C H O F Ministry

Tag: Lord

  • “Circumventing Spiritual Misconception”

    Wednesday 7 3 19 2019 Let Us Pray James 1 22

    In Matthew 7 verses 21-23 you’ll find it chronicles the sad results of spiritual misconception. Jesus says: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

    Beloved, Jesus made a strong pulsating dissimilarity between those who just claim to be Christians and those who actually are. The difference is, true believers do the will of the Father. In the words of James, they’re doers of the Word, not just hearers who deceive themselves. “Hearers” in James 1:22 translates a Greek word that speaks of auditing a class. Auditing students go to class and listen to the instructor but don’t do any work. So, they don’t receive credit for the course. The phrase “delude themselves” speaks of being persecuted by one’s own defective reasoning. People who listen to God’s Word but never obey it are spiritual auditors who delude themselves by thinking that hearing the Word is all God requires of them. Unfortunately, many churches and ministries are full of these people. They attend services and hear the sermons, but their lives never seem to change. They’re content to hear the Word but they never apply it. Like those whom Jesus condemned in Matthew 7, they’ve chosen “religious” activities over true faith in Christ.
     
    You’re in a sad situation to think you’re saved, only to hear. Matthew 7:23 (AMP) says: And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].
     
    Beloved, that will never happen if you’re a doer of the Word.
    Amen? – 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 be permitted to enter our room and blow out our earthly light. So today, reach out and touch someone and tell them you love them, BECAUSE TELLING THEM LATER JUST MIGHT BE – TOO LATE.
     
    Beloved, once again, I thank God for you. You all are truly my inspiration. 😀
     
    I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have an “Awesome” Wednesday.

  • “Father’s Day”

    Weekend Words Father's Day.png
    “Praise the Lord Beloved. 😀 Happy Friday to you all. 😀

    Beloved, as we all know Father’s Day is Sunday. And it’s a day we honor our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and all the other men who have played an important role in our lives, whether natural or spiritual.

    Whoever that person is in your life, his role comes directly from God, Genesis 18:19 says: “For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice”.

    Beloved, this Father’s Day weekend let’s praise the men who have taken on the role of fathering through educating, mentoring, and providing an illustration of how to live a life of faith. Let’s thank the Lord for His goodness in bringing these men into our lives.

    Have a blessed Friday and a Fantastic Father’s Day Weekend. 😀

  • “Tested Faith”

    Praise the Lord Beloved – let us thank God for allowing us to start another Friday under His covenant.

    You know Beloved, sooner or later your faith will be tested, no matter how durable or how frail it is. It may be tested by an unconvinced employer, or maybe more likely it’ll be tested by the trials of life. Beloved, eventually something happens, and your heart will cry out, “Not again Lord, I just cannot handle this.” It may be a parent, child, relative or friend’s illness or death, or a marriage/relationship that turns bitter, or a business deal which has not gone well.

    It’s happened to me on several occasions from divorce, lost court case to the loss of a child, relative and friends. I’ve found myself asking God “WHY?” and God You said You would not put no more on me than I can handle, but this one is tough “Lord, I just can’t handle this.”. Many will run away or get upset with God. Beloved, when there’s something which you can’t handle turning and running away or shaking your fist in the face of God is not the solution. When the foundation of your faith is shaken, I encourage you to go first to the Word of God and take refuge in the Bible. There are dozens of promises with your name attached to them. In the Word you’ll begin to see life from His viewpoint. You’ll begin to think God’s thoughts. You’ll understand 2 Corinthians 4:18 – “what’s seen is temporary, but what’s unseen is eternal”. Beloved, when your faith is tested take a look at the situations, and then look at the situations of individuals in the Bible. Match up their problem with yours and notice how God met them.

    Today my life, mind and emotions lean heavily on the Written Word of God. So, as you start your Friday and go into the weekend remind yourself of the truth of God’s Word and that He is honor bound to keep His Word. Years ago Apostle Paul wrote (2 Timothy 1:12 AMP) “for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence… that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him].”

