Church News
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
JULY 2025
July 1, 2025
"THE HOLY GHOST IN THE CHURCH”
We have heard it over and over that we must be baptized in Jesus' name and receive the “gift” of the Holy Ghost to make it into Heaven. It’s okay to be involved in the church, but if you have not received the Holy Ghost you’re not a part of the body of Christ. Baptism alone does not save you. The Holy Ghost is essential to the saving of your soul and in order to be an heir of Christ. Going to Church is good, and the Bible encourages us to assemble ourselves together. But what will it profit you if your soul is not saved. The scripture says, "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, and to eat the bread of sorrows"… (Psalm 127:2). I encourage you to be a part of the body instead of the building. The true Church is a Holy Ghost filled entity bought with the blood of Jesus. The Holy Ghost is necessary both for sustaining you and also your visa into Heaven. Let’s pray that there will be an out pouring of the Holy Ghost as it was on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
God Bless you!!
July 2, 2025
REAL vs. FAKE - (Romans 12: 9-10)
It is truly a good feeling to have a friend who is at all times loving, genuine, and real. One that is not a some time friend. JESUS is top of the line. HE loves you and I so much that HE was willing to die on Calvary for our sins. To have a real loving from the heart friend means a lot to us. They seek not to get from you but to give to you. They seek not their happiness alone but seek more so to make you happy. Their love is genuine, caring, and is concerned first about your needs. Paul states "let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy) ... be kindly affectioned one to another..." (Romans 12:9-10). How is your love, is it real or selfishly fake? GOD bless you.
July 3, 2025
DON'T SETTLE!
When it comes to important decisions you have to make for yourself, don't settle on what you really don't want because you are tired of waiting on what you really want. Pray to God (Jesus) before making any decisions and allow Him to guide you until He makes a way for you to get what you really want. For example, if you plan on getting a place to live, don't just settle on a place that you are not satisfied with because you will not be happy there. When it comes to a marriage partner, just don't accept someone because they are saved, but you want to make sure that you really love that person, that you are compatible with them and also that you are willing to be committed to them. If you are not, you will be in a miserable marriage. It's better to be single and happy than to be married and miserable. Also, if you like a particular car that's in your price range don't settle on a car that you really don't like, just to have something to drive, because every time you get in that car you will feel dissatisfied. In other words, don't settle, but wait for what makes you happy.
Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
July 4, 2025
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT - (1 Corinthians 12:1-31)
The gifts of the SPIRIT are indeed SPIRITUAL gifts for THE GLORIFYING OF GOD (JESUS) AND FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE CHURCH THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST (SPIRIT). There are about 9-12 various abilities gifts that can ONLY be had if you are filled with the HOLY GHOST (SPIRIT). They are very essential for the SPIRITUAL development of every member of THE CHURCH. You should not act like you have a specific gift that you like, but seek to allow the HOLY SPIRIT to empower you with one or more of these gifts. You will know which gift you received. These gifts are not for show time self-exalting display. Neither are they given for you to draw attention to yourself or for you to act like you are special or more spiritual than others. They are for the humble display of GLORIFYING GOD AND HIS NAME (JESUS) (GOD alone gets ALL the glory) and for the church to be edified (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). You do not own the gifts even though they are called gifts. JESUS CHRIST is always the owner who uses you as HIS instrument. Let all of us who are filled with the HOLY GHOST prayerfully ask GOD to reveal HIS gift or gifts in us. Again, the gifts are for GOD'S GLORY and NOT for your glory. GOD bless you.
July 7, 2025
THE CHURCH IS ALL OF US - (Ephesians 5:25-27)
Technically, THE CHURCH is not a building or a man-made institution/ organization. The building is a place where us (we), the Church, gather to worship, praise, pray, and glorify the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and edify one another. Going to church (the building) is good, but being the CHURCH in the building is far better. In Revelation chapters two and three, the church is identified by its location. The church at Ephesus may mean there are several buildings in Ephesus that the believers gather into, but they all are one. Thus "the church of Ephesus". JESUS is coming back for "the church (the people)" and "the church" (the people) is located all over the world in various countries of different languages and dialects. Those of various countries and languages who are filled with the HOLY GHOST are all filled with the same Holy Ghost (SPIRIT) even though every individual's evidence may be of a different heavenly dialectical expression. Yes, the church is us and all of us are one.
