C H O F Ministry

Tag: Paul

  • “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.

  • “We Are the Illuminated Structure”

    Thursday 5 9 2019 Let Us Pray We Are the Illuminated Structure

    Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Happy Tuesday. Hope you had a blessed Memorial Day.

     
    You know, the apostle Paul was once known as a tormentor of the church. But, after his spiritual transformation he became one of the most loyal followers of Christ. I personally feel that his life should be observed as a great inspiration for every human being who has seriously sinned. It also proves that in life transformation is possible, even for the wickedest sinner. The mercy Paul received was a great demonstration of God’s love and patience He has for “all” His children. That means God’s not condemning us in our present condition. He encompasses us with His compassion and love and then call us back to His ways. If we respond to Him as Paul did, our lives will never be the same again.
     
    Beloved, we’re chosen to be an example “lighthouse” to the people around us. Our life should be a blessing to those who need to come to believe in Jesus for eternal life. This is the most essential part in reaching out to the lost. When we proclaim and live the Gospel through our own life, we become the illuminated structure here on earth that points and leads people to 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 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 Tuesday Everyone. 😀

  • “Pray Unceasingly”

    Wednesday 5 8 2019 Let Us Pray Pray Unceasingly
    Praise the Lord Everyone!!! 😀 Happy Wednesday. 😀

    You know, one of my joys in life is praying. I’m not the old school prayer warrior like my momma (Elnoria), grandmother (Momma Nancy) or my Aunt (Dorothy), but my prayer life is essentially my focal point every day. In this morning’s verse we see the final weapon mentioned in Apostle Paul’s discussion regarding the armor of God is prayer.
     
    Beloved, prayer’s the best weapon we can use to battle against sin and temptations of Satan. Several days ago, I was asked can a person sin while they honestly pray to God. My answer to them was “ABSOLUTELY NOT.” In Matthew 6:6, Jesus Christ teaches us to pray in private “in the closet”. Paul says we’re to pray at all times. These aren’t public prayers, these prayers are personal, silent, and unknown to others. We can pray while we’re walking, cooking, working, waiting for the bus, or driving. We can incorporate prayer into everything that we do every day without necessarily kneeling down and closing our eyes. So, we must incorporate prayer daily and follow Paul’s teaching and pray unceasingly. 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 Wednesday Everyone. 😀

  • “Authorize the Power in Your Life”

    Bishop Houston's Monday Morning Blog Picture Transcend your energy
    Praise the Lord Beloved. I hope you had a blessed weekend.

     
    God has made known to each of us His love and it’s that love that inspires Paul to write the letter of Colossians. Epaphras, a man who worked with Paul, traveled to Colossae to share the message of Christ’s love and to build a church founded in that love. But, somehow both Epaphras and Paul found themselves confined to prison in Rome. Epaphras shared his story. Upon hearing of the love, the Colossian people had for God, Paul was obligated to write to them. Beloved, it’s this letter that we read in scripture today. Just as Paul was inspired by the testimony Epaphras shared, we should be encouraged by the message Paul shares with the Colossian people. This message of love authorizes us to seek the spiritual wisdom Paul prayed over the Colossians and to lead lives worthy of the Lord.
     
    Have a blessed week Everyone

  • “Loyal To Love”

    Loyal to Love Domans 10 1

    Beloved, as a reconditioned man my moral dedication is to follow the Words of The Bible. Many of you that have followed me through the years know I’ve written a book, produced many Christian video slide presentations, I’ve posted thousands upon thousands of Christian devotions, inspirational readings, blogs, articles and I’ve even dropped a couple of albums and singles to help my followers and readers understand the people in our Spiritual Faith and how God desires the Believer to respond or react to daily living here on earth. I’ve tried to respectfully set a tone to always humbly display a heart (mind and emotions) of “Agape” love for the saved and unsaved people.
     
    I dedicate my time and effort to reassure the people in the faith, help people who are struggling in (with) the faith or who has yet to transform their faith in Jesus. I hope that my brief daily dedication places a powerful desire for people to stay connected, reconnect or get connected to the Holy Spirit who directs to the pathway(s) God desires us to go.
     
