C H O F Ministry

Tag: Jesus

“Jesus Is The Master Teacher”

Praise The Lord Everyone!!! Happy Sunday!!! ✝️❤️😊

Beloved, I give thanks to God for blessing me with spiritual insight and the platforms to speak, teach, and pray for people all over the world. As a spiritual clergyman, I focus on presenting the divine instruction of God that morally guides, encourages, and inspires. I love talking with those of you that I’m able to talk with. There are so many of you that it’s very hard to speak with everyone. I love talking to you about what’s going on in your life, your encounters, and the way Jesus meets you. God is “SO” awesome. His grace is profound, and every one of you that I’ve talked with has made serving God from my platform a marvelous experience. I’m an enthusiastic admirer of Jesus Christ, that’s why I do all I can as a follower of the Master Teacher from then platforms I’ve been blessed with. ✝️❤️😊

Our Sunday morning reading shows us the mind of Christ who regularly taught with parables, using pictures and stories from everyday life. Jesus wanted the significance of the subject to be clear to those listening in faith. (*1). He was impeccably in tune with the minds and emotions of His audience, and He constantly lectured following the larger “lesson plan” of His Father.

Now, the second story, that was revealed later was an allegory. It was created about a problem (*2): A decent man planted wheat, then his enemy came and planted weeds in the same field. They were not aware of the weeds until the undesirable plants and good plants began to grow together. The decision was made to separate them at the harvest (*3). Now, there may be some of you out there that are asking: Bishop Houston WHY DID THEY HAVE TO WAIT? Well, I’m glad you asked!!! 😊 It was to make sure the wheat wouldn’t be affected or destroyed.

Then we see the disciples’ come to Jesus and ask Him to explain the meaning of the story about the weeds (*4). The good man is the Son of Man (Himself), while the enemy is the devil. The field is the world. The wheat represents people of the kingdom of God, the true loyal believers in the Son. The weeds represent everyone else. The harvesters are the angels and the harvest is the final judgment.

Beloved, our core lesson for this Sunday morning focuses on two different destinies: Sinners will be punished-thrown away -burned, while at the same time, strong, holy lives will grow up – mature and beautify the kingdom of their Father.” (*5).

Let Us Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being the miracle we need here on earth. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to educate us and thank You for allowing us the opportunity to have an insight into Your word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Aaamen.

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. 13:10–17
*2. Matt. 13:24–28
*3. Matt. 13:29–30
*4. Matt. 13:36–41
*5. Matt.13:42–43

January 19, 2020
“God Is Great, God Is Good”

Praise The Lord Everyone!!! ✝️❤️😊

You know when I was younger, we were taught to pray before every meal. We each had a personal short prayer we recited before we picked up a fork or spoon. One of my sibling prayers at mealtime was “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. Amen.” This is a conventional mealtime prayer but it’s an awesome mealtime prayer because it articulates the importance of being appreciative. We’re to give thanks to God for everything we have because every single blessing we receive comes from God Himself.

In verse 2 of our scripture reading this morning, we see that crowds following Jesus were massive. The talk had circulated everywhere about Jesus’ astonishing signs of healing the sick. People had come from all over to witness the healing and more. Then the disciples contemplated the best way to feed the thousands of people that were gathered to hear and see Jesus. The Apostle Andrew came up with an innovative plan.

He volunteered a boy’s lunch as an answer to their conundrum. Jesus accepted the five small rolls and a couple of fish which were the size of sardines, gave thanks, dispersed the food, and multiplied it to meet the needs of all the people.

Beloved, what we occasionally miss in this story is that Jesus paused to pray and give thanks. We remember the crowd, the miracle, the disciples, but my question to you this morning is how often do we wonder about Jesus’ prayer? What was Jesus actually thankful for? Was it for the boy who gave up his lunch? Was it for the Apostle Andrew who had come up with the creative idea? Or maybe it was for the boy’s mother who was wise enough to pack a lunch for her son? 😊

Our text doesn’t tell us, but there’s one thing we know for sure about the prayers of Jesus, without a doubt we can be sure who Jesus gave thanks to – God the Father. Jesus paused and thanked the Father before that hillside meal, just as He did when He passed the wine and bread during His last supper before His death.

Beloved, we too can give thanks, keeping in mind that God is great, and God is good. We should thank Him for the food that nurtures us and even more because it’s His sacrifice that gives us life.

Let Us Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing us with the provisions that help us as we partake our life’s journey. We give thanks to You and only You because there’s no other like You that provides what we need. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Aaamen.

