Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Super Book!!! The best Christian Cartoon

I was so excited when I found clips from the cartoon my sister and I grew up on in Liberia! It's called Super Book, many of you might remember it. It was about a young boy and girl discovering a book, called the Bible in a room. When ever they open the book it will take them to different stories in the Bible. They also traveled with their robot friend, created by Chris' (the boy) father.
Because our mom owned a video club we were able to watch all the episodes of this incredible cartoon. The episodes I remembered were Adam and Eve, Job, Elisha, Samson and Noah. This series left an imprint on my sister and I. I thank my parents for showing us entertainment that had a purpose and meaning. It helped us to understand as young kids who was God and the messages in the Biblical stories. I really feel it set a foundation in us as young children. Here are a few clips, maybe it will bring back some memories!




Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Is there a difference between Holy Hip Hop and Hip Hop?

I was youtubing some ministry videos this past week and came across some interesting clips about Holy Hip Hop. Some of the clips are from Exministries' DVD "The Truth Behind Holy Hip Hop: The Trojan Horse."
So my question is, is there a difference between Holy Hip Hop and Hip Hop. Here are a few videos that expose the truth behind the music. I know that as Christians we are suppose to be separate from the world.

"But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself" Psalm 4:3

Here is a clip from the dvd that showcases an experiment to determine if there is a difference:

For me, clearly there is no difference and it's whack!!!!

AND MAY THE GOD OF PEACE HIMSELF SANCTIFY YOU THROUGH AND THROUGH, SEPARATE YOU FROM PROFANE THINGS, MAKE YOU PURE AND WHOLLY CONSECRATED TO GOD; AND MAY YOUR SPIRIT AND SOUL AND BODY BE PRESERVED SOUND AND COMPLETE AND FOUND BLAMELESS AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (THE MESSIAH)." I THES. 5.23 (AMP)

Here is a link to a clip of young people you listen to Hip Hop and are giving their opinion about Holy Hip Hop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ozu3WHqJS4
Here is a another clip from the movie that I really liked because this young lady is on fire!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyHvhT7sgqc

What do you think?
For more information on the dvd go to http://www.exministries.com/

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Testimonies, Part 1: Types of Testimonies

One definition of testimony is evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof. Therefore, there are many different types of testimonies. It is important to understand this point because your deliverance and overcoming of the desert depends on your type of testimony. We will look more into testimonies in the upcoming weeks, but let’s understand that there are different types of testimonies.

When the Israelites were delivered from the bondage they faced in Egypt, the Lord brought them into the desert. While they were in the desert (in this case, a physical place lacking in something, desolate and barren) the Lord made provisions for them. Despite there complaining He delivered them from their enemies, fed them, gave them water when they were thirsty and so on. Their testimony was based off of the first definition, the evidence in support of a fact or statement: proof. If this is the case then their proof should have been, The Lord is Good and His Mercy endures forever and the evidence would have been the manna, water from the rock, parting of the Red Sea etc. This was their testimony, some like Joshua and Caleb understood while other, who would subsequently die in the desert, could not comprehend. The purpose of this kind of testimony is to make a statement. A statement that says, this is my God who never fails. Even though I may come under attack, He is always there to deliver me. Isaiah 43: 2 states:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.


Think about what God has brought you through! Yes it was tough, the fire was hot, the waters came up but they neither burned you or overtook you! This is the kind of God we serves! He never said it would not be hard, but He did promise to be with us and to get us through. I think that many of us understand this type of testimony. This is the type of testimony that we usually hear in church. Let’s looks at another type of testimony.

When John the Baptist baptized Jesus, the scriptures say He (Jesus) was led by The Spirit into the desert/wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matt 4: 1-11 and Luke 4: 1-13). While Jesus was in the desert, He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and was tempted by the devil. When the devil tried to tempt Him, His answers were scripture. Jesus would answer first by saying, “It is written”. This type of testimony is based off the word of God! This testimony defeats the devil. This type of testimony serves notice to the devil that we know our God and His words and that they have power over principalities of the seen and unseen. In order to give this type of testimony, you must know the Word of God and use it to conquer demonic spirits, strongholds and the like.

