Thoughts on Todd Bentley Healings and Marriage

Greetings,
Peace and Love in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Well, I’m writing this because I’ve learned from my cousin Joey: one always has to examine both sides before one can come to an intelligent position. Incase you are not familiar with who Todd Bentley is and what he is going through; here is just a couple of sentences on him. Todd Bentley is a man of God who moved mightily in the glory and healing manifestation of God in order to see souls come to Christ. He was a primary figure recently involved in the Lakeland, FL outpouring. While there however, he fell into sin with another woman and his ministry came to a depressing halt. But, I just heard he is back in serving and is actually going through a restoration process under some well known leaders in the Body of Christ... And, he got remarried.
I am presenting my views and links to others’ as well. What prompted me to write this were the views and statements expressed by another Christian individual. Now, a lot of the things our Christian brother (from living in the way blog) says in bringing his arguments of what he sees going on with Todd (like his divorce and remarriage) are true, but I disagree with disrespecting him in the manner he does. I learned from Dr. Michael Brown not to call anyone a false prophet and to watch my tongue. Dr. Brown says something to the effect like, "If a person has the basic fundamental truths of the faith, they cannot be called a false prophet, because a false prophet would be preaching and encouraging the worship of a false god. I would rather say they are living in sin or teaching error, but that is not the same as calling them a heretical (going against the fundamental beliefs of salvation) false prophet." Dr. Brown get’s this conclusion from Matthew 7:15 where it says false prophets are wolves in sheep clothing. In other words, they pretend to be followers of The Way yet they are purposely trying to lead people away from Jesus (A lot more scriptures on false prophets here: http://www.forgottenword.org/scriptures.html ). I suggest going back and listening to Dr. Brown's radio shows 9/17/09-"The Godly Use of the Tongue" and 9/21/09-"Apostles, Prophets, and Spiritual Gifts for Today?" at http://lineoffireradio.askdrbrown.org/ or go to www.askdrbrown.org and click on Line of Fire Radio.

Here is the strongest opinion I found on this matter. The brother writes on a blog called Living in The Way.
http://blog.thewaycf.com/2009/03/todd-bentley-is-back-re-married-begging.html
So, the guy is calling Todd a false prophet
Here is a detail of a specific reason why the brother thinks Todd is a false Prophet or using non-godly sources: http://blog.thewaycf.com/2008/07/todd-bentley-emma-is-back-or-is-he-her.html

Now this is Todd Bentley's own website: http://www.freshfireusa.com/
Well, here we have Todd and Rick Joyner going over some updates and answering questions about restoration.
http://www.freshfireusa.com/media/0,40

To be honest when I first heard of Todd serving the Lord again, I was thrilled. I honestly believe Todd is anointed by God to heal for His glory. I also believe Todd came to salvation in Jesus’ name and brought many other people that same opportunity by the grace of God. My opinion on the matter of his divorce and remarriage is that I do believe he is in the wrong. My greatest fear is that he may cause other struggling brothers and sisters in Christ to divorce and marry someone else because they feel God will forgive them or that they married the wrong person. Here is what the Word of God says, Mark 10:6-9 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (See also Matthew 19:4-6)
And, Mark 10:11-12 [Jesus] answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”
More scriptures on divorce at: http://www.jimfeeney.org/divorceandremarriage.html

Now, is Todd moving in spirits that are not of God when he heals? I cannot say that, but let me show you a verse first. Mark 13: 21-23
“ And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”
So, why can I not say he is a false prophet, well the main thing is that Todd is still pointing to Jesus and not to himself. Also, Luke 11: 14-23 speaks about if a house is divided against itself it cannot fall. One cannot cast out demons by the lord of demons.

All I know now is that God is beginning a process in him and Philippians 1:6 says God will finish the good work He started. As for now, all we can do is pray, watch and see.

I brought this topic up with the hopes of having some healthful discussions that’ll cause us to grow and not fall into error. Please feel free to hit me back with your thoughts on this matter.

As for now, may the Lord Bless you and Keep you!

Rifqa's Testimony and Walid interviewed about her situation:

Rifqa Bary's Testimony Before the summer of 2009 (Before her father's death threats)


Michael Savage and Walid Shoebat on Rifqa Bary

MBB Conference in Dallas Update

Just confirmed, Student Discount for Christ For The Nations Institute(CFNI)counts as well!:


Hello Richard,

Thank you for contacting us. We at GFM are grateful for Gods desire on your heart for understanding Muslim’s and having a heart to minister to them. Yes the conference gives a discounted rate to CFNI students just like you.

