Long before The 1619 Project, 2021’s The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song television documentary and conservative white Christian accusation of revisionist slander through Critical Race Theory, God in the mid-1980s had birthed in my spirit a creative radio project that would even-handedly and accurately present the facts and a biblical worldview of black history. It was in the aftermath of asking Him the question, why; why slavery and the historic suffering of my people? As I relay in a 2019 two-part Blog, the radio project came into full length existence as the From Slavery To Victory: One Man’s Journey (FSTVOMJ) Radio Special.1
The just under one hour radio special was first broadcast on a Dallas, Texas station February 20 and 21, 1993. Open Door Communication Ministries, Inc. is marking that occasion and continuing to conduct The From Slavery To Victory Education Project the program anchors with plans thirty years later to Webcast it for one year or more on the project Web Site as funding permits.2 As the writer, producer, narrator and dramatic voice in the program, I am very grateful to God to have allowed me to be His vessel in its concept and production as well as to live to see it still be relevant thirty years later!3 For the FSTVOMJ is truly of His biblical and prophetic working in these latter days.
To be sure, the Lord leads me to draw the historical facts of the radio program from reputable scholarly American history sources black and white. I provide a Bibliography for the program on the J-Card insert of its collectable Commemorative Cassette that includes among other well known names, Carter G. Woodson, the Founder of Black History Month.4 However, the biblical and prophetic content come exclusively from the Lord’s instruction in His Word and revelation since He is an Eye Witness to all of history (John 1:43-51)! As a result, the biblical content is easily verifiable by the simple objective reading for oneself of the Scriptures cited during the program.
The words of prophecy the Lord gave me to declare in the program have been testable all along, but especially now, thirty years later! Briefly, God is the One who introduced the office of the prophet to Israel as His designated way for them to receive directives, information, instruction and knowledge whether past, present or future. This was so that the holy people would not follow after the ways pagans sought information He called “an abomination,” (Deuteronomy 18:9-14, NKJV). The Lord formally instituted the prophet’s office by promising Israel to “raise up” “a Prophet like” Moses “from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,” (Deuteronomy 18:15-19, NKJV).5
Very importantly, God also made clear how serious the office and work of the prophet is. He made death the penalty for being a false prophet and taught the means by which the people could know whether a word of knowledge or prophecy was from Him or not. He said, “when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him,” (Deuteronomy 18:20-22, NKJV). Knowing all of this, I made my case for fearing God and will not be among today’s doomed false prophets (Jeremiah 23:9-32; Matthew 7:15-20)!6
As the Lord gave me utterance in the FSTVOMJ radio special, I declared to black American listeners its primary target audience that beginning only a generation after slavery and in the face of His works through Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., many failed to recognize and appreciate His favor in our historical experience. A number in selfishness and greed set about to enrich themselves and turned away from God. Some no longer taught their children His way and others even exalted their African heritage in blasphemous idolatry. Scores in the churches too, were disobedient to God and His Word; establishing their own righteousness, traditions and worldly priorities. Thirty years later, the consequences have been more devastating despite the best efforts of many sinful human entities.
Indeed, in 1993 I spoke of the sons of our community murdering each other, unwed mothers with fatherless children, drug abuse and deadly pestilence such as AIDS destroying many. In 2020, black males were the second highest number of those murdered and fear still grips our cities.7 Black female headed households increased and “fewer than two-fifths of Black children were living with two married parents” according to US Census data.8 Fatal drug abuse continues as do HIV infections. Too, mental illness is on the rise as are an unheard of number of black suicides.9 Mortal entities are powerless to reverse black America’s self-destructive course for good reason. As the Lord led me to declare in FSTVOMJ, it is permitted by Him as judgment for rebellion and apostasy.
1 Read the two-part post that begins June 2, 2019, Message From A Redeemed Black Man, under the categories Biblical Worldview and Black History.
2 Prospective contributors can make designated gifts for the FSTVOMJ at https://fromslaverytovictory.org/Donate. Interested advertisers reach out to us on the Contact Us Page. The Webcast beginning date and time are still to be announced.
3 Why me? You will have to ask God who calls and uses the one He wills without first getting the consent of sinful mortal flesh (Jeremiah 1:4-5; Galatians 1:15-16; 1 Tim- othy 1:12-14)!
4 Get one of the last 100 of the Commemorative Cassettes on The From Slavery To Victory Education Project Web Site.
5 The “Prophet” of course, is the Lord Jesus Christ, who first century Israel was still waiting for as seen in their questions of John the Baptist and his replies (John 1:19-28, NKJV). Note carefully the consequence for not hearing Christ or by calling, any authentic prophet representing His office in Deuteronomy 18:18-19.
6 See the February 19, 2023 post, What Makes You Right?, under the categories Black History and God’s Glory!
7 Black male murder victims numbered 8,469 in 2020 according to statista.com.
8 See the 2020 black female head of household graphic at statista.com and census data US Census Bureau. Black Americans have the highest number of single female parented households while paradoxically the greatest number of abortions in America as seen in KFF’s State Health Facts!
