Tag: Answers
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Best Bible Version
Question: Bishop Houston, I was raised reading the King James Version of the Bible. Today, there are so many different versions. Could you please tell me what Bible Version is best?
Answer: Great Question.
You’re right. There are many bible translations. Since man’s involvement, the conversion from the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic manuscripts have lost many forms of uniqueness. There’s no perfect Bible translation. So, the reading you choose to read must be one that incorporates spiritual satisfaction within you. In other words, find a translation that you can comprehend.
First Lady Donece and I own many Bible translations and methods for our study and reference objectives. There are many online sites with Bible versions such as Bible Gateway, Bible Hub, Biblia, and Biblica, to name a few.
First Lady Donece and I regularly use the Amplified Bible, The New Living Translation, The Century Version, and The Message Bible. I recommend that you get into a habit to check word meanings with a Bible concordance and Bible dictionary. I’ve used the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Young’s Analytical Concordance, Matthew Henry’s Commentary, Scofield, The Thompson Chain and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words for decades. They’re all excellent exploration tools, especially if you’re more acquainted with the King James Version.
Beloved, I hope my answer has helped you.
Thank you for your question.
Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr. -
CHOF Ministry’s “Probing For Spiritual Answers – Faith and Hope “
Q: Bishop Houston, all over the internet, I read and watch videos that talk about hope and faith as if they are the same. Are they the same, or is there a distinction between them?Another great question. Thank you for asking. ✝️❤️😊
Answer:
Beloved, there’s a difference between them. The disparity is that faith is Now. Hope is continually looking toward the future. And I have an explanation for saying that.Romans 8:24-25 (AMP) says: (24) For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure.
Hope is desire. It’s the expectation (anticipation) that sustains our faith. Hope breathes life into our faith while we’re waiting for what we believe is on the way. Faith is continuously now. Hebrews 11:1 tells us this: “Now faith is the “Substance” (the material, the tangible) of things HOPED for….” Faith provides our hope substance. Mark 11:24 tells us faith says you receive when you pray.
Beloved, faith provides hope with a visual structure we can comprehend. Faith is in the soul (mind and emotions). Hope nourishes your faith until those things you believe are coming are pulled from the spiritual kingdom into the natural. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊
Probing For Spiritual Answers Cross-Reference Verses
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“Probing For Spiritual Answers”
Praise The Lord Beloved!!! ✝️❤️😊 This Morning’s Question is: Bishop Houston, Satan has been a problem for humanity since the beginning of time. Why hasn’t God destroyed him?Answer: This is a fantastic question. 😊
Beloved, God is the architect of life. He is in life. In Him, no mortality or obscurity exists.
See, when God designed Lucifer, He created him perpetually. God designed him to live forever, not to die or terminate his existence, but to live eternally. Ezekiel 28 delivers a great illustration of how Lucifer was created perfect, and then iniquity was found in him (*1).
When Lucifer transgressed in rebellion against God, he was thrown out from the existence of God to live the rest of his life in eternal separation from God. Beloved, Satan cannot die, be killed, and his life cannot be terminated, because God created him as an infinite being. Satan will live eternally in agony, detached from God.
Now many don’t know this critical fact but should be made aware. We must understand that man is also an eternal being, created by God to live eternally. Humans are designed in God’s persona as three-part beings. The three parts of a human-being are called THE SPIRIT, THE SOUL, and THE BODY (*2). The spirit is a person’s most profound being, the part that gives him life. The soul is his selection center; this is where we make determinations; it’s where our reasoning, feeling, and knowledge functions. The body is the biological house in which God lives.
Beloved, as spirit beings, we will live eternally. Adam’s sin in the Garden sentenced all human beings to physical and spiritual death. It is essential to know right here that Spiritual death does not mean a spirit ceases to exist. It means a soul is removed from God. The good news is that we do not have to stay separated from God!!! Because God loves us, He made it viable for us to be reconnected to Him via the disposal of virtuous blood. He arranged a body and His one and only Son, Jesus, who became the martyr for the sin of humanity. Jesus’ death reimbursed the fine for Adam’s sin so that we could live in the spiritual life and have a relationship with God. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊
Probing For Spiritual Answers Cross-Reference Verses:
*1. Isaiah 14:12-15
*2. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 & Hebrews 4:12 -
Praise the Lord Beloved.!!!
