I've put off posting this blog for a couple of reasons.
First, I'm a revival guy. I love the power of God. I love to see people healed miraculously, and I have seen it. I love when the prophetic word is given by a person with a true prophetic gift, and I have seen it. I love it when God moves on someones life, and they are changed from the inside out, saved, delivered from addictions, brought from darkness into God's light, and I've seen it. I love it when you're in a church full of worshippers and the power of God falls and people respond in all sorts of ways, but you just know it's God, and trust me, I've seen it.
Maybe you're starting to get the point. I am not some guy who is opposed to the moving of The Holy Spirit in power. Sometimes that can look messy, and sometimes out of control, but you know what? I've seen it, and I've got to make a confession, I LOVE IT, WITHOUT APOLOGY!
So, what I'm about to say is not coming from a person who isn't unashamedly pentecostal/Charismatic. I believe in the power of God, and I follow hard after the God of Signs, wonders, power and miracles. Notice that I said I follow God, not the signs.
Secondly, I realize that many who may read this blog in my "circle" may not have been raised pentecostal, as I have. They may not necessarily pay attention to all the "prophetic" people, and all the "revivalists" that are currently gaining much notoriety in the pentecostal/Charismatic world. To be honest, I'm not really interested in sparking an interest in them or you to chase after some of the nonsense that I will be discussing here.
So, why am I posting this blog then? Being a pastor is not a joke to me. It's not an attempt to find an "easy" job. The old joke you know, being a pastor you only really have to work on sundays, and wednesdays. Sometimes people think they know, but they have no idea how it can weigh on you to really ponder the fact that somebody's eternal destination may depend on your teaching and your council. Lives can be built up or tore down because of what you say. Whether people walk in the truth of The Bible or in some false teaching that can wreck peoples lives. Oh and by the way, I've seen that to. Am I being overdramatic. You may think so, but I don't. The people that attend my church and are influenced by the ministry God has placed me in matter to me more than they could begin to understand.
GET TO THE POINT ALREADY TOM!!! RIGHT?
Alright, here it goes. As I said earlier, I'm a pentecostal, and I love the supernatural work of God, but there has to be a time when those who really stand for the truth of the Bible stand up and say enough is enough. We have prominent people, people that are being covered by major news outlets that are "leaders" and "apostles" and "prophets" who are shaming the name of God. I can put up with a lot when it comes to peoples personal little quirks. Just because a person doesn't look like me, or preach like me, or act like me doesn't mean they are not being used of God. If that were the case then I might be in trouble, because I'm not a suit and tie guy. I'm not a a scream it and shout it pentecostal, I wear jeans and sometimes a (gasp) t-shirt. So, some may consider me the weirdo. However, when you start teaching things like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKA_X1zxOQc&feature. Uhhh. hmmm. I think I'll stick with Jesus. We need to believe in the angel and not Jesus. Hmmm NO! I'm not trying to flame Todd Bentley here. I'm worried about Him. This is just one instance when he has said and taught things that are completely 180 degrees from what the Bible says.
In recent days I have read about other ministers that are gaining notoriety. In their "services" they do such wonderful things as "smoke some Jehovawana." Nice huh? Oh wait, how about this one, they like to "toke the Ghost" referring to the Holy Ghost. Wait it gets better(or worse) They also like to do shots of "Godka" and "smoke the baby Jesus." That one even comes complete with a little "Baby Jesus" doll that you put in your mouth and take a "hit" of. Now, if I were to tell you who follow revival movements and such you probably wouldn't recognize these guys names, and I dread talking about it here, because I don't want you to look for it yourself, even just for curiosity. The problem is that there are some very respected leaders. People, who to be quite honest with you, I've looked up to for a long time. Again, I'm not trying to tear anybody down here, some of the leaders I've respected for a long time. However, they are letting these people who are outright BLASPHEMING MY GOD to come and minister to their people. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!
It's time for the shepherds in the body of Christ to stand up and oppose this garbage. Too many Spirit-filled leaders are afraid to say anything because they don't want to be seen as opposing a move of God. There may be some people who are opposing the move of God, but it is not you. Someone has to stand up and teach truth, or do you know the truth. It's scary to say that there are pastors who look at this stuff and think it is good. Why? Either they are weak or they don't know the Bible well enough to be teaching it. Maybe they just want the notoriety of being one of the big dogs and they would sacrifice their integrity as ministers to get it. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I'm quite sure that none of those I'm speaking of will read this, but just in case, GET IT TOGETHER!!!! You're standing by and allowing the body of Christ to be corrupted with this trash and you will be held accountable. When the money is gone, and the crowds are gone, you will stand before God and have to explain why you allowed this on your watch.
It's time for the believers in the body of Christ to get in the book. Don't mindlessly buy into what some "prophet" says just because he has a large platform or a big "ministry" Get in the Bible and learn it yourself. Wow, that was good. I think I'll say it again. GET IN THE BIBLE AND LEARN IT YOURSELF!!!!!!
In fact, that is my point. I'm not interested in attacking people, but I am interested in attacking lies. One time, I was working at a coffee shop(woo hoo go fast lane) :) There were some counterfit 20 dollar bills going around and a police officer that came through was telling me about it. He said the best way to tell if a bill is a counterfit is to study the genuine article. Study a real 20 dollar bill and know what it looks like, and then ANY counterfit that comes along will stand out to you.
There are many counterfit doctrines and teachers out there right now, and if you don't know The Bible(the genuine article) You won't know the counterfit. I challenge you to know what you believe. Don't be a mindless follower, but test what you are being taught and see if it lines up with that book that may be growing dusty on the shelf over there.
I'm sorry if this sounds angry, I'm not angry, I'm frustrated. I want to see the real deal. I want to see people saved like never before. I want to see more healings, more revivals, more power, MORE OF GOD MOVING IN OUR CHURCHES. Sadly, I think it is being hindered because the people of God are pursuing the "spirit"(Not sure which spirit sometimes) but not pursuing the truth. The truth of God's word. God moves through His word. He empowers through His word. We battle against evil with the power of God's word. But it's hard to fight with a weapon you don't know how to use. Everyone preaches that we need a "new thing" or a "new move of God" Maybe we should pay attention to what we've already been given before we go searching for something new. Then maybe we will see a "real" move of God. Maybe then we will really see a "new thing"
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Oh, and uhh, have a good day :) Tom
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