Pastor Leo Colon's Blog

Tag: Disciple

  • A Shift in Decision Making

    Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God our Father and of Jesus Christ. You have made it to day number five (5). Well done! You are almost finished with your journey. We have the privilege of counting down now: “You have one day and a wake-up.” Congratulations! You are on your way to a marvelous 2025. We have been focusing on our foundational verse for the year, Matthew 6:33. Today, I want to explore one of the ways seeking the Kingdom of God impacts our decision-making.

    Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” KJV

    Seeking the Kingdom of God first means just that. Seeking the Kingdom first involves a change in our priorities. A change in our priorities signals that God is inviting us to shift our focus. We no longer rely on our instincts. We no longer prioritize our upbringing over God’s perspective. I have often told someone, “I can’t do that; that’s not how I was raised.” The way I was raised may be special and significant to me, but it cannot take precedence over God’s will for my life. It jeopardizes my purpose in God to use my past as the primary basis for my decision-making.

    Miles Monroe said:

    “The greatest mistake in life is to be busy but not effective. Life’s greatest failure is to be successful in the wrong assignment. Success in life is measured by the effective use of one’s time.”1

    I want to actively follow what God deems right rather than making my own choices and being ineffective in fulfilling my purpose. Therefore, when we prioritize seeking the Kingdom of God, our decision-making and priorities significantly shift, which will change our lives. Let’s examine three key points.

    When we prioritize God’s Kingdom:

    •We concentrate on God’s will and purposes instead of our own desires or worldly concerns.

    •Our decisions align with eternal values rather than momentary gratification.
    •We reflect on how our choices will glorify God and further His Kingdom rather than just benefit ourselves.

    I could write for days on these three points. I won’t take any more of your time, but I will discuss these issues in the coming weeks at In His Presence Family Worship Center. I invite you to be my special guest. Let’s seek the Kingdom of God together. We meet on Sundays at 2418 Church Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. Meet us at 10 AM. We would thrilled to have you as our special guest.

    Remember to drink plenty of water and have a bowl of soup after 3 PM. Create your prayer list for the year 2025. Today marks our last daily prayer for the fast. Join Pastor Dorothy Colon for her scheduled prayer calls on Tuesday and Thursday at 6 AM. Here’s the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/797700935

    Also, I would like to invite you to subscribe to the blog. I will be blogging regularly, with entries every Tuesday. Subscribe at the bottom of this page by entering your email.

    Remember, invite someone to church with you this Sunday.

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

    1. Munroe, Myles. Kingdom Principles: Preparing for Kingdom Experience and Expansion (Kingdom series Book 2) (p. 25). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition. ↩

  • You are important to God.

    Grace and Peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God our Father and of Jesus Christ. You have made it to day number four (4). Well done. You are more than halfway through your journey. We have the privilege of counting down at this point. Instead of saying we have three days left, our late Archbishop McKinley would say, “You have two days and a wake-up.” Congratulations to you. You are on your way to a marvelous 2025. We have been concentrating on our foundational verse for the Year, Matthew 6:33. Today, I want to contextualize what we have been looking at.

    Matt. 6:28 “And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,

    Matt. 6:29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

    Matt. 6:30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” NRSV

    God often uses comparisons to make his points clear to us, using references that would make sense to the hearer of his word. In verse 33, in the latter clause, Jesus states, “And all these things will be given to you as well.” NRSV

    When investigating the Kingdom of God, it is wondrous to see not only that God will perform a task but also how he will achieve it. This text invites us to examine his prior work in nature: the lilies. In the King James Version, it is rendered as “the flower”; in the New Revised Standard Version, it appears as “lilies.” Jesus says, “Consider the lilies of the field.” Lilies are beautiful, and all flowers, for that matter, are too! Whether in California, England, or Morocco, flowers and lilies are simply gorgeous. They come in various colors, and none ever fade. When you touch them, the petals feel soft against your skin. They are masterpieces of God’s creation. But let’s reflect on them. I have never encountered a rose with substandard petals. Never have I seen a rose that was anything less than exquisite. In fact, Jesus draws a comparison: King Solomon, the wisest king, made so by God, and one of the wealthiest kings in Scripture, also because God made him so, was known for the beauty of all his possessions, yet he did not compare to these lilies. It is said that the Queen of Sheba lost her breath when she beheld King Solomon’s court (1 Kings 10:4,5).

    This is how excellent King Solomon was. He impressed even other monarchs by the way his court was appointed. Not only his clothes but the robes of his servants blew Queen Sheba away. Yet Jesus said, Solomon, in all his glory, could not hold a candle to the lilies of the field. Then he makes the point, if God can do this for the grass of the field, “which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you?” It is not just about clothing you, but when he does it, you should expect God to do it in such a manner as to give you the best. This is how the Kingdom of God works. You should look for God’s best when he provides. You should not get used to meager fare. You are God’s child. You are a citizen of the Kingdom. Live that way.

    The Message Bible renders verse 30 like this: Matt. 6:30 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?”

    You are important to God. God takes pride in you. Live that way.

    Remember, drink all the water you can, and eat one bowl of soup after three (3) PM. Make out your prayer list for the year 2025. Join us tomorrow, Friday, for prayer at six (6) AM. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/797700935

    Remember, invite someone to church with you this Sunday.

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

  • Implementing the Kingdom of God

    Today is day number three. You are doing amazingly. This is already a victory. Remember, you are attracting God’s attention. Make a point of praying throughout the day. Have your prayer list and be focused on what you need from God. Today, let’s go back to our primary scripture.

    Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

    We understand that we should seek the Kingdom of God first; we understand what it means to seek, but how do I apply this to my day-to-day living? Here are a few thoughts.

    Start your day with God. Take time to start your day with prayer. Make it a priority so that you are not disturbed by routine. What I mean is this: Get up an extra 30 minutes early to talk with God. I know I tend to want to wake up and get right to my day. That’s OK, but take the time to spend with God. Pray, and make that a necessary part of your morning.

    Meditate on God’s word. Even take the time to memorize scripture. This will help you envelop your mindset in the things of God. Practice taking time to think on His word, meditate, and consider how scripture can be the basis for how you think, feel, and engage your community.

    Play and listen to Christian content. Listen to a sermon, podcast, or devotional throughout your day.

    Try journaling. Set aside time to write down your ideas, thoughts, and reflections as you go through this year. Your faith journey is worth writing down. You could even turn this into a blog which can encourage someone else.

    Practice righteousness throughout your day. Before you make a move, find out how God would want you to behave, create, and deal with the issue before you decide what to do.

    Try these few things to practice seeking and functioning as citizens of the Kingdom of God. I am looking forward to your testimony. Try one of these things and make it a habit. It is said that you are making a habit when you do something consistently for 21 days in a row. Then, add another item that will help you keep your mindset on the Kingdom of God.

    Remember, Drink all the water you can, and eat one bowl of soup after three (3) PM. Make out your prayer list for the year 2025. Join us this week, Monday through Friday, for prayer at six (6) AM. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/797700935

    Remember, invite someone to church with you this Sunday.

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

  • 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