C H O F Ministry

Tag: Jesus

  • “Probing For Spiritual Answers”

    This Week Probing For Spiritual Answers Question Why hasn’t God destroyed Satan

    Praise The Lord Beloved!!! ✝️❤️😊

    This Morning’s Question is: Bishop Houston, Satan has been a problem for humanity since the beginning of time. Why hasn’t God destroyed him?

    Answer: This is a fantastic question. 😊

    Beloved, God is the architect of life. He is in life. In Him, no mortality or obscurity exists.

    See, when God designed Lucifer, He created him perpetually. God designed him to live forever, not to die or terminate his existence, but to live eternally. Ezekiel 28 delivers a great illustration of how Lucifer was created perfect, and then iniquity was found in him (*1).

    When Lucifer transgressed in rebellion against God, he was thrown out from the existence of God to live the rest of his life in eternal separation from God. Beloved, Satan cannot die, be killed, and his life cannot be terminated, because God created him as an infinite being. Satan will live eternally in agony, detached from God.

    Now many don’t know this critical fact but should be made aware. We must understand that man is also an eternal being, created by God to live eternally. Humans are designed in God’s persona as three-part beings. The three parts of a human-being are called THE SPIRIT, THE SOUL, and THE BODY (*2). The spirit is a person’s most profound being, the part that gives him life. The soul is his selection center; this is where we make determinations; it’s where our reasoning, feeling, and knowledge functions. The body is the biological house in which God lives.

    Beloved, as spirit beings, we will live eternally. Adam’s sin in the Garden sentenced all human beings to physical and spiritual death. It is essential to know right here that Spiritual death does not mean a spirit ceases to exist. It means a soul is removed from God. The good news is that we do not have to stay separated from God!!! Because God loves us, He made it viable for us to be reconnected to Him via the disposal of virtuous blood. He arranged a body and His one and only Son, Jesus, who became the martyr for the sin of humanity. Jesus’ death reimbursed the fine for Adam’s sin so that we could live in the spiritual life and have a relationship with God. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊

    Probing For Spiritual Answers Cross-Reference Verses:
    *1. Isaiah 14:12-15
    *2. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 & Hebrews 4:12

  • “Probing For Spiritual Answers – Divorce”

    This Week Probing For Spiritual Answers Question Divorce

    Praise The Lord Beloved!!! ✝️❤️😊
     
    This Mornings Question is:
    Bishop Houston, I been taught that Christians can’t divorce. Can you tell me if a Christian can get a divorce?
    😊
     
    Answer: This is a great question. 😊 Thank you for asking.
     
    There are lots of scripture that speaks on marriage and divorce in the Old and New Testament of the Bible. First, I want it to be clear that it’s important to know that God despises divorce-He hates separation. (*1). And even though we can’t say it’s constantly right or wrong for a Christian to want to get a divorce, or for a divorced Christian to marry again, what we can say is divorce is clearly an extremely unwelcome event.
     
    I’m a product of divorced parents and I’ve been divorced, and I can tell you from experience that there’s pain that comes with fractured relationships and there’s a lot of tension divorce puts on family members—and it becomes more complicated when children have been born during the relationship. Everyone is affected by a divorce. The action of marriage realistically unites two people as one flesh. Divorce separates and ends the chapter and the book of this new life that was established.
     
    The Law of Moses tackled the issue of divorce head-on with detailed guidelines. But when Jesus came, He established a new directive that has an even higher requirement. We’re no longer under the law of Moses, we’re now governed by the law of love. Jesus says in John 13:34 (AMP) “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another.”
    Beloved this rule is for “EVERY” situation: Romans 13:8, and verse 10 (NLT)says: 8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law – and verses 10 says: Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. Galatians 5:14 (AMP) says: For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” Galatians 6:2 (AMP) says: Carry one another burdens and in this way, you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. James 2:8 (NCV) says 8 This royal law is found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” If you obey this law, you are doing right.
     
