Pastor Leo Colon's Blog

Tag: Encouragement

  • Go and Possess It.

    no-tie-head-shot.jpgBeloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you from God our Father and from Jesus Christ. You did it! This is day number TEN (10)! WOW, you should really be amazed at how far you have come. You are truly making it happen. I want to encourage all of you go getters from the passage we were looking at yesterday. Let’s look at the text:

     

    Num. 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

     

    Today, I want to encourage you by saying to you and to your spirit go and possess your promise. Like you, Israel was looking at their promise and have not actually possess it yet. There were some real challenges to getting the promise. They could even see it, but they were not actually owners of their promise. This year, 2016 is not actually ours yet, but I decree it belongs to us. You can do this. Start today, go and possess the promise. It belongs to you. I believe all you need is the right word in your ear and the promise from God that you will win the day, the month, yes and even the year. Don’t concentrate on what you don’t have. Today does not define you. You are what you prepare for. Do you want to possess your promise? I do and I will. Confess that to yourself. I will possess the promise. I want it and I will have it.

     

    You can have your promise, just remember the word of the LORD to you. Go and Possess your promise.

     

    Remember, drink all the water you can. Just do today. Do not try to fast all 21 days at once. Let tomorrow take care of tomorrow. Also, plan now to bring someone to church with you on Sunday. Whatever church you belong to you need to bring someone with you. Certainly, if you do not have a church home we would be honored to have you as our special guest. Join us at 8 AM every Sunday and every Wednesday at 7 PM at In His Presence Family Worship Center on 1673 Dean St. Brooklyn NY. Our website is www.ihpfwc.org. We would love to see you.

     

    Live Life on Purpose, and not by Mistake,

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon

    pastor@ihpfwc.org

    www.ihpfwc.org

     

     

  • Day Nine: Be Still.

    no-tie-head-shot.jpgBeloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. Today we are on Day Nine (9) of our journey! Congratulations!!! You Are going to make it. You are at a pivotal point now. You are about to go into double digit days. This is a daunting time in the fast. It is common to be fearful at this point. I want to encourage you through the word of God. Let’s look at the text:

    KJV
    Num. 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

    Moses and the people of God were within sight of their promise. Just as you are beloved. Moses wanted to gather some intelligence about the people that Israel would have to fight in order to get what God promised them. Side point, sometimes you are going to have to be ok with moving people out of your way to get what belongs to you. The spies came back, ten of them thought it could not be done. Two of them had a minority report and said it was well within their ability. Important issue here. Israel lost FORTY YEARS because of listening to the wrong report. They listened to the wrong prophet. Who you listen to can effect whether you win now or FORTY YEARS from now. Be careful who interprets your vision! Be very careful WHO encourages you. Doubt from some sensible people can cost you. You need to listen to someone who is bold enough to hear from God and not be persuaded by what they see in the natural.

    In this text, the wrong opinion cause an uproar and Caleb “stilled” the people. Told them to calm down. Doubt can cause an unnecessary uproar in your spirit. I want you today to calm down. All that negative talk going on in your spirit cannot get you to the finish line. You have a promise from God and it does not matter who is in your promise, God said it’s yours. Be still beloved. Does this make sense? Well the word of the LORD to you today is:

    KJV
    Psa. 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

    The reason you will succeed is because he is God. There is nothing and no one greater than God. You can succeed in whatever you put your hands to. Anything at all. The word of God says:

    KJV
    Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

    Notice something in this text. Paul said all things, not just anything. I take that to understand I have a multiplicity of miracles available to me. But I cannot achieve them through worry. I cannot achieve them through fear. Be still beloved. Your promise is before you. Know that with God all things are possible. You can do this. Why is it absolutely necessary that I be still? Because there is another word coming that I need to hear. Tomorrow, I want to tell you more. Hang in there. You can do this. Be still beloved. Know who your God is.

