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This week we will address a couple of basic principles on how we can make
disciples of ethnic groups, and teach them to observe all that the Lord
commanded. I will use the African ethnic group in what we address here,
mostly because they are the ethnic group that I have a heart for, and have
therefore studied the most. Even so, these principles could relate to any
people.
Removing Stereotypes and
Looking Through God's Eyes
From the time I was a child, I have heard blacks stereotyped by such statements
as "they don't like to work," or "their men are all deadbeats and do not
know how to be fathers." In my experience, some of the hardest workers,
as well as some of the greatest fathers I have ever known were African-American.
However, African-Americans do have a reputation for not wanting to work,
and it is a fact that the majority of black children in America are raised
without their father in the home. Even so, God has especially gifted those
of African descent with a devotion to work, and to be some of the best fathers.
Why do so many African-Americans seem to be experiencing what is in fact
the opposite of their callings?
It is for the same reason that every ethnic group in this fallen world is
doing the same, and the devil has effectively blinded them. Let's look at
some of the ways that he has done this.
The Injustices of Slavery and The
Healing of Cultural Wounds
First, what did slavery do to the work ethic? Now
you may think your boss is bad, but how would you like to work with the
threat of a whip over you all day? Then think about what it would be like
to not get paid for your work, while being given the most menial sustenance
to enable you to keep working. On top of that, you would have no rights
because you are not considered a person, but property, just like cattle.
We may think that since slavery has been abolished for more than a century,
then this should not be a problem with the descendants of slaves. But history
proves over and over that without God intervening, cultural values, cultural
wounds, and strongholds, can take many generations to change, and sometimes
never do. After suffering the injustices of slavery, for any African-American
to want to work at all is a marvel. The fact is, many from this ethnic background
are so remarkably industrious, that as a group, these great people are doing
much better than one might expect in this matter.
There have only been two people groups in history who were enslaved because
of their race--the black race, and the Jewish race. The Jewish people are
known for their industrious and hard work ethics all over the world. They
are a people who seem to be able to excel in almost any situation. Because
of this, they have been a great blessing to every place they have settled.
They have had several thousand years to get over the sufferings that they
endured as slaves. Given the same length of time, it seems apparent that
the black descendants of slaves will likewise rise to the top and excel
in almost any situation.
Some would point to the tribes in Africa and say that they did not advance
very far, while the Europeans did. But, it has been proven that climate
had much do with this. I submit that if Europeans had lived in the climate
and other conditions of Africa, they would have done no better, and may
have done much worse. Not only did the temperatures have an effect on their
productivity, but because they had to fight so hard every day just to survive,
it would have been difficult to give the time or energy needed for inventions
and modern development.
Why Has the Devil Assaulted
This Nation's Families?
Now, to the issue of the family and fathers. It was a well-known, and often
published strategy of the slave owners to keep the slave families broken
up so their allegiance would only be to their master. Fathers were rarely
allowed to stay with their families, and were often sold after siring a
number of children so that they could not bond. Think about what it would
be like to live in a situation when any day your father, mother, brothers,
sisters, or children, could be sold and you would never see them again,
or even know where they went. After slavery was abolished, few mothers knew
how to relate to the fathers of their children. Few fathers knew how to
relate to just one family because they were often used as "breeders" and
had children in several families. Sound familiar?
Even though I have a tendency to be a conservative politically, simply because
I do not think the government will likely run needed social programs well,
or without unacceptable waste and inefficiency, I have always been for Affirmative
Action for the reasons listed above. Because of the depth of destruction
done to African-American families, extra help is needed to heal the wounds
and restore this great people. I do not think the government will do this
very well, and the church could do it better, but the fact is, with but
few exceptions, the church is not doing anything. Having the government
do something is better than nothing.
From a Christian perspective, why has the devil had such an assault against
this people that continues to this day? It seems he is especially devoted
to destroying the emerging generation of black children. Why? Because of
their destiny.
Have you not also wondered when a little white girl is kidnapped and killed,
why it will run on the national news incessantly? Sadly, this happens almost
daily to black kids throughout the country, and it almost never makes the
news. Of course, we should be concerned about the little white children,
but should we be so much less concerned about the minority children to which
this is happening much more frequently?
A Great Calling to Teach
The World About Freedom and Family
In spite of the terrible assault on the black family, have you not noticed
the incredible bond among black people? They all call each other "brother"
and "sister." They may fight hard among themselves, but they will stand
together to defend one of their own like few other people on the earth.
Some of the great leaders of the church in the last days are going to come
from the African community, in every nation where they are found. Those
who were the most oppressed are going to teach the world about freedom.
