How Do You See Yourself?

Once while attending a conference at a church in Florida, various slides were put up on the overhead screens including the one pictured here. I immediately thought of Proverbs 28:1, which says “...the righteous are bold as a lion.” Another verse in Proverbs (chapter 23 verse 7) says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

How do you see yourself? Do you picture yourself as “more than a conqueror” (Romans 8:37) or like a grasshopper as the Israelites did outside the Promised Land? Too many Christians think of themselves as the latter. That’s why they don't receive all the blessings God has.for them.

Recently I saw a Facebook meme comparing one well-known TV pastor to the Apostle Paul calling himself “wretched” as if it’s wrong for Christians to make positive declarations over themselves. Joel 3:10 commands, “Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” Paul’s comment in Romans chapter 7 needs to be read in context. The apostle wrote about his fleshly struggles but then mentions the solution: “Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (verses 24-25). He goes on to say in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Putting yourself down is not being humble. It degrades what God created you to be. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” I heard one minister define humility as “knowing who you are in Christ…and knowing who you are without Christ.”

So the next time you look in the mirror, don’t recite that “Wayne’s World” mantra, “We’re not worthy.” See yourself as the Lord sees you…as a winner!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13

Believing the Best

A few weeks ago, reports surfaced of immoral behavior involving Canadian-born evangelist Todd Bentley. Three of his former associates who I’m friends with on Facebook issued public warnings about him. Todd has denied most of these accusations. Meanwhile, a tribunal has been set up to investigate the charges. At the time of this writing, I’ve not heard of any legal action taken against Todd. 

Unless he is proven guilty, I’m choosing to believe the best about Todd Bentley (1 Corinthians 13:7). It was around 2002 when I started hearing about him. His name stood out to me because I had a junior high classmate also named Todd Bentley. 

The first time I heard evangelist Todd Bentley minister was at The River at Tampa Bay church in 2004. He wasn’t the scheduled speaker but Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne invited him to come up to the pulpit for a few minutes. Because he’s from Canada, I was surprised to hear Todd preach like an American Pentecostal.

Over the next two years, I listened to more messages by Todd Bentley. Cuts from his albums “Soaking in the Secret Place” and “Marinating” were played on my Internet station Signs & Wonders Radio. I also read his testimony book “Journey Into the Miraculous.” Admittedly, I was somewhat jealous of Todd’s rapid progression in ministry but respected his spiritual hunger and passion for the lost.

In 2007, I attended a Todd Bentley conference in London, Ontario. One night in a prayer line, Todd laid hands on me without looking me in the eye. I thought that was odd. Another time, I stood by his book table while he was talking with someone. I hoped to at least say “hello” to him but that didn’t happen.

A year later, a series of Todd Bentley meetings in Lakeland, Florida quickly erupted into a revival that lasted several months. I went there for a few days in May. During my first night at the revival, Todd offered to pray for all the missionaries. Just before I reached the platform, Todd sent his associates to pray for the rest of us waiting in line. That caused me to question if God didn’t want me having contact with Todd. Nevertheless, he laid hands on me again at an anointing service three nights later. We also became friends on Facebook.

Throughout the summer of 2008, I watched more revival meetings on GodTV. I appreciated what God was doing through Todd Bentley but perceived not everything was okay in Lakeland. The revival soon cooled off when Todd’s marriage problems became public knowledge. Since I had gone through a divorce that year, I could relate to the flak Todd experienced. It’s sad when Christians judge others without knowing all the facts.

In 2009, I watched videos of Todd Bentley going through a restoration process with Rick Joyner of MorningStar Ministries. In one of them, Todd’s new wife Jessa explained how they came together while Todd was getting a divorce. Jessa clarified that no adultery occurred but got too emotionally involved with Todd before his divorce was finalized. It was also revealed Todd and his first wife Shonnah had marital difficulties before Jessa came into the picture.

In February 2010, the Lord led me to Charlotte, North Carolina to attend meetings at MorningStar. By this time Rick released Todd Bentley to do public ministry again. Just before one evening service, I got to meet with the Bentleys for a couple of minutes. Todd prayed a blessing over my ministry without me asking him to. Since a brief return to MorningStar later that year, I haven’t attended any of Todd’s meetings but often read his Facebook posts.

In response to the recent allegations, many Todd Bentley meetings were canceled and partners have withdrawn their support. A few Christians insist he should no longer be behind the pulpit. I disagree as long as Todd has repented of all wrongdoing. Romans 11:29 says, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Televangelist Jim Bakker had a moral failure and was divorced by his wife Tammy while behind bars. God still brought him back into ministry. Jim didn’t even want to go on TV again but was led to start a program he now hosts with his current wife Lori.

Friends of mine in Massachusetts are hosting a Todd Bentley meeting in their home next weekend. I pray that heaven’s purposes will be fulfilled there. No matter how many times someone may mess up, God will use anyone who humbles himself and is repentant.