    So, when both partners enter the union of marriage makes every effort to walk in the love of God, their marriage will never fail. Now, if a believer is in a marriage in which this isn’t the case, he or she should seek the Lord for advice and permit the Holy Spirit to direct him or her in the direction of the truth (*3). Now I want to make it understood right that divorce is still not the best choice. The Lord may direct the person in several ways. Only he or she and God know if divorce is a choice.
     
    Beloved, divorce is certainly not God’s good quality. But it’s also not the conclusion of a successful Christian life. As believers, we can anticipate to be led by the Spirit of God and know that He neither brings condemnation against us (Romans 8:1 (NLT) – So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.) nor eliminates anyone from a unique place in His plan (Romans 11:29 (NLT) – For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.) It’s only through Him, the divorced man or woman can walk in victory and achieve everything God has called them to accomplish!!!
     
    Beloved, there’s no explicit biblical law for the Christian concerning divorce, other than they follow the law of love. The same law of love is valid when it comes to remarriage. The decision to remarry should be centered on the love of God and not on egotistical or materialistic desires. If a believer does get a divorce and he or she feels they’re genuinely prepared to move into a new union of marriage with another believer, he or she should do so with confidence that the Lord will bless that union. Bear In Mind, in Christ all things become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊
     
    Probing For Spiritual Answers Cross-Reference Verses:
    *1. Malachi 2:14-16
    *2. John 13:34
    *3. Proverbs 3:5-6, John 14:26

     

  • “Ensued Faithfulness by Extended Family”

    2 9 2020 week 1 Bishop Houston's Sunday Morning Church 2 Timothy 3 10 thru17Praise The Lord Everyone!!! I pray that your Sunday has started blessed in the Lord!!! ✝️❤️😊

    You know, I started the CHOF Ministry over 12 years ago. “I DON’T AND WILL NOT” claim to be the best cleric in the world. What I bring to the spiritual banquet hall is what God has prepared me to provide. I’m thankful for the special opportunity to lead, share, teach, and deliver, Christian spiritual influence to thousands for Christ, I’m also even more thankful for the opportunity to be taught, to humbly sit back and listen to the more spiritually established men and women of God. I thank God for faith believing parents and grandparents. My faith in God was shaped by my parents and grandparents when I was young. They taught me about Jesus. As a young adult, I claimed Christianity but spiritually I’d left the spiritual foundation. I thank God for praying parents, it was the internal flame of my grandparents Rev. C. J. Houston (Granddaddy) and, Mrs. Nancy J. Mills (Momma Nancy) my praying mother Elnoria M. Butler that has kept me coming back each time I would veer off my spiritual path. And I also thank God for great friends and who have never turned their backs on me when I felt friendless, disliked and hopeless. My wife, First Lady, Donece Houston, Arnold Smith Jr. (A.J.), Coach, David Norris Sr. Coach, Clifton Fifer Jr., Elder, Aaron K. Henson, The Late Rev. Troy McKee, and The late Marty (Eli) Benson. And there were others that assisted me indirectly, Dr. Donnie and Jackie Banks, Delana R. Sharron and few family members.

    It’s through their faith and prayers that have helped shape me, taught me, directed me back to the path I abandoned. “I WAS LOST!!! BUT NOW I’M FOUND!!! Hallelujah!!! You never know who, how, where or when God will allow the proper influences onto the course of your life nor when one of them will help you remove the blinders or rose-colored glasses from your eyes to accept Him. The key is to accept Him when you recognize and then confess.

    Today there are many that are thankful for my life’s transformation. But as we all know Satan lives here, evil is the foundation his power is established, and he recruits friends and family 24/7, 365 days and night a year – So there are those that despise me and will despise you because you are no longer hopeless or disliked. Today my life rests on the Word of God. The earnest prayers and Agape love, of God’s sincere people, has been answered as I boldly confess Christ as my Savior. I LOVE the way the Message Bible defines Matthew 10:22-23 (MSG): 21-23 “When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.

