Pastor Leo Colon's Blog

Category: Devotional

  • Day Four: Benefits of Fasting

    Day Four: Benefits of Fasting

    Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our LORD. Today is day Four. You are doing great. Congratulations! Remember, do one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself. This morning, Pastor Alva T. Allen is our guest blogger. I pray that this blog encourages you, the way it did me. Thank you Pastor Kwania for this submission.


     

    Grace and Peace Saints of God! How is everyone holding up so far?

    As I pen this on the evening of the second day of the fast, I believe I am in sync with most of you when I say, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
    This morning, I was reminded of that.

    Usually, God and I have coffee together (obviously, God drinks Starbucks too) when I spend time with Him in prayer and Bible study. God said to me this morning,” Don’t drink this today.”
    Of course, he was referring to the coffee I was planning to drink during our time together; especially, in an attempt to avoid the monumental, two-day headache that comes with caffeine withdrawal during the fast. I stood at the counter for a couple of minutes thinking, “This must be God talking to me because I would NEVER tell myself not to drink a cup of coffee.”  

    I share this story with you because sometimes, I have difficulty discerning the voice of God. After ONE day of fasting, praying, and focusing on Him, my spiritual ears were opened a bit wider. What was even more amazing, I did not have the horrific headache that I normally suffer when I stop drinking coffee for a couple of days. The prayer about not having a headache was quickly answered!

    We all know that it is only by the grace of God that we make it from one day to the next on this journey, but focus on God and be encouraged. Here are a few reminders for those who have traveled this road before and some tips for any newcomers:

     

    1. 1.Jesus commands us to fast and pray; it is not a suggestion.  
    1. 2. Fast with a purpose. What expectations do you have? What would you like Jesus to do for you?  
    1. 3.Do not casually enter this discipline and be determined to complete the fast. Expect resistance; the enemy is busy. Due to COVID 19, you might have an easier time because of a lack of exposure to jobs and people. If you falter, no worries. Don’t quit; just continue.  
    1. 4.Sometimes it is easier to fast with friends. This is a corporate fast, so reach out to a sister or brother if you need to talk.
    1. 5.Write down your prayers and/or concerns and put a date on it. Leave room to go back and write the answers/blessings God provides in response to the prayers and/or concerns. You will have awesome testimonies!
    1. 6.When you are hungry, focus on God and drink water.
    1. 7.When the fast is over, consider a personal fast on a regular basis. 

    Benefits of Fasting:

     

    1. Creates greater intimacy with God (that is the most important benefit);
    1. 2. Gives us a keener awareness of God’s presence (if he were here physically, we would not need to fast);
    1. 3.Is the suppression of our physical senses so that our spiritual senses are heightened;
    1. 4.Is a spiritual emptying of self whereby God gets more of you;
    1. 5. It puts us in a spiritual position to get a fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit to empower any area of life;
    1. 6. Allows God to see that we recognize our dependence on Him;
    1. 7. Shows God our sincerity;
    1. 8. Builds character;
    1. 9. Allows us to get God’s attention more quickly;
    1. 10. Creates discipline in the inner man;
    1. 11. It gives us a greater desire to know God;
    1. 12. Provides a Sabbath for the body; and
    1. 13. Allows your prayers to be answered more quickly.

    Saints be encouraged! Be blessed!

    Pastor Alva

  • Day Three: A Reason to Worship

    Day Three: A Reason to Worship

    Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our LORD. Today is day three. You are doing great. Congratulations! This morning, Pastor Kwania Ragler is our guest blogger. I pray that this blog encourages you, the way it did me. Thank you Pastor Kwania for this submission.

    Grace and peace be unto you from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, we’ve made it to another year. Thank God for all that are still here. This means we still have work to do. All my condolences to all who have lost love ones in 2020 through the pandemic or otherwise.
    2020 was a difficult year, but God always has a plan.

    Worship is one of the most powerful items in our arsenal. Our quiver is full of the many things the Lord has done for us that can silence the enemy through worship. I want to encourage you this morning to keep praising and worshiping the Lord no matter what you go through. Psalm 22:3 says, “God inhabits the praises of his people.” God enjoys our worship, and we feel His love through worship. The loving sacrifice he made to draw us to Himself can be compared to nothing else, and this is the greatest reason to worship Him.     