July 8, 2025
“DON’T GET WEARY IN WELL DOING!”
It’s easy to give up and throw in the towel when you’ve been asking and not receiving. The widow in (Luke 18:1-8) was a perfect example of being persistent. She had faith and she never got weary in well doing. As a matter of fact, she went to see the Judge morning, noon and evening until he granted her, her request. Though the Judge was unfair to her; her persistency and faith gave her the result that she wanted. You may be waiting on something you asked for, and it hasn’t happened yet, but don’t get weary in well doing. Instead trust God because He always comes through. As the songwriter says, “He may not come when you want Him, but He’s always on time”. Stay prayerful, position yourself and be persistent.
Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
July 9, 2025
EMERGENCY
AN AMBULANCE CALLED REPENTANCE - (1 John 1: 5-10; Exo. 15:26)
Emergency is a very serious and dangerous situation that needs immediate attention. Repentance is an ambulance that is parked outside near your life and stays available waiting to take you to the hospital called JESUS if you sin. Sinning does not have to be, but if you sin, an emergency situation has developed where an ambulance called repentance is needed before death or the rapture comes. When you sin, an alarm goes off (the HOLY SPIRIT will always let you know when you have sinned), and because sins wages bring spiritual death, physical death can also occur. Therefore, an ambulance named repentance is needed immediately. Forgiveness of sin is found only in JESUS (1 John 1:9). Therefore, the repentance ambulance should not be delayed for the next minute, hour, or day. It is needed right away (immediately) because death or the rapture can come without warning. No man knoweth the hour or the day of JESUS' return (Matt. 24:36). If we confess our sins, GOD is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:5-10). Everyone that is not saved is living in an emergency state and needs the ambulance called repentance. GOD bless you.
July 10, 2025
THE PERFECT MAN!
Ladies, are you looking for the perfect man? I know someone who fits that description. He's loving, kind, compassionate, and dependable. He always wants the best for you, and you can talk to Him any time during the day. He is a good provider, and He loves children. He also knows you better than you know yourself. He loves you so much that He died for you, so you could be saved. The Perfect Man that I am talking about is JESUS.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
July 11, 2025
JUST GET READY TO GO - (Matt. 24:44; 1 Thessa. 4:13-18)
I recalled some years ago, at our church in Washington DC, coming back from a cemetery, we got the sad news that the brother of the deceased we had just buried had just died. Today, returning from a funeral, I got the sad news someone I know has died. The death news is being heard more often now than ever before. Then I got a call from a relative of mine that a recent meeting with two of his cardiologists revealed that his heart is so bad that at his age, surgery would be like an immediate death sentence. Hence, the title of this TFTD "Just Get Ready To Go". However, it does not matter how bad our health may be, the good LORD JESUS, the CHRIST can heal us. To GOD be the glory, I am a witness of GOD'S healing and resurrection power. Where the believer is concerned JESUS always has the last say. It is as if death is loudly saying, "NEXT!". Yes, the coming of JESUS is nearer than ever. One writer says, "get right church and let's go home". May we all be holy ready 24x7 for death or the rapture. Yes, set your house (soul) in order and just be ready to go to our heavenly home (1 Thessa. 4:14). GOD bless you.
July 14, 2025
SOCIAL MEDIA
THE PHONE - (2 Tim. 3: 1-13)
This is just a warning to our TFTD recipients and to all. One of the most popular and powerful positive and negative information systems is Social Media via the phone. Thousands of adults and children have access and are very preoccupied to the point of being influenced positively and negatively by those who want good for you and also by many religious and non-religious crooks. These crooks want to bring division in your home and in your church. These crooks want to hurt you and rob you of your finances, your children, your property, and also want to rob you of your relationship with your LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS THE CHRIST. Yes, "...in the last days perilous times shall come... men shall be lovers of their own selves... more than lovers of GOD... having a form of godliness..." (2 Tim. 3:1-13). My friends perilous times are here NOW. Be careful what you listen to and what you watch on Social Media. I am in the process of completing the pamphlet entitled "Pastoral Unity Recommendation" for our organization and for all. It is coming soon. GOD bless you.
