C H O F Ministry

Tag: Promises

  • “Promises, Vows and Pledges”

    Q: Bishop Houston people make promises, vows, and pledges every day. Is it deceitful to produce something that could possibly be voided?   

    A great question!!! Thank you for asking.

     A: To answer your question, it’ll help to comprehend why promises, vows, and pledges were established in the first place. Commitments, vows, and oaths were introduced and created in Old Testament times to resolve disagreements. Back then, it wasn’t uncommon for men to be dishonorable – loyalty and morality was not a friend of truth. It was the lack of integrity, why vows were applied.

    Promises, vows, and pledges aren’t something to be taken casually. From the beginning, making promises vows or pledges has been profoundly a problematic situation. Whenever a vow was made in God’s Name, His Name, reputation, and integrity were put on the line. If what was promised in God’s Name wasn’t met, then the one who made the vow was in sin. To those that knew about the situation, it made God look like a fool and would become a stumbling block to those who didn’t know God. For that purpose, a vow was entered into with intense awareness, so that God’s Name wouldn’t be slandered.

    The best practice is to “keep it simple” and do what you say. In Matthew 5:34-37, Jesus said: “But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”

    Beloved your uncomplicated yes or no should be so overflowing with sincerity and integrity that the one you’re coming into agreement with will see that you’re a person of your word. It would be best if you didn’t have to accentuate your words with other terms, such as a promise, pledge, or vow.

    Thank you for your question.
    Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.

  • “Worthless Unfulfilled Promises”

    9 232019 Worthless Unfulfilled PromisesHappy Monday Everyone!!! 😀

    Beloved, one of the things that really irritate me is worthless unfulfilled promises. Many times, in life we get caught up in our fast-paced daily lives that we occasionally don’t recognize the promises we make to other people. Here are some classics: *if you need anything let me know, *I’ll call you, or *you’ll get the next open position. We need to be careful when making idle promises. In other words, presenting hope that’s not worth the words coming out our mouth, unkept possibilities that only frustrate the hopeful. Many people are defenseless to these promises.
     
    Children look up to adults and we teach them to listen to their parents, teachers, etc., so when we break a promise to a child it’s hard for them to understand. If we aren’t careful our words become worthless. The same goes for our elderly. Many of them are alone or lonely, they depend on others a lot, and when someone makes a promise of running an errand or a much-promised visit that never materializes, then depression can easily set in. The same goes for an employee who is depending on the increase. The employee does all they’ve been asked, and the supervisor promises the employee a raise or an elevated position that never materializes. We need to be more reliable and mindful of what we’re saying. The Bible is full of God’s promises that we can depend on. They’re rooted in His unchanging character and love for us. We should be Christlike and become more aware of worthless unfulfilled promises that could hurt or disturb others that depend on us.
     
    Beloved, the last time I checked we serve an on-time God and His Word has never failed us. 😀
     
    Let Us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, this morning I ask that You help us to be more aware of the promises we make to You and others. Help us to deliver on them just like Your promises in the Bible that never fail us.
    In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
     
    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 brilliant Monday and a boundless joyful week. 😀

  • “Crossing Over the Trust Line”

    Bishop Houston Mid Week Crossing Over the Trust Line

    In the years I’ve spent living by faith, there’s something I’ve learned to do that has helped me receive from God when I’m going through tough personal situations. It’s something I call crossing over the trust line. Now, there may be someone out there asking: Bishop Houston, what’s a trust line? Well, I’m glad you asked. 😀 Beloved, a trust line is what you need when you want God to do the “incredible” in your life. It’s what you need when you want to be strong, steady, and secure in your faith and yet you keep wavering back and forth between your circumstances and God’s promises, *believing first one thing, then something else. It’s what can make you like faithful Abraham. Believe it or not, Abraham had standard situations to deal with just like we do. He knew there was no ordinary way for God’s promise to him to come true. Yet the Word says Abraham considered not his own body. In other words Beloved, Abraham ignored the ordinary “NORMAL” suggestions around him and believed only God’s promise.

     
    Somewhere he crossed over the trust line. 😀 He made a permanent decision to go with the Word of God. He made a final commitment. He chose to cross over to the point of no return. And if you’re ever going to see God do the impossible in your life, you’re going to have to do the same thing!!!
     
    Now, there may be someone out there asking: Bishop Houston, how do I draw that trust line? Well, again, I’m glad you asked!!! 😀 You begin with the Word. Pursue, explore and examine the promises of God and deliberately have confidence in what He has said, and is saying, about your need. Meditate on those promises until confidence and trust becomes very intense in your heart. Then draw the trust line. Draw it in your mind and emotions. Draw it across the floor in your prayer room. Say, “In the presence of God, in the presence of all the angels in this room, and in the devil’s face, I’m crossing over the trust line. From this moment on, I consider this matter done!!! From this day forward, I give God the praise and the glory in the Name of Jesus!!!”
     
    Beloved, from that moment on, speak only as if your phenomenon has already happened. Turn your back on the problems, on the doubts, and turn your face toward Jesus.
     
    I’m a witness that God will do the impossible in your life. This morning, I’m challenging you to cross over the trust line.
     
    “To God Be the Glory.”