    In my devotion, I read this statement, “Jesus never felt the pleasure of sin, only the pain of it.”
    The realization of this statement is so profound. Yes, we learn at an early age that Jesus died for our sins. And, we say Jesus knew no sin. But yes, He did. He knew yours, and He knew mine. He knew the pain of it, the ugliness of it, and the guilt of it. He knew it so intimately that the Holy Father had to turn away from Him because He became sin for you and me. He took it all upon himself, took it to hell, and left it there, so we don’t have to go there. This is a reason for worship. As you are fasting and making your supplications, don’t forget to think about all the things to give God praise and worship for as well, and then worship like there is no tomorrow.   

    Remember to take one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Drink plenty of water.

    God bless and keep you.

    Pastor Kwania Ragler

    Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago,” Isaiah 25:1

    soar

  • Day Two: Carefully Determine what pleases the LORD

    Day Two: Carefully Determine what pleases the LORD

    Grace and Peace be multiplied unto to you through the knowledge God and of Jesus our LORD. Today is day number two. Congratulations, you are off to a great start. Don’t belittle your achievement. You are doing great, and I am celebrating you. Remember, do one day at a time. This is not a sprint. Don’t try too fast a week at a time. Just fast today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. 

    Today I want to encourage you as we consider our New Year. We are making a point of “making the most of every opportunity.” (Eph 5:16 NLT) With an eye on this imperative, let’s consider this text as we approach this goal. Let’s look at the text:

    Eph. 5:10 ¶ Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. NLT

    The Apostle Paul teaches us from his letter to the Ephesians that we should consider what pleases God as a paradigm for our life. We should search the scriptures and engage in prayer and fasting to gain clarity on what “pleases God.” The nuance in the NLT version tells that we should “carefully determine.” Make a point of understanding fully, do not leave out anything, and do not trust people, especially when they have no relationship with God. 

    It is possible for you to find what pleases the LORD in your life is different for your brother or sister. Whatever you see, go after it with diligence. Pleasing God takes faith. (Heb. 11:6) Pleasing God means you believe God’s word and put it into practice. Remember, faith in God and in his word is not blind faith because God has always been faithful to us, and his word has always been right. Trust God, Believe God, and do what pleases him. I want to please God, do you? Remember, your orthopraxy is informed by your orthodoxy. Meaning, what you do is informed by what you believe. You will please God because you believe there is a benefit to doing what God wants, his way. Please the LORD!

    Please, take the time to subscribe to this blog. This way, you can receive notice of this blog when posted. It is my hope this year to post weekly. Consider subscribing; I believe it will bless you.

    Remember beloved, drink all the water you can drink and take one bowl of Soup after 3 PM. I pray this blog was an encouragement to you. Please, plan now to bring someone to church with you this week, even virtually. This is part of what we are called to do. This, too, is wisdom. If you are not a member of a church, you need a place to run to as if every step matters. Be a part of In His Presence Family Worship Center at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY, every Sunday at 8 AM and every Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Some of the best people in the world are there, and we would love to have you as our guest. During the pandemic, join us for our weekly services at http://ihpfwc.org/livestreaming-and-video.html. 

    If you would like to sow into this word, please obey what God is saying and give. Go to this link, http://ihpfwc.org/online-giving.html. You can give by downloading our ‘Givelify’ app and going to In His Presence Worship Center. This gives you a one-step option. Also, you can give using Zelle @ pastor@ihpfwc.org Honor the LORD with your substance. Proverbs 3:9
    Also, new this year, download the IHP app. Go to where you obtain your apps, Google Play for Androids or the App Store for iPhones, and look for In His Presence FWC. Download the app and stay connected. 

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    www.ihpfwc.org
    pastor@ihpfwc.org
    888.640.5550

  • Day One 2021: Imitate God

    Day One 2021: Imitate God

    Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus, our LORD. (2 Peter 1: 2) Welcome to 2021, and Happy New Year. For me, this is surreal to be able to say Happy New Year, being that I was deathly ill earlier this year due to COVID-19. The LORD, in His goodness and mercy, healed me, and I stand before you able to testify that God is gracious. Today, January 4th, 2021, we embark on our yearly fast. Our journey is to seek the face of God, and determine what pleases him regarding his will for our lives this year. At IHP, I have declared that this year is the year of Opportunity! We have taken this theme from Ephesians 5 verse 16, which is rendered this way in the NIV. 

    Eph. 5:16 making the most of every Opportunity because the days are evil. NIV  

    We will talk more about that this week. I want to begin our focus by looking at the beginning of this pericope. Verse 1 of Chapter 5 starts this way in the NLT version. 