    Remember; take one day at a time. Drink all the water you can. Pray, and make a prayer list. Pray with understanding and with a purpose. Just do today, do not think of the entire journey. You can do this. Also, start to plan now and make plans to bring someone to church with you. If you are not a member of a church currently or are seeking a place God wants you to call home, allow me to invite you to In His Presence Family Worship Center. It’s a good church and a good place to call home. Be my special guest. We would love to meet you. We are at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY. Our Sunday services start at 8 AM and our midweek prayer and bible study is on Wednesday at 7 PM. Go to our website, http://www.ihpfwc.org. Invite someone to come with you, why? God wants his house filled. He told us that. (Luke 14:23)

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

  • Day Eight: Believe God.

    20110106-120344.jpgBeloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. I trust your worship on yesterday, (Sunday) was awesome. Today is Day Number Eight (8)! Wow, and some of you thought you would not last a week. Well, you did it. Congratulations! Well Done! Today I reached back and decided to repost a blog from a few years ago. I pray that you are encouraged to Go Forward. Enjoy.

    Today I just wanted to encourage you to hang in there and believe God. The Apostle Paul teaches us how to obtain the promises God. I know that God in his word has promised us some things and I want to obtain what God promised me. Let’s look at the text:

    NLT
    Gal. 3:20 Now a mediator is needed if two people enter into an agreement, but God acted on his own when he made his promise to Abraham.
    Gal. 3:21 ¶ Well then, is there a conflict between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could have given us new life, we could have been made right with God by obeying it.
    Gal. 3:22 But the Scriptures have declared that we are all prisoners of sin, so the only way to receive God’s promise is to believe in Jesus Christ.

    Paul teaches us that we do not get the promises of God because we deserve them; we get what God promises because we believe in Christ. Our faith ratifies our expectation. This is great news because all our lives we have been in relationships where promises are dependent on works. I will love you, if you give me this or that. I will keep my promise if you pay a certain amount. Paul tells us that the faith that God gives us needs to be in operation in our lives in order to receive the promises of God. The only way to receive God’s promise is to believe in Jesus. Do you have a promise? Has God-given you a promise? You have a bible full of promises. The word of God is your book of promises; the question is do you believe in Christ enough to expect to receive his promises? As you are praying, believe God for an answer. As you are going through your prayer list believe God for those things. God will honor his word if you believe.

    Remember, do one more day. Just do today. God will take of tomorrow. He promised he would. Drink all the water you can and be encouraged.Pray, and make a prayer list. Pray with understanding and with a purpose. Just do today, do not think of the entire journey. You can do this. Also, start to plan now and make plans to bring someone to church with you. If you are not a member of a church currently or are seeking a place God wants you to call home, allow me to invite you to In His Presence Family Worship Center. It’s a good church and a good place to call home. Be my special guest. We would love to meet you. We are at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY. Our Sunday services start at 8 AM and our midweek prayer and bible study is on Wednesday at 7 PM. Go to our website, http://www.ihpfwc.org. Invite someone to come with you, why? God wants his house filled. He told us that. (Luke 14:23)

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

  • Day Six: Why Are You Hungry?

    Beloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. Day SIX and we are one our way. You are doing great. Hang in there. God is going to do exactly what he said. Beloved, today’s Guest blogger is no stranger to us. She is my wife, my best friend and Co-Pastor at In His Presences Family worship Center. Thank Pastor Dorothy for your submission to our journey.