Since starting CHOF ministry 12 years ago I’ve been asked many questions on many topics by many levels of people who seriously desire to find God’s answers to their rational, real-life everyday encounters. There have been many people that have come to me with questions they were afraid or uncomfortable to ask and there have been many that have also come to me because they just don’t have the proper people in their life to ask. After praying and laboring over this new project a vision was delivered to me recently. Matthew 7:7 (KJV) says: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” So, I must stay in obedient in 2020. It’ll be called “Probing For Spiritual Answers.”
Each week (Wednesday) I’ll post a question and answer segment on my social media sites. It’s my effort to reach out and help answer questions many of you may have wanted answers for or have been confused by certain traditional myths or have been provided answers by the “mean well” unknowledgeable. The answers I present to you will be Biblically principled.
Matthew 7: 8 (KJV) says: “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
May the words that I present to you each week help you find tranquility, bring resolution, provide insight and embed wisdom.
God bless you.
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Probing For Spiritual Answers”
Praise The Lord Beloved!!! ✝️❤️😊This Mornings Question is:
Bishop Houston, why do some people’s optimistic confessions have positive outcomes and other peoples don’t?This is an awesome question and thank you for asking!!! 😊
Answer:
Well, for one, you have to realize that words can be very influential and powerful. The Word of God doesn’t leave any room for skepticism about that. Now, there has been some confusion between believers about how we can put that energy to work in our lives.For instance, some people have the impression that they can just jump up once and say, “I believe I’ll receive a million dollars today” and by some means become a millionaire by the end of the day. And that’s very irrational.
To establish the distinction between faith and idiocy where confession is concerned, we have to go straight to the Word of God. Mark 11:22-25 (AMP) says: 22 Jesus replied, “Have faith in God [constantly]. 23 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will]. 24 For this reason, I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you. 25 Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others].
Now, I want you to see several things about that passage of Scripture. It does say that you can have what you say. But it also defines some requirements you must meet:
*1. You must have faith in God.
*2. You must be willing to “say” something to your mountains (difficulties, desires, etc.)
*3. You can’t have any doubt.
*4. You must have confidence in your own words. You must believe in your mind that what you say will come to pass.
*5. You must believe you receive what you desire when you pray “Not When You See It Happen.”
*6. You must “speak” what you believe.
*7. You Must Forgive Everyone.
Now I want you to also know that there’s much more to true Bible-based confession than simply “identifying it and asserting it.” To release the true power, your words must have faith behind them. We see that principle function in the negative all the time.
Allow me to give you an example: someone will say, “Well, we’re organizing our annual trip in 6 months. But I can tell you right now, there’ll be someone that will get on this list and back out at the last minute. They do it every time we plan this trip.”
Without a doubt, this is going to happen just as they said it would. Now He didn’t mean to use his influence of confession, but he did. He freed faith with those words – Not Faith In God, He was saying what he truly believed, and he received it just like he spoke it.
Beloved, you can’t get around it. It’s a spiritual law. To put that spiritual law to work “FOR” you instead of “AGAINST” you, you must cultivate a different kind of faith. You have to create your faith in the Word of God. You have to build that Word inside you by hearing it and hearing it. Romans 10:17 (AMP) says: So, faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.
So, when that Word becomes a part of you, it’ll begin to come out of your mouth. You’ll say it almost without thinking. Matthew 12:34 (NLT) tells us: “…For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” That’s when your words become influential, strong, and effective. The key is they have to agree with God’s Word and come from your heart. That’s because those words encompass the authority of God Himself.
Beloved, the power of optimistic confession can’t be worked like a gimmick – publicity stunt. Have you seen the post that says: “Share this post with X number of friends including me and you’ll receive X amount of money?” 😊
Optimistic confessions are a lifestyle. You have to conscientiously seek God. Hebrews 11:6(NLT) says: “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” You have to meditate in His Word day and night. Joshua 1:8 (NLT) says: “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” 😊 Once what He says, and what you say line up then you’ll see the power of His Words in your words!!! Your words will become very deep, profound.