July 15, 2025
"SPEAKING THROUGH THE THUNDER!"
As I sat yesterday evening and listened to the thunder roar and saw the lightning flashing, I could hear God speaking through the thunder. God is displeased with a lot of things that are going on. Humankind has turned their backs on God and going after their own way (Isaiah 53:6). I could hear God saying don’t be persuaded by the norm; don’t accept the things I condemn. Don’t give in to fit in or act like, because God is a forgiving God He will let things slide. No, God is a just God! He says, “they that are just will be just still; they that are filthy will be filthy still; they that are righteous will be righteous still; and he that is holy let him be holy still” (Rev. 22:11). God is speaking through the thunder, and we must wake up and cease from doing things as usual. Church cannot be as usual because there are still souls to be saved. God alone deserves the Praise, Honor and Glory!! He is our King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!! (Rev. 4:1-11). Church, let’s be an example to the world, and don’t accept what the Lord rejects.
1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
July 16, 2025
THE THOUGHT
THE SECRET POWER; THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE POWER OF THE THOUGHT - (Eccl. 10:20; Luke 6:45; Acts 8:22)
The word thought has multiple meanings such as the mental or heart process of thinking good things or bad things before it becomes active or carried out. It also includes the judging process of ideas, opinions, beliefs, etc.
Sin can originate in the thought, and the thought process can lead to actions positive or negative. Never leave a negative or wrong judgemental thought unrepented just because you did not carry it out. Remember David and Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. David saw, then he thought, then he carried out the negative thought. He had her husband killed so he could have her as his wife. David did repent of his fleshly weakness, and GOD did forgive him (2 Sam. 11:1-27).
The prodigal son thought negatively about leaving home, and he did. But while out there with the hogs, he thought positively about returning home, and he did (Luke 15:11-32). Oh, the secret power of the thought both positive and negative. So watch your thoughts because it has a silent voice, which only GOD and you can hear. Yes, your thought has a voice. You must repent when you inculcate the wrong thought (Acts 8:22). GOD bless you.
July 17, 2025
DON'T FORGET GOD!
We might forget about many things, but we never want to forget God (Jesus). He is our creator, our way maker, our provider, and the source of our survival. He loads us with benefits daily, and his stock room never runs out. His love is limitless, His mercy is great, and His grace is amazing. OH, what a wonderful God we serve.
Psalms 103:2-5 - Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
July 18, 2025
THE AWESOME GOD - (John 1:1-3; John 20:30-31; John 21:25)
Isn't it amazing in knowing that every god has a name, and the name of the AWESOME GOD of creation in the dispensation of grace (NT) is JESUS. JESUS made the world (Eph. 3:9; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2). GOD, the FATHER SPIRIT took on a physical body from creation, and man was made like JESUS' body (Gen. 1:26; Gen. 2:7; 1 Tim. 3:16).
Mary had a hard time figuring out what was going on in her womb since she did not have sex with any man (Luke 1:31-35). JESUS is so awesome that if everything that HE did were to be written "... the world (all seven continents) itself could not contain (all) the books that should be written" (John 21:25). Oh, JESUS is THE AWESOME GOD who alone all in the world should worship and serve (John 20:30-31). GOD bless you.