    Pastor Leo Colon

    20110106-120407.jpgGrace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from The Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Pastor Leo for the opportunity to share on your blog site today! I am truly honored.
    Well, Saints it is day 6 and you are still here!!!! Yes you made it! So, why are you hungry? Now that is a dumb question considering you are on a 21 day journey of one bowl of soup, (large) 😉 any time after 12 noon, (for some of us that means 12:01), and all the water and hot tea we can drink, please pass the honey!!!. But it is more than that. Love has brought us to the table, or shall I say, pushed us away.
    Love, a 4 letter word with more than 40,000 causes and effects. Love and the lack there of has made so many good and bad things happen to us. Jesus said to his disciples, in John 68:6 “Will you leave too?” And of course Peter answered, “Where are we going to go? It is you who have the Words of eternal life.” Peter and the disciples had fallen in Love. They had packed up their careers, and became disciples of Jesus Christ. Even at the risk of losing everything, going on a path never walked before, no guaranteed salary and benefits to start other than the assurance of His presence, each day they Loved Jesus more and more. There is nothing more rewarding than loving someone and finding out through being with them, that they have exceeded all of your expectations. The true nexus of this love is Jesus and His Love for them. His Love caused Him, to leave His thrown, strong enough to be separated from his father and be humiliated by his creation, for what? Love. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…” Jesus said “prepare me a body” and God did just that. Jesus the God of the Universe is in love with you. You have taken this Journey and made it thus far for one reason, Love. You love Jesus and you know he loves you. You want more of Him, to be close to Him, to please Him, to be like Him, to understand Him and his desires for you, to fellowship with Him, to hear from Him and He hear you. You have made a decision to be hungry to sacrifice your time to lay aside your tasks, burdens and favorites for a chance to gain more ground with your Lord your Love, Jesus, who Loved us, you!
    So, embrace your hunger, your sacrifices, your early morning rises and cold journey to the church, denying your habitual shows for the quest of a glimpse of His Presence in your situation, the feel of His love on your heart, the continual insatiable thirst for more of Him. Love, which is why you are Hungry.
    Jeremiah 29:13 (BBE) And you will be searching for me and I will be there, when you have gone after me with all your heart.

    Pastor Dorothy Colon

    Remember; take one day at a time. Drink all the water you can. Pray, and make a prayer list. Pray with understanding and with a purpose. Just do today, do not think of the entire journey. You can do this. Also, start to plan now and make plans to bring someone to church with you. If you are not a member of a church currently or are seeking a place God wants you to call home, allow me to invite you to In His Presence Family Worship Center. It’s a good church and a good place to call home. Be my special guest. We would love to meet you. We are at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY. Our Sunday services start at 8 AM and our midweek prayer and bible study is on Wednesday at 7 PM. Go to our website, http://www.ihpfwc.org. Invite someone to come with you, why? God wants his house filled. He told us that. (Luke 14:23)

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

  • Day Five: It’s Coming Sooner than You Think.

    20110106-120344.jpgBeloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. You are on Day number FIVE (5). This is amazing! You’re going into territory you have never seen before. Celebrate this moment, you have, with the help of God, reached a milestone. I want to encourage you today from the Word of God. Let’s finish taking a look at the verse we have been examining.

    KJV
    Rom. 13:11 ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

    We have learned a few thing from the Apostle Paul:

    1. You understand seasons, “Knowing the Time”
    2. We are to “awake out of sleep” in other words Wake UP

    Today, the word of the LORD to you is, “your deliverance IS coming”! And its coming sooner than you think. Paul in his continuation of the pragmatic portion of this epistle, wants us to be aware of something. Our Salvation is nearer then when we first believed. A few points are inherent to this text. First of all, you did not begin believing God for nothing. You believed that he is God and that every good thing will come from him. Secondly, Salvation is not ambiguous. It is coming. This word is exciting when you understand that the word Salvation in the greek is also the word for Deliverance. Beloved, Your deliverance is a fact. It is a forgone conclusion. God promised it and there is no ambiguity in the matter. Question, do you have a promise from God? I believe that he will do just what he said. What is it you need deliverance from? Well, whatever it is, no this, it will come. Why?

