Religion

FOG (Favor of God) 4

Published

10 years ago

March 3, 2015

Oakland Post

by Pastor E.A. Deckard

Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward Times

“Whenever we think of Christ, we should recall the love that led Him to bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed in giving us in Christ a pledge of His love; for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love Him.”

~ Saint Teresa of Avila

“The person who receives the most favors is the one who knows how to return them.”

~Syrus

Forward Thinkers, the FOG (Favor of God) series has been life changing this month at the Green House International Church, “the place where you go to.” Forward Thinkers, on last week I was led to personally reach out to a family member whom was seeking the Lord for a major breakthrough; her son to receive a scholarship to college. I boldly told her to bring her son to the Green House International Church because, there would be a word declared that her son needed to hear. After church he and I stood in the church parking lot talking and he said, “Thank you. I got a lot out of the sermon this morning.” Forward Thinkers, I told him to repeat after me: “I receive it” and he did just as I requested. The next day, he received his first scholarship offer for college.

Forward Thinkers, this month I’ve been tagged on social media to several praise reports where people were publicly stating the impact the FOG (Favor of God) series was having on their life.

Forward Thinkers, the FOG (Favor of God) is real. We have all heard the popular saying in our culture today, ‘the struggle is real’ but I cancel the struggle with the FOG (Favor of God). Forward Thinkers, do you have any proof today that the FOG (Favor of God) is real?

Luke 2:51-52 New International Version (NIV)

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ⁵²And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Forward Thinkers, let’s unpack this scripture loaded with a special package of favor. We must understand it takes all the ingredients inside the package to produce the desired outcome. You will not get the desired results by leaving out some of the major ingredients.

Forward Thinkers, let’s start by establishing the “He” in the text which is Jesus. The church must get back to the place where Jesus is our “standard.” The church is marketing to the world that we are Christians meaning that we are Christ-like but, the reality is the church is moving more and more away from teachings and actions of Christ daily. Forward Thinkers, Jesus came to give us an example to follow so the enemy would not be able to defeat us but, we have allowed the enemy to trick us into believing Jesus is outdated and old fashion. Jesus said, “He came so we could have life” and experience life to the fullest. We are struggling in life because, we are trying to figure out life when Jesus has already given us a winning playbook.

Forward Thinkers, how smart would it be to have the world famous recipe for chocolate chip cookies and then eliminate the chocolate from the bowl of ingredients and expect to achieve the desired result of producing chocolate chip cookies? Eliminating Jesus from the equation of living an abundant life makes just about as much sense as eliminating the chocolate.

Forward Thinkers, recently, a reporter asked me how I would describe myself and I said, “I’m a non-traditional Pastor with an out the box ministry mindset.” I have the social conscience of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. along with the activism spirit of “by any means necessary” of Malcolm X but I acknowledge without the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, I’m nothing. I said while I was trying to figure out who I was, God’s grace and mercy covered me and today the favor of God is carrying me.

Forward Thinkers, the desired outcome is to operate with the favor of God but, let’s observe all the ingredients that produce the favor of God and man in our life.

Forward Thinkers, Jesus was obedient. I know I just lost many of my readers right there because, a major ingredient to producing favor is obedience and most in today’s society believe obedience is a curse word.

Isaiah 1:19 New International Version (NIV)

19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

Forward Thinkers, remember, the bible says that God withholds no good thing from the righteous and its clear obedience is a major pathway to receiving the favor of God; obtaining all the good things known to man.

Ephesians 6:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Forward Thinkers, the bible says obey your parents and notice Jesus obeyed his parents. My grandparents spoiled me as a kid but I had to make good grades, go to church, and obey their rules. I could drive any car they owned, shop at any store I desired and used their line of credit as long as I obeyed their rules. Forward Thinkers, obedience produced favor in my life at an early age.

Forward Thinkers, wisdom is the next ingredient to receiving the favor of God. Jesus grew in wisdom. Are you growing in wisdom too? Remember when we seek wisdom we find the favor of God. I discovered wisdom is the foundation of wise decision making; wise decision makers flow in the favor of God. Wisdom is more than intelligence, because I know a large amount of smart people who make unwise decisions and operate outside the favor of God. I’m finally smart enough to know I’m not smart enough to operate at my fullest potential without the favor of God.

Forward Thinkers, stature is another ingredient in the favor of God package. Let me define stature: status, standing, influence, fame, the level of respect.

