C H O F Ministry

Tag: Marriage

“Probing For Spiritual Answers”

Praise The Lord Beloved!!! ✝️❤️😊

This morning’s question was:

Bishop Houston when I was at home, my parents made us go to church. In my twenties, I slowed down, attending church. I’m in my mid-thirties married with children, and I want to go to church more consistently, but my spouse won’t let me go. Can you give me some advice?

Thank you for your question. And sure, I’ll assist you with some suggestions. 😊

Answer:

First, let me say, your aspiration to be a committed member of a local church is excellent. It’s a part of our new-found spiritual life in Christ that gives us the yearning to serve the Lord.

But complications can occur in a home where one spouse chooses to serve God enthusiastically, and the other doesn’t. It’s always complicated when there’s no agreement on an issue of significance to one spouse or the other. The impulse may be to give up and quit.

But quitting isn’t the answer. That’s just what Satan wants. He realizes your family could become one of his harshest adversaries, and he’ll try to demolish it rather than let that transpire. Contemplating separation, divorce, or abandoning your family in any way isn’t a choice for the believer who chooses to do God’s will. So, don’t battle with your spouse. Battle your real enemy. Begin envisioning your family working for the Lord together in a powerful way and stand on the verse I use for my house – Joshua 24:15, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Now, that doesn’t mean for you to lay down the old holier than thou or religious attitude. Just communicate it. In other words, show it. Your family is designed to be incorporated in the call God has for your life and the job you believe He wants you to do. God doesn’t break up families for the work of the ministry. Marriage and family life were God’s concept, and He wants us to respect our marriage vows and take care of our families (*1).

As long as your spouse wants to stay with you, it’s your opportunity to easily walk in the love of God and show by your illustration how fantastic it is to be a Christian (*2). Find all the scriptures on love and meditate on them. Keep in mind 1 Corinthians 13:8 “love never fails.” In other words, you have to create the charisma and spiritual characteristic that parallels the feature “to walk in love.” It’s a huge task, but in Jesus, it can be accomplished!!! CHOF & BWFHJr Ministry is, praying for you, believing, and celebrating with you. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊

Probing For Spiritual Answers Cross-Reference Verses

*1. Malachi 2:16, 1 Timothy 5:8

*2. 1 Corinthians 7:12-14

March 11, 2020
“Probing For Spiritual Answers – 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

February 12, 2020
“God’s Pace Is Proper”

I can remember my daughter coming to us to inform us that she was getting married. She was an active Christian and she was undoubtedly overjoyed. I wasn’t as jubilant – my “Baby Girl” all grown up, and as a Dad it was very hard for me to release, but I had to look past may emotions. So, I was happy for her. My wife and I did ask her why the rush in tying the knot because they had only been dating for about ten months. She was expecting, and I felt she was feeling pressured because we taught along with our other children the Christian faith, and she also told us that the baby’s daddy expressed his wishes to marry her. She wasn’t in favor of counseling before marriage because he wasn’t a Christian. So, I had to let go and allow her to “run her own race at God’s pace.”

My intention wasn’t to discourage them during a pre marriage counseling I wanted to enlighten them that they were young, and she was brought up in the Christian faith and had done very well. Since my experience with my daughter, I have over-hauled my my approach on many topics when it comes to individual agendas.

Beloved, each one of us has our own race to run. Each race is unique. We can’t run the race of others and they can’t run ours. With God, there’s no late or too soon. Everything with God is on time and in His time!!!

To God Be The Glory”

March 20, 2019
“God Deserves The Glory”

Focal Scripture John 15:8

There’s an old Full Gospel adage that says God gets glory from the wonderful way His children bear pain and agony and that the world is impressed by that. That is a flat out lie!!! Beloved, that’s simply an instrument of the devil to keep God’s children in suppressed.

Think about it. People all over the world already have all the pain and agony they want. They aren’t looking for a way into it. They’re looking for a way out. They don’t care what you preach. It’s the religious people who get worried about that. The world, the sinners, are smarter than that. All they care about are the results.
That’s why they’ll come to your church/ministry when they hear people are getting healed, delivered and set free from suffering. That’s what they’re looking for, and that’s what God wants them to receive.

Beloved, the Bible says in Matthew 15:31 that God gets glory when they see the lame walk and the blind see!!! Jesus said in John 15:8, ” When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” So, someone out there may be asking: “Bishop Houston, what is that fruit?” WELL I’M GLAD YOU ASKED!!! 😀 That fruit is lives being restored and healed by the power of God.

I can remember a few years back a woman came to a tent revival I was preaching, who was so far gone with cancer she had almost no energy or life within her. She didn’t even know the Lord, but she came expecting a miracle. During the revival service, the spirit of the Lord spoke into my spirit that someone was being healed of cancer, in the glands, in the throat, and in the chest. When the woman came up and to receive prayer, she said to me, “Bishop Houston, I left the hospital this morning with cancer and I am not claiming it!!! I’m cured.” I was told she went to the hospital 2 weeks later for her appointment and the doctors checked and re-checked. Her cancer was gone. As a result, the woman went to her church the following Sunday and received Jesus as her Lord, and the blessings got better!!! Later during that same service, she and her husband (they were separated) reunited and he got born again!!! WOW!!! healed and her marriage put back together in one day!!!

Now that’s fruit!!! Beloved, that’s what brings God glory. You see, when we minister healing and deliverance like Jesus on the earth, that brings God glory. So, let’s do away with religious adages and go with what the Word says. Let’s impress the world with Jesus Words, because God deserves the glory!!!
Have a Great Sunday.

