“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” Calvin Coolidge
“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values” Thomas S. Monson
Matthew 2:1-2New King James Version (NKJV)
Wise Men from the East
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Forward Thinkers, wise men make the effort to adjust their lives and travel, even if inconvenient and uncomfortable to worship Baby Jesus. Forward Thinkers, we are wise.
Forward Thinkers, wise men understand worshipping Jesus is the reason for the season and they recognize Jesus as a shining star. Forward Thinkers, we are wise.
In 2016, Christmas falls on a Sunday and many have already made an unwise decision to worship another star over Jesus on Christmas Sunday. Forward Thinkers, are we wise?
Forward Thinkers, we live in a society where we worship man-made stars and stand in long lines and pay big bucks to do it and we’re even happy to tell everybody about our experience with a big smile on our face; but we want worshiping Jesus, the real star, to be quick, comfortable, and convenient. We might even make a financial contribution depending on how we feel or how much we have left over after over-spending on man made stars.
Forward Thinkers, I pray next Sunday you decide to worship a resurrected Jesus over a commercialized Santa!
Birth of a Nation: Born To Make An Impact
Impact- to have a strong influence on or to make a difference
Jesus Christ was born to make an impact on every nation and every generation. Jesus Christ’s purpose and assignment has not changed. It is the same yesterday, today, and will be the same, forever and ever.
Forward Thinkers, we continue to declare we are Christians (Christ-Like) so when will we stand up and begin to impact our nation and generation?
Forward Thinkers, we can’t debate it; we must now do it. We must close 2016 strong and start 2017 even stronger. We must become multi-taskers working in 2016 while working on 2017 at the same time.
Time must become our #1 weapon. Forward Thinkers, we have no more time to waste assignment calls. Is there anybody ready to answer the call?
Remember when a baby is born, the doctor pats it on the bottom so the baby can make a sound to verify it’s alive. This act is called Stimulation in the medical field and I’m declaring no more standing still like a mannequin; it’s time to be stimulated.
When is the time to be stimulated? Now is the time. Who is to be stimulated at this time? You are.
John 2:1-11New King James Version (NKJV)
Water Turned to Wine
2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
They Have No More Wine
Forward Thinkers, there is lack, there are needs, there is a problem but we don’t focus on the problem. We become problem solvers. Forward Thinkers, commit now to be a Problem Solver in 2017.
Jesus Needs To Be Pushed Into Greatness
Forward Thinkers, Jesus says it’s not my time yet, I’m not ready. Forward Thinkers, like many of us, Jesus is thinking more about his current reality than his potential. Forward Thinkers, this is not the time to find excuses why we can’t but to stand believing we can.
Forward Thinkers, Mary had not forgotten the promise of Jesus being born to impact his people.
Forward Thinkers, what kind of environment are you in? Are they pushing you into greatness or just pushing you down?
Jesus Calls For The Water Pots Over On The Wall
Forward Thinkers, people end up against the wall over in the corner for many different reasons but remember, that’s only a temporary position.
Forward Thinkers, maybe others have decided it’s no longer your time or turn, maybe you feel used up or too old but notice Jesus calls for what someone else called useless. Are you glad Jesus has the final say about your usefulness to your generation?
Fill Them To The Brim
Forward Thinkers, Jesus doesn’t say fill them ½ the way full, or just pour enough so they are not empty but Jesus says fill them all the way up to the brim. Jesus says fill them up so full that they’re close to overflowing.
Forward Thinkers, it’s time to commit to giving 100% effort; promise to leave ½ efforts back in 2016.
Forward Thinkers, tell yourself, I’m all in because I deserve to give myself the best I can offer.
Saved The Best Till Now
Forward Thinkers, the best is yet to come, declare it, believe it, and go after it.
Jesus Revealed His Glory
Forward Thinkers, Jesus wants to reveal his glory through your story, yes there is a story behind your struggle and Jesus is going to do something for you and through you so powerful He will be glorified by all those around you.
Disciples Put Their Faith In Him
Forward Thinkers, others will come to know the power of Jesus through your story; your story will impact this nation and this generation.
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