Hi guys and gals,
there has been so much talk about this "revival" in florida lakeland which is being lead by a man called todd bentley.
I would really like to know what people think about whats going on.
i appreciate all comments

Check out the thread titled "A Strong Delusion?" in the 'Evidence, Prophecy, Facts' section of the forum.

Grace and peace

Hisalone

hi sister,
thank you for directing me to that thread, i do feel that this "revival" is not of God and i have done quite a bit of research on the subject and i have discussed it with my pastor but i feel it is causing a lot of division in the church also some are saying that maybe God is allowing people to be decieved, they have a scripture to back that which i will try to add later.
but thank you and keep strong something big is happening.

Dear brothers and sisters, I would like to warn you that speaking against a move of God can be dangerous. Not that God will strike you dead, but that you may be passing by an opportunity to experience a true revival.

I have learned over the years that things like Lakeland, Toronto Blessing, Brownsville and other revivals always brings out the "Spiritual Nuts". When God moves, our flesh does not move him. God is a spirit and he communicates with our spirits. During all revivals many times people in the flesh manifest things that are just not biblical. I know at Toronto, Brownsville and Lakeland people did some strange things. They barked liked dogs, clucked like chickens and various other strange things. These people are all trying to touch God in the flesh realm and that is where the devil moves. Many people whose hearts are right, try to touch God with fleshly works. We all know that God is moved by faith.

There are thousands of people who really are being touched by God in these revivals. The difference is they went in faith really seeking God and God met them where they were at.

A true mark of a revival is how these people act two weeks, two months and two years from now. Be careful about judging things without the counsel of God.

I had two friends who went to the other two revivals. The one who went to the Toronto Revival came back totally changed. The one who went to Brownsville came back all messed up. The difference was one went seeking fleshly manifestations and the other went seeking the face of God.

Now, I have done some research on Lakeland and supposedly Todd Bentley heard from two Angels one named Swift and the other a female angel named Emma. We all know what the book of Galatians has to say about this. God in Hebrews chapter 1: 1-5 tells us that in times past God spoke to us through the Law and prophets, but now he speaks to us through the son. The worship of angels has lead many astray, so I immediately dismiss anyone telling me an angel preached the gospel to them.

Anyway, let’s just watch and see, it may take a few years to discern if this was a true revival. Just watch and see what happens. Toronto and Brownsville self destructed because men tried to take credit for them. This may also.

Trucker

you are very right when you say we should be extra careful when judging a "move of God". i have however done some research and prayed about todd bentley and the situation so i did not come to this conclusion in haste but i thank you for looking out for your brother and i thank you that your words seem to be written in love.
God bless you

I think that these so-called revivals show the immaturity of those who attend. Why travel , in some cases hundreds and thousands of miles to supposedly seek God or at least a new experience from God. This in and of itself seems very carnal to me. Many confess that they know that HolySpirit dwells in us but when they do things like this it seems it hasn't become a reality to them yet. I for one can do without all the stage tricks and gimmicks. It reminds me of a Benny Hinn show. It's time to grow up.

Please bear with me, I'm new round here so don't want to wade in...'all guns blazing' However, as I type this, I am realizing just how strong my feelings on this subject actually are:

I've been wrestling with the whole question of the Lakeland 'revival' for a while now, mainly because I do happen to go to a church that would probably be described by most people as 'charismatic' (although it is officially: 'conservative evangelical').
Consequently I have many friends who appear to be quite excited about what appears to be happening in Florida.

The above quote just about sums it up for me (thanks Trucker )

The way I see it is this:

1. If you did happen to go to Florida because you simply wanted more of Jesus, then - yes - you might meet with Him, be changed, challenged and - hopefully - grow in your faith. God is very gracious like that. However, I would argue that if Jesus lives in us then we would simply be taking Him there with us anyway! Therefore, why go half way across the world (as it would be in my case) in the first place? (errr Hope this makes sense!!!)

