C H O F Ministry

Tag: Wisdom and Theology with Bishop Houston

  • Breaking Bread with Bishop Houston

    “Don’t Give It a Second Thought!!!”
     
    CHOF Ministry Scripture Reading for Today 1 Peter 4:12-19
     
    Focused Scripture 1 Peter 4:15 (MSG)
    If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!
    Praise the Lord Beloved!!!
     
    Beloved how many of you have been talked about, insulted, and or ostracized, because you lived an unwelcome lifestyle of immorality? I’m sure many of you will agree with me when I say, that many of the people that cast those critical remarks, and help construct the platform for your exemption, are professing Christians.
     
    Now, how many of you have turned your life over to God and “NO LONGER” live that unwelcome lifestyle of immorality and YOU’RE STILL being talked about, insulted, and or ostracized – and many of the people are the same ones that ridiculed and led the petition to excommunicate you from society.
     
    This morning Beloved, I’m going to share some encouragement with those of you who have traveled in the divergence of Christianity, but have been spiritually rehabilitated and now travel the narrow road guided by the Words of Jesus Christ.
     
    Beloved, don’t think it strange after you’ve transformed from your immoral practices into an active spirit filled Christian lifestyle when people (many of them disguised as believing Christians) will continue to remove themselves from you, Many will continue to think to believe they are better than you and look down on you and others will dislike or just hate you because of the clique they’re in or for just the way you look talk or dress.
    It’s OK!!! 😀 This is to be!!! The Bible tells us “But if it’s because you’re a Christian, “DON’T GIVE IT A SECOND THOUGHT.” Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!”
     
    In the Book of Matthew 5:11 (NCV) it says:
    “People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do, you will be blessed.
     
    Beloved, continue to be obedient to the things God has chosen for your transformed life in Christ. Let the sanctimonious people continue to walk in their undisciplined and self-righteous foolishness. Their day of insolence is on God’s horizon of justice, and He has a planned objective with their name on it.
     
    Beloved, “A Christian Thought and an Immoral Walk
    Will Cause Your Christian Faith to Balk.”
     
    Have a Blessed Day Everyone!!!

    New Yellow Tablet Prayer template

  • “Cease Condemnation”

    Praise the Lord Beloved!!! 😀

    It is Friday and another weekend is upon us.

    Beloved, as we go into this weekend let us be mindful of one another’s feelings. There are many people that absolutely despise someone, there are many people that are calling someone an outcast, and there are many people that are looking down on someone.
     
    Beloved, life is too short to hold grudges and have animosity over something that may have happened many years ago. Many people have changed their life and lifestyle. But there are many people that don’t allow people to change!!! They consciously hold them captive to their past. Come on be truthful, you know who you are.
     
    But now allow me to ask you a question right here: Did Jesus condemn the woman that was brought to Him by the religious leaders for her act of adultery. What about the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well? Let me remind you that this woman was ostracized and marked as immoral (by her own people), an unmarried woman living openly with her sixth man. Did Jesus condemn her? Of course not!!!
     
    Beloved, no one absolutely no one can live in the past. Many people (after their life has been transformed-renewed, and given salvation) are “very remorseful for their previous life of immoral experiences. So why continue to attempt to stomp them when they have been given salvation and they have changed their immoral clothing for moral attire.
     
    Many people haven’t seen some people in a long time. So, they try to hold them to the old life. Beloved, you know a tree by the fruit it bears. Many of you out there who are saved now, was a sinner in some point of your life and God granted you salvation. If God did it for you why can’t He do it for them? His Grace and Mercy is for everyone. So, this weekend, don’t condemn someone on what you use to know about them.
     
    Beloved, God loves us despite our bankrupt lives. God values us enough to actively seek us, to welcome us to intimacy, and to rejoice in our worship. So, this weekend, let’s do our best to perceive people as God perceives them, not as they use to be!!! The Word tells us to lift one another up, inspire one another, and let the Lord handle the vengeance.
     
    Have a blessed Weekend Everyone.

    No Condemnation

  • The Escapades of Being Misled

    Praise the Lord Beloved!!!

    What a beautiful day to serve the Lord.
    Today’s Scripture Reading: (Gal. 2:20)

    Beloved many Christians are misled because of uneducated teachings or myths.

