C H O F Ministry

Tag: #Praise

“Create Your Praise”

Beloved, let me ask you a question this morning. Are you the person who stands in church during worship time either singing or not singing, and just waiting for it to be over? Well, if you are, then I have some good news for you. 😀 Singing isn’t the only way you can praise God!!!

While singing to God is awesome (and He doesn’t care whether or not you have a good voice,) you can also praise Him with your words. 😀 Tell God how well He took care of a situation, a condition, an issue, or what a wondrous job He did creating everything. You can write a poem, paint a picture, create something from your creative mind, tell someone else how great God is, or just take some of your prayer time to thank Him. There are all kinds of ways to praise Him!!! 😀

Beloved, as we head into the weekend let us all try to find a way to sincerely praise God unconditionally because that’s what’s most important. 😀

Weekend Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all You’ve done and all You’ll do!!! WOW!!! You ARE SO Amazing!!! And You’re so worthy of praise!!! Amen and Aaamen.

Have a blessed Friday and a great weekend.

November 8, 2019
“Father’s Day”

“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. 😀

June 14, 2019
“A Definitive Oxymoron Statement”

Praise the Lord everyone!!! 😀
Happy Friday. 😀

Beloved, to many people today, think this is a definitive oxymoron statement: in order for Christians to find life, we’re instructed to lose it for His sake. Sounds confusing to you? Well if it does, it’s because in today’s society the philosophy promotes principles that injects a mentality attitude that’s totally opposite, different and contradicting to this command. Today’s culture teaches principles about how to be selfish instead of to sacrifice. People in today’s society are told it’s not about what they can give but what they’re entitled to receive. That life isn’t about submitting to God’s authority but rather enjoying their legal rights and benefits as a Christian. Beloved, if we all continue to think this way, soon there’ll be no more Christians willing to serve others. If we really want to find true life, we must start by denying ourselves and take up the cross. In Matthew 19:21 (NLT), Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” So Beloved, we have to let go of pride (arrogance – ignorance) and God may even require us to release all possessions to Him. We need to realize that our life doesn’t belong to us but to God and He bought us at a price. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) says: *19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, *20 for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honor God with your body.

Beloved, if we live, we should live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for Him
As we go into this weekend let us keep Romans 14:8 (NLT) on our hearts:
If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

I love you all!!! And have a blessed Weekend Everyone. 😀

March 8, 2019
“Release the Movement”

Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! 😀

This morning I’m going to speak on disciplining the flesh. For many believers (including myself) disciplining the flesh stirs memories of frustration and failure. Many (like myself) know it’s important. The Word of God clearly teaches that. But for many, they’re not sure exactly how to go about it. Some have given up, brushing off such discipline as impossible. Others are still fighting stubbornly to get their flesh under control and losing one battle after another.

This morning I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, we can’t afford to let it be that way. It will cost us too much.

You see, you and I are blessed to be part of the generation that will see the signs and wonders which the prophets of old wished they could’ve lived long enough to see. We’ll witness the Spirit of God poured out upon all flesh. But sin hinders the Spirit’s movement. And only as we rid ourselves of it will the power and glory of God be manifest through us. Only then will we experience the glorious things that are prophesied to take place in our generation.

So Beloved, put your past failure behind you. Make up your mind that you’re not going to let the sins of the flesh rob you of the glory of God. It’s possible to step out of the sin you’ve struggled with for so long and live under the Spirit’s control.

Look to Jesus!!! 😀 He’ll show you how.

Have a blessed Tuesday Everyone!!! 😀

January 15, 2019
“It’s Ok To Get Your Praise On Now”

CHOF Ministry’s Verse for Today
Psalm 33:1 (AMP) – Rejoice in the Lord, O you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you upright, in right standing with God]; for praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright [in heart].

Praise the Lord Beloved and “Happy Monday” to you all.

This morning my focus is on praise. According to the Word of God, praise is the most proper and attractive thing that you as a believer can do.

Let me warn you though, God’s idea of “proper” praise and your idea of proper praise just might be two very different things. The praise He calls for is jubilant and unrestrained. And, at times, it’s just plain LOUD!!! 😀

If you don’t believe me, look in the Bible and see the kind of praise that goes on in heaven. Read Isaiah 6 and you’ll find out how they acted in the throne room. The seraphim shout in there until the doorposts shake!!! And when they do, the glory of the Lord fills the house. 😀 My Lord, My God!!! I would love to be in there when that happens.

Beloved, when you get to heaven, you’re going to be praising like that too. You’re going to be jumping up and down, running back and forth, screaming hallelujah to the most High God; praising Him with every part of your being. But, you don’t have to wait until then to start. You can begin today – right now.

So, this week Beloved, why don’t you decide instead of praising God the way you like, decide that you’re going to start doing it the way He likes. Release those praises jubilantly and openly.

Beloved, you don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to praise God with all your being. Do it now!!! 😀 Don’t you think He deserves it?

