Category: Devotional

Today blog is a repost.

Beloved, grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Today is Day number 8! You are doing awesome, and you should really be proud of yourselves. There are some great rewards that await you all, and you should expect great things. I am excited by what God is about to do. Not just for me, but for you as well.
Today, I want to encourage you, but also to caution you about fasting. Fasting is not something that is man made. It is in fact, of God. Fasting is done with prayer, and with hope for the things we want from God. We must never forget that God requires us to seek him, but we do not want to do this in vain. God requires us to live a certain way even when we are fasting. I do not want to fast and find that I am wasting my time. My demeanor must conform to the will of God. Now I am not saying that any of you are not living according to God’s mandate, but a word to the wise is sufficient. I want my fasting to count for something and so do you, so look at this scripture and be encouraged.
NLT
Is. 58:3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it!’ ‘I will tell you why! It’s because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers.
Is. 58:4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.
Is. 58:5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?
Is. 58:6 ¶ ‘No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn.
Is. 58:7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Is. 58:8 ¶ ‘If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
Is. 58:9 Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. ‘Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors!
Is. 58:10 Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day.
Is. 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Is. 58:12 Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.
Beloved I want God to guide me, don’t you? I want God to water my life when I am dry, and keep me healthy. I want everything that God has for my protection, and I am praying that God would do the same for you. Don’t do the kind of fasting that gets you nowhere. Trust God, Obey God, and God will honor his side of the commitment.
Remember just fast for today, you are doing great. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Drink all the water you can, and pray. The LORD bless you.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,

Leo Colon

pastor@ihpfwc.org

www.ihpfwc.org

Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. You are on day six and that’s incredible. Think about it, many of you did not think you would get this far. You need to pat yourself on the back and thank God for his ability to keep you and take you where you did not think you could go. Beloved today I want to take a little time to encourage you. Fasting has many aspects to it. Many opportunities to hear from God will happen as a result of it. The thing you should know is that is primarily our weapon. Many times we fast to seek God. When we do, it can be a great opportunity to renounce your past and get right with him. In other words it is a great opportunity to make a statement about your faith. Let’s look at the text.

KJV
1Sam. 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
1Sam. 7:5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.
1Sam. 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

Israel was worshiping false gods and were judged by the prophet. The fast was an opportunity to corporately say to God, I want to get right with you. One of the myths that pervades in Christian living is that Christianity is for perfect people. It’s not, it is for people who understand they need God. You are on this journey to seek the LORD for some corporate and personal needs. Don’t forget to talk to God. Make the announcement, I will no longer follow what I used to follow. I will serve the LORD. This fast will focus you on the things of God. Make you aware of how much you need the LORD. Pray and confess to God the things you need forgiveness for. Make a vow, that this is a new day for you. This is not a vow of perfection, but a vow of diligence.
Know this, that as the prophet of IHP, I am praying for you all. As are your Pastors for which ever church you belong to. We are praying for you, that God will bless you by keeping his word. What a blessing to know that God keeps his word. Remember, he will not forsake those that seek him. Do it today.

Remember, drink as much water as you can. Use your prayer lists and take time away from everything and pray. You are doing well. I am in awe of what God is doing through you.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
www.ihpfwc.org

Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ. Beloved, today is day number five and you are doing awesome. Congratulations, you are seeking the LORD and he will not forsake you. Remember to use your prayer list and pray for those things you seek from the LORD with aforethought. You are not praying without a strategy. Drink all the water you can, at least 8 to 10 glasses of water today. Today we welcome my friend, brother and colleague in the gospel, Pastor Maurice Johnson as a guest blogger. He wrote for us last year and has graciously consented to write to us again. Please join me in thanking Pastor Johnson for his ministry and friendship, as we also welcome and acknowledge the Beth-Car Fellowship Church who are also on their 21-day fast.
I must tell you, today’s blog is for me, a miracle. We both wrote our blogs on yesterday and did not consult each other as to what we were writing about. Yet God moved on both of us to write about Matthew 17:20,21. God often does that and it helps us to know that God is really trying to get his purpose made known to us by confirming it in such a miraculous way. So I am posting this as confirmation of his word and purpose, for us, on this fast. Enjoy!!!

