C H O F Ministry

Tag: #Morning

“Retaliation Isn’t Worth It”

Praise the Lord Everyone. Happy Monday to you all. 😀

I’ve painstakingly read the Bible from the Old Testament to the New Testament. I’m very mindful that when Jesus came into the history of the Bible, He started His historical period focusing on grace and taught abundantly about love. There are many Christians I know only read the “New Testament.” They aren’t familiar with the Old Testament because (it’s sad but true), they find it uninteresting, dull and are indifferent and unconcerned about it. So, when they encounter a passage like this morning’s Bible verse, they’d get perplexed. This is only a nugget of the law and according to Romans 6:14 we’re not under it anymore but under grace. Jesus instructs us not to retaliate when someone strikes us on the right cheek, Matthew 5:39 He tells us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). This is very passive, because doing nothing to someone we don’t get along with isn’t easy. Jesus takes it up a little further and on another level. In Luke 6:31 He commands us: “do to others as you would have them do to you.” And according to John 13:34: “love one another as He has loved us.” It would be awesome if we all followed these principles.

“Beloved, life is very short. It comes and goes like an unannounced gust of wind. No one knows the hour or day when that gust of wind will past through and blow out their 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 Monday Everyone.

April 8, 2019
“Become a Contributor”

Sunday Morning Focal Verse – Psalm 35:27 (AMP)
Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.

Beloved, if old school religion has taught you that God wants you poor and oppressed, I have some good news for you TODAY!!! 😀 The Bible says, “God takes pleasure” in your prosperity. Beloved!!! God wants you to prosper!!! 😀 Not just in the financial realm but in every area of your life!!! In Your Spirit!!! In Your Soul and In Your Body. No matter where you are or who you are, God wants to see you delivered from every opposing situation. That’s because He loves you and He have a job for you to do. He wants you to help meet the needs of mankind and He’s smart enough to know that you can’t give away what you don’t have. You can’t give to spread the gospel or buy food for the hungry when you’re broke. 😀 You can’t go out laying hands on the sick when you’re lying in a hospital bed. You can’t minister joy to others when you’re being held captive by depression. No!!!!!!!!!! You have to be blessed to be a blessing. 😀

So Beloved, if you really want to tap into the riches of God today, you have to have a “I’m all in- I’m sold out for Jesus” mentality to be a blessing to others, and before you know it, you’ll be receiving more from God than you ever dreamed.

That’s what happened to me. I decided years ago, first and foremost, to be a giver. I developed a lifestyle of giving. Giving doesn’t always mean money – You can give your time, an ear to listen, you can apply your creative skills, use your God given talent(s) or lend a helping hand. Today, I literally “live to give.” And I don’t mind telling you, God dumps all kinds of blessings on me by the truckload!!! And I’m here to tell you, He’ll do the same for you if you’ll become His servant—if you’ll lay down a little of your life’s attributes and your love for those who need it.

All you have to do is become a contributor—and God will take pleasure in prospering you!!!

“To God Be The Glory. Have a blessed Sunday Everyone.” 😀

March 3, 2019
“Keep Beating The Door”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Happy Monday to you all.

I’m sure there’s many of you (like myself) that have prayed a heartfelt petition for God to do something, change something, or stop something. We want to jump for joy at the good news when our prayers are answered. Now allow me to ask you a question: what do you do when you pray and pray, and it seems like you’ll never get an answer? Have you ever had that to happen to you? I sure have. 😀

This morning I’d like to help you get a breakthrough.

Let’s look at the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. Here, Jesus describes a woman who went many times to an evil judge asking him to grant her justice until he had no choice but to finally grant her request, if for no other reason than for her to cease coming to him with the same request.

Beloved, if that evil judge, who “had no fear of God and no respect for anyone” (according to Luke 18:4) finally granted her what she asked, how much more will our Father in heaven, who is a just and good God, give us what we ask for? He already knows what we need before we ask Him, and before we are done speaking, He has heard our prayer. So, go to Him in prayer every chance you get, and I’m very confident when I say-

He’s been lovingly waiting for your knock.