    Eph. 5:1 ¶ Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. NLT

    Today, I want to encourage you to imitate God. From the Oxford dictionary, we get this meaning for imitate: take or follow as a model. So, for the year, in everything that we do, we should follow God as a model. It means, before we do anything, ask, how would God do this? How would God want me to do this?  

    This may make you think that this is impossible. When I read the scripture, there is a lot that I don’t see God doing. God has never gone to work, or we do not see where God, Jesus, or the Holy Ghost, ever took a wife. God does not play sports. He does not have a Facebook or Instagram page. In situations where you don’t find a direct correlation, the way to imitate God is to follow or use his word as a model. For example, God tells us, “live a life filled with love.” Eph 5:2 NLT We have never seen God love his friends or relatives because we understand that there is no one like God. He has no equal. The scriptures teach us this. 

    Deut. 3:24 “O Lord GOD, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your might; what god in heaven or on earth can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours!

    Ex. 15:11  ¶ “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?

    Who is like you, majestic in holiness,

    awesome in splendor, doing wonders?

    1Sam. 2:2  ¶ “There is no Holy One like the LORD,

    no one besides you;

    there is no Rock like our God.

    2Sam. 7:22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God; for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

    So, if there is no way to compare God in his interactions with equals, how do we “live life filled with love, as He would do?” The end of that verse teaches us how. “following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” NLT 

    We should look for opportunities to imitate God by “following the examples of Christ.” This means we should seek to be Godly and to be Godly in everything we do. Our speech should be Godly. Our work should be Godly. Our intentions should be Godly. What is required is that we think before we act. Think before we speak. Think before we love before we eat before we agree. In everything we do, think, “Would this please God.” 

    In everything you do, in everything you say, in everything you think, imitate God. 

    Please, take the time to subscribe to this blog. This way, you can receive notice of this blog when posted. It is my hope this year to post weekly. Consider subscribing; I believe it will bless you. 

    Remember beloved, drink all the water you can drink and take one bowl of Soup after 3 PM. I pray this blog was an encouragement to you. Please, plan now to bring someone to church with you this week, even virtually. This is part of what we are called to do. This, too, is wisdom. If you are not a member of a church, you need a place to run as if every step matters, be a part of In His Presence Family Worship Center at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn NY, every Sunday at 8 AM and every Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Some of the best people in the world are there, and we would love to have you as our guest. Join us for our weekly services at http://ihpfwc.org/livestreaming-and-video.html. 

    If you would like to sow into this word, please obey what God is saying and give. Go to this link, http://ihpfwc.org/online-giving.html. You can give by downloading our ‘Givelify’ app and going to In His Presence Worship Center. This gives you a one-step option. Also, you can give using Zelle @ pastor@ihpfwc.org Honor the LORD with your substance. Proverbs 3:9 

    Also, new this year, download the IHP app. Go to where you obtain your apps, Google Play for Androids or the App Store for iPhones, and look for In His Presence FWC. Download the app and stay connected. 

    Yours Because I am His, 

    Leo Colon

    www.ihpfwc.org

    pastor@ihpfwc.org

    888.640.5550

  • Day Three: Are you a Disciplined Believer?

    Grace and Peace be unto you, from God our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Beloved, I wish you all Shalom. I am writing to you from Nazareth on my way back to Jerusalem by way of Jericho. Today, January 9th, 2019, we are on day three of our journey of fasting and praying. Congratulations, you are doing well! This is a year that God has anointed you to live. You are anointed to do this. Let’s look at the text for this week:

    Prov. 1:1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
    Prov. 1:2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.
    Prov. 1:3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
    Prov. 1:4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.

    In the New Living Translation, the verse is rendered “Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,” this is the first clause of verse two (2). In the King James Authorized it is rendered as:
    Prov. 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

    The word instruction in the King James version, instruction is translated as discipline in the New Living Translation. The word used in the Hebrew is the word מוֹסֵר   mosēr, it actually means; chains, shackles, fetters. Instruction will allow one to self impose shackles based on what they have learned. When I was a child I was instructed to cross the street when there was a green light because that helped me to understand when it might be safe to cross the street. I was also instructed not to allow the green light to be my only gage for safety. I was instructed to look both ways when I cross the street. Not to do so could mean life-threatening injuries that I could avoid if I followed instruction. As a result, I restrain myself when crossing the street to make sure I am safe. This is what the New Living Translation calls discipline.
    Discipline keeps us safe and it is self-imposed. What chains do we put on ourselves to prevent ourselves from preventable harm? Eating well and working out is a discipline. Studying is a discipline that allows us to obtain and retain information that helps us to make our future better. God is calling us to discipline and instruction that informs that discipline. Again, the two should go together. What I mean is that uninformed discipline, discipline without instruction is just a bad habit or bad behavior. I want to be disciplined in my walk with God. I will place shackles on my own behavior if it means a better life in Christ.
    What’s the alternative?

