Florida Healing Outpouring with Todd Bentley: 3

Tonight, 5-29-08, I was back in the Xtreme Encounters Overflow Room watching Todd Bentley do his thing. He was having faith for canceled surgeries. I fully believe that Todd heard this from the Lord, but it will also lead to some very real documented healings. There where a few canes given to him, a brace and lots of people saying “I couldn’t do this, and now I can” moments, but there seemed to be a focus on things to come. This should make the next few days very interesting.
Something that was really wonderful to watch was Todd blessing pastors. This was not the normal “take the fire home” kind of blessings, as these happen every night, this was a call to those who were about to through in the towel. These were pastors who where ready to close shop, give up the ministry, do to illness in their lives. These were pastors who need a miracle.
Todd’s desire to contend for these leaders was amazing. He prayed harder than I have seen him pray in at least a week. Just listening to him, I could tell that he had a desire to see these people restored. There was no pride in “look what God just did in Lakeland,” there was only a plea for the Kingdom not to loss these faithful leaders. This attitude just flows from Todd Bentley and is always refreshing to see.
Something happened during the night that surprised me, though. He began to give his testimony, again, when he went to part that I had never heard before. He said what he first asked of God was His presence and that everything else he does in ministry flows from this. Todd has regularly stated that he spends 4 hours a day, in the presence of the Lord, preparing for each night’s meeting. So it should not surprise anyone, including me, that he has said this, but what surprised me was this was the first thing he asked for.
I know there are several people out there who are asking for other’s mantels. I have been around a few as they did this, but I wonder how many of them are seeking the Holy Presence and letting everything flow out of it? I have been near people who are “contending” for a city, or for revival, or even for a healing ministry. Should we though?
Why do we ask for A.A. Allen’s and Finney’s mantels, to be able to touch the world like C.S. Lewis, or even for those gifts the living have; like that of Joan McFatten, Benny Hinn or Todd Bentley. I don’t think it is wrong to seek these and I even believe God gives them out, but I wonder how many people seeking them have much of the Presence in their lives. I know I have to little of it (Outside of meetings, where Holy Spirit always seems to show up, either in an XE meeting or watching God TV) to begin to think I could carry such a gift. I know some people who are asking are walking in a place of continual presence, I bless them and their request; but, I think, there are some who need to put first things first and pursue the Presence of the Lord.
I appreciate the fact that Todd said this, because it is a confirmation that I am on the “right track” with decisions that I have made. The biggest is devoting more time to my relationship with God, and less time to God TV. The second is not being stressed about if the signs are following, because I know that as I get more Jesus, there will be a steady increase in the wonders around me. The last thing is, I am not ready for a mantel (any mantel) and thus need to seek more of the Lord.

We Have Soaked,” Now What?” : 2

My last blog asked, “Now what?” The short answer we came to is we most go out. There is no hope of revival in a small group unless we draw people in. There is no hope of a “new evangelistic wave” if we do not reach the lost. There is a difference in the two, but both will only come to Xtreme Encounters with us going out.
How should we do this? Well the number one thing is make sure we bring the glory with us. The “open heaven” over Lakeland is producing the large number of salvations everyday. How can we produce similar results in Albuquerque? Worship seems to be a huge key. I have proposed that corporate worship is a key, but that personal worship is a bigger key.
We will go out in groups to witness, but we must also be bold and do it one on one. We must step out of our box and talk to our cashier or the lady needing help reaching something up top. We must talk to the young couple eating dinner next to us in the dinner. Or, as I have started to do, make ourselves available in place where people come often. But, none of this will do any good, if the glory doesn’t go with us.
Feeling that worship is a key to this, I have rededicated myself to my personal worship. I have begun to contend for the ABQ Outpouring by spending 2 hours a day on my face before the Lord. I am continuing to walk the local park, praying and laying the ground work there for an open heaven. I continue to receive form Todd Bentley and the Florida Outpouring.
I am able to devote a lot of time to doing these things, because I have not yet been blessed with a job. Even without a job, I still have several obligations. I take care of my son, it is taking him to and from school (and all day, now that summer break has started). I keep house, and I have been helping some of the regulars at Xtreme Encounters work through some things. With these things and a nightly 4 hours of glory has resulted in my devotional time falling short. My personal study has lacked.
As I looked at this, I began to think about my wife. She has a Monday – Friday 8-5 job (which makes my life style possible). I began to worry about her spiritual life. My wonderful wife has a call to lead worship. She has been trained as a pianist and has a wonderful voice. She was just beginning to really reach into that call when God TV began their nightly broadcast. Then life went on hold. We watched for three weeks without one night off.
We need to connect with what is happening in Lakeland. I am grateful to God TV for the broadcast (and have sowed into them every chance I get… please, if you are blessed through God TV give to them, if you are blessed through a web cast, bless them that bring this food to you), but I must lead my family into a healthy relationship with the lord.
So, what next? That is the question. My family is now focusing on our relationship with the Lord. We are beginning to explore our forms of worship in our house. We are now pursuing our personal relationships with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit with renewed fever. We desire to see this break loose in our neighborhood, in our city and in our state. There does not seem to be enough hours in the day, to do it all.
Therefore, we will not soak Fresh Fire and Ignited Ministries every day. We are now going to soak it Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are going to Xtreme Encounters’ weekly service (Saturdays @ 2pm… interested leave a comment and let me know) and hanging out with Todd Bentley and crew that night as well. We are going to be sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit and if we feel a need to be there on an “off night”, we will be there.
Life went on hold to receive impartations from those who are giving it in Lakeland. It is now time to take that out and do locally what must be done for that to happen. There is much good still to come from the Lakeland Outpouring, many people (even those close to me) still need to receive from this. There are many who have yet to experience the Glory that flows from the pool that is found in Florida. I bless Fresh Fire and Ignited Ministries for all they do, and will continue to stand in support of their call with prayers and finances. But, it is now time to see it here in Albuquerque and I will do all I can to reach it. Every night has been time well spent; I am grateful for the blessing and opportunity to do it, but it is time to scale back, make room and time for my local obligations and take the anointing out.