From the Herescope site comes an excellent series of articles about the Lakeland “Outpouring.” Here is the introduction to the series:
[Note to reader: this article begins a week-long series of posts, an in-depth eyewitness report from a pastor who attended and observed this "revival" as it unfolded.]
A couple of weeks ago I began to receive phone calls and emails asking me if I knew anything about a “revival” that was going on in Lakeland, Florida. Since that town is less than an hour away from me I decided it was important to find out what was happening in my own “back yard,” so to speak. I did some checking and found out that sure enough, revival meetings were taking place in Lakeland under the ministry of Todd Bentley. In fact, the services were being broadcast live on God TV. Therefore, after watching several services, I decided to attend a couple myself, and the following article deals with what I found out firsthand and the conclusions I have come to.
There is no doubt in my mind that the “Lakeland Outpouring,” as it is now being called, is nothing more than a recycling of previous movements that stretch back decades. Whether it was meetings held by people like William Branham, Kathryn Kuhlman, Benny Hinn, Rodney Howard-Browne, Steve Hill, or any of the so-called Kansas City Prophets, the spirit and basic doctrine are the same. There’s a common thread of specific heresies that go back a long way. That’s why I call it recycled revival. It’s nothing new at its core. In addition, this revival and ones similar to it promote ideas that are contrary to what the Bible tells us about the end times.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS
At the outset I’d like to say that I’m very much a Pentecostal Christian. I believe that the gifts of the Spirit are for today and that God still baptizes people in the Holy Ghost. I also believe in revival. I’ve read the Bible through dozens of times and seen enough genuine moves of God to know beyond any doubt that the Lord still pours out His Spirit on hungry hearts. With the Lord’s help I’ve made a careful study of authentic revivals down through history and the characteristics are always the same: strong preaching against sin; deep repentance; an emphasis on the cross of Christ; an emphasis on the world to come as opposed to this world; and an emphasis on the Bible. I believe we need genuine revival. We need it because of our [the Church in general] apathy. We need it because of our ungodliness. And we need it specifically because we are in the Last Days. But there’s a distinction between praying for God to pour out His Spirit on a person or church and believing that there will be an end times revival that will sweep the world and “Christianize” the nations. There’s a huge difference between those two things and what you believe concerning this point will affect the way you pray and it will affect the way you look at things as we draw closer to the return of Christ.
What does the Bible say about the end times? It’s important that we establish this point before we move on to discuss the happenings in Lakeland, Florida. Let’s examine a few Scriptures. In Matthew 24 Jesus is speaking to His disciples about the end times. They have asked Him to tell them what the signs will be for His return and the end of the age (vs. 3). The first thing Jesus says is what? That we are to expect a great end times revival? That we are to accept what anyone says simply because they claim to be a servant of Jesus? NO! The first thing Jesus says is “See to it that no one leads you astray” (vs. 4).
It’s interesting that Jesus would begin a discussion about the last days with that admonition. He then goes on to say (Matt. 24:11). In Mark’s gospel, He adds to this and says,“many false prophets will arise and will mislead many” “false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect” (Mark 13:22). So Jesus tells us that one of the primary marks of the last days will be deception. In fact take note that while He says the gospel will be preached to the world He does not say the world will accept the message. Nowhere does He tell us to expect great, worldwide revivals just before He returns.
The Apostles also had much to say about the last days.
- 2Th 2:1-3 – “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first.”
Note that Paul did not say Christ will not come unless a great worldwide revival comes first. He said “apostasy” which is a falling away. So Paul lines right up with Jesus on what we should be looking for in these Last Days. Paul also tells us in I Timothy chapter 4 “the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.” Again I’d like to point out that no where in this or any other passage does Paul tell us to expect an end times revival that will bring in millions or billions and Christianize the world.
Peter echoes this same thing when he states that “false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed” (II Pet. 2:1-2).
It should be obvious to any student of the Scriptures that the last days will be perilous times (II Tim. 3), and Christians must pray for discernment. This is in compliance with I John 4:1, an extremely important Scripture for our discussion.