A testimony can also be the understanding and declaration of a prophecy of things to come or who God says you are. In John 1: 19 -23 John the Baptist had a testimony of what the scriptures said about him. The Pharisees asked John who he was and he testified saying the following, “ I am, The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord” (so that the prophesy of Isaiah would be fulfilled). The same goes for us, we can testify that we are, “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13) and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). We can testify to this! This is what our God says about us. So when the devil is trying to get to you, or unbelievers try to challenge you or ask who you are in Christ, you can testify to the Words of the Lamb! This type of testimony, silences the enemy.
There are many different types of testimonies, more than listed on this post. Let us learn the different types of testimonies so that we are prepared for battle. Testify about what the Lord has brought you through and done for you. Testify to demonic spirits about your God and His Words. Testify to your enemies about who God says you are. Testify! Serve Notice!
Father, I pray that you will give us our testimony. I pray that you will give us the wisdom, by the Holy Spirit, to know what and to whom we should testify!

Ask!

I have been reading the Gospel of Matthew and this morning I came across a passage of scripture that gave me some food for thought. In Matthew 20:29 - 34 the scriptures say:

29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” 31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” 32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 33 They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

It is safe to assume, by what we know of Jesus, that he most likely already knew what these men need/wanted. We really don’t have to assume since in Matthew 6:7 Jesus said “…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” He knew that they were blind and yet he said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” If Jesus already knew what they needed, why would he ask them?

Although God already knows what we need and want before we ask, we are still commanded to ask. Just saying, “Oh God knows my needs” or “God already knows my situations, so I will just leave it in His hands” is not enough. We are commanded to ask! Why? Because asking opens up the dialogue between you and God. You have to talk to God. Jesus reinforced the word “ask” many times.

Matthew 7:11: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Matthew 18:19: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”

Luke 11:13: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Even Jesus asks the Father!

John 14:16: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—“

Jesus commands us to ask and that He will not ask on our behalf, we should ask.

John 16:26: “In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf”

Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Asking with faith bears many fruit! Ask in faith. Utter the words to your Father in faith and realize that as you ask specifically (don’t just say, Oh Lords please solve all my problems) God will hear you and answer your prayers. Remember, God already knows your heart, so beware of what you ask for and the motives behind it. Through it all, ask and open up that line of communication with the Lord. Talk to him, he wants to hear from you. If God always read our minds and fixed our problems, when would we talk to Him? When you ask a question, there is a response, correct? So if you don’t ask a question, there will be no response.

Lord, I pray that we would be so bold to ask you for what is on our hearts. Whether it is for you to reveal something to us, a desire of our heart or for understanding. Please let us remember to open up that line of communication with you and to always ask in the name of Jesus. Amen!

Prayer Tip: "It Is Written"


A couple of years ago, the Holy Spirit revealed to me a method to use when praying. I was reading the passage in the bible where Jesus was being tempted by the devil (Matthew 4: 1-11 and Luke 4: 1-13). In the scriptures, Jesus would always respond to the devil first by saying, “It is written”. This really stood out to me and the Holy Spirit touched my heart. I felt the Holy Spirit say to me, “Use this when you pray”. At first I thought that I wouldn’t be effective because I did not know all that was written. I thought that I would need to know the Bible like the back of my hand to pray in this manner.

About a month or so later, I was at a retreat and was asked to lay my hands on and pray for a woman. I was unsure at first. I thought to myself, “Me, how can I lay hands on this woman and pray for her?” I was scared and lost. I felt the Holy Spirit remind me of what He had revealed to me. I began to open my mouth and as I prayed I started to quote some scriptures and as I quoted I started each scripture with, “It is written”. As I prayed, this woman began to be filled with the Holy Spirit! I take no credit for what happened to her because it was not me, it was the Lord and he merely used me as a vessel so that He may be glorified.

I learned, in that prayer, that God would not betray His Words. What God says is true and it will not fail. So remember that God gave you power through His Words, use them! Use them to speak life over your situations and family. Use His Words to ask in His name and use His Words to rebuke the enemy! Get into the Word of God so that your prayers can be more powerful, effective and filled with God’s light!


Friday, January 16, 2009

Get Unncomfortable!

