Forward Thinkers now that we’ve leaped into a New Year of possibilities and hope many have made New Year resolutions and made promises to become a better person. Many have decided to lose weight, get in shape physically and financially, and others have committed to going to church more often.
Forward Thinkers many will stop pursuing their new aspirations before the end of Black History month and many will even fall back into a situation worse than they experienced in 2016.
Forward Thinkers the first article of 2017 is designed to offer you a word of encouragement to press through anything that comes against you in first part of 2017 and even encourage you to bounce back if you get off track at any time this year.
“I recorded the song ‘Believers’ because I feel the song has a strong and much needed message. We all need encouragement and something to believe in.” Joe Nichols
“Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement – and we will make the goal.” Robert Collier
Joel 1New International Version (NIV)
Joel is “Jehovah is the Lord”.
1 The word of the Lord that came to Joel son of Pethuel.
An Invasion of Locusts: Forward Thinkers sometimes in life your current situation may feel like you’re under attack. Forward Thinkers so much going on in your life you start feeling heavy-old-wore out and beat down.
Forward Thinkers during these times stay encouraged and remember Jehovah is Lord and this battle is not yours but the Lords. Forward Thinkers no matter what it looks like or feels like don’t allow it to rob you of your spirit of optimism. In 2017 stay encouraged you will excel and prosper.
2 Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors?
Forward Thinkers this year you must be so optimist that God is getting ready to do a new thing in your life that you have never seen before that even when you’re through a difficult season you won’t quit or breakdown. Forward Thinkers you must claim your victory in 2017 and stick to your declaration even if you have to find encouragement within yourself.
3 Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.
4 What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts[a] have eaten.
Forward Thinkers the new year will also bring new areas of trouble and yes even on 2017 there will be times where it feels like there is trouble on every hand. Forward Thinkers even when it feels like if it wasn’t for bad news you would have no news at all you must stay encouraged. When you’re feeling close to the edge and about to lose your head stay encouraged in 2017 you will be victorious.
“The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Joel 2New International Version (NIV)
17: Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar.
Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”
Forward Thinkers sometimes things will look so rough people will start asking where your God is. Forward Thinkers remember Job’s friend questioned his relationship with God during his times of trouble but in 2017 don’t let them or your current bout of trouble stop you from remaining encouraged this year.
Forward Thinkers in 2017 when they ask where is your God your optimistic attitude should be declaring He’s behind the scenes working it out in my favor.
25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm[b]— my great army that I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.
27 Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.
Forward Thinkers stay encouraged and walk with your head up while you’re walking through a difficulty season trusting that God is going to turn things around for you in 2017. Don’t be ashamed another day about what you went through because that was the time period you realized just how mighty God was. As singer, Fantasia, said in her latest song everything I went through was necessary to get me here.
Joel 3New International Version (NIV)
The Nations Judged
3 [a]“In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
Forward Thinkers in 2017 God is getting ready to restore you but are you ready to be restored? Forward Thinkers your ability to receive will play a major role in your next victory. Optimism will push you into your destiny but being pessimist will push you down.
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
Forward Thinkers you must make a decision to remain encouraged in the valleys of life.
Blessings for God’s People
17 “Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.
Forward Thinkers your faith must be covered by an optimistic attitude that God will protect you and cover you.
18 “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias.[d]
19 But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.
20 Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.
21 Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged? No, I will not.” The Lord dwells in Zion!
Restore your Fortunes—Forward Thinkers in 2017 be encouraged God will give you the ability to take it all back.
Reposition your Status—Forward Thinkers in 2017 be encouraged your status will change to winning.
Redefine your Future—Forward Thinkers in 2017 be encouraged your life will shift into a place of greatness.
Rejuvenate your Spirit—Forward Thinkers in 2017 be encouraged and declare this year I’m ready to do whatever it takes to get all God has for me.
Pastor E. A. Deckard is the Senior Pastor/Founder of the Green House International Church located, in both Houston, Texas, and the Woodlands, Texas. Pastor Deckard is also the Co-Founder of the No More Bloodshed Movement. To contact Pastor Deckard for speaking engagements contact him at pr.ghic@gmail.com, follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Periscope @ Pastor E A Deckard or the church website www.ghic.net