C H O F Ministry

Tag: Blessed

“Are You Really Connected?”

Praise the Lord Beloved – Happy Friday to Everyone!!! 😀
What a joy and honor to start the day with you.

**I have changed the title of the “Weekend Word” to “Grow in Christ Jesus” **
My focus is to present a more spiritual comprehensive concept that will produce a vivid spiritual thought going into the weekend.

You know Beloved, everyone has their way to serve God. *BUT ARE YOU REALLY CONNECTED – HOW’S YOUR TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? * Is He just a temporary generator in your life or a place holder? Is He there until something else you feel requires more attention – you remove the connection with God and plug into what you sense is more valuable to focus on.

Beloved, nothing and no one cares more about you than God!!! Staying connected to Him should be as important to you as paying your utilities bills. Just as you need electric to energize your home you need God (The Word – Jesus Christ) to keep your life energized proficiently and properly. Now, I know there are many of you that have stored up lots of intellectual information about the Bible, and that’s important, but that’s not the main issue. And I’m sure there are many of you saying: “Bishop Houston, I serve the Lord”. That’s also necessary. There are many of you that give generously to the spiritual edifice of your choice, and that too is another significant of Christian life. But, what matters is the depth of your “PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP” with the Lord. Beloved, let me tell you, KNOWLEDGE, SERVICE, AND TITHING, can never replace the intimacy with God.

You know, the psalmist King understood this truth, and it strengthen him in times of trouble. You see when his son Absalom tried to take over the throne, David ran to the wilderness, where he wrote the words in Psalm 3, 6, – “(3) But You O Lord are a shield around me… (6) I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies (people) who surround (are against) me on every side”. Beloved, He knew that even during strong adversity he could count on God’s unfailing love and protection.

Beloved, you’ll see repeatedly throughout David’s psalm his unwavering dependence on the Lord. IT WAS HIS PASSION!!! – not his physical strength, charisma (magnetic personality or charm), or his ability to command an army (pastor a church/ministry large or small) that made him a great man. And let me add this also, even though he had MANY, MANY failures in life, but, we find in the Bible (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) describe him as “a man after God’s own heart”. Beloved, don’t let the people of world convince you that you’re worthless an outcast, or you’ll never be a productive citizen because you’ve been to jail, prison, was on drugs, was involved in prostitution or have committed a crime of some kind that you’re a bad/corrupt person and you cannot connect to God or have a personal relationship with God. That’s a lie from the bottomless pits of hell!!!

Beloved, staying connect and having a real relationship with God requires more than being a goodie to shoe, volunteering your services, giving money to kingdom work. God wants to know you personally. Now, don’t get me wrong here, the tangible expressions of your devotions are important. BUT, they should be the result of a mature relationship secured by a proper connection with God.

Beloved, this weekend secure you connection with God. Seek Him first, and believe me, the rest will follow. 😀

Have a blessed Weekend Everyone. 😀

July 6, 2018
“God Has Designed a Program Just For You”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Welcome to Wednesday’s CHOF Bible Fellowship (On Thursday). I hope everyone had a blessed 4th of July.

Our focal CHOF Bible Fellowship verse this morning comes from Matthew 25:21 (AMP) and it reads:

(21) His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

Beloved, allow me to ask you a few questions:

*Are you using all the gifts or talents the Lord has given you?

*Do you feel like your talents aren’t enough?

Beloved, others may have more than you when it comes to physical resources, but we’re still obligated to be faithful over the gifts God has given us, no matter how small we feel they are. In the parable of the talents, a master gave three servants a portion of talents. Two of the servants took what they had and produced an increase. The third servant concealed his one talent and returned the same talent to the master. (In other words, he didn’t do anything with it). As a result, his talent was taken, and he was cast away.

Beloved, “ALL” the servants were expected to produce a profit, no matter how much they were given. The same thing is true for our gifts and talents. Beloved, God wants us to use the portion He’s blessed us with to increase His kingdom regardless of what anyone says or think!!! God blessed you with certain gifts or talents. What God blesses you with is only for you!!!

Today I encourage you to be faithful over the few things the Lord has given you and trust that God will bring the increase.

He has a program that’s fit just for you. Believe me, God doesn’t want more than you can give. He simply wants you to be faithful with what you have.

Come let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the talents and gifts You have given me. I’ll no longer hide my gifts, but I will use them to give You glory and increase your Kingdom.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen and Amen.

Have a blessed Thursday Everyone.

July 5, 2018
“Veracity”

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

Isolation, Loneliness, Solitude. Beloved, these are three of the most common characteristics as pastors and church leaders encounter even though we’re surrounded by many people. Our position as shepherds, separated from the flock in many ways, can cause us to become closed off to much of the world.

You see, living a private life in secrecy or inaccessibility leaves room for self-betray and, eventually, to what I call a culpability breakdown.