June 24, 2018
“To Divorce or Not To Divorce?”

Dear Bishop Houston, I am Ubura a Christian. Me and my wife have been married for 15 years and I think I want to divorce her. What shall I do?

Praise the Lord Ubura thank you for your question.

Well, Ubura contemplating divorce for many is very difficult and there’s a lot that may impinge your divorce (children, property, money and emotions, ect….). I’m not an attorney so I will leave those legal matters to the men and women that are properly authorized to litigate.

Now, as a Christian spiritual leader, the first thing I advise you to do is take it to God first. It’s mandatory that you know the will of God. And once that’s done, you’ll have the assurance of 1st John 5:14-15 “God always hears and answers prayers which are prayed in line with His will”. It’s major for us as Christian to discern God’s will in His Word.
Now, we as Christians, divorce among believers is definitely unwanted. God’s best is for two Christians once they become husband and wife is to remain married throughout their lifetime. Matthew 19:4-6 says: “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together”.

Then there’s 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 which outlines how the God kind of love is supposed to perform. Now, Romans 10:17 says, faith comes from the Word. So you must meditate on those verses until your mind is completely renewed Romans 12:2 (Amp) says: And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

So Ubura, you must act on the Word in faith for your marriage.
in other words your decision and response should be made according to God’s love no matter what happens.

So, instead of reacting emotionally to your spouse, allow 1st Corinthians 13 to be your guideline. As a Christian you must respond with the God kind of love. You must be patient, kind, forgiving, always protective, trusting, persevering and hopeful. Don’t be envious, boastful, proud or rude. Don’t keep track of wrongs or be self-seeking or easily angered. Since God promises you that love never fails, if you walk steadfastly in His kind of love, your marriage cannot fail!!!

Even though the Apostle Paul did not discuss divorce between two unsaved people, he did say that adultery, divorce or anything else the flesh produces in the life of a sinner is a result of the sinner following his true nature. According to
2nd Corinthians 5:19, God will not hold his sins against him. This would include divorce.
In 1st Corinthians 7:12-13, 15, Paul dealt with situations involving one saved and one unsaved partner. In this case, Paul says that if the unbeliever is willing to live with the believer, the believer should not seek a divorce. However, if the unbeliever leaves, the believer is not bound to the marriage. He ended with the statement, “God has called us to live in peace.”
Beloved, God’s Word is His will for you. I encourage you to read over the scriptures I’ve just mentioned and meditate on 1st Corinthians 7. Pray and trust God to bring the clarity of His will in regard to your stand. 😀

Thank you for your question.

April 11, 2018
“Is a Christian and Muslim Marriage Equally Yoked?”

I was recently asked a great question in our CHOF Christian Fellowship Facebook spiritual group.
The question was:
“IS A CHRISTIAN LADY AND A MUSLIM MAN EQUALLY YOKED”

Beloved,
there is no scripture that forbids a Christian from marrying a Muslim, since the Muslim religion did not begin until about four hundred years after the New Testament was written.
So the question becomes whether there is any scripture that forbids a Christian from marrying
any non-Christian?

Well,
the closest scripture to this would be “be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”
“2 Corinthians 6:14” is the only scripture that is in a context about Christians participating in idol worship while still claiming to worship the one true God.
It says nothing about marriage, although it does point out potential problems with a marriage
with an unbeliever.

You see,
since Muslims and Christians beliefs are considerably different in ways, on many things,
and worship different Gods, problems will arise if either one is asked to participate in the religious practices of the other.

Since the dietary laws of Islam are strict, and Christianity doesn’t have any dietary restrictions,
the woman would have to decide whether she is willing to abide by those restrictions.
If there are children, then the decision must be made “if possible before the wedding” whether they will be raised in Islam or Christianity.
Now, a very strong dedicated Muslim will not allow his children, especially not male children, to be raised as Christians, and if a Christian believes that the only way to heaven is through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ they would not allow their children to be raised as Muslims. *(Unequally Yoked).

Beyond the consideration of children,
there have been many cases where a Muslim man moves to a Muslim country
and the wife then has to conform to a strict Muslim code of dress and action,
effectively making it impossible for her to worship God in the way she believes is right.
Even if these things are worked out before the marriage, a move to a Muslim country even for a supposedly short visit could negate any prior agreements. *(Unequally Yoked).

There is nothing in the Qur’an that allows a Muslim man to marry outside the faith.
As a matter of fact the Qur’an prohibits such a marriage. Sura 2:122 says:
“A man may not wed a pagan woman, unless she becomes a Believer.”
That would include women “of the book” that don’t believe in Islam.”

Also if a Muslim man is given the right to marry a Christian woman, the Qur’an or Islamic doctrine,
states the Muslim women are not given the same rights.

That’s because
Islam assumes that the wife will be, or be treated as, a Muslim.
If an Islamic woman married a Christian man, it is assumed she would become a Christian.
This is in part due to a cultural, not scriptural “Qur’an or Bible” difference.

You see,
in strict Muslim cultures the woman is basically considered as little more than property.
Although she is to be treated with respect, she is expected to obey the husband in
“ALL” things.
He’s under not obligated to consider her wishes, especially in the matter of religion.
In fact, his obligation is to make her as much a Muslim as he is.

On the other hand,
in 1 Corinthians 7 says:
Paul encourages a wife, who has converted to Christianity while her husband has not,
to stay married to the unbeliever.
So the Bible clearly does not prohibit a marriage between a Christian and an unbeliever.
But it does point out that there will be problems when that happens.

God bless you all.

July 6, 2015
Standing By Biblical Standards

June 29, 2015