    Prov. 20:13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

    An undisciplined life is a life not worth living. It leads to poverty and poverty is not what we are called to be as believers. Are you a disciplined believer? What can you do, Today to be disciplined, the way God wants you to be disciplined? Could you start your day with set-aside time for prayer? Do you have a devotional you could start reading today as a disciplined believer? How about in your family? Do you get to work on time so that you are not threatening your job and by extension, threatening your family’s well being? Are you a disciplined churchgoer? Do you take the Bible seriously enough to do what it says?
    I want to be a disciplined believer, how about you?

    Please, take the time to subscribe to this blog. This way, you can receive notice of this blog when posted. It is my intention this year to post weekly. Consider subscribing, I believe it will bless you.

    Remember beloved, drink all the water you can drink and take one bowl of Soup after 3PM. I pray this blog was an encouragement to you. Please, plan now to bring someone to church with you this week. This is part of what we are called to do. This too is wisdom. If you are not a member of a church, you need a place to run as if every step matters, come to In His Presence Family Worship Center at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn NY, every Sunday at 8 AM and every Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Some of the best people in the world are there and we would love to have you as our guest.
    If you would like to sow into this word, please obey what God is saying and give. Go to this link, http://ihpfwc.org/online-giving.html you can give by downloading our ‘Givelify’ app and going to In His Presence Worship Center. This gives you a one-step option. Honor the LORD with your substance. Proverbs 3:9
    Also, new this year, download the IHP app. Go to where you obtain your apps, Google Play for Androids or the App store for iPhones and look for In His Presence FWC. Download the app and stay connected.

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    www.ihpfwc.org
    pastor@ihpfwc.org
    888.640.5550

  • Day One: Know what is Right and Do It!

    Grace and Peace be unto you, from God our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Beloved, I wish you all Shalom. I am in Israel as I write to you and I am learning so much. I must tell you, I miss my church, IHP, and like the Apostle Paul wrote, “I long to see you”. (Rom 1:11) I am writing to you from Nazareth and I pray I can get this to you, the internet is not the best here. Today, January 7th, 2019, we begin our journey of fasting and praying. This is a year that God has anointed you to live. You are anointed to do this. This will be my declaration to you when I get back to IHP, this Sunday the 13th of January. Let’s look at the text for the week:

    Prov. 1:1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
    Prov. 1:2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.
    Prov. 1:3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
    Prov. 1:4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.

    This morning, I want to encourage you from the scriptures. We at IHP are currently, studying the book of Proverbs and I felt led to share a small passage with those that are joining us today on our fast. As believers we should be a people of discipline and we should be informed. One of the things we learned here about Judaism is that the studying of God’s word is a mitzvah. It is a command from God. It is for us as Christians as well.

    2Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV

    As we begin this fast and ask God for the ability to live this year better than we ever have, we should be focused on improving ourselves by studying the word of God. Here are some benefits we should look for. One goal I should expect by studying the word of God is gaining wisdom and discipline. Wisdom and discipline are two things I want to procure more of this year. One of the best definitions of wisdom I ever heard is, wisdom is the “application” of knowledge. Having knowledge is never enough for the believer. If I have knowledge and do not apply it, how can it benefit me or my community? If I know prayer works and never pray, do I have the right to question the efficacy of prayer? I need to apply the wisdom found in the word of God.

    Today, I want to apply wisdom. Know what is right and do it. There is no guarantee it will be easy, nor was there ever a promise that it would be, but it will be beneficial. Know what is right and do it! The benefit will come. You may not see it immediately, but it will manifest itself in due time. Learn what is right and apply it. Watch God come through and move mightily in your life.

