Friday, August 15, 2008

Why Leaders are Under Attack

The blogosphere is buzzing about Lakeland. See I told you so. It's everywhere.

I thought you would want to see what a Prophet of God says about this:



“And suddenly it was as though a heavy, heavenly veil was drawn back in the Spirit realm…

…and I heard Lucifer’s spine-chilling cry: ‘It is TIME!’ And the hordes of hell resounded with a great and terrible cry: ‘It is TIME.’ And as Lucifer turned to his fallen princes, I could hear his malicious hiss: ‘IT IS TIME TO TARGET THE CHAMPIONS.’


‘The Father knows that these very ones who were drawn to Him because they knew the very weakness of their own souls – like the woman whose story I promised would be told eternally.’

I spoke. ‘The woman who washed your feet?’

Jesus smiled tenderly. ‘Those who have forgiven much, love much. In this last generation many came to Us from the greatest ensnarements and bondages. Once they saw Our great love for them they became Our greatest champions and bondservants, for their gratitude for receiving such a redemption, was unfathomable.

‘These are the ones who have become close and tender with Me – who would follow Me unto death.

‘But if they would follow you unto death, Lord Jesus – and they hear your voice – then how could they fall to seducing spirits?’ I asked, that chill gripped me again, sensing the answer.

‘Every weakness that these ones experienced in their lives…’ His expression was so grave ‘…every fissure, each wound, each broken place that lies unhealed – these satanic powers and principalities and demons shall now target.

‘Many, many of My children did not receive healing of their minds, emotions and souls in this last generation. And because they have lived in the Household of God for years, many do not even realize that these scarred places exist.

‘These last days assignments have been meticulously strategised and that is the very strength of their evil – they have been tailor-made to each of My champions. They know the urgent driving unmet needs of the soul: the generational bondages of each individual called by Me to impact this generation; the lack of nurturing; the deep unhealed rejections and hurts of the emotions; the fatherlessness; the need for affirmation; the desire to belong; the deep isolations - all of which when not met in Me – now have laid the perfect snare for the assignments of the enemy.

‘My champions shall now know a violent satanic assailing against their minds. Any thought not taken captive shall be a thought that can take violent root in their soul to lead to ensnarement. Anything from their past that has been dealt with by their own strength and not by My Spirit, shall become a snare to them and can leave them vulnerable to the enemy of their souls. Any habit not ruthlessly dealt with and put to the cross, when assigned with the searing heat of temptation, will breed and rapidly multiply.

‘The greatest weapon to survive the onslaught is for My children to take up their cross and to follow Me. To take up the cross daily and to die to everything in their souls and their mind which opposes My truth. To let go of that lower life which is the flesh and continually mortify their minds and bodies and to put to death the deeds of the flesh. My children have forgotten the power of the cross. They have thought that to die once is sufficient but the spirit of the world, with its carnality and selfishness loosed upon this present generation is so strong in these evil days – that it is only in a continual daily crucifying of their flesh that they will indeed be able to withstand temptation.”

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, Mr. Redlin. Thank you for answering my questions about churches in my area. I will check out the Rockford church you mentioned first. I have a great group of friends in that area, so I will ask some of them to go with me.

I have another question too, because your post 'why leaders are under attack' and your other post about Mr. Bently is confusing me. Is this Lakeland group/Bently guy a good thing from God, or are you saying that it's from the devil?Just wanted to know so I don't get burned in church like before.

Gene said...

Todd is a good man that the Devil came after and has shut him down for now.

Lakeland was a good thing and I wish I had gone for a bit.

Don't fear the devil's ability to deceive you more than God's ability to reveal himself to you.

If you end up in Rockford for a Sunday Night service (the one I usually attend) I might see you there.

Anonymous said...

Todd Bentley filed for a separation from his wife and there are staff members who say he had been unfaithful for a long time. And not with a woman but with a man. He is a self-proclaimed "prophet" just like you are a self-proclaimed "prophet." You boasted and glorified Bentley's disturbing "revival". Lakeland was a sham all along. Every time I have seen Bentley I see a very evil and dangerous man. How you consider him a "good man" makes one think you really need to look into your soul and question how you could ever think you are a chosen "prophet". We are all God's prophets and you are no more a prophet than the man who works down the street. Humility and a gentle spirit is what you should pray for. Please remember this very important statement.... 'You judge one's character by the company you keep.'

Gene said...

Anon,

I don't believe it and God isn't happy about talebearing and Gossip. Particularly about his people.

You are treading on dangerous ground.

My prophetic calling if you believe it or not is of no account to me. I know who I am and who's I am.

And to your statement: You judge one's character by the company you keep.'

I guess that's why the Pharisees were so hard on Jesus. He hung out with Prostitutes, tax collectors and drunkards.
They judged him by the Company he kept.

What does that make you?

Anonymous said...

From the Board of Directors

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