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 Wonderful Sunday. ✝️❤️😊

CHOF Ministry Bible Reference:

N/A

January 12, 2020
“Exalting Is Better than Contrition”

You know, when we’ve failed to achieve our goal or do something that causes a negative consequence feeling guilty is our primary characteristic. We have a tendency to feel terrible about the choice because of the adverse conclusion, which eventually precedes to self-criticism.

Allow me to bless you with a tip from the word this morning. 😊

After you’ve failed to achieve your goal or do something that causes a negative consequence, start praising and thanking the Lord. Thank the Lord for His unending love, His endless compassion and understanding we have through His Son Jesus. Thank God for His grace and mercy. Thank God that you’re not destroyed or rebuked when you come up short of your desired goal.

Beloved, everything in us direct toward thinking embarrassing thoughts, make us feel uncomfortable, and very remorseful about what we’ve done. Others will even get on the bashing, negative branding, and banishing bandwagon to make us feel even worse about our choices. Beloved, GIVING INTO GUILT DOESN’T GIVE GOD GLORY!!! What glorifies God is recognizing, and accepting, all the things (love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, Jesus) He’s made free access to us that will eliminate the guilt of sin.

So, as you end this week and head into the weekend and you do something that causes a negative consequence, give God the praise and glory. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊

Let’s Pray Out:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your compassionate love, grace, and mercy, and for allowing Your Son Jesus to come into the world and bless us with the knowledge of how we should react when we make decisions that aren’t good quality choices and allowing us to know that beating ourselves up or letting others script their smear tactics is not the proper response or reaction You desire. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, I pray, Amen and Amen.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have an enjoyable Friday and a fabulous weekend everyone. ✝️❤️😊

January 10, 2020
“The Name Above All Names”

Beloved, everyone wants to make a name for themselves.

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.”

January 5, 2020
“God Will Provide In 2020”

Beloved, “the Lord will provide,” isn’t on the foundation of food and drink, cars, money or bills. It’s in the framework of the most extreme physical need we as a people face daily – the loss of life. Now when I say the loss of life I’m not speaking of physical death, I’m speaking of defeat in life, a damaged life, disappointments in life.

I’ve noticed that many people think of God’s provision as a customer service representative or a restaurant server. We think of God providing for us with jobs, taking care of family, friends, care for our churches, ministries, blessing us with abilities, and answering prayers. These things are significant and meaningful, they’re undeniably a portion of God’s provision to us. But too often we stop there, and in doing so we condense the deep reality of what “the Lord shall provide” truly means. God is our Provider, but to receive the adequate provisions of God we must have “Obedient Faith ” In other words, we must respect Him, show our appreciation and have complete trust and confidence, (unwavering doubt) daily and believe He is who He says He is and He will accomplish what He has promised and we must understand His scheduling isn’t on our time – table.

In Matthew 6 Jesus tells his disciples “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on . . . Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they . . . Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

In these verses, Jesus shows one end of the continuum of God’s provision. He cares for the smallest and even the unconscious in His creation. He clothes and feeds them. His eye is on them as cherished created things. So, as we go into 2020 don’t worry about His provision. We’re image-bearers, distinctively made to be God’s children. He provides as a father must. Providing exactly the things that are best for His children without hesitation and always at the right time.

Have a blessed 2020 Everyone!!! ❤️🥂🎆🎉😊

December 31, 2019
“DON’T SNUB JESUS IN 2020”

Praise The Lord!!! Happy Holidays Everyone!!! ✝️❤️😊

As we all know 2020 is just a few days away and my question to you this morning is: “Do you have the correct cornerstone in place for 2020? You see, having the proper cornerstone or foundation stone is important because it’s the very first stone laid in a building. Architecturally it’s the stone on which the rest of the building is built. Ephesians 2:20-22 described Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone of the church.

In Mark 12 you’ll find the tenants in Jesus’ parable had an obligation and that obligation was to take care of the landlord’s land. Instead of dividing the fruit of the land with the owner, they disregarded his authority by denigrating and then murdering each messenger he sent to collect rent. Scripture tells us in Mark 12:5-6 the landlord sent “MANY” messengers, “some of them they beat, others they killed”. Finally, the landlord sent his son, “WHOM HE LOVED.” Instead of paying what was due, the tenants first admitted that this was certainly the son, and then, determined to kill him. Now look at this – these farmers had a rapport with the landlord. He was permitting them to work his land.

