Standard Answer 

1. Thank God for whatever He is doing.
2. Reject whatever Satan is doing.
3. Pray for the discernment to know the difference.
   

My Thoughts

I've spent some time reviewing videos and articles from many different viewpoints concerning the Lakeland revival. Lee Grady has some good thoughts that I would encourage you to read. Article One • Article Two

I'll answer your questions in this way. Whenever I minister around the world I encounter "residue" from previous ministers and ministries. This residue can be helpful or a hindrance depending on who was ministering. Most of the time the residue is a hindrance and I have to undo the damage before I can teach and minister with real effectiveness.

A good example was my trip to the Philippines last September. I have vivid memories of beginning to pray for people and nothing was happening. I sensed a real resistance when I laid hands on them even though, minutes before, they were very eager to be prayed for. I stopped, had everyone sit down, and I asked them to tell me what the problem was.

They told me that the last Americans to pray for them knocked them down and hurt some of them. (I wanted to cry.) The Philippino people are very kind so they allowed the Americans to keep praying for them but they were very reluctant to go through it again. It took me about ten minutes to reassure them that the Holy Spirit is gentle and there is no need to hurt or scare anyone. They relaxed and the ministry was very gentle and effective from then on.

This happens often.

In Mongolia the people are very sweet and have been scared by unwise evangelists. In Nigeria I remember praying for about two hundred people, one by one, and they were a little nervous. When they saw I wasn't going to go wild or push them they relaxed. In Cabo San Lucas the local pastor allowed me to preach and minister but I could tell he was nervous. He told me later he was so happy when I didn't push or scare the people.

This begs the question: Why does anyone think it's necessary to push, scare or purposely knock down God's children?

As anyone who ministers with me knows, no one has ever been hurt in any meeting I've ever preached or ministered in. People fall under the power of the Spirit in a very gentle fashion. I will not tolerate rudeness or anything that is not consistent with the nature and character of God. This doesn't mean that God isn't powerful: people get healed and delivered of demons all the time. There just isn't any need for anything to be rough.

Some tell me it's up to the personality of the one who's praying. I don't buy that argument either. We are to be "dead" and let the Spirit of Christ live and minister through us. Anything other than that is us and potentially the flesh.

As far as people barking, clucking and doing any number of silly things, I have a simple answer:  If it looks like a duck...

At this point you might say, "What do you know about powerful ministry? Where are the crowds following you?" Fair questions. Just come with me on my next trip overseas and you'll see for yourself what I'm talking about. Over the years I've prayed, one by one, for thousands and thousands of people. Many are healed and delivered, some very spectacularly. But, honestly, I'm just the one praying. It's Jesus that heals them and sets them free.

It's not about Pastor Chris and it's not about Todd Bentley. It's about Jesus. But, we represent Jesus. We are His ambassadors. How should an ambassador of Jesus Christ act?

I'd say we should act like Jesus Himself would act. 

Concerning “The Lakeland Revival”

The following is provided by the Foursquare president, Pastor Jack Hayford, as a response to the many inquiries that have been received regarding the "Lakeland Revival." This response is being sent with the confirmation of the board of directors of The Foursquare Church, including the executive team.

It is understandable that the reports of what may be a breakthrough of divine grace are raising questions regarding the veracity of the reports. Some ask what official stance the Foursquare movement will take toward this phenomenon.

First, by any standard of biblical wisdom, it is far too early to assert anything on any terms. Understandably, the reports of miracle blessing would cause rejoicing in anyone who believes that God does, indeed, work miracles in our time. But equally understandable are the questions raised by experienced pastoral leaders who have dealt with “revival” situations that have proven deceptive and that have ultimately deterred sincere souls from an understanding of God's Word and relationship with His Son.

