Religion

The Will Power to Stand After A Bad Start

Published

9 years ago

February 3, 2015

Oakland Post

by Pastor E. A. Deckard

Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward Times

“Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition – such as lifting weights – we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity.” -Stephen Covey

“The evil influence of Satan would destroy any hope we have in overcoming our mistakes. He would have us feel that we are lost and that there is no hope. In contrast, Jesus reaches down to us to lift us up.” -James E. Faust

Forward Thinkers, Hollywood writers spend millions of dollars creating movie scripts about people overcoming difficult beginnings and pulling out last minute victories in the face of adversity. I could save Hollywood millions of dollars and eliminate the creative thinking departments because, I know hundreds of people whom have had to overcome bad starts and stand with the will power to keep going till they won. Matter of fact, chances are you have had to overcome some bad starts yourself as you read this article today.

Forward Thinkers, today I will encourage you through this “Forward Thinking” article to release the will power to stand after a bad start.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 King James Version (KJV)

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Forward Thinkers, Paul reminds us that no matter what we are going through or dealing with we will not be defeated because we’re on the winning team. The fact that we’re on a winning team gives us confidence to keep believing things will turn around in our favor. Forward Thinkers, it is very important that you connect to the right team.

Forward Thinkers, Paul encourages us to have the will power to stand even after a bad start because, we are connected to Jesus. There is no defeat in Jesus; examine His track record. Jesus always comes out on top. Forward Thinkers, there have been times where things looked impossible until Jesus showed up and performed the “impossible”. Forward Thinkers, remember in order to guarantee yourself a victory, never go into a battle without connecting to Jesus first.

Forward Thinkers, Paul often quotes the Prophet Isaiah from the Old Testaments; “keep the New Testament church encouraged through difficult times”. Forward Thinkers, the key to will power is faith and faith only comes through the Word of God.

Forward Thinkers, worry, fear, and doubt have never produced “faith”; but worry, fear, and doubt can produce defeat in the face of adversity.

Forward Thinkers, when we are dealing with difficult situations that is not the time to run from God but this is the perfect time to run to God. There is nothing new under the sun; everything we are experiencing today, there is a solution and a word of encouragement found in the Word of God.

Forward Thinkers, Paul quotes Isaiah (Isaiah 28:16) “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” In Romans 9:33, as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Forward Thinkers, do you see the power in trusting God? Did you notice that those who trust God will operate with will power to stand after a bad start? Paul reminds us that the Prophet Isaiah gives us three powerful outcomes produced from trusting God.

We will never be put to shame
We will never panic under pressure
We will never be disappointed

Forward Thinkers, I don’t know about you but I think this is great news and a winning formula.

Forward Thinkers, the question is where is your faith? Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” It is very important we understand the value of placing our faith in the Creator and not in the creation.

Isaiah 40:29-31 New International Version (NIV)

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. ³⁰Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

Forward Thinkers, we may experience a bad start causing us to become weary and weak but if we keep our faith in the Lord we will end up with wings and soar to victory.

Forward Thinkers, Russell Wilson, the winning Super Bowl quarterback last year, had a terrible start last week in a game to determine if his team would make this year’s Super Bowl. Wilson threw 4 interceptions and his team was down 16-0 to the Green Bay Packers. He led his team to a remarkable comeback victory and threw the winning touchdown in overtime and despite his bad start he is going back to the Super Bowl. Once again, I remind you, it is not where you start but where you finish that matters most.

Forward Thinkers, one of Russell Wilson’s teammates made the following statement after the comeback victory, “I feel like our team story is full of adversity and pushing through it and that’s what showed up today.”

Side Note: Many fans, wearing Seattle Seahawks jerseys, left the game early while the team was still losing. Some fans were still in the parking lot when the team started making its incredible come back but they were denied re-entry to the stadium after they heard the roar of the fans that remained faithful and stayed in the stadium. Notice only those who kept the faith witnessed the comeback.

Forward Thinkers, when experiencing a bad start remember these four stages of dealing with a bad start.

Sold Out: In the bible we see both Jesus and Joseph were sold out by people close to them but remember Forward Thinkers, what the enemy thought would defeat them, God turned around for their good. Forward Thinkers, you may get sold out by those around you but keep the faith, God will turn your enemies into your footstool.