Have a blessed Week Everyone. 😀

October 29, 2018
“The Truth”

CHOF Ministry’s Verse for Today
1 John 1:8-9 (NLT)
(8) If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. (9) But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Praise the Lord Beloved. Happy Monday to Everyone. I do hope you had a blessed weekend and I hope this week will grant each of you your desires according to the will of God.

There was a sitcom back in the 70s that is still in syndication today called Sanford and Son and one of the characters on the show was Aunt Esther and one of her favorite lines was “Tell the Truth and The Truth Will Set You Free!” I’m sure many of you like myself have heard this saying or may have said it yourself.

It’s true the truth shall set you free. But allowing the wrongs of yesteryears to make its home in our life, even though true, is like imprisoning ourselves. Beloved, this is detrimental. You know, back in the day when my wife and I were still newlyweds, we were both strong willed and opinionated. Our arguments would would leave the platform we started at and become irrational “down right unreasonable” that’s because instead of focusing on the root of it – or the platform it started, we would bring up ancient history. Attached with anger, faults of the past were dug up and old-healed-wounds are re- scratched and the pain of old returns. To prevent escalation, we separated ourselves she would remain quiet in her area and I’d act like I was immune to hurtful the words. We would weather the storm and hope for a rainbow in the end. After the situation subsided, the realization of the truth often sets in. We confess and forgiven one another’s shortcomings before the Lord.

Beloved, bringing back pieces of baggage from the past is just pointless!!! It took awhile for us to overcome this unhealthy cycle. The first step was both of us admitting neither of us was without sin or flaws. Let us not deceive ourselves with self-righteousness and putting the blame on others. Humbly confess your sins to the Lord, repent, and welcome Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit – the words of God “The Truth” reside in you.

Here’s my prayer for today:

Dear Heavenly Father, please eliminate all dishonesty and self-righteousness in me. I confess all of my sins to You and promise to repent. Thank You Lord, for Your faithfulness and forgiveness.

In Jesus’ powerful Name we pray. Amen and Amen.

Have a blessed Monday Everyone.

October 1, 2018
“God Is Good To Us Because”

Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr. (CHOF Ministry)
WordPress Contributor

Many times we hear the phrase, “God is good.” It’s used in songs, sermons, praise and worship services and it’s sometimes used as a response when both good and bad things happen in our lives, for example: a person who avoids a disaster during a flood, hurricane, tornado or a vehicle accident. Other examples are good things that happen to people, like situations aligning perfectly for them to buy a home or replace their old truck or when a major surgery has been complete and previously things looked very bad for the home team. In all these things, we often say, “GOD IS GOOD.”

Now, according to Oxford Living Dictionaries, the definition of “God” is the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being”. Now, there may be some of you out there asking: Bishop Houston, isn’t He more than this?

“WELL I’M GLAD YOU ASKED? Beloved, God is good in so, so, so many ways. The way He provides for us, the way He guides us, and the way He watches over us just to name a few. But it goes even deeper than that. God’s goodness is who He is, and we’re created in his image, so, consequently, we share His goodness. God’s goodness shows up in our lives every single day. Although many times we think of His goodness when something great occurs, His goodness proliferates all the time!!! During all hours, minute, and seconds of the day, even during the smallest things that are affecting our everyday life.

*Luke 18:19
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good”

*God is Good Because He Wakes Us Up

Beloved, each day that God wakes us up is an illustration of His goodness. This means we’re still working and walking on to correct path toward the purpose and gifts He has given us. It shows us that He isn’t finished with us yet and that we still have an assignment to complete. We shouldn’t moan and complain about getting out of bed and going to work. We should be happy that we’re still breathing and living for Him. Many people are in inferior conditions and situations than us who need to see our light glowing in the world every day.

Psalm 143:8
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

*God is Good Because He Saturates Us with His Compassionate Love

On the days when we’re encircled by the minutest and maximum momentous blessings, we know that God is pouring His compassionate love on us. Beloved, this can be anything from your coworker bringing you your favorite coffee pastry to your supervisor calling you in their office to discuss a raise or promotion with you. We need to be vigilant to all the little things in our day, both large and trivial, that are a blessing to us. A lot of times, it’s the diminutive things that mean so much.

Ephesians 1:9
“God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ-which is to fulfill his own good plan.”

*God is Good Because He Safeguards Us

Beloved, we’ve all heard about a person who had car trouble and missed being in a huge pile-up on an interstate. We’ve all heard about the virus/cancer discovery that almost didn’t happen due to an appointment that was almost missed. These are the noteworthy ways He protects us, but He works in the lesser things too: for example, the gossip that’s going around that never reaches your ears or the coworker that’s trying to sabotage you but your boss, instead, sees the honest and hard work that you do. These are all ways He safeguards us every day.

Jeremiah 29:12
“Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you.”

*God is Good Because He Talks to Us When We Pray

Prayer is the best and strongest connection to God. It is how we acknowledged our appreciation and gratefulness, make our requests known, and intercede for others. Sometimes we get an answer of “yes,” sometimes, “no” and sometimes, “wait.”

