C H O F Ministry

Tag: Stop

  • “Stop Think and Reflect”

    11 13 2019 Romans 6 1 3
    Praise the Lord happy mid-week to you.

     
    In Romans 6 you’ll find Paul starts the chapter asking a few questions. This was not by coincidence. In fact, Paul’s entire letter to the Romans is filled with questions. (In the NKJV, I counted 75 questions in Romans!!!) Paul knew the impact questions could have. In many of my devotions and inspirational writings, I’ll ask questions as well. I’ve been asked many time why I ask questions in my sermons and in my writings. Well “for me” I insert a question or questions to shift the stream of my sermons, teachings, and writings to help make the words come alive for my readers and listeners. I believe whenever we read a question, we should feel challenged – tested. I’m trying to inspire my readers and listeners to stop, think, feel, imagine and consider the issues and how they might react or reply.
     
    If you look closely at Paul’s writings, you’ll see the impact his questions have throughout his ministry. Questions were central to what he wrote about the Lord’s Supper, allow me to give you an example from 1 Corinthians 11:22: “Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this?” Beloved, each question offers an opportunity for readers to answer Paul for themselves and think about the issues he discusses.
     
    You’ll find Jesus frequently used questions. The Old Testament also is packed with questions, presenting opportunities for us to think about what has been said. Although not a question. The word “Selah” is used over 70 times in the book of Psalms, inspiring us to take a brief break and reflect.
     
    Beloved, as you read your Bible or daily devotions, remember to think about the questions asked. How you would respond, and what is the deeper meaning for you? Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊
     
    CHOF Ministry’s Mid-Week Prayer:
     
    Dear Heavenly Father help me to stay sensitive and responsive to the questions You ask me. I want to continue to be taught so I can remain mature as a believer. 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 a “Wonderful” Wednesday. 😀
     

  • “Stop, Resolve, Return”

    Bishop Houston's Weekend Words Psalm 32 3 4
    Praise the Lord Beloved!!! What an awesome day to serve the Lord!!! 

    Beloved, Jesus expresses to us soundly to stop praying for forgiveness until we’ve made things right with people we need to forgive or ask forgiveness from. I believe many of us try to do that. Several weeks ago, I was asked a tremendous question: Bishop Houston, what if it’s impossible for me to reconcile because one, the offended person has died, and two, the other person won’t hear me out to accept my forgiveness? I’m very upset and mentally frustrated. I can relate to this question and maybe some of you may be in this same predicament.

    This is what I suggest (it helped me tremendously) – share your burden of guilt with someone who you can trust—your spouse, a therapist, your pastor. Don’t beat around the bush!!! You must be detailed and completely honest. Pray with that person and confess openly the wrong and the guilt of your soul. In such cases prayer and the presence of unconditional consideration, and an encouraging individual will provide the release you need so desperately.

    You know, after David had indirectly murdered Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, his guilt was massive. Think about it – ADULTERY, and HYPOCRISY on top of MURDER – just about did ol’ King David in. Finally, when he was caving in, he broke his silence and pursued God’s forgiveness, but Uriah was not there to hear his confession. He had been dead almost a year. The broken king called on the prophet Nathan and poured out his soul, “I have sinned . . . .” then Nathan followed quickly with these words: “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.”

    Beloved, when you have been the cause of an offense, that’s, when you’re the offender, have the heart of a servant. Take a break from what you’re doing, go resolve the issue, and then return to your daily activity.

    There is nothing wrong with confessing your sins one to another. Pride is the only element that will stop you – and we all know what God thinks about pride. 
    Amen? – Aaamen.

    Let us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for waiting to ask for forgiveness to the ones that are no longer present. Lord there are many with unforgiving hearts, help them to take off the shackles of hatred, malice, hurt, so that the pathway of conscience be cleared and ethical activity will presume according to Your spiritual resolve.

    In Jesus’ Name I Pray, Amen and Aaamen.