In a earlier post this week, I said that I have been reading the book of Ezekiel. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that God is JEALOUS!!!! He is so upset that the Church is whoring after other gods like money, lust, un equally yoked relationships, fame, prestige, material things and etc. The Lord will not be mocked. The Lord told Ezekiel that the priest/pastors were saying that God is not in the earth, that they had dominion over the earth and the people.
This is going on today! I cried when I read Chapters 8-12 and realized that what was going on in Ezekiel's time is going on right now. We have Pastors whose sermons are not aligned with the Word. We are living in the end times and they are preaching that everything is going to be alright. You get your harvest, your breakthrough, your blessing. Everything is about you but what about Jesus? What about His will, His glory, His blessings and His Word? The bridegroom is coming soon and as the bride,we have to be ready for Him.
We are accepting things that of this world that are anti-Christ and don't even know it. As a young adult, my peers are mingling with unclean people, cultures and forms of entertianment. Wake up people and get uncomfortable!!!!! It's time to speak the truth and let people know what is going on. No more allowing people to speak their doctrine over us and not say anything. Don't allow others to live a sinful lifestyle and standby and watch them do it. Do not accept the status quo and believe everything you hear. Do your homework and research people of God.
Don't get comfortable in your own self involvement. I am talking about myself too. Yeah, I go to church 2 nights a week, read my Bible, pray and fast but am I living the word of God, shaking the foundations of hell and encouraging others to do the same? It's time that we grow deeper in our walk and learn more about how the enemy is destroying the church.
I was looking at YouTube videos from a ministry that I follow called Exministries and the clip was talking about how God's people have turned against him. Pastor G. Craig Lewis is the founder of this ministry and talks about the Truth behind Hip Hop and the involves it has on the youth. I found this clip to be very interesting and I wanted to share it. Please pray that the Lord makes you uncomfortable in these dark days to be a light to the world.

for more info on the Truth Behind Hip Hop check out exministries.com

Thursday, January 15, 2009

A Stormrider in the Making: Ellie Ambrose


This morning I read an article from Crosswalk's website about a 10 year old girl named Ellie Ambrose. Already at a young age, Ellie has given herself to serve others. She has founded Nashville's annuals Ellie's Run for Africa event. This event raises money for children in Nairobi, Kenya. It provides books, new shoes and uniforms for 300 students!

Ellie is an amazing young girl who has answered the call that God has put on her life. At the age of 5, she watched a video about starving children in African countries, which lead her to pray for 3 months about the burden that was placed on her heart. The Lord made provisions and guided her to what is now a growing event that will help hundreds of children.

Ellie has also been blessed to travel to several countries in Africa. If she is only ten and accomplishing so much now, there is no telling what the Lord has in store for us. In Ephesians 4:11, Paul tells us that Christ gave some, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to edify the Body of Christ. That is exactly what young Ellie is doing.

To read the full article about Ellie Ambrose click here for the Crosswalk website.

Also visit elliesrun.org for information about the event


In Matthew 25:31-40 Chirst shares this parable about living our lives to serve others:

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy[a] angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’


Pray and ask the Lord to lead you on how you are to serve the least of these.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Images of Prayer Warriors

When I was looking for images for the last post, The Revelations of Matthew 14:22-33: The 8 Prayer Watches, I came across alot of pictures that were interesting, motivating and powerful. Here are a few that I liked:

This cute but potent image is from psalm86.org


My older brother would love this picture from bluejacket.com


Prayer Shield

Discipline Warrior from kmkarate.com


The Lone Warrior

Prayer Tag from Guardian Ministry

Praying in Unity from Praise Chapel

The Revelations of Matthew 14:22-33: The 8 Prayer Watches

Last Sunday, my sister and I were honored to be God Parents to one of my best friends’ 3 beautiful and anointed children. It was such a wonderful occasion and joyous celebration that we started to cry. You could feel the presence of the Lord in the building.

After the dedication, the Bishop of the church gave a very remarkable and potent sermon. I don’t remember the title of the message but it referred to Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus walking on water. I’m pretty sure most of us have read about this miracle in Sunday school or Church. But this little passage means so much more than just Jesus and Peter walking on water. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that Jesus is giving us instructions on how we should be living our lives and keeping our eyes on Him.

So I would like to dissect the passage in a couple of posts to reveal God’s will for us. In verse 25 it reads “Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.”(KJV) Now as I was reading this verse, my eyes were fixed on the "fourth watch". I read a book last year that talked about the third watch, which are the hours between midnight and 3:00 am. During this time satanic powers are heighten, so we are to pray against the works of the enemy. So knowing this, I decided to find out what the 4th watch is all about. While doing my research I came upon this website that describes the 8 prayer watches.

Picture courtsey of National Prayer website

It is from a Church in the Philippians that encourages its congregation to be watchmen. I found this information to be very significant and resourceful. I believe it is essential for Christians to know these things to function well in the Body of Church.

On a personal note, I have been reading the Book of Ezekiel, which is considered the Book of the Watchman. Ezekiel was a faithful prophet, obeyed God’s word and prophesied to people of Judea of God’s anger towards them. I believe God is calling our generation to be Watchmen. I have friends who are devoted to their prayer life and are prayer warriors. Growing in your prayer life is vital because it is our way to communicate with God, hear His word and destroy the enemy’s plan against us.