- “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
This is what I will be doing in this article. I’m not judging anyone. I’m not condemning anyone. I don’t have a “Pharisee” spirit (as one man accused me of recently). I’m simply obeying the biblical command to test the spirits. Remember too that one of the nine gifts of the Spirit mentioned in I Corinthians 12 is the discerning of spirits. There are three basic “spirits” that information or teaching can come from: the Spirit of God, the spirit of man, and demonic spirits. We must understand that just because a person claims to be a Christian and claims to be operating under the anointing of God it doesn’t mean they really are. They could be operating in their own fleshly spirit, or worse yet they could be operating under seducing spirits posing as angels of light (II Cor. 11:14). We must know the Word of God, and know it well, in order to be discerning Christians who can rightly divide the Word of Truth and not be led astray.
Once more, let me emphasize at the outset that we do need genuine revival in the land today. Apathy in the Body of Christ is at an all time high, and I can fully understand people wanting to draw closer to the Lord. That’s a worthy aspiration. In no way is this article judging the intentions or motives of those that go to these meetings. I’m sure that many, if not most, of the people that attend do so because they are somewhat desperate for more of God. But we must never put discernment and the Word of God on the backburner because we feel spiritually dry. In fact, it’s often during those times when we are thirsty that we need to be extra careful about what source we drink from. A desperate man, lost in the desert, may drink from the first pool of water that he comes to, but it may be poison. So let us be careful to diligently seek God when it comes to purported moves of the Spirit in certain churches or services.
This article will be divided up into two distinct sections. In the first section I will give detailed accounts of what I personally witnessed at two of the meetings I attended in Lakeland, and I will also detail a portion of a third meeting I watched and taped off television. This first section will obviously include subjectivity from my vantage point. The second portion of this article will deal with 7 issues that need to be addressed concerning this “Revival” and will include some of the more salient teachings of Todd Bentley.
Dear friends:
listen to Jones prophecy and ask God for spiritual understanding.
Bob Jones prophecy about building a new temple with burnt stones….this is wild. he is confessing cohabitation with what he calls the living stones…its bizarre…by the when you see pictures of oni demons he look exactly one…just paint his face white.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJKNj7QsIXE
keep yourself under the blood of Jesus and the Fire of the Holy Ghost… also bind, bind, bind everything you.
I’ve plugged all the links of Todd’s new satanic anointing. also Stacey Campbell’s serpintine kundalini demons manifesting and transferring her these demon to Todd.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3592584/TODD-BENTLEY-THE-NEW-BREED-AND-THE-FALSE-ANOINTING-JOELS-ARMY
–
Pat Holliday
Hi Pat,
Thank you for sharing. I just watched the video above of Bob Jones. In fact, this clip is from the end of another video on You Tube. This video has very weird supernatural music and Patricia King refers to our Christian experience as supernatural and mystical. There are more weird experiences described on this video and they share about taking trips to the 3rd heaven where Bob Jones even brings children with him. How can anyone rational person believe this hype? Where in the Bible does God tell us to go into the heavens and look for the 3rd heaven? Todd says it smells like vanilla and is the dwelling place of God. Patricia King says she wants to go to the 3rd heaven to experience God in a new way.
Speaking of Bob Jones, Mike Oppenheimer of Let Us Reason Ministries has posted a new article on Jones, and points out that Jones’ “Jesus” grabs men and women, kisses them, and makes them disappear “absorbing them into his body!” (The aricle may be read at http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain52.htm ).
On another note, last night during the “live” airing of the Florida revival on Todd Bentley’s website, Bentley head-butted a man in the stomach and knocked him backwards into the arms of the catchers.
Also, in a “YouTube” video titled “WORST ASSAULT,” watch Bentley knee or kick a man in his stomach and drop him to his knees
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUTCWLoD4-4 ).
The man was suffering from “stage 4 colon cancer.” Apparently, that didn’t matter, because Bentley said he had to be “obedient to the Lord.”
–Bud
I need your assistance, please.
“LocalPastor” is placing videos of Todd Bentley on “YouTube.” If you know LocalPastor, please contact him and ask him to contact Bud Press at admin@christianresearchservice.com .
Thank you, and God bless.