    KJV
    Num. 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

    Here is what excites me. My deliverance, my salvation is going to happen, sooner than I think. As you go through this day, I need you to remind yourself of something, “your deliverance, is going to happen sooner than you think”. I need you to think about it. You believed that God was going to deliver you but when will he do it? You have reasoned in your mind that you would wait on God. You determined to hang in there. Well I have good news for you. The date you thought of for your deliverance……… Think Sooner! This fast is not for naught. God said every moment of this fast means your deliverance is getting closer. Do you believe it? Then stop getting used to your situation! When your change comes, promise me, you will embrace it. Yes that different thing, that different person, that different look. Do not be the reason your blessing has no one to change. Don’t avoid it because you weren’t expecting it. Embrace it. It is coming sooner that you think. Another thing, let your blessing change you. Stop fighting what God is doing in you. God wants to deliver you from the old you. Are you so comfortable with the old you that you reason your blessing away. Do you know, that miracles are missed every day because we try to reason God out of his amazing work. Hang in there. It, Your Blessing, Your Deliverance, Your Salvation is coming sooner than you think.

    Remember; take one day at a time. Drink all the water you can. Pray, and make a prayer list. Pray with understanding and with a purpose. Just do today, do not think of the entire journey. You can do this. Also, start to plan now and make plans to bring someone to church with you. If you are not a member of a church currently or are seeking a place God wants you to call home, allow me to invite you to In His Presence Family Worship Center. It’s a good church and a good place to call home. Be my special guest. We would love to meet you. We are at 1673 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY. Our Sunday services start at 8 AM and our midweek prayer and bible study is on Wednesday at 7 PM. Go to our website, http://www.ihpfwc.org. Invite someone to come with you, why? God wants his house filled. He told us that. (Luke 14:23)

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

  • This week’s blog: Ask for Whatsoever, but Don’t Ask Amiss.

    Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ.

    Beloved I am encouraged that we are all looking forward to a miraculous year in 2012. I believe that as you decree things in this year, you will see and have tremendous testimonies concerning how awesome God will be to us all this year. I believe that many of us will find that the scripture that says to us that whatsoever we ask in Jesus name, that he will do it. I believe that if we do what God requires us to do and patiently await every miracle; I believe we should see them come to pass.

    I feel led of the LORD to caution you beloved through the word of God. We need to make sure our motives are right. Let’s look at the text.

    KJV
    James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
    James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
    James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

    In the New Living Translation it is rendered thusly:
    James 4:2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.
    James 4:3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
    James 4:4 ¶ You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

    Why do we as believers ask God for things and look in vain for what we asks for? Do you want to be successful in your Christian walk? Well first, we certainly do not need to be fighting and waging wars, killing in order to get what we want. James says to us that these desires come from, the “evil desires at war within us” verse 1.

    We should be asking God, instead of waging wars. Although when we ask God with a wrong attitude, or a proud attitude, God resists us. James says that our problem is that when we ask God for what we want, we ask amiss. (King James Version) In the NLT verse 3 says: And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

    I do not want to be guilty of asking amiss, or with the wrong attitude. I want to ask God for what I need with the right motives. OK, that is settled. What is the right attitude? What is the right motive? Let’s look at the text.

    John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

    Jesus tells us that He will do what we ask for, that the Father may be glorified. That word glorified means to give esteem, or to give credit to. I want God to get the credit for my life. I want him to receive glory from all of my accomplishments. So when I ask for something, it is with the intent that God receive from me the glory, the esteem, and the credit that he deserves. So is it then OK for us to ask for wealth, a good marriage, and provisions for our family. Absolutely, of course when God gives you what you have been praying for, make sure that God and God alone receives the glory for those mighty acts. And remember to be bold enough to ask for whatsoever, and not just the mundane. Have the courage to step out on God.

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

  • This week’s blog: Today is that Tomorrow.

    Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our LORD.

    VICTORY! Beloved, congratulations to you all. You have the victory. Today, you can look back on a great achievement. You planned to fast for Twenty-One days, to seek the LORD for a better way, Seek the LORD for a strategy, Seek the LORD for protection for you, your loved ones and your possessions. You made a plan to fast before the LORD and you did it. Congratulation on this magnificent achievement. You are to be commended.

    Allow me to thank all of our guest bloggers, Pastor Dorothy Colon, Pastor Paul Dean and of course Pastor Maurice Johnson. Join me in thanking God for them, praying for them and for wishing them much success in their ministry. All of you have been a blessing, personally to me and a source of encouragement for the body. I think I can speak for all of us who went through this fast when I say a heart felt Thank You, to you all.