We hope you will be able to attend. This conference will be of great benefit for people such as you and others, infact you will be able to learn a lot directly from MBB’s (Muslim Background Believers) themselves.

We hope to see you at the conference, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.


FYI: Our new website for conference registration is www.MBBconference.org

Registration is NOW OPEN!!!!

Helping Muslims Follow Christ,


MBB Conference
www.MBBConference.org

_______________________

Gospel For Muslims, Inc.
P.O. Box 540294
Dallas , Texas 75354
Office: 214-217-9857
Email: Registration@MBBConference.org

Book Website: www.UnderstandMyMuslimPeople.com

This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. Gospel For Muslims, Inc. hereby claims all applicable privileges related to this information. @ 2009 Gospel For Muslims, Inc. p: 469-939-4388

From: Richard Valencia [mailto:richardvalencia05@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 11:58 PM
To: Registration@MBBConference.org
Subject: question about students



Hello,

Recently, God has opened doors for me to enter into dialogues with Muslims at their mosque once a week (ISAT - Center Mosque in Arl.). It is about three of us Christians reasoning with 3 to 10 Muslims on any given Friday. So, I am very excited to hear about you guys holding an MBB Conference here in Dallas ; I feel that I can learn a whole lot more and acquire very important friendships. My question now is, What qualifies as a student? is it only students of a school that is under you all or your church? Because, I am a student at Christ for the Nations, so will the discount count for me as well? Thanks in advance for looking at my question.
Love you all and i am so excited God is working through you all so mightily. Stay blessed in Jesus name!

Your fellow servant
Richard Valencia

What Prophit is it to a Man That He Gain the World and Lose His Soul

This is an amazing video - please watch the entire video and imagine you were being interviewed and you were answering these questions. Love u all, God bless!


Just an added bonus video by Paul Washer:

"Don't you have a Girl-Friend?" (long winded sorry)