    Beloved, “a faith not tested means a spiritual life that’s congested.” (Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.)

    Have a blessed Friday and a rewarding weekend Everyone.

  • “Relinquish the Alpha Dog Mentality”

    Thursday 5 9 2019 Let Us Pray Alpha Dog Psalm 118 5
    Happy Thursday Everyone. 😀

    Several years ago I wrote about a person who had threatened to make my life unhappy – miserable. I prayed to the Lord for help and I felt Him answer that He would fight for me. I believed that He would, but as time passed, I became anxious and started to have reservations. True faith includes belief, trust and having all confidence in God’s ability to provide. But, at one point in my life it was particularly hard for me because I considered myself an Alpha Dog (wanted to regulate things my way). Sure I believed that the Lord was in control, but I struggled because I felt better when things depended on me. But when it came down to waiting on the Lord after I prayed, trusting that He would do it all in His perfect timing, it was hard for me to not panic a little bit.

    Beloved, little did I realize I was growing in my faith. When we grow in our faith it’s painful – especially when we’re impatient, or want things done our way or on our time table. 😀 That’s because waiting and trusting teaches us to rely more on the Lord and less on ourselves. The Lord answered my prayers and delivered me from that horrible situation. That’s because I relinquished my Alpha Dog mentality and started trusting God to be the leader. Looking back, I can see that I wasn’t in control of anything in my life. The Lord has been fighting for me, and it’s the Lord who has delivered me, and it’s been the Lord in control the whole time. Amen? 😀 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 be permitted to enter our room and blow out our earthly light. So today, reach out and touch someone and tell them you love them, BECAUSE TELLING THEM LATER JUST MIGHT BE – TOO LATE.

    I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
    Have a blessed Thursday Everyone. 😀

  • “God Knows the Plans He has For You”

    Thursday 4 25 2019 Let Us Pray Bible Verse Proverbs 16 3
    Praise the Lord Beloved. 😀 Happy Thursday.

    You know Beloved, there are many people who say they trust believe, and have all confidence in God, and then turn right around and start executing their plans. We need to be about our Father’s business with “ALL” things and not just the ones we can’t handle. Trusting, Believing and having ALL CONFIDENCE means we are “NO DOUBTERS” when it comes to believing “GOD’S GOT THIS!!!” When we commit our life to the Lord, we somehow forget that it involves everything. What that means is we also have to commit our works to Him as well, and this morning’s Bible verse is a perfect reminder for us all.
     
    There’s often a plan and a purpose behind our works. In order to ensure its fulfillment, let us commit them to the Lord. In fact, the greatest work ever done in the history was the sacrifice that the Lord Jesus did for all of us, and that was His crucifixion. It wasn’t an easy mission Jesus fulfilled. However, since behind that work was a plan to save us from our sins, Jesus freely took up His cross. We’re saved today because Jesus committed to doing the Will of God the Father. Whatever plans you have always seek God’s will and commit your works to the Lord so you’re productive.
    Amen? 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 pass through our window and blow out our lights here on earth.
    So today, reach out and tell those you love that you love them.
    BECAUSE TELLING THEM LATER JUST MIGHT BE, TOO LATE.”
     
    I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
    Have a blessed Thursday Everyone. 😀

  • “The Sign of a Completely Occupied Heart”

    Wednesday 4 24 2019 Let Us Pray Bible Verse The Sign of Completely Occupied HeartPraise the Lord. Happy Wednesday Everyone. 😀

    You know we live in era that it’s becoming more difficult to know if a person’s heart (mind and emotions) is completely occupied with God’s word.
     
    I have two questions for you to ponder:
    *1. Will that person appear to be more devout (spiritual) than others?
    *2. Will that person exhibit great knowledge of the scriptures, memorizing lots of verses or achieving a high level of Biblical studies?
     