Hi Pat,
The church I was attending in Jacksonville believes in getting the fire. After the pastors went to Lakeland, they started the next Sunday service by asking everyone to come up front to receive the fire. The church went into a frenzy and out of control. People were laughing, shaking, moaning and yelling. I felt strongly that I was NOT to receive the fire or let them lay hands on me…and I have never been back to that church since. How can I bring my family and friends to a church like this? I have friends who want to get back involved in church and have asked to go with me, but I could not take them there, it would scare them. I took them to a normal (Spirit filled) Methodist church that is very grounded, and they enjoyed the message.
Jan
Hi Charismania, Pete, and everyone…I am looking forward to this series of articles in light of the fact that the writer is a pastor and is willing to speak out against this so-called “revival.” It takes a lot of courage for him to do this, and we need to pray God’s wisdom and protection for him, and for other pastors, who are willing to take a stand against Todd Bentley’s practices and teachings, which are unbiblical (and that’s putting it mildly) and to expose them. … “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11) … The more I look into this “revival,” the more bizarre it becomes, and the more clearly it becomes “new age” rather than anything Christian. How sad it is that so many people have fallen for this, …all because they have not taken the time to …”examine the scriptures daily”to see if what Todd Bentley and others say is true as God tells us to do. (Acts 17:11) They have also ignored the many clear warnings to “Preach the Word,” and that “the time would come when men would not put up with sound doctrine…and would turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:2,3) And that those in authority should ,”…teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1) …….In light of the fact that many people choose to listen to Todd Bentley and decide not to love and study the truth of God’s Word more, and their failure to “test the spirits”…”Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) …I can now clearly understand the truth found in God’s Word in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 ,of how people will easily accept the anti-christ…”The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. THEY PERISH BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO LOVE THE TRUTH AND SO BE SAVED. FOR THIS REASON GOD SENDS THEM A POWERFUL DELUSION SO THAT THEY WILL BELIEVE THE LIE AND SO THAT ALL WILL BE CONDEMNED WHO HAVE NOT BELIEVED THE TRUTH BUT HAVE DELIGHTED IN WICKEDNESS.” …Let us continue to pray that God will open the eyes of those who are sincerely seeking Him and they will hunger for the truth of God’s Word and that His Truth will set them free. ………Those of you who have come to this site and believe in what Todd Bentley is teaching, we ask that you carefully read these articles and listen to what Pastor Gary Osborne has to say and pray that God will show you in His Word what the truth is. God Bless You All
Budpress, if you go to one of those videos at YouTube, and click on LocalPastor in the box in the upper right of the page, it will bring you to a page that has a box you can click on to ‘connect’ with him by sending him an email, etc.
Hi Jan. My post on “Todd Bentley …Importance of Believing in the Angel (#59) was directed to you. I don’t know if you read it or not, but my heart goes out to you for all you have been through. Are you still going to the Methodist church you spoke of? If so, do you find yourself carefully and cautiously listening to every word that is said, like I did when I left my church and started going to a new church? I guess, in this day and age we have to stay cautious, no matter how Biblically sound our church may now appear to be. I STILL find myself listening to everything that is said and every word even in the songs. God will bless you and use you for His Glory for standing for the Truth and refusing to “go and get some.” God bless you, Jan. Please let me know how you are doing.
I think one needs to sort out the good and bad in the revivals mentioned though a sound grounding in the Scriptures. Evidently there is a supernatural presence in the meetings or they would probably come to nothing. Since the times of Jesus of Nazareth, I know of no minister who has been perfected. The Old Testament is full of examples of Prophets who erred and in one case God fooled the Prophet. I think what is going on is God is presenting something that is close to the Truth and if we discern wrongly we might end up blaspheming the Holy Spirit or follow a blind alley. If we do not love God and humankind in good faith, I think any ministry is a trapdoor to Hades.
Ronald,
Might it not be that we could also maybe end up blaspheming the Holy Spirit if we attribute the works of Satan to the Holy Spirit?
And as for being grounded in the scriptures, the following are true:
Scripture tells us not to speak with the dead, Todd Bentley brags about it.
Scripture tells us not to worship angels, and that those who tell us to are cut off from Christ. Todd Bentley tells us that God told him to get us to believe in the angel, not Jesus.
Scripture tells us that false prophets will come and claim that Jesus is here, or Jesus is there. Scripture then tells us NOT TO GO and see. Todd Bentley read a prophecy and told us Jesus was coming.