Forward Thinkers, remember God told Abraham, “I will make your name great” and as Forward Thinking believers, we receive all the promises Abraham received. The FOG (Favor of God) will also change how people treat you. When the favor of God is on you, that shift you’ve been seeking will find you. The favor of God will turn your situation from negative to victorious.

I realize someone is saying but Pastor I’ve made some poor decisions and my current standing is not good, and I’m disqualified from the favor of God. Let me remind you of Jacob, (the trickster) in the bible who made one great decision to turn his selfish ways around and turn to God. Forward Thinkers, that one decision released the favor of God in his life and he became a new person (Israel).

Forward Thinkers, let me encourage you to remand faithful to God while you wait on the Favor of God: to promote you into greatness. We love the story of Moses, the liberator of his people, but we often forget Moses spent his early life living in a foreign land on the run for murder, and living in the wilderness before he became the leader of all Israel.

Forward Thinkers, the FOG (Favor of God) tracker is in full effect and people who ignored you, will now respect your gifts.

Forward Thinkers, obedience caused Jesus to grow into wisdom; wisdom produced the FOG (Favor of God) and the FOG (Favor of God) increased His stature. Forward Thinkers, your stature is changing for the better now.

Forward Thinkers, the FOG (Favor of God) will come through man. God will use a man to grant you a promotion on your job, to approve a pay increase in your salary, to cause a debt reduction in your financial affairs, loans will be approved, resources for school will be discovered, and blessings on delay will finally be released.

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.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

Faith Tabernacle A.O.H. Church Welcomes New Assistant Overseer Edmund A. Singleton

The Faith Tabernacle A.O.H. Church of God in Richmond announced last week that it is honored to welcome Assistant Overseer Edmund A. Singleton II as our new Pastor and to introduce him to the Richmond community. At the 108th A.O.H National Pentecostal services on June 10, 2024, Asst. Overseer Singleton was appointed Pastor of the Faith Tabernacle A.O.H. Church by the National Presider, Bishop Lawrence Williams.

Published

3 months ago

October 2, 2024

Oakland Post

Faith Tabernacle A.O.H. Church New Assistant Overseer Edmund A. Singleton. Courtesy of Faith Tabernacle A.O.H. Church.

By Pamela Carter

When Jesus sent out his twelve disciples to minister the gospel he told them how they should conduct themselves as kingdom servants (Matt. 10:5–15). But he also spoke of the responsibility of the people to receive these ministers as his official representatives. Jesus insists that the way people receive his ministers reflects their relationship with God (Matt. 10:40). He invites God’s people to welcome “a prophet in the name of a prophet” and “to receive a righteous man’s reward” (v. 41).

At the 108^th A.O.H National Pentecostal services on June 10, 2024, Asst. Overseer Singleton was appointed Pastor of the Faith Tabernacle A.O.H. Church by the National Presider, Bishop Lawrence Williams.

His official installation services will be on Oct. 19, 2024, at 6 p.m. PT. Pastor Singleton will be the 3^rd Shepard appointed to this ministry over its 69-years of existence.

Singleton, originally united with the Faith Tabernacle church in 1993, under the leadership of Bishop George and Elder Verley Ayers. He served diligently on various ministries, including Youth Department, Deacons, Ushers, an the Choir.

In 2001, the Lord called him to the ecclesiastic ministry. He began his studies and tutelage to receive his Reverend licenses in 2003. At the request of Bishop Ayers, he studied and passed his Elder’s exam and was ordained an Elder at the 90^th Pentecostal meeting in 2006. In 2021, he was elevated to Assistant Overseer of the Western Region Diocese by Bishop Lawrence Williams.

In 2020, Pastor Singleton founded the Jehu Unchained Podcast, a Christian show to help individuals discover who God is and the benefits of being a born-again believer. His listenership continues to grow and has spread worldwide. In 2021, he launched the Jehu Unchained non-profit organization, geared to encouraging and supporting the youth in our community.

Pastor Singleton is a native of Oakland and a graduate of Kennedy High School in Richmond. He attended Contra Costa college and has worked in the construction industry for over 30-years.

Pastor Singleton is blessed to be married to his wife, Sister Kristie Palmer, for 27 years. They have two children, Edmund, III and Kayla.

As a husband and father, he brings a bit of wisdom, a sense of humor and a love for God’s people. He as a passion for the youth and witnessing the transformation of souls by the power of God.

Oakland Post

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#NNPA BlackPress

COMMENTARY: Prayer is Your Power

Published

2 years 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

2 years 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.