C H O F Ministry

Tag: Truth

  • “Unhurried Anger”

    Beloved, have you ever started reading your Bible, feeling everything was all right between you and God, only to have the Word unexpectedly cut deep into your soul to reveal some sin(s) you had ignored or tried to hide? Well, that usually happens because God is trying to eradicate sin in His children. The Holy Spirit utilizes the Word to infiltrate the secret camouflaged recesses of the heart to do His convicting and purifying work. How you react to that procedure is an indicator of the validity of your faith.

    In James 1:19-20 (AMP), “Anger” refers to an adverse “cynical” reaction to that process. It’s a deep-rooted down to the core resentment complemented by the arrogance of rejection. Sometimes that kind of dislike can be slick – tricky. In 2 Tim. 4. 3 (AMP) Paul described it well: those who “but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold.”

    Beloved Paul is talking about the people who drift from church to church, social media post to post. Their search is for someone who will tell them what they want to hear—or a congregation that wants a pastor or a divine leader who’ll make them feel good about themselves instead of preaching and teaching the Word and setting a high standard of holiness.

    Sometimes dislike toward the Word stops being slick – tricky and turns into wide-open public hostility. That’s precisely what happened to Steven in Acts 7:57-60. The crowd Stephen confronted covered up their ears, drove him out of the city, and smashed him with rocks until they killed him. Many others throughout history have experienced the lethal blows of those whose bitterness of God’s Truth turned to hatred for His people. Acquiring the Word incorporates being quick to hear what it reveals and slow to get upset “mad” when it differs from your point of view or confronts your sin.

    As we end another week and prepare to walk through Weekend’s door, let’s disengage our hostile attitude towards the Truth that exposes our secret sin(s) or differs from our secrets or (hidden agenda’s) opinion. We must welcome The Word’s rebuke and listen to its warnings; the real healing occurs when we stop resenting what the Truth has uncovered. When a Christian brother or sister confronts sin in your life, accept it. Rejecting their counsel will automatically start the disconnection process for support to your revival. ✝️❤️

    Let Us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of Your Word to convict me and propel me to repentance. I welcome Your Word of Truth that embeds correction with humility and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ Mighty Name I Pray, Amen and Aaamen. ✝️❤️

    May your Friday be filled with agape love and your weekend be escorted by the revealing Truth of God’s Word. ✝️❤️😊

  • “The Truth Is Priceless”

    2 24 20201 1 Samuel 1 4

    Praise the Lord and Happy Monday to each of you. ✝️❤️😊
     
    You know God’s enormous existence in our life makes us conscious of our deficiencies. It also makes us comprehend our faults and our total reliance on Him. He’s holy, and only in Christ, will we realize reality “THE TRUTH” and speak about it. But now and then speaking the truth makes a person unpopular because many don’t want to listen to it. Notice in this morning’s passage that the elders of the city of Bethlehem were trembling (terrified) when they met prophet Samuel because of fear.
    You know, when I was younger, I was timid, as I grew into a young adult, I became bolder and more candid and a bit of a combative type. I pretty much didn’t shy away from telling others their faults, particularly those who were close to me. But as I moved toward the stage of an older adult and going through many trials and tribulations taught me that occasionally we need to keep quiet no matter what the circumstances are. I also learned that sometimes we need to rephrase our statements in order not to be rude to the listener. We must also remember scripture says that it’s the truth that frees us. So always keep in mind, honesty even when it’s heartbreaking is still better than cunning lies produced beautifully. Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊
     
    Let Us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, we respectfully ask for Your forgiveness for times we don’t speak or inhabit the truth. Lord, purify our emotions and minds from all deceit. Thank You for the Holy Spirit that persistently convicts us to only talk about facts. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Amen. ✝️❤️
     
    Beloved, CHOF Ministry & BWFHJr. Ministry genuinely appreciates all the reassurance and thoughtful words we receive from our and readers and listeners. It’s so uplifting to hear how God is changing your lives.
     
    God bless, Bishop Houston.
     
    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 enter our earthly room and blow out our candle. So, reach out and touch the ones that need your agape, dissolve the divisions among you, continue to encourage one another, be united in the same mind, the same reasoning and continue to build one another up.
     
    I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have a wonderful Monday and a wonderful week. ✝️❤️😊

  • “Confrontation”

    9 16 2019 Matthew 18 15 Confrontation.png
    Praise the Lord Beloved Happy Monday to you all.