“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” - Proverbs 24:16

UPDATE: Dr. Michael L. Brown released two statements regarding a Leadership Panel that investigated Todd Bentley's recent actions. The statements were posted on Dr. Brown's Facebook pages in early January 2020. I encourage everyone interested in reading them to do so prayerfully.

Putting a Price on Ministry

One reason I maintain a post office box in Ashland, Virginia is because of frequently visiting a Christian campground there. Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle hosts meetings and conferences throughout the year without charging for food or lodging except during their biannual Women’s Conventions. For over 60 years, CPT’s needs have been met largely through offerings. That is truly a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

At other places, I’ve attended conferences where admission fees were charged. A few of those have been at Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (now known as Catch the Fire). The evening meetings were still free to the general public. TACF told the ones who paid the conference fee not to feel obligated to give during evening offerings unless the Lord led them to. TACF also gave people the option to work a few hours at the church if they didn’t have enough money to attend the day sessions.

Then there are ministries charging to attend their evening meetings as well and receive offerings on top of that. During one church meeting I went to, $10 was needed to get in the door (unless one paid $145 for the whole conference) for the purpose of “crowd control.” Then an offering was received to buy buses so this ministry could transport people attending their crusades in foreign countries. Some preachers are called to minister more overseas. Yet there are (believe it or not) Americans who need a fresh touch from God but cannot afford a $10 admission.

Ministers certainly should be paid. 1 Timothy 5:18 says, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” It’s also important to count the cost (and pray) before holding a conference at a hotel or arena. A fellow evangelist I know often says, “If it’s God’s will, it’s His bill.” But how many ministers really trust God as their source? Didn’t Jesus command us in Matthew 10:8, “Freely you have received, freely give”? Kenneth and Gloria Copeland regularly host Believers’ Conventions in secular venues without charging any registration fees and seem to have no problem meeting the budget.

Now I do believe it’s appropriate for Christian groups, singers, and comedians to charge admission for concerts that are more for entertainment purposes than ministry. Then again, I attended one Carman concert where no admission was charged but an offering was received to help cover expenses.

God loves the poor and is against those who show favoritism to the rich (see James 2:1-9). Therefore, I want to challenge ministers who depend on conference fees to step out in faith and eliminate them…at least for conferences held in churches. God’s gifts of salvation, healing, and miracles should be available to all: rich and poor.

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” - Isaiah 55:1

Cowboy Controversy

Charles Spurgeon once said, “A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats.” This statement has been quoted when Christian critics see something going on in church they deem “worldly.” Recently a women’s conference at Hillsong NYC featured people on stage dressed as various characters including “The Naked Cowboy”, a popular Times Square street performer who wears only boots, a cowboy hat and briefs strategically covered by his guitar. The cowboy at Hillsong was portrayed by its youth pastor Diego Simila.

Over the years Hillsong Church has been a frequent target of heresy hunters. Therefore, I wasn’t quick to pass judgment on them but hoped to see an official statement explaining what happened. That eventually came from Hillsong founder Brian Houston. As I suspected, it was a lapse of judgment by the conference organizer. Houston pointed out, “He [Diego] was wearing proper shorts, not underwear, and he had a flag draped over him – perhaps inappropriate, but certainly not naked...It won't happen again.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Brown wrote an article expressing his concerns about the controversy. One thing that caught my attention was a response from a woman who attended the conference. Amber Grace commented, “…And what this post does not mention is the hundreds of women who heard the gospel and surrendered their lives to Christ for the first time. Or, the hundreds of children who were sponsored through Compassion International.” 

Thank God He still uses us in spite of poor decisions we might make.

Amber also talked about how at the conference the women were encouraged to pray for one another. She went on to say, “How are we ever going to beat the real enemy if we keep attempting to destroy our fellow workers? I applaud Hillsong. They reach the ones that others aren’t. You may not agree with their methods, but to the unchurched they have influence and that is our focus. Why don’t we unite against the enemy instead of each other? We don’t all have to agree on everything, but we can still spread love and share that there is one name by which people are saved…Jesus. We have a world to change together!”

It’s often said believers are to be “in the world but not of it.” Perhaps the leadership at Hillsong will use better discernment regarding what they do at future conferences. Their London church experienced a similar backlash after their pastor dressed up on stage as the womanizing movie character Austin Powers. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV) does say, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

Then again, the Apostle Paul also wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” Christians can be creative and have fun parodying contemporary culture without selecting suggestive characters to imitate. Three years ago I attended a special meeting honoring the pastor’s 70th birthday. Five of his associates dubbed themselves “Mac Dynasty” and sang birthday greetings mixed with riffs from ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” (the original “Duck Dynasty” theme song).

Whether you like Hillsong or not, let’s choose to believe the best about each other and focus on obeying the Great Commission.

“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” - Romans 14:4