2. In terms of judging what might be a move of God: Yes, of course, it is always important that we refrain from making 'blanket' judgements. However, it is also vital that we are free to 'put our hands up' and question anything that we deem to be contrary with the word of God, which is my general concern about Todd Bentley's ministry:

I have been reflecting on 1 Corinthians 13 (commonly known as 'the love passage'), and asking myself - not for the first time admittedly - why this chapter is sandwiched between passages of scripture about spiritual gifts.
As I watch what appears to be happening in Lakeland, the answer is becoming more and more obvious to me: these gifts eg prophecy, healing, miracles etc..... were always intended - by
God - to operate within the boundaries of LOVE.

To tell someone that God will heal them of cancer (when you cannot possibly be 100% certain what God might do is not love).
To punch someone in the stomach (because 'God told you to') is not love either.....

I could go on but I won't.

Can I conclude by saying that I don't doubt that some of what is happening in Lakeland is of God. I certainly believe He heals today, and that He longs to meet with those who are hungry for more of Him, and who want to be sanctified by Him.
Moreover, I haven't 'got it in for' Todd Bentley either. I actually feel quite sad for him and feel prompted to pray for him when ever I am watching (which is not often, I grant you!).
However, I believe it is VITAL that, just because somebody is in a position of leadership, we don't just 'swallow' everything they do or say, like hungry baby birds in a nest. God did give us brains, and - more importantly - He gave us His word.

Another thing to note and make mention of here is that if someone finds Jesus in a revival meeting or any other kind of meeting in Lakeland, Toronto or elsewhere, it is because they were seeking Him to start with. It does not lend Father's approval of the meeting no more than when someone meets God in a crack house, nightclub or strip joint. Father answers whoever cries out to Him regardless of where they are and what they are surrounded by. I have been to many of kinds of meetings and they have always ended up catering to the carnal side.

One discerning factor is the platform and who is up on it. When was the last time you seen a large meeting and they invited a whore, crack head and porn star or even just some common folk to sit in the special seating up on the platform?

Matthew 23:1-12
Jesus Warns the Religious Leaders
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the Scriptures. 3 So practice and obey whatever they say to you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush you with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to help ease the burden.
5 “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside,* and they wear extra long tassels on their robes. 6 And how they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the most prominent seats in the synagogue! 7 They enjoy the attention they get on the streets, and they enjoy being called ‘Rabbi.’* 8 Don’t ever let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are on the same level as brothers and sisters.* 9 And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. 10 And don’t let anyone call you ‘Master,’ for there is only one master, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

All good post! God does move in large revivals where people come from all around the world. Look at the Azusa revival, people came from all over the world to experience the manifest presence of Gods glory.

Yes, where ever we go, the spirit of God is with us. Many times people need to go somewhere corporately to experience God.

As far as judging, we must make righteous judgments and compare what is happening with scripture. A true revival will always draw attention to Jesus and God not man.

I firmly believe that every Christian on the planet can walk in revival as they acknowledge the Christ in them. As you come to know Christ in you, your righteousness in Christ, then you will manifest his presence in the world you touch on a daily basis.

God's word tells us that the world will know us by our love for one another. AS the world sees Christians walking in love toward each other, reaching out to those around them, preaching the truth in love, they then will have a correct concept of God. They will see it in us. Time and time again the book of Acts tells us that the term Christians was a term to identify those who were of Christ. The church in the book of Acts had a revelation of Gods grace and Mercy, were so glad to be out from under the demands of the Law, that their love for God just affected everyone and thing around them.

God bless you all,

Trucker

I just wanted to say something that my pastor has said when he preaches on revival. There are two things that mark a TRUE revival. Salvations and humility. Salvations...lost souls coming to the full knowledge of Jesus and living like it every day all day. Humility...the leaders of the revival saying 'Not for my glory, but for Jesus'. It is all about Jesus and not about me or anyone else.'

Also, I wanted to define revival. This I got from dictionary.com and it says restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc. Revival doesn't start when you get to the place where the Revival is happening. It starts in the heart. Revival I believe means change. Change from where we are to where God wants us to be. Revival is happening in my heart right now. God doesn't want us to be where we are...He wants us to be higher. HE wants us closer to Him then we have ever been.

I agree...be careful with things people call revival. Satan comes like light, too, not just dark. Pray...pray that God move our hearts to the TRUE revivals and brings those involved in 'false' revivals to the surface where He can change them into TRUE revivals.