A Trip to "Gold Bar"

A dream...by Shaaron Coleman

I’d like to share a dream I had the other night:

Five of us were in a car, traveling to the Gold Bar (a small town in the foothills of Washington’s Cascade mountain range) to find my friend Susan, who works in Government. When we got to Gold Bar we found that it was not a small town, but rather a huge city, complete with enormous glass skyscrapers! We didn’t know Susan’s address, so we were relying on God to help us find her.

The Symbolism

FIVE speaks to me of the FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY as defined in Ephesians 4:11-13:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

FIVE is also the number of GRACE. Four represents the world, man’s weakness and helplessness and vanity. But four plus one is significant of Divine Strength added to and made perfect in weakness.

GOLD speaks of DEITY, and the GLORY OF GOD. A “Gold Bar” would be a very weighty and valuable treasure! Revelation 21:18 tells us the New Jerusalem is “pure gold, like clear glass.” Therefore, “Gold Bar” in the dream signifies the great City of God, and the Kingdom of Heaven. A "bar" is also a measure, or standard...thus we "raising the bar" to the "gold" standard of the Kingdom of Heaven.

SUSAN means LILY. Jesus is the Lily of the Valley, the humble and beautiful one…the object of our affection! Song of Solomon 2 says that the Bride of Christ is "Like a lily among thorns."

Isaiah 9:7 promises us that “Of the increase of His GOVERNMENT and PEACE there will be no end.”

An Eternal Perspective: We’re All on a Journey – And Nobody Has Arrived Yet!

I believe that in this dream God was reminding me to keep an eternal perspective on temporal situations. It boils down to this: The entire Body of Christ is quite simply on a pilgrimage to find Jesus and be more like Him. He can’t be found on a map…we don’t even know His address. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us! And what looks like a huge dip in the road to us may in reality be a pool to collect His blessing after the rains.

Psalm 84:5-7 says, “Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs, where pools of blessing collect after the rains! They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.”

Great Grace: Mercy Triumphs over Judgment

As I was pondering the great controversy currently swirling in the realm of Charismatic Christianity, I felt that God spoke this to me, “Mercy Triumphs over Judgment.” I couldn’t remember the context, so I had to look it up. It is found in James 2:8-13.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), Jesus told us that under the New Covenant murder is defined as hatred of a brother, and adultery is defined as looking at someone other than our spouse with sexual lust! I place a high value on integrity, and I’d never try to excuse away sin. But under the strict standards of the Kingdom of Heaven, are any of us really worthy to cast the first stone?

The One Who is Worthy to Rule

The whole message of the Gospel is mercy…Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it but to save it. He’s the Lamb of God who laid down his life to redeem you and me…although we are quite clearly a bunch of bozos!

Jesus, the Lily of the Valley, is our model. God is not looking for people who can spot the speck in the eye of another…that is quite easy for anyone! He is looking for people who will risk themselves…their reputation…their very life…to bring Heaven to earth.

Todd Bentley is being dealt with by fathers and mothers who have taken a risk to invest in his life. These are the ones who have the authority to bring godly correction.

As for the rest of us, our job is much simpler. We must just keep loving Jesus and praying, “Thy Kingdom COME!”

Sharon Coleman is part of the core team of FFRC/Bellingham.

Bill Johnson on Todd Bentley's Meltdown

This is a tough post. I've posted several updates from the revival in Lakeland Florida where Todd Bentley had been ministering. Recently Todd has stopped those meetings and stepped down from ministry.

I've been struggling how to respond to these announcements, and then I got this announcement from Bill Johnson's ministry. This strikes me as a very healthy response.

Aug '08

A great tragedy has come to light this past week. Todd Bentley, the revivalist who has been leading the Lakeland Outpouring meetings, has had a major meltdown and has filed for divorce. This comes at the worst possible time both for the revival and for those who have stood with him.

Back in June, Che Ahn , John Arnott, and I went to Lakeland, Florida, to do a commissioning service [see here] for Todd. We felt the need to stand with him. Opposition against him was great, and we could be a great strength to Todd in that time. John and Che especially could be a great asset as they had endured incredible opposition during the Toronto outpouring. Peter Wagner helped to oversee and lead that part of the meeting. Although he had not personally endorsed the revival, he felt it important enough to risk personal criticism from his peers to bring Todd into an apostolic alignment for his own safety.

I did not go to Lakeland and stand on the platform with Todd Bentley because he was perfect in character or because we agreed with every aspect of how he conducted the revival in Lakeland. I went to Lakeland because of his enemies. The relentless criticism and opposition, coupled with the grueling and sometimes unwise schedule, were bound to take their toll on this young man — emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. It happened two years ago, and it could happen again. It was my intention to bring a deflection into the mix so that he wouldn't take all the heat by himself. Little did I realize it was too late. He was at the place of burnout again, abandoning his marriage and pulling out of all public ministry. While I will never blame Todd's opponents for Todd's bad choices (Todd alone is responsible for them) their opposition had a greater effect than any of his critics will likely own up to in this lifetime.

