C H O F Ministry

Tag: Salvation

  • The Significance of Good Friday

    Good morning and blessed Good Friday to you! 🌄✨

    Today’s devotion is called:
    “The Significance of Good Friday” ✝️ 🕊️ 💙

    Scriptural Insight – 1 Peter 2:24 (Christian Standard Bible)
    “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
    By his wounds you have been healed.”

    C H O F Ministry’s Synopsis:
    This verse captures the essence of Good Friday, a day of profound spiritual significance marking Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. It signifies the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, offering us a path to righteousness and healing.

    🗣️Bishop Houston’s Contemplation:
    Good Friday invites us to ponder deeply on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As the sun sets on this solemn day, we’re reminded of the darkness that fell over the earth during Christ’s last moments on the cross. This day isn’t just a commemoration of suffering but a celebration of the unconditional love and mercy bestowed upon us. In the shadow of the cross, we find the light of hope, forgiveness, and a new beginning. Reflecting on 1 Peter 2:24, let’s embrace the profound truth that through His wounds, we are healed. This healing isn’t merely physical but encompasses spiritual renewal and the mending of our relationship with God. Good Friday thus becomes not just a historical event but a continual invitation to live a life of righteousness, anchored in the hope and redemption offered through Christ’s sacrifice. 🕊️💔🌅

    “Let Us Go into The Throne Room of Grace and Mercy:”

    Lord, on this Good Friday, we remember the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and the depth of Your love for us. Help us to carry the message of Your forgiveness and grace into every part of our lives. May we live in the righteousness that Christ has secured for us and extend Your love to those around us.
    To God Be the Glory.

    Have a Blessed Good Friday and a Safe Resurrection Weekend, Everyone. ✝️ 🕊️💙😊

    C H O F Ministry:
    “Igniting Faith, Elevating Wisdom, Transforming Lives”

  • “Jesus Became Sin For me – How?”

  • “He’s Always Up to Date”

    Tuesday 7 15 2019 Let Us Pray Isaiah 55 2
    Praise the Lord Beloved. Happy Tuesday!!! 😀

    Beloved, are you acquainted with these words? Jesus rightfully proclaimed He’s the bread of life and living water that those who come to Him will never go hungry and thirsty again (*1). 😀 Since “WAY” back in the day to today, people keep on repeating the same old mistake of spending and struggling for things that realistically won’t really bring contentment. Many of you that know me know I love video games.
     
    One time, I worked long hours and saved my money to buy the latest video gaming system. A system that I could effortlessly play any video game I wanted. Little did I know that the feeling of gratification would be brief. Soon after, a better and more powerful gaming system was going to be released making mine seem like a bad purchase. Now, new video games and systems have come out with UHD 4k technology. So, now a UHD 4k television is required to receive the intensive and full design of the video games and their systems – 8k television is soon coming. By God’s grace, I’ve stopped in my tracks and I’ve come to realized that chasing technology will always leave me dissatisfied and deficient. But OOH how thankful we are for God and what He gives, He doesn’t charge, nor does He change (*2). 😀
     
    Beloved, salvation “rescuing, removing, recovering” – redemption in Jesus is a gift to us (*3). Now there’s nothing wrong with updating to replace the outdated but if you don’t want to labor in vain, don’t get all caught up with fashion, and trends. Go to God, and learn to be content and truly happy, He’s always up to date.
     
    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. 😀
     
    CHOF Ministry’s Cross Reference Scriptures
    *1. John 6:35 & 7:37
    *2. Isaiah 55:1
    *3. Romans 3:24

  • “The Appropriate Attitude Towards God’s Word”

    Bishop Houston's Full Purple Shirt “The Appropriate Attitude Towards God’s Word”.png
    Praise the Lord Beloved. What a beautiful Sunday. I thank God for allowing us another opportunity to collectively serve Him. 😀

     
    This Morning’s Focal Bible Scripture is James 1:19.
     
    Through the years I’ve heard many, many times that either God’s Word will keep you from sinning or sinning will keep you from God’s Word. Well, apparently some of James’s readers were allowing sin to keep them from receiving the Word as they should. You see, God was allowing them to experience various trials so their joy and spiritual endurance would increase, but the problem was they didn’t have wisdom and were lured into temptation and sin. James called them back to the Word and to a godly viewpoint on their environment and condition.
     
    This morning’s verse begins with the phrase “This you know,” which refers back to verse 18. They had experienced the power of the Word in salvation, now James wants them to allow it to bless them. But, for that to happen, they would have to be obedient to verse 19, quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. Beloved, being quick to hear means you don’t disregard or fight against God’s Word. Instead, when issues or difficult decisions come your way, you ask God for wisdom and receive the counsel of His Word with a willingness to obey it. You’re not like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, whom Jesus described as “foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken.” (*1)
     
    You should be quick to hear the Word because it offers sustenance for your spiritual life and is your defense against all spiritual challengers. It’s the means by which you’re supported and armed for every good work. (*2). It transports you from issues and enticements and engrosses you in unity with the living God. The Word should be your most welcome friend!!!
     