Live Life On Purpose, and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
http://www.ihpfwc.org

Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Once again, we are subjecting ourselves to the mandate of Holy Writ, which to fast and pray. In Matthew’s gospel chapter 17 verse 21 Jesus says, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” The response of Christ is given to a certain man who had just experience disappointment from the disciples who themselves must have been quite embarrassed. The disciples had just experienced failure on a very personal level; they had been given an opportunity to activate the lessons received in their academic discourse with Christ. The scriptures states, “a certain man” came to Christ’s disciples with a need described in verses 15 and 16, “Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.” The man’s complaint is clear, “they could not cure (therapeuo – to serve, do service, to heal, cure, restore to health) him” hence his condition persisted. Jesus teaches his disciples that certain miraculous occurrences will only manifest themselves when our devotion to the Lord has brought us to a place of affinity or closeness to him and spiritual things. The spirit that possessed the child was strong and furious, it infected more than a just simple mental, emotion, spiritual or public discomfort; it threatens his very existence.

Note the man describes to Christ without embarrassment the issue at hand; it is not superficial or trivial, his son’s life is on the line. Many of you are on the fast and consecration because you are facing strong and furious spirits that threaten your walk in Christ. The journey you have undertaken is to a spiritual imperative that will create a platform for the miraculous in your life. Like the man, rebuke the shame, be specific, in your request; steal away with Jesus so that past failures or seemly-unanswered prayers that you have previously prayed may be given attention by the Lord. Be STONG and COURAGEOUS, the high place cannot remain when we on regular bases devote ourselves to our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus assures us of this in the face of the enemy, the Lord’s response is regardless of the enemy’s strength and nature, intimate and sincere devotion to him causes this kind to goeth out.

May The LORD Richly Bless You,
Maurice Johnson
Senior Pastor
Beth-Car Fellowship Church

Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ. Congratulations, you are already on day three of your journey. We need to praise the LORD, this is awesome. You are using a lethal weapon in your arsenal and you are doing well.
While we are starting our journey, let’s make sure we get the best out of this effort. The purpose for fasting is to petition the LORD for important issues. This effort of seeking God can be overwhelming. Take comfort, for the LORD has promised those of us who seek him that he will not forsake us. Let’s look at the text.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Psa. 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.

King James Version
Psa. 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

No one fasts for twenty-one days because there is nothing else to do. We do this because we believe that God hears the petitions of those who seek him. What this text assures us is that we do not trust God in vain. David tells us, that those of us who know his name, also trust him. We believe God and take him at his word. Because of this trust we engage in fasting to seek the LORD. While you are fasting you are also praying and seeking God for answers, for direction and for a closer walk with the LORD. Well here is some good news for you today. “God has not forsaken them that seek him”. In the NLT the phrase is written this way, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.

As you seek the LORD in this fast, be confident in this, he will not abandon you. You are not alone, you have help and God is with you. Because God is with you, you can operate with confidence. Set goals and reach them. Do not be timid. Go after that which you seek. Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake. Expect God to be in the midst of you and you will succeed.

Now think, what have you not tried because the thought of it is overwhelming? What were you afraid to try? What good thing have you held back on, because you felt like you could not go through this on your own?

Go after it beloved. You are not alone. The LORD hast not forsaken them that seek him. Be a seeker, and trust in the LORD.

Remember, just do today. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Drink all the water you can and pray. Also remember, Prophetess Sandra Manning of Dabar Bethel Worship Center will be with us at IHP on Sunday @ 4:00 PM. You do not want to miss this. Make a point of being there. Bring someone with you. Seriously, you do not want to miss this.

Live Life on Purpose, and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
http://www.ihpfwc.org

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father, and from our LORD Jesus Christ. It is day two of our journey, and I already am getting great testimonies of what God has been doing this year already. I also want to give God thanks for the safe return of Michael Faulkner to us. Also let’s pray for Kwania, she will take a business trip this weekend, and we thank God for her safe return.

Today I want to encourage you by telling you beloved, that what you are doing works. The scriptures tell us that God does hear and answers us when we are fasting. Let’s briefly look at Cornelius in Acts 10.