I could go on for another 10 paragraphs about how what is going on in Lakeland fails the test of scripture.
One does not risk blaspheming the Holy Spirit when one exposes false prophets and test the spirits as commanded, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, in scripture.
Ronald, nice to meet you, regardless of Gary Greis, Todd Bently et al, there is not ONE true prophet in the Bible who prophesied falsely. Naturally they were imperfect and prone to error but NOT regarding prophesy. In fact, this is the very thing that made them distinct from false prophets, their prophecies were always 100%.
They may have asked a question (are you restoring the kingdom of israel at this time? Acts 1:6) or they may have tried to run away (Jonah) from their responsibility, but their prophesies never failed. The Holy Spirit could not fail to inspire accuracy in regards to prophecy.
Now the modern prophets are happy with a 30/40% accuracy, but there is NO Biblical warrent for this 60/70% failure record of theirs. They are false prophets. Also they say that they are doing even greater things than the apostles and the original prophets, huh? How so?
Because of their prophetic error, they MUST re-define prophecy, so they lead thier flock to believe that you have to test a ‘prophets’ lifestyle and not his prophecies!!
Scripture says we test what they say “He who presumes to SPEAK in the name of the Lord a WORD that the Lord has not commanded” (Deut 18 I believe?)
Its so simple, if it falls to come true it is false! So we test the lifestyle AND the prophecy that is SPOKEN. If its 30/40 or even 70% it is not from the Lord. Even cults and psychics get 70% sometimes.
It is not blasphemy to test the prophets (1Corinth 14:29). We MUST test them lest we be deceived by thier counterfiet signs and wonders 2nd Corinth 11:5
The very fact that they can’t seem to ever get it right is a dead give away. Only the vulnerable will follow such prophets.
Hi Living for His Glory, as usual, great post !
Havent been around for a couple of days and have to dash off again but wanted to pop in and shout hello to all
Good to read all the posts here, words of wisdom all over.
Hi, Ronald, and welcome to the site.
I really do understand (and share) your concerns about the potential to blaspheme the Holy Spirit by rejecting what *could* be “of God.” But I think I would have to echo what andypro and Pete have said.
Also, I’d add that while I agree with you that yes, there must be something “supernatural” going on in the atmosphere at these meetings, and that this “something” most likely feels good and pleasant and godly to the members of the audience, that is NO GUARANTEE that this “something” is actually from the Lord.
I really think that this is how the devil is able to deceive people. Especially these days, we Christians tend to put a whole lot of stock in our FEELINGS. We will make statements like, “But I know in my heart that such-and-such is true.” And how do we “know” this “in our hearts”? Because of how we FEEL about it. Likewise, I think it’s easy for us to attend meetings where thousands of other very eager, expectant people are hoping for miracles, and as we are affected by the hunger of the people around us, we then interpret that atmosphere as “God’s presence.”
In the end, the ONLY thing we can look to as a final standard is the WRITTEN WORD of God – the Bible. If we put so much stock in our feelings, to the point where we will endure all sorts of doctrinally crazy “sermons” because of the great atmosphere at these meetings, how can we possibly object in good conscience to the Mormon person who “bears his testimony” and thinks that by declaring that he “knows that Joseph Smith was a true prophet,” that somehow makes the Book of Mormon true?
You see, it’s the same logic at work. And if our human perceptions and feelings and what we “know in our hearts” is all it takes to validate something as being from the Lord, then in the end, pretty much anything goes. We cannot object to Mormonism or really ANY other religion.
After all, those involved in false religions and practices such as yoga and meditation also believe that they are sensing “God” in their activities. Unless we depend upon a source outside ourselves – the Bible – for discernment, we are not immune to deception.
Living For His Glory,
I had not read your post #59 on the other thread. Thanks for pointing it out to me, I just read it.
I am sorry you experienced leaving your church of 16 years. I know that had to be heartbreaking. Not only are you leaving the Christian “family” you have known for years, but you are giving up your ministry and leaving good friends who don’t understand the reason you left. When we stand up for the truth, we are not understood.