    Remember beloved, drink all the water you can drink and take one bowl of Soup after 3PM. I pray this blog was an encouragement to you. Please, plan now to bring someone to church with you this week. This is part of what we are called to do. This too is wisdom. If you are not a member of a church, you need a place to run as if every step matters, come to In His Presence Family Worship Center at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn NY, every Sunday at 8 AM and every Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Some of the best people in the world are there and we would love to have you as our guest.
    If you would like to sow into this word, please obey what God is saying and give. Go to this link, http://ihpfwc.org/online-giving.html you can give by downloading our ‘Givelify’ app and going to In His Presence Worship Center. This gives you a one-step option. Honor the LORD with your substance. Proverbs 3:9
    Also, new this year, download the IHP app. Go to where you obtain your apps, Google Play for Androids or the App store for iPhones and look for In His Presence FWC. Download the app and stay connected.

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    www.ihpfwc.org
    pastor@ihpfwc.org
    888.640.5550

  • Day One. Insight and Understanding.

    Beloved,

    Grace and Peace be unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. I wanted to take the time to write you guys during the fast period, to encourage you as you go forth in this Journey we engage on our 10 day fast. This is a repost of an earlier posting. I pray that it encourages you. Look for a note from me daily with the exception of Sunday during the fast.

    Today we begin our journey, hear the word of the LORD. From the beginning of this journey God has already sent an answer to you. The answer will bring to you insight and understanding. The bible records Daniel engaging in fasting and praying after discovering some things through the word of God.

    New Living Translation:
    Dan. 9:2 During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, was studying the writings of the prophets. I learned from the word of the LORD, as recorded by Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.
    Dan. 9:3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I wore rough sackcloth and sprinkled myself with ashes.

    Point 1.
    This 21 day fast is a time of prayer, great visions and fasting.
    Remember to compile your prayer lists, and pray about the concerns on your lists daily.

    Point 2.
    Take the time to read your scriptures with diligence. There are answers and promises for you in the word of God, and many times this can direct your prayer. The sackcloth and ashes let’s us know that he subjected himself to discomfort during this time. Fasting means denying yourself comfort and luxury. You will get through it, remember do it one day at a time.

    Beloved, I want to encourage you with this text. While you are praying, things are happening.

    Dan. 9:21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice.
    Dan. 9:22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding.
    Dan. 9:23 The moment you began praying, a command was given. I am here to tell you what it was, for God loves you very much. Now listen, so you can understand the meaning of your vision.

    While Daniel was praying, things were happening.  The text tell us the angel of the LORD, Gabriel came swiftly. God will speak to you during this time of fasting and prayer, and he will speak swiftly. The angel of the LORD explained his purpose for coming. “I have come to give you insight and understanding”. Be encouraged as you guys pray today. God has every intention, and has purposed to bring you insight and understanding. I speak in the name of Jesus, that no one will end this fast without insight into what God has for you, and that your insight will be clear to you. May God bring you understanding.

    So beloved, look for insight.
    insight |ˈinˌsīt|
    noun
    the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing

    Thesaurus:
    insight
    noun
    1 your insight has been invaluable intuition, discernment, perception, awareness, understanding, comprehension, apprehension, appreciation, penetration, acumen, perspicacity, judgment, acuity; vision, wisdom, prescience; informal savvy.
    2 an insight into the government understanding of, appreciation of, revelation about; introduction to; informal eye-opener about.

    And may God give you understanding.
    understand |ˌəndərˈstand|
    verb ( past and past part. -stood )
    1 [ trans. ] perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or speaker)
    Thesaurus:
    understanding
    noun
    1 test your understanding of the language comprehension, apprehension, grasp, mastery, appreciation, assimilation, absorption; knowledge, awareness, insight, skill, expertise, proficiency; informal know-how; formal cognizance. antonym ignorance.
    2 it was my understanding that this was free belief, perception, view, conviction, feeling, opinion, intuition, impression, assumption, supposition, inference, interpretation.
    3 she treated me with understanding compassion, sympathy, pity, feeling, concern, consideration, kindness, sensitivity, decency, humanity, charity, goodwill, mercy, tolerance. antonym indifference.
    4 we had a tacit understanding agreement, arrangement, deal, bargain, settlement, pledge, pact, compact, contract, covenant, bond, meeting of minds.