    Beloved, how many of you hate confrontation? To keep it real, I’m not one – I’m a very candid upfront person!!! But I know a lot of associates who don’t like confrontation. When we confront others, we need to understand it doesn’t have to be mean spirited “feisty or forceful” in other words getting all up in a person’s face. On the contrary, it can be a loving act. Matthew 18 is a great chapter to read but it’s verses 15-20 entitled “Reproving Another Who Sins” (Bible Gateway), is what I would like for you to read.
     
    Beloved, we serve a confrontational God, but He does give us steps on how to handle confrontation, He requires us to repent of our sins to Him, and He tells us to seek wise counsel and accountability (*1). Now, for those of us who don’t have a problem being confrontational, I urge you to make sure you’re staying in the parameters God has spelled out in scripture. Your heart is deceitful (*2), you must make sure your confrontation is respectful and God-honoring. For those of you who dislike confrontation, I suggest you read and reflect on God’s truth. Reflect on how you’ve seen His confrontation in your life. I say that to you because most things done God’s way challenges our human nature, and I would say confrontation is one of those things. Amen? Aaamen. 😀
     
    Let Us Pray:
    Dear Heavenly Father, I realize many of us have been hurt by confrontations. Whether it be fighting with parents, siblings, friends, a broken home, violence, manipulation, or fear. I come this morning asking You to show us the way You’ve created us to have confrontations with one another. Help us to tap into Your love and see how we can serve You in our confrontations.
    In Jesus’ precious 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 wonderful Monday and a great week.
     
    CHOF Ministry’s Cross Reference Scriptures
    *1. Romans 14:12, Galatians 6:1-5, James 5:16
    *2. Jeremiah 17:9

  • “The Truth Will Shield You”

    Monday 8 26 2019 Let Us Pray Ephesians 6 14Praise the Lord Believers in the Christian faith.
    Happy Monday to each of you.

    Beloved, one of the most vital parts of the armor of God is the belt of truth. Its importance lies in its key function – to secure or attach. Without the truth, things slip into disorder or confusion. There would be misconceptions, misunderstanding; wrong viewpoints, the wrong perceptions eventually leading to bad choices. It’s the truth that clears up misunderstandings and uncertainties. That’s why the truth has led us to salvation and freedom according to what Jesus says in John 8:32. This morning’s verse tells us that we should fasten the belt of truth. It means that we should allow it to stick to us. Beloved, let’s not allow ourselves to be deceived by false teachings and beliefs. The Bible is the source of truth that we must learn from as well as God’s Church/ministry so that we have a direction to distinguish the lies from the truth. The truth permits us to draw closer to God. 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 an Exciting Monday.

  • Even the Demons Tremble”

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    Praise the Lord Believers in the Christian faith.

    You know recently I’ve seen an alarming rise in the number of confessing Christians who believe that there’s no required relationship between what they believe and what they do. They say you can’t judge a person’s spiritual condition by what he or she does because salvation is a matter of faith alone, you know, as if requiring works violates the principle of faith.
     
    But you know Beloved, it was that kind of perception that provoked James to issue this challenge “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds (works)? I will show you my faith by my good deeds (works).” (*1). The word “show” translated in the Greek means “to exhibit,” “verify,” or “put on display.” Beloved, his point is simple: it’s impossible to verify true faith apart from holy living because doctrine and deed (work) are attached – they’re inseparable.
     
    Now, allow me to ask you a question – Can you know if someone is a Christian by watching his or her behavior? According to James, that’s the only way to know!!! In verse 19 he says, ” for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” In other words, confirming orthodox doctrine isn’t necessarily proof of saving faith. Demons believe in the oneness of God, and its implications fill them with fear terror, but they aren’t saved. 😀 The phrase “Good for you” is intentionally sarcastic. The implication is that demonic faith is better than non-responsive faith because at least the demons trembling, is better than no response at all.
     
    Beloved, you can’t be a Christian in creed only!!! You must be one in conduct as well!!! James makes that very clear. Don’t be confused or deceived by those who teach something different. Repeatedly aim your life at bringing glory to God through obedient application of biblical truth.
     
    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 Delightful Wednesday.
     
    CHOF Ministry’s Cross Reference Scriptures
    *1. James 2:18

  • “The Truth”

    New Monday Morning Blog 1 Johns 1 8 thru 9

    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.