I recently left my small charismatic church because the pastor and leadership were imparting the “fire” to everyone and making Lakeland the church’s focus. The pastors believe Lakeland is the big end-time harvest, the last day revival. The pastor watches it on God TV every night faithfully and gathers the church together to watch it for the mid-week service.
I’ve tried to explain why I am not participating and I’ve been told that I must not have ever experienced a touch from God before and that Peter Wagner endorses it, so it has to be God.
The prophetic guys have really infiltrated the body of Christ with their teachings and have gained a lot of trust. Who are these people who are in Peter Wagner’s network of apostles? How made them are real apostles? I read the list of names and I only recognized a handful of people. I’m concerned about this. They are from all over the US and have a network built. What are they planning to do? They appear to be attempting to build a strong link and take over cities and churches. This is how it appears, I could be wrong. Are they recruiting pastors into their network?
When I tried to explain to a friend about Todd’s angels she got defensive and said “Jesse DuPlanis” (sp) has seen angels, so visitations are real. Who is he? He is just a man. So, in other words, if he says the moon is blue that makes it true?
So many Christians are believing these men in the pulpit with big names who teach whatever they want, no matter how far fetched and unbiblical. Where is the discernment in the body of Christ? Have we fallen this far from the truth? This is happening to Christians who have been saved for MANY years. They are not babies in Christ. Have we become this dull in knowing our Bibles? There is no excuse. We need to wake them up. I believe God wants us to keep speaking out the truth to them in love.
Think back to when you were saved. What drew you to Christ? It was the preaching of the cross, the realization that you had sinned and the need of a savior. This is the foundation of a revival that has never changed.
God Bless,
Jan
Hi Jan, Thank you for your compassionate heart. Even though it was hard for me to leave my church, the fact that I knew God was and IS in control, gave me the assurance that He had a reason for it all. I remember saying to God, “God, how are you going to bring good out of THIS?” I had already had my husband leave me when I first became a Christian. He told me it was because I changed so much…I didn’t drink any more and all I did was talk to his friends about Jesus. (But that was a lie. It wasn’t because of my decision to repent and follow Christ…that was an excuse. God had shown me he was cheating on me. First, it was by finding my eyes continually fall upon verses on adultery many times as I would just open my Bible to read it. …and then there were phone calls. I confronted him, but he denied it all.) He said, “You’ll never change back, will you?” As tears streamed silently down my cheek, I shook my head ‘no.’ I remember when my “husband” went upstairs to pack, I went downstairs clutching my Bible close to me. I opened my Bible and these were the first words that my eyes fell upon…”Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11,12) Tears again came to my eyes, but this time they were tears of joy. I said out loud, “God, You are so real!!” … THIS is what many in the church have lost today… an intimate relationship with God through spending time with Him and His Word. …They haven’t realized or have forgotten just how real and living His Word can be!!! So they settle for an “experience”…… a ” counterfeit revival.” But because God continued to make Himself real to me as I read His Word, I began to develop a trust in Him, and so when I made the choice to leave my church, I knew God would guide me to the right one, and He did. And Jan, I studied His Word, searching the Scriptures on all different issues…(basically all the ones we are dealing with today, since there is a connection with the last “revival” and this one… many of the same people are involved)… and God used me to help some guy who had started going to a church where there were many unbiblical things happening, and God used me to share the truth of His Word with him and he finally left. So I have seen God use what I have been through for His Glory, which is what helped me learn to trust in Him, so that no matter how difficult my circumstances have become, or how lonely I may feel at times, I try to keep my focus on Him and help others to know Him and try to glorify Him in all I do and say, (which is why I call myself ‘Living For His Glory’) … You made many frightening but accurate observations when you said “they appear to be attempting to build a strong link and take over cities and churches…” On one of the posts two people were kind enough to inform us of two different videos with Bob Jones. I think you watched one and posted on it, if I remember correctly. Bob Jones talked about a “paradigm shift” and “taking back the music” (to me he was saying that “we” were shifting