C H O F Ministry

Tag: First Lady

  • “Doing It God’s Way”

    3 30 2020 Isaiah 30 21
    Praise The Lord Everyone!!! ✝️❤️😊

     
    First Lady Donece likes to joke with me about a trip we took to Columbus, Ohio.
     
    She said, “you need to go this way as she pointed to the off-ramp ahead, which redirected me toward our hotel after not listening to the directions of our GPS. I’d traveled to our destination a few times, so I wasn’t following the verbal commands of our navigation system. It had been a long day, and I was tired and wasn’t as focused as I should have been. You see, all I had to do is listen to my navigation system. Instead, I went 12 miles out of the way and through a tough-looking neighborhood.
     
    As I was meditating on our morning’s Bible passage, that adventure came to my mind. Before being spiritually reinstated and reunited with God I’d often deviate from obediently doing it God’s way, I was always captivated by the impulses to pursue what I want instead of seeking His ways. Beloved, how often have you (or know someone) that have done the same thing?
     
    Now meditate just a moment on Isaiah 30:21. I want you to feel the words of Isaiah from God for Israel: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’.” Earlier in that chapter, God had rebuked His people for their defiance. But if they would trust His strength instead of their own ways (v. 15), He guaranteed to show His kindness and generosity (v.18).
     
    One manifestation of God’s generosity is His guarantee to guide us by His Spirit. It materializes as we talk to Him about our aspirations and ask in prayer what He has for us. I’m thankful God patiently instructs us, day-by-day, step-by-step, as we have confidence in Him and listen for His voice. Amen and Aaamen!!! ✝️❤️😊
     
    Let Us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, You’ve agreed to guide us through the ups and downs and choices we face in life. Help us to have confidence, hold on to You, and to listen for Your voice to direct us actively. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Aaamen. ✝️❤️
     
    I Love you all!!! Have a joyful Monday and a secure and sensible week Everyone. ✝️❤️😊
     
    CHOF Ministry Bible References: N/A

  • “Motivated To Do Wrong Things”

    1 30 2020 Bishop Houston's Weekend Words Galatians 5 8
    Beloved, has it ever happened that you knew what was the right thing to do but you did the opposite? I have on many different occasions. I can remember a time First Lady Donece and I were in a Dollar store waiting to be checked out – (Yes we shop at the Dollar store and love it !!!😊) Now, if any of you have ever been to a Dollar store you know the lines can get pretty long especially during holidays. During this particular time, many people were standing behind us ready to be checked out. A lady in a hospital uniform was looking desperate and asked us politely if she could get in front of us to check out because she had to get back to work. She didn’t have many items in her hand, so I said yes. I didn’t mind because I’ve been late for an engagement or an appointment a time or two, because I’ve left the house late, or traffic was heavy, or couldn’t find a parking space. When this happens the anxiety and stress level generators kick into maximum overdrive and hopelessness shows up.

     
    Well, when I allowed the lady the favor of cutting in line in front of us things got a little uneasy in the store. You see, what I felt was right was wrong!!! I knew there might be a little repercussion about it, but I threw caution to the wind and the outcome wasn’t pleasant. The people behind us had a right to be unpleasant because it was unfair to them because they were patiently waiting in line. That day taught me a valuable lesson. I’ve realized there are two vital yet voiceless guidelines when standing in line: “first come, first serve,” and “no cutting in line.” 😊
     
    So Beloved as you end this week and head into the weekend beware of smooth talkers or people that attempt to persuade you to compromise for their benefit and advantage. Learn to say no and stand firm. You might lose friends and family along the way but remember doing the wrong thing regardless of the motive is always wrong. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊
     
     
    Let’s Pray Out:
    Dear Heavenly Father, give us the discernment to know persuasion that doesn’t come from You. Lord, please help us to say no to ungodly influence and suggestions and give us the courage to stand firm with our answers. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, I pray, Amen and Amen.” ✝️❤️
     
    Beloved, CHOF Ministry feels so blessed to be able to serve so many in encouraging their relationship with God. I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have a heartwarming Friday and a terrific weekend. ✝️❤️😊

  • “Walk with Confidence in God”

    Bishop Houston's Monday Morning Blog Picture 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.

  • Does the Holy Spirit reveal the truth to us as Christians?

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    The answer is Yes!!!
    Have you ever pondered which path you should or should not take?

    No matter how appealing one path choice might be over another path choice; there is always a still voice on the inside telling us which path is the correct one to choose.
    ****That still voice on the inside is the Holy Spirit disclosing the truth to us; so that we can continually choose the right path to take.

    In John 16:13 (AMP) 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father – the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].

    In John 14:26 (AMP) 26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

    So in essence, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us. Leading and guiding us to choose the correct paths in our Christian Walk to take. The Holy Spirit is that inner voice inside that we need to adhere to; in order to keep us from veering off the course and going down the wrong paths of life.

    God Bless you all,
    Enjoy the rest of your week! 

  • First Lady, Donece Houston’s Christian Concept

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    Is there a way to choose the right paths to take in our Christian Walk?

    The answer is Yes!!!

    In our Christian walk we are faced with all types of choices, situations, problems and issues on a daily basis.

