Pastor Leo Colon's Blog

Tag: grace and peace

  • Christianity is Radical

    Christianity is Radical

    Profile Picture Leo (2).Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, our Father, and Jesus Christ. Welcome to my blog! I hope the thoughts you find here will encourage you and inspire you to diligently seek God’s Kingdom. Today, I would like to encourage you from the book of Matthew. We have been looking at the Sermon on the Mount for a few months at IHP. Today, I thought we would look at something our God has inculcated to the disciples and to us as subjects of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

     

    We have been looking at the “Kingdom of God/Heaven for the entire year of 2025, and as such, we have learned that the way to be a good subject of the Kingdom is to know what your King demands and obey those commands. In so doing, we are looking at what Christ has to teach us. 

     

    The beatitudes are how he begins the sermon, and the beatitudes are radical in how they changed my perspective, even in 2025 as to what being a Christian is. They have changed everything for me. I cannot be passive and be the kind of believer Christ demands because he said:

     

    “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

    (Matthew 5:6 NRSV)

     

    The Beatitudes create in me a propensity to become an activist because they do tell me: 

     

    “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

    (Matthew 5:9 NRSV)

     

    We have learned that I cannot be a peacemaker with unrighteousness if I understand that I need to be one who hungers and thirsts after righteousness. It means that I cannot follow the solution of staying out of issues that confront or try to lull my community into complacency. I must take a stand, not only in my own life but in the life of those I care about. My family, my church, my community. I am called to activism and to be what God calls me to be. Jesus said:

     

    “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”

    (Matthew 5:14 NRSV)

     

    God needs for this world not to operate in darkness. This is why he called you, the believer, to prevent your family, your community, your nation from operating in darkness. Beloved, be assured that this world would rather be in darkness. 

     

    “And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.”

    (John 3:19 NRSV)

     

    What radical truths! It means that although men would rather that Christians stay out of politics, determining how resources in communities are disseminated, Christ says we are called to this. We need to speak up and demand righteousness in government, in community, and in our nation. We are not called to complain on the side about how helpless people have made us. We are called to be a solution. Instead of complaining about how schools are teaching your children, you should be a member, even a leader, in the PTA. Why are you not running for the school board. Instead of complaining about ICE, why are you not a federal judge who took your law school experience and fought to protect the community? Why are you not a district attorney or police officer? Complaining about it is not the solution. 

     

    Even Christ, the meekest of us all, turned over the tables of the money changers when it was clear that these men were cheating the community. Why have you not done what Christ commands? Whatever this means to you— student government, PTA, city government, county government, police department, military, school board, or even in your church— are you part of your church administration, helping your pastor move your church forward? Christianity is radical. Blessed people are activists. Engage your community and be the light of the world. 

     

    Again, I would like to invite you to subscribe to the blog. I endeavor to post regularly, with an entry every Tuesday. You can subscribe at the bottom of this page.

    Remember to invite someone to church with you this Sunday. I would like to extend a special invitation to join us at In His Presence Family Worship Center this Sunday at our new home. That’s right, we have moved into our own building. Join me at IHP. We now meet at 11 Woods Place, (formerly Johnsons Place) in Brooklyn, NY. Join us at 10 a.m. I look forward to seeing you there. Seek God’s Kingdom first.

     

    Yours Because I am His,

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

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

     

     

  • 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

  • Trust God


    Grace and Peace be unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. I felt led of the LORD to share this short blog with you. I posted it on yesterday on social media and I thought it a good idea to post it here. It is short and really a snippet of what I have been sharing for the last two weeks at In His Presence Family Worship Center. I want to invite you to be my special guest at our church. We would be honored to have you as our special guest. Meet us at 1673 Dean Street, 8:00AM every Sunday morning and on Wednesday at 7:00 PM for prayer and bible study. Let’s look at the text for today:

    Jer. 17:7 ¶          “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

    Jer. 17:8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

    NLT

    Trusting God means to rely on him. The word of the Lord tells us there are blessing’s attached to our faith. You need to be the kind of person that trusts God more than you do man. There are three benefits to trusting God.

    Number 1: God says he will plant you like a tree by the riverbank. He has placed you in soil to be cultivated to grow and to be sustained.

    Number 2: You will not see heat coming. That which can cause harm to a tree is something you will not see. And it will not affect you. God never said heat would not come, but he would protect you from the heat that could damage anyone else.

    Number 3: You will never stop producing fruit. God says if you trust him you will always be productive. You’re going to be able to produce where other people cannot.

    Trust God. This is how you succeed. Trust God.

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

  • Day Nineteen: Which way are you going home?

    Beloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. Today is day Nineteen (19). Thank You Jesus. With God’s help you have done what you thought was impossible. Every fast I learn not to decide what I can and cannot do. This is incredible and you are doing an amazing job. Allow me to apologize that I did not get a blog out yesterday, but I was flying to Tulsa. I have a show here today and I was not able to get blog out in a timely manner. Today, I would like to repost a blog done by my Friend, Pastor Maurice Johnson of Beth-Car Fellowship in Hampden Connecticut. Here ye him.

     

    Remember drink all the water you can. Plan to invite someone to church tomorrow. For many of us the snow may make that a problem, but if you going to church, bring someone with you. It would be a good thing. Use your prayer list as you pray today. We are nearing our victory. Looking forward to hearing your testimonies.

     

     

    Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,

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

     

     

    Maurice Johnson.jpgGrace and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Have you ever been asked which way are you going home?  The question is relative to the direction or route an individual may take as they return to their home, but I would like to ask you the same question conditionally.  Matthew chapter 4, verses 1 through 11 describes the account of the forty day fast and temptation of Christ,  4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.  It is interesting to note that the leading of the spirit does not always take us into pleasant joyful encounters, Jesus is led into a test, and for 19 days you have been tested.

