Pastor Leo Colon's Blog

Tag: Pastor Leo Colon

  • Day Three-Think Abundently.

    casual-smaller.jpgGrace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. Again, thank you for visiting our blog site. I would like to take this time to invite you to our church, In His Presence Family Worship Center. It is a friendly church where the praise and worship is sweet and the word of God is preached with power and without compromise. Join us at four (4) PM at 154 Lexington Ave @ 30th Street. Our midweek bible study services are at Seven (7) PM. We would be honored to have you as our special guest. Make plans now to come and prepare to receive from God. You will not be sorry.

    This is day number three of our fast. Congratulations, this is a cause to celebrate. You have made it to day number Three (3).

    As I promised yesterday, I wanted to share some thoughts on practical things we can do today, and from now on, to renew our mind. I was listening to a man named Jeff Henderson and he had some ideas that I would like to share with you. He suggested four ways to invest our time, that would bring different results from what we normatively expect. Here are the four things that we will bring into a Christian construct for our purposes.

    • Think Abundantly
    • Plan Intentionally
    • Execute Consistently
    • Celebrate Frequently

    Think abundantly: How we think is the point in renewing our mind. One of the resources I will be using this year is Joyce Meyers “Battlefield of the Mind”. She postulates that the mind is the battlefield that devil is trying to control in order to keep you from a victorious life. So then our mind, our way of thinking is the front line in the battle to a better way, better life, better results. Proverbs 23:7 is a passage that draws attention to the power of thinking.

    Prov. 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

    Now we want to be careful to read this in context, the idea of this text is that when there is agreement between the mind and the heart, actuality is effectuated. How many times have we heard the word of God. Believed it intellectually, but our heart convinced us that it would be impossible for me. I believe Jesus can heal Deacon Smith, but I have cancer, and somehow I have a hard time believing for a miracle for me.

    Paul also tells what to think on:

    Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

    Now if we are honest, we don’t really tend to guard what we think. That needs to be something we talk about, even research.

    Now if we should determine that this year I will think abundantly, then we need to recognize that abundantly means- in large quantities. I need to think bigger than I have been thinking. It suggests that I need to attempt to think harder and better. I should not bring things to my level, but think bigger than what I have done. This year I resolve to plan bigger than what I have already achieved. I will “Think Abundantly”. How about you?

    Remember, drink as much water as you can, and make a point of cleaning toxins out of you body during this process. You are doing well.

    Also, plan to bring someone to church with you this Sunday. Go public with your faith. Ask several people to come to church with you. I believe there is a miracle for you, in your obedience.

    Live Life on Purpose and not By Mistake,

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon

    pastor@ihpfwc.org

    www.ihpfwc.org

  • Day Two- Renewing my Mind

    casual-smaller.jpgGrace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. Again, thank you for visiting our blog site. I would like to take this time to invite you to our church, In His Presence Family Worship Center. It is a friendly church where the praise and worship is sweet and the word of God is preached with power and without compromise. Join us at four (4) PM at 154 Lexington Ave @ 30th Street. Our midweek bible study services are at Seven (7) PM. We would be honored to have you as our special guest. Make plans now to come and prepare to receive from God. You will not be sorry.

    This is day number two of our fast. Congratulations, this is a cause to celebrate. You have made it to day number two (2).

    The Apostle Pau; said, “Be transform by the renewing of your mind”. So we need to renew your mind in such a way that it does not return to what it was.

    “We are what we repeatedly do,” Aristotle proclaimed. If this is true, we cannot renew our mind by doing the same thing or feeding it the same thing. So you say, Pastor I read scripture all the time, but do we apply it? Do we repeatedly read then apply? We need to change our habits. It is possible even for us.

    Going forward, this year, what can we do to renew our mind. What changes can we put into place that can help us every day? I know for me, it will mean feeding my brain by reading more. When I feed myself, it is not as easy to control me and/or my situation. If I am busy feeding my mind, renewing my mind, then situations, people and circumstances cannot control me. Allowing yourself to be lazy in this area can lead to control by another.

    Carter G Woodson wrote in the miseducation of the Negro’

    “If you can control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his action. When you determine what a man shall think you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one.”

    ― Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro

    Take control of what you think by renewing your mind. You feed it the things God says will be helpful to you. Determine to read (feed your mind) books. Entire books in the scripture that will change your thinking. This does not happen over night. You have to take steps that will cause new habits. You will get there. I heard a Pastor say, “change is emotional, Transformation is a process”.

    In tomorrow’s blogs we will look for things we can do to start new habits that can be life changing. Also, I will be developing a reading list that I will offer my church and will share with you all.

    Remember, drink as much water as you can, and make a point of cleaning toxins out of you body during this process. You are doing well.

    Live Life on Purpose and not By Mistake,

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon

    pastor@ihpfwc.org

    www.ihpfwc.org

  • Day One- We want to Please God

    casual-smaller.jpgGrace and Peace be unto you, from God our Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Happy New Year to you all. I am so glad to be writing again. This is a year that I am expecting to see changes and miracles. Our Bishop (Bishop H. Curtis Douglas) has declared this the year of “Jubilee for Me”. This was the declaration of our Bishop for Dabar Bethlehem Cathedral and for the churches under his care. So I personally receive that word and I would encourage you to receive it in Jesus’ name.