Those who have had their families so destroyed are going to teach the world
about family.
We are also going to see a restoration of fatherhood among those of African
descent, which will be an example of this high calling to all people. As
one friend of mine said, being a father is the highest calling because it
is the one office that we share with "the Father."
Prophesy Over The Dry Bones
Until They Come to Life
Let us not continue to see or judge any ethnic group by their present characteristics,
but try to see them prophetically as they are called to be. Possibly the
most valuable prophetic gift that we can have in these times is what came
upon Ezekiel when he was shown the valley of dry bones. Like him, we must
not see dry bones as just dry bones, but as what they are called to be.
Like him, we must pray for words of life to prophesy over those dry bones
until they become what they are called to be.
This is our calling in the last days. Even though, as the Lord said, "nation
will rise against nation," (Matthew 24:7), He also said that His church
would be a "house of prayer for all nations" (Mark 11:17). In His church,
all nations will be redeemed and restored so that their gifts and callings
will be manifest, laying a foundation for the coming of the kingdom of God.
This is why it is so crucial that Christians not judge others "after the
flesh" or externals, but rather by the Spirit, seeing who they are called
to be, not just who they are now.
-Rick Joyner
http://www.morningstarministries.org
Mpiservice@aol.com
A Personal Note From Rick:
We are having an Advanced Prophetic Conference on April 8-10, 2004. It will
be held at our facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina. Registration will
be limited to 500, so please register ASAP if you are planning to come.
For more information, or to register, call our toll free number 1-800-542-0278.
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New Year's Conference 2003 -
Turning Troubles Into Triumph
MorningStar Fellowship Church,
with Rick Joyner & Others
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Titles Include the Below from
December 29-31, 2003 - Charlotte, NC:
"TURNING TROUBLES INTO
TRIUMPH" PART I
by Rick Joyner
2004 will be a year of knowing what's for; it will be a year for understanding
the ways and purposes of God. He will be pouring out great understanding
of the scriptures. Turn your criticism into intercession. Everything
that happens in your life is to help you to be conformed into His Image;
if you will change, then your circumstances will change. There will
be a new reformation of the Church.
"YOUR NEXT STEP"
by Steve Thompson
The Lord wants us to move forward individually & corporately, in some
cases, as we have began to enter in to our inheritance. God wants us
to enter into a new relationship with Him. As we move further into the
purposes of God, it will seem more natural and less supernatural in
experience. We should not be living hand to mouth.
"IT'S WORTH IT ALL"
by Kingsley Fletcher
Kingsley teaches on the trials of life and gives some examples of his
life. Kingsley is a pastor from Africa and he shares what he came out
of, ancestral worship, animal sacrifice, etc. This is a message of hope
in the midst of your trials. It's time for the Church to become the
salt of the earth
"CREATIVE RELEASE"
by Suzy Wills
Suzy teaches on how to help the creativity that the Lord has put in
you to be released.
"KNOWING JESUS AS KING"
by Kingsley Fletcher
This teaching is on how many know Jesus as Lord, but that they need
to know Him as King. Most people ask, "What is my ministry?" The question
is, "what did God deliver you from?" He will give you the grace to go
back and deliver others out of that.
"PROPHETIC VISION FOR 2004"
with Steve Thompson, Rick Joyner & Bob Jones
Many words from Steve, Rick & Bob about this year and the coming year.
One word is that Peter's fishing net is about to be released again.
Get ready for increase; get ready for evangelism. The color for this
year is lavender - which is purple & pink together - this is a word
for women and the Church as the bride of Christ. Bob shares 2 visions
that he had plus much more from Rick, Steve & some our Amish brothers
in Christ sharing powerfully.
"TURNING TROUBLES INTO TRIUMPH" PART II
with Various Speakers
Rick expands upon Peter's net being released again. The basic's of evangelism
is coming back. Rick shared about what has been happening with the children
going to the third heaven and more.
 New
Year's Conference 2003 -
Turning Troubles Into Triumph
MorningStar Fellowship Church, with Rick
Joyner & Others
$29.00 7 Sessions on 8 Audio Cassettes
Feel free to
order online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=1269
New Year's Conference 2003 -
Turning Troubles Into Triumph
MorningStar Fellowship Church, with
Rick Joyner & Others
$79.00 7 Sessions on 7 Video Cassettes
Feel free to
order online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=1270
Worship from the New Year's Conference
2003 -
Turning Troubles into Triumph
MorningStar Fellowship Church, with
Rick Joyner & Others
$59.00 Worship from conference on 4 Video Cassettes
Feel free to
order online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=1271
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