C H O F Ministry

Tag: James 1:5-8

  • “Slow Down”



    Q: Bishop Houston, I am in an economic crisis. I have prayed and prayed I have admitted where I went wrong, and I have corrected those areas, but I am still in financial trouble. What else can I do?

    Thank you for your excellent question.

    A: Many are feeling the economic crunch as we try to recover from the pandemic shut down. Recovering from a crisis of any kind isn’t always a quick fix or Jeanie in the bottle remedy. Prudence, insight, and knowledge is the answer. Understanding your predicament is the key to recovery. Proverbs 4:7 (AMP) says, “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].”

    I realize that sounds uncomplicated, but it’s shocking to see how many believers forget to do it when crises come. They get so overwhelmed most of the time they run to every source they feel will point them in the direction that seems correct to repair or resolve their problems.

    Beloved, discovering how to slow down a little in certain circumstances, and start commending God for His brilliant work, His covenant of peace, and say no to the evil or crisis that’s trying to take that peace from You. You must stand on your faith and believe that God is with you during your emergency, and He’ll deliver you. Pray and ask God for His wisdom in your crisis. He’ll show you how to meditate and cleverly use your faith. No matter what or how baffling your problem may appear, you can pray with confidence, knowing God will answer it. James 1:5 (AMP) says, “If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.”

    Not long ago, First Lady Donece and I were facing a complicated situation. It came out of know where. We were perplexed because we didn’t see it coming. To be truthful, I immediately reacted by reciting every scripture and praying every way I could think. But the Holy Spirit stepped in and disconnected “my” actions – “Slow Down.” Now, there’s nothing wrong with affirming scriptures, and it’s beautiful to pray. But in the sudden emergence of the crisis, I missed the principle thing I needed. “WISDOM!!!” Beloved, I lacked wisdom. I needed to settle down and get an understanding and believe everything will be fine. I didn’t have to get so alarmed. All I had to do was pray in the Holy Ghost, and He showed me the perfect will of God. All I had to do is listen to God’s directions.

     Today, I’m here to confess to you after several days had gone one morning as I woke God exposed His wisdom to me. I woke up understanding precisely what, who, and how the crisis occurred and HOW TO ADDRESS IT. As a result, First Lady and I have walked away from what meant to be a bad situation into victory – success.

    Beloved, I hope my answer has helped you.
    Thank you for your question.
    Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.

  • “A Wavering Faith”

    A Call for Devotion Logo Picture
    Focal Text: James 1:5-8

    Praise the Lord Beloved!!!
    Happy Sunday to you. 😀

    Today, I am going to talk to you briefly about a wavering faith.

    Beloved, if we believe that God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised, then why do so many of us consistently waver in our prayers? Instead of exercising bold faith, we come to the Lord “HOPING” He will hear us and answer our requests, but we’re just not sure He will. Let me tell you, with this kind of thinking, we cannot expect to receive anything from Him.

    You see, one reason we’re so prone to doubt is that we fail to see God at work in our circumstances. We asked, and nothing happened. But we have to realize that the Lord isn’t some cosmic bellhop who jumps in response to our requests. “NOOOO!!!!” He sees past, present, and future and knows the right time for every answer. His invisible hand is already at work on our behalf, arranging situations to accomplish His will, opening hearts, and preparing us to receive what He wants to give.

    Another cause for uncertainty Beloved, is “IGNORANCE”. You see, if we don’t know God’s ways, we’ll be disappointed in His response. All too often our prayers are accompanied by expectations of how He’ll work. When He fails to intervene according to “Our” timetable or anticipated method, we start to doubt. But placing our faith in the Lord and trusting in His good and perfect ways gives us stability as we wait for His answer.

    So Beloved, to overcome doubts, you must spend time in the Word to learn God’s principles and ways. Then you’ll begin to grasp what He wants to achieve in your life and how He goes about it.

    Beloved, inspect your past from a biblical perspective, and you’ll see your faith start to grow as you see the unexpected ways He answered your prayers.

    From the Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr. Ministry,
    have a blessed Sunday.