  • “It’s Time To Get Caught Up”

    It's Time to Get Caught Up
    Beloved, the time has come for you to break out from the enemy’s camp and pursue the words of the Lord. This is your season to progress and repossess all that you’ve let slip through your absorbent spirit. This is the season to get caught up. The Lord wants you to walk with Him side by side step for step. Your time card of being short changed has been voided. Now is the time to take off those rose-colored shades and face the truth. You’ve been marginally doing things, while all along you’ve been duping yourself into believing that you were fully walking on the path of spiritual truth.

     
    Beloved, the Spirit of the Lord is saying to you, the time has come for you to get caught up on what the enemy has stolen from you – right before your very eyes. It’s time for you to exchange your immoral spirit for the Lord’s spirit. The Lord has been preparing a supper in front of your former tormentors (bullies, persecutors, oppressors). It’s time to participate in your feast of His blessings. Now, is the time to get caught up on conversations with Him and with the Holy Spirit. It’s time to once again sit at His feet and learn about Him.
     
    Beloved, it’s time to get caught up and retrieve your stolen possessions. I’m speaking of the ones that the enemy has taken from you and your generations. The time has come for you to pursue and recollect what has been robbed from you and your family.
     
    Beloved, it’s time to get caught up on praise and worship and spending time in the presence of the Lord. It’s time to reside in His atmosphere and relax in His arms. He wants you to experience once again how it feels to hear His heart beat.
     
    Beloved, on this Friday and as you prepare to adventure into another weekend, listen for the voice of the Lord. His voice has increased, you can hear it through reading other prophetic words. Listen, read and move according to the Lord’s necessity for your life. The new day has dawned, and a new season is beginning for many within the churches and ministries. I believe this is a last wake up call for many to rise up and move spiritually closer to the heart of our Father. I also sense that the time is short and the need to move out into newer levels of Gods calling has never been more urgent.
     
    Beloved, the Lord is becoming increasingly concerned that many who call Him Lord are still grounded to the ways of the world and embedded in the twisting of the Leviathan.
     
    Ephesians 5:14 will not leave my spirit, it says:
    “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
     
    Beloved, this could be a last wake-up call for many of you. I can’t stress this strongly enough. It’s time for us all to wake up!!! It’s time to shake off the enemy’s malady and remove the sleep out of our worldly covered sugar-coated eyes and smell the glory of the Lord, as He prepares to come in magnificent grandeur and recollect His loved ones and repossess what’s rightfully His.
     
    May we not reject the call of the Holy Spirit, as He once again in His mercy, seeks to awaken His bride into movement towards their high calling in the Lord, prepared before the beginning of the earth.
     
    May the Lord have mercy on those who remain asleep.
     
    Have a Blessed Weekend Everyone!!!

  • “Just Stand”

    Just_Stand 3

    Beloved, allow me to ask you a quick question: What do you do when you are stuck at the crossroads, and you’ve done all you can? Just in case you don’t know I’ll tell you.

    “STAND!!!” You. Just. Stand.
     
    While this advice may seem counterintuitive and illogical to those of you who may be broken and distorted due to emotional, spiritual, relational, or even physical trials, I believe it’s God’s answer for you on this Thoughtful Thursday.
     
    Now there may be someone reading this blog and asking:
    Bishop Houston, how do you know?
     
    Well, personally, I’ve lived the painstaking experience. Yes, I have been on this journey for a couple of decades and learning to stand has been a major incorporated process. My education on standing has come during the times I was in the place of brokenness, “fractured mentally and spiritually, financially”, hurt, distressed, suffering, uncertainty, and self-doubt. This is where God met me and educated me how to stand again.
     
    “STAND”
    This is just one simple word. It’s a relatively easy action. Vital thinking isn’t essential.
    But it’s not a position we accommodate much, is it?
     
    Habitually, we rely on the automatic “compete or leave” response when we face an obstacle or adversary. Sometimes we pull ourselves together, gather our resources, and prepare to battle. Other times, we run for cover hoping to protect ourselves from the flying shrapnel, waiting until the storm passes.
     
    But, we don’t have to compete or leave. God offers us an alternative: “STAND.”
     
    Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT) tells us to put on the whole armor of God.
    *10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. *11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. *12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. *13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].
     