Second, it has not been the practice of The Foursquare Church to draw conclusions hastily in such situations. Our own history as a movement is marked by miracle visitations, both in the United States and in many nations around the world where our ministry extends.  We have seen pure, wise, and trustworthy leaders scorned by cynics—at times, even scorned by church leaders who oppose miracles in our time on any terms.  That is one reason our general response is to be “slow to speak,” as the Bible instructs (James 1:19). It is for that same reason that we tend to position ourselves as Gamaliel did (Acts 5:34-41)—the rabbi whose influence is reported by the Apostle Paul as having shaped his own thinking in significant regards (Acts 22:3).

As president of our fellowship, and in conjunction with the elders serving on our board and the executives serving in our offices, I recommend that we all give ourselves to prayer for God’s grace upon us as a fellowship of churches.  We want to be available to His Spirit, instructed by His Word, open to His will, and humbly slow to pass judgment on things that are outside our purview.  We are not called to answer for any other ministry or its report; our responsibility is to seek to serve our flock, teach our people God’s Word and wisdom, and keep ourselves open to to the precious workings of His Spirit.

For the time being, our desire is to live in hope, believe for God’s best in our day, and counsel our leaders and our people to be filled with the Spirit of God. We ask the Spirit to give us humility in discernment and to guard our souls from being either gullible, doubt-prone, or resistant to whatever God may seek to do that proves Christ-exalting, Word-verifying, and enduring beyond sensation or mere excitement. With time, whatever is taking place in Lakeland and through activities issuing from its happenings will either verify or discredit the source of the manifestations.

We are in an hour of history, both nationally and internationally, that calls us to prayer and fasting.  Let us give ourselves to seeking God, and let us give place to His visitation in ways that please His heart, seek His glory, and honor His Son, our Savior, Healer, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, and Soon Coming King.

Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth.  Jesus said that He Himself was meek.  To be like Him we must walk as He walked: in meekness.

The dictionary defines meekness as being humbly patient or docile, even while under provocation from others.  My definition of meekness is having the power to do something and choosing not to use that power to do it.

For example, at one point the disciples wanted to rain fire down from heaven on some folks who weren't being helpful (Luke 9).  Jesus rebuked them.  Peter cut off a man's ear while trying to defend Jesus and Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Do you think I cannot call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?"  Jesus was meek, not weak.  He wasn't powerless; He chose not to use the power available to Him.

To mold us in meekness the Holy Spirit has a difficult task.  First, He has to teach us (and we have to believe) that we actually have power available to us by the Holy Spirit.  At the same time, even though great power is available to us, He has to teach us how to hear God and obey Him.  Jesus said that He only did what He saw the Father doing.  To use a simple illustration, just because you own a gun doesn't mean you use it any time you feel like it.  There are very specific uses of deadly force and a person must be disciplined enough to know when to exercise it.

The Spirit of God is the most powerful person on earth.  Through faith in Jesus Christ He lives in us.  Through faith in Jesus Christ our spirits are made one with the Spirit of God.  All power and authority has been given to the body of Jesus Christ to do as the God wills.  But, that is the key... as God wills.  In real time.

I encourage you to read everything in the New Testament concerning the power of God, given to the church, through His Holy Spirit.  As you read you'll come to these verses written by Paul:

"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings..."  Philippians 3:10

It seems everyone wants to know the power but not many want to fellowship in His sufferings.  You can't have one without the other.  The sufferings of Christ produce the compassion we must have, as He had, in order to care as God cares.  It is my contention that what we really lack is compassion, not power.  When we find the compassion of God we will find the power of God at work.  When we find this power at work we will walk in the true meekness of God.

Lies are so common today that the truth is seen as fiction and lies are seen as the truth.  Evil is called good and good is called evil.  Many don't even know, or care, that they're being lied to.  Do you?

Simply watch the video (6:54).  Feel free to comment:

Many of you use Skype. It has saved me hundreds of dollars in international phone calls. It allows me to call, text chat and even video conference with friends overseas for free. Imagine my surprise when I received an email from Skype informing me they’ve partnered with Oprah to bring her online new age teachings to Skype users. No matter what I do I can’t get away from O.

