be judged?” Or “Repay evil with love?” What about “Let the spiritual help the weaker?” I wouldn’t expect these Bentley bashers will receive as many crowns as they expected. They need to fall to their faces in repentance and sorrow before it is too late.
This Bentley character is amazing!!
I watched him say and perform on stage that the Holy Ghost told him to kick an old woman in the face…with his biker-boots…to run over a little chinese guy?!…etc.
Man, this guy would be better of being in a ring with Hulk Hogan!
Wow, can you imagine our Lord Jesus kicking an old woman in the face?! people are out of their mind if they believe that, but then again…
men walked blindly after Jim Jones back then, people still haven’t learned a thing.
You should watch the movie “The Visitation” based on a novel by Frank Peretti. The main character of that movie really came to mind when i saw this Bentley doing his thing.
Bentley has creepy written all over him!
Read your bibles and stop following blind leaders…