    Have a Splendid Friday and an Ethical Weekend.
    www.chofministry.net

  • “Stop, Go, Reconcile, and then Return”

    Bishop Houston's Monday Morning Blog Picture

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

    Allow me to ask you this question.: “What if you’ve gathered the courage to approach someone you’ve offended or felt you’ve offended and wanted to move on. You’ve confessed what you did with sincerity. You’ve asked for forgiveness. But he or she refuses to forgive you.
    Now what? 😀

    I’m sure many of you “like myself” have come to this crossroad or on this crossroad. Well I have an answer for you. 😀

    Beloved, the important thing for each of us to remember is that you’re responsible for you, and I’m responsible for me. Romans 12:18 AMP says: 18 “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. Beloved, with the right motive, in the right spirit, at the right time, out of obedience to God, we’re to humble ourselves and attempt to make things right. God “WILL” honor our efforts.

    The one offended may need time first to get over the shock and next to have God bring about a change in his or her heart. Healing sometimes takes time. Occasionally, a lot of time.

    Now, there may be someone out there reading this blog and asking: “Bishop Houston, “What if the situation only gets worse?” This is a very good question!!! – And I’m Glad You Asked. 😀 This can happen. You see, all the time the one offended has been blaming you… Thinking all kinds of bad things about you. When you go to make things right, you suddenly cause his or her inner scales to become unbalanced. You take away the blame, and all that’s left is the person’s guilt, which does a number on him or her, resulting in even worse feelings. But now, it’s no longer your fault. 😀

    Now, there may be somebody else out there reading this blog that’s asking: Well, Bishop Houston, “What if I decide simply to deal with it before God and not go through the aggravation and embarrassment of talking with the other person?” This is another great question!!! 😀 And I’m glad you too have asked!! 😀 Well, we’ll do “anything” to make things easier, won’t we? 😀  First off Beloved, that’s a willful contradiction of the command. To paraphrase Jesus what said in Matthew 5:24 “Stop, go, reconcile, and return!”).  “NOT” to go is direct disobedience!!! 😀 It also can result in things getting worse.

    Let me give you an example: Let’s say I’m driving away from your church parking lot next Sunday morning. I back my Lincoln MKZ car into the side of your beautiful new Mercedes. BANG!!! Your stomach churns as you see me get out of my car, look at the damage – and then bow in prayer:

    Dear LORD, DEAR Heavenly Father, please forgive me for being so preoccupied and clumsy. And please give this dear brother/sister grace as he/she sees the extensive damage I’ve caused out of absolute carelessness. And provide what’s needed as he/she takes this car in to have it fixed. Thank you. In the might name of Jesus, I pray, Amen and Amen.

    As I drive away, I wave and smile really big as I yell out the window, “It’s all cleared up, my friend. I claimed the damage before God. Isn’t grace wonderful!”

    Now, tell me, how do you feel about that? I have rather strong doubts that it would suddenly make things okay with you, no matter how sincere my prayer might have been. You and I know that would do no good. You would say or scream loudly as my mother use to say, me “I will lay my religion down at the door and (with very hard-core words)” after it.: -D

    Beloved, the Savior does not say, “Simply pray and I’ll forgive you.” In fact, He says, “Stop praying until you’ve made things right!”

    Now, there may be someone out there asking Ok Bishop Houston, I ‘ve read your blog, so answer this question for me: “What if it’s impossible for me to reconcile because the offended person has died?” This is absolutely a great question.!!! And, I’m Glad you asked also!! 😀

    Well, obviously, you cannot contact the dead. In such unique cases, I recommend that you share your burden of guilt with someone whom you can trust. A close friend, a companion, a counselor, or your pastor. Don’t beat around the bush. You must be specific and completely candid. Pray with that individual and confess openly the wrong and the guilt of your soul. In such cases—and only in such cases—prayer and the presence of an understanding, affirming individual can provide the relief you need so desperately.

    Beloved, when you’ve been the cause of an offense or you feel you’ve been the cause of an offense and you want to move past the indifference, have the heart of a servant. Stop, go, reconcile, and then return.

    Have a Blessed Monday Everyone!!! 😀