I read this on Bill Johnson’s website this morning. What a friend…with the Father’s heart! Bravo to you, Bill Johnson, for standing up for a friend, and for God! Here’s the letter from him, concerning Todd Bentley:
“Todd is a good friend, but more importantly, he is a friend of God. I’ve met very few people in my life who are hungrier for God and will take extended periods of time just to seek Him. God has entrusted him with an extraordinary outpouring for a reason—He can trust him to do whatever He says, regardless of the opinions of others. He is bold—amazingly bold. The miracles are legitimate and increasing. The church of America has asked for a great revival. God wonderfully placed this move in a package that few would have expected, just to see if we’re as hungry as we say we are.”
Recent response to the above answer:”How in God’s name can you endorse Todd Bentley?” This is my response:
Have you spent time with Todd? Do you know him? Have you watched him with his wife? Or have you seen how he treats his kids? Have you spent any time with his staff? Have you been to his ministry? Has he been to yours? Have you laid hands on him and prayed? Has he laid hands on you and prayed? Have you grieved over tragedy together? Have you celebrated victory together? Has he sought your counsel? Has he traveled a great distance just to meet with you privately for advice? Have you ever received his counsel? Have you been in the room when God has showed up on him, and used him in stunning miracles? Have you seen him operate in the word of knowledge or the prophetic? Have you met with his counsel of elders? Have you personally benefited from his gift? Has he benefited from your gift and ministry? Has he ever honored you for who you are in God? Has he partnered with you as a friend? Have you sacrificed for his welfare, or that of his family? Have you sought God with him? Have you ever worshipped the Lord with him?
I didn’t think so. I have. And I’ll continue to support those who I have walked with in life and ministry. He’s my friend. More importantly, God calls him friend. And if you and I were ever friends in that level, and people hated you and turned against you, and started web pages to tear down your ministry, and criticized you to your friends, and wrote against you in Christian magazines, and criticized you on the radio and wrote emails to other conference speakers and authors, I’d still be your friend.
By the way – criticism in the form of a question is not a question. But to respond to your statement, “How in God’s name can you endorse Todd Bentley?” It’s easy. I do it in God’s name.
Bill
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Wow, praise God for friends like this.
How can you say bravo and praqise God for this! Where is your knowledge of the Word of God? This whole movement is heresy. They teach things that are not nowhere near the what the Word says. I am so concerned that people are looking for God that they will swallow anything without really checking it out alongside the Word of God. Remember, God never goes against His Word!! Please, be very careful who you support!!
Are you kidding? I’ve never seen a better example of the Love of God than I have in this letter. We are even supposed to love our enemies. Why not our Brothers and Sisters in Christ? Just because our “theology” doesn’t match up, or someone makes mistakes, doesn’t give us an excuse to try and destroy someone. I refuse to choose sides in any war that pits Christian against Christian. I’ve read many stories in the Bible of God using imperfect people. David did some horribly rotten things and was still loved by God. So did Paul, and Peter, and too many others to mention. I won’t assist in ‘killing’ a brother. I will applaud and praise God for letters like this that show love to a friend rather than stabbing him in the back to go along with public opinion. If there is error, it can be corrected… try praying for him.
Praise God for friendships like this one.
I have a problem with the 3rd Heaven thing. I saw a video where Todd & Patricia King and Bob Jones described how to get to the 3rd heaven. They’ve mentioned talking to John Wimber, just weird occultic stuff. I don’t see a lot of difference in holding hands to go to the 3rd heaven to talk to dead people, and holding hands in a seance to talk to dead people. It’s not right.
Hi! I just stumbled across this website, and I was really touched with your words about Todd Bentley. I haven’t been sure how to take him and the whole Lakeland thing. My guess is that God is working through flawed people. Just like He always does (thank God!).
Now it seems that there is some marital trouble with Bentley. My heart breaks for him and his family. I really just hope that all believers, even those who disagree with him, will lift the Bentley family up in prayer. They need it now more than ever.
Thanks again for a thoughtful post…
ya know Kelly – just when we think we have got it all figured out we start to judge others – we really screw it up don’t we? I am sure we (you & I) have different tastes in music, we may even have different theology positions – but do not ever doubt for a moment that mama and papa love you and pray for you! LOVE YOU !!
This is a beautiful picture of God’s love. Exactly how we should behave concerning our brothers and sisters.
My dad was healed of tmj thru Todds ministry, my sister healed of celiac’s disease in Lakeland. Todd had an abused and neglected upbringing, and he didn’t have height, looks or good career, his wife came from rough stuff too. How these people can be so mean to somebody just for being imperfect is beyond me, they criticized Toronto for you name it where I got massive inner healing. I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for these rigid, uncompassionate ministers to shake loose a perfect move of God.
missing you, Kelly. Are you ok?
love,
Heidi
Hi Heidi,
I am alive and well! I have been writing a lot. Writing books. So when I’m not taking care of my family, I’m writing. Cause when the spout is pouring out, you just get under it and run with it!! At least with writing:)
Thanks for asking Heidi!
I’m glad you are good.
And I really enjoyed your new post about the restaurant.
i have been saved a long time seen people miss God ,yet God remains faithful lakeland
has been a blessing to me really if you have seperated from your family and been bashed by others you learn to love ,we are called to pray and restore each other in the body iam sure we all have sinned so we cannot throw stone hope to see GOD restore Todd as in my life God is faithful
How many people in the Body of Christ know exactly how they would act or react under the pressure Todd Bentley and his wife have been under? The Father’s heart cares about the doctrine taught, about Todd, his wife and children, about the effect all this has had on the body of Christ. He also cares about the things in our hearts that we haven’t allowed Him to touch in our own lives that could be used as a stumbling block to others. We should all be greatful that the Father hasn’t put us on TV all around the world for our weaknesses to be exposed. How many secret sins and anxieties do we hide away and spend our energies to deny? My heart’s cry is that all of us in the Body of Christ allow the Lord to deal with those denied, hidden places in our hearts before He releases us into ministry. God forbid that we be so self-righteous that we don’t allow God to work in our hearts. Judge not least you be judged. I would hate for Todd’s trials fall upon anyone else because of a judgmental spirit.