Religion

The Favor of God Turned It in My Favor

Published

11 years ago

April 21, 2015

by Pastor E.A. Deckard
Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward Times

“I have a motto on my bedroom wall: ‘Obstacles are what you see when you take your eye off the goal.’ Giving up is not my style. I just want to do something that’s worthwhile.” – Chris Burke

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,[a] saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Forward Thinkers, many people will look at someone who has achieved a certain level of success and admire them for where they or for what they have, but I have learned to celebrate a person’s total journey. We never know all the hell someone had to go through to make it to this point in their life. The problem with admiring or judging someone is that we only see a small sample of their entire journey. Forward Thinkers, we come into contact with people at certain seasons of their life and try to understand them based on that season without taking into consideration their total life experiences.

Forward Thinkers, I’m still in awe of God when people began to talk about me in praiseworthy terms because, I remember my whole story and I know if it were not for the grace of God I would not be here. We should never forget the fact it was the Lord that gave us the ability to create wealth and success.

Forward Thinkers, as I operate in the favor of God I tell other Pastors and people who call me lucky during this season of my life yes you’re right, I am lucky. Forward Thinkers, I’m lucky enough to be lied on, lucky enough to grow up confused on why my parents didn’t raise me, lucky enough to have a church I spent years building up get flooded out with no flood insurance, lucky enough to have a daughter die while I’m up preaching, lucky enough to experience swine flu, acute arthritis, and vertigo all while leading God’s people. Forward Thinkers yes I’ve been real lucky.

Forward Thinkers, in spite of all that and that was the short version of my story, I never gave up because I always knew if a battery didn’t have a negative side it couldn’t produce any power to move anything. Forward Thinkers, everything negative you’ve experienced was not assigned to your life to destroy you but to empower you to reach your full potential.

Forward Thinkers, stop complaining and start moving into your season of success. The favor of God is waiting on you to move in faith so it can turn things around in your favor.

Forward Thinkers, let’s look back at verse 9 and rearrange it in the correct order of time: Jabez mother named him Jabez. The first thing we should notice here are Jabez humble beginnings. The Biblical meaning of the name Jabez is: sorrow and trouble. In Hebrew, the meaning of the name Jabez is: pain and in the Old Testament, Jabez was named so because he was born to his mother in pain. Jabez had a difficult start like many of us today but he didn’t throw in towel because in spite of it all he still believed it was not over for him. Forward Thinkers, there was a time in his journey that Jabez was probably voted most likely to fail and no one would have questioned him for giving up with the hand life had dealt him. Truth is someone reading this today is feeling like Jabez tired and weary from all the negative issues of life being thrown at them. Forward Thinkers, I’m sure there is a crowd reading this today wanting to cry out, “Why Me Lord Why Me Lord”.

Forward Thinkers, I’m encouraging you today not to give up but be encouraged that the favor of God has the power to turn this negative situation in your life around in your favor.

Forward Thinkers, I need you to notice Jabez showed us how to respond to a bad hand. Notice he does not cry out why Lord but he cries out Lord bless me right where I am. Forward Thinkers, Jabez had enough faith in God that he requested for the Lord to do something great/something big with his life while he was still in a negative place.

Forward Thinkers, I challenge you right now right where you are in life to declare Lord bless me and Lord use me to do something great.

Jabez also said Lord keep your hand with me; I don’t know about you Forward Thinkers, but I need the Lord’s hand with me all day every day.

Forward Thinkers, I need His hand to pick me up when I stumble and fall, I need His hand to push me forward when I feel like giving up, I need His hand to cover my mouth at times so I won’t respond to life the wrong way, I need His hand to hold my hand as I walk through the valley of the shallow of death, I need His hand to dry up my tears when life has me down, I need His hand to cover my eyes so I won’t lose hope in a evil world, and finally I need His hand to anoint my head with knowledge and wisdom.

Forward Thinkers, shout because the outcome of Jabez prayer was the Lord granted his request, shout because the same God of Jabez is your request granting God also.

Forward Thinkers, the favor of God turned it in Jabez favor and I’m living proof if you don’t let your faith fail you, God will cause His favor to turn your situation around in “your” favor. Jabez went from being called painful to being called honorable.

Forward Thinkers, remember the synonyms of Jabez, “painful, sorrowful, and trouble” but now the favor of God has turned Jabez into being called “worthy of honor, good, upstanding, illustrious, distinguished, eminent, great, glorious, renowned, acclaimed, prestigious, noble, and admirable”.

In conclusion, forward thinkers, God turned Jabez story around and today God is waiting on you to trust Him to turn your story around also.

Pastor E. A. Deckard is the Senior Pastor/Founder of the Green House International Church located, 16711 Ella Blvd. Houston, Texas, 77090. To contact Pastor Deckard for speaking engagements contact him at pr.ghic@gmail.com or the church website www.ghic.net.

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Black History

IN MEMORIAM: The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark, Longtime Orange County Pastor and Community Leader, Dies at 72

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, the longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a prominent faith and community leader in Orange County, passed away on September 9 at the age of 72. Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who dedicated his life to service. He served various Southern California churches before leading New Spirit Baptist Church for over 22 years, extending his work into counseling, mentoring, and civic engagement, and supporting the African American community. To learn more about his life and contributions, read more.

Published

1 week ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a respected faith and community leader in Orange County, died Sept. 9. He was 72.

Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who later built a life of service centered on family, faith, ministry, and community.

Clark began his formal ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena in 1978. After acknowledging his call to ministry in 1980, he preached his first sermon and went on to serve churches throughout Southern California, including Second Baptist Church in Riverside, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Rubidoux, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona, and Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda.

