C H O F Ministry

Tag: Bishop Houston’s Monday Morning Blog

“Walk with Confidence in God”

Praise the Lord Beloved – Happy Monday to you All. 😀

I hope each of you had a wonderful Resurrection Day.

Yesterday evening after a long day of Resurrection Day services, First Lady Donece and I finally got home and settled in our den and we began to reflect on the day’s events which led us into a conversation on education. As we talked about our different educational environments and eras, we both came to the same conclusion that we never thought that working on our Master’s degree would bring us confusion instead of clarity. This morning as I meditated on my morning scripture the Holy Spirit showed me the conversation with the First Lady. To me, walking by faith means keeping an open mind whatever may happen in my life. It isn’t that I have no personal goals, but having God direct my path. Proverbs 16:9 (AMP) says: A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

On the first day of postgraduate school, my class was asked to formulate a detailed plan regarding how to complete the two-year course. Basically, it was a form of encouragement and a guideline in order for us to finish up what we had started. Total commitment is essential regardless of what may occur. On my part, it was difficult to internalize because my thoughts are always; “not my will be done but Yours.” Realistically, it’s good to plan ahead. Oftentimes these plans will sound so perfect, we might tend to forget that God always knows better, Isaiah 55:8-9 does says: “for His ways and thoughts are higher”.

Beloved, confidence shouldn’t stem from being proud of our talents, how smart we are or how skillful we are, but rather emanate from an unyielding faith and trust in God that whatever His will for us is. We press forward and obey and walk with confidence in God and not by our personal ability.

Have a blessed Monday and an “Awesome” rest of your week.

April 22, 2019
“The Worlds Real Abscess”

Praise the Lord Beloved, and Happy Monday to Everyone!!! 😀

Beloved, for the past several months I’ve noticed the spirit of pride is drenching our nation everywhere. Pride has saturated just about every realm in this world. Today’s society (world) is teaching everyone to focus only on themselves and forget others in order to be successful. But you know, where there’s pride, politicking is very involved and when politicking occurs division ensues, then the emotional adrenalin starts to run wild.

Pride is one of the most difficult attitudes to get rid of in life. The world’s ideal impression to focus only on ourselves and forget others in order to be efficacious is completely conflicting to what God has taught us in His word. Before finger pointing starts, we’re all guilty of it in one form or another!!! From hidden agendas to straight up in your face bullying, our society today has flat out insulted the Words of God.

Beloved, we’re supposed to love others as we love ourselves. We have to let go of our selfish ambition and pride and start regarding others as better than ourselves. God wants us to do things selflessly and not selfishly. That’s the best way to live out humility in our lives. We may seem deficient and inferior to others, but always remember that God’s judgment is the only one that matters, and He gives grace to the humble.

The Late Rodney King said it best:

“CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?”

“Beloved Pride Is the Abscess That’s Hurting Our World Today.”

Let Us Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for my pride. I want to be drench with Your love so that I may love others and become selfless and humble. Help me to recognize the pride, selfishness and arrogance in others and grant me the strength to redirect my path from all iniquity. Lord, I put my trust in You.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name I Pray. Amen and Amen.

Have a blessed Week Everyone.

March 11, 2019
“You’re Right With God”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Happy Monday to you all.

You know Beloved, I don’t care how serious you may have messed things up on yesterday, in your past or how many mistakes you’ve made, I want you to start RIGHT NOW knowing you’re in right standings with God!!! It isn’t because of anything you’ve done but because you’ve received, by faith in Jesus, the righteousness of God.

Now, I want you to take a look at the kinds of benefits the Word of God says that right standings in God will bring:

*Psalm 92:12 (AMP) – “The righteous will flourish like the date palm [long-lived, upright and useful]; They will grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic and stable].”

*Proverbs 11:10 (AMP) – “When it goes well for the righteous, the city rejoices.”

*Proverbs 11:21 – “the descendants of the righteous will be freed.”

* 1 Peter 3:12 (AMP) – “For the eyes of the Lord are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright),”

*Psalm 5:12 (AMP) – “For You, O Lord, bless the righteous man [the one who is in right standing with You]; You surround him with favor as with a shield.”

*Psalm 34:17 (AMP) – “When the righteous cry [for help], the Lord hears and rescues them from all their distress and troubles.”

*Psalm 37:25 (AMP) – “I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned or his descendants pleading for bread.”

“Psalm 37:29 (AMP) – The righteous will inherit the land and live in it forever.”

Psalm 146:8 (AMP) – The Lord loves the righteous [the upright in heart].”

So Beloved, starting right now, kick the devil to the curb, stop listening to those hypocritical Christians, two-faced family members, un-loyal (fake) friends, deceitful co-workers and hating neighbors.

Beloved, don’t let their sinister actions rob you of even one of these blessings by telling you you’re unworthy of them.

