Religion

The Road to ‘Greater Favor’

Published

10 years ago

February 10, 2015

Oakland Post

by Pastor E. A. Deckard

Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward Times

“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.”- Vince Lombardi

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.”- Booker T. Washington

The Road to “Greater Favor”

Forward Thinkers, as we enter into the second month of 2015, many have already experienced some form of setback and disappointment, but today I want to encourage you to keep your head up and press forward on the road to greater favor.

Forward Thinkers, for those of you who have already broken your New Year resolutions I encourage you to get back up and recommit yourself to becoming the best you possible and get back on the road to greater favor that awaits you in 2015.

Joshua 1:7-9 New International Version (NIV)

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:7-9Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good [a]success. 9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Forward Thinkers, I want to encourage you this season to remember that you may be successful if you get on the road to “greater favor”. It is not too late to win. God has a plan for your life and if you follow that plan it will guarantee success.

Forward Thinkers, we all witnessed the Seattle Seahawks suffer a major defeat in the Super Bowl when they chose to option out of the play that has produced success for them over and over again. I encourage you not to panic under pressure but to stick with the plan God has in place for your great success. Forward Thinkers, your current situation does not change the success rate of God.

Forward Thinkers, the bible is so certain of the success rate of God’s plan on the road to “greater favor” that it promises you will then be prosperous. Forward Thinkers, during the Super Bowl we saw several commercials promoting this and that but I didn’t see any company bold enough in its product to promise you guaranteed prosperity.

Forward Thinkers, in the year 2015 it’s time to produce. On the road to greater favor the goal is to be and not just talk about it. For years we have sat in church being emotional about what we were going to do but this year it’s time to stop the pep rally and start producing the type of victories God has promised us on the road to greater favor.

Forward Thinkers, let’s analyze the directions on the road to greater favor.

Be Strong: Forward Thinkers, mental toughness is required over physical strength to travel on the road to greater favor. Forward Thinkers, we must obtain the will power needed to keep going no matter the obstacles facing us in 2015. Forward Thinkers, newly elected Baseball Hall of Famer Craig Biggio was quoted as saying “I never gave up on myself no matter how big the odds were against me making it into the Hall of Fame.”

Forward Thinkers, did you commit to getting stronger in 2015? Forward Thinkers, it’s time to build your faith muscles in 2015. Forward Thinkers, it amazes me that in January the fitness centers are full but by February the crowds have already gone back to their bad habits.

Forward Thinkers, I encourage you to stay strong and remain on the road to greater favor.

Be Very Courageous: Forward Thinkers, I read a quote from Motivational Speaker Jim Rohn, “don’t wish it was easier but wish you were better” and today, I want to inspire you to “Faith Up” to the challenge and be courageous on the road to greater favor.

Forward Thinkers, I believe faith equals courage and the bible declares that faith comes from the Word of God. Do the math; if faith equals courage and faith comes from the Word then the result of obeying the Word is you become very courageous.

Forward Thinkers, a lion walks through the jungle with confidence because he knows he is a king. The lion in the story of “The Wizard of Oz” is so interesting because, the lion lacked courage and that goes against the nature of being a lion. It’s against a Believer’s nature to lack courage also because our belief system is based on our believing the Word of God. Forward Thinkers, the Word says we are “Winners”.

Be Careful To Obey: Forward Thinkers, we are encouraged not to turn to the right or to the left but to stick to the directions God has given us on the road to greater favor. Forward Thinkers, how many times have we altered the directions from our GPS system only to end up lost? Forward Thinkers, this season I encourage you to lean not on your own understanding but trust the GPS system being received from heaven.

Speak The Word: Forward Thinkers, do you remember this line from the sitcom Different Strokes “what you talking about Willis?” Forward Thinkers, in the year 2015 it is very important we control the words coming out of our mouths. Here is a quick lesson on how to build your faith vocabulary: Remember for every negative word there is an opposing positive word.

Forward Thinkers, for every “good” word there is a bad word, for every holy thought there is an evil thought, and for everything that can go up there is the possibility of it coming down. We must get in the Word of God so that we can respond with a Word from God whenever the enemy declares a word from hell.

Forward Thinkers, while you’re growing in the Word here are a few weapons you can use to reply to any negative word spoken to you: I can do all things – I’m more than a conqueror – I’m blessed coming and blessed going out.

Meditate on the Word: Forward Thinkers, I recommend that you find at least twenty-one minutes of your morning to change your life and drive on the road of “greater favor”. There is a plan of success which is to focus on a scripture for seven minutes daily; find a motivational quote and spend four minutes reading it out loud; follow that by praying ten minutes using the scripture and the quote as the foundation of your prayer.

Forward Thinkers, here is an example: Read Joshua 1:8 over and over again for seven minutes then declare this quote “My mind is my greatest strength, I lock myself in my head and tell myself; I’m invincible and nobody can beat me”. Read “Undefeated American”, by Kevin Gastelum, mixed martial artist, for four minutes.

Forward Thinkers, pray for ten minutes using words like, “Lord, today I meditate on your word day and night and I thank you for making me successful. Lord, I praise you for giving me countless victories in my finances, my family, and my ministry. Lord, I pray as I continue to meditate on your Word, You will continue to grant me “greater favor” in all that I do in your name. Amen.

Don’t Be Terrified: Forward Thinkers, the Lord didn’t give us the spirit of fear, therefore; on the road to greater favor we can’t afford to allow ourselves to be terrified by what we see or experience. Forward Thinkers, on the road to “greater favor” we must focus on the promise of the grapes existing and not on the fact the giants will appear along the way.

Don’t Be Discouraged: Forward Thinkers, I encourage you not to be discouraged, because as you travel the road of “greater favor” God will be traveling with you the entire journey.

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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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

1 month 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.

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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.

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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.