People ask me this question, in many different ways, very often. When I reply in the negative, they usually have an amazed look on their faces causing me to bring forth my case.
Let me start by saying, for a large part of my life I often desired the perfect girl to be with. Out of all the girl-friends, or “flings” rather, I never could obtain her. Because of early exposure to bad media (I assume), my feelings were mingled with innocent romanticism to all-out sexual lust. However, I’m sure it was nothing short of the grace of God that allowed me to keep my purity throughout my lustful encounters with the opposite sex. When I finally committed my life to Jesus, in the spring of 2005, I quickly realized certain ideas and habits would have to be cut off (Matt 5:27-30). I admit, at first I did stumble a bit. The truth is I didn’t want to let go of certain passions. I still wanted that girl. As I meditated on certain events that happened or didn’t happen, I realized how God was preserving me. I knew it was God’s desire that I strive for purity, so I became determined to obey Him and run after my calling (1 Cor.7:17).
As I began my journey as a new-believer, I found many scriptures in the Bible that further established my understanding that sex would have to wait till marriage. These verses or passages include: Leviticus 18, Matthew 5:27-30, Acts 15:20, and I Corinthians 6: 9-20 (to name a few). Upon re-meditating on these scriptures, through a period of four years, I noticed a progression in the extent I would go to maintain abstinence from physical intimacy with a woman.
At first, I purposed in my heart not to have sexual intercourse until I got married, but I could still date, touch, and kiss a girl. However this still allowed room for inappropriate behavior that came very close to going all the way. So I made a pretty crazy vow to God that I would never kiss a woman until I was standing next to her at the altar and saying “I do.” I still thought dating or “talking” was permissible, but I put greater restrictions such as not holding hands, only side hugs (not too long either), and no inappropriate touching. But, I found when alone with a girl I was interested in, it became very hard for me not to feel a strong sexual attraction. Praise God I didn’t do anything, but nevertheless it was there! I now know if it wasn’t for God’s Providence to end such a relationship, I would have fallen. It wasn’t until recently that I knew I had to go even further in my restrictions in order to maintain purity.
As I wonder in awe at the glory of God, His sovereignty and grace, I have an increasing fear of dishonoring His name. Not only for the sake of my soul’s eternal destination, but just because if I mess up, I would be yet another statistical number on a long list of believers who did not take heed before they fell (1 Cor.10:12). And beyond that, how could I hurt the one who demonstrated the ultimate love towards a wretched individual as me (Rom5:8). As I look back a few months ago, I recall making a drastic decision to not be distracted. No, it’s not celibacy, but it is just a step lower I would say. I take a big part of what I do or don’t do from a key passage in Matthew 5. In verses 27-30 Jesus says if a man were to look upon a woman to lust after her, he already committed adultery with her in his heart. He goes on to say that if your right eye or arm causes you to sin pluck it out or cut it off! Of course, He means this figuratively, but He says it like this to stress the seriousness of His message. I had to examine myself to see what was causing these strong desires of physical intimacy that continued to plague my mind. In Matthew 6:22, Jesus says that the eyes are the lamp of my body and if my eye is good, then my body will be full of light. So, a couple of years back, I put two and two together and realized, “Man I got to change what I watch.” So, I decided not to watch any more R rated movies that are harmful for my soul. And I will guard my eyes while I am on the computer. Okay, this is a way of “plucking out” my eyes, but I also I had to make another choice.
The choice I made recently (April 09) was that I would not date a girl, including “talking,” until I know for sure its God will. Am I saying dating for everybody is wrong? No, that is not what I mean. Realistically, we all have our different temptations and we have to go about overcoming them in the most practical and effective way possible. “Cutting off my hand” by not dating would be avoiding the temptation altogether. I am terrified to death in living an un-meaningful life that will lead to separation from a loving God! So, I pray daily “God by any means necessary do not let me fall away from you!” James 4:14 is quite clear tomorrow isn’t promised, so we cannot afford to make a mistake. “Just one time” can be a matter of life and death.
Paul Washer once said of John Piper, a man he highly esteems, “If I were to see him walking through those doors in the back, I would turn the other way to try and avoid him.” Paul did not say this because he disliked Piper, it was because he did not want to force a meeting that was out of God’s will. He goes on to say if God really wants them to meet, He would do it in a way Paul Washer would not be able to avoid and know its God’s will. Now I say the same thing, not of a ministry leader I admire, although I have quite a few of them, but of a woman I desire as a girl friend. I do not want to be in a situation that will lead up to an unbeneficial but permissible period in my life (a waste of time!). I say the following with humility, knowing I cannot do anything righteous of myself, but I can only accomplish this by abiding in Christ (John 15), If God wants me to get married, then I do not want to force an encounter with my future wife, but by His grace I will allow Him to let it fall into place. So, for now I will continue waiting. I’ve been single a few years now and I heard of people being single for decades (I hope that’s not me), so I know it’s not impossible. I’m just going to focus on Him and avoid a relationship that will not glorify God. Now those are my thoughts on dating, if you disagree or have a clarification request, feel free to comment and I’ll be happy to converse with you online. If you agree, please comment as well. If you made it this far in reading, I love you and God bless!

Sincerely Your servant,
Richard Valencia

"So, What's the Big Deal about Jesus Anyway? "

Well watch these videos and maybe you'll get the picture:

Overcoming Lust (Thoughts and Videos)

Lust is one of the biggest problems plaguing our young people and adults alike within our nation. Jesus says in Matthew 5,

27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

This is because Lust is exactly the thing that leads someone into a vicious self-destructing cycle of sexual immorality. With teen pregnancy (and many leading to abortions), "sex-ting," STD's and unwanted addictions at an all-time high, there needs to be a change in our own Christian life-styles. The reason being, we may be the only physical representation of Jesus many people see. Jesus says in Matthew 5,

13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Watch these videos and apply the teaching, so people can really see the Light of Christ in us and WANT what we have. Time is short and Jesus will return. Will He be pleased with us?

Are You Living For Something Worth Dying For?

Watch this video and ask yourself, "Am i really living a meaningful life?"
Marty's Prayer:
Part1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95QKvkw4Hb8
Part2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18CtD1A2iHI

It is not too late to give everything to God. He is all that matters. Jesus can take you and make you completely new when you decide to give Him everything. Just go to Him as you are... This rap song by Lecrae is a great Fire starter:


For great resources go to:
www.AskDrBrown.org
http://www.relevantrevolution.com/download.html

Feel free to hit me up with any questions. I'm here for you! Love you and be blessed in Jesus name.