RUN THEM OFF – STOP MESSING WITH THEM!!! And boldly say to them, “I’M RIGHT WITH GOD!!!” Then step out in your faith and enjoy and appreciate the freedom and privileges God has prepared just for you!!! 😀

Have a blessed week Everyone!!! 😀

February 18, 2019
“A Faith That’s Rooted”

Praise the Lord Everyone. 😀
I hope everyone had a blessed weekend.

You know Beloved, when we make our desires known to the Lord or say we believe that He’ll do something for us, doubting His ability to deliver His promises must cease. Faith is our spiritual assurance of things expected and the guarantee of things unseen. As believers in Christ, we should believe enthusiastically and not allow an ounce of uncertainty to sneak in. Faith gives us a certain degree of peace and comfort, whereas doubt causes uncertainty, worry and anxiety. Sure, we may have experiences and situations that may make us want to question our maker, yet, even in the severest most painful situations, He’s there with us. We need to rely less on this world and stand firm in our faith. The outcome of our faith is what draws new believers to Christianity, and our testimonies of holding on to God daily, inspire and motivate those around us. We’ve seen throughout the Bible, a common trait of every man and woman of God is their faith. A faith that’s rooted like a tree planted by the river.

Beloved, we should seek to emulate those who have left us with examples of how to live Godly lives. All in all, we should continue to place our requests before the Lord “With Faith” knowing full well that at the appointed time, He’ll answer us.

Have a blessed week Everyone. 😀

January 28, 2019
“Does Your Voice Match Your Personality?”

Beloved, as Christians, we correctly place great importance on creating a solid personal account of the Lord’s work in our life. We also have conversations about the ways that we can show Jesus Christ to our friends, family, and coworkers through our actions. But personality is the part of every believer’s testimony that inspires both Christlike behavior and an honest life story.

In other words, what we do and say epitomizes the kind of person we are on the inside. Likewise, we can tell a lot about Philip’s Personality by noticing his actions and words recorded in Scripture. From among many believers, Philip was chosen as one who was wise and full of the Spirit. He wasn’t selected for a prestigious ministry position, NO!!! He was sent to serve food. Yet he went willingly to do this work and every other job the Lord gave Him, which shows his obedient spirit. (When you have time, you can read how obedient to the tasks that was asked of Phillip – Acts 6:5; Acts 8:5; Acts 8:26). Acts 8:6 gives us a great illustration how sincere and trustworthy Phillip was because it says when he spoke, people listened. Philip’s testimony shines in every way.

Beloved, how you speak tells a lot about who you are. Your voice will eventually match your personality.

Have a blessed week Everyone.

January 7, 2019
“It’s Ok To Get Your Praise On Now”

CHOF Ministry’s Verse for Today
Psalm 33:1 (AMP) – Rejoice in the Lord, O you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you upright, in right standing with God]; for praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright [in heart].

Praise the Lord Beloved and “Happy Monday” to you all.

This morning my focus is on praise. According to the Word of God, praise is the most proper and attractive thing that you as a believer can do.

Let me warn you though, God’s idea of “proper” praise and your idea of proper praise just might be two very different things. The praise He calls for is jubilant and unrestrained. And, at times, it’s just plain LOUD!!! 😀

If you don’t believe me, look in the Bible and see the kind of praise that goes on in heaven. Read Isaiah 6 and you’ll find out how they acted in the throne room. The seraphim shout in there until the doorposts shake!!! And when they do, the glory of the Lord fills the house. 😀 My Lord, My God!!! I would love to be in there when that happens.

Beloved, when you get to heaven, you’re going to be praising like that too. You’re going to be jumping up and down, running back and forth, screaming hallelujah to the most High God; praising Him with every part of your being. But, you don’t have to wait until then to start. You can begin today – right now.

So, this week Beloved, why don’t you decide instead of praising God the way you like, decide that you’re going to start doing it the way He likes. Release those praises jubilantly and openly.

Beloved, you don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to praise God with all your being. Do it now!!! 😀 Don’t you think He deserves it?

Have a blessed Week Everyone. 😀

October 29, 2018
“The Truth”

CHOF Ministry’s Verse for Today
1 John 1:8-9 (NLT)
(8) If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. (9) 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.

Praise the Lord Beloved. Happy Monday to Everyone. I do hope you had a blessed weekend and I hope this week will grant each of you your desires according to the will of God.

There was a sitcom back in the 70s that is still in syndication today called Sanford and Son and one of the characters on the show was Aunt Esther and one of her favorite lines was “Tell the Truth and The Truth Will Set You Free!” I’m sure many of you like myself have heard this saying or may have said it yourself.

It’s true the truth shall set you free. But allowing the wrongs of yesteryears to make its home in our life, even though true, is like imprisoning ourselves. Beloved, this is detrimental. You know, back in the day when my wife and I were still newlyweds, we were both strong willed and opinionated. Our arguments would would leave the platform we started at and become irrational “down right unreasonable” that’s because instead of focusing on the root of it – or the platform it started, we would bring up ancient history. Attached with anger, faults of the past were dug up and old-healed-wounds are re- scratched and the pain of old returns. To prevent escalation, we separated ourselves she would remain quiet in her area and I’d act like I was immune to hurtful the words. We would weather the storm and hope for a rainbow in the end. After the situation subsided, the realization of the truth often sets in. We confess and forgiven one another’s shortcomings before the Lord.