Last Sunday a woman in our church mentioned that my comments about Oprah’s book club selections have helped her share with others about the error in the books. I was ecstatic. Someone was not only listening, they were actually passing on the information to others! Now, before you think I’m overstating my exuberance let me assure you I’m not. Most teachers don’t teach just to hear themselves talk. The ultimate joy for a teacher is when those who are listening not only apply the information to their own lives but they pass it on to others as well.

Oprah must be overjoyed to have so many passing on her message. I just wish she was passing on what Jesus said instead of what the devil is saying.

There are really only two “voices” in the earth today: The Spirit of God and the spirit of this world. Jesus said His words were spirit and life and that the flesh counts for nothing. The spirit of this world appeals only to the flesh, never the regenerated spirit. Nothing the devil says has any meaning or significance to a Christian (unless it’s during a time of ministry and he’s betraying his presence). The body of Christ desperately needs discernment from the Holy Spirit to be able to separate the lies from the Truth.

God told Peter, James and John to listen to His Son. Since they were three of the original apostles we would do well to heed those same words. In fact, I’m going to virtually beg you to do what your Father in heaven told the apostles to do: Listen to Jesus!

Jesus told His disciples to be careful who they listen to. He said repeatedly: “He who has an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit is saying...”. He said over one hundred times in the Gospels, “You’ve heard it said, but I tell you the truth...”. He is the faithful witness who came from heaven to reveal God to us. We certainly don’t need someone from the earth trying to teach us about the One from heaven.

Please join with me in reading the only book that Jesus personally recommends: His Book. And, try to imagine His joy when you share it with others.

May God’s richest blessings be yours in abundance through Chris Jesus, our Lord!

Pastor Chris

No one lived a more fascinating life than Jesus.  He left eternity to enter this world. Even though He was the Word of God He clothed Himself with flesh and blood. As such He was subjected to cold, heat, hunger, thirst, temptation, sleeplessness, homelessness, anger, sadness, despair, pain, rejection by family and friends, etc. He was one of us, yet He never sinned like us.

He wasn't simply the definition of love, He was love. No one had ever loved like He loved. No one ever felt rejection as deeply as He did. The very creature He created despised and rejected Him. Yet He forgave them.

No one ever trusted as deeply as He trusted. No one ever dealt with such deep disappointment. But He always believed.

Jesus was authentic. He was real. He told us the truth. He was transparent. He never lied. He was light. He was life itself.

This is what I meant when I said contend for an authentic experience and relationship with Jesus Christ. Don't just learn about Him; walk with Him, talk with Him, listen to Him. As you do He will show you how to walk as He walked. He will show you how to protect others, endure with others, hope with others, and trust others. He will teach you how to be a compassionate, caring, healing person. He will teach you how to share the very heart of God in deed and in prophetic word. He will share His eyes, ears, mouth, hands and feet with you. You will feel what He feels, only limited by what your human frame can endure. And then He will give you power by His grace to endure even more.

His love for you will drive out all fear. He will teach you the blessings of suffering for your sake and you will sense His glory as you suffer for His sake. He will lead you into impossible situations only to do the impossible. You will see miracles because others need miracles.

He will give you power over Satan and you will manifest the rule and reign of God wherever your feet are at. You will learn how to sit with Him in the heavenlies, do victorious battle in the spirit, and walk with him in the earth.

Begin this journey with a realistic assessment of where you are right now. For those who don't know Him He came and shed His blood and died for you to offer you eternal life. He took your punishment. All He asks is that you accept His sacrifice for your sins, receive Him as your savior, and love God and others as He does.

For those who already know Him and are known by Him, resist the institutional Christ and walk with the incarnational Christ. He is the one described above. His is the power and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

Click here to view the report via Adobe Reader.

Right click the link above to download the report to your computer. 

Feel free to comment.

Pastor Chris 

The best way to summarize the "Everything Must Change" conference with Brian McLaren is to share some of his definitions with you.

When asked to define being born again he said the real meaning was having a "shift in consciousness", that it was a "new way of thinking".