Beloved, he reached out to touch base with them constantly and good-naturedly. Finally, he decided to send his own son, and the laborers not only snubbed his efforts, “THEY KILLED HIS SON!!!. And Mark 12: 9 tells us that eventually, the farmers got the right punishment for their actions.

Some of Jesus’ parables are difficult to understand, but this isn’t one them. Mark 12:12 tells us the meaning of the parable was recognized by the religious leaders. They knew Jesus was speaking unambiguously to them. The religious teachers continued to ask Jesus who gave Him permission. In Mark 11:27-33, they directly confronted Jesus about His teaching and actions. Mark 11:28 they asked: “Who gave you the authority?” This occurs four other times in just these few verses (Mark 11:28, 29, 32).

Beloved, hypothetically it’s possible to run a church, a ministry, a home without the permission or power of Christ and His Word. It’s possible for a church, a ministry, a home to turn away from the gospel. Going into 2020 making Jesus your cornerstone should be the first order of business mandated. This morning’s parable shouldn’t be taken lightly, as a matter of fact, it’s a serious warning to all of us.

Let Us Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this morning’s Word. Let us all seriously take the warning in this parable into 2020. Help us make or secure Jesus as our cornerstone, pleasantly take care of our obligations, and share with Him what He’s due. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Aaamen.

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 Sunday and a Spiritual New Year. ✝️❤️😊

December 29, 2019
“Are You Laughing At Me or With Me”

Happy Holidays!!! ✝️❤️😊

Beloved, laughter is good for our mental status. I hope all of you can reflect back on many jubilant moments you laughed so hard that when you think about the occasion that was so hilarious it still makes you laugh.

But you know, not all laughter is the same. Occasionally it’s sarcastic. When I started my online CHOF Ministry there were many who laughed at me in unbelief and as we approach 12 years many are still laughing at me even as they try to duplicate or pick certain components to install in their chosen spiritual foundational delivery. There also were many that made fun of and laughed at my albums and at First Lady Donece’s Houston Travels travel business. NO SUPPORT FROM MANY!!! BUT MUCH LAUGHTER “AT” by many – and minimal laughter with.

But you know some of these same people that laughed or are laughing at you and won’t support you have the nerve or bold enough to come to you and ask you to support their need or cause and have the audacity to get upset with you when you repudiate them. “HELLO WALLS!!!!!!!!” Somebody out there Know what I’m talking about this morning!!! 😊

Beloved, ninety-year-old Sarah laughed in incredulity when she was told she would give birth to a son. She knew that after a certain age, women simply don’t get pregnant. The idea must have sounded like a joke. Abraham doesn’t get off lightly – he laughed earlier when God told him Sarah would have a son (*1).

This story should convict many cynical people because it actually ties into their lack of faith or jealously. I sometimes see old feuds, a paucity of evolution in our churches or ministries, and incurable illnesses as “just the way things are.” But the question that we should all always apply is God’s question: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) reminds us that God “is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

When God fulfilled His promise and a son was born to Abraham and Sarah, they named him Isaac, which means, “he laughs” (*2). Their laughter now had a positive tone. I’m sure there were many that laughed at Joseph and Mary when they found out about the immaculate conception.
It says in Psalm 126:3 (NLT): “Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”

May God give all of us that kind of joy when we recognize that He keeps His promises regardless of what we may humanly think or believe.

Let Us Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of laughter. Help us to look at situations and opportunities the way You view them. Give us faith in Your promises and fill us with jubilation.
In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Aaamen.

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 blessed Sunday and a Spiritual Christmas. ✝️❤️😊

CHOF Ministry Bible Reference:
*1. Genesis 17:16-17
*2. see Genesis 17:19

December 22, 2019
“Acquiring The Correct Insight”

Beloved, in this morning’s Bible Verse (Ps. 19:7) David’s description of God’s Word as “the Lord’s instruction” speaks of its role as God’s eyewitness to who He is and what He requires of us. In addition, it’s a “confident” witness. That means it’s rock-solid, obstinate, distinctive, consistent, and dependable.

In 2 Pet. 1:16-18, Peter made the same point when, after detailing his amazing experience with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration, in Verse 19 he said, “we have a most reliable prophetic word.” Beloved, the testimony of God’s written Word is a truer and more persuasive affirmation of God’s truth than even apostolic encounters with Christ Himself!!!

Maybe Luke 24:27 provide us the reason why our Lord avoided the two disciples on the Emmaus Road from identifying Him as He gave them a biblical foundation for the things they had seen and heard. You see, their faith and preaching were to be based on “Scripture”, not just on their own personal experiences—regardless of how fantastic or touching those occurrences may have been.

