C H O F Ministry

Tag: Wisdom and Theology with Bishop Houston

  • “Stay Focused On Your Calling”

    Bishop Houston's Monday Morning Blog New Poster

    Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Happy Monday to you all.
     
    I attended a church program on yesterday, and I left there shaking my head in dismay. I’m seeing more and more men and women in the pulpit with the “it’s all about me, look at me, how did I sound, empty vessel messages. Beloved, THE CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS!!!
     
    It’s not owned by its denomination, its benefactors, its members nor its affiliates, its staff or its lead pastor. Jesus said He would build His church – and He’s not about to give up that ownership to us or our ideas.
     
    You know as a preacher, this is a lesson I need to repeat to myself of repeatedly. I didn’t won’t to touch this issue this morning. I wrestled with it and it was also like fire shut up in my bones. So, encouraged by the Spirit of the Lord and my lovely better half I’ve decided to share it with you through my blog.
     
    Beloved, many spiritual leaders have flat ignored why the church exists!!! OR – they have been misinformed.
     
    This morning, I have a news flash church/ministry leaders, pastors, preachers ect… The church doesn’t exist to give us an audience for our ideas, projects or egos. It exists to fulfill Christ’s purposes. Our role as church/ministry leaders, pastors, preachers ect.., is to equip the church/ministry members and its affiliates to ratify those purposes, both inside and outside the church/ministry walls.
     
    My Beloved cleric brothers and sisters (members of the clergy) our churches/ministries the church exists to make Jesus known, *NOT TO MAKE PASTORS FAMOUS!!!
     
    Yet, “WE” (I’m not above this approach either) keep making the same mistakes over and over again. “WE” (try to) take control because we feel without our strong hand on the wheel (we think) our church/ministry will fall to pieces. The budget won’t be met. The membership won’t grow. The five or ten-year vision won’t be realized. HELLO SOMEBODY!!!!! I know some of you out there know just what I’m talking about!!! 😀
     
    As church/ministry leaders, pastors, preachers ect.., we must know our roll. I’m speaking to churches and ministries of every size and type. From the captivating founding pastor of the high-energy, non-denominational megachurch, to the long-term, traditional male-controlled pastor to the centuries-old religious congregational pastor.
     
    Sure, many of us that are called according to God’s purpose are visionaries. We have big ideas. Impressive plans. Electrifying opportunities. And it’s tempting to use the resources at our disposal – namely the people, building and finances of the church/ministry we pastor to bring those endeavors to fruition. It’s not our job to get a group of people to agree with us and carry out our vision. No matter how good that vision might be.
     
    My Beloved cleric brothers and sisters (members of the clergy), it’s our calling to help the church/ministry body discover or re-discover God’s purposes together, then participate in them as the Holy Spirit leads us all. So, if we want to build a platform, a project or a ministry based on our ideas, we need to start a para-church ministry or a for-profit business. Not use a church/ministry body to carry them out for us.
     
    My Beloved cleric brothers and sisters (members of the clergy) we need to stay focus or for some, need to get refocused on the church Jesus brought into existence and called us to lead. The focus should never be on the cleric brothers and sisters (members of the clergy), but on Jesus.
     
    *Not on the preaching, but the equipping.
    *Not on the presentation, but the discipline.
    *Not on the music, but the worship.
    *Not on the building, but the gathering.
    *Not on the platform, but the people.
    *Not on the packed (or vacant) seats, but on the empty cross.
     
    Have a blessed Monday and an Awesome rest of your week.

  • “Tearing Down Sophisticated Barriers”

    Tearing Down Sophisticated Barriers

    2 Corinthians 10:5 (AMP)
    We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,

  • “Claim Your Victory!!!”

    Today Claim Victory

  • “Does God Really Exonerate?”

    Social Media Q and A Poster Does God Exonerate.png
    Hi Bishop Houston. The Bible tells me that God has forgiven me for the mistakes I made. Sir, why am I still having so many issues?

    Praise the Lord Sandra M.. Thank you for your question.

    Sandra, you have been forgiven!!! It’s so imperative that you realize this. “WHATEVER” you have done, our Lord and Savior has forgiven you. The very moment you asked Him for forgiveness and you acknowledged it, you were exonerated.

    CHOF Ministry Logo We are forgiven.png

    Now, it’s also important to realize that forgiveness doesn’t shield us from unwanted situations from entering into our lives as a result of our disobedience.