Sometimes, He gives us specific instructions and, sometimes, He is silent. Other times, He speaks to us and provides us with an answer in the most surprising of ways. No matter what, He always answers, and we need to look for those answers every day. Regardless of the size of the issue He’ll often stimulate our hearts (mind and passion), attracting our attention toward the correct route.

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you.

*God Is Good Because He’s Our Great Leader and Instructor

Beloved, we make a thousand diminutive choices every day, everything from determining whether we’ll do our job assiduously or whether to take on a client. Sometimes, we must determine whether an opportunity is correct for us and if we should follow a specific path. Beloved, it’s in these moments, God is leading and instructing us. We need to stop, inhale and exhale while we pay attention. Are we in the correct frame of mind? Do we have the proper desire? Do we have the intestinal fortitude?

Beloved, we need to be tranquil and listen to that small voice we know so well. Listen to Him whispering to our hearts (mind and passion) about what options are correct for us. Be very attentive to the signs He sends us. This is His way of leading, instructing us and stimulating us to desire to be our best selves, so that we may live in the gifts and blessings we have been given and the purpose He has for us.

Beloved, are you too busy and see the signs of God’s goodness in your life?
Let Us Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You for allowing me to wake up once again. Please help me to slow down in the midst of my busy life. Allow me to see Your goodness every day, in every way no matter how big or small. Help me to acknowledge Your blessings immediately when they are poured out upon me. Thank You for Your protection and guidance. Help me to listen carefully and discern Your voice uttering to my heart (mind and passion) in answer to my prayers. Rejoice in my happiness when You say yes, help me see the reasons why You say, “no,” and give me the patience and wisdom I need for when you say, “wait.” Help me to walk in alignment to Your goodness and shine it into the world for all who need it. Allow me to see the abundance of Your goodness in my life, and others lives every day.

In Jesus name I pray,
Amen and Amen.

July 29, 2018
“A Confident Message”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Welcome to Wednesday’s CHOF Bible Fellowship Bible Study.

Our focal CHOF Bible Fellowship verse this morning comes from 1 Kings 17:1 (NLT)

Our focal verse reads this way:

(17) Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!”

Beloved, we find King Ahab’s first thought after encountering the prophet Elijah may well have been: “WHAT!!! This dude got some kind of nerve!!! Just who does this dude think he is? Blasting onto the scene out of nowhere, Elijah challenged Israel’s evil king with a message that would soon disturb life throughout the whole region.

To read the rest of today’s Morning Bible Study

click the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/chofministry/

July 25, 2018
“God Changes Conditions

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Happy Monday to you all. I hope you had a marvelous Sunday.

You know Beloved, God takes His time developing us. You see, a small or slow beginning is just the introduction to a marvelous climax at the end!!! You’ll find that many of God’s work of genius were developed in small, slow incomprehensible conditions.Take for instance Moses. Moses was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. He was trained in leadership while shoveling sheep manure on the backside of the desert. Now granted his discipline was developed in the royal courts of Pharaoh’s house, but his disposition was shaped through failure and a desert kingdom with no one to lead but flies, gnats and sheep.

Beloved, who would have thought, looking at Moses’ church of goat deacons and gnats for choir members, that later he would lead the greatest movement in the history of the Old Testament theology?

So, Beloved, you or anyone else can’t tell what’s in you by looking at you. God is in the love, blessings and salvation business!!! God is establishing patience, character, and concentration in the school of “nothing seems to be happening.” Just because God promises to move in your life and anoints you to do a particular function doesn’t mean that your foundation will be immediately built, nor does it mean because you may have turned down ministry or slow to develop correct morals doesn’t mean God won’t create and develop a spiritual foundation that’s fit just for you. 😀

Have a blessed Monday and an awesome rest of your week.

July 23, 2018
‘God’s Healing”

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

When I first started in the ministry, I used to get upset over people I’d pray for who wouldn’t get well. One day while I was praying and seeking God He knew I was perplexed and He spoke to my spirit and said, “Healing always comes”.

I remember I said, “What do You mean, Healing always comes? Not everyone gets healed.” And He answered, “I didn’t say they all received it. Then He spoke very sternly to me. “I DO MY PART!!! AND I SAID THEY WOULD RECOVER!!!

Beloved let me tell you, those words hit me like a ton of bricks. He said they would recover. You and I know God never lies. So, if He said they would recover, then that means healing always comes.

Beloved, it’s not God who’s holding back. It’s the receivers who aren’t receiving.

Since then, I’ve never had any trouble praying for people and believing for them to be healed. Whether they walk away well or not, I just keep standing in faith for them. So today, I have faith that anyone that leaves my presence that’s still sick, if they line their faith up with God and me, I don’t care if it’s five years from now, they’ll be healed.

Beloved, if you’ve laid hands on someone who didn’t receive their healing, don’t cut off the flow of God’s power by withdrawing your faith. Just stand fast. Keep believing that healing always comes and somewhere down the line that poor sick person may just decide to stand up and agree with you!!!

Have a blessed week Everyone. 😀

April 2, 2018