Beloved, the value of God’s pure-sure Word is that it makes the simple “naïve” wise. It takes insensitive, ignorant, and gullible people and teaches them insightful “philosophical” truth from God that they can apply to their lives. As they do, they become proficient in the art of godly living. That was the psalmist’s joy when he wrote Psalm 119:98-100 (AMP): “Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For Your words are always with me. I have a better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers [because of Your word], For Your testimonies, are my meditation. I understand more than the aged [who have not observed Your precepts], Because I have observed and kept Your precepts.”

Applying that principle to New Testament believers, Paul prayed in Colossians 1:9 that we would be “filled with the knowledge of [God’s] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” As that occurs, Colossians 1:10 (AMP) informs us that we’re qualified to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things…”

Beloved, as you go through Friday and are chosen to encounter the weekend remember it’s the accomplished words of godly wisdom, that’s the key to holy living. God’s Word teaches insight and comprehension beyond the scope of ordinary human knowledge. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, this morning we ask that Your wisdom escalates and flourish in our life not just today but every day. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, I pray, Amen and Amen.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have a pleasant Friday and a fantastic weekend everyone.
✝️❤️😊

December 20, 2019
“Connecting with Peace Be Unto You”

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Arriving behind sealed doors, Jesus shows the disciples His wounds. But before He does, He speaks to them to calm down their anxieties, and give them a holy directive. Jesus says “Peace be unto” you twice in John 20. Just think about that for a moment. It’s not until we’re calm down and at peace, we’re able to parallel ourselves with His purpose. When there’s anxiety and worry, we’re self-consumed and incapable of movement.

Beloved, where are you today? Are you behind any self-sealed doors?

We stay behind our sealed doors when we’re transfixed by trepidation, regardless of where that anxiety is entrenched. The comforting words of Christ are never more needed than now for us!!! Listen To His word for you today, “Peace be unto you!!!” Similar to the disciples, it may take hearing that more than once for it to sink in. So, listen to it again, “Peace be unto you!!!” Inhale it. Meditate on it right now. Stay here until you sense His peace surrounding your heart and calming your spirit. Because if moving forward without it will only create impatient activity and desperate confusion. When we’re experiencing the peace of Christ in our lives, we’re ready to associate ourselves with His purpose. Just think about this: the directive of Jesus for us is already affiliated with His. He’s given us permission to carry on His aim, according to His stipulations. The enthusiasm to be on His team will only find its way into your heart if you have His peace. Beloved, if it’s not with you, there’s no better time than now to ask Him for it!!!

Let Us Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your peaceful words and directions. Today I have a purpose and it’s a joy to be connected and aligned with You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Aaamen.

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 blessed Sunday. ✝️❤️😊

December 15, 2019
“The Skills of a Real Sheperd”

Praise The Lord Beloved. Happy Monday to you. 😊

Several years ago, First Lady Donece and I had the special opportunity to meet real-life shepherds on one of our tours. One event special to me was the opportunity to watch an actual presentation of one of the shepherd’s incredible skills as he directed his herding collies. He made it clear to us how much he understands and loves each of his sheep–he had names for each one; he knew how old each one was and respected their ability to provide for his life.

Beloved, as we enter Advent, we look forward to paying tribute to the birth of our Good Shepherd, Jesus. By coming to earth Christ exhibited His enormous love for each of us as He knows each of us by name and desires us to return in Glory with Him and His Father in Heaven. His angels came to visit the shepherds in their fields and welcomed them to visit the Newborn Messiah (*1). The angels confirmed the shepherds’ value by their invitation, but it still took courage for them to travel and seek this huge gift in a small bundle that they had long expected. Their faith and humility were compensated when they met the Savior of the world in a simple cave. Just like those shepherds realized, we too are led by an amazing Shepherd. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊

Dear Heavenly Father help me be like the shepherds who didn’t waver to pursue You, respectfully kneeled before You, and recognize that you’re Lord overall, and You love and care for us. Let this time of Advent fill us with peace, joy, love, and hope. 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 may enter our earthly room and blow out our candle. So today, reach out and touch someone you love and tell them you love them, BECAUSE TELLING THEM LATER JUST MIGHT BE – TOO LATE. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Have an “AWESOME Monday and a FANTASTIC week!!! 😊

CHOF Ministry Cross-Reference Verses:

1. *Luke 2:8-12

December 2, 2019