Foolish To Men (Real Success)

When most people hear the word successful, they usually envision great men and women who have gained riches or titles as they lived their lives. Men and women who have written books, opened shops, received many degrees, have set their names in the history books, and have acquired great wealth to be seated next to the rich and famous. This is not an attack on what one may perceive or believe success to be. However, this is an attempt to reveal the account of what success really is for one who reads the Bible and the words of Jesus the messiah and holds them to be true.

Isaiah was a man who lived not for the desires of the flesh, but lived in intersession for the people of Israel so they would not be condemned to Hell because of their belief of what success and glory were. He was ostracized and martyred for his efforts to do this. Yet he saw the glory of God and even spoke with God, and when he died, he without a doubt, entered into heaven to be with his heavenly father. John the Baptist, also a radical for God, lived in the desert, wore clothes made of camel hair that probably stunk a mile away, and ate locusts! He preached the words of God and was killed. He also, without a doubt, pleased the Lord and was awarded for it. Paul, an apostle of God, lived as one of the first missionaries and traveled in storms, was mobbed and left for dead, was ship-wrecked and much, much more in order to reach those who would perish without the truth of God's love. He was murdered for being sold-out for God and died a friend of God. Men and women like these, which the Bible is filled with in every single book, were all successful.

Success is not just about material accomplishments and name recognition. The Bible is quick to make that clear here, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mathew 16:26). Success is giving up life as we know it; our selfishness, greed, ambition, and pride. Success is dying to oneself so that God can be in control; faceless and nameless. A man who lays down his life as an offering to God in obedience is a successful man. This type of talk may sound foolish to most, however the Bible says, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:27). How will it be put to shame? When it is all said and done in the end, and one is standing in the presence of the Almighty, what will one reply when He says, "What did you do for me?"

In the end, success is not about having a the new Phantom, being an entrepreneur, having one's name in the history books, owning a yacht in the Caribbean, but success is pleasing God by loving Him with all one's heart and walking it out. It is not all boring either. If one is truly yielded to God, one cannot be a zombie or not have pleasure. The coolest thing about being completely sold-out for God is the fact that, "In Your presence [is] fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). Once one makes the transition to that New Jerusalem, it will all be worth it knowing that one gave his all for the Glory of God. At that moment one will know what success truly is.

Sincerely Yours
Richard Valencia

Links That Have Helped Shape My Christian Walk!

Links (these I have listened to, viewed, or read for knowledge and to be set on fire for the Glory of God. You will have to search through them to find mp3’s or other things that will inspire you. I know you will not go over all of them right away, but just bookmark/favorite them so you can reference or look over them later. One more thing :) you can always ask me for something in particular like music or preaching and I’ll get it for you or point it your way):

http://wayofthemaster.com/ (biblical evangelism-gospel message)

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/ and/or http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/shows/cwn/ (news with Christian perspectives)

http://www.relevantrevolution.com/download.html (short mp3 sermons with music)

http://www.godsgenerals.com/ (Christian historical figures that changed nations)

http://askdrbrown.org/ (amazing man of God with a lot of good resources and podcast)

http://www.icr.org/ (creation institute with a lot of resources)

http://freehovind.com/index or http://www.drdino.com/ (videos- scientific and Biblical creation teaching)

http://www.illbehonest.com/ (videos-short sermons with music)

http://www.sermonindex.net/ (essential sermons)

http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable.aspx (wonderful apologetic dialogues between believers and non-believers -podcast)

http://creationmoments.com/ (2min sound-bites of creation)

http://www.persecution.com/ (today’s Christian persecution and martyrs)

http://www.carm.org/ (Intelligent Christian apologetics to defend the Bible and Christian faith)

http://ihop.org/ (amazing prayer organization)

http://www.biblegateway.com/ (online Bible)

http://answering-islam.org/index.html (mainly to be used against Muslims; however it contains a lot of arguments that can be used against other religions that come against Christianity)

http://sermonjams.ning.com/ (short mp3 sermons with music)

http://www.deliverancebiblechurch.com/ (amazing man of God with great resources and podcast)

http://historymakers.info/ (inspiring for missions-very excellent links and videos)