    So what now? Well as I sit at my desk, having just drank the first cup of coffee in three (3) weeks, Selah. I am in awe of the God we serve, who is faithful to answer prayer. Let’s look at the word of God for an answer.

    NLT:
    2Chr. 20:15 ¶ He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
    2Chr. 20:16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.

    The text tells us that Jehoshaphat, having been made aware of the threat before him, call a fast and prayed to God to get a strategy. God answered and told him and the people of God, the battle is not yours, but God’s. This is awesome news for all of us. Hear the word of the LORD for you for 2012 and all the things on your prayer list, 2012 is not yours to fight, but God’s. With that bit of information, God now gives this blessed people instruction.

    Tomorrow, march out against them. March out against the people who are your enemy. March out against that coalition that is trying to stop you. Beloved, March out on 2012. The word of the LORD to you, don’t back up, do not be afraid, walk right up to the problem. Yes the very problem that caused you fears, before the fast. Nothing has changed in their resolve. They have not been weakened. The difference is you now have a word to rely on. March out tomorrow. Beloved, today is that tomorrow. The word of the LORD came to them as they were fasting, that tomorrow was going to be the day they watch God deliver them. Today is that tomorrow. This week, march out and attack the week. Do not give in to no. Don’t accept the maybe later; people will try to convince you are the only option. You are a child of God, with a word. March out, without fear, and take hold of what God has provided for you to possess. Remember, in the King James Version the word of the LORD is recorded thusly:1Cor. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

    Beloved I am praying for you. I believe God will show himself strong in your week and blow your mind. Be encouraged, you have done a great thing, in seeking God. Continue in the statutes of God and look for results.

    From this point on, I will endeavor to issue blogs on a weekly basis. Would you pray for me and for IHP? We solicit your prayers. Remember, plan now to bring someone to church with you. You need to fulfill God’s mandate. Remember, your master wants his house filled. You can make that happen. Conquer your week, and march out against the enemy of mediocrity.

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

  • Day Twenty of our Twenty-One Day Journey : It Is What It Is

    Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our LORD.

    Today we are on day number Twenty (20) of our twenty-one day fast. Beloved, as our late Bishop use to say, you don’t have one (1) days left, you have a wake up. You are to be commended. You are counting down. There is less time ahead of you than there is behind you. I want to encourage you, drink as much water as possible, and least 10 to 12 glasses of water today. Have your bowl of soup and remember to pray from your prayer list. You want to be specific about what you would like God to do for you.

    Today, once again, my colleague, friend and brother, Pastor Maurice Johnson is our guest blogger. He has submitted a word from the LORD to encourage us today. Join me in thanking him and don’t forget to leave a comment on the blog to let him that God has bless you through this effort.

    Again beloved, I want to encourage you at the mid-week point, to make plans to bring someone to church with you. Bring someone to church with you. Think about someone you would like to share the Gospel of Christ with and bring them with you to church. Remember, no matter what church you belong to, evangelism is a vital part of every believer’s faith. Don’t come to church by your self. Bring a guest and share the Gospel. Why? Because Christ commands us.

    Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

    God wants his house filled. Do your part. Be a part of God’s plan to fill his church. Think of 10 people you want to come to church with you this week. Write their names in your prayer list and make the sacrifice to get them to church. God commands it. Stay encouraged.

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

    It Is What It Is

    Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, you are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
    To Pastor Leo, Pastor Dorothy and Pastor Paul; you are all certainly an answer to my prayers, I love you guys!

    The message of this post may seem a bit out of place, but whether it is spoken before or after the fast it is relevant all the same. Fasting is one of those covenantal acts which people have often misunderstood, misused or abused. Biblical fasting is not hypocrisy, nor is it a manipulative tool or a physical discipline. Please let me explain, we have not committed ourselves to this fast to be seen as a spiritual wonder of sorts.