    I’m prayerfully asking God everyday for the day that we can worship Him together.
     
    You know I’ve read so much of Paul’s work that (not realizing it) – I’ve pretty much adopted his kind of love. In Romans 9:2-3 (NLT) in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome says: “My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief,” he goes on to say, “for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ! —if that would save them.”
     
    Beloved, Paul loved the Jewish people so much that he would have chosen separation from God if only they would accept Christ. He understood that by rejecting Jesus, his people were rejecting the one true God. This is what motivated him to appeal to his readers to share the good news of Jesus with everyone 10:14-15 (AMP) says: *14 But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)? *15 And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? Just as it is written and forever remains written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
     
    Beloved today as you head to your local edifice, may we prayerfully dedicate ourselves to the love that aches for those close to us!!!
     
    ***Bishop Houston’s Perception About Today’s Scripture
     
    You know, Paul’s concern that his Jewish brothers and sisters would come to Christ reverberates the mental, emotional and plan of the Father for both Jew and Gentile (saved and unsaved). Hebrews 2:9 tells us that Jesus “was made lower than the angels for a little while, [and is] now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
     
    Beloved, God’s concern is for everyone to come to Him through the sacrifice of His Son. This idea resonates with Peter, who declared in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Look at God’s huge concern for this wrecked, unruly world. Not only has He provided in Jesus a sufficient sacrifice, He also extends patient love to people who don’t know Him. Actually, John 3:16 says it best, this is evidence of a God who so loved this world that He would pay the greatest possible price to satisfy His desire to reach to us. Beloved, this is the great good news of the gospel!!
     
    Let us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, this morning we ask You to fill our hearts with Your love for others. We hold our family, friends and associates up to You and plead for them to see the truth about Your Son Jesus.
     
    *Beloved, we must love those for whom Christ died as well as those in whom Christ lives.

  • “Gently Spoken Words”

    Our spiritual topic this morning is entitled: “Gently Spoken Words.”
    This morning’s verse is Ephesians 4:29 (AMP) and it reads this way:
    “building up others, according to the need and the occasion…”

    I was on a flight coming from Texas back to Cleveland, Ohio and as I took my seat I noticed a young man who was very nervous and trembling as he sat down in his seat. His eyes were moving back and forth from the airplane windows back to the back of the airplane. After several minutes passed he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself—but it didn’t work. As our plane took off, he slowly rocked back and forth. An older woman across the aisle from him put her hand on his arm and gently engaged him in conversation to divert his attention from his stress. “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?” “We’re going to be okay,” and “You’re doing well” were a few things she gently spoke. She could have been irritated with him or ignored him. But she chose a touch and a few words. Little things. When we landed 4 hours later, he told the lady thank you so much for helping him.

    You know Beloved, beautiful pictures of tenderheartedness can be very hard to find. Kindness doesn’t come naturally to many us. Our primary concern is often ourselves. Ephesians 4:32 the apostle Paul urged, “Be kind and compassionate to one another.” Now, he wasn’t saying it all depends on us. No!!!

    It’s not until after we’ve been given a new life by our faith in Jesus, is when the Spirit begins a transformation. Kindness is the ongoing work of the Spirit renewing our thoughts and attitudes. Ephesians 4:23 (AMP) says: and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude].

    Beloved, the God of empathy is at work in our hearts (mind and emotions), allowing us in turn to touch others’ lives by reaching out and gently speak words of encouragement

    Prayer:
    Dear Heavenly Father, use me today to bring someone hope, a lighter burden, encouragement.

    Standing on the foundation of Your Mighty Words, I pray
    Amen and Amen.

    * After each CHOF Bible Fellowship Sunday Morning word, I present to you “CHOF Ministry’s Sunday Morning Reflection.” I will give you my brief observation/reflection of the CHOF Bible Fellowship Sunday Morning word. While you’re there you can also read prayers, Bible verses, and even devotions.

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

    Just Click the link below.
    (www.facebook.com/christianhouseoffaithchof)

    Have a Blessed Sunday Everyone. 😀

    Gently Spoken Words

  • “A Bundle of Joy”

    Mother's day 3 mothers
    CHOF Ministry’s – Walk with Me

    Happy Mother’s Day!!!