July 21, 2025
WHAT TIME IS IT? (Romans 13:11)
The question "what time is it"; is often asked by Elder Elder Colin Drake at offering time. The audience would respond by saying "it's offering time". I am presently in a foreign country that is five hours ahead of Maryland's time, so my wife sometimes asks me what time is it? We keep our watches on Maryland 's time to maintain our medication and vitamin sequence schedule. For example our 8 and 9 am medication and vitamin time on Sunday morning now has to be taken at 1 and 2 pm Sunday evening England's time. Paul stated in Romans 13:11-12, "and that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep ...the night is far spent, the day is at hand: ...". We must not walk in strife or envy, but we should walk in honesty because love worketh no ill or evil to his neighbor (Romans 13:10, 13). We all should answer the question "what time is it" by forgiving and loving one another the very same way as JESUS CHRIST loves and forgives us (Matt. 6:14-15; John 13:34-35). No loving and forgiving like JESUS loves and forgives us means NO HEAVEN. GOD bless you.
July 22, 2025
"GIANTS DO FALL!" –(II Samuel 12:1-20, Psalm 51)
A Giant is considered an unusually big, tall, and powerful person. One who has authority over another. Giants can also be circumstances or situations in our lives that we are not able to handle on our own. Giants do fall, the song writer penned it, “the bigger they are, the harder they fall, Giants they die”.
Your giant situation(s) will not last forever. They will come down. All you have to do is continue to trust and depend on Jesus. There were kings that fell, for example David, (while he might not have looked like a giant), he was a king. Looking too long caused him to fall, but he had a heart of repentance, and he cried out to God for help. (Psalm 51:1-2)
Psalm 51:4-5 - Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
July 23, 2025
GOD'S LOVE, THE REAL McCOY - (1 John 4: 1-21; John 17: 26)
The famous black inventor Elijah McCoy inventions are referred to as the real McCoy. It is amazing how the world can attach various meanings to the word love while ignoring the fact that love comes from the real holy GOD JESUS CHRIST, the Creator of the heavens and the earth (John 1:3). The world can be intimate out of wedlock, and they call it "making love" even though often it is done without loving or caring about each other. People even marry each other without a drop of love in their hearts for the person they marry. No man can write all of what love is. The writer says, "...to write the love of GOD would drain the ocean dry...". And John 21:25 let us know that the world could not contain all the books of the things that JESUS did.
I simply want to remind you that the Church consists of those who, like JESUS, truly love one another unconditionally (John 13:34-35). Loving one another like JESUS loves us will keep the Church ready for heaven. If you do not have the genuine and unconditional love of GOD for each other, it will mean no heaven (1 John 4:1-21). Love will strive to put GOD first, others second, and self third. Love does not seek to remember evil experienced so as to bring it up later. Love does not fluctuate but is consistent and unchanging. GOD bless you.
July 24, 2025
RECONCILIATION!
Reconciliation (the act of restoring friendship or harmony after a disagreement) is always a good practice whenever there are disagreements. Conflicts will come and go, but it's always better to talk things out and resolve conflicts. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they caused division between mankind and God. But because of God's love and compassion, He made a way for us to be reconciled back to Him. He sent His Son (Jesus) to make the reconciliation. He didn't stop there, He even gave us His Word to use to reconcile others back to Him. Thank God for the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
July 25, 2025
MY SOUL IS NOT FOR SALE - (1 Kings 21:1-29; Matt. 16:26; Rev. 2:18-29)
DONT SELL OUT YOUR INHERITANCE.
One of the greatest challenges of every believer is the securing, the maintaining, and the preserving of the greatest valued possession we have, and that possession is our SOUL (our eternal identifier). The soul is our eternal spiritual DNA that can exist in time and in eternity. There will be no mistaken identity on the judgment day - going to heaven or hell. The DNA, like the finger print cannot lie. The body can be burned up, but your DNA soul cannot be destroyed. The soul can feel the eternal joys of heaven or the eternal pains and sufferings of hell. "For what is a man profited (says JESUS), if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own (one and only) soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26). Naboth refused to sell Ahab and Jezebel his vineyard inheritance, and he lost his life, but he maintained his integrity (soul) (1 Kings 21:1-29). Heaven is our prepared inheritance (John 14), so let the devil (Ahab and Jezebel) know that you (your soul) are not for sale. Do not sell out for money, stuff, the flesh, etc. There is a Ahab and a Jezebel who wants us to sell out our heavenly soul possession, and his real name is Satan. Tell that devil your soul is not for sale (Mark 8:36). Hallelujah!! GOD bless you.
