C H O F Ministry

Tag: 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. 😀

May 8, 2019
“The Worlds Real Abscess”

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

Beloved, for the past several months I’ve noticed the spirit of pride is drenching our nation everywhere. Pride has saturated just about every realm in this world. Today’s society (world) is teaching everyone to focus only on themselves and forget others in order to be successful. But you know, where there’s pride, politicking is very involved and when politicking occurs division ensues, then the emotional adrenalin starts to run wild.

Pride is one of the most difficult attitudes to get rid of in life. The world’s ideal impression to focus only on ourselves and forget others in order to be efficacious is completely conflicting to what God has taught us in His word. Before finger pointing starts, we’re all guilty of it in one form or another!!! From hidden agendas to straight up in your face bullying, our society today has flat out insulted the Words of God.

Beloved, we’re supposed to love others as we love ourselves. We have to let go of our selfish ambition and pride and start regarding others as better than ourselves. God wants us to do things selflessly and not selfishly. That’s the best way to live out humility in our lives. We may seem deficient and inferior to others, but always remember that God’s judgment is the only one that matters, and He gives grace to the humble.

The Late Rodney King said it best:

“CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?”

“Beloved Pride Is the Abscess That’s Hurting Our World Today.”

Let Us Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for my pride. I want to be drench with Your love so that I may love others and become selfless and humble. Help me to recognize the pride, selfishness and arrogance in others and grant me the strength to redirect my path from all iniquity. Lord, I put my trust in You.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name I Pray. Amen and Amen.

Have a blessed Week Everyone.

March 11, 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
“Seek The Lord”

(1 Chronicles 22:19 AMP)
Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.

Beloved, what things do you consider a dynamic requirement in your life? In other words, what can’t you live without? Most people would immediately think of food, water and shelter. But in reality, we can’t really live unless our minds and hearts are set on seeking the Lord. Sure, you can exist without seeking Him, but you’re called to more than just mere existence, you’re called to live, to prosper, to enjoy your life abundantly!!!

Beloved, today and every day, set your mind and heart on seeking the Lord!!! Write down your favorite scriptures and commit them to memory. Whenever you can, think about those verses. Meditate on God and His infinite love. When you start to seek the Lord with all your heart, you’ll truly live and enjoy the abundant life He has in store for you!!!

Will you Pray with Me?

Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, today I choose to set my mind on You. I seek You with my whole heart. Show me Your love and character today. Show me Your ways that I may walk and live closely with You. I love You in Jesus’ name I pray – Amen and Amen.

August 11, 2018
“Creation Identifies”

Our spiritual topic this morning is called, “Creation Identifies” and this morning’s CHOF Bible Fellowship verse is John 1:1, 3.
John 1:1, 3 reads this way: (1) In the beginning was the Word . . . . (3) Through him all things were made.

You know Beloved, Jesus could have come to Earth before the invention of photography and video. He could have reached more people if everyone could see Him. After all, the world’s ol’ cliché says a picture is worth a thousand words. But if you think about it, a word can be worth a thousand pictures.
Jesus is the creator and all of creation identifies with Him. For example, Jesus first miracle at the wedding feast in John 2:1-11. Beloved, no ordinary carpenter could turn water to wine.

Let’s look at one another identifier, Mark 4:39, 41. This is when Jesus calmed a storm with the words, “Quiet! Be still,” then His surprised disciples asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Let’s look at one more identifier. Luke 19:40. There you will see that Jesus told the Pharisees that if the crowd did not praise Him, “the stones will cry out.”

Beloved, even the rocks know who He is!!! 😀
In John 1:14, John tells us, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory.” And even out of that eyewitness experience in 1 John 1:1 (NLT), John also wrote, “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. . . . He is the Word of life.” Beloved, just like John, we can use our words to introduce others to Jesus whom wind, and water obey.

Prayer:
Jesus, we recognize and accept You as the Creator who knows and loves His creation. Yet, You wait for us to invite You into every aspect of our lives. Forgive us for those times we keep You at a safe distance. Today, we choose to risk knowing You more completely.