    Rom. 12:1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

    Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

     

    Beloved, This year as a church we will be engaged in a journey to Transform ourselves by renewing our minds. Now lets get rid of some wrong notions from the out set. Does the fact that we are renewing our minds mean that our christian walk so far has been wrong, not right and a waste of my time? Absolutely not. That would be like saying, the fact that I want to become a better person means, all this time I have not been a good person. That’s not a fair assessment of what we want to do. It is a journey to grow in the LORD and a hope to be and obtain better results from our walk with God. As a matter of fact, we can look to the scriptures to see that point. The book of Romans, (as well as the other New Testament books) was written to believers, not non-believer. So none of this is saying that you are not a believer, but there is always room to learn more from God.

     

    On this fast we want to seek God, how? By trying to live out the later clause of this first verse. In the King James Version it says that we should:

     

    present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

     

    In the Holman Christian Study Bible, it is rendered this way:

     

    I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.

     

    Today, let our focus be this, We want to Please God. Let that be, today, the focus in everything we do. As we embark on our fast this year we want to Please God. Even at work, in our family, with our wives or husbands, we do not want to do what comes naturally. Check every reaction. Check every thought. Will God be pleased at how I am doing what I am doing. That is what we want. The First step to Transformation, is knowing who we are and whose opinion matters.

     

    Pray for each other and believe that God will do just what he said. There is a plan for today. Here is the plan, just do today. The best way to do a fast is to do it one day at a time. Don’t worry about the rest of the days and how you are going to make it. Just do today. Drink all the water you can drink. At the very least you should be drinking ten (10) glasses of water. Also do one bowl of Soup. Pray from your prayer lists and pray for one another.

     

     

     

    Live Life on Purpose and not By Mistake,

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon

    pastor@ihpfwc.org

    www.ihpfwc.org

  • And so it begins.

    Beloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, through the knowledge of God and of20110106-120344.jpg Jesus Christ. Happy New Year and welcome to 2014. I trust you have enjoyed bringing in the New Year and are ready to tackle the challenges of this year. This year at In His Presence Family Worship Center (IHP), 2014 is the year of Transformation (Romans 12:2). We as a people and as a church will transform into what God has called us to be. Let me invite you to come to IHP on Sunday, January 5th at 4PM and start the New Year with the goal of becoming what God called us to be. Does this mean that we have been wasting time as Christians until now? No, what it does mean is that as Christians we are constantly striving to become. We strive to become new creatures, (2 Cor 5:17), become “a living sacrifice”, (Rom 12:2) to become “pleasing to God”, (Rom 12:1, HCSB) as we are called to do.

    On Monday January 6th, we will embark on our Twenty-One (21) Day Fast. This fast will not be a diet. This will not only mean we will deny ourselves food, but also we will actively seek God, and seek a better way to transform 2014 into a year of Godly success. Join us this year. I will be blogging every day with the exception of Sunday, to be an encouragement to you as you embark on this journey with us. As usual, my wife, Pastor Dorothy, and my friends Pastors Paul Dean, and Maurice Johnson will be guest bloggers this year.

    Remember, the book of Romans was written to believers, just like you, so transforming your life is not advise for beginners, but a mandate for every believer. Make this year different, come and join us, not only for our Twenty-One Day Fast, but also for the year as we Transform our lives. You will be glad you did.

    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

  • Day Seventeen of our Twenty-One Day Journey : Fast as unto the LORD.

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

    Today we are on day number Seventeen (17) of our twenty-one day fast. Beloved, as our late Bishop use to say, you don’t have four (4) days left, you have three (3) 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 again, I felt lead just allow the scripture to speak to us. Jesus reminds me that fasting is not an exercise to impress men with. This fast is unto to God and our behavior determines where our reward comes from. It is hypocritical to say you doing this unto God and behaving in a manner that assures you the approbation of men. Let God be your rewarder. Do the Fast as unto the LORD. Let’s look at the word of God.

    New Living Translation:

    Matt. 6:16 ¶ “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.

    Matt. 6:17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.

    Matt. 6:18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

    Matt. 6:19 ¶ “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.

    Matt. 6:20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

    Matt. 6:21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

    Again beloved, I want to encourage you at the mid-week point, to make plans to bring someone to church with you. For IHP, tonight is bible study. 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

  • Day Sixteen of our Twenty-One Day Journey : Isaiah 58

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

    Today we are on day number Sixteen (16) of our twenty-one day fast. Beloved, as our late Bishop use to say, you don’t have six (6) days left, you have four (4) 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 felt lead just allow the scripture to speak to us. This scripture reminds me that my attitude, even while fasting, needs to be kept in check. I cannot allow my fasting to be an exercise in futility. I cannot allow my fasting to be just a diet. I want to be pleasing to God and I must maintain the privilege of being the kind of Christian God calls me to be. How about you? Let’s look at the word of God.

    Is. 58:1 ¶ “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins!

    Is. 58:2 Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me.

    Is. 58:3‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’“I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers.

    Is. 58:4          What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.

    Is. 58:5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?

    Is. 58:6 ¶ “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.

    Is. 58:7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

    Is. 58:8 ¶ “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.

    Is. 58:9 Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!

    Is. 58:10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

    Is. 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

    Is. 58:12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

    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