    This morning our text encompasses Paul’s charge to young Timothy. The apostle inspired Timothy to maintain his belief in salvation through faith in Jesus. Timothy was also raised up in a Christian family and discovered his faith by being taught by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (*1). In 2 Timothy 3:15 Paul says to young Tim: “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood…”

    Paul also cautioned Timothy. He told him that following Christ loyally would not be easy. Timothy understood and he also knows about the difficulties and sufferings Paul had faced. (*2), and he let him know that he too would face persecution for being a Christian (*3.) Paul realized that any follower and supporter of Jesus would need motivation-encouragement to face the tyrannical world. He encouraged Timothy to persist in what he was taught, studied and understood as a child because of the people he was taught by. (*4).

    Beloved, Paul motivated young Timothy by encouraging him to rely on God’s Word, which was influential in building his faith (*5). Timothy’s family also played a vital role in his life by sharing God’s Word with him and praying for him.

    Beloved, the Scriptures have permanent energy to structure and restructure our lives, provide, prepare, and repair us so that we will be spiritually effective, dynamic, beneficial, and valuable servants of God. As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, they are inspired, God-breathed, so worthy of our time and attention. ✝️❤️😊

    Let Us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, this morning I thank You for allowing us the opportunity to share Your wonderful Words of Wisdom. Thank You for the opportunity to restructure, rebuild and return spiritually. If it wasn’t for the earnest prayers of family and friends that You have allowed to bless our path the opportunity to be spiritually reestablished would not exist. Thank You, God. To You Be The Glory. ✝️❤️😊

    Have a Blessed Sunday Everyone. ✝️❤️😊

    Bishop Houston’s Sunday Morning Word Bible References:
    *1. 2 Tim. 1:5
    *2. 2 Timothy 3:10-11
    *3. 2 Timothy 3:12-13
    *4. 2 Timothy 3:14
    *5. 2 Timothy 3:15

  • “The Name Above All Names”

    Focal Verse:
    Genesis 11:4 (NLT)
    Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky.
    This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”

    Summary: Beloved, in our society today it’s about “The Brand, and The Image.
    Everyone wants to make a name for themselves.

  • “Follow The Directions”

    2 7 2020 Bishop Houston's Weekend Words Psalm 119 1
    Beloved, following directions, is very important. When you get a new kitchen appliance, a new software, or a new car, it makes sense to follow the manufacturer’s directions. They tell you what you need to know about using their product. When we don’t follow directions, we’ll find ourselves facing obstacles or a crisis. Challenges that may not have occurred if we would’ve followed directions. 
    We can parallel this with the Word of God. We need to follow our Creator’s instructions. They’re essential for living life full circle, as God planned for us. In Psalm 119 it begins by pointing out that people who follow God’s way are blessed and blameless. But to really understand Psalm 119 I want to make a couple of things a little clearer.

    *First, in giving his Word, God informs us, “This is how I created you to live. When you live according to my instructions, you will be blessed.” Now, this doesn’t mean everything will be uncomplicated or effortless, but no matter what the circumstances are —uncomplicated or complicated—your life with God and others will prosper because your objective is to respect and comply with God.

    *Second, we must place our focus on the significance of blameless. Blameless doesn’t mean “flawless.” Romans 3:23 tells us everyone sins. Everyone falls short of God’s virtue and flawlessness. But all who are liberated by Christ, the Savior, are proclaimed in right standings (in the proper position) by God.

    Beloved, when we place our confidence, in Christ as our Savior, there should be a deep yearning within us that directs us to initiate a replica of Him, in order to live God’s way. In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

    Beloved, as we end this week and head into the weekend if you find yourself with an unsatisfied appetite for rectitude read directions to God’s banquet hall.  It’s open and God’s waiting at the table for you with an overflowing buffet of His goodness. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊

    I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have a satisfying Friday and a terrific weekend everyone. ✝️❤️😊

  • Q and A Template
    Praise the Lord Beloved.!!!

