C H O F Ministry

Tag: Holy Spirit

“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
“Constant Contact with God”

Our Sunday Morning Focal Verse is: Psalm 1:1-2 (AMP)
*1 Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers). *2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.

Beloved, it’s very important as a Believer we always stay in constant contact with God not just today but daily.

As Supporters or Advocates of Christ Jesus it’s equally as important to stay tuned to His voice. You may have a plan for today, but God may lead you in a totally different direction if you’re allowing the Holy Spirit to penetrate your mind and emotions. Also be brave enough to flow with what “you” feel in “your” heart (mind and emotions) that God wants “you” to do.

Beloved today’s going to be a great Sunday. Listen for the voice of God to lead you. Be strong minded to walk in the Spirit and stay in the movement of God’s direction for you today.

“To God Be the Glory. Have a blessed Sunday Everyone” 😀

March 10, 2019
“Zodiac”

Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other gods before Me.

Zodiac signs and horoscopes have been common in the social order for a long time. Some people live their life by them. People go around telling people what their horoscope says, they establish or don’t establish relationships based on zodiac compatibility, and they take it to be the gospel truth.

Beloved as believers, we can’t fall into this trap. Just because the sign and our personality have a few things in common doesn’t mean we view it as law. Remember Pharaoh’s magicians? They had commonality with Moses’ signs but, God’s sign conquered. The truth about ourselves comes from the Word of God. God’s Word says we’re blessed, we’re victorious, and we prosper. We’re to be led by the Holy Spirit and not make decisions based on a zodiac sign. God should be our One and only.

So, as believers, we must be very careful when we listen to opinions of another person, they could involve demonic forces instead of the Word of God.

Have a blessed Tuesday Everyone

January 29, 2019
“God’s Spiritual Health Center Is Open”

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

Beloved, God has compassion. He sees the poor in spirit, sick, ailing and calls them to His Spiritual health, healing, trauma and deliverance center. Like a 24-hour medical hospital, you can reach Him anytime. He’s aware of your infirmity and knows how you’re feeling.

Beloved, as you approach this weekend, if you’re feeling any kind of spiritual infirmity, I want you to know that God’s Spiritual Health Center is open, and the Holy Spirit is ready to roll you into the recovery room where you can fully realize that your disturbance or set back is over. I’m overjoyed to tell you also that God has never released anybody that He wasn’t going to use mightily.

This weekend may God reveal healing and purpose as we all continue to seek Him.

Have a blessed Weekend Everybody!!! 😀

November 9, 2018
CHOF Ministry Morning Bible Verse

Beloved, if you’re having an issue with believing God for something really big then maybe it’s because you’ve disregarded or overlooked those “small” or “what you may have felt unimportant” signals of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to understand that each of His instructions or directives are important and He promises to reward us for every act we allow Him to accomplish in our life, regardless of the dynamics.

Beloved, if you desire to climb the ladder to bigger faith to larger blessings you must start by mastering the little step stool first.

Have a blessed Tuesday Everyone.

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October 2, 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
“I Got This!!!”

Yesterday after service a brother stopped me as I was headed out the door to my car, he called out “Bishop Houston, can I talk to you before you leave?” I stopped and waited for him to catch up to me. He said, “Bishop, it happened to me!!! I didn’t think it could happen to me!!! But it did!!!” So, I told him to slow down, catch his breath and let’s take it from the top. He said, I don’t know how or when I lost focus, but I got involved with this ol’ girl and it’s about to destroy my marriage. I never thought anything like this would ever happen to me.

Beloved, He’s not alone. You see, it’s very easy to think we’re immune to sin and temptation.

That’s because we apprehend a disorder called, “I GOT THIS SYNDROME”.

Many of us go to church and try to live right. Sometimes we even shake our heads when others fall into sin, and more than one Christian has said, “That will never happen to me – I GOT THIS.” But, that’s when we become tremendously susceptible. In Galatians 6:1, Paul warns us against the I GOT THIS SYNDROME, he says, “Watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted”.

Beloved, I just love Psalm 51:10-13 especially verse 10: “create in me a pure heart and renew a right spirit within me”. We all would do well if we made David’s prayer in verses 10-11 our daily prayer. No matter how strong we might think we are or what our good intentions might be, we’re no match for Satan.

Beloved, David was speaking from experience when he prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”

This week why don’t you take some time to memorize that prayer or do what I do when I want to remember something, write it out and put it on your refrigerator door or put it on your bathroom mirror. Pray it often.

Beloved, it’s only with the assistance of the Holy Spirit do we have the power to resist temptation.

Will you pray with me?

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right (correct) spirit within me. Don’t remove me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

In Jesus’ Mighty Name I Pray,

Amen and Amen.

July 30, 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
“You Too Are Royal Heirs”

Praise the Lord, Beloved, and a Very happy Sunday to you all!!!

Our morning passage comes from
Romans 8:12-18 (NLT)
and it reads this way:
(12) Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. (13) For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. (14) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

(15) So, you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (16) For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. (17) And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

(18) Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

On Saturday, there was a beautiful royal wedding. A young beautiful black woman became heir to a great royal family. No one saw this coming but God and the two people He joined together in Holy Matrimony.

As a believer you too are an heir to royalty, and for many, they never saw it coming.

Beloved, do you think of yourself as an heir? If not, you’re not alone. Many don’t give it a second thought when it come to considering the blessings that are ours when we accept Jesus Christ as Savior.

And this may be because we don’t actually know what it means to be God’s heir. And it’s very difficult for us to begin to grasp the concept of what awaits us when we leave this earth or when that’ll be.

Beloved, being an heir is generally connected with family ties, and the same is true of our connection to God. When we were born again, by His Spirit, we were approved to be His children and so now, we’re as heirs along with Christ.

In Colossians 1:15, Jesus is called “the firstborn of all creation.” In the ancient world, the firstborn son had a place of importance in the family and was the primary heir of anything his father owned. In the same way, Jesus Christ holds the place of firstborn and is the heir of all creation.

Now, what’s truly amazing is that He has sworn to share His inheritance with us. According to Revelations 2:26-27 it tells us when He returns in glory to take up His rightful place as King of Kings on earth, we’ll rule with Him, under His authority. Beloved, the Christian is filled with unjustifiable kindness from God. What we’re experiencing now of God’s grace is only a mustard seed.

Comprehending all that Christ has done and will do for His followers should quickly encourage us to live for Him now. The Holy Spirit lives within us, permitting us to terminate our fleshly desires and become compliant with God even when it’s risky.

Beloved, anytime we suffer here on earth for Christ’s sake, is trivial when we equate it to the glory that’s waiting for us.

Have a blessed Sunday Everyone.

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May 20, 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