    Let me give you an example, Christians might commit adultery or other forms of sexual immorality and then ask God for forgiveness. Even though they ask for forgiveness, pregnancy, sickness, divorce and emotional hurt may still be the result of such sin. Proverbs 2:16-19 and 5:15-23 are great biblical illustrations. Another example would be Christians who break the law and are put in jail or prison. Again, they may ask the Lord for His forgiveness, but, outside of a miracle of God, they will have to serve their sentence(s).

    prisoner-leaving-prison

    Sandra, the law of sowing and reaping indicates we all experience consequences for our actions. Giving a place to the devil never harvests good results. Disobeying God throws the doors wide open for Satan to bring everything from sickness and disease, to destruction and death into our lives. 1 John 5:18 says: “We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them”. So, one of the keys to keeping Satan and his destruction out of our lives is for us to obey God.

    great-things-happen

    Now, let me tell you right here that walking in obedience isn’t always easy, but we can receive God’s grace to empower us to live above the plans of the enemy.

    Beloved, we serve a good God who loves us and can transport us from anything if we’ll trust Him!!! Psalm 103:1-5 says: 1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sin and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

    obedience-cycle

    And one last thing to remember, whenever we make a mistake, it’s important for us to understand that Jesus is available, and ready, to forgive us and cleanse us of our sin. According to 1 John 1:5-10, all we have to do is ask Him to cleanse us, and then receive it.

    Thank you Sandra for your question.

  • “We Are Children of The Light”

    New Blog Picture
    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!!! 😀

  • “Breaking the Dinner Plate of Immorality”

    Breaking the Dinner Plate of Immorality

  • “Bishop Houston’s Weekend Word”

    Bishop Houstons weekend word picture
    Praise the Lord Beloved!!! Another weekend is here!!! 😀
    Let us all rejoice and say, “WE MADE IT!!!” 😀

    Beloved, we need rock-hard, cast-iron competitors for the faith!!! There’s so many that still need deliverance. Men and Women of God it’s time to get on the battlefield for our Lord. It’s time to apply your Godly wisdom and battle against the perils of carnal wisdom.

    Beloved, there are way too many that strive (go out of there way) to be loved and accepted by the world. We need to let the people know that as a Christian their primary goal should be to please the Lord regardless of what the world thinks of them. Now, let me be clear here, there’s nothing wrong with meeting the carnal minded people of the world on common ground, but we must not seek to accommodate or blend in with that which is not a Christian point of view.

    Beloved, this weekend let’s help the people take back what the enemy has stolen from them.

    Have a blessed weekend Everyone!!!

  • “OUR CHRISTIAN ASSIGNMENT”

    CHOF CF SRCG

  • “Faith in God is a Christian’s Lifestyle”

    Breaking Bread with Bishop Houston

    2 Timothy 2:3
    Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus..

    Praise the Lord Beloved!!! 😀
    You know, we all have had our share of suffering, it’s unavoidable.As long as you’re alive you’ll come face to face with suffering. Sure, we’ve been transformed from our old immoral character, and there’s nothing Satan can do to reverse that, but he “IS’ going to challenge you on it every chance he gets.

    So Beloved, don’t be surprised when things get rough. There’ll be times when you must stand firmly on your faith, when you’ll have to speak and act as though what God says is true even when you can’t feel it or see it happening around you. There’ll be times when everything looks awful. That’s when you must endure suffering as a good soldier.

    You know Beloved, there are so many people who hear about the word of faith, about healing or prosperity and they think, Hey!!! I’m going to try that!!! Then when the suffering or hard times come, they give up and give in
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    Beloved, let me caution you, living by faith “IS NOT” something you try. It’s a lifestyle!!! You do it when things get tough. You do it when it’s easy. You do it all the time because you’re not doing it just to get in on the benefits. You’re doing it because you believe what Hebrews11:6 says.

    Beloved, things may get a little rough at times somebody may say or do something you don’t like, but I guarantee you, you’ll always come out on top if you endure suffering as a good soldier. If you refuse to get weak and fall off, “YOU WILL” have the victory!!! 😀

    Beloved, the only defeated Christian is the one who quits!!!

    “To God Be the Glory”
    Morning Prayer sheet

  • Christian Focus

    ChangeYour Focus