Pastor Leo Colon's Blog

Tag: The Prophet

  • 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

     

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Every Step Matters!

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

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

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

  • Wisdom Makes My Life Better

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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