We as Christians need to educate ourselves on how to pray, when to pray, what to pray for and at times who to pray for. When we pray it just shouldn’t always be about our family and us. We need to pray for our leaders in church/government, our co-workers/bosses/employees, our community, country and people we don’t even know. Prayer is so POWERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! I am teaching myself not to say, “All we can do is pray.” It sounds like it is the last resort and pitiful. It is the 1st thing you do and you should do it with authority and purpose. Don’t be weak with your prayer like it has a disease. Be strong, healthy, joyful and prevailing when you are praying. We are communicating with the All Mighty God, The God of the Universe, The Creator!!!! Get Excited!!!! He has all the power, not some, but all.

I wonder if the disciples were practicing their prayer life, would they have been afraid? When they saw Jesus on the sea, would they have thought it was a ghost or their Savior? Had they been diligent and praying, while they were on the boat during the storm, they would have had faith knowing everything was going to be all right. You see they had the Master in their mist and yet did not use the power that He had been teaching them to overcome fear and temptation. I strongly believe that if they were active in their prayer life, they would have not fallen asleep when Christ needed them to pray the most (Read Luke 22: 39-46).
So I encourage you to improve in your prayer life and take it seriously. Here is the link for the 8 Prayer Watches. I pray that you will incorporate this in your prayer life and you will start to see changes in your walk, church, community, workplace and home life. I would like to motivate you to start a prayer group in your homes. Like Christ said in Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” There is power in numbers, so be encouraged. We would also like to know about your prayer life and blessings you have received through it.
Heavenly Father, I pray that you lead us to pray and be Watchmen in these end times. Continue to allow your Word to speak to us and instruct us on what we need to do for your Kingdom. It is not about us but it is all about You. I pray that we will take these powerful prayer watches and use them in our lives everyday. I pray for a increase of prayer warriors and valiant men and women, who will not give up and allow the Devil to run rampant in their lives. I pray for all these things with power and authority in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

True Stormriders; Falsely Accused

Here is another story about a Stormrider that is spreading the Gospel no matter what the cost. Please keep this stormrider in your prayers:

PAKISTAN - Young Christian Woman and Her Father Imprisoned

Twenty- year-old Sandul Bibi and her father Gulsher are in prison in Pakistan, charged with violating section 295-B of the Pakistani legal code, the “blasphemy” law. Sandul is falsely accused of ripping pages from the Quran. On Oct. 9, a large crowd of Muslims attacked Christian families at a church, throwing stones and firing guns. They were shouting, “Kill Gulsher and his daughter Sandul.” Sandul and her father, Gulsher Masih, were arrested after a mob from the local mosque surrounded their house. Loudspeakers from different mosques broadcast accusations that Christians had disgraced the Quran, calling Muslims to attack and burn their homes. The angry crowd threw stones and set fire to Sandul’s home. Christians believe Sandul and her father were targeted and arrested because they were aggressively winning villagers to Christ.
Sandul has written several letters to her family from prison. In her latest letter she says, “I am praying a lot that God releases me from here and I can meet you, but I don’t know when. He will give answers for our prayers. Please pray for me.” If convicted, Sandul faces at least four years in prison. She and her family desperately need your prayers and encouragement.
The Voice of the Martyrs has supported Sandul and her family both financially and spiritually through this difficult time. VOM encourages you to lift this family up in prayer and ask God to encourage them.

To read more of these stories, please click here for the Voice of Martyrs webpage.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

New Year Equals New Blessings


Now that we are in 2009, we should praise the Lord for the wonderful works He has done for us in ’08. I believe that last year the Lord was revealing His plan to His people. This year I believe He is preparing us for the plan. As for me, the Lord revealed that I could do nothing without Him. In John 5: 19 Jesus said “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do, for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
So, I realized my relationship with God is the most important thing. I cannot succeed in any aspect of life without him. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Once you understand that you can receive the blessings He has for you. Thank Him for all that you have and all that you are going to receive this year.
Make declarations and profess signs, wonders, miracles and manifestations of God’s power and love. Be strong and continue to grow in faith. Know that you can only go up from here even if you feel that the end is near. God is a God of renewing and he is always rejuvenates His people.
So I pray that this New Year will allow you to realize that you have a purpose and a gift. If it weren’t true, you would have not survived last year. One verse that our mother told us to read is 1 Chronicles 4:10. She received this word from her pastor who instructed the congregation to replace their names with Jabez’s. So read it out loud like this “ And (your name) called on the God of Israel saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him/her that which he/she requested.”