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“Set Apart”

“You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.” – Psalm 4:3 (NLT).

Yes, this means you! You are one of God’s children. You are loved by Him. You are the godly. (This means you are faithful and devoted to God.) You are set apart. (To be set apart means you must live and act differently from people of the world.) Let this marinate so that it seeps into your mind, body, and soul.

You belong to Christ. He will answer when you call (pray to) Him.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life has gone; a new life has begun.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT).

A new life has begun. Are you living your new life? Are you still trying to hang out with your old friends? If you answered yes to both questions, then you need to rethink the second question. You have work to do.

You have a quart of milk in the refrigerator, it’s been there for a while, and it’s running low. So, you go out and buy a new (fresh) quart of milk. You get home and pour what’s left of the old milk into your cereal, then add some of the fresh milk. Time for the taste test! Yuk! Exactly!

This is what happens when you try mixing your old life with your new life. When you go to church on Sunday, then on Monday and throughout the week, you go back to hanging out with your worldly friends. This is not a good mix. Let your old life be gone. Wave to it! Bye-bye!

You have been made right with God. He sacrificed His Son to the cross through death and resurrection for you. Surrender your all to Him. You are set apart by God. He loves you. He will listen to your call (prayers). He will answer your call (prayers).

God has a plan and a purpose for the new you. I can’t tell you what that plan or purpose is because we all have a personal plan and a personal purpose. Call to Him – surrender to Him – He’ll answer you and tell you what you’re set apart to do.  He’ll tell you your plan – He’ll tell you your purpose.

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

“A Mother’s Love”

A Mother’s love is your heartbeat

With each beat you will thrive

With each beat – You will survive.

“When she speaks her words are wise –

She gives instructions with kindness.”

(Prov.31:26 NLT)

 With wisdom – love – and faithfulness.

A Mother’s Love is in her offspring

Sons – Daughters – Grans

Great-grans – Grans of the future.

Her Love is protected by God’s Grace

And God’s Holy Scripture.

God is Love (1 John 4:8)

(and)

A Mother’s Love is your heartbeat!

Show your love – Relate – Appreciate!

To God be the glory!

Praise His Holy Name! 

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“A Different You!”

When connected to God, His power will reside in you and the ways of the world will no longer have a place of residence in you – nor will they have priority over your actions and reactions.

You will become a new you – become a different you. You will live differently, and your thought patterns and thought process will be different. Your emotional response to things happening in the world will be different from those of the world because you will be wired different.

i.e., When under personal attack a worldly person may react in anger or vengeance. Whereas a believer will remain calm and pray for God to handle the situation.

Being connected to God, however, does not exempt you from life’s struggles, sorrows, or sufferings because they are a part of life, therefore, we will all have them. However, there is Good News! We serve a God that is …

… the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3b).

Praise Him while going through your trials and sufferings. Pray, then pray some more. God will be there for you – God will be with you.

“It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4 (NIV).

What does it mean to live on every word that comes from the mouth of God? It means that we must trust God to provide for us. We must not act independently of Him. Live, obey, and trust the Word of God – trust God to provide for you.

At times we will fall short while living the above Scripture, Matthew 4:4. (How can this happen?) We forget that everything we have comes from God.    Check this out….

You just received a job promotion. Congratulations! With this increase in pay, you decide to buy a new car. Nice car! Next, you take a vacation. Had lots of fun! You’re home now and feeling pretty good about yourself. Look at me! (What’s missing in this scenario?)

You forgot to praise Him –you forgot to give God the glory for your promotion, new car, and vacation. God is the Source of everything. Acknowledge Him. He is with you always; through good or bad; happy or sad; whether you celebrate or mourn. He also keeps His promise to never leave you nor forsake you.  Praise Him!

Stay connected to him. His Power will reign in you, and you will find peace and comfort no matter what you’re going through. Let your lifestyle and your actions show others a new you – a different you – a God centered you.

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Your Cross to Bear”

Are you tired of being talked about – hated on – lied on – people whispering negative things about you behand your back? Well, you might as well get used to it because this can and will happen daily. This is your cross to bear.

Cross to bear: a difficult or burdensome situation (or person) that one must endure. It’s often a long-term problem or person that causes worry or trouble. A burden that must be accepted and dealt with, even if it is difficult.

Thank God that your cross is nothing like the cross Jesus had to bear. Use your imagination – think about Jesus being beaten, whipped, spat on, shedding His Blood, then carrying a cross on His back to His own crucifixion. There is nothing, nothing in our lifetime, that can compare to what Jesus endured on the cross.