Beloved, with complete faith and power, you can’t help but have what you say!!! Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊 -
“Probing For Spiritual Answers”
Praise The Lord Beloved!!! ✝️❤️😊This Mornings Question is:Bishop Houston, is there a special way Christians will be judged by God on Judgement Day?Answer:This is a great question and thanks for asking!!! 😊Beloved, Jesus has already forgiven us of our sins when He went to the cross. When Judgement Day arrives, we’ll be evaluated and compensated for our moral actions, not for our transgressions. Now, don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying sin doesn’t have an impact on us. While we’re here on earth when we sin, we give Satan the power (authorization) to open the door walk in and locate and attack us where we’re Spiritually weak, Spiritually uncovered, or Spiritually abandoned. In other words, when we don’t walk by faith, we’re saying to Satan: “Welcome Satan!!! Come right on in and destroy my life.” Romans 14:23 (AMP) says: “But he who is uncertain [about eating a particular thing] is condemned if he eats because he is not acting from faith. Whatever is not from faith is sin [whatever is done with doubt is sinful].” So, you see Beloved, it’s through sin we detach ourselves from God’s security.First John 1:9 (NLT) says: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” Forgiveness our pardon!!! 😊 It releases us and eradicates Satan’s legitimate right to our life. So, on Judgment Day, Christians will be evaluated by the works they did during their lifetime. We’ll be joyfully compensated according to what we’ve done. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT) says: “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) says: “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 1 Peter 5:4 (NLT) says: “And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.” Revelation 11:18 (NLT) says: “The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.” And Revelation 22:12 NLT says: “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.”I strongly recommend reading 1 Corinthians 3 and Romans 14. They are “BRILLIANT” cross-reference reading.Beloved, God coordinates each of our lives to help us make the right choices, but at the end of the day, the choice is ours. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊 -
“Probing For Spiritual Answers”
Praise The Lord Beloved!!! ✝️❤️😊This Morning’s Question is:Bishop Houston, has God predetermined who can and cannot be Christians?Answer:This is a great question!!! 😊Beloved, there’s been a lot of debate and questions about salvation alternatives, salvation accessibility and who can and cannot receive redemption, and if it’s only preserved for a particular group of selected people whom God has already chosen to be born again. These dialogues are generally described as the “predestination.” conversations. But the answer is simple and can be found in Acts 2:21: “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”It’s God’s will for everyone to be rescued and removed from the danger of sin and it’s His desire that everyone get the spiritual knowledge to comprehend the truth. God seriously desires to fellowship with every person, and He wants everyone to mirror the same serious love and desire to fellowship with Him. God gave us the freedom to make our own decision to fellowship with Him. He did that because He wanted us to choose a relationship with Him on our own free will not because we’re forced.Now, the Bible does speak of the intelligent foresight of God in reference to salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Romans 5:9-10, and Colossians 1:20 describes to us that He sees ahead of time the need of a Savior to liberate mankind from sin. Through His intelligent foresight, God made provision for us to be put back into the right relationship with Him through the blood of Jesus.Beloved, God’s compassion, assurances, and requirements, as well as the admonitions of reprimand, are universal to all mankind. No single individual is preferred, nominated, no paranormal event, or ordination to be saved or lost without the responsibility of his or her personal choice being considered.God isn’t a respecter of persons. Peter tells us this in Acts 10:34-35 (AMP): *34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God’s blessing], *35 but in every nation, the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptable and welcomed by Him.”God left the choice of men and women’s fate up to them. Joshua 24:15 (AMP) says to us: *15 “If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”Beloved, God coordinates each of our lives to help us make the right choices, but at the end of the day, the choice is ours. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊 -
“To Divorce or Not To Divorce?”
Dear Bishop Houston, I am Ubura a Christian. Me and my wife have been married for 15 years and I think I want to divorce her. What shall I do?
Praise the Lord Ubura thank you for your question.
Well, Ubura contemplating divorce for many is very difficult and there’s a lot that may impinge your divorce (children, property, money and emotions, ect….). I’m not an attorney so I will leave those legal matters to the men and women that are properly authorized to litigate.
Now, as a Christian spiritual leader, the first thing I advise you to do is take it to God first. It’s mandatory that you know the will of God. And once that’s done, you’ll have the assurance of 1st John 5:14-15 “God always hears and answers prayers which are prayed in line with His will”. It’s major for us as Christian to discern God’s will in His Word.
Now, we as Christians, divorce among believers is definitely unwanted. God’s best is for two Christians once they become husband and wife is to remain married throughout their lifetime. Matthew 19:4-6 says: “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together”.