So, to avert that breakdown, we need the openness that connecting with others provides. Recognizing our need for others means that we stay very alert of any predisposition to compromise. We also understand that we’re not invulnerable to a fall. We must be willing to be open and connect. So, we sustain genuine accountability as pastors.

Now young pastors or church/ministry leaders, I have a little advise for you,
“if “you want to sustain your veracity.

Now, if you noticed, you’ll see your seasoned pastors or church/ministry leaders with only a few men with integrity. And the reason for this is because they can be themselves without any fall out. You see, for me personally It’s a common practice for me to choose people outside the scope of my work. As a ministry leader, I don’t choose too many pastors to hang out with. I try to connect with those who can evaluate my life with objective eyes and I choose people who aren’t in awe of my presence. I also seek the people who doesn’t have anything to gain or lose.

Second, you must be committed to absolute, deep down honesty. In other words, you have refuse to hide, excuse or deny. That’s because self-betrayal is a danger for all people, especially pastors, ministers and leaders.

I have found this within myself, that for some reason we as pastors or Sr. leaders feel that being an “example” means we never make mistakes, so we try to cover it up!!! I have found that in a leadership role you must be very attentive “cautious” against any half-truths, because the only ones we fool are ourselves.

And finally, be determined to answer diversified questions on a variety of practical topics to facilitate your openness. A lot of times I’m painfully specific such as:

*Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as negotiating?
*Have any of your financial dealings lacked honesty?
*Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?
*Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer this week?
*Have you invested sufficient priority time to your family?
*Have you fulfilled the directives of your pastoral or ministerial, role?
*Have you just lied to me?

LOL!!! And that last one is the clincher!!!

Beloved, unless you’re a practiced hypocrite, answering these questions in a small group of individuals will provide you the spiritual and moral anchorages you need to accomplish your God-given role as a pastor or ministry leader.

You see, when we intentionally engage ourselves with those who keep us honest, we safeguard our lives, our families, and our flocks from the backwash of the accountability breakdown. The pain of real accountability is nothing compared to the pain from a lack of veracity.

Have a blessed Week Everyone.

June 18, 2018
Spiritual Focus”

Praise the Lord Beloved. Happy Friday and Happy Father’s Day Weekend. 😀

Beloved determining to stay spiritually decent and in order is a choice not a command. But, when we honor the Lord by being spiritually upright, the Lord changes the way that believers decide on different occurrences that spring into their life.

Beloved, your spiritual conclusion won’t always be favorable to many especially the carnal minded (worldly) people. So, as we approach this Father’s Day weekend, instead of following our carnal predispositions or compulsions, choose to seek God’s platform to look at every situation you may encounter. OH!!! And one other thing, rather than relying on other people’s advice or information choose to search scripture for confirmation on what you hear the Lord is saying to you. Eventually, you’ll get use to discerning the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit, and the voices of the world “will” weaken.

Have a Blessed and Happy Father’s Day Weekend Everyone!!! 😀

June 15, 2018
“An Identical Spirit”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!!

Happy Monday to you all.

You know, when you agree to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit makes His home inside of you. That’s the same identical Spirit and the same identical power that raised Jesus from the dead. That resurrection power can bring back your health, your strength and life to your physical body, and it can bring back life to your confidence and visions. In fact, it can bring life to any area that may seem undeveloped on the inside of you!!!

So, the next time you feel overcome by sickness, trials or hopelessness, remember, as a believer in Jesus, the same identical Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you!!! You may have been troubled by an addiction, distress, apprehension or illness, but there’s nothing that can stand against the power of God!!! So, today Beloved, intensify your intestinal fortitude and put a voice to faith: “He whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am restored and healed because the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me!!!”

Have a Blessed Monday Everyone.

June 11, 2018
“Mother Are Our Gift From God”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!!

We have reached another weekend.

As we all know this is a weekend that is dedicated to all Mothers.

I salute you “Mothers” all over the world for your dedicated painstaking labor. I also salute the Mothers that are eternally with us. Their physical footsteps no longer walk life’s journey, but the footprints to their pathway will never be removed.

Beloved, the Mother’s Day philosophies shouldn’t just be about being a mother and receiving honor, but thanking God for the mother He gave you, and honoring that principle. Now, let me make it clear right here, Moms should be honored. But their value goes far beyond vocal salute or featured physical elements. Thanking God for your Mother is essential!!! Mothers are a gift from God, and every one of us has one.

So, in actuality, Mother’s Day is really a holiday for everyone. It’s a day that offers us an opportunity to thank God for His goodness for giving us mothers, and an event that grants us the privilege and gratitude to express our tangible special honor all day.

Have a Blessed Mother’s Day Weekend Everyone.

May 11, 2018
“HE”

Praise the Lord Everyone. Happy Sunday Morning to you all. 😀

This morning Beloved, I want us to look at a Paul’s letter to the believers at Ephesus.

Ephesians 4:10-11 (NLT) reads: 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: ….and the pastors and teachers.