Have a blessed week Everyone!!! 😀

February 11, 2019
“God Knows What’s Best”

You know after being granted salvation, I wanted to preach and teach in my own church (the physical building). I started out paying for my clergy credentials. While many laughed at me and made fun of my initial clergy credentials, they qualified me to be a State approved minister. I wanted more!!! I wanted to be known as the “Great Bishop, Dr.” of my own Christian edifice. So the hostile sarcasm of family members and some so called friends about my ministry credentials became my strength and stepping stones to pursue my degrees.

So, I decided to take classes to get my B.A. in Christian Ministries which led me to gain my M.Div… So, as I was studying to get my Masters, I was also getting knowledge and experience in podcasting, and web design. One day while talking to a fellow clergy-man who’s also a family member set a vision in front of me about a social media ministry. Now, this wasn’t what I wanted to do. I had very little computer knowledge or online skills plus it was a few months before I was to go look at a building to establish a physical church.

But, little did I know God had other plans laid out for me. I ended up not going to look at the building but instead went into studying to gain more knowledge on public speaking, podcasting, producing, blogging, videography, and web design. Over 10 years later, I’m known humbly as Bishop, Houston to some and Unka Burnie to others. I now have an online ministry that delivers Christian – spiritual podcast, teachings, sermons, devotions, inspirations, video slideshow presentations, music and more.

Looking back, I could’ve stubbornly stuck with my original plans. Had I followed through, my life at this present time would be very different. I realized the one thing I really wanted to happen, was the best thing that never happened.

Beloved, God knows what’s best for us, but we need to have faith and the humility to follow His will as He steers and guides our paths.

Have a blessed week Everyone. 😀

February 4, 2019
“Bishop Houston’e Monday Morning Blog”

Good Morning Everyone!!!

Beloved, in the book of Genesis 39th chapter you’ll find that Joseph didn’t wait until everything was going right to trust God. He trusted God’s Hand in his life starting in the pit, all the way to the prison, and then in the palace. *The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man.*

Beloved, regardless of the circumstances, Joseph was successful. 😀 This wasn’t because he had everything, it was because the Lord was with him. 😀

As you go through this week, I want you to be encouraged.

I want you to know that God knows where you are and He’ll never leave you nor forsake you.

Have a blessed week Everyone!!! 😀

November 19, 2018
“Stop, Go, Reconcile, and then Return”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Happy Monday to Everyone!!! 😀

Allow me to ask you this question.: “What if you’ve gathered the courage to approach someone you’ve offended or felt you’ve offended and wanted to move on. You’ve confessed what you did with sincerity. You’ve asked for forgiveness. But he or she refuses to forgive you.
Now what? 😀

I’m sure many of you “like myself” have come to this crossroad or on this crossroad. Well I have an answer for you. 😀

Beloved, the important thing for each of us to remember is that you’re responsible for you, and I’m responsible for me. Romans 12:18 AMP says: 18 “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. Beloved, with the right motive, in the right spirit, at the right time, out of obedience to God, we’re to humble ourselves and attempt to make things right. God “WILL” honor our efforts.

The one offended may need time first to get over the shock and next to have God bring about a change in his or her heart. Healing sometimes takes time. Occasionally, a lot of time.

Now, there may be someone out there reading this blog and asking: “Bishop Houston, “What if the situation only gets worse?” This is a very good question!!! – And I’m Glad You Asked. 😀 This can happen. You see, all the time the one offended has been blaming you… Thinking all kinds of bad things about you. When you go to make things right, you suddenly cause his or her inner scales to become unbalanced. You take away the blame, and all that’s left is the person’s guilt, which does a number on him or her, resulting in even worse feelings. But now, it’s no longer your fault. 😀

Now, there may be somebody else out there reading this blog that’s asking: Well, Bishop Houston, “What if I decide simply to deal with it before God and not go through the aggravation and embarrassment of talking with the other person?” This is another great question!!! 😀 And I’m glad you too have asked!! 😀 Well, we’ll do “anything” to make things easier, won’t we? 😀 First off Beloved, that’s a willful contradiction of the command. To paraphrase Jesus what said in Matthew 5:24 “Stop, go, reconcile, and return!”). “NOT” to go is direct disobedience!!! 😀 It also can result in things getting worse.