    Jesus died so that you and I might live.
    But the question that stands at hand is:
    what does it mean “to live”?

    Some people have taught that Jesus died for us so that we could enjoy “the good life.” I’m speaking of the American dream of having peace, prosperity, and a healthy family. But that’s not why Jesus offered up his life for you.

    Other people believe that “living for Jesus” means being a good, moral person. You keep your nose clean, stay out of trouble, and obey the laws of the land. While those may be good things, they aren’t the reason Jesus came to die. Jesus died and rose again so that you and I would, in the power of the Spirit, be able to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.

    Beloved, there are people that believe pretending that everything is OK when it’s not, is right because they don’t bother God.

    Some have been taught that Jesus died for us so that we would try our best to deny ourselves and “live for Jesus” in order to earn His love.

    Then there are others who believe that they must “live for Jesus” in order to pay Him back for what He has done. They say, “Okay Jesus, You died for me. I’m going to live for You. Then we’ll be even.”

    Let me tell you Beloved, our misled processed thoughts completely offend God because it makes a mockery of His love. It’s like saying that God is the kind of person who will only love those who earn it.

    Beloved, what kind of love is that?

    Beloved, that would be like telling your spouse or partner that you’ll pay them back for every act of love or kindness they show to you. Can you imagine how offended they would be if you tried to do that? (Not to mention the fact that your acts of kindness that you try to pay God back with are like trying to pay off debts with Monopoly money.)

    Beloved, Jesus’ death and resurrection were not about providing us with an escape from this world. They were about transforming us into the kind of people who will enjoy eternity with God—just as we were meant to do in the first place.

    This is why Paul writes in 2 Cor. 5:15, “Jesus died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who died and was raised for their sake.”

    “Have a blessed Wednesday Everyone!!!”

  • “That Irritating Void”

    Isaiah 55:1-2

    Praise the Lord Beloved!!!
    Happy Friday to everyone.
    Have you ever found yourself standing in front of your open frig looking in it to find something to satisfy that ambiguous sense of emptiness in your stomach? You aren’t looking for anything specific, but you know you want something to fill that hunger or discontent.
    Whatever you choose will probably not do the trick, because the empty spot isn’t in your stomach but in your soul.
    Beloved, whether the substance is food, career, possessions, or relationships, our souls are continually trying to find satisfaction.
    But nothing in this world will fill the void.
    That’s because God has placed deep within us a hunger for Him.
    Beloved, this weekend there will be two menus to choose from. God’s menu and Satan’s menu.
    You will know Satan’s menu, it will be the one that will tempt you to find fulfillment with “worldly” substitutes.

    Beware!!! After you order from this menu and indulge yourself, you’ll find that what you thought would fill your hunger (life) with a smile and joy will bring you disappointment and disillusionment will follow.

    You see Satan’s menu is long and full of enticing things that seem to promise fulfillment and pleasure. This menu includes relationships, prominence, acceptance, riches, or recognition. Whatever he offers looks like the good life that will bring contentment, but it’s a deception.
    But God’s menu is quite small. In fact, it lists just one “item”—Jesus. He’s the only one who can fill our void.

     Beloved, we were created for relationship with God, He placed deep within us with a desire for Him.

    Beloved this weekend, if you’ll give Jesus a bigger place in your life and spend focused, unhurried time with Him, He’ll satisfy you as nothing else can.
    Have a blessed Weekend Everyone!!! 😀

  • Concentration That Brings Confidence

    1st Timothy 6:9

    Praise the Lord Beloved!!!
    Happy Friday to everyone.

    Well the weekend is upon us once again and you know,
    weekends seem to be the days that many choices must made. You know non-Christians live with a false sense of security. They assume that what is important in this life is the physical and material. But there is no safety in things. Those whose drive (determination) is affluence and fitness rather than God find that their visions or desire either go unfulfilled or leave them frustrated. Christians hook their focus into the solid rock of Jesus Christ. His Words are ALWAYS TRUE and HIS PROMISES ARE NEVER BROKEN.