    My Sunday Message this week is called
    “A Bundle of Joy”

    Because it is a very special day, I will post it in it’s entirety in all the social media sites we are affiliated with.

    Beloved, Exodus 2:3 says: “But when she couldn’t hide him any longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.”

    Just think about that!!! This was a crying baby in an ark that is bobbing along the banks of the Nile River filled with crocodile!!! The child could have been a tasty treat for the crocodiles. This was not an easy choice for Jochebed. A portion of her mind and emotions walked outside of her body for four decades.

    But it’s here we see her faith in God come to life. Freeing Moses into his calling launched one of the most powerful weapons known to man. “THE PRAYING MOTHER.” Beloved, if you are blessed with one, then you already know.  These “soldiers” are a force to deal with. They keep praying when others stop. Will fast when others won’t. Will stand up when others sit down. Just think, there have been many lives that have abruptly been turned around by the remark, “I had a praying’ momma.” And you know, these strategists are doubled in power if the grandmother’s involved.

    2 Timothy 1:5 says: “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”

    Beloved, the apostle Paul understood the spiritual legacy of the maternal vine that reaches deeply into succeeding generations. Rooted faith from praying women who understand the secret things of God. These silent warriors activate the “Moses” in us, so that we have the opportunity to achieve greater things for God’s kingdom, by offering prayers with confirmed results.

    Like Ezekiel and Paul, I have recognized the inspiration of the gift that my praying mother and grandmother have blessed me with. My mother cemented my way to be born a second time into the Kingdom of God. Her personal legacy was to plant goodness and mercy into the lives of not just her children, but also inserting the love and compassion to others also.

    Beloved, God keeps His promises to mothers who in turn blesses the life of her bundle of joy with life and posterity which will powerfully live on though out the child’s life.

    To All the Mothers in The World I Salute You:
    Happy Mother’s Day!!!

  • The Escapades of Being Misled

    Praise the Lord Beloved!!!

    What a beautiful day to serve the Lord.
    Today’s Scripture Reading: (Gal. 2:20)

    Beloved many Christians are misled because of uneducated teachings or myths.

    Jesus died so that you and I might live.
    But the question that stands at hand is:
    what does it mean “to live”?

    Some people have taught that Jesus died for us so that we could enjoy “the good life.” I’m speaking of the American dream of having peace, prosperity, and a healthy family. But that’s not why Jesus offered up his life for you.

    Other people believe that “living for Jesus” means being a good, moral person. You keep your nose clean, stay out of trouble, and obey the laws of the land. While those may be good things, they aren’t the reason Jesus came to die. Jesus died and rose again so that you and I would, in the power of the Spirit, be able to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.

    Beloved, there are people that believe pretending that everything is OK when it’s not, is right because they don’t bother God.

    Some have been taught that Jesus died for us so that we would try our best to deny ourselves and “live for Jesus” in order to earn His love.

    Then there are others who believe that they must “live for Jesus” in order to pay Him back for what He has done. They say, “Okay Jesus, You died for me. I’m going to live for You. Then we’ll be even.”

    Let me tell you Beloved, our misled processed thoughts completely offend God because it makes a mockery of His love. It’s like saying that God is the kind of person who will only love those who earn it.

    Beloved, what kind of love is that?

    Beloved, that would be like telling your spouse or partner that you’ll pay them back for every act of love or kindness they show to you. Can you imagine how offended they would be if you tried to do that? (Not to mention the fact that your acts of kindness that you try to pay God back with are like trying to pay off debts with Monopoly money.)

    Beloved, Jesus’ death and resurrection were not about providing us with an escape from this world. They were about transforming us into the kind of people who will enjoy eternity with God—just as we were meant to do in the first place.

    This is why Paul writes in 2 Cor. 5:15, “Jesus died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who died and was raised for their sake.”

    “Have a blessed Wednesday Everyone!!!”

  • Selections That Will Help Spiritual Transformation – Part 2

    Selections That Will Help Spiritual Transformation Part 2
    *Depending on the Holy Spirit*

    We must choose to depend on THE HOLY SPIRIT.
    It is a vital part of our make up.