Left Out: There are also records in the bible of both King David and Paul being left out and viewed as unworthy but remember, no one can cancel the anointing God has on your life. Forward Thinkers, it’s the anointing attached to the assignment that keeps you from being defeated after a bad start.

Counted Out: Both Jesus and Lazarus were counted out and given up on after it appeared their lives were over but if we keep watching we will see that they both got back up and won. Forward Thinkers, many may count you out after a bad start but make sure you’re not one of the many.

Walk Out: The fans of the Seattle Seahawks football team, and the butcher and the baker from the bible in jail with Joseph all walked out on them after a bad start but God promises He will never leave us. Forward Thinkers, once again we must put our faith in God and not in man.

Russell Wilson said after the game when he was down and experiencing a bad start he remained calm because he knew what was inside of him made him more than a conqueror. In conclusion today Forward Thinkers, I need you to remember after a bad start that what is inside of you is enough for you to still win.

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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COMMENTARY: Prayer is Your Power

Published

1 year ago

February 6, 2023

Oakland Post

Prayer is about faith. It is believing that God hears us.

Faithful Utterances

By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew | Texas Metro News

This week, a friend informed me that she was following the ambulance to the hospital with her husband. Her husband was going through a major health crisis. She wasn’t the only one who reached out—a friend’s mother had unexplained pain and another friend contacted me about her friend’s son who was hospitalized with pneumonia. Each of them asked that I pray for them.

I consider it an honor to pray for others. Prayer is powerful and I love that I have a group of friends who I can turn to that I call the “prayer warriors” that when I send a text to lift up the concerns and issues of others before God, they go into battle mode.

Prayer is a weapon and I think many of us don’t understand its power until we need it. For many of us, it’s a routine, something that’s more about religion than it is about relationship. We have gotten prayer twisted as some exchange solely for stuff. God is not a celestial Santa Claus dropping off gifts. Prayer is an opportunity to go before to God sincerely in relationship. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.

Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:5–8)

Prayer is about faith. It is believing that God hears us. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) I realize that my prayers are even more powerful when I am in relationship with others seeking God: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). It’s dangerous when we see prayer as a way to manipulate God into doing what we want. There is nothing wrong with bringing your requests before God but it’s important to check our motivation and intention. It’s also important to know that just because God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way that we want does not mean that God doesn’t love us.

It doesn’t mean that God does not hear us. It does not negate the omnipotence or goodness of God, either. We must believe that God is able. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) It’s easy to blame God when things don’t go the way we want them to—”the rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

Terrible things happen to good people often. We live in an unjust world with people making decisions that are informed more by profit than people. We cannot take those principles into our relationship with God. We must believe that “… all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) …. God is concerned with our hearts, with people and cares for us even when things don’t go the way we’d like. I can report that all of the individuals we prayed for had excellent results.

God is good! Yet, I realize that this isn’t always the case. Prayer is powerful. God wants us to have this daily form of communication. 1 John 5:14, tells us: “And this is the boldness we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Don’t use prayer just when you need something. Just as all relationships require consistent communication for growth and results, the same is even more important in our relationship with God. Prayer is a powerful partnership with God that can move mountains when we believe!

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the host of the Tapestry Podcast and the author of three books for women. She is also the Vice President of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas. To learn more, visit drfroswa.com.

Oakland Post

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Black History

AFRICAN-ISH: The First Christmas Story

Both Joseph and Mary were of the lineage of David, Joseph descended from David’s son Solomon (and Bathsheba), and Mary extended from another son Nathan. Therefore, they were required to go to the little town of Bethlehem, in Judea and there, in a cattle shed Jesus was born. (Bethlehem is 70 miles south of Nazareth and 5 miles southwest of Jerusalem).

Published

1 year ago

December 26, 2022

Oakland Post

The four Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronicled the full theme of Christ as the universal Savior.

By Simon Burris

The narrative of Jesus’ birth and proof of his Hamitic (Black) African bloodline* began in the Old Testament in the book of Genesis chapter 10, in the Land of Ham, located in southwest Asia and Africa. Three most prominent Hamitic personalities: Abraham, Isaiah and David.

