“In my deepest, darkest moments, what really got me through was a prayer. Sometimes my prayer was ‘Help me.’ Sometimes a prayer was ‘Thank you.’ What I’ve discovered is that intimate connection and communication with my creator will always get me through because I know my support, my help, is just a prayer away.” Iyanla Vanzant
FAITH
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 New International Version (NIV)
2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. [a] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Forward Thinkers Paul’s letter on positive faith is written to the church in Corinth during a time of social unrest similar to what the social climate of America on today. Forward Thinkers once again it is amazing how God works through people during times of difficulties and Paul’s can’t stop won’t stop attitude should be an example to us all on how to excel under pressure.
Forward Thinkers before we deal with the letter to Corinth let’s look at the author and the audience and declare we too like Paul have can’t stop won’t stop faith to accomplish something great for God this season.
Forward Thinkers America is experiencing a season of great violence on her home turf where major cities are breaking records for murder, police are killing unarmed Black people, and now people are killing innocent police officers.
Forward Thinkers Paul, once know as Saul, before his encounter with God changed his life and his trajectory in life. Forward Thinkers if God could change Saul to Paul during a time of unrest for the church and use him to build the church then I believe God can use men and women this season to bring peace and love to the soil of America.
A MAN WHO TOOK GREAT PRIDE IN KILLING AND DESTROYING THE CHURCH BECAME THE LEADER OF THE CHURCH MOVEMENT
Forward Thinkers yes God can, yes God did and yes God will do it again. Forward Thinkers think about this out of all the people on the planet (7.4 billion in the world and 312 million in America) God choose someone like Paul to make a major impact in the world around him.
Forward Thinkers I often ask God why me? Then I think about it and give Him a great big CAN’T STOP WON’T STOP praise for CHOOSING me in spite of me. I wonder are there any Forward Thinkers out there feeling this same way?
Forward Thinkers God is not afraid of where you’re at God is only concerned about where you’re going if you allow Him to guide you.
Forward Thinkers there are too many judges inside and outside your head. Forward Thinkers you can’t operate with a can’t stop won’t attitude allowing the thoughts of others to control you and you must also change the thoughts you have about yourself. Forward Thinkers set your mind free God desires to do something great through you this season.
Forward Thinkers now let’s take a closer look at the audience Paul was writing the letter to. Forward Thinkers the city of Corinth could be compared to the city of Las Vegas, a city where what goes on there stays there. Forward Thinkers Corinth could also be compared to New Orleans during Mardi Gras season, a city that turns the other way and any and everything under the sun is allowed to take place. Forward Thinkers there is Greek phase “to act Corinthian” which would be similar to the phrase “acting ghetto” today. Forward Thinkers Paul was called to impact a city known for practicing sin.
Forward Thinkers get this Paul; a man with a past has been assigned by God to build a church and even more importantly to build up a generation of people to serve God in the midst of the sin capitol of the known world.
Forward Thinkers today God is looking to rise up men and women of faith to lead the people of faith through these difficult days of fear and terror. Forward Thinkers that’s why we can’t stop won’t stop God has been too good to us and He desires to use us this season to be a force for His people.
Forward Thinkers recently in the city of Houston I’ve had to take my can’t stop won’t stop faith to Crofton Place Apartments where a young lady was murdered last Thursday and during the prayer vigil Thursday night 26 souls came to Christ. Forward Thinkers recently can’t stop won’t stop faith as been put to work in the Gulf Coast Apartments, South Lawn, Greens Point, 4th Ward, and 5th Ward communities. Forward Thinkers I’m convinced God can use us to reach people others have given up on.
Forward Thinkers how can a messed up man lead a group of messed up people into a better way of life. Forward Thinkers the answer is faith because faith operates like a magnet and when faith is released positive results are produced and connected to positive faith.
- Faith comes by hearing the Word of God
- Faith is the ability to see what others can’t see yet
- Faith is moving forward when all signs say stop
NO MATTER WHO or WHAT YOU WERE or WHERE YOU’VE BEEN GET SOME POSITIVE FAITH AND POSITIVE CHANGE WILL COME
Forward Thinkers Paul is an example of what can happen when we allow God to use us and I wonder if there is anybody today that can see themselves being a modern day example of the unlimited possibilities of what can be with a can’t stop won’t stop attitude.
Forward Thinkers Paul reminds us of the testimonies of God so we won’t get things confused and start giving praise to the wrong source. Paul wants us to remember it was God that gave His only Son Jesus and it was God that raised Jesus from the dead so we could experience life to the full.
Forward Thinkers Paul said I came to you in great weakness, fear, and trembling but God was the source and force that kept me going with a can’t stop won’t stop attitude.
- Weakness but God is strong
- Fear but God gave sprit of power and authority
- Much Trembling but I can do all things through Christ Jesus
Forward Thinkers Paul also said it’s not about me but the demonstration of the power of God’s spirit in me.
Forward Thinkers Paul also warns us to let our faith rest on God’s power not man because with God all things are possible.
1 Corinthians 2:9New International Version (NIV)
9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” [a] — the things God has prepared for those who love him—
Forward Thinkers in conclusion what God has prepared for US it is for us and that’s why we can’t stop won’t stop the future is waiting on us to be great.
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, follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Periscope @ Pastor E A Deckard or the church website www.ghic.net