    Beloved, be quick to hear, chasing every opportunity to learn God’s truth. Let the testimony of the psalmist be yours: “O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. . .. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy word. . .. How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (*3)
     
    Beloved, being quick to hear involves a appropriate attitude toward
    God’s Word. Amen? – Aaamen. 😀
     
    Let Us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your valuable Word and for the amazing transforming work it accomplishes in us.
    In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen and 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 an awesome Sunday Everyone.
    😀
     
    CHOF Ministry’s Cross Reference Scriptures
    *1. (Luke 24:25)
    *2. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
    *3. ((Ps. 119:97, 101, 103)

  • “Refining the Fruit of Virtue and Moral”

    Bishop W Houston's Full Purple Picture Sunday Morning Refining the Fruit of Virtue and Moral.png

    Beloved, illustrating spiritual fruit is the exam above all the spiritual examinations given to a true believer.

    After facing serious or dangerous situations, I’ve often heard people say, “I saw my entire life flash before my eyes.” Well, that’s the picture we get in our Sunday morning Bible Verse Philippians 1:11.

    Beloved, “the fruit of righteousness” refers to what’s formed in you as you activate love, pursue brilliance or quality, and sustain your integrity. It embraces every attitude and achievement consistent with God’s standard of what’s right.

    The words “Having been filled” speaks of something that occurred in the past with ongoing results. You see, at your salvation the seeds of virtue and moral were imbedded within you. They bear righteous fruit throughout your lifetime. On the day of Christ, it’s those fruits that will confirm your salvation.

    Fruitful productivity has always been the exam above all the spiritual examinations of true salvation. Jesus said in John 8:31: “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine”. In John 8:31 when John the Baptist admonished his followers to “bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance”, he was speaking of good deeds in verses 10-14. In Eph. 2:10, Paul said we’re God’s workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”,, John said in 1 John 2:6 (cf) that all who profess Christ should live as He lived.

    And one more thing I must add, bearing spiritual fruit isn’t something you can accomplish on your own. It “comes through Jesus Christ” – Phil. 1:11. In John 15:4-5 Jesus Himself said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing”.

    Beloved, you were redeemed to glorify God through virtue and moral conduct. So, as you present yourself throughout this Sunday make virtue and moral conduct your priority. 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 Sunday Everyone. 😀

  • “He’s Risen!!!”

    Happy Resurrection Sunday Everyone!!! 😀

    He’s Risen!!!!!!!

    Beloved, Resurrection Sunday plays a critical role in our salvation, which many often forget. Romans 4:25 tells us that Jesus was “raised for our justification.” Often many Church Leaders skip over that phrase. Causing many Believers to incorrectly accept that it was the Cross alone that accomplished the forgiveness of sins. Romans 4:25 is a phrase which is worthy of much observation.

    Ephesians 2:4-6, 2 Timothy 2:11, 1 Peter 1:3, and 2 Corinthians 5:17 shows us that the resurrection of Jesus also leads us straight to a resurrection inside each of us. This means that the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead is active inside the arteries and dispositions of every true Christian.

    In 1 John 3:9, Romans 6, and Colossians 3:1-11 shows us that God puts the risen life of Jesus in us so that we have a new desire to kill sin and
    2 Corinthians 3:18, and Revelation 1 tells us where we begin to truly change.

    Beloved, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus today, let’s resolve to make every Sunday a resurrection Sunday, and live in all the good that the resurrection accomplishes for us each day.

    Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday Everyone. 😀

  • “God Knows What’s Best”

    Bishop Houston's Monday Morning Blog Picture Luke 22 42b
    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. 😀

  • “Salvation Is For Everyone!!!”

    Salvation is for everyone.png

  • Does Getting Baptized Guarantee Salvation for you?

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    The answer is NO!!!
    ***Your decision of rather or not to get baptized will not be a deciding factor toward your Salvation.

    In fact Baptism is just a symbolism that is used as a way for us to publicly show our transformation to a new life in Christ.

    Symbolism in a submerged Baptism is shown as followed:
    When we are submerged into the water it symbolizes our death

    When we are under the water it symbolizes our burial. When we come out of the water it symbolizes our new life.

    In 1 Peter 3:21 (AMP) it confirms that baptism is just a demonstration or a symbolism of the new life in Christ that
    we as believers are choosing to follow.

    So in essence, the ritual of baptism does not guarantee us salvation or save us.

    ***Being baptized is not what saves us; what saves us is the confession of our sins and receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

    God Bless you all,
    Enjoy the rest of your week!