July 28, 2025
S I N
Who is in the middle of your SIN? An I is in the middle of every one's S I N, not an U (you). - (Eccl. 10:20; 1 John 1:9; Rom. 6:1-23)
When we sin, whether in thought, words, or deed we are gambling with our souls. We must be honest with GOD and ourselves and make no excuses for sinning, but simply admit our wrongs, then ask GOD for forgiveness. Many of us sin often in our thoughts, and maybe occasionally in words and in action. Remember it is an I in the middle of our S I N, not another person. We must not be quick to point out other people’s sins like the Pharisee, and ignore our sins, faults, and shortcomings (Luke 18:9-14). You can fool some of the people some of the time, but at no time can you fool GOD.
The Bible says "if we confess our sins, HE (GOD) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not (never) sinned, we make HIM a liar, and HIS word is not in us" (1 John 1:9-10). Unlike the Pharisee, "the ... Publican ... smote upon his breast (I believe with all 10) saying GOD be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:9-14). The Wise man Solomon tells us that "he that covereth his sins shall not prosper..." (Prov. 28:13). GOD bless you.
July 29, 2025
"THE GLORY THAT SHALL BE!"
When God looked at everything He created, He said it was good (Genesis 1:27, 31). God created and orchestrated the human body and put everything in it that it needed to live. As we grow, our bodies change and we feel pain at times, which can be a good and a bad thing. The pain is to alert us that something is going on. When there’s no pain, you may think everything is alright, but it might not. Sometimes, an issue may not arise through pain, but the issue may progress quietly until it’s discovered. However, despite the changes we experience in our bodies, the Lord has given us hope that the sufferings that we go through are only temporary. One day, we will get a glorified body where we will have no pain (Rev. 21:4), but we will experience joy unspeakable and full of Glory. “Temporary pain equals eternal Glory”!
Romans 8:28 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
God Bless You!
July 30, 2025
YOURS OR OURS - (1 Corinth. 3:9; 2 Corinth. 6:1; Luke 18:9-14)
Let us take the Y off of YOURS and we will see that the work is OURS.
The Pharisee and the Publican; which of the two lines are you in? (Luke 18:9-14).
As we move closer to the ending of our lives and the ending of time, let us who are members of the body of JESUS CHRIST strive to see the spiritual needs in ourselves and not be quick to point fingers at the shortcomings of others. The work in GOD'S CHURCH in any areas is vast, and it must be our work and not saying it is someone else's (your) work. The Bible lets us know that "...we are laborers (work hard by making great effort to get the job done) together with GOD..." (1 Corinth. 3:9). GOD/JESUS has no lazy or selfish people working with HIM. Paul stated, "we then as workers (non-lazy people) together with HIM (GOD)..." (2 Corinth. 6:1 ). I am grateful, pleased, and impressed by the spiritual and natural hard work of Mt. Olivet's leaders such as Bishop Van Bynum, Sr. and his wife Sister Florita Bynum and her Secretarial Staff, the Heads of Department Ministries, such as the Culinary, the Tech Team, the Deacons, the Missionaries, the Board of Trustees, the Finance Ministry and others. I say thank you to ALL who are working openly and behind the scenes in all of our Churches (USA and Jamaica) to the glory of GOD. You will be rewarded by our boss, JESUS CHRIST, the head of the CHURCH who we work for in HIS business the Church. Yes, HE sees and hears everything and everyone.
GOD bless you.
July 31, 2025
BELIEVE IT BEFORE YOU SEE IT!
Normally, seeing is believing. But for the believers, when we pray for something, we have to believe we are going to receive it before we actually see it. Because we walk by faith, not by sight. We also have to believe no matter how long it takes to receive our petition. God knows the right time to grant our petition, so don't get impatient or discouraged while waiting on Him. When we are trusting Him to do something for us, He will bring it to pass because He can't fail.
2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight:
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