King James Version:
Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

Cornelius was praying and fasting. While he was fasting and praying God sent an angelic visitation to speak to him, and give him directive. I am not promising that a man will show up in your living room and speak to you. It could happen, God can do what he wants. The point here is that your efforts in praying and fasting, positions you to receive instructions from God. I don’t know about you, but I need instruction from God. In your time in fasting, look for God to speak to you. God also will visit you. Many will have visions as a result of this fast. Look for God to do things you may not be accustom to. Because that is a real reason to engage in this exercise. Also this fasting and praying you are doing, positions you to receive the command of God (v.33).

Acts 10:33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

What is God commanding of you during this fast. I personally, am hearing again and again, God directing me to be more diligent in my efforts towards him. More Prayer time, More time studying, more reading the scripture just for me, not always needing to prepare a sermon. Position yourself to hear, and obey the command of God on your life.

Hang in there beloved. Just do today. Do not worry about tomorrow. Get through 10 to 12 glasses of water today. God will speak to you about what you are praying for. Take the time to pray. God will hear and send you a word of instruction.

Please remember to pray for Lady Judith McKinley. Also pray for the body, Pastors Paul and Sharon Dean, Pastors Maurice and Deidre Johnson, Bishop and Lady Roberto Brown, and Bishop and Lady Lungsford. Also guys let me know how you are doing. I want to hear from you.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I’m His
Leo Colon
www.ihpfwc.org
pastor@ihpfwc.org

Beloved, Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Our God has been so gracious and is marvelous in our site. Allow me to wish you all, a Happy New Year. We are in the beginning of an awesome year full of promise. I cannot wait to see what the LORD has in store for us this year.

Beloved, we are in the beginning of our journey. For twenty-one days we will be denying ourselves food and going into warfare for our futures. We will be praying for our children’s future and for the future of the church at large. We will be especially praying for the future of our church and the leadership of our church. We will eating one bowl of soup and drinking all the water we can handle. That means at least eight glasses a day. You can do this. The reason I know you can do this is because of what the bible says about us as believers. Let’s look at the text.

Rom. 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

To get a real perspective on this let’s just see what that means.

conquer |ˈkä ng kər|

verb [ trans. ]

overcome and take control of (a place or people) by use of military force : the Magyars conquered Hungary in the Middle Ages.

• successfully overcome (a problem or weakness) : a fear she never managed to conquer.

• climb (a mountain) successfully : the second American to conquer Everest.

• gain the love, admiration, or respect of (a person or group of people) : the Beatles were to leave Liverpool and conquer the world.

In the Thesaurus is says this.

Conqueror

noun

They may have uncovered the burial ground of legendary conqueror Genghis Khan: vanquisher, conquistador; victor, winner, champion, conquering hero.

So let’s put this into perspective. Paul says we are more than conquerors, and a conqueror is an overcomer. Then you are more than overcomer in whatever you set out to do. You do more than take control. You are more than a victor, winner, champion or a conquering hero. You have the ability to do more than get through this, you can do this with flying colors. Just do one day at a time. We conquerors can do what ever we set our minds to. I am looking forward to real changes and real accomplishments as a result of this fast. I cannot prove it but I know this fast is different somehow.

Enjoy this time with the LORD. We are in for a wonderful time with the LORD. This year we are looking forward to guest bloggers Pastor Maurice Johnson, Pastor Paul Dean and of course our own Pastor Dorothy Colon.

Remember you are well able to do this because you are a conqueror. Live Life On Purpose and Not By Mistake.

Your Because I am His,

Leo Colon

www.ihpfwc.org

pastor@ihpfwc.org

Beloved, Grace and Peace be unto you from God our father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. I hope this blog finds you in good health, and in good spirits. I do apologize for not getting this blog online in the usual time frame but I had a bit of technical difficulty. I have resolved the issue and I think I can proceed without further problems. The last time I wrote to you, I wrote about getting God’s approval. I hoped that the blog was a blessing to you. Today I would like to further the conversation just a bit. Approval is always a good thing. We want to feel that we are doing a good job, and let’s face it God is not the only person you want to hear it from. It makes all the difference, but sometimes a kind word from a colleague goes a long way, a kind word from your wife can be incredibly encouraging. Trust me I know, my wife is incredibly encouraging. Beloved, I want to caution you. While hearing from our loved ones that we did a good job is great, we will not always get their approval. When we do not get their approval, it does not mean that you are an utter failure. The reason is because our friends and loved ones do not define us. Let’s look at today’s text:

NRSV
Psa. 27:1         The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Once we have determined who defines us, external opinions do not hold the weight they once did. David the author of the Psalm says, The LORD is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I Fear? Light allows me to see. Light improves my vision. Once I have a clear perspective on who I am and who’s I am, another person’s perspective does not add to my own. For that to be possible I would need to see through their eyes. Since I do not, I would have to trust their vision of my life. I would have to trust someone else’s vision more than God’s perspective. The LORD is also my Salvation. The word Salvation carries this meaning in the Hebrew: liberty, deliverance, prosperity:—safety, salvation, saving. The LORD is my liberty, (I cannot ever be bound again) my deliverance, (I am free in the LORD) my prosperity, (The LORD guarantees I am not lacking in any situation) my safety, (no one can legitimately threaten me). If this is true, (and it is) WHOM SHALL I FEAR? That word fear in the Hebrew context also means respect. Many times we see the term ‘to fear God,’ it does not mean to be afraid of God but to respect him. So take a look at what David is saying in this light. The LORD is the reason I have a clear vision, and he is the reason for my liberty, my deliverance, my prosperity, my safety, why should I respect someone else’s opinion more than Gods’? We often time fall short of our purpose because we respect someone’s opinion more than God’s opinion. We respect someone else’s word more than God’s word.
Beloved, God’s word is all that matters. You can live on purpose because God protects you. The LORD is your stronghold. Other peoples approval is nice, but we can build our lives on them. Do not respect the word of anyone over God’s word. If they disapprove, remember they are not your stronghold, the LORD is. Live on Purpose, not by mistake, not by chance.

God’s Approval: ”
Beloved, Grace and Peace be unto you, from God our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. I pray that your Sunday was awesome, and your worship fulfilling. Beloved I am finding that so many times, success eludes us. Success eludes us not because we are not trying, but because we do not know what is essential to be successful and to get the approval from God that we have done well. Let’s take a look at this text as it helps us deal with approval form God.

NLT
Rom. 2:13 For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God’s approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God’s sight.

Paul tells us that we many times major on the wrong aspect of what we need to succeed. Certainly, knowing the law is important. Knowing the word of God is paramount, but there is something more important than knowing the word of God. The thing that is more important than knowing the word of God is applying the word of God. If we do not obey the word of God, purposefully apply the word of God to our lives, then success is not ours, nor is the approval from God that we all long for. There is a difference between having knowledge and having wisdom. Knowledge is the assembling of understanding. Getting understanding is important, but having the understanding is not enough. Having the knowledge available makes you no different than a library.
Wisdom is the application of knowledge. A man can be knowledgeable and broke. He can be knowledgeable and unhealthy. He can be knowledgeable and lonely. He can be knowledgeable, in church and yet not living a victorious life. When you apply the knowledge, that is where wisdom comes in. Knowing that tithing will open the windows of heaven is not what allows you to experience the blessing. Knowing that exercise well help you stay healthy does not keep you healthy. Knowing that you need to build relationships, be friendly, nice and personable, does not keep you from being lonely. Being in the church, knowing all that the word of God has to say about your life does not make you successful. Beloved, wisdom is the application of knowledge. We must apply what we learn from the law. Apply the word of God. A library contains a lot of knowledge. No one can ever rightly call a library wise. With all its knowledge, there is no way to apply it. You must apply the knowledge of God, and his word to your life. According to Paul, only when you obey the word, will you be declared right. Then will you have the approval of God. Apply God’s word, and gain the approval of God. Here’s a challenge, determine something in your life that you would like improvement in. Find out what the word of God says about it. Consult your Pastor, get all the knowledge you can about it from God’s perspective. Then apply it. This will cause you to take stock in some things. Some of us will have to invest some money, definitely time, but approval and success belongs to those who will apply the word of God. Try it!!!!

Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
http://www.ihpfwc.org
leocolon.wordpress.com
”

(Via .)

Get into His Presence: “Beloved, Grace and Peace be unto you, from God our Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ. It is snowing here in The New York area, and many of us are staying home from work, using wisdom in deciding whether to go in or not. Snow always gets me to thinking about the wonder that is God, and his presence. Scripture tells us about the beauty of holiness, and it tells us beauty is also a part of his creation. I want to be in his presence. The bible tells us that being in the presence of God is not a right, but a privilege. Who gets to be in the presence of God? How do I position myself to gain access to God. Let’s look at the text.