    Since starting CHOF ministry 12 years ago I’ve been asked many questions on many topics by many levels of people who seriously desire to find God’s answers to their rational, real-life everyday encounters. There have been many people that have come to me with questions they were afraid or uncomfortable to ask and there have been many that have also come to me because they just don’t have the proper people in their life to ask. After praying and laboring over this new project a vision was delivered to me recently. Matthew 7:7 (KJV) says: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” So, I must stay in obedient in 2020. It’ll be called “Probing For Spiritual Answers.”

    Each week (Wednesday) I’ll post a question and answer segment on my social media sites. It’s my effort to reach out and help answer questions many of you may have wanted answers for or have been confused by certain traditional myths or have been provided answers by the “mean well” unknowledgeable. The answers I present to you will be Biblically principled.

    Matthew 7: 8 (KJV) says: “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

    May the words that I present to you each week help you find tranquility, bring resolution, provide insight and embed wisdom.

    God bless you.

  • “Where Would I Go?”

    2 3 2020 John 6 67 68You know Beloved, I’ll be the first to tell you managing a Christian life isn’t always easy. Maintaining God’s directives, learning His Will, and loving your adversaries can be very complicated. Even some of Jesus’ supporters found His teaching to be too challenging and decided to abandon Him. That’s because His words were difficult to accept.

     
    I too feel that occasionally it’s very difficult to obey God’s commandments and stay faithful to Him. It’s especially depressing when you face the reality of His warning that the world will despise you for no reason and that Christians will unavoidably have troubles in this world. It’s in those moments, I’ve felt like wanting to give up and step away. But then I remember what Peter realized a long time ago, that there’s no better place to be than beside Jesus. I have to keep it 100 with myself – where could I go when only He has the words of eternal life. We all realistically know the realm of humanity will end, but His Word is perpetual with an eternally foundation that will lead us to His Heavenly Kingdom. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊
     
    Let Us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, You’re the breath I breathe and my passion to live. I want to stand with You forever regardless of how others feel about me. Please give us all the intensity and wisdom to comply with Your precious Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Amen.
    ✝️❤️
     
    Beloved, life is very short. It comes and goes like an unannounced gust of wind. None of us know the hour or day when that gust of wind will enter our earthly room and blow out our candle. So, reach out and touch the ones that need your agape, dissolve the divisions among you, continue to encourage one another, be united in the same mind, the same reasoning and continue to build one another up.
     
    I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have a magnificent Monday and a great week. ✝️❤️😊

  • “Life’s Invisible Finish Line”

    1 27 2020 Revelation 14 13
    Beloved, life is very delicate and irreplaceable. None of us know the time nor hour, how, when or where our life’s invisible finish line rests nor do we know when it will appear. The question that we must each honestly explore within ourselves is: “Is Our House In Order When Our Life’s Finish Line Appear?”

     
    This morning CHOF Ministry, First Lady Donece, and I pray for the Bryant Family and all of the other families who also lost loved ones in this tragic incident. ✝️❤️
     
    Let Us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, please reassure and reinforce the families during their grieving period and moment of need. Father God show us what, where, and how to get our house in order before the invisible finish line of life here on earth appears. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen and Amen. ✝️❤️
     
    Beloved, life is very short. It comes and goes like an unannounced gust of wind. None of us know the hour or day when that gust of wind will enter our earthly room and blow out our candle. So, reach out and touch the ones that need your agape, dissolve the divisions among you, continue to encourage one another, be united in the same mind, the same reasoning and continue to build one another up.
     