Beloved, bringing back pieces of baggage from the past is just pointless!!! It took awhile for us to overcome this unhealthy cycle. The first step was both of us admitting neither of us was without sin or flaws. Let us not deceive ourselves with self-righteousness and putting the blame on others. Humbly confess your sins to the Lord, repent, and welcome Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit – the words of God “The Truth” reside in you.

Here’s my prayer for today:

Dear Heavenly Father, please eliminate all dishonesty and self-righteousness in me. I confess all of my sins to You and promise to repent. Thank You Lord, for Your faithfulness and forgiveness.

In Jesus’ powerful Name we pray. Amen and Amen.

Have a blessed Monday Everyone.

October 1, 2018
“The Inevitable Choice”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! 😀

Happy Monday to you all!!!

You know, there are many opportunities in life, especially for those who live in a relatively free country. Where we live, whom we marry, and what kind of career we pursue, all these are very much influenced by our requirements and choices. But there’s one event over which we have no control, and that’s our appointment with death.

Adam and Eve, the very first human beings, actually did have a choice regarding life and death. In Gen. 2:17, God gave Adam the command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He said, “for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die”. But Adam and Eve did eat of the forbidden tree, and sin and death became a relentless companion of the human race from that day forward. In the genealogy of mankind, as recorded in Genesis 5, one phrase repeatedly drives this point home: “And He Died.”

Beloved, although we can no longer choose whether to live or die, there was one other man who could. His name was Jesus Christ. In the book of John, (John 10:17-18) He said, “I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me”. Jesus, the eternal Son of God and source of all life, chose to take on human flesh in order to die on the cross as an expense for the sins of mankind.

Let me tell you Beloved, because Jesus chose death, man can now have life eternal by believing in Him. Our human bodies will one day die, but if we’ve trusted in Christ’s death as the payment for our sins, we’ll be resurrected as He was and enter heaven to be with Him forever. 😀

Have a blessed Monday and a Marvelous Week Everyone. 😀

September 24, 2018
‘God’s Healing”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!!
Happy Monday to Everyone. 😀

When I first started in the ministry, I used to get upset over people I’d pray for who wouldn’t get well. One day while I was praying and seeking God He knew I was perplexed and He spoke to my spirit and said, “Healing always comes”.

I remember I said, “What do You mean, Healing always comes? Not everyone gets healed.” And He answered, “I didn’t say they all received it. Then He spoke very sternly to me. “I DO MY PART!!! AND I SAID THEY WOULD RECOVER!!!

Beloved let me tell you, those words hit me like a ton of bricks. He said they would recover. You and I know God never lies. So, if He said they would recover, then that means healing always comes.

Beloved, it’s not God who’s holding back. It’s the receivers who aren’t receiving.

Since then, I’ve never had any trouble praying for people and believing for them to be healed. Whether they walk away well or not, I just keep standing in faith for them. So today, I have faith that anyone that leaves my presence that’s still sick, if they line their faith up with God and me, I don’t care if it’s five years from now, they’ll be healed.

Beloved, if you’ve laid hands on someone who didn’t receive their healing, don’t cut off the flow of God’s power by withdrawing your faith. Just stand fast. Keep believing that healing always comes and somewhere down the line that poor sick person may just decide to stand up and agree with you!!!

Have a blessed week Everyone. 😀

April 2, 2018
“We Are Children of The Light”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! 😀

Happy Monday to Everyone.

I like gardening. I like to look out and see the colorful leaves that bud, and I enjoy watching the plants develop to maturity. I thought about making a little garden in our backyard. But, because it has a park-like setting its mostly shade and not suitable for plants that need full sun. So, it would be useless to buy the seeds plow the soil to plant. It would not be a problem caring for and cultivating my garden, but the plants wouldn’t be happy in my back yard. My care and attention wouldn’t be enough. You see, they would need sunlight, which I cannot provide. I thought about creating an alternative to generate something for the lack of light that would bring the attention the plants would need. But, for some plants it doesn’t work that way. Some plants need what they need. And so, do people.

Beloved, although we can survive for a while in less-than-ideal conditions, we can’t thrive. You see, in addition to our basic physical needs, we also have spiritual needs that can’t be met by any substitute.

The scripture says that believers are children of light. Psalm 89:15 (NLT) says: “Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.” This means that we need to live in the full light of God’s presence to thrive. Ephesians 5:11 (NLT) says: “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”

Beloved, if we try to live in darkness, we’ll produce nothing but “fruitless deeds”. But if we’re living in the light of Jesus, the Light of the world, we will produce the fruit of His light, which is good, faithful, and true.
Please pray with me this morning’s prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for redeeming me and giving me new life. Help me to continue to live as a child of the Light.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name I pray, Amen.

Have a Blessed week everyone!!! 😀

March 26, 2018