Now what? Pray for Todd and Shonnah for complete healing in their marriage and personal lives. Pray for those giving counsel to them that they would use great wisdom.

Please know that while we may not give details of our efforts, we are doing everything possible to help bring healing and order to this tragedy.

Blessings!
Bill

Note: this is the latest response (as of this posting) on the subject of Todd Bentley. A more thorough conversation is found on Bill's blog.

Fresh Fire Board of Directors Announcement

August 15, 2008

From the Board of Directors

We wish to thank all of our friends and partners for the overwhelming flood of support and compassion we have received as a ministry on behalf of Todd and Shonnah Bentley. The many phone calls and emails of concern from people who genuinely love the Bentleys and Fresh Fire Ministries have been a great encouragement to all of us here during these past few days. In particular, the rallying of support and prayer for Todd and Shonnah by prominent leaders within the Body of Christ has been a beautiful indicator of the maturity and grace the Lord is bringing to his Bride.

We wish to acknowledge, however, that since our last statement from the Fresh Fire Board of Directors, we have discovered new information revealing that Todd Bentley has entered into an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff. In light of this new information and in consultation with his leaders and advisors, Todd Bentley has agreed to step down from his position on the Board of Directors and to refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his personal life.

On behalf of the Fresh Fire leadership and the Board of Directors we wish to apologize to our friends and partners and to the larger body of Christ and to ask for your forgiveness. We are truly sorry for the pain many of you must feel and so regret that in the midst of great revival, the enemy has found a way into our camp. To those who have stood by us, we wish to thank you for what in many cases has been years of support. Thank you for your financial giving towards the vision of this ministry, and thank you especially for your prayers. For those of our partners, friends and supporters who may be struggling with the recent disclosures and finding continued support of this ministry in conflict with either conscience or conviction, we release and bless you with all our hearts and trust that God will redeem in your hearts the good that He has accomplished in your lives through this ministry. It is our sincerest hope and prayer that the Lord bless you and bring you into your fullest destiny in Him.

When this ministry was initially birthed in May of 1998, Todd had but one simple desire in his heart – to see the world come to know Jesus. Now, only 10 years later, Fresh Fire Ministries has grown to become a Resource Center that is literally reaching out to all the corners of the Earth. There have been dozens of associate ministries, scores of interns and hundreds of graduates from the Supernatural Training Center. Over 60 nations have received a combined total of more than five million dollars in humanitarian aid and we have seen well over one million conversions for Jesus Christ.

And so, the question can well be asked... where do we go from here? It is true that we are deeply saddened by these recent events, but it hasn’t shaken our faith in either God or His goodness towards us and with the help of wise and compassionate leaders within the body, we will do everything within our power to see our brother and sister healed and restored.

As a ministry, we can not forsake the vision and heartbeat upon which Todd Bentley founded Fresh Fire Ministries which is simply this:

Matthew 10:7-8
And as you go, Preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

While Todd and Shonnah each go through the necessary steps towards restoration and wholeness, we are compelled, with the resources with which God has entrusted us, to continue to spread God’s love and power all over the world.

There are many noble activities and endeavors in which Fresh Fire Ministries is involved, initiated by Todd, and to which we are still committed. We have the Supernatural Training Centre, our school of ministry, already in it’s fourth full year and with more than 50 students already enrolled we’re believing for an amazing year of biblical instruction, practical application and encounters with the presence of God. Many mature and gifted speakers and associates, graduated interns and teachers filled brim-full with the DNA and fire of this ministry are ready to pour revelation and passion into the hungry hearts of this coming year’s student body.

We will continue to host conferences in our region with speakers and worship leaders from around the nation whose message and mandates resonate with the vision and heart of Fresh Fire Ministries. In addition, we are committed to supporting the growing “OutPourings” across North America and around the world with our Associates, with encouragement and prayer support. In Todd’s own words, “What God is doing is bigger than one man”, and we now have a golden opportunity as the Body of Christ to pick up the baton and to run with perseverance for His glory.

Our missions department is progressing, as previously mentioned, with our major African crusade. With close to 100 team members in attendance, excitement is beginning to build and team members have responded that they are still believing God for the most amazing missions trip ever! Our Uganda Jesus Village in Kampala is forging ahead with the recent acquisition of 35 acres of land 30 minutes drive from our present location. Two of the 15 homes planned for the property are nearing completion, and the expanded village, when finished, will house almost 150 orphans rescued from war torn northern Uganda.

So whether in our Children’s Home in Africa, in our Supernatural Training Centre in British Columbia, in the revival meetings and outpourings spreading around the globe, or in taking teams to minister compassion and practical assistance to the poor in the far corners of the Earth, we have been and still are committed to bringing love, hope and a demonstration of the saving, healing, delivering power of the Gospel to a world in need.

