God Honors Agreements Made in His Name

Almost 2 years ago my sister and I joined a discipleship class at your old church in Maryland. One of the attendees, Susana made a claim that my sister, her and myself were going to get married. We were the single women in the group and all wanted husbands. We said a prayer and made an agreement that we would attend each others weddings.
Last month I received an e-mail from Susana that she was getting married!!! I was so happy for her. God is good and He keeps all His promises. We had been praying for her and God answered our prayers. She mailed us an invite to her wedding but we were not sure if we could attend. The wedding us a week away when we received the invitation and we were not financially prepared to make a trip.
A couple of days before the wedding the Holy Spirit convicted me and ask me why we were not going to the wedding. I said "Lord, you know the situation we are going through right now. We can not afford to make a trip at this time." Than the Lord brought to my remembrance that we had made an agreement that we would attend each other's weddings. I spoke to my sister about it and we both agreed that we had to attend the wedding. The Lord would want us to honor our promise, just like he did with Susana's marriage.
So, we went to the wedding, knowing that the Lord would provide. It was such a blessing to see Susana in her beautiful wedding gown. She was stunning!! We started to cry as she was escorted by her mother down the isle. She and her husband make a beautiful couple.

God is so good and he always gives you the best of the best.
It was also a blessing for us to see God being glorified throughout the ceremony. Susana was so happy to see us and she started to rub our arms so that we can get some of the blessing. It was a lot of fun and we had a great time. What I learned is that God loves when we claim blessings, promises, deliverance and circumstances in His name. He also enjoys it when we do it with members of the Body because we are in agreement and one accord. Jesus said "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."–Matt. 18:20
Praise the Lord!

Valentine's Day: Unselfish Love

We had the honor to work side by side with members of the Young Adult Ministry at our home church, Times Square Church, and other volunteers to spread love to senior citizens on Valentine's Day. Love Carolers was started by Ye-Jee and Bianca from YAM. The Lord moved their hearts to visit people that were in need and bring them hope, love and compassion. We meet at a Christian community center and made over 700 Valentine's Day cards! It was the Holy Spirit working it out and helping over 12 of us to accomplish this amazing task.

We loved every minute of it, sharing Bible verses that moved us, stories about the 3 day fast we had just completed, eating pizza, cracking jokes and talking about the goodness of God. It was great to see people our age giving up there Saturday, let alone Valentine's Day, to brighten up some one's day.


Once we completed the cards we took pictures and headed out to the senior citizens center called Isabella.

We spilt up in two groups and headed to different floors to hand out the cards and talk to some of the patients. They were so happy to see us and really liked the V-day cards. Some of us ended up praying for a woman and her daugther that I had been in a coma for 9 years. You could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the room. After we prayed the mother said that we were angels and that her daughter squeezed her hand while we were praying.

I am so happy we did it and I hope that we will continue to do more. This really showed me how a simple act of kindness can make a difference in some one's life and bring God glory.

No Worries!

In this time of economic crisis and rampant fear, God has given us many promises in His Word. God promises to take care of us through all things. So there is no need to worry or fear what is going on around you. You have a Mighty God! Your strength, your guide, your joy! He will always be there for you. There have been several suicides due to the economic downturn and many people who have placed their faith in money and belongings (mammon) and not God, find themselves lost, because what they once believed in, is now gone. You know something that they don't. You know the saving grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Please pray for people you know and don't know that may be lost in this time of turmoil. Share with them these promises, and tell them the good news of Jesus Christ! Remember, there is no need to worry, He is mighty to save!

Philippians 4: 6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9

8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed

Matthew 6:25 - 34

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Lord, I pray that You will bind the spirit of worrying in Your people. Let us remember that You are our portion, our ever present help! You are everything to us. You are our God and we are Your people. You provide all our needs and for that we are grateful to You and give you all the praise and all the glory! Lord we ask that You please use us to share Your grace with others. Let us remember to keep Your Words close to our hearts and share it with others in due season. Amen.

The Revelations of Matthew 14:22-33: Becoming a Water Walker

Continuing with the revelations of Matt. 14:22-33, which I started with last month, I wanted to look at the passage when Peter walked on water. Verse 29 reads, And he (Jesus) said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. Right here Peter showed his faith, in his master, by doing the impossible, walking on water. He leaned not unto his own understanding but trusted in Jesus that he could do this incredible miracle.
When my sister and I moved out here to New York, people could not understand why we would do such a thing without having a job or security. Family members were concerned and praying for us. Some friends had faith in us and were saying, “You guys are going to make it.” Some were like “Ok….so do you have money saved up?” Others were like “Why are you moving now? New York is so expensive and there is a recession going on?” But my sister and I knew that God had called for us to move even tough we did not know why.
One of my close friend’s father said, “Wow, you guys are operating by faith. Let me be the first one to get your book!” Another friend of mine said that my sister and I are water walkers. When she said that, it amazed me. I thought to myself, “We are really walking on water.” We were not doing the natural thing like making sure we had something up here before we left. We were operating in the supernatural and knowing that God had made provisions for us. We have been living here for 7 months without a stable job and God has been providing for us every step of the way. We have experience a revelation from the Holy Spirit of what God is doing in our lives that it is unbelievable! We have been blessed to find a church home that is nurturing our faith and meeting people that God has placed in our lives to bless and to be blessed by. This whole move was to prepare us for the plan that He has for our lives.
Many of us do not that have the foresight to see what God is going to do in our lives. We only look at what is happening around us. That is fine but then you just get use to your situation and surroundings. There was a storm going on when Jesus was on the water. The boat was tossing and turning and all hope was lost. People on the boat might have been screaming, “We are going to die and there is no one to save us.” But Peter, who Jesus had given the foresight to trust in Him and obey His word, came down out the boat and walked towards Him. Could you have done that? Could you have gotten off a boat, even though, you thought that you were going to die and walk on the very thing that could take you down?
You see Peter was operating in the supernatural, while the others on the boat were doing what was natural to them, being afraid and operating in fear. 2Timothy 1:7 it reads, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV) So when God tells you to step out by faith and walk on water (the impossible) towards him, know that there is power, love and a sound mind operating. Do not listen to the noise (the storm) or the confusion (the doubters) around you. Just start walking towards the Master and believe Him for a miracle. That is what true stormriders do!!!!
Let’s pray. Lord I pray that you will make us all water walkers. I pray that we continue to trust in you and not our own understanding. That we operate in supernatural faith and that you will give us the foresight of the plan you have for us, through the Holy Spirit. Lord I pray that we will be obedient to your will and trust that you will always deliver us from the storm. Heavenly Father please block out the noise and distractions that would cause us to operate in fear instead of operating in love, power and a sound mind. Remove confusion and give us understanding of what you are doing in our lives. We ask you for all of these things, in Jesus’ name Amen.

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!

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/

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!

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