In November 2003, Clark was called to lead New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana, where he served as pastor for more than 22 years. His work extended beyond the pulpit through counseling, mentoring, civic engagement, and efforts to strengthen Orange County’s African American community.

Clark served on the Orange County Heritage Council and supported efforts to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture. He helped organize the Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival, served on the Interfaith Committee and the Orange County Transit Authority, and served as president of the Orange County Ministers Conference.

In 2024, the City of Santa Ana recognized Clark for his contributions to the community. He also received the Orange County Southern Baptist Association Hall of Faith Award and was previously honored as Pastor of the Year by the Orange County Heritage Council.

Clark is survived by his wife, Andrea Joyles Clark; six children, Shawn Williams, Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Kyla Coward, Joshua Clark, Marissa Clark and Ashley Clark; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings; extended family; and the New Spirit Baptist Church congregation.

A wake will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Spirit Baptist Church, 701 S. Sullivan St. in Santa Ana, with a remembrance service from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Oct. 2, at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda. Viewing begins at noon, followed by the service at 1 p.m.

Burial will take place Monday, Oct. 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Clark often shared a guiding principle that shaped his ministry: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

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Black History

In Wake of Death on Doorstep, Williams Chapel Baptist Church Calls for Better Care, Funding for Unhoused

An unhoused individual was found deceased on the steps of Williams Chapel Baptist Church in East Oakland at approximately 6:30 a.m. Monday. The church, located at 1410 10th Ave., extended condolences to the individual’s family, noting the tragedy reflects a broader crisis. Williams Chapel Baptist Church provides shelter and referral services, working with West Side Missionary Baptist Church. They call for increased funding and collaboration to expand services for unhoused individuals. Read more to learn about the church’s efforts and the call for solutions.

Published

1 week ago

September 27, 2026

Post News Group

Oakland Police and emergency vehicle arrive to Williams Chapel Monday morning. Courtesy photo.

By Special to The Post

Church extends condolences to individual’s family and loved ones

At approximately 6:30 a.m. Monday, an unhoused individual was found deceased on the steps of Williams Chapel Baptist Church, located at 1410 10th Ave. on the corner of 10th and International in East Oakland.

The individual appears to have come to the church seeking safety and may have needed medical support. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the individual’s family and loved ones.

This tragedy reflects a broader crisis affecting unhoused individuals and families throughout the Bay Area. Too many people are living without reliable shelter or timely access to medical care, mental health support, and other essential services. Limited funding and insufficient resources continue to leave vulnerable people without the help they need.

Williams Chapel Baptist Church, a member of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, works alongside West Side Missionary Baptist Church to provide safe-haven overnight parking, tiny-home emergency shelter, and wraparound referral services to the unhoused.

With funding, both East and West Oakland sites can increase to full capacity and extend to other congregations, creating more safe places for people living on the streets to seek shelter, support, and connection to services.

We invite government agencies, nonprofit organizations, interfaith communities, businesses, and neighbors to join us in this work. By working together with compassion and purpose, we can develop meaningful solutions and help more people experiencing homelessness receive care, stability, and dignity.

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Black History

Nuna Phillips-McKee Celebrates 100 Years: ‘A Century of Faith, Family and God’s Amazing Grace!’

OAKLAND POST — Nuna’s life has been one of Christian service. A longtime member of Wings of Love Maranatha Ministries, now Incredible Church, she serves as director of Community Services and is actively involved in the church’s Food Ministries.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 14, 2026

Post News Group

Nuna Phillips-McGee, far right, will be celebrating her 100th birthday with sisters (l. to. r.) Donna Hayes, Ida Williams, Sandra Phillips and Enis Harrison. Photo by Carol Dossman.

By Special to The Post

Nuna Phillips-McKee will reach an extraordinary milestone on Sept. 24 —her 100th

birthday, marking a century filled with faith, family, service, laughter and the amazing grace of God.

Born Sept. 14, 1926, in Oakland, Nuna has witnessed a world of change during her lifetime, yet the values that have guided her remain constant: a deep faith in God, devotion to family, a strong work ethic and a heart for serving others.

She enjoyed a distinguished career as a civil servant for more than 40 years, demonstrating the dedication, dependability and strength that have characterized so much of her life.

Nuna’s life has been one of Christian service. A longtime member of Wings of Love Maranatha Ministries, now Incredible Church, she serves as director of Community Services and is actively involved in the church’s Food Ministries.

Through the years, she has continued to help meet the needs of others—not merely with food, but with kindness, compassion and a genuine desire to serve. Her ministry reflects a simple principle by which she lives: when God blesses you, you bless others.

Nuna is the proud mother of one son, whose memory she carries in her heart, and the beloved grandmother of three grandchildren, as well as six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

At 100, she has the rare blessing of seeing several generations of her family carrying forward a legacy that began long ago.

She remains the loving, intelligent, witty, and, when the occasion calls for it, delightfully sassy Nuna that her family and friends know so well. Her contagious laugh, quick wit and youthful spirit have endeared her to generations of relatives, church members and friends.

Nuna was born into the large and loving Phillips family of seven sisters and one brother, with bonds that formed in childhood and have remained precious throughout the decades. Their shared love, faith, and family traditions have continued to be a source of joy, strength and countless treasured memories.

As family and friends gather for this special occasion, they will celebrate far more than a number. They will celebrate 100 years of prayers prayed and answered; 100 years of lessons learned and wisdom shared; 100 years of family, faith, laughter and love; 100 years of serving God and serving others.

Most of all, they will celebrate a life that stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness through every season.

Nuna’s century-long journey can be summed up in the words chosen to commemorate this remarkable occasion: “100 years of God’s amazing grace.”