John Lindell

What a great day the Lord gave us at ILA! Our goal was to share the Gospel and, to that end, we had 119 people come forward and make decisions for Christ! This year, the event was carried live on GodTV and there is no telling how many lives were touched by the broadcast. One man by the name of Lou from Buffalo, New York called the church on Sunday morning to say thank for airing ILA on GodTV. He had fallen away from the Lord and he and his wife were having problems. He watched the program and said he fell to his knees crying like a baby. He rededicated his life to Christ and is going back to church! He couldn’t say thank you enough.

Once again the Lord helped us with the weather. Two days before the event, the weather forecast was for 3-5 inches of rain on July 4th with a front predicted to stall over Springfield. The forecasters were not only calling for rain, but some had predicted we would be totally rained out. Instead we enjoyed partly sunny skies, temperatures around 78 degrees and a nice breeze from the north. When it was time for the fireworks the skies were totally clear. God demonstrated His power, the fact that He answers prayer, and people throughout the area are still talking about it!

In the weeks leading up to the ILA outreach there was a special grace that was evident in all of the preparations. While we have always enjoyed a supernatural unity at JRA, I cannot remember a time when there has been a greater sense of unity and purpose than we have experienced during these last several weeks.

My heart is filled with thanksgiving to the Lord as I think of the hundreds of volunteers who gave of their time and so effectively demonstrated the kindness and love of our God and Savior to those who came out for the celebration. Yesterday I received the following email regarding the love that was demonstrated by the JRA people who were serving at the event.

“We just wanted to express how much we appreciate the hard work and commitment that JRA puts forth in hosting the I Love America event. We had an absolutely fantastic time this year. The fireworks display was nothing like we have ever seen. The orchestra, choir, and musicians were wonderful. The smiling faces of people greeting everyone on the way in to the event was great, during the event the people who were asking if they could dispose of any of our trash were so kind. The people of JRA just shined. Only a love for the Lord can bring forth that type of service and commitment! Thanks again for the wonderful day!â€

It blows my mind after all we have just experienced to know that…

“The best is yet to come!â€

During the past several weeks I have heard a variety of rumors, opinions, and have received emails regarding the Lakeland Revival. I haven’t had the opportunity to attend the Lakeland Revival or to view it on television (although I have seen edited clips on YouTube which lack context and strike me as attempts to smear rather than objectively evaluate). At present, I am unaware of any evidence that a different gospel other than salvation through Jesus Christ is being preached.

Many are asking about the radical or unusual mannerisms of Todd Bentley. As a pastor I am not hesitant to speak out clearly on issues of doctrine but special caution should be exercised when it comes to unusual methodologies. In Mark 7 it was very unorthodox for Jesus to spit and heal a deaf & mute man. In 2 Kings 4 it was very unusual for Elijah to lie face down on a corpse and raise a dead boy. In the last century it was unorthodox for Smith Wigglesworth to pull a dead body from a casket, punch the corpse in the stomach three times and raise the man from the dead.

An interesting story appears in Mark 9:38-41. An individual was casting out demons in the name the Jesus but he was not following Jesus the way the apostles were following Jesus. John tried to stop the man but Jesus said, “Do not stop him…for the one who is not against us is for us.†(See also Luke 9:49-50).

Methodologies and styles can vary and frankly some make me uncomfortable. At the same time, there is a place for adopting the Apostle Paul’s attitude, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.†(Philippians 1:15-18). This I know to be true – when people seek the Lord with all their heart they will find Him; when people call on the name of the Lord they will be saved; and when people hunger and thirst for righteousness they will be filled. Wherever these things are happening God will be faithful to His Word.

The ultimate test of any “revival†is fruit. Is Christ being preached? Are people being genuinely saved? Are people conforming to the image of Christ? Is the kingdom of God advancing? Acts 5 records an interesting debate involving the Sanhedrin, the Apostles, and the people of Jerusalem. Many questioned the signs and miracles performed by the Apostles. Gamaliel stood up and spoke these words of wisdom “if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.†(Acts 5:38-39)

As in past revivals, time will tell the story of the Lakeland Revival. That which is of human origin will not last while that which is from God will endure.

Haven’t seen the movie…yet. Decided to read the book before I saw the movie. There’s an interesting dialogue:

So true…He already seems ginormous! Imagine a few years from now! Eternity…wow!

Don’t get me wrong there’s nothing like looking back over a day’s activities and realizing you got a lot done. But a rainy day, good book, afternoon nap & evening with my family makes for an incredible day off. It made me think of Genesis 2:3 where God rested, the Hebrew word is shaabat transliterated as “sabbathâ€. It’s an intermission…a break…we all need one.

I woke up thinking about her. Moms do a million things some might seem insignificant at the time. Every night a Bible story before bedtime; school years spent in the corner, on detention, and in the principal’s office she had to wonder if it had an effect. It did…I love you Mom!