    Remember beloved, drink all the water you can drink and take one bowl of Soup after 3PM. I pray this blog was an encouragement to you. Please, plan now to bring someone to church with you this week. This is part of what we are called to do. If you are not a member of a church, you need a place to run as if every step matters, come to In His Presence Family Worship Center at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn NY, every Sunday at 8 AM and every Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Some of the best people in the world are there and we would love to have you as our guest.
    Also, if you would like to sow into this word, please obey what God is saying and give. Go to this link, http://ihpfwc.org/online-giving.html you can give by downloading our ‘Givelify’ app and going to In His Presence Worship Center. This give you a one step option, our you can use PayPal or give directly from the website. Honor the LORD with your substance. Proverbs 3:9

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    www.ihpfwc.org
    pastor@ihpfwc.org
    888.640.5550

  • Every Step Matters!! Live a disciplined and successful life.

    Beloved, Grace and Peace be unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. We have really been learning so much from the book of Proverbs and it is a privilege to share what we have been feasting on. Come and feast with us. Visit us at 1673 Dean Street, in Brooklyn NY. Also, visit our website, www.ihpfwc.org and keep up with what is happening at IHP and see what we’re about. Let’s continue looking at the book of Proverbs. The text:

    Prov. 1:3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. NLT

    Their purpose, the purpose of the proverbs is to teach us. Teach us to live disciplined and successful lives. A working definition of disciplined is: showing a controlled form of behavior or way of working. So let’s look at it this way, proverbs will show us a controlled form of behavior for our life. This controlled life means it is not a reactionary life. A controlled life means no one can make you do anything. Discipline takes planning. This means your actions are defined by you. You plan your behavior and function accordingly. An undisciplined life means circumstances can rule you. When that happens, we tend to blame others for our actions. Wisdom from the proverbs teaches us to win. Not to win the approval of others but to achieve what we set out to achieve. Purpose is the goal. Discipline is essential even for the believer. This is not highlighted in today’s construct. We are taught that our feelings are more important than having a goal. Here is what the bible says about discipline:

    1Cor. 9:24 ¶ Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
    1Cor. 9:25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
    1Cor. 9:26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
    1Cor. 9:27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. NLT

    Run to Win. This is what proverbs, (the word of God actually) teaches us. The Apostle makes the point. Athletes run, not to be in the race, but to win the race. No athlete, in their right mind thinks there is no need to prepare for a race. Only we do that. I include myself in this example. I have learned that preparation is how purposed is achieved and without it, I really am playing games. So, athletes TRAIN. They train and they do it with discipline. Meaning, if they are running, they learn what is the best technique for what they are running for. Sprinters train differently than long distance runners. What is your technique for winning this race called life? Or do you just start running when you hear the word GO! That is a good way to lose. You have to train yourself. So the Apostle says, he “runs with purpose in every step”. Every Step Matters!!!! We have to run as if every step matters! This is not shadow boxing. Every step you take as a Wife, sister, Daughter, Church Member, Brother, Father, Mother, Husband, Accountant, Police Officer, what ever you are called to be, Matters!

    So live a disciplined life. The proverbs teaches us how. Every step matters. If they matter to you then hear what the scriptures say to you. Read the scriptures and obey it. Do what God says, this is the way to purpose. Pray, fast, tithes, evangelize, be ready to share your faith. Be disciplined. You cannot be a great athlete without a coach. Every great athlete has a coach. You cannot be a great believer without a Pastor. Make sure your discipline includes being a strong member of your church, whatever church God has called you to, support your church, pray for your pastor, discipline yourself to contribute to your believing community.

    Every Step Matters!

    I pray this blog was an encouragement to you. Please, plan now to bring someone to church with you this week. This is part of what we are called to do. If you are not a member of a church, you need a place to run as if every step matters, come to In His Presence Family Worship Center at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn NY, every Sunday at 8 AM and every Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Some of the best people in the world are there and we would love to have you as our guest.
    Also, if you would like to sow into this word, please obey what God is saying and give. Go to this link, http://ihpfwc.org/online-giving.html you can give by downloading our ‘Givelify’ app and going to In His Presence Worship Center. This give you a one step option, our you can use PayPal or give directly from the website. Honor the LORD with your substance. Proverbs 3:9

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    www.ihpfwc.org
    pastor@ihpfwc.org
    888.640.5550

    #IHP #church #God #Jesus #fun #family #friends #follow #happy #love #pastor #teacher #inhispresenceny #church #apastorslove #apastorslife

  • Wisdom Makes My Life Better

    Grace and Peace. We at IHP have started looking at the book of Proverbs at our Wednesday Night Bible Study. I want to invite you to our Bible Study. I really believe the Bible helps us to make our lives better. My life has improved because of the word of God. I know the Bible can and will improve your life as well.