    Now, the idiom that keeps echoing in my spirit is the motivation for this post: “…to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].”
    Here is how some other versions of the Bible translate this small phrase:
     
    “and having done all, stand firm” (ESV)
     
    “then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (NLT)
     
    “and after you have done everything, to stand.” (NIV)
     
    “so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet” (MSG)
     
    “WHEN DO YOU STAND”
    Before, after, and during the battle.”
    Beloved, there “is never” a time God tells us to stop standing.
     
    Now, did you catch that? He doesn’t give us an outlet. He doesn’t say there’s a time to run and a time to hide. He doesn’t say that after we have given it our best shot we can leave or sit down.
    (Trust me Beloved, I’ve been looking for the loopholes!!!)
     
    Nevertheless, we can’t afford to miss what God says He’ll do for us as we stand.
     
    “GOD WILL USE HIS STRENGTH AND POWER TO Bring SALVATION.”
    Exodus 14:13 (AMP) says: “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today;”
     
    “GOD WILL DEFEND US WITH HIS ARMOR”
    Ephesians 6:11 (AMP) says: 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
     
    “GOD WILL STAY BY OUR SIDE AND NEVER ABANDON US”
    Joshua 1:5 (AMP) says: “No man will [be able to] stand before you [to oppose you] as long as you live. Just as I was [present] with Moses, so will I be with you; I will not fail you or abandon you.”
     
    Beloved, the battles we have in this life are real, powerful, and unavoidable. God knows this and wants us to prepare us for the ambush of schemes and devices the enemy will throw at us to knock us off our feet. Whether your battle is internal or external, temporary or permanent, life-altering or mildly annoying, God’s command does not change. God’s Word tells us we’re not to be passive participants but to proactively prepare for battle by arming ourselves.
     
    The hard days are sure to come. There’ll be battles. And when they do, we must choose to stand our ground.
     
    While our hard-wired response when we face danger may be the “fight or flight” response, we can choose God’s option instead: JUST STAND.
     
    Don’t attack or react aggressively. Don’t run away and hide in fear.
    Believe me, I’ve done both in the past, and neither has worked well for me!!!)
     
    *STAND IN TRUTH.
    **STAND IN GOD’S PROTECTIVE ARMOR.
    ***STAND IN FREEDOM, KNOWING THE BATTLE IS ULTIMATELY THE LORD’S.
    ****STAND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHO GOD IS AND WHO YOU ARE IN HIM.
    Now there may be someone reading this blog and asking:
    “Bishop Houston, how do I stand?”
    Well, I’m Glad You Asked!!!
    Because, this is a very good question!!! For a long time, I wrestled with this same question.
     
    When I reverted back to the immoral and got sick and tired of being sick and tired, I needed to find out how to stand again.
     
    Allow me to use an acrostic right here as a way to share what God has taught me.
     
    S – STOP BEING INACTIVE (IN OTHER WORDS – FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF) START BY GETTING BACK ON YOUR FEET.
    T – TAKE YOUR TIME. BELOVED, WHEN YOU STAND, YOU’RE NOT MOVING, AND THAT’S OKAY. BE FIRM, BUT STILL!!!
    A – ACCEPT GOD’S HELP. ALLOW HIM TO ARM YOU WITH HIS TRUTH, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, HIS FAITH, HIS WORD, AND HIS SPIRIT.
    N – NOTICE YOUR SURROUNDINGS. WHO/WHAT IS AROUND YOU? WILL THEY PROPEL YOU FORWARD OR HOLD YOU BACK?
    D – DEFEND YOUR GROUND. BOUNDARIES ARE A GOOD THING. HEALTHY AND STRONG PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO KEEP THE BAD OUT AND LET IN THE GOOD.
    Now, I have just a few more things I have to tell you about standing. I feel I would be negligent if I didn’t let you in on these truths.
     
    1. Standing is very hard especially when you feel like moving.
    2. Standing stretches you in ways you won’t imagine.
    3. Standing can get very rough and painful.
    4. Standing may be misunderstood by others in your life.
    But in the end, if God calls you to stand, it is exactly what you need to do!!!
     
    Beloved, “JUST STAND.”
     
    I’ll leave you with one of my favorite songs: “Stand” by Donnie McClurkin.
     
    Beloved, I pray what I’ve blogged today and Donnie McClurkin’s song “Stand” encourages those of you who have done all you can.
     
    Beloved, trust God and give yourself permission to just stand.
     
    “To God Be The Glory”

  • “The Truth”

    Speaking the Truth

  • Truth

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