Now I want you to focus on the word “HE”. The “He” here is of course Jesus. This portion of Scripture tells us that “HE” has “descended” and that “HE” has “ascended.”

Now, without getting into the specifics of the words “descended” and “ascended,” let me just say right here, that this is speaking about Jesus’ coming and His going.

“HE” came to carry out the work that was necessary to pay the price for the penalty that was due (because of our sin), to die and give His life a ransom for the lost. He also came to reveal the Father (God) to us. And then, with His work being completed, He rose up from the grave, and all that “HE” had taught and all that “He” had done was confirmed, the stamp of approval placed upon who “HE” is and what “HE” had done.

“He” told us in John chapters 14-16 that it was essential for Him to go, then “He” would send the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of truth,” and the Spirit would dwell in the mind and emotions in those who believed on Him. And once the Holy Spirit becomes comfortable enough to make His home in the mind and the emotions of the believers., He authorize the believers to be eyewitnesses for Him.

Now, that the Holy Spirit is residing in the minds and emotions of the believers, they are sanctioned to serve Him according to their authorized position. Some of those who were saved by the Lord, “HE” authorized them to be Lord “pastors and teachers.”

Now, the problem that many believers have is, once they’re given a position by the Lord, all too often they think or make it to be something it really isn’t. Believers must guard against becoming arrogant and conceited. The “pastor” and “teacher” must stay in line with God’s assignment and produce what he or she is supposed to do and do it as the Master has designed.

Now, hears a little word association here: coming from the Strong’s Concordance the word “pastor” is a “shepherd” and the word “teacher” is an “instructor”. This man or woman of God is to be “a shepherd” or an “instructor” to the flock of Christ, the body of Christ, the church. The Holy Spirit filled believer is given this position by Christ “for the equipping of the saints and for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

This is what the “pastors and teachers” are to be about. It’s a very responsible position and one that, in this day of display, ceremony and the great desire to be entertained, must be kept within a proper biblical perspective.

Have a Blessed Sunday Everyone.

May 6, 2018
” WHOOP THERE IT IS!!!”

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

You know Beloved, I personally feel the problem with our world today is there’s just not enough love!!!

I believe (with all that I am) the only way that our problems and the problems of the world can be solved, is by applying love. There’s a Bible scripture Matthew 22 that tells us to first love God with everything that we are and then second to love our neighbor like we love ourself!!!

“WHOOP THERE IT IS!!!”

Beloved, that’s our answer!!! 😀 You see, if we’ll completely love God with our mind and emotions, we’ll develop will power to love our neighbors.

You see true love the way God designed it, is just like the power outlets in our home, if we plug into the source we’ll get an electrical impulse that will travel all over our body which will outwardly produce the fruit of the spirit that’s mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.

Beloved, this weekend find you a true power outlet that’s serviced by the power of God’s love. You’ll find that it’s the resource we all need to help change the current energy into a conducive world that we’re all looking for.

Have a blessed Weekend Everyone!!! 😀

April 20, 2018
“Develope Inner Peace”

Praise the Lord Everyone!!! And it’s Friday!!! 😀 Here in Ohio we finally get a weekend to truly thaw out from our winter snow and cold weather.

I just got off the phone with a client and we were talking about “inner peace”. He along with so many believe that to gain inner peace we need a quiet physical dwelling place to incorporate inner harmony. But, acquiring a peaceful physical dwelling place isn’t always possible. With all the hustle and bustle in our society today, finding a quiet dwelling is almost impossible. So, entering inner peace must be developed.

To establish the inner peace needed we must find a quiet spot in our mind and settle there. This takes lots of practice and focus. But once developed, you’ll find that inner state of complete quiet and internal clearness to the outer world around us. Beloved, true peace means that you can be in the core of hardship, around co-workers, distress, and external sounds, and still be calm in your heart (mind and emotions).

This weekend, try to discover your inner peace from the inside. Once you discover it and start to develop your inner peace, you’ll find that true tranquility is just a thought away and always there when you need it.

Have a blessed weekend Everyone. 😀

April 13, 2018
“Accepting Modification”

Beloved, modification is one of the most difficult things for people to face. But you know, if we want to move forward in life at times modification is unavoidable. In fact, Publilius Syrus said, it’s a bad plan that admits of no modification.

One reason many people are against modification is because they get relaxed “content” with where they are in life. They get used to their friends, job or the place they live. And even if it’s not perfect, they accept it simply because it’s familiar.

But, when we’re not willing to modify, we get stuck in life holding on to what God did in the past instead of growing and moving forward into what God wants to do in the future.

Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) says: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

This weekend Beloved, I encourage you to be open to the new things God has in store for you. Always remember that just because God has blessed you where you are doesn’t mean you can just sit back and settle there. God wants to do something new in you and through you. He wants to see you produce and thrive. He wants you to succeed. So, get ready and keep your mind and emotions straight on Jesus. Accept being modified and see the blessing God has in store for you!!!

Have a blessed Weekend Everyone!!! 😀

April 6, 2018