    Jesus was tested in three areas, first verse 2, “he was afterward an hungred,” he is touch in the area of his physical need.  How often are we tried by economic, relational or emotional need?  Our spiritual focus is often hampered by our basic human needs and interest.  Second, Christ’s identity and relationship with the father is questioned.  Verse 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.  How many times have you asked yourself is this really of God or does this kind of thing really move the Lord?  Third, Jesus is tempted to switch sides, verse 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  In every area Christ quiets the adversary with the word; how you respond will determine how you return.  By this time next week you will be enjoying the same foods at the same restaurants or preparing your favorite recipes for yourself or your families.  So what has changed?  The scripture says that Christ rejects the adversary and receives the ministering of angels; if you get nothing else from this consecration make sure you receive the ministering of angels.   Why come all this way and go back the same spiritually, and the Bible says in Luke chapter 4 verse 14, And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit.  I pray that as you reach the finish line that you return in POWER, power to accomplish the purpose of God for which you have been created.

    Pastor Maurice Johnson.

  • Day Sixteen: Hang in There. You are a winner, now!

    no-tie-head-shot.jpgBeloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. Today is Day number SIXTEEN, (16) of our journey. You are to be commended. You are doing well. You are counting down. Our late Archbishop McKinley use to say, “You have FOUR DAYS and a WAKE UP”! Today, I decided to repost one of our post from 2010. I pray you are encouraged by the Word of God. Let’s look at the text:

    NLT
    Psa. 119:85 These arrogant people who hate your law have dug deep pits for me to fall into.
    Psa. 119:86 All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
    Psa. 119:87 They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.

    Beloved, our success will not happen because our adversary decides to back off. We should not expect our enemies to give us a pass. They will not do it. As a matter of fact, what we can count on is the fact that our enemies in Christendom always makes our lives harder when success is in our sights. Thank God, because God’s word tells us that we can win, even when it looks like we are through. Sometimes when we look at our own situation, winning does not look possible, even to us. Our way to win according to the word of God is to make up our own mind not to abandon God’s commandment. The word of God is encouraging us to know that seeing the way we are going to win is not necessary. Our victory is tied to our resolve. Actually, it is tied to faith. Evidence says that losing is inevitable, but what you believe can negate the certainty of the evidence of your life. Do not give up on the word of God. You can win if you refuse to abandon God’s commandments. What do you believe? What does your faith say about your ability to finish what God has started? Hang in there. You are a winner now. Do not give up. Not only the 21-day journey, but this also goes for your dreams. If you refuse to believe that God can fail, you can win. If you refuse to believe that God can lie, you can win. I am in agreement with you. With God everything is possible.
    NLT
    Matt. 19:26 ¶ Jesus looked at them intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.’

    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 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 Eleven of our Twenty-One Journey:The Naked Tree

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

    Beloved to is day number eleven and you are well on your way to conquering your second week. You are doing a great job, congratulations. Some of you didn’t think you would make it this far. Remember just do today. Tomorrow will handle itself. Drink as much water as you can, at least 10 to 12 glasses of water and make sure you doing what you need to do to get the toxins out of your body. Either take a strong laxative or schedule some colon therapy at least once a week if possible. You are doing great and I for one am proud of the job you are doing.

    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. Think about someone you would like to share the Gospel of Christ with and bring them with you to church. I said this on Saturday, 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

    The Naked Tree

    Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
    5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
    6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

    The Naked Tree
    This morning after coming home from the gym, I took my dog out and as he was walking around I sat down and looked up and seen two trees. One tree had leaves on it (although some leaves were falling) the other one was naked (no leaves at all), yet they was both very much alive.
    As I gazed at the tree with leaves, I began to also notice that many birds landed on this tree, while none of them went to the naked tree. The naked tree had no leaves.  It did not provide shade; neither did it look very pretty, yet it was strong and still standing. It was stripped of its beauty; all leaves fell, no bird to land.  Yet it was still rooted and grounded, waiting for its new season.
    It reminded me of times when God has to strip us naked, where we don’t look so beautiful, where our leaves have fallen off and no one wants to land upon us, so to speak or be around us only because of what we look like. Not knowing that we are still connected to Him! Still rooted, still grounded in Christ. When we go through this, it’s called the “Stripping Season”, where God removes the outer layers to humble the inner man, to prepare you for your next season. It will seem like everything is gone, and everyone around you is leaving (falling off). Money starts to deplete, and somewhere in all of this, it feels like God is nowhere to be found, yet you stand there naked and not ashamed because you know this is not your end.
    The enemy is laughing and your friends and family are wondering what you did to deserve such turmoil. Your mind begins to doubt God, but He whispers in a small voice and says “I’m still with you”. He says “I’m just prepping you for your next season”. I know it doesn’t feel like it, and it’s a little chilly in the financial dept, but remember God is the thermometer! He controls the temperature of your life. And although the house is cold and He won’t turn up the heat, He will give you a blanket to keep you warm. Don’t fret in these times, don’t worry in the blizzards. It’s not how you look above ground, but it’s knowing that you are still connected to the root of your God! Soon your leaves will spring forth, nests will be made, and the whistling of a bird will be heard from the tree of your spirit.
    So if your life tree is naked, hold on, He will soon give you a blanket blessing to keep you warm until your new season…
    Until then keep Smiling…
    God bless you, heaven smile upon you, go in peace and may your peace be multiplied.
    Endure to the End!

    Pastor P