    Beloved, for a Christian, the best choice a Christian can make is to choose to
    concentrate on his or her confidence on the Lord Jesus Christ. Beloved, this weekend welcome whatever fits His will for your life, and turn away from all that doesn’t. Circumstances may cause modification, but Jesus never does. So, Beloved, concentrate on Jesus and He’ll help you make the right choices confidently this weekend.

    Have a Blessed Weekend Everyone!!! 😀

  • As Christians are we to fight our own Battles?

    15894923_1353199421404816_235283406177533072_nThe answer is No!!!

    With so much evil, corruption and crime in the world; it is easy to get caught up in battles, arguments, fights, quarrels and life altering situations, trying to defend our integrity or the integrity of one of our family members.

    However as Christians we are not to fight our own battles. No matter how bad, difficult or unbearable the situation becomes we are not to go into attack mode, payback mode or retaliation mode to protect ourselves, or to protect others.

    ***It is during these times, situations, hardships and hurts that we must solely rely on God to fight our Battles.

    In Romans 12:19 (AMP) 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.

    So in essence, God has vowed that we never have to avenge ourselves. We are to leave that Path open for God’s wrath to take place against those who have wronged us.

    ***Remember, God has vowed that “PUNISHMENT BELONGS TO HIM, and He will execute the repayment of it

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

  • “While You Wait Seek:

    chof-ministry-wor-for-today-template
    Proverbs 4:7

    Beloved,
    you may not clearly comprehend the path God has you on right now, but clarity will come in time. As you wait on your vision to clear up take every opportunity to gain the advantage of “found godly knowledge”. Godly knowledge will lead you into Christian wisdom and Christian wisdom will help you focus on the path God has you on.

    God Bless you and have a great Tuesday.

  • Does the Holy Spirit reveal the truth to us as Christians?

    15894923_1353199421404816_235283406177533072_n

    The answer is Yes!!!
    Have you ever pondered which path you should or should not take?

    No matter how appealing one path choice might be over another path choice; there is always a still voice on the inside telling us which path is the correct one to choose.
    ****That still voice on the inside is the Holy Spirit disclosing the truth to us; so that we can continually choose the right path to take.

    In John 16:13 (AMP) 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father – the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].

    In John 14:26 (AMP) 26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

    So in essence, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us. Leading and guiding us to choose the correct paths in our Christian Walk to take. The Holy Spirit is that inner voice inside that we need to adhere to; in order to keep us from veering off the course and going down the wrong paths of life.

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

  • Favor-A Gift That Will Change Your Life

    If you didn’t, I’m here to tell you that you can. Favor is a wonderful gift from God to us.

    Join me as I present to you:
    “Favor-A Gift That Will Change Your Life”.

     


    When We Don’t Comprehend Why”

  • “Pleading the Blood”

    bishop-houston-living-water-photo
    Colossians 1:13 (NLT)
    13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,…

    Praise the Lord Beloved. Recently I was asked what “pleading the blood” meant.
    This is an awesome question.

    Beloved, pleading the blood is actually a legal term. Think of it like a lawyer pleading his case before the judge. He presents evidence and facts to support his/her case. In the Old Testament, 1 Samuel 24:15, and Psalm 43:1 gives us 2 great examples of this term.

    Beloved, when the accuser says we’re guilty, our plea before God, the Righteous Judge, is the blood of Jesus. It changes everything. In Hebrews 8:6-7, 9:11-14, 22, 12:24 you’ll find that the blood of Jesus established a new and better covenant between us and a holy God. The blood is our defense. It declares we’re not guilty but free from all penalty of sin. The blood also gives us the authority and dominion to resist Satan and put him out of all the affairs of our lives and our families’ lives.

    Beloved, because of Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary, the devil has no legal right to interfere in our lives anymore. He says we’re guilty!!! We “plead the blood!!!” When you have a chance, look at what James 4:7, 1 John 3:8, and Luke 10:19 says.

    Beloved, we have every right and provision to walk in victory through the precious blood of the Lamb. Every day you have the right to exercise that authority by pleading what the blood of Jesus has done for you.

    So today Beloved, refuse to give the enemy even one small inch of territory. Satan is a defeated foe and through the precious blood of Jesus we’re victorious!!!

    “To God Be the Glory!!!”