Let me give you an example: Let’s say I’m driving away from your church parking lot next Sunday morning. I back my Lincoln MKZ car into the side of your beautiful new Mercedes. BANG!!! Your stomach churns as you see me get out of my car, look at the damage – and then bow in prayer:

Dear LORD, DEAR Heavenly Father, please forgive me for being so preoccupied and clumsy. And please give this dear brother/sister grace as he/she sees the extensive damage I’ve caused out of absolute carelessness. And provide what’s needed as he/she takes this car in to have it fixed. Thank you. In the might name of Jesus, I pray, Amen and Amen.

As I drive away, I wave and smile really big as I yell out the window, “It’s all cleared up, my friend. I claimed the damage before God. Isn’t grace wonderful!”

Now, tell me, how do you feel about that? I have rather strong doubts that it would suddenly make things okay with you, no matter how sincere my prayer might have been. You and I know that would do no good. You would say or scream loudly as my mother use to say, me “I will lay my religion down at the door and (with very hard-core words)” after it.: -D

Beloved, the Savior does not say, “Simply pray and I’ll forgive you.” In fact, He says, “Stop praying until you’ve made things right!”

Now, there may be someone out there asking Ok Bishop Houston, I ‘ve read your blog, so answer this question for me: “What if it’s impossible for me to reconcile because the offended person has died?” This is absolutely a great question.!!! And, I’m Glad you asked also!! 😀

Well, obviously, you cannot contact the dead. In such unique cases, I recommend that you share your burden of guilt with someone whom you can trust. A close friend, a companion, a counselor, or your pastor. Don’t beat around the bush. You must be specific and completely candid. Pray with that individual and confess openly the wrong and the guilt of your soul. In such cases—and only in such cases—prayer and the presence of an understanding, affirming individual can provide the relief you need so desperately.

Beloved, when you’ve been the cause of an offense or you feel you’ve been the cause of an offense and you want to move past the indifference, have the heart of a servant. Stop, go, reconcile, and then return.

Have a Blessed Monday Everyone!!! 😀

August 27, 2018
“God Has The Keys”

Praise the Lord Beloved.

Happy Monday to you all.

Beloved, have you ever been locked out of your car or house? I have!!! 😀Let me tell you, it can be very frustrating and inconvenient. Not having your keys can keep you pretty much pinned down and can become a very unproductive experience. It steals your time and will destroy your peace and happiness if you let it.

This is the identical way, we need spiritual keys to gain entrance into what God has for us such as: perpetual life, peace, freedom and blessing here on earth. You know, several years ago a young lady asked me a question on a social media site, she asked, “how do YOU know YOU are called?” It was a very good question!!! I didn’t answer her question verbally, I responded by allowing the spirit of the Lord to use my day to day Christian ethics to declare my response. Not long after that she unfriended me. You see, some question doesn’t have authorization to a verbal response.

Beloved, we don’t have to stand on the outside and be unsatisfied or upset. That’s because Jesus holds the keys, and He has opened the way for us to walk through the door of a perpetual life, also a life that includes harmony, liberty and all the blessings here on earth. A perpetual life begins the minute you make Him your Lord and Savior. Beloved, you don’t have to live in defeat, averageness, undesirable conditions, immorality or shackled to any kind of bondage any longer. You have admission to the copious life Jesus came to give!!!

So today, if you feel trapped, caught up, locked out or defeated, remember, Jesus is the one who holds the keys. All you have to do is call on His name, and He’ll answer. He promises to hear you and will carry you through “WHATEVER” is holding you down or holding you back.

Beloved, God wants to be the champion of your story, so call on Him today and receive the victory He has prepared just for you!!!

