Faith: It Can Happen! Beautiful Proposal and Wedding of Young ChristianCouple

As I was doing some research yesterday, I came across this article about a young man that proposed and married his wife on the same day! Ryan Leak, for over a year, planned the wedding using his then girlfriend's, Amanda Roman, Wedding Pinterest board that had over 200 pins. The background story is that he overheard Amanda speaking to one of her friend's that she wanted to get engaged and married on the same day. Ryan executed his bride's dream wedding successfully without her knowledge.

I wanted to share their story because it was a answered question that I posed to God. I will not expose the question but I will tell you that the answer is that "It Can Happen". God is willing and able to do above and exceedingly all we could ever ask for (Ephesians 3:20). If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ please believe that He loves you and wants the best for you. Amanda, I am sure, never saw this coming and waited 5 years to hear Ryan say "I Love You" and propose. I will allow Ryan to explain why in the video. 

The Lord is always working out things in the spiritual realm for our benefit because He and only He will receive the glory. The Lord was gloried in their wedding and because of their story it has edified and encouraged me to believe that God is able. No prayer is too ridiculous, small or big for Him. Please believe that it can happen. To read the full article and to watch the mini documentary of the proposal and wedding here is the link to theGrio website. You can also watch the video below:

It's Your Time

I have been attending a singles meeting at Brooklyn Tabernacle Church in Brooklyn. It has been a major blessing for me and the couple that leads the ministry are so anointed by the Lord. One night Walter the singles ministry leader played this song called "It's Your Time" by Luther Barnes. It was to motivate all the singles who have been faithfully waiting and trusting in the Lord for the promises that He has for them. It touched my spirit and spoke to exactly what I had been going through that month ( This is in reference to the Letting Go and Letting God Post)

Here is the song and lyrics and I hope that it ministers to you and encourages you to continue being faithful. God Bless and Keep Riding the Storm.

* for those reading on Facebook click "View Original Post" located at the bottom of the note to listen to the song.




Its Your Time lyrics
by Luther Barnes

You've been faithful, you've been true
And you've done all that you can do
And for your faithfulness, it's your time
You applauded for the rest
Now it's your time to be blessed
And for your faithfulness, it's your time
(REPEAT CHORUS)

You've waited for so long
But you held on, and you were strong
And for your faithfulness, it's your time
You encouraged everyone else
When you needed it for yourself
And for your faithfulness, it's your time
(CHORUS)

You encouraged everyone else
When you needed it for yourself
And for your faithfulness, it's your time

This song is dedicated to all of you who have been working in the vineyard for the Lord for what seems like a lifetime. You have dreamed and you've worked towards things that you've wanted to accomplish for yourself. But somehow your biggest goals always seem to be just out of your reach. But the Lord told me to tell you He knows who you are. Yes, He's seen your work and He's also seen your tears. And He wants you to know that you are not forgotten. He's here to reward you for all your faithfulness. For He said in His word if you will delight yourself in Him, He will give you the desires of your heart. In other words, not only will He give you what you need, but He promised to give you whatever you want. So don't get discouraged. So don't give up. Hang in there and prepare yourself for your blessing. It's your time now.

You have waited for so long.
But you held on, you were strong
And for your faithfulness (5 times)
Because you hung in there when times got hard
And when it seemed like nobody cared
You kept right on working
You kept right on doing good things
And for your faithfulness
And for your faithfulness, it's your time
He told me to tell you, it's your time

A Reader's Testimony

This month we asked to hear from you. We wanted to know how the Lord has blessed you and kept you. The following is a testimony from one of our readers.

I am blessed,

For the past 22 years I have been in the USA as a semi-legal immigrant. I was born in Liberia and came to the US at the age of 3. I had a normal American childhood, very unaware of my fragile status in the US. This all changed when I was graduating high school and found that I was unable to receive financial aid because I was not born here and do not have a permanent status in the United States. Beyond this limitation the Lord removed barriers, sent angels which allowed me to graduate within 4 years with a minimal amount of college debt. AMEN!

Since then, I've always had employment, even though my employers were not sure if I would be legally allowed to work after the annual expiration of my status. My friends would discuss traveling abroad and I would sit silent knowing that I could not leave the country. This year everything came to a head when my differed enforced departure was expiring within 10 days and we had not heard anything regarding an extension, which meant I would need to leave the country. My company was discussing transitioning my duties and figuring out if they can rehire me in another country. Mind you, I had not left the country since I was 3! Anyways, through my doubts and fears the Lord allowed an extension to be granted for Liberians! I had another year to figure it out. After the last minute alarms, my job decided to sponsor my employment and I found out the application is approved for 3 YEARS!!! I am THANKING GOD for coming through as he always does! I can now leave the country, I have a status, and some time so that the other pending applications for permanent residency can come off the very long waiting lists. GOD IS GOOD!