“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.” – Luke 22:42 (KJV). 

Jesus knew His fate – He knew what He must endure – He knew that it was God’s Will for Him to be crucified.

We will always face trials, struggles, and hardships in this world. However, God is with us all the way. He waits for us to make the call. Call Him – Trust in Him – submit to His Will. Know His Word – Get His Word in your heart. Live His Word.

When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the tomb where Jesus had been laid, they were contacted by an angel of the Lord…

“He is not here; for He is risen!” – Matthew 28:6 (KJV).

Hallelujah! Such wonderful words! “He is risen!” Think on these words for a minute…let these words resonate through your mind … body … soul. “He is risen!” Jesus had His “cross to bear” so that we may have ours. Bear your cross! Jesus got the victory, and we will get ours.

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“I Made It!”

I made It!  But God!

I made it out all right because God said I would.

I made it!  I stayed connected!

I made it out all right because I stayed connected to God.

I made it!  I prayed!

I made it out all right because I prayed my way through every situation.

I made it!  I praised Him!

I made it out all right because I praised His Holy Name.

I made it!  I gave Him the Glory!

I made it out all right because I gave God the Glory for all my accomplishments.

I made it!  I shared!

I made it out all right because I shared His Word with others and made disciples.

I made it! I activated!

I made it out all right because I activated the Word of God and received power.

I made it!  I had faith!

I made it out all right because of my faith that God will do everything He says He will do.

I made it! I aligned!

I made it out all right because I aligned myself with God and His Word.

I made it!  I was chosen.

I made it out all right because I was chosen by God to serve Him and build up His church.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 (NIV).

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Would’ve – Could’ve – Should’ve”

I was just thinking about different phrases we may make during conversations with each other. These phrases are unique to our African American culture and fall under the Ebonics way of speaking.

In 1973, Dr. Robert Williams, a psychology professor at Washington University in St. Louis, coined the word Ebonics; ebony(black) and phonics to describe the English dialect spoken by African American descendants of West Africa, Caribbean, and U.S.A. slaves. Ebonics is currently known as African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and is spoken by black people of African rather than European descent.

In 1996 the Oakland Unified School District proposed using AAVE (Ebonics) in their public schools to teach standard English. Their goal was to help bridge the gap between students who spoke AAVE (Ebonics) and students who spoke standard English and to ultimately get more funding. This proposal caused controversy and national outrage. It would’ve – could’ve – should’ve but for the grace of God – it is not formally used in our schools today.

“If the Lord had not been on our side …” – Psalm124:1 (NIV).

Can you even imagine going through life without God – going through life without the Lord on your side? It won’t work. You need God to survive.

If not for God’s Grace – Greatness – and Guidance it will not happen. We don’t deserve what we have but we need God to make it happen. This applies to every good thing in life. God will cover you with His Grace and Mercy when you trust and believe in Him. You will make it out all right!

Our pastor, Rev. Victor S. Brice, spoke on this during his Sunday sermon, I Made It Out All Right. I encourage you to go to our Solomon Temple Ministries International website: solomontempleministriesinternational.org to view our sermon livestream section and listen to his sermon. You will be blessed.

“All of God’s children will make it out all right!” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Peace of/with God”

What does it mean to have peace of God? There are several ways to answer this question, but I’ll start with this; To have peace of God is to be in a calm and pleasing state of appreciation and faith where we submit to and trust the Word of God. To elaborate; To have peace of God is to be in a state of living in harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, and tranquility with God.

When the believer participates in the Christian way of life, according to the plan of God, the peace of God is available to him daily. Our true peace comes from the Holy Spirit.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”        – Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).

To have the peace of God is to experience calm during your trouble and chaos. The peace of God is comparable to a soldier guarding your heart – mind – soul – well-being. The peace of God is your protection – comfort – hope.

You have peace with God when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Every believer has this free-will choice. Since Jesus is our Intercessor, our Peace-Maker, the Mediator between God and man, our peace with God will last through eternity. Our peace with God can never be lost.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1 (NIV).

Our justification through faith removes our sin guilt and makes room for peace with God through Jesus Christ. Our faith insures us to act on what we haven’t experienced yet and brings us peace with God along with strength – courage – stability – every good thing in life.

