Lakeland revival
Some of you may have read my post about the "healing"in Bridgeton.The guys reports that he is much better but not completely healed.I wanted to follow up on what was taking place and found out the woman who prayed for him is part of a church that is connected with the Lakeland revival.
So I started to look at what was happening over there.I have watched some of the broadcasts on line and a few shows on God tv(sad I know).Before I tell you what I think you should know I do believe in healing and deliverance and all that Jesus showed us when here.I have also been involved with some of the recent revival -outpourings that have taken place over the last few years.And as some of you know I now have some major doubts about some of the stuff that came over from north America.
So my concerns are about the way in which this revival is being financed.There is a great deal of time and effort given over to getting people to partner with the move.In other words give money.All of this troubles me and I guess always has.
There also seems to be very little in the way of confirmation of the miricales that are taking place.During the service which can last for up to 4-5 hours many people come up to the stage and claim healing .There seems to me to be alot of mind stuff going on in the name of releasing faith its difficult to explain but if you watch it you will see what I mean.One guys blog who visited said it felt like a form of hypnosis or auto suggestion.
There seems to be very little in the way of bible teaching and more of an emphasis on sharing stories of prophetic words and angelic visitations.This is for me the most worrying part of what is going on.
The main guy Todd Bentley is a very down to earth looking guy but talks in a super supernatural language that sets him above everyone else.He claims to have an angel called Emma that he speaks with on a regular basis.He also claims to have visited St Paul in the spiritual realm and found out it was him that wrote the book of Hebrews.There are also all the normal types of manifestations that seem to go along with this.
The last worry I have is this "revival"is being exported to Glasgow and that means that many people here will but into it.And all the strange and spiritualist type stuff that goes with it.Have we not learned to test what is claimed ot be from God.
Below are some web site where you can see both sides for youself.
http://freshfire.ca/ffmstream/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Bentley
http://www.theooze.com/forums/discussions.cfm?forumid=16&topicid=440895 you may have to sign up to read this one not sure but its worth it.
Finaly it may be that I have become far to cynical for a "person of faith" if that is the case I
repent
thoughts on blog
I'll be brief...but I have to say that you have entered the line by which many arm chair critics sit and make judgements almost tongue and cheek...I don't think this is fair nor intelligent, and very much not a Christian way to respond...
You cncentrate on peripheral things and not on the substance...Yes, I watched the botched job that ABC Nightline did in attempt to do news worthy story on the Revival...if news is supposed to be opinionless then they flunked Journalism 101
I'm amazed by all the people who never go to things like this, but determine all the faults with no real truth to back it up...i seems to me that they first thing someone ought to do is GO...and attend at least 3 services...
I have not made any opinions on it one way or another; however, I have never been...I have watched the meetings on GOD TV (thank God for someone who boadcasts meetings that are not staged or choreographed for audienc approval ratings)
What I have seen varifies these following things: 1. Intimate Worship occurs, Jesus is high and lifted up, the Holy SPirit has freedom to move in the lives of people, prophetic words are proclaimed, stories are given, and Yes, I have heard the redemption of Jesus spoken...
There are a few things that I would like further clarification on...I'll never say it is all perfect, but what is happenig in Lakeland is just one place that God has been given freedom to do what His word says He will do...
Every locational and even itinerate Revival has had strange things occur and strange people leading them...Read about Smith Wigglesworth. or almost any shaker of their day...you may not find tattoo, but you will find some flaws...
I gotta tell ya, their is not a person on earth or in heaven that can do supernatural things...Jesus is the source...Satan can perform conterfeits, but Satan is NOT going to promote JESUS...what he does promote is CHAOS, CONFUSION, and DISCORD...
I would rather be promoting Jesus than what Satan has to offer...
lakeland
Thanks for your reply although it would be good to know your name.I dont think going to Florida for this is within my budget at the moment but I have been along to some lakeland meetings here in Glasgow.Your statement about having no opinions seems a little strange given what you go on to say.
What is it his word says he will do?
Yes there have been many strange things done in Gods name including going to war does that make all of them right.God has given us brains to think and asks us to test the spirits.Or is that not spiritual enough?
Jesus is indeed the source but I do believe the bible tells us of many people doing supernatural things.
And finaly you start by saying that my comments are not very christian and finish talking about promoting satan are you trying to tell me something?
PS I also have some tatoo's some of which I had done while being a christian or does that stop me from being one?
Revival
My husband and myself were both healed, our daughter also, while at the Lakeland Revival. If we went seeking man, we would have not been healed. We went seeking God, His face, His realness. We were healed. Man cannot heal people, but only Jesus working THROUGH man. Todd Bentley tells you this. He does God's work. I do God's work. You can do God's work. God just chose Todd to OPEN the USA into Revival. So please don't criticize a man who God chose. God said to Run the race with endurance, which means, you will always need to be repenting, always need to be refined, always will need forgiveness, you will never be perfect, but through JESUS, through the HOLY SPIRIT, you can do all things....
have the faith, press into Jesus, and when He comes for you, you will have the testimony of saying you persevered to the end.
Financial? How did Jesus get his finances? His job was to minister and when it was His time to minister, everyone else sowed into the ministry. Now when he wasn't ministering, he was working. But when ministering, Jesus was paid by the people who was feed by the word. SO it is also written in the bible. A man is paid by what he does.
God Bless You brother.
lakeland
Im so glad your family got healed. Im also sorry if you find it difficult to think about some of the issues I have raised but they remain real issues.I dont think Jesus asked for money from people but maybe im wrong.I have no problem with people getting paid for there work but is this whats going on? Thank you for your encouragement to press in but I do believe that as far as I can thats what im doing so God Bless you Sister