    I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have a great Monday and a wonderful week. ✝️❤️

  • “The Wisdom of Your Calling”

    1 26 2020 week 3 and 4 Bishop Houston's Sunday Morning Church Eph 1 18
    Praise The Lord Everyone!!! Happy Sunday!!! ✝️❤️😊

    In Ephesians 1:3-14 we find Paul announces the dedication of our salvation. In verse 18 he prays that we’ll understand those great truths, which he encapsulates in the phrase ” the confident hope he has given to those he called.”
    The word “Calling” here describes God’s efficacious calling—the calling that liberates the soul. The scripture speaks of two types of calling: the gospel or universal call and the efficacious or precise call. The gospel call is given by men and is a common call to repent and trust Christ for salvation (*1). It goes out to every sinner but everyone that hears it doesn’t react in faith.
    The efficacious call is given by God only to the elect. Those that are chosen God speaks to their soul, permits protective faith and leads select sinners into salvation (*2). Beloved, all who receive it react in faith.
    The optimism in your powerful calling that inspires is built and justified on the foundation of God’s promises and Christ’s accomplishments (*3) and is exemplified by boldly anticipating yet unwearyingly expecting those promises to be implemented. It’s your hope of decisive veneration and of revealing God’s glory when Christ returns. (*4). It’s a resource of intensity and constancy during the trials of life (*5). And as a result, it should provide you with joy (*6) and motivate you to godly living (*7).
    Have a Blessed Sunday Everyone. ✝️❤️😊
    Let Us Pray
    Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your redemption. This morning I ask that You continue to emphasize in my mind the blessings and assignments You have presented to me as I continue to live in expectation of Christ’s impending return. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Amen.
    Beloved, life is very short. It comes and goes like an unannounced gust of wind. None of us know the hour or day when that gust of wind will enter our earthly room and blow out our candle. So, reach out and touch the ones that need your agape, dissolve the divisions among you, continue to encourage one another, be united in the same mind, the same reasoning and continue to build one another up.
    I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have a fantastic Sunday. ✝️❤️😊
    CHOF Ministry Bible Reference:
    *1. Matt. 28:19, Acts 17:30-31
    *2. John 6:37- 44, 65, Acts 2:39
    *3. 1 Pet. 1:3
    *4. Col. 3:4
    *5. 1 Pet. 3:14-15
    *6. Rom. 5:2
    *7. 1 John 3:3

  • “Probing For Spiritual Answers”

    This Week Probing For Spiritual Answers Question Is there a special Way God will Judge
    Praise The Lord Beloved!!! ✝️❤️😊

     
    This Mornings Question is:
    Bishop Houston, is there a special way Christians will be judged by God on Judgement Day?
     
    Answer:
    This is a great question and thanks for asking!!! 😊
     
    Beloved, Jesus has already forgiven us of our sins when He went to the cross. When Judgement Day arrives, we’ll be evaluated and compensated for our moral actions, not for our transgressions. Now, don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying sin doesn’t have an impact on us. While we’re here on earth when we sin, we give Satan the power (authorization) to open the door walk in and locate and attack us where we’re Spiritually weak, Spiritually uncovered, or Spiritually abandoned. In other words, when we don’t walk by faith, we’re saying to Satan: “Welcome Satan!!! Come right on in and destroy my life.” Romans 14:23 (AMP) says: “But he who is uncertain [about eating a particular thing] is condemned if he eats because he is not acting from faith. Whatever is not from faith is sin [whatever is done with doubt is sinful].” So, you see Beloved, it’s through sin we detach ourselves from God’s security.
     
    First John 1:9 (NLT) says: “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.” Forgiveness our pardon!!! 😊 It releases us and eradicates Satan’s legitimate right to our life. So, on Judgment Day, Christians will be evaluated by the works they did during their lifetime. We’ll be joyfully compensated according to what we’ve done. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT) says: “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) says: “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 1 Peter 5:4 (NLT) says: “And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.” Revelation 11:18 (NLT) says: “The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.” And Revelation 22:12 NLT says: “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.”
     
    I strongly recommend reading 1 Corinthians 3 and Romans 14. They are “BRILLIANT” cross-reference reading.
     
    Beloved, God coordinates each of our lives to help us make the right choices, but at the end of the day, the choice is ours. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