    It is so easy to get caught up in our emotions over the difficulties that come up against us.

    Making the wrong decisions to those difficulties that we encounter can lead to catastrophes in our Christian Walk.

    ***It is during those times that we need to turn to God and put our full trust and confidence in Him to direct us to take the correct paths in our Christian Walk.

    In Proverbs 3: 5-6 (AMP) 5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

    So in essence, we must rely on God in everything that we do. We can’t get caught up in our emotions, beliefs, opinions and feel goods. We must wholly trust and believe in God with all of the endeavors and difficulties in our lives.

    ***Remember once we turn over the control of our lives to God; He will then remove and fix all the obstacles that come up against us in our Christian Walk.

    God Bless you all,
    and enjoy the rest of your week!

  • CHOF Ministry’s “Christian Concept”

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    Should we ask to have our Hearts cleansed on a regular basis?

    The answer is Yes!!!

    In our Christian walk we often find our Hearts bogged down with the burdens of the world.

    The burdens of the world cause our Hearts to become overwhelmed and trodden down. The world’s burdens fill our Hearts with sickness, heartaches, hurt, pain, distractions, despair and sinful acts.

    As Christians we are not able to continue to function with overwhelmed and trodden down Hearts. An overwhelmed and trodden down Heart greatly impedes our Christian Walk.

    Our Hearts have to be cleaned out and cleansed on a regular basis in order for them to function correctly.

    In Psalms 51: 10 (AMP) Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.

    So in essence, to keep our Hearts cleaned out and in excellent working condition we have to ask God to continually cleanse them; so that we can have a clean Heart and a right and steadfast spirit inside of us at all times.

    God Bless you all,
    Happy New Year!!!!
    Enjoy the rest of your week!

  • First Lady Donece Houston’s “Christian Concept”

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    Should prayer be a part of our
    “ADLS’ (Activities of Daily Living)?

    The answer is a resounding YES!!!

    ***Prayer is an essential ADL (Activity of Daily Living) that should be used often throughout each and every day

    In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (AMP) we are instructed to steadfastly continue to pray without ceasing.
    Prayer serves as our way to communicate and have a conversation with God.

    It is through our prayers that we are able to:

    (1) Give thanks to God for the many blessings that He has bestowed on us.
    (2) Confess our sins and ask for forgiveness for all of the things that we have done wrong.

    (3) Place our requests and petitions before Him.

    So in essence, our prayers serve as a way to communicate on a personal level with God. It will be through that continual ongoing daily conversation with God that we are able to gain encouragement, strength, forgiveness and healing.

    ***So in order for us to maintain an ongoing daily conversation with God; praying has to be added into our “ADLS’ (Activities of Daily Living) so that it can be exercised nonstop throughout each and every day.

    God Bless you all,
    Enjoy the rest of your week! 😀

  • Christian Concept-“Do I really have to forgive others?”

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    Do I really have to forgive others?

    The answer is YES!!!

    Having to forgive others for bringing harm or hurt to you, can be one of the hardest things in life for you to do.

    It is not easy to detach yourself from your feelings and emotions when others have done something to wrong or hurt you.

    When trying to get pass those feelings of betrayal, we can’t allow our emotions to get the best of us and force us to retaliate against those who have wronged or hurt us.

    ***It is during those times of hurt, betrayal and anger that we must exercise forgiveness.

    This is the time when we have to rely on the power of forgiveness.

    It is through the act of forgiving others; that we as true Christians will be forgiven by God for the sins that we have committed.

    This is shown in Matthew 6:15 (AMP) But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.].

    So in essence, in order to be forgiven by God for our sins, we must remember that we have to make sure that as true Christians; we have let go of: hate, resentment, hurt and anger toward those who have wronged us, and forgive them for any of the things that they have done against us or to us.

    God Bless you all,

    Enjoy the rest of your week!

  • First Lady Donece Houston’s “Christian Concept”

    Niecy's Concept Picture
    In your Christian Walk; is it better not to know,than to know?

    The answer is: It is better to KNOW, than not to know!!!

    It would be very easy in our Christian walk if we were able to be excused for the sins that we commit as a result of not knowing any better.

    Unfortunately just not knowing something doesn’t make it ok for us to engage in that act or activity. 

    That excuse is just not acceptable. In Hosea 4:6 (AMP) God states that his people are destroyed because of their lack of knowledge. 
    God has supplied a huge resource for our use so that we can be knowledgeable about what is acceptable to do and what is not. 

    Our main resource to use is the
    Bible (B)- basic (I)-instruction (B)-before (L)-leaving (E)-earth

    The Bible covers all of the instructions that are needed to guide us through our Christian Walk while we are here on this earth. 
    In 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) it shows us that in order for us to attain the knowledge that is needed to guide us through our daily Christian Walk that we must study so that we can show ourselves proper before God.  

    So in essence, it is up to us to learn and become knowledgeable about what is acceptable for us to do or not to do, so that we can present ourselves correctly before God. 

    *** Be advised that once we have acquired that knowledge and still choose not to do what is morally correct and expected then God will judge us accordingly.

    God Bless you all,
    Have a great week!