from Biblical Christianity to a whole new way of “experiencing God,”and it made me realize how we all have to WATCH for the changes in the music and speak out against it if we see it happening in our churches. We are definitely living in the last days!! I ALSO felt like this is becoming a very powerful movement. We must pray like never before!! It really concerned me when he talked about “taking the children up into the third heaven” and how easily they were able to see things!! …I find myself putting my hands on my computer screen every time I see Todd Bentley with a child on stage, and I put my hand on the child’s head and pray for God to protect them!! How important it is for people with small children to pray for them and “train them up in the way they should go,” and even make them be aware of what is happening to warn them, so they won’t allow someone to expose them to, or involve them in, these occultic practices… who knows, like you mentioned,… ‘maybe there are “pastors” involved in this ‘…and they could be placed in children’s Sunday school classes to ‘get them to see visions in the third heaven.’ This is getting scary, but we will pray and continue to study God’s Word and like you said, … “I believe God wants us to keep speaking out the truth in love.”…Well said!! I agree totally!! Not with an attitude of superiority or rudeness, but one of love and concern. I love what you said…”Think back to when you were saved. What drew you to Christ? It was the preaching of the cross, the realization that you had sinned and the need of a savior. This is the foundation of a revival that has never changed.” I remember sharing with my former pastor the things that were happening in the so-called “revival” and then I shared many verses on what true Biblical revival is, but sadly …it didn’t seem to matter. Thank you Jan for your post. I will be praying for you. God Bless You. Keep in touch. I close with this verse to encourage you because I see it to be true in your life as you continue to stand strong for the truth of His Word, (and I hope you have at least ONE friend who is against this so you don’t feel so all alone, but if that is the case, God has allowed it to be that way to draw you closer to Himself and make Himself more real to you than ever before. (Sorry, I can keep going on and on sometimes!!) Now the verse…”But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:10-12
Living For His Glory,
You are hitting the nail on the head saying these self-proclaimed prophetic people are teaching us to “experience God in a new way.” I think some of us started to pursue this during the Toronto and Pensacola revivals, but we soon found there was no substance to it, or lasting fruit. This is the scripture that brought me to salvation. I was reading a track one day. God had already been dealing with my heart. The track had this scripture as its message:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matt. 7:13 & 14. Directly under that scripture, verse 15 says “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly theyare ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”
I saw a vision that day. I saw myself on the wide road that leads to destruction. God opened my eyes through the Holy Spirit and at that very moment I repented and gave my life to Christ. When God speaks to you personally, you never forget it.
I felt led to share that with you, I guess to make a point that the way of salvation is a narrow way and even the Lord made a point to tell us that FEW will find it.
I’m sorry you experienced a divorce. I’m sure you realize that the love of Jesus and Holy Spirit convicted your husband and couldn’t stand to be around the “light” but thought it was you. He couldn’t comfortable live in his sin anymore with you being JESUS living with him.
You are in a much better place and God will restore to you everything the devil has stolen. Amen.
God Bless you,
Jan
Living For His Glory,
I didn’t get a chance to finish the above-post because my daughter came over and was in a hurry to go out to lunch. I just wanted to add that I too went through a divorce. The difference is that my husband was very involved in the ministry. I went to IHOP for 10 days and when I came back home, my husband couldn’t stand to be around me. The Lord was dealing with sin in his life, but he was too ashamed to be open about it, and it ultimately destroyed our marriage. He met a married unsaved woman and they both got divorced and married each other. I was married 30 years. Talk about being totally devastated. I had never been on my own before. I’ve had to learn how to survive as a single mother. My ex-husband could do everything. He built us 2 houses, remodeled others, rewired the cable TV, installed ceiling fans, was a computer wiz, camera buff, fixed our cars himself, and so on. I really depended on him.
So I understand the pain of divorce and how it destroys so many things but I have to say that God as made me a stronger person. He is teaching me to be an overcomer, even in this crisis, and rebuild my life.