    Luke 18: 9-14
    9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
    10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
    11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
    12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
    13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
    14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

    Please note in verse 12 that Jesus said the Pharisee fasted twice a week, the Talmud tells us that this was on the 2nd and 5th day (Monday and Thursday). Why on Monday and Thursday? (Baba Kama 82a) Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the Torah on a Thursday and came back down on a Monday. This should be an acceptable day according to the Talmud, so why the condemnation. The Talmud also says Ezra the Scribe declared that Jews should not go three days without Torah. Hence, the Torah is read every Monday, Thursday and Sabbath. Mondays and Thursdays were also market days on which Jews from all over Palestine came to Jerusalem. Ezra the Scribe decided that Torah should be read on these days to the crowds. Many believe that the Pharisee in Jesus parable simply fasted on those days to appear to be holy and just, what hypocrisy.

    Second, we tend to believe that we can somehow bend or twist the Lord’s hand to perform for us as we wish him to perform.

    II Samuel 12:16- 18
    16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. 
17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. 
18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

    Even David’s fast could not manipulate the Lord into performing as he wished or desired.

    Third, a biblical fast is not a physical discipline for the purposes of dieting to decrease one’s weight. Many believers may loose weight on the fast but the Lord does not commission a fast for these purposes. The Lord gives us the purposes of fasting in Isaiah chapter 58.

    Isaiah 58
    6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

    I pray that you would be encouraged to persevere to the end so that chains of injustice are loosened, yokes are untied and the oppressed would be freed and that every yoke in your life would be broken. I pray that the promises found in verses 8 through 12 would be yours as well, for upholding your vow. May your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing quickly appear; may your righteousness go before you, and the glory of the LORD be your rear guard. May the Lord answer you when you call, may he say “Here I am” when you cry. May your light rise in the darkness, and your night become like the noonday. The LORD guide you always, the Lord satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. May you be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. May your people rebuild the ruin places and the Lord raise up the age-old foundations. May you be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

    Know that your labor is not in vain.

    See you on Victory’s side

    Pastor Johnson

  • Day Nineteen of our Twenty-One Day Journey : God’s Poetry of Love

    Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our LORD.

    Today we are on day number Nineteen (19) of our twenty-one day fast. Beloved, as our late Bishop use to say, you don’t have three (3) days left, you have one (1) day and a wake up. You are to be commended. You are counting down. There is less time ahead of you than there is behind you. I want to encourage you, drink as much water as possible, and least 10 to 12 glasses of water today. Have your bowl of soup and remember to pray from your prayer list. You want to be specific about what you would like God to do for you.

    Today, once again, my colleague, friend and brother, Pastor Paul Dean is our guest blogger. He has submitted a word from the LORD to encourage us today. Join me in thanking him and don’t forget to leave a comment on the blog to let him that God has bless you through this effort.

    Again beloved, I want to encourage you at the mid-week point, to make plans to bring someone to church with you. Bring someone to church with you. Think about someone you would like to share the Gospel of Christ with and bring them with you to church. Remember, no matter what church you belong to, evangelism is a vital part of every believer’s faith. Don’t come to church by your self. Bring a guest and share the Gospel. Why? Because Christ commands us.

    Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

    God wants his house filled. Do your part. Be a part of God’s plan to fill his church. Think of 10 people you want to come to church with you this week. Write their names in your prayer list and make the sacrifice to get them to church. God commands it. Stay encouraged.