Psa. 15:1 ¶ Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Psa. 15:2 ¶ Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

Beloved, this text compares worship and being in the presence of God. Both are accessed the same way. Worship in the sanctuary, not at home, and being in the presence of God are afforded the same esteem. This privilege is granted to a people who meet a criteria. Those who lead blameless lives. In the King James Authorized version the word used here for blameless is upright. Let’s take a look at this, because the devil will love to use this as an opportunity to convict some of us into thinking that perfection is the criteria, it is not. The word blameless or upright really is the word, “tamiym”, in the Hebrew. It comes from the word complete  “tamam” originally. The word means complete, accomplish, be clean, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright(-ly), whole. Again do not let the word perfect scare you, in the hebrew many times the term perfect means mature. I am taking a lot of time with this meaning to prove that God is not saying that if one can find any fault in your life, you are prevented from worship, or his presence. This is the argument of the devil. What God is saying, is that your life should should complete, it should be full, it should be clean. How does one do this? By understanding what is right and doing it. We have a tendency of bringing up past wrongs and determining this disqualifies us from this text and we should stop worshiping God now and not try to enter into his presence, but I want you to consider the source. The author of this Psalm is David. Yes David is known as a man after God’s own heart, but by no means is he known as a man who did not screw up. His sins were lived out in public. He made a mess of his life, yet when he made a mess, he went to God and worshiped him. My point is this, complete does not mean without fault, it means in faults and all, worship him. It means even though you do not measure up now, you do not sit on the sideline. Live complete lives. Live mature lives. Live life on purpose, with a sincere heart. Gain access by worshiping him, sincerely. Get into his presence today.

Yours Because I am His
Leo Colon
http://www.ihpfwc.org
leocolon.wordpress.com

”

(Via .)

Live on Purpose. Be Accountable: “Beloved, Grace and Peace be unto you, from God our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. I pray that your Sunday was awesome. This week I would like to pose a question. How would you live if you remembered that everything you do should be pleasing to the LORD? Well, it is. Let’s take a look at the scriptures.

Rom. 14:7 For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die.
Rom. 14:8 While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death, we belong to the Lord.
Rom. 14:12 ¶ Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God.

This text reminds us that we belong to God. As such we are accountable to him. Every thought, every action that is a result of that thought. Every good thing and bad thing that we say or do is something we will have to give an account for. Knowing that, let’s take a look at last week. Did we honor God? Did we make him proud? I am not talking about little mistakes that are a part of our being; I mean was our attitude right? Did we pay attention to the important things? Did we honor the loved ones God has blessed us with? Did we pray before we act?
Now let me caution you, this is not an opportunity to beat yourself into giving up, that is the trick of the enemy, and I rebuke that spirit right now, in Jesus name. This is an opportunity to remember who we are.
I have learned that when I remember who I am in God, I approach things differently. When I remember I am a Prince, I understand that small things ought not to define me. I should be accustomed to the finer things God has for me. My mannerism should reflect the King I serve, and my friends should be the kind of friends that push me to seek the Kingdom of God first. I need to know I did my level best, because I belong to God. The defining paradigm of my life should be to please him. Everything I do should be done in such a way as to bring honor to God, even if it does not agree with what I think may be a good idea. What I do in life should be done in such a way as to make my destination in death a certainty. So that when I die, I will go to be with the LORD. If I am accountable to God, then I need to be diligent in doing the right thing, the right way.
Beloved, being accountable means living life on purpose. We should not be surprise something turned out right. We should expect it, because we planned it. I learned that planning means preparing today for tomorrow. Plan for tomorrow, today. When I live on purpose, I expect a certain ending. When my ending does not happen the way I planned it, then something is wrong. When something is wrong, my goal is to fix it. Do not let your day, your week, your month surprise you. Live on purpose. Live your plan. When I live on purpose, I decree things into being. I say what I want and go about the plan of making it happen.

Prov. 18:21 ¶ Death and life ARE in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Live on Purpose. Be ACCOUNTABLE.

Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
http://www.ihpfwc.org
leocolon.wordpress.com

”

(Via .)