People and places of Hamitic origins are underlined.

(1) Abraham the patriarch was Babylonian (Ethnic Ethiopian). Gen. 11:31; (2) Isaiah a prophet lived 750 years before Christ, predicted the virgin birth was a nephew of Amaziah a Judahite (Canaanite) king; and (3) David the great king of Israel was a descendant of Abraham, also of Tamar and Rahab (Canaanites).

The (Hamitic) Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-34

The Birth of Jesus: (about 6-4 BC)

Mary the virgin mother of Jesus and her husband Joseph the “foster” father of Jesus, a carpenter, lived in Nazareth, a town in northern Palestine.

At this time Emperor Augustus of the Roman Empire decreed that a census would be taken. Everyone in his domain had to go to his or her hometown to register. He probably ordered Cyrenius ( Quirinius ) the Afro Roman governor of Syria / Judeadistrict to take charge and supervise the mandate.

A short time later shepherds from the countryside as well as Wise Men (Magi) from neighboring countries Arabia, Babylonia,and Persia traveled to the nativity site, paid homage and worshiped the infant-Savior.

Now Joseph was warned by the Lord in a dream that Herod the Edomite king of Judea was plotting the murder of the child, fled with his family to Egypt, returning to Nazareth after the death of Herod.

Jesus had siblings, brothers Joseph, Simon, Epistle writers James, Jude, and several sisters. The last mention of Joseph occurs in the Gospel of Luke when he and Mary take the 12-year-old Jesus to Jerusalem. Mary played a vital role all through Jesus’ life, from the day He was born till the time of the crucifixion.

Conclusion: The four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronicled the full theme of Christ as the universal Savior. *Descendants of Ham’s sons Cush (Ethiopia), Mizraim (Egypt), Put (Libya) and Canaan (Ancient Palestine/Israel). Genesis 10: 6-20

Footnotes: Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25?

The ancient Romans celebrated the winter solstice on December 25 as the birthday of the SUN; the Babylonians and Persians -SON of the SUN. Some 300 plus years after Jesus’ earthly demise, Roman Emperor Constantine in 336 legalized this date as the birthday of the SON of GOD – JESUS the CHRIST! Originally: Christ’s Mass.

Eurocentric racism: Pope Julius II in 1508 commissioned Michelangelo, Raphael and other Renaissance artists and church scholars to portray and depict almost all major biblical characters as Europeans (Caucasians), save servants and slaves.

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Activism

SDA Churches Join Outreach Efforts to Find Solutions to Upsurge of Violence

the Northern California Conference of Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) held their annual Convocation at Grand Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church in Oakland. Seven hundred people came together in celebration and worship. The theme was “Embracing Change.”

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2022

Oakland Post

From left to right: Pastor Raymond Lankford, Elder Busayo Alabi, Pastor Damon Washington, Sister Rose Robinson, Pastor Garrett Anderson, Pastor Edwin Brown, Pastor Willie Johnson, Pastor Virgil Childs.

By Post Staff

On Oct. 8, the Northern California Conference of Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) held their annual Convocation at Grand Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church in Oakland. Seven hundred people came together in celebration and worship. The theme was “Embracing Change.” The guest speaker was Dr. Myron Edmonds, who pastors in Cleveland, Ohio. He spoke about how Christ wasn’t a traditionalist, and the work isn’t being done because some in the church don’t wish to change and they tend to demonize new ideas.

Throughout the day, the Mobile Medical Health Van operated by Immanuel Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church out of Oakland sat in front of the church and provided health screenings and community resource information to the general public. The Medical Van, which was gifted to the church by Pastor Raymond Lankford of Healthy Communities, has provided free health care services throughout Alameda County for the last few years. The prayer of Pastor Damon Washington of Immanuel Temple Church, who was ordained during the afternoon program, is for their health ministry to partner with the other providers like OPIC and Oakland Workforce Agencies and to combat the ongoing health disparities and violence within the city and beyond.

They have pledged to work with the Chaplains, the OPIC and the Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back, who want to make amends for the damages they have done to harm Oakland.