Where is God Amidst All This Chaos?
Special: Counseled by God Free Video Event and up to 50% off!

T. D. Jakes Explains Racial Issues in a Way I've Never Heard Them

Mark Virkler's picture

For many of us, it is time to listen to a Spirit-led leader in the black community express his thoughts about the racial tension that has erupted around us. We need to hear what the concerns are so we can be active participants in promoting a solution. It is impossible for us to be part of the solution if we have not first listened.

He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him. (Prov. 18:13 NASB)

Well known minister, Bishop T.D. Jakes, is the founder and senior pastor of the 30,000-member Potter's House Church in Dallas, Texas.

In this one-on-one interview with Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong NYC church, T.D. Jakes is being asked his thoughts concerning the racial tension present in America today. His response is loving, kind, provocative, authoritative and spiritually enlightened. There is no blame-casting, no anger and no trite answers. He opens our eyes to the black man’s perspective and experience. He offers suggestions for how we can be effectively involved in bringing healing to the issues before us.

The interview, which is available here, is about 75 minutes long, so find a time you can settle down and prayerfully listen. I suggest you have paper at your side to jot down ideas which speak powerfully to you, so you can go back and journal about them and hear what God would say to you.

A few points which spoke to me

Jesus tells a story of the man who was robbed and beaten and left by the roadside to die. Three people come by: a Levite, a priest and the good Samaritan. The leaders in the church (Levite and priest) ignored the man in need and did not reach out a helping hand. The Samaritan (from a culturally different group) stopped and helped (Lk. 10:25-37). So as a Christian or a leader in the church, what am I to do when I see someone suffering? Be one of those who pass by and say, "This is none of my concern," or be the one who stops and says, "I am here to help the one who is hurting"?

Another point I considered was the issue of “white privilege.” T. D. Jakes says that when he walks into his church, he has “pastoral privilege.” I fully understand that as I have experienced it as a pastor and as a seminar speaker. His discussion helped me see the privilege I have had during my lifetime, which has provided me with an easier path than many blacks have had. Again, just an opening of my eyes to the situation.

Bishop Jakes discusses that what is a “crime” (drug use) in certain zip codes is a “sickness” (drug addiction) in others. He also admits that most police are upright and good citizens, but still when his son was in an automobile accident, he feared that when the police arrived his son would be hurt by them. That has never been a fear I have had when I have been stopped by the police.

So once you have listened to this interview, I suggest you journal and say, “Lord, what would You speak to me concerning the issues discussed?” I believe the ONLY answer that will work is that which is birthed in revelation from the Holy Spirit. Our government can throw billions of dollars into public assistance, and still not eradicate poverty. It is living and walking by the Spirit that heals one’s life, marriage, family and finances.

I believe the best answer to the racial tension we are experiencing is a spiritual revival where people are brought into intimacy with Jesus and He speaks into their lives, guiding them day by day.

Race in America Series

  1. Understanding and Responding to Racial Tension
  2. Should I Just Hunker Down, Pray, and Try to Avoid All the Turmoil Engulfing the USA?
  3. "All Sheep Matter!"
  4. T. D. Jakes Explains Racial Issues in a Way I've Never Heard Them
  5. A Lieutenant Discusses Racial Discrimination Within the NYPD
  6. Perception, Presumption & the Pain of Not Belonging
  7. What Can I Do To Help Heal Racial Tension?
  8. It's Time for Blacks and Whites to Talk About Race Issues

Related Resources: 

How to Hear God's Voice!   
Add new comment

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 21 - 30 of 479

Pages

Come Alive with Jesus

by Jesse and Kara Birkey

Jesse and Kara Birkey introduce a moving devotional with a daily word from God that will help you hear and experience Him in ways you never have before.

Price: $19.99

Conversation Starters with God 2

Just the Questions! By Gloria Gierach | 120 Pages | Retail $14.99

What better way to converse with God than to have great questions that improve that communication? 375 relationship-building questions between you and God.

Price: $14.99

Conversation Starters with God Journal

By Gloria Gierach | 406 Pages | Retail $24.99

What better way to converse with God than to have great questions that improve that communication?   Each page of this workbook has a powerful question on the top followed by a blank page to journal out your dialogue with God.

Price: $24.99
Corporate Communion with God

Corporate Communion with God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 35 Pages

Bring the principles of how to hear God's voice to your prayer meetings with the ideas recommended in this guide. As your prayer group encounters the spirit world, there are no limits to where God may wish to take you. He may fill your hearts with visions and burdens of needs half-way around the world. He may take you into the heavenlies to reveal the activity of spiritual forces surrounding you. He may reveal to you a vision of His future purposes and draw you into calling them forth. The possibilities are as limitless and varied as is the Spirit of God.

Price: $4.95
Eden's Health Plan - Go Natural!

Eden's Health Plan - Go Natural!

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 289 Pages

Discover how you can take charge of your own health — keeping yourself young, energetic, attractive, and free of degenerative diseases! Discover the biblical injunctions on diet and health, and the amazing correlations between them and modern scientific research.

Price: $19.95

EFT for Christians: 52 Tapping Devotions

by Sherrie Rice Smith, R.N. (Retired)

"The amazing versatility of God’s gift of EFT stands out in this fourth installment in the EFT for Christians series. Sherrie Rice Smith’s latest book EFT for Christians – 52 Tapping Devotions helps believers incorporate Emotional Freedom Techniques into their everyday lives. In these weekly devotionals Sherrie clearly demonstrates how to connect Scripture and tapping in a practical way. Don’t just read this book; apply the principles and release God’s healing power in your life today."

Price: $15.00
EFT for Christians

Emotional Freedom Techniques - EFT for Christians: Tapping Into God's Peace and Joy

by Charity Virkler Kayembe and Sherrie Rice Smith | 208 Pages | Published 2016

Scripture tells us that we comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received (2 Corinthians 1:3–5). To the degree that we are healed and comforted, we can offer those same gifts much more freely to others

Price: $15.99

End-Times Prophecy

by Timothy Paul Jones, PhD | 364 p. | c2011

This is an outstanding book, which clearly and simply lays out four differing views of end time prophecy, providing scriptural support for each, showing the unique approaches each view takes, and encouraging you to understand and not judge those who disagree with you. Finally we can honor and love all people (1 Pet. 2:17) as we consider various views of interpreting end time prophecy. What a gift to the body of Christ. Thank you, Timothy Paul Jones!!!

Price: $19.95
Experiencing God Together

Experiencing God Together

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 105 Pages

This book explains how to turn small group meetings into times of dynamic sharing of revelation concerning the real life issues we face daily. It addresses how to get everyone involved, how to limit the naturally talkative, and how to keep things on track.

Price: $12.95
Flow of Life

Flow of Life

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 102 Pages

This book guides you in doing original research in any area in which you are seeking the supernatural release of divine power through your life. For example, one sample project recorded in this book is entitled, "Healing a Chronic Illness Through Receiving and Acting Upon a Word of Knowledge." 

Price: $12.95

Pages