Lorie's Multiply Haven

Being loving does not mean I we abandon discernment. If such is the case, then I am unloving--because I do not trust Bentley.

who is Todd Bentley? I never knew him.

I think many people simply wish to expose unsound teaching and doctrine. In this case, criticism is completely necessary. If he were here in the Philippines, I'd be obligated to warn my readers about him.

I agree that some may be mean-spirited in whatever they are saying about his adultery. But I think Bentley himself has done much more damage than any of his critics.

I think as Christian we have a responsibility to expose the scheme of the enemy into light...to some extent I am familiar on the ministry of todd bently in fact his own board of directors release him in his ministry (because he violate the fundamentals of the Christian faith: he had an illicit affair with one of his staff and he did not content with that he divorce his wife and left his three children in a very young age) and for me that is enough the bible told us we should judge people in particular a minister by his fruits...he is not a good example to the body of Christ.

I would agree about caution and discernment, but I think it's really a personal decision, and it's between the person and God to decide whether or not to believe in what Todd Bentley taught or not.

Either way, I hate it when people dictate to me what I need to think about a person or an issue. It really doesn't help me any. I'd rather go back to the Word to decide.

I am cautious about the presence of that angel Emma, yes. I'm cautious about the gold dust and gems. But I'd rather take a neutral stance about the matter than really denounce it in public... Who knows whether God is truly doing a new thing on this earth? Stranger things have happened in my universe, and I wouldn't be surprised about things like these.

Anyway, I guess everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. I guess Todd Bentley is just reaping the consequences of giving in to his flesh, that is why so many people are lynching, criticizing, voicing out opinions against him right now.

But the mere fact that he's not yet dead, is a testament of God's mercy over him. I know another Christian who had been a serial adulterer, that at the point of no return, he died a violent death, shot to death by the husband of his mistress, with his mistress, caught as they were in a very compromising/scandalous manner, in a car, in a public place at that. It was gory, it was scandalous, and it was a sign to me that God would allow a very scandalous, very brutal, very gory killing to people He used to know as children, if only to send a sign to others. I kinda remembered Judges 19, the story about the Levite and his concubine, when this had happened. It became a sign to me to watch myself, coz I know God won't hesitate to have me literally lynched, if and when I would go to the point of no return in immorality.

I guess God still gives mercy to Todd Bentley. He's still alive, right? Coz had he been beyond repair, I'm sure God won't hesitate to allow him to die in the gory-est manner possible. He's our ultimate judge. So as long as He gives mercy to those He wants to, I'm also going to treat that person with mercy.

Heck, God had allowed William Branham to die a brutal death in a car crash, but allowed Branham to lay his hand on his wife and his wife lived... Branham was a sacrificial lamb; the guy who was scandalously murdered was a scapegoat: a sign to warn against sin.

As long as Todd Bentley is alive, I know God hasn't judged him yet. As long as there are ministers who still recognize him as a prophet of God, I know God is still showing him kindness. I think we need to show him kindness too........ With our silence.


But then, that's just my opinion, Kuya Kev. :D

Hehe. Quiboloy. Pero he's a different matter coz he says HE is the son of God. Durh.

As for Todd Bentley, iba Kuya, he really acknowledges Jesus and the healings are genuine.

Sige, let's agree to disagree. :) I think we always took the opposite sides of the prophetic fence kasi. :D

Blessings, Kuya Kev. :D

August 15, 2008

From the Board of Directors(ministry of todd bently)

We wish to thank all of our friends and partners for the overwhelming flood of support and compassion we have received as a ministry on behalf of Todd and Shonnah Bentley. The many phone calls and emails of concern from people who genuinely love the Bentleys and Fresh Fire Ministries have been a great encouragement to all of us here during these past few days. In particular, the rallying of support and prayer for Todd and Shonnah by prominent leaders within the Body of Christ has been a beautiful indicator of the maturity and grace the Lord is bringing to his Bride.