    Well, the answers are no. You see, being devout (spiritual) and knowledgeable of the Bible isn’t a guarantee that a person is undeniably completely occupied with God’s word. We must remember the Pharisees and the Sadducees during the time of Jesus, were very religious and had excellent knowledge of the Scriptures. But the life they lived as well as their attitude and character were far from what the Scriptures teach. So, the person whose heart (mind and emotions) is completely occupied with God’s word has a loving disposition and attitude like the Lord Jesus. Definitely, if your heart (mind and emotions) is completely occupied with God’s word, you’ll display a character that’s courteous, humble, easy-going, caring and devoted just like the Lord Jesus Christ.
     
    Amen? 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 pass through our window and blow out our lights here on earth.
     
    So today, reach out and tell those you love that you love them.
    BECAUSE TELLING THEM LATER JUST MIGHT BE, TOO LATE.”
     
    I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
     
    Have a blessed Wednesday Everyone. 😀

  • “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.

  • “Optimism and Confidence with Love”

    Weekend Words Optimism an Confidence with Love
    Well the weekend is upon us once again. 😀 Happy Friday everyone. 😀

     
    You know Beloved, optimism and confidence with love is a major component for a true Christian, because it’s what Jesus gives us. He brings us His love with each new day and strengthens us with that optimism and confidence. And the best thing about His love is it isn’t limited or controlled. He doesn’t give us a little bit now and a little bit later. It flows out of His heart freely and it’s poured unrestrained into ours. Romans 5:5 (NLT) says: “We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love”. Verses 3-4 tells us He desires to use the hard times to develop perseverance and character and bring us a satisfying, hope-filled life, and verses 6-8 says even when we’re far from Him, He still loves us.
     
    So this weekend Beloved, look for the signs of His optimism and confidence. The Lord gives optimism and confidence with love through inviting us to grow in a relationship with Him. Our optimism and confidence to have a gratifying life is anchored in His unfailing love.
     
    Have a blessed Weekend Everyone. 😀

  • “A Loyal Friend That’s Always There”

    Thursday 11 2019 Let Us Pray A Friend That's Always There
    Praise the Lord Beloved. Happy Thursday. 😀

     
    You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about this verse lately. There have been times in my life when I cannot complete my goals no matter how hard I try. Very often, all I need is a little bit of help, some intelligent advice, a loyal friendly word or a favor. People need loyal friends. Like that man from the Bible. He needed someone to help him get into the pool, he couldn’t do it alone, and he didn’t have anyone. Blessed is the one that has loyal human friends who are always there to help, but most of the time I’m on my own. The good thing is that there’s one special loyal friend that will never fail us, our Lord Jesus Christ. He’ll always be there to give us a helping hand. He’s the one that will, “put us into our pool.” Sometimes He does it through others, sometimes through little miracles, and we can always be confident He’ll loyally be there.
    Amen-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 past through and blow out our earth lights. So today, reach out and let those you love know that you love them.
    BECAUSE TELLING THEM LATER JUST MIGHT BE, TOO LATE.”
     
    I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
    Have a blessed Thursday Everyone. 😀

  • “Imprisoned”

    Bishop Houston's Monday Morning Blog Picture Imprisioned
    Good Morning Happy Monday.

    Beloved, have you ever felt caught between a rock and a hard place? You know, no matter what choice you make, it seems to be the wrong one. You struggle and struggle with it until you reach the end of your rope. You realize that nothing you can do on your own will change your situation(s). Well, I have on many occasions.

    It’s easy to become discouraged and start to panic, fearing that you’ll never find your way out of the mess. At times I’ve felt like a sheep caught in a barbed wire fence. But I’ve found that when this occurs, I need to be still so the Shepard can cut me loose. Beloved, if you would just be still, the Lord will cut you loose and free you from your seemingly hopeless situation. You see, the more we struggle, the tighter what has us snared “tricks, deception, decoy become. That’s because we’ve spent too much time and energy trying to free ourselves. And the outcome never changes we get the same results – CAPTURED!!!

    Beloved, the Lord wants us to be still and trust Him to deliver us from whatever has us imprisoned. If we’re still, we’ll hear our shepherd approaching, wire cutters in hand, to set us free.

    Have a blessed Monday and a joyful Week.