9 Concerning drug abuse, see the SAMHSA 2018 National Survey. For HIV infection rates and deaths see the CDC and KFF Fact Sheets. The OMH provides statistics on black mental health issues.
The title of this Blog is a question of contempt thought of me by some blacks and whites over the years I have served the Lord in ministry. A few blacks have actually uttered the question to my face!1 My question is what makes any fallen, sinful human being right? Truly, as President Abraham Lincoln also observed only “God is always right,” (Deuteronomy 32:1-4; Psalm 145:17).2 Likewise, the Word of the Lord stands perfectly and eternally right (Psalm 19:7-11; Hosea 14:9)! So, my two-part reply to my inquisitors is first, I and anyone else are right when we accurately repeat what God says in the now, that also agrees with His written Word objectively interpreted and applied.
Second, in all humility before the Lord because I believe the testimony of Scripture about who He is, I fear Him and to misrepresent His Person, nature, character, demeanor or words spoken to me or written in His Holy Word (Exodus 20:18-21; Isaiah 6:1-5; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Acts 9:1-6; Revelation 1:9-18). Yes, I fear God the way a mortal son honors and fears to disobey his father. While I get that “perfect love casts out fear” as it concerns “the day of judgment,”3 “fear of the Lord” causes me to give Him the full awe and reverence embodied in the expression and to reap its promised benefits (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7, 14:26-27, 16:6; 1 John 4:17-19, NKJV).
In making my two-part reply to the question of contempt, I am by no means asserting a foolish and arrogant claim to infallibility!4 However, I am assuring those that care I do not take my life in and assignment from the Lord lightly as a watchman/prophet and teacher in His Body (Ezekiel 33:1-9; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Ephesians 4:7-16). I have written about my gifts, calling and ministry many times.5 So, I will not spend time in this short post repeating the same things to those who really could care less about what makes me right. They will still perilously "refuse" to give heed as has always been the case with rebels that profess to be God’s people (Ezekiel 2-3:11, NKJV).
Surely though, the proclamation and teaching the Lord has given me from His Word over the years stand as perpetual evidence of His righteousness on display through me! Since His Word endures forever, it will never fail to be good, right and true (Isaiah 40:8)! For this cause, I rejoice that our Ministry is about to again Webcast the From Slavery To Victory: One Man’s Journey Radio Special on the occasion of the thirty year anniversary of its premiere on a Dallas, Texas radio station during Black History Month 1993.6 With thanks to God, I was used of Him to write, produce and speak in this docu-drama in similitude to Ezekiel, the model for my ministry (Ezekiel 11:24-12:16).7
The following year the radio special won an award and became the flagship program launching The From Slavery To Victory Education Project conducted by Open Door Communication Ministries, Inc. on Juneteenth. In its original form, the program was distributed by compact disc and heard on radio stations around the nation. Thirty years after the initial February 20 and 21, 1993 premiere, I have no cause to take back anything I wrote or voiced in the program’s historical or prophetic content that is verifiably accurate (Deuteronomy 18:21-22)! This is because God and His Word which are always right mightily permeate it to His glory! By His grace as I have recently testified, God has delivered me from affliction that I may continue to declare His Word and works in righteousness!8
1 Such persons should be warned the Lord “heard” and will hear you as He did Miriam and was not pleased that His servant was assailed (Numbers 12, NKJV).
2 See the quote from President Lincoln.
3 The apostle John’s use of the phrase “perfect love” is the same as the Lord‘s “love” who he heard specifically tie to obedience (John 14:15-24, NKJV). Consequently, the apostle’s assertion that because of “perfect love” believers have no fear of the coming judgment day assumes faithful obedience to Christ to include properly dealing with our sins as they occur or are disclosed by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11; 1 John 1:5-2:2).
4 The fear of the Lord, daily walk with Him, His instruction and work in my life since 1977 (Psalm 119:33-40) has made me humble enough before Him to publicly confess and repent of any error from not having heard Him correctly or “rightly dividing the Word of truth” if it becomes necessary. To avoid this, I do not typically open mouth un- til I have reflected before the Lord and His Word (Proverbs 15:28; 2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV). That said, at His command neither do I engage in any false humility concern- ing or apologize for the knowledge and understanding He has “taught me” to placate proud men who cannot endure anyone who appears to know or think he knows more than they do (Psalm 119:97-104, NKJV)!
5 Read for example, the October 2, 2016 post, Gifted With A Prophet’s Heart, under the category, Call To Repent and posted February 17, 2019, Surrendering All To Jesus, under the category, Glory to God!
6 The exact roll out date and time of the Webcast is still to be announced. Meanwhile, prepare for it by listening to interviews conducted with me about the radio special on The From SlaveryTo Victory Education Project Web Site.
7 See the March 6, 2022 post, Ezekiel: Slave Of God, under the category, Glory To God!
8 Watch the less than thirty minute Bible Instruction video message the Lord gave me to proclaim in view of His promised deliverance from Prostate Cancer on our Strong Man Virtual Institute Channel, Afflicted For God’s Good Ends!
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