In Jesus’ Name I Pray, Amen and Amen.

* 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.org

WordPress

bishopdrwfhoustonjr.wordpress.com

Have a blessed Sunday. 😀

July 8, 2018
“God Has Designed a Program Just For You”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Welcome to Wednesday’s CHOF Bible Fellowship (On Thursday). I hope everyone had a blessed 4th of July.

Our focal CHOF Bible Fellowship verse this morning comes from Matthew 25:21 (AMP) and it reads:

(21) His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

Beloved, allow me to ask you a few questions:

*Are you using all the gifts or talents the Lord has given you?

*Do you feel like your talents aren’t enough?

Beloved, others may have more than you when it comes to physical resources, but we’re still obligated to be faithful over the gifts God has given us, no matter how small we feel they are. In the parable of the talents, a master gave three servants a portion of talents. Two of the servants took what they had and produced an increase. The third servant concealed his one talent and returned the same talent to the master. (In other words, he didn’t do anything with it). As a result, his talent was taken, and he was cast away.

Beloved, “ALL” the servants were expected to produce a profit, no matter how much they were given. The same thing is true for our gifts and talents. Beloved, God wants us to use the portion He’s blessed us with to increase His kingdom regardless of what anyone says or think!!! God blessed you with certain gifts or talents. What God blesses you with is only for you!!!

Today I encourage you to be faithful over the few things the Lord has given you and trust that God will bring the increase.

He has a program that’s fit just for you. Believe me, God doesn’t want more than you can give. He simply wants you to be faithful with what you have.

Come let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the talents and gifts You have given me. I’ll no longer hide my gifts, but I will use them to give You glory and increase your Kingdom.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen and Amen.

Have a blessed Thursday Everyone.

July 5, 2018
“It’s OK to Be Different”

This mornings’ Scripture reading comes from
1 Peter 2:11 (NLT)

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.
Praise the Lord Everyone and Happy Father’s Day to the Fathers all around the world.

You know, when you become devoted to Christ, your life becomes different. Your mentality changes. Everything about you becomes different. When we follow God’s directions, it means we do things differently from others. It means, instead of being offended or upset, we choose love and tranquility. Instead of insisting on our way, we assist others. Beloved, it means, instead of trying to be right all the time, we build and lift others up.

Now, this isn’t the way most people in the world act, but that’s okay. As Christians (Believers) we’re called to be different. We’re called to rise higher. We’re called to be examples, an illustration of God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness. It may not make sense to others but that’s okay!!! 😀 God will promote you to a new level of blessing and victory when you obligate yourself fully to Him.

Beloved, you don’t have to live a life of mediocrity, you can live a life of excellence for God. Live a life pleasing to Him and don’t be afraid to be different!!!

Let Us Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for transforming me into Your image. I know that I’m not like the world, I’m set apart for You. Help me to love like You and be a light everywhere I go. In Jesus’ Mighty Name I pray, Amen and Amen!!!

May your Father’s Day Sunday be Blessed in the Lord. 😀

June 17, 2018
“Just Say YES!!!”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! 😀

You know in my life I have had my fair share of grief mainly because of the choices I’ve made. It wasn’t until I made the choice to put total faith in God when “my life” took its transformation. In other words, I completely turn my life over to Him and started believing what the Bible says.

Beloved, it wasn’t until I emphatically said YES!!!

Beloved, when I said YES, I’m all in, YES, I accept the words of God to rebuild the foundation of my life, YES, I want to be fulfilled with the effectuated anointed words of Jesus Christ, is when God approved of my life’s renovation and granted me the permit to experience life’s approvals.

Beloved, you too can experience life’s approvals when you allow God to be your master builder.

That’s right!!! No matter where you’re at, what’s troubling you today, or what has happened to you in the past, true gratification is close at hand. It’s found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And along with the gratification that God gives you, peace and joy will flood your life to a breathtaking degree!!! This gratification and peace isn’t temporary either, it’s not just here until something bad happens. Experiencing true fulfillment in God lasts for an eternity.