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 advisors, 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.

On behalf of the Fresh Fire leadership and the Board of Directors we wish to apologize to our friends and partners and to the larger body of Christ and to ask for your forgiveness. We are truly sorry for the pain many of you must feel and so regret that in the midst of great revival, the enemy has found a way into our camp. To those who have stood by us, we wish to thank you for what in many cases has been years of support. Thank you for your financial giving towards the vision of this ministry, and thank you especially for your prayers. For those of our partners, friends and supporters who may be struggling with the recent disclosures and finding continued support of this ministry in conflict with either conscience or conviction, we release and bless you with all our hearts and trust that God will redeem in your hearts the good that He has accomplished in your lives through this ministry. It is our sincerest hope and prayer that the Lord bless you and bring you into your fullest destiny in Him.

When this ministry was initially birthed in May of 1998, Todd had but one simple desire in his heart – to see the world come to know Jesus. Now, only 10 years later, Fresh Fire Ministries has grown to become a Resource Center that is literally reaching out to all the corners of the Earth. There have been dozens of associate ministries, scores of interns and hundreds of graduates from the Supernatural Training Center. Over 60 nations have received a combined total of more than five million dollars in humanitarian aid and we have seen well over one million conversions for Jesus Christ.

And so, the question can well be asked... where do we go from here? It is true that we are deeply saddened by these recent events, but it hasn’t shaken our faith in either God or His goodness towards us and with the help of wise and compassionate leaders within the body, we will do everything within our power to see our brother and sister healed and restored.

As a ministry, we can not forsake the vision and heartbeat upon which Todd Bentley founded Fresh Fire Ministries which is simply this:

Matthew 10:7-8
And as you go, Preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

While Todd and Shonnah each go through the necessary steps towards restoration and wholeness, we are compelled, with the resources with which God has entrusted us, to continue to spread God’s love and power all over the world.

There are many noble activities and endeavors in which Fresh Fire Ministries is involved, initiated by Todd, and to which we are still committed. We have the Supernatural Training Centre, our school of ministry, already in it’s fourth full year and with more than 50 students already enrolled we’re believing for an amazing year of biblical instruction, practical application and encounters with the presence of God. Many mature and gifted speakers and associates, graduated interns and teachers filled brim-full with the DNA and fire of this ministry are ready to pour revelation and passion into the hungry hearts of this coming year’s student body.

We will continue to host conferences in our region with speakers and worship leaders from around the nation whose message and mandates resonate with the vision and heart of Fresh Fire Ministries. In addition, we are committed to supporting the growing “OutPourings” across North America and around the world with our Associates, with encouragement and prayer support. In Todd’s own words, “What God is doing is bigger than one man”, and we now have a golden opportunity as the Body of Christ to pick up the baton and to run with perseverance for His glory.

Our missions department is progressing, as previously mentioned, with our major African crusade. With close to 100 team members in attendance, excitement is beginning to build and team members have responded that they are still believing God for the most amazing missions trip ever! Our Uganda Jesus Village in Kampala is forging ahead with the recent acquisition of 35 acres of land 30 minutes drive from our present location. Two of the 15 homes planned for the property are nearing completion, and the expanded village, when finished, will house almost 150 orphans rescued from war torn northern Uganda.

So whether in our Children’s Home in Africa, in our Supernatural Training Centre in British Columbia, in the revival meetings and outpourings spreading around the globe, or in taking teams to minister compassion and practical assistance to the poor in the far corners of the Earth, we have been and still are committed to bringing love, hope and a demonstration of the saving, healing, delivering power of the Gospel to a world in need.