    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 unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ
    Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
    10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

    God loves you, my brother and sister, constantly, completely, irrevocably. He loves you in spite of your past, in light of your future, and without regards for your social or economic status. God’s love is free to all who choose to reach out and take it. Have you opened your heart to the Lover of your soul? Have you felt the glory of being immersed in His Love? We do not know why He chooses to love us; only that He does. Praise His Name!
    No matter what your past has been, trust God to understand. And no matter what your problem is, just place it in His hands. For in all of our unloveliness, this great God love us still. He loved us since the world began. And what’s more, He always will.
    God’s love is like an island; in life’s ocean vast and wide, a peaceful, quiet shelter from the restless, rising tide…God’s love is like a fortress, and we seek protection there when the waves of tribulation seem to drown us in despair… God’s love is like a beacon. Burning bright with faith and prayer, and through the changing scenes of life, we can find a haven there!
    We are all God’s children and He loves us, everyone. He freely and completely forgives all that we have done, asking only if we’re ready to follow where He leads, content that in His wisdom He will answer all our needs. (I John 1:9)
    What is Love? No words can define it – It’s something so great, only God could design it. For love means much more than small words can express for what we call love is very much less than the beauty and depth and the true richness of God’s gift to mankind – His compassionate love.
    Somebody loves you more than you know, Somebody goes with you wherever you go, Somebody really and truly cares and lovingly listens to all of your prayers. And if you walk in His footsteps and have faith to believe, there’s nothing you ask for that you will not receive.
    God’s love is like a sanctuary where our souls can find sweet rest, from the struggle and the tension of life’s fast and futile quest.

    Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)
    28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

    The sky and the stars, the waves and the sea, the dew on the grass, the leaves on the tree, are constant reminders of God and His nearness, proclaiming His presence with crystal – like clearness. So how could I think God was far, far away when I feel Him beside me every hour of the day? And I’ve plenty of reasons to know God’s my friend and this is one friendship that time cannot end!
    I love you, but God loves you more!
    God bless you, heaven smile upon you, go in peace and may your God bless you, heaven smile upon you, go in peace and may your peace be multiplied.

    Share the Amor
    Pastor P

  • Day Eighteen of our Twenty-One Day Journey : Clarity

    Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our LORD.

    Today we are on day number Eighteen (18) of our twenty-one day fast. Beloved, as our late Bishop use to say, you don’t have three (3) days left, you have two (2) days and a wake up. You are to be commended. You are counting down. There is less time ahead of you than there is behind you. I want to encourage you, drink as much water as possible, and least 10 to 12 glasses of water today. Have your bowl of soup and remember to pray from your prayer list. You want to be specific about what you would like God to do for you.

    Today, I want to encourage you by letting you know that one of the goals of this fast is to get direction from God. Do you need direction? I do. I need to hear from God as to what is the right direction for me, my vision and my plans. All these things are very important to me. So I want to get the benefit of seeking God and getting a reply. Let’s look briefly at the word of God.

    New International Version

    Acts 13:1 ¶         Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

    Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

    Acts 13:3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

    In this passage, leaders of the church were praying, worshiping and fasting. The leaders were prophets and teachers. Prophets and teachers are revered for being intelligent people. They are not the type to not have a clue as to what to do. So understand, you are not seeking direction because you have no idea what life is about. The issue is there are many things one could do and you would not be wrong, but there maybe one thing that God wants you to do that will be right. Because that is an issue, you do not want to flap in the wind, so to speak. I know I want clarity. Clarity in my vision, clarity in direction and clarity as to where my life should be going. So as you fast and seek the LORD to the 2 days and a wake up, you have left, expect God to inform you of his plan. Now be aware, this is God’s plan for your life and it may not be what you expected. Don’t reject it because it is not what you thought it might be. Don’t imagine it either. You will know it’s God because he will confirm his word. I believe God will speak to us during this fast. I believe we will come out of this fast victoriously and we will get direction and clarity from God.

    Again beloved, I want to encourage you at the mid-week point, to make plans to bring someone to church with you. Bring someone to church with you. Think about someone you would like to share the Gospel of Christ with and bring them with you to church. Remember, no matter what church you belong to, evangelism is a vital part of every believer’s faith. Don’t come to church by your self. Bring a guest and share the Gospel. Why? Because Christ commands us.

    Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

    God wants his house filled. Do your part. Be a part of God’s plan to fill his church. Think of 10 people you want to come to church with you this week. Write their names in your prayer list and make the sacrifice to get them to church. God commands it. Stay encouraged.

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