Beloved, you can live the way you were born to live, the way God anticipated for you to live!!! By saying emphatically “YES” to God, you’ll get God’s approval, so that you can live an improved, happier, and triumphant life for as long as you live.

Let us Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your approval and granting me gratification that’s way beyond anything I have ever known. Reinforce me as I continue to seek ways to serve You and find my joy and fulfillment in You.

In Jesus’ Name I Pray. Amen and Amen.

Have a blessed Monday Everyone!!! 😀

May 7, 2018
“We Are Children of The Light”

Praise the Lord Beloved!!! 😀

Happy Monday to Everyone.

I like gardening. I like to look out and see the colorful leaves that bud, and I enjoy watching the plants develop to maturity. I thought about making a little garden in our backyard. But, because it has a park-like setting its mostly shade and not suitable for plants that need full sun. So, it would be useless to buy the seeds plow the soil to plant. It would not be a problem caring for and cultivating my garden, but the plants wouldn’t be happy in my back yard. My care and attention wouldn’t be enough. You see, they would need sunlight, which I cannot provide. I thought about creating an alternative to generate something for the lack of light that would bring the attention the plants would need. But, for some plants it doesn’t work that way. Some plants need what they need. And so, do people.

Beloved, although we can survive for a while in less-than-ideal conditions, we can’t thrive. You see, in addition to our basic physical needs, we also have spiritual needs that can’t be met by any substitute.

The scripture says that believers are children of light. Psalm 89:15 (NLT) says: “Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.” This means that we need to live in the full light of God’s presence to thrive. Ephesians 5:11 (NLT) says: “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”

Beloved, if we try to live in darkness, we’ll produce nothing but “fruitless deeds”. But if we’re living in the light of Jesus, the Light of the world, we will produce the fruit of His light, which is good, faithful, and true.
Please pray with me this morning’s prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for redeeming me and giving me new life. Help me to continue to live as a child of the Light.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name I pray, Amen.

Have a Blessed week everyone!!! 😀

March 26, 2018
“An Exceptional Benefit”

Many of you that know me, know I love to pray and praying for others has never been an issue with me. As a matter of fact, I spend most of my prayer time praying for others. Over the last several years I have come to realize that exerting my energy to pray for others when I’m hurting has a very exceptional benefit.
The last couple of weeks was kind of a rough week around here. Attending business meetings for our new travel agency, our ministry video podcast season had arrived and needed a lot of studio enhancing and tweaking and a few other things that needed to be addressed.

But the silver lining to that, was my prayer life was very active. However, I must admit, I didn’t spend much time praying for my children and grandchildren, mother, myself or my wife. I was more attentive on praying for a lady that had fallen back into her drug (heroin) addition, a Facebook friend whose daughter had a breakdown at college, for a close friend whose 16-year-old was in a coma after a suicide attempt.

Beloved, when my own life is tough, I have found that praying for others is actually, a form of self-care, part of what keeps me healthy, productive and sane.

Now, just in case some of you think I walk around with a halo, I assure you this is a learned behavior. I have a strong tendency to turn inward and block out others’ problems when I’m facing tough times, in other words, shrink into my imaginary secret closet to focus on myself because in my mind, I feel I don’t have the bandwidth to cope. But, I’ve come to understand that tendency doesn’t come from God.

I recognized this, when I belonged to a prayer group during a particularly hard time in my life. Hearing and honoring the needs of others whose concerns were different from my unbalanced affairs was, extremely energizing.

You see, it didn’t matter how big or small the other people’s needs were, they all pointed my heart toward God.

Beloved, that experience taught me that making an effort to pray for others when there are concerns has an exceptional benefit. It prevents my prayer life from shrinking to the size of my anguishes.

And more than just that, it expands, develops and rejuvenates my conversations with God.

Let me tell you, it really does some good!!! 😀
Now, how great is that???!!!

Beloved, we’re given the ability to add good to the world, even when we’re suffering ourselves.

Take care and take it one step (one day)
at a time. You’ll be glad you did.

Have a blessed Monday. 😀

October 16, 2017