Then there’s 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 which outlines how the God kind of love is supposed to perform. Now, Romans 10:17 says, faith comes from the Word. So you must meditate on those verses until your mind is completely renewed Romans 12:2 (Amp) says: And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].So Ubura, you must act on the Word in faith for your marriage.
in other words your decision and response should be made according to God’s love no matter what happens.So, instead of reacting emotionally to your spouse, allow 1st Corinthians 13 to be your guideline. As a Christian you must respond with the God kind of love. You must be patient, kind, forgiving, always protective, trusting, persevering and hopeful. Don’t be envious, boastful, proud or rude. Don’t keep track of wrongs or be self-seeking or easily angered. Since God promises you that love never fails, if you walk steadfastly in His kind of love, your marriage cannot fail!!!
Even though the Apostle Paul did not discuss divorce between two unsaved people, he did say that adultery, divorce or anything else the flesh produces in the life of a sinner is a result of the sinner following his true nature. According to
2nd Corinthians 5:19, God will not hold his sins against him. This would include divorce.
In 1st Corinthians 7:12-13, 15, Paul dealt with situations involving one saved and one unsaved partner. In this case, Paul says that if the unbeliever is willing to live with the believer, the believer should not seek a divorce. However, if the unbeliever leaves, the believer is not bound to the marriage. He ended with the statement, “God has called us to live in peace.”
Beloved, God’s Word is His will for you. I encourage you to read over the scriptures I’ve just mentioned and meditate on 1st Corinthians 7. Pray and trust God to bring the clarity of His will in regard to your stand. 😀Thank you for your question.
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Being Gay – Right or Wrong?
Praise the Lord Beloved 😀During our journey in this life we all come to an intersection that we need directions or answers. Our CHOF Ministry website now has a Q & A page. You ask us a question and we’ll answer you with a foundationally inspired Bible based answer that we hope will galvanized your mind.
Today’s Question:
“Is being gay right or wrong?”Dear Bishop Houston my name is Centrella and I am a gay female. I have lived a covered homosexual lifestyle for 17 years, that was until 6 months ago when I was encouraged to come out and acknowledge that I am gay.
I was always taught homosexuality was wrong but many of my friends who are gay are telling me different.
Bishop Houston my question for you – is it Ok or wrong to be homosexual?
Praise the Lord Centrella thank you for your question.
Beloved, the individual who participates in homosexual behavior or who struggles with homosexual predispositions is no less loved by God or by CHOF Ministry than any other person. John 3:17 says, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” God isn’t condemning any individual or looking for reasons to reject you or anyone else. In Matthew 22:37-40 and Mark 12:30-31 vividly tells us all God is looking for is for that person’s choice to love, serve and obey Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
We all know that God created mankind male and female. His normal order was that each had a distinctive desire for the opposite sex. Now, in Genesis 2:23-24, Hebrews 13:4, Ephesians 5:21-33 it shows us that a sexual union between a man and a woman within the margins of the God-ordained marriage relationship is right and holy by God’s morals.But, there are two sides to this coin. Contrariwise, in Genesis 19:1-7, Leviticus 18:22-23, 20:13, Romans 1:18-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:8-10 these scriptures teach us that when a man desires a sexual union with another man and a woman with another woman, this is an unnatural affection that goes against God’s natural order in creation.
But let me tell you, there’s some good news!!! The good news is freedom from homosexuality, and every other manifestation of the fallen human nature, it has been paid for by the blood of Jesus!!!
Romans 10:9-10 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that the path to freedom for the homosexual is the same path of freedom that is offered to everyone on earth, which means you must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and once you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior you’ll receive a brand-new nature on the inside. Hebrews 4:15-16 tells that once a person is born again he or she can freely receive God’s grace “supernatural empowerment” to overcome the sinful desires of the flesh and live in total victory.
Beloved, we can’t biblically define homosexuality as right behavior, but we can define love, mercy and compassion as right responses to those involved.
I’m sure there will be some people that might argue that true acceptance requires condoning the behavior. But to accept and to condone are two different things.
2 Corinthians 5:19 tells us that God accepts everyone who will come to Him through Jesus while not condoning everything they do.So, from a Christian stand-point we must love the person that identifies themselves as a homosexual or gay but we as Christians cannot condone “overlook or excuse” the person’s homosexual tendencies and desires.
Thank you for your Question.