Thank you all once again for your prayers and support. We bless each and every one of you in whatever decision you must make. Please know that our heart in all of this is to see the name of the Lord vindicated, and we take great encouragement from Psalm 23 and the Lord’s promise that He will “lead us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Together we look to the mercy and wisdom of our loving Father and we remain as ever, your brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Fresh Fire Board of Directors

- Print Version of August 15th Letter -

Prayer Request from FFMI Board of Directors

Greetings Partners and Friends,

The last four months have been some of the most amazing months in the history of Fresh Fire Ministries. We have witnessed God pour out His Spirit in an unprecedented way in Florida and around the world in the first revival in history to be broadcasted live into literally millions of homes and churches across all five continents and into more than 200 countries. The "Outpourings" as they have come to be called are continuing now in many cities worldwide. These fiery hot coals of revival are sweeping through the Body of Christ, crossing geographical, political and denominational boundaries as the Holy Spirit brings the manifest presence of the glory of God back to His church with tangible demonstrations of his saving, healing, delivering power.

As a result, we as a ministry have experienced the blessing and the burden of exponential increases of activity and interest in our activities, functions and resources. Our website during the last few months has received as many as 6 million hits in one month and our office has struggled to cope with numberless phone calls and emails which have taxed our infrastructure and human resources almost to the breaking point. We so appreciate the patience and grace many of you have extended to us during this time, whether waiting for us to answer the phone or process your donation or product order. To overcome this challenge, we have hired more than a dozen new staff in our home base here in Abbotsford in addition to the many staff hired temporarily hired to help with the administration of the Outpouring in Lakeland, Florida.

The Lord's blessings and abundance have been so evident on the ministry during this season of intense activity and we rejoice in seeing and being able to participate in what we believe is only the beginning of a worldwide awakening. It is with considerable sadness then, that we must temper the jubilation we know you all feel with the sobering news that Todd and Shonnah Bentley are presently experiencing significant friction in their relationship and are currently separated. We want to affirm that there has been no sexual immorality on the part of either Todd or Shonnah, nor has there ever been. Undoubtedly the pressures and the burden of the Outpouring, which approaches 144 days on August 23rd, have helped to create an atmosphere of fatigue and stress that has exacerbated existing issues in their relationship. We wish to stress however, that the Outpouring is not "to blame" for the current chain of events and that in effect we have no interest in blaming anyone, but rather we deeply covet your prayers for Todd and Shonnah and for Fresh Fire Ministries during this time.

We know that many of you will have questions, for most of which we presently have no answers. We cannot see far down the path ahead of us, but we have quiet confidence in the One who sees the end from the beginning and promises to provide grace and strength for whatever lies ahead. We are hopeful that the outcome will include restoration, but we can make neither promise nor guarantee. We intend to take each day as it comes and look intently for the new mercies promised us each morning. We will watch and pray and ask each of you to do the same, knowing that you will pray as you are led by the Holy Spirit.

In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to participate in current Outpourings, whether the Florida Outpouring or one in your area and region, or to become one if there are none nearby. As a ministry, we continue to encourage and facilitate these growing Global Outpourings, providing Fresh Fire Associate ministries, resources, and input wherever needed.

We are still fully committed to our crusade in Uganda, Africa later this month, and though Todd will not be in attendance, our Fresh Fire Team and Associate Ministries will lead a team of almost one hundred people from around the world to share the love of God, the power of the gospel, and humanitarian aid with the people of Uganda. While there, we will also connect with the Uganda Jesus Village, the Fresh Fire Children's Home where we shelter and provide for over 60 orphans rescued from war and poverty only a few years ago. We're excited about seeing the recently purchased 35-acre property that will contain both a school and homes for the children and their "mamas." As we step inside the first home (being completed as we arrive) we will be stepping towards our dream of not only protecting and nurturing hundreds of orphans, but raising them up to become full-fledged ambassadors of Christ to the nation of Africa and beyond.

With all of this in mind, we ask each of you to continue to pray with us, both for Todd and Shonnah and for this ministry, as we continue to bring the saving, healing, and delivering power of God to a dry and thirsty world, desperate for an encounter with the endless love of the living God.

We thank you again for your many prayers and support and we truly believe the promise of the Lord that He will indeed work all things together for our good.

With our sincerest blessings and gratitude,

The Fresh Fire Ministries Board of Directors

Contact us:
P. 604 853 9041 ext. 246
F. 604 853 9077
E. ffmi@freshfire.ca
W. www.freshfire.ca

Mike Bickle responds to the Word over California

Mike responds to the word over California: PROPHETIC WORD FOR THE WEST COAST OF AMERICA:

Wendy - I read the word you spoke about judgment coming to California. I was very grateful for your clear trumpet sound. May the Lord raise up 1,000 more prophetic voices that sound forth with the kind of clarity that you wrote with. God’s judgment is truly coming to California. Prayer for mercy with genuine repentance is the ONLY way to minimize what is coming and to release the fullness of revival that God promises. You were a vessel of mercy to those who have ears to hear. You spoke in the fear of God. I thank you for not yielding to the man pleasing spirit that is silencing much of the Church today. I boldly stand with you in crying out to California to greater prayer and repentance to cut off God’s terrifying judgments. In the fear of God, MIKE BICKLE.

Mike Bickle is the leader of the International House of Prayer
Reported in a prayer thread on Francis Frangipane's website