Fall Forward

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

“A lot of emotional stress that people go through, some people figure out a way to handle it. They have a strong enough support system to keep going and keep moving forward. And some people, they feel like they don’t have that outlet.” –Terrell Owens

“When you make a mistake and the devil comes and tells you ‘You’re no good,’ you don’t have to take on the guilt and condemnation he wants to put on you. No! You can immediately confess your mistake to God, thank Him for forgiving you and cleansing you with the blood of Jesus, and move forward in the victory of His grace and forgiveness.”- Joyce Meyer

Forward Thinkers, this season I encourage you to get up and shake off the mistakes of your past. The devil has a plan to defeat you by keeping you stuck in the failures of your past. Forward Thinkers this season you must understand your future is not controlled by the mistakes of your past but the thoughts and actions of today.

Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.

Forward Thinkers, in America this year the “Fall” season starts September 22th and ends December 21st. Forward Thinkers, why do I consider this to be important? Because, this season those who experience a fall will fall forward. Forward Thinkers your level of receiving this season will be solely based on your level of faith. Forward Thinkers, who operate with no faith will experience no change in their current situation. Forward Thinkers, with low faith will drift through life with low expectations. But, Forward Thinkers with high faith with fall forward this season and rise above every mistake of their past.

Forward Thinkers, we usually associate fall as the season where things start to die but, today we are going to redefine fall as the season where things start to position themselves for a season of new growth. Forward Thinkers, in the fall season things change and I’m declaring change will occur for you this season but understand things may fall off first and things may get cold but don’t let your faith fall off or get frozen because “SPRING” is coming soon. Forward Thinkers, we must learn to keep the end in mind.

Forward Thinkers the term “fall” also means to drop down to a lower position; are you ready this season to fall forward instead of simply falling down?

Forward Thinkers, I declare this “Fall” season things will fall in place for all who have kept on believing through all the difficult seasons of their life.

Forward Thinkers understand this, you will at some point in this journey called life “fall” but you can by faith fall forward?

Forward Thinkers, notice the bible says, “a righteous person falls seven times”. Forward Thinkers we are aware the bible also states that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This season is not about if you will fall but making sure you will fall forward.

Forward Thinkers, I remember as a teenager watching “Earl Campbell” playing running back for the Houston Oilers and he had a reputation that no matter how hard he was hit or from whatever angle he was hit from he would fall forward. Forward Thinkers, Earl Campbell was a master at YAC (yards after contact) and I believe if you make up your mind this season you too can learn how to force yourself to fall forward after getting hit.

Forward Thinkers, remember grace and mercy is on assignment to restore the fallen; no matter what the enemy is telling you it’s not too late for you to get up and move forward. Forward Thinkers, we must remember at all times the devil is a liar and manipulator.

Forward Thinkers, Jesus Christ came to reclaim the fallen.

Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Let’s Walk Through the Fall Forward Zone

1 Peter 5:8 ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Forward Thinkers, notice the devil is looking for someone to defeat and the bible warns us to be alert at all times. Forward Thinkers, we can’t afford to allow our mind to become cluttered with negative thoughts and ideas. The enemy never takes time, off therefore; we must stay focused and commit to moving forward under all circumstances.

Luke 22:31-32 ³¹ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Forward Thinkers, Jesus tells Simon and Peter the devil has asked for permission to go after him. Forward Thinkers, several things stick out to me about this text but the first thing I want to point out is that the devil has no power and he must go through Jesus before he can come after me. Secondly forward thinkers, I’m encouraged because, I notice that Jesus is praying for me through the difficult seasons of my life and Jesus will not allow my faith to fail. Finally forward thinkers, I notice that Jesus will allow the attack to occur and I will fall but I won’t be defeated because, I will fall forward and allow what I went through to become my Kingdom testimony and share my experience to strengthen others.

Mark 16:6-7 ⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place wherethey laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

Forward Thinkers, the most important aspect of falling forward is believing that Jesus arose from the grave and He has given us the power to overcome and move forward also. Forward Thinkers, I need you to also notice that Jesus asked for Peter by name. Forward Thinkers, this is very important because, the last reference we have of Peter is a fallen Peter but Jesus makes it a point to let everyone know he is looking for Peter to restore him. Forward Thinkers, I don’t know what you think about this exchange but I’m so grateful that Jesus still restores the fallen.

Acts 2:14 ¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

Forward Thinkers do you notice even though all the disciples are all present Peter is the one chosen to stand up and speak to the crowd. Forward Thinkers you may fall but this season you must fall forward because the Kingdom of God has a purpose for your life. Forward Thinkers I believe the crowd was willing to hear Peter because they could relate to Peter. This season Forward Thinkers God will use the mess in your life to produce a life changing message for others to follow.

Acts 2:37-41 ³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Forward Thinkers, in conclusion I encourage you this season to get up and move forward because the Lord has a purpose for your life.

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 http://www.ghic.net