By Pastor E.A. Deckard
Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward Times
“The great question of our time is, ‘Will we be motivated by materialistic philosophy or by spiritual power?’’ ~ Billy Graham
Forward Thinkers, Curtis Jackson “aka” 50 Cent, the Executive Producer of the hit TV show “Power” and one of the world’s most recognized rappers testifies his lifestyle is an illusion: “I take the jewelry and cars back to the stores”; “I’m afraid my brand will suffer because everybody now knows my real financial power”. Forward Thinkers, we may look at 50 Cent situation and declare he has been living a fraud but the reality is today in churches across America many people are living with an illusion of power, peace, and prosperity. Forward Thinkers, my desire and my God-given assignment is to teach and preach until everyone I’m connected to have reached their full potential and operating with real power.
Philippians 4:13 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.
Forward Thinkers this is a Christian power statement so ask yourself am I a Christian.
John 15:5 New International Version (NIV)
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Forward Thinkers, Jesus could not have said it any clearer; without Him we will not experience true power.
Forward Thinkers, I pray throughout the first three weeks of this series “POWER” you have realized there is no real power disconnected from God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. When we are connected to the Creator we have unlimited power over the creation but when we attempt to win outside of God we are left at best with the false illusion of power, peace, and prosperity.
I refuse to spend the rest of my life “faking it” till I make it; today I challenge you Forward Thinkers to seek Jesus and discover the supernatural power in His Name and His blood.
Acts 1:8 New King James Version (NKJV)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Forward Thinkers, remember last week you were informed to shout “amen” when you desired to enter into a covenant agreement with God so let’s read Acts 1:8 one more time and this time I need all those thirsty, hungry, desperate, and ready to receive true power from heaven to shout real loud amen and I receive.
Forward Thinkers, after meditating on Acts 1:8, I received revelation on 12 major points that will usher us into the lifestyle of POWER that God created us to walk in. Are you ready to receive and walk in power?
But
Conjunction used here to introduce something contrasting what has already been mentioned. Forward Thinkers ask yourself up to this point in your life experience what has already been mentioned about you and your future then prepare to get off your butt and insert a contrasting but to your current and past situations where you have felt powerless. Forward Thinkers I know what the devil said but, Forward Thinkers I know what I’ve been through but, Forward Thinkers I know what it looks like but. Forward Thinkers I know what you’re asking by now but what Pastor? But God stepped in and granted me power to defeat the attacks of the devil, gave me power to overcome everything I’ve been through, and God empowered me to keep going in spite of what it may look like. Forward Thinkers you must continue to believe no matter what it looks like God is about to turn it around in your favor.
You
Forward Thinkers, yes you. This is your season to walk in power and authority. You will win. You are equipped to leap into the power zone. Forward Thinkers can you receive it?
Will Receive
Forward Thinkers, it’s time to get in a position to receive. The bible is loaded with promises but are you in a receiving position. In football the receiver must run to receive because faith without works is dead and the receiver must use his hands. Forward Thinkers are you using your hands to pray, to praise, and to participate?
Power
Forward Thinkers the force you will receive from God to do all things assigned to you by God. Power is what gives you the victory; Power is what gives you strengths when life knocks you down. Power is what separates you from the rest. Power is what pushes you into your full potential.
When
Forward Thinkers this is any indicator of time. Remember God’s time is not based on our time. The bible says your when could be now, by this time tomorrow, by this time next year, or in due season. Forward Thinkers, the key to your when is your ability to stay connected to God’s divine will for your life.
Holy Spirit
Forward Thinkers, unfortunately the church has reduced the Holy Spirit to a shout, a dance, or a tongue but the Holy Spirit is fire. In the bible fire is symbolic of God’s glory at work so when you receive the Holy Spirit you are receiving the glory of God at work within you making you invincible and super powerful. Forward Thinkers, we must stop limiting the work of the Holy Spirit to inside the church because we need the fire, the glory of God, the Holy Spirit in the work place, the classroom, our families, our marriages, and everywhere we go.
Comes on You-
Forward Thinkers, see above, yes You. Start believing…God use Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Peter, James, and John but not use you! Yes, he can use you.
Witnesses
Forward Thinkers, God’s ready to use your story to bring him glory but will you have enough confidence in your power to be a witness to God’s power at work within you. I dare you to go tell someone look at me I’m a witness of the power of God to do the impossible and achieve the improbable.
Forward Thinkers We’ve Been Assigned to Witness the Power of God in Four Places
Jerusalem
Forward Thinkers, those closes to you will see the power of God at work within you. When the power falls on you, it should be obvious to your family and friends. You can’t hide or deny real power because the cream will always rise to the top.
Judea
Forward Thinkers, those outside your inner circle but still close enough to you to be affected by your power. Remember, let your light shine everywhere you go; if your power came on from above it should be on display at work and school.
Samaria
Jesus’ disciples had been banned from Samaria but when the power comes on you Forward Thinkers your territory will expand and places that were once out of your reach will now be under your authority for you to witness the power of God.
Ends of the earth
Forward Thinkers, the power of God will cause you to become a world changer. When the power of God falls on you it should empower you to be able to change your block, your street, your hood, your city, your state, your region, your country, and your world for the better.
Pastor E. A. Deckard is the Senior Pastor/Founder of the Green House International Church now located, in both Houston, Texas, and the Woodlands, Texas. To contact Pastor Deckard for speaking engagements contact him at pr.ghic@gmail.com or the church website www.ghic.net.