    Let’s look at the text:
    Prov. 1:2 ¶          Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
    to help them understand the insights of the wise. NLT

    The Bible helps us because it teaches us Wisdom, Discipline, Understanding, and Insight. This word, the Bible, will teach us to live disciplined and successful lives. I want my life to be exemplary. I want the best for my self. I have learned wisdom helps me make better decisions. Better decisions leads to less mistakes and that means I reach my goals sooner and often exceed them. I have also learned that I often learn things that I would only learn on the journey. Meaning, if I talked myself out of moving forward, not only would I not reach my goal but there would so much I would have never learned.
    Now according to verse 2, Wisdom is learned. I am not born with wisdom. None of us are. Then this means becoming wise is a process. Having knowledge and becoming wise is NOT the same thing. Knowledge is the attainment of information. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. I have to learn first, then put what I have learned into action. I am not wise having One Million dollars, I am wise because I have used information to turn One Million dollars into Five Million. I am wise when my job becomes my company, when my efforts bring me a return.

    Be wise, and invest in the process of obtaining knowledge and applying it. Read God’s word and apply it. Wisdom makes my life better. It can for you as well.
    Here is another proverb:

    Prov. 11:30 ¶ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Be wise, bring someone to church with you. Do not come to church alone. God has called you to win souls.

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    www.ihpfwc.org
    pastor@ihpfwc.org
    888.640.5550

    #IHP #church #God #Jesus #fun #family #friends #follow #happy #love #pastor #teacher #inhispresenceny #church #apastorslove #apastorslife

  • You are a Masterpiece

    Grace and Peace to you. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Today, I want to encourage you. You are a MASTERPIECE. That’s not just from me, it’s the Word of God. Let’s look at the text:

    NLT
    Eph. 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

    Contextually, the Apostle Paul is encouraging all of us with what has to be one of the more pivotal verses in all Christendom.

    NLT
    Eph. 2:8 ¶ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
    Eph. 2:9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

    Letting us know, we are not save because of something we did or because we deserve to be saved but because of God’s love and purpose for our lives. Then he goes on in verse 10 to say that we are God’s Masterpiece. Wow, let’s think about that.

    The word masterpiece is defined in the MW Collegiate Dictionary as:
    MASTERPIECE: 1. a work done with extraordinary skill especially: supreme intellectual or artistic achievement.
    2. a piece of work presented to a medieval guild as evidence of qualification for the rank of master.

    OK, let’s think about this. No matter how I feel about myself, I am a work done with extraordinary skill. Imagine, me done with extraordinary skill but I have no confidence in myself. Seems crazy doesn’t it? Imagine any Masterpiece we know of. Let’s say the Mona Lisa. Can you imagine that you flew all the way to Paris to see this amazing work of art and all the while the painting is wondering does she belong there. The Painting is wondering does she belong in that museum. It would be easy to tell the painting, you are a masterpiece. You belong exactly where your Master put you. You belong here. You are worth the trouble we go through just to look at you. Also, anyone who would violate you, does not know your WORTH! You are precious. You are so precious that this museum goes through great lengths to protect you.

    Another thing, the Mona Lisa does not go through a lot of mental anguish trying to change after the Master has done His work. The Master has made the Mona Lisa just the way He envisioned. Why would the painting determine it should change and be like other paintings. Can you imagine that the Mona Lisa decided it wants to be a meme as opposed to a great painting?

    Well, here is my word to you, beloved, you are a work done with extraordinary skill. God did that. When God presented you, we all recognize God to embody the rank of Master. Anyone who would violate that does not know your WORTH! Don’t try to change, you are what God determined you to be. And anyone, including you, who does not see that, does not recognize a Masterpiece when they see one. You are a Masterpiece!

    Hey, Masterpiece, I want to invite you to come to our Church. In His Presence Family Worship Center is a place full of Masterpieces just like you. Join us, every Sunday an 8 AM and every Wednesday at 7 PM. We meet at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn NY. Come and join us. Miracles are happening there. You want to make plans to be there.

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    www.ihpfwc.org
    pastor@ihpfwc.org
    888.640.5550
    #IHP #church #God #Jesus #fun #family #friends #follow #happy #love #pastor #teacher #inhispresenceny #church #apastorslove #apastorslife