What a awesome testimony! Please continue to e-mail us with your testimonies, exhortations, scriptures and anything else the Lord has laid on your heart to share. Who knows it might be a word that will really touch someone. God Bless!

The Revelations of Matthew 14: 22-33: Keeping your eyes on Christ

This is the third message that the Holy Spirit has led me to discover in this passage. Leading up to this post, I learned this week that I am not skilled to understand God’s will or plan. My flesh will not allow me to go beyond what my brain can comprehend. The Lord revealed this to me through daily words from my pastor and friends. I know that I have written about this before but the Lord has to continue to remind me that I do not dictate what He is going to do in my life.
Towards the end of this message Peter is now walking on water and heading towards Jesus. In verse 30, as he is walking towards his Savior, he started to pay attention to the wind that was gushing around him. “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink -”(KJV). Because of all the distractions and horrible conditions, Peter becomes afraid and started to sink. He cries out for the Lord to save him and Jesus immediately picks him back up. Jesus than says to Peter in verse 31 “Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Peter started to drown into the sea because he lost focus. Instead of having that faith he had when he stepped out of the boat, he let his circumstances get the best of him. He should have kept his eyes on the Lord and not be concern about his surroundings. We Christians are guilty of doing the same thing. When God gives you a word, promise, blessing or direction; you must hold on to that no matter what. God told us He would never leave us nor forsake us. So if fear or doubt starts to cross your mind, than you are calling God a lair. And we know that God is not like man that He should lie.
Speaking to my friends about our current situations and receiving a word from them really encouraged me. One of my friends received a word from the Lord that her family will receive salvation. Even though things look grim and are getting worse, she is still holding on to the promise. She is not going to question God why it has not happened yet or when. She is going to keep her eyes on Christ and continue to trust in His plan.
When she was talking to me, the Holy Spirit reminded me about Noah. Noah obeyed the word of God and built an ark to house his family and a pair of every land animal to protect them from the flood. He built this ark for over 100 years by faith. It had never rained on the earth before, people around him were calling him crazy but Noah trusted in God’s plan. He stayed focused and completed his task. This is the type of faith, I am praying for. It's that spiritual faith that is passed human understanding. It is the faith that doesn’t care what is going on around you. If God is faithful and continue to give us mercy and grace than why can’t we praise him through our problems?
I pray that we all keep our eyes on Jesus and continue to trust Him through the storm.

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.

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.

Prayer Opens Heaven

You always hear that prayer is powerful, but you never truly understand the power of prayer until you experience it. To truly unlock the power of prayer, you must learn how to pray. Having an open heart, understanding the Word and having faith all help to better your prayer life.

An open heart: God honors an honest and open heart. Remember you can not fool God. He knows your every thought and the intention behind it. Before you pray, you should ask yourself these questions:

1. What am I praying for?

2. Why am I asking God for this?

3. What is the intention of this prayer?

If you can answer these questions honestly and have deduced that your prayer is not for selfish gain or for something trivial then you are on the right track.

Understanding the Word: You must understand what the Word says in regards to praying and requests. God has already made many promises to his children in the Bible and some of these promises involve things that most people pray for. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says "Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest". This tells us that Jesus is ready and willing to take your burdens but you must do your part and "come to him" which is usually done through prayer. We must remember that God needs us to do our part and that includes asking and most of all believing. But asking w/o believing will not yield results. In Ephesians 6:18 Paul writes, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints". When we have been redeemed, the Lord said that he would send us a Helper (The Holy Spirit). Ask the Holy Spirit for the words to speak in prayer. Before you open your mouth ask the Holy Spirit for the utterance, so that you may pray by the Spirit and pray effectively.

Have Faith: You must learn to trust God for what he is doing and will do in your life. One of the many ways that you can have faith is by thanking God before you even see the outcome of your prayer. Trusting God for an open and honest prayer is a golden key for a strong prayer. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus said, "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. This is a very powerful statement. Faith is power! It is by faith that we have been redeemed and it is by faith that we go to our heavenly Father in prayer.

We would like to share a recent example of prayer in our lives. Earlier this week, our Uncle was admitted into the hospital. According to what we understand, a doctor used unclean tools on him during a check-up. He was running a high fever, and had to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. About 2 days later, we learned that the hospital had quarantined him. The only thing we could do was pray. My sister and I prayed in the Spirit and with authority that God would heal him. We knew that if we believed God for a miracle that he would grant our request. We prayed a very specific prayer asking for him to be released from the hospital and for a total healing. The day after we prayed, we received a call from our mother telling us that he had been released from the hospital and was resting at home. All we could do was to praise Him for His works!

*Just a thought: If you have received the gift of tongues, we suggest praying in tongues to the Lord. You may not understand what you are saying but the Spirit understands and it is one of the most powerful prayers you can pray.