Religion

The Will Power to Stand Under Attack

Published

10 years ago

January 13, 2015

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

“Willpower is the key to success. Successful people strive no matter what they feel by applying their will to overcome apathy, doubt or fear.” – Dan Millman

“The only good luck many great men ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad luck.” – Channing Pollock

Forward Thinkers, many have made and have unfortunately already broken New Year resolutions because they made themselves a promise without having secured the will power to stand.

Forward Thinkers, today begins the first week of 2015. I prayed and sought the Lord for directions to kick off the New Year and “The Will Power to Stand” was birthed.

Forward Thinkers, if you’re able to stand while you’re reading this week’s Forward Thinking article, please stand. Thank you for standing, now please be seated again.

Forward Thinkers you just accomplished 2 major Kingdom Principles:

Obedience: you stood without doubt
Faith: you sat back down without fear

Forward Thinkers, the question is not “can you follow directions or operate in faith?” The question is, “can you stand when the winds of adversity and resistance show up”? Forward Thinkers, the real question is “can you still operate in faith when life gets so dark you can’t see the chair”?

Forward Thinkers, remember, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Forward Thinkers, I’ve declared 2015 as the year of the Lord’s favor over every man and woman of faith and on New Year Eve I heard my Pastor declare “Greater” as the buzz word for 2015. I’m now declaring Greater Favor over every believer and Forward Thinker in 2015 but, we must be able to stand to walk by faith and not by sight if we expect to walk in “Greater Favor”.

Are you ready to walk in Greater Favor in 2015?

Forward Thinkers, this season, quitting is not an option, because “greater favor” won’t allow your situation to end until you win.

Forward Thinkers, this season, being defeated is not accepted because “greater favor” has already announced you are more than a conqueror.

Forward Thinkers, this season, playing the blame game or wearing the victim hat is not allowed because “greater favor” will turn your enemy into your foot stool and every negative situation will become your testimony of God’s ability to turn lives around.

Forward Thinkers, today’s focus is the “will power to stand under attack”.

Job 1:18-22
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.[a] The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Forward Thinkers, Job is a story about a man with the willpower to stand under attack and today I will empower you with the strength and willpower to stand under attack until you win.

Forward Thinkers, the enemy has three major strategies of attack and we see Job experiencing all three and still standing until he overcame. You must have willpower to stand while you’re waiting on the promises of God to be released in your life.

Forward Thinkers, today, I’m declaring you will overcome and obtain the willpower to stand under attack.

1) Attack On Your Finances

Forward Thinkers, the love of money is the root of all evil. Forward Thinkers, not money but the misplaced love of money is evil. Money is designed to be a tool but somewhere we allowed money to become a master. Forward Thinkers, The O’Jays said it best years ago, “money, money, money, money, money, some people got to have it for the love of money people will steal from their mother for the love of money people will rob their own brother.”

There has become a major increase in suicides in the United States, London, and Hong Kong of people working in the financial world of Wall Street because they allowed the pursuit of money to become greater than the pursuit of happiness.

Forward Thinkers, don’t let money kill you. Forward Thinkers, we see Job lost tons of money but he didn’t lose his faith that the same God who blessed him in the city and blessed him in the field the first time is still able to bless him all over again.

The reality is more marriages crash over money than over cheating. We cannot allow the enemy to defeat us through money.

Forward Thinkers, in God we must trust and obtain the willpower to stand under difficult financial times.

Forward Thinkers, remember in the bible the broke widow woman found out God was able to provide when her money ran out and today the same God will provide for us.

Forward Thinkers, remember there was a man in the bible with tax trouble and he found out God could make a way out of no way. Remember the lepers in the bible were dying and in great debt but God released wealth into their situation and He is still the same God today.

2) Attack Your Relationships

Forward Thinkers, Job’s wife allowed the devil to use her to attack him. When things got bad, Job’s wife got worse. She told Job to curse God and die.

Forward Thinkers, the enemy will have you believing love don’t love anybody.

The enemy understands if he can mess up your home life it will have a negative effect on every area of your life; it’s called cause and effect.

Forward Thinkers, every issue has a root cause. It is a proven theory, a person in a difficult relationship is more likely to experience a moral setback.

Forward Thinkers, there is heavenly power in touching and agreeing and relationships are designed to help you reach your full potential so the enemy keeps negative pressure on your relationships.

Forward Thinkers, Job’s friends were no better than his wife. Job thought his wife may be tripping but his boys would have his back; however, Job quickly discovered they didn’t have his back but they were talking about him behind his back.

Forward Thinkers, “what they do? They smile in your face; all the time they want to take your place. The back stabbers, back stabbers.” Forward Thinkers, the O’Jays was on it back in the day.

Forward Thinkers, for my younger generation who don’t know what an O’Jay is, let me put it like DJ Khaled, said “no new friends” because, I’m having a hard enough time trying to deal with my old friends.

Forward Thinkers, we must obtain will power to stand because, the Lord is a friend that sticks closer than a brother so put your trust in the Lord.

3) Attack Your Body

Forward Thinkers, Job got really sick and Satan attacked Job’s body. We must understand if Jeremiah knew the plans of the Lord then Satan surely knows the plans the Lord has for your abundant life.

The enemy is so afraid of you reaching your full potential that he attacks your body hoping he can steal your hope. The devil thinks if he can shut down your body, then he can shut you down. What the enemy failed to realize is when you’re weak God is strong,

Forward Thinkers, we have the will power to stand because we know God is a healer.

Job 42:12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. Forward Thinkers, keep standing because the same God that turned it around for Job will turn it around for you.

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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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.

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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.