Have a Blessed Monday Everyone.

August 13, 2018
“Fitting In”

Our spiritual topic this morning is entitled: “Fitting In”,and this morning’s verse is Isaiah 44:2. This morning’s verse is coming out of the New Living Translation Bible and it reads this way: The Lord who made you and helps you says: “Do not be afraid . . . my chosen one.”

I’d been out late the night before, just as I was every Saturday night hanging out with my Transformer buddies. I was Just twenty something years old, and I was running from God as fast as I could. But suddenly, strangely, I felt compelled to attend the church my grandfather once pastored and the church my family has attended for many decades. I put on a pair of casual slacks, a shirt and tie, and some very worn dressed shoes and drove across town.

I don’t recall the sermon the pastor preached that day, but I can’t forget how delighted my mother was to see me. With her arm under my arm, she introduced me to everyone she saw, many of them I already knew, after all I grew up in the neighborhood. “This is my oldest son!!!” She proudly declared. Her joy became a picture of God’s love that has stuck with me all these decades.

Beloved, the imagery of God as a loving Father occurs throughout the Bible. In Isaiah 44, the prophet interrupts a series of warnings to proclaim God’s message of family love. “Dear Israel, my chosen one,” he says in verses 2-3: “I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children,” Isaiah noted how the response of those descendants would demonstrate family pride. Verse 5 says: “Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the Lord,’” he wrote. “Some will write the Lord’s name on their hands.”

Disobedient Israel belonged to God, just as I belonged to my mother. Nothing I could do would ever make her lose her love for me. That Sunday I was given a glimpse of our heavenly Father’s love for us.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we all come from families that are broken in one way or another. Thank You for loving us in that brokenness and for showing us what real love looks like.

Beloved, God’s love for us offers us the sense of fitting in and an identity we all crave.

CHOF Ministry is here to help you feed your spiritual cravings.

Have a Blessed Sunday Everyone. 😀

August 12, 2018
Morning Prayer

July 8, 2018
“Be Hesitant to Criticize Others”

Our spiritual topic this morning is called, “Be Hesitant to Criticize Others” and this morning’s CHOF Bible Fellowship verse is Matthew 7:1.
Matthew 7:1 reads this way: Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

You know Beloved, at one time I was very quick to judge anyone I saw walking in the street while staring at a phone. I’ve said to myself on many occasions, “How could they be so unaware of the cars that are about to hit them? Don’t they care about their own safety?

But one day, my youngest sister sent me a text message as I was leaving a local Wal-Mart. As I was crossing the street to go to the parking lot – headed to my car, I was so engrossed in her text message, that I missed seeing a car at my right. Thankfully, the driver saw me and came to an abrupt stop. Beloved let me tell you, after I got in to my car, I felt ashamed. You see, all my self-righteous finger-pointing came back to haunt me. I had judged others, only to do the same thing myself.
My hypocrisy is the kind of thinking that Jesus addressed in the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7:5 says: “First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Beloved, I had a huge “plank”, a huge blind spot through which I judged others with my own impaired judgment.
Matthew 7: 2 Jesus also said: “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” I recall the disgusted look on the driver’s face that day, after having to make an abrupt stop when I walked in front of his car, I’m reminded of the disgusted looks I gave others engrossed in their phones.
Beloved, none of us is perfect. But sometimes I forget that in my rush to judge others. We’re all in need of God’s grace.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to be quicker to comfort or reassure, and slower to judge someone else.
Amen!!! Amen!!!

Have a blessed Sunday. 😀

* After each CHOF Bible Fellowship Sunday Morning teaching I present to you “CHOF Ministry’s Sunday Morning Reflection.” I will give you my observation of the CHOF Bible Fellowship Sunday Morning teaching. You can view it on the links below.

Facebook (www.facebook.com/christianhouseoffaithchof/

CHOF Ministry Website blog page (chofministry.net)

WordPress ( bishopdrwfhoustonjr.wordpress.com)

June 30, 2018