Thank you all once again for your prayers and support. We bless each and every one of you in whatever decision you must make. Please know that our heart in all of this is to see the name of the Lord vindicated, and we take great encouragement from Psalm 23 and the Lord’s promise that He will “lead us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Together we look to the mercy and wisdom of our loving Father and we remain as ever, your brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Fresh Fire Board of Directors

http://www.freshfire.ca/

I receive what you said, Kuya, especially the area regarding Emma. But I choose not to lynch Todd Bentley the person. Whatever he had gone through is not my concern. Whatever his sin, is neither my concern. BUT, the reason why I had put this out was that at the time that even though I had felt that Benny Hinn was turning into a false preacher as well, God had sharply corrected me against criticizing him. It was a brutal, severe correction, and God was very firm against NEVER criticizing a man of God, no matter how deep and severe his error.

I'm not even allowed to voice out my opinion against Quiboloy. :D This was the only time God had allowed me to speak about the Todd Bentley topic.

Thus, the lesson of not criticizing, never sowing division, I apply similarly to Todd Bentley and every other Christian minister who still acknowledges the truth and does not claim that he is the Son of God come to earth. As long as these principalities are still running around (the principality of the false prophet, the antichrist spirit, the spirit of jezebel, etc.), more and more pastors and preachers will be visited by these for the while, that is why I am quick to extend mercy, as opposed to being quick to judge.

I maintain my stand. I will maintain my reservations regarding these miracles, regarding these phenomena, BUT, never again will I sharply criticize a pastor. I've learned my lessons regarding Benny Hinn.

Heck, I even feel the antichrist/false prophet spirit from Victory pastors and leaders. It's like a virus that's going around, and most of y'allz don't even realize it. Heheh. :p So I have extreme tolerance for people who make mistakes.

As regards my own not-sowing-division meter, I failed severely in that. That is why I am asking for God's grace to be able to be more gracious with people and allow for extreme room for mistakes.

You have no idea how vulnerable humans are to these spirits, Kuya, and how many Victory, and other pastors, are actually infected. As John Eldredge says, it's the "enemy within."

People will always have seasons where the enemy can use them severely, and until the battle is led to an eternal ceasefire, when the Bridegroom comes and sets His permanent kingdom on earth, this is a severe war, and each one must guard himself so as he won't be taken captive.

No human was ever meant to go to hell. Hell was for demons. If they used Todd Bentley severely, as well as other ministers, then we should take pity on the person and restore him. Not to exacerbate the error by causing further division and yelling how this pastor or that pastor is a false prophet.

He's still part of the recognized Body of Christ. He is not a Mormon, a Church of God (Church of Love cult), Scientology member, etc. THAT is why there is a big incentive to shut up and pray for his restoration.

I pray that you will see my HEART regarding this. This is the reason why Paul said that we do not battle against FLESH AND BLOOD, but the spirits and the rulers of the spiritual realm.

:) Sana magkaroon tayo ng understanding and respect as to where the other is coming from. I see your point: that he should have been corrected earlier. But to ostracize and excommunicate and slander and gossip about him is not the answer, either.

where in scripture will you find this?

you also said "no human was ever meant to go to hell." have you read romans 9 already?

Loraine, i'm sorry, but if that is your position, then you are contradicting Jesus. He critized all the people who were considered "men of God" during His day. also, you are saying we throw away so much of NT teachings on this matter.

if this is your position, then i would say that you didn't hear that from God. that was a different spirit. Jesus said "I didn't come to bring peace but a sword." while you're talking about not judging, Jesus commended Peter saying "you have JUDGED RIGHTLY." Loraine, we are not called to withhold judgment. we are called to judge rightly. if you say that we are to shut up and pray, that's not what Jesus did. He exposed false teachings left and right and front and back vehemently and passionately.

your heart is for unity and for mercy and grace. i get that. but your are now maligning our call to honor Scripture for the sake of a kind of false peace.

yes, the battle is NOT between flesh and blood. that is true. but that is not to be taken as "never criticize and never question." it means that we are to correct, expose, rebuke, exhort, with prayer and trust in the Spirit. :)

hahaha that was fun :-D