He redefined the term "kingdom of God". He stated that Jesus used it as a political term, not a spiritual term. He said that if Jesus were here today He wouldn't say "kingdom of God", He would say "peace system", "God's love economy" or "eco-system of God".

The first conference session began with a short video by the Sierra Club. We were given an art book titled, "Nude Truths" and told to use it to help us meditate get the flow going so we could write. I'll explain further in the report.

Please check back in a couple of days to download the entire report. If you are a part of the emerging church I highly recommend you read it, compare what Brian is teaching to what Jesus taught and make up your own mind.

My wife fielded a call a few days ago and apparently one of my dear friends expressed concern about my attendance at this conference thinking that I might be influenced by what I hear or see. I am humbled by their concern for me, but that's exactly why I'm here: I want to be influenced (one way or the other) by hearing and seeing for myself what McClaren has to say. I came here to listen and, hopefully, to clearly discern what this movement is all about. I don't want to be part of the knee-jerk crowd who simply regurgitate what others write or say; I want to hear and see for myself so when I write or speak about it I do so from first-hand knowledge and not hearsay. And, even though God has given me abundant grace in the discernment department, I always approach this type of thing with a humble heart and totally trust the Holy Spirit to help me.

Second, even though sincere people can be sincerely wrong, quite often what they're trying to communicate is worth listening to in this sense; there is a reason why people are either interested or involved in any movement and we can get some insight just by paying attention to what they're saying. They may be off-base or even dead wrong, but something touched their hearts and I work hard to hear the heart behind the words, not just the words. I've learned a great deal by listening to people I don't agree with.

And, many times you'll win a person's trust just by listening to them. Then, if error is involved, the truth spoken in love may turn a person from that error. Many of us have been "one cog off" before and all we needed was a gentle (or not so gentle) course redirect by the Holy Spirit to get us back on course.

Before you all think I've gone soft or something, let's also put some straight talk on the table. Jesus warned us about false prophets and Paul, Peter and others repeated those warnings. There are some who purposefully introduce destructive heresies for their own gain. That's why we need discernment from the Holy Spirit. It's nice to give people the benefit of the doubt but some people are just simply poison to the body of Christ. We are told to have nothing to do with them.

Please continue to pray for Eric and me as we sincerely attempt to discern the heart, soul and truth of this movement. Blessings to all in Jesus! 

We live in a time where knowledge abounds but discernment is at an all time low. Knowledge can be gained in minutes but discernment takes diligence, time and testing. We are surrounded by "Christian" opinions, philosophy, ideas and editorials but where is the true wisdom in it all?

"Fast food" wisdom isn't wisdom at all. It's a facade and a trap. There's a big difference between a seeker of truth and a practitioner of The Truth.

By God's grace, born-again Christians have been given His Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth. The obvious point is that He's leading and we must choose to follow Him. This latest trend towards a "new way" into the presence of God tells me that people are not following Him at all but are far more interested in the latest fad theology that tickles their ears and stimulates their flesh.

The Bible is clear about the actual "new way" and it's a Person by the name of Jesus Christ. The Word describes Him as the "new and living way". He describes Himself as "the Way, the Truth and the Life." Why is this so hard to grasp? Why is this not sufficient?

This space does not allow me to fully develop the consistent human desire to elevate itself but the bottom line is that mankind is foolish and seeks to walk in it's own "light". It's as if the human heart is either bent on finding a guru or becoming one.

I want to encourage you to follow the narrowing path that Jesus spoke of and simply believe His testimony. Become childlike again, and at the same time be willing to be taught how to be mature and discerning when it comes to evil. Don't listen and speak as one who comes from "the earth". If you are born-again you are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. It's time to start acting like it.

Read the Word of God with only one thing in mind: You want to know Him better. Ask His Spirit to give you wisdom and revelation about who He is, not what He does. Ask Him to teach you His ways. As you go through your day, ask Him to give you His eyes, His ears and His thoughts. Ask to see things, hear things, and think things the way He does. You'll be amazed how things will become clear to you when you do this.