God Bless,
Jan
Hi Jan. It’s late, but I wanted to post back to you, before I call it a night, since you were so kind to share your life with me. …It must have been even harder for you than it was for me, since you were married for 30 years! (I was only married for 12 when he left me.) And in the light of the fact that your husband was involved in the ministry, must have made it even harder. Sometimes we think, “Oh, if I can only find a Christian mate, then I’ll have the perfect marriage.” But we are all prone to sin and unless we are completely surrendered to Christ, and stay in His Word, we can easily be seduced into the traps the enemy will set for us …”Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him standing firm in the faith.” 1 Peter 5:8 Isn’t it amazing how God helps us do things we thought we would never be able to do, as you mentioned! He is our Ever- Present Help in trouble. I can see how God IS making you stronger. …Thank you also for sharing your salvation experience with me. You are so right…”When God speaks to you personally, you never forget it.” And when we see just how real He can be, the desire in our hearts grows stronger to obey Him out of love and gratitude for the high price He paid so that we might have a relationship with Him. …”The way of salvation is a narrow way and even the Lord made a point to tell us that few will find it.” God has also made me see that truth in a very real way. … When I look around me and see a man and a woman walking together, and want so much to have someone to share life with, I stop and realize that even if I never remarry and stay single for the rest of my life, at least I already HAVE the greatest thing I could ever hope to receive in this lifetime ….my salvation. And it becomes even more precious to me when I realize that God chose me. We may have been rejected by our husbands, but God chose you and I, and …once again we are back with our focus on the cross where it should be. No revival is true revival unless it is centered on the cross . God bless you, Jan, and I hope you had a wonderful day with your daughter. Sorrry I didn’t post sooner, but I’ve been spending too much time posting and my home needed some cleaning!! Have a wonderful week.
Hi Pete, Thank you again for your encouragement and for, ‘popping in to shout hello’ to us. I was hoping you were doing okay when I noticed you had not posted lately. Have a great week and may God continue to give you His words of wisdom to speak truth to your friend, and words of hope and comfort to those who need them. (Another great post by you, as well!!) God Bless You, Pete.
I SO appreciate Pastor Gary and his willingness to go Lakeland to give us his insight into what is happening in this “revival.” I especially like his godly attitude in presenting this information to us. Thursday night I went to a single’s group Bible study on 1 John, and when I came home and checked out your site, these words that Pastor Gary had said in his article, jumped off the page at me. … “We must understand that just because a person claims to be a Christian and claims to be operating under the anointing of God doesn’t mean they really are. They could be operating in their own fleshly spirit, or worse yet they could be operating under seducing spirits posing as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) We must know the Word of God, and know it well, in order to be discerning Christians who can rightly divide the Word of Truth and not be led astray.” …The Bible verse that caught my attention in 1 John chapter 2 that night, had brought Todd Bentley and this so-called “revival” to my mind. It says, “See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. This is what He promised us-even eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As 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 2:24-27 How important it is for all of us to be in God’s Word!! Those who follow after Todd Bentley would be aware that there is a COUNTERFEIT anointing. Or sadly, maybe they ARE aware of that fact and still choose to believe that he is speaking for God. That’s why the first part of that verse is ALSO very important, “SEE THAT WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING REMAINS IN YOU.” The truth of God’s Holy, unchanging Word must stay within our hearts and minds so that we can recognize error and false prophets when confronted with them. Staying in His Word, keeping the Truth of His Word within us, and remaining in Him is the key. God will not allow us to fall for a counterfeit if we “test the spirits.” “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 On a related note, has anyone watched the video on You Tube of Stacey Campbell reading a “word from the lord” (I refuse to use capital letters because what I heard was NOT something our LORD would say and her behavior was not reflective of the nature of our God.) Bud Press, I saw your comment, so I know you saw it. (Pretty funny, if it wasn’t so disturbing to watch and listen to her.) She claimed to be speaking for God and said God is pleased with him, (T.B.)and will use him to reveal His nature to us. Are we then to assume that our God is a God of extreme violence if He is so-called pleased with Todd Bentley kicking and punching deathly sick people? Her head was shaking so fast back and forth as she read this so-called “word”, that it looked humanly impossible to do for so long without it being done by another force, and dare I say it?…A demonic force. Many leaders from other nations, one being from the UK, (and Pete, you would be grieved at that!) came forward to give him a “word from the lord” as if to validate his ministry in the eyes of those in the audience, seemingly to silence their consciences and to make his behavior acceptable. My righteous anger is rising as once again I find myself thinking of all the people desperately seeking God for a miracle for their precious loved one, and they go to this”revival” spending the little money they may have to get there and see all of this. I also think of those who are genuinely searching for God and go there looking for truth and love and hope only to find deception and chaos. Sad…very, very sad!! I close with a Word from Galatians 1:6-10 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned.”