Hold on to the peace that God gives you. Whether it is the peace of God, or peace with God. Put the Word of God into action. Don’t just read the Word, heed the Word. Act on the Word and stop dwelling on things that are in opposition to the Word of God. Stop dwelling on things that are in opposition to the peace of God and peace with God. Instead, rejoice – pray – and dwell in God and His righteousness. And the God of Peace will be with you.

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

Othella Hill-Jordan                                                                                                 January 20, 2025

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“I Stand Corrected!”

During our Tuesday Word (Bible) meeting, Pastor Brice made the statement; Keep the Word in your heart to guard against sin!

What did he mean by this statement? The Word of God is our Protection against sin.

We, this means you and I, were born into a sinful world. Yes, for those who are in denial, our world has been plagued by sin since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. Sin is quite often presented as something beautiful – tasteful – pleasurable. I caution you to remain alert because quite often it is Satan at work luring you into his sin trap. (This means war!)

Read: Ephesians chapter 6 in its entirety.

We cannot battle Satan alone. Our best defense is God and His Word. Use It!

“Wear the Word as an Armor.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice.

Put on the full Armor of God; Belt of Truth – Breastplate of Righteousness – Shoes of Peace – Shield of Faith – Helmet of Salvation – Sword of the Spirit.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”                                               – Ephesians 6:18 (NIV).

The Word of God is our standard for living.  It will protect you and correct you. (And I stand corrected!)  It will keep you on the path of righteousness and will not let you stray. The Word will let you live.

“Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.”

• Proverbs 4:4 (NIV).

 Every word used in this blog should be a reminder of what you already know and of what you are already doing. This blog was written to encourage you to stay in alignment with God and His Word. Remain steadfast in the Word of God – remain steadfast in prayer – remain steadfast in witnessing to others.

“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (NIV).

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Alive in Christ in 2025!”

I normally don’t like to start a conversation with a question, however, here it goes: What would a summary of your life look like for 2024? Include the good – the bad – the ups – the downs – the wins – the losses. Ok, I’m going to walk right past the fact that we all sin. I know this – you know this – and we all do this. Now. What gauge did you use for doing good?

Living in a nice neighborhood – driving an expensive car – having a high paying job are all very nice to have, however, it does not mean you’re doing good.

“Let your service to the Lord, be your gauge for doing good.” – Anon.

Also, I can’t just mention the fact that we all sin and let it go at that because to sin is to be dead to Christ. Think about this for a moment. Sin can be very enticing; looks good – smells good – feels good. Being a believer does not exempt you from sin. However, when you fall into sin, you’ll feel convicted. Embrace this feeling, it will lead you to repent and turn away from sin.

“Go and sin no more.” – John 8:11 (NIV).

Pastor Brice’s Watch Night service, December 31, 2024, on “Stepping Into 2025 Energized”, was our encouragement to do just that; go and sin no more. He spoke from the Message Bible, Galatians 6:7-10. He cautioned us to be careful of how and what we plant because we will harvest what we plant.

“Some of what we planted in 2024 produced weeds. Weeds will choke you out.”                                                                               – Pastor Victor S. Brice

You may have ended 2024 with; I was gonna’ – I would’ve – I should’ve – I could’ve. This was you misleading yourself. Stop misleading yourself and let God lead you. Get in the Word of God and stay in the Word! Pray. Pray for yourself and others. Love. Love yourself as well as others. (Yes, you can! You may have to love some people from afar, but you can love everyone.)

God is Love and God is Joy. There is no love nor joy without God! The Word of God is Truth, therefore seek Him first and everything else will fall into place.

Get energized – Strive – Grow in the Word – Come alive in Christ – Come alive in 2025!

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Solomon Temple Ministries International  ~  Blogger  ~  Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“The Reason for The Season”

Before I speak on, The Reason for The Season, I will clarify The Season.  As for me and my family, we recognize The Season as; Thanksgiving – Christmas – New Years Eve (ending)– New Years Day (beginning). God, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit is the reason for the Season.

 Thanksgiving: We give praises and thanks to God for the Goodness, Grace, and Mercy we’ve been given throughout the year. We also, in turn, reciprocate with others who are in need.

Christmas: We celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus. God sent Jesus from Heaven to walk among us and show us how to live – worship – love Him and others. During this time, we  gift others with presents or mementos in recognition of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh, that the three Magi (kings) gave to Jesus at his birth.

New Years Eve: We again give praise and thanks to God for being our Way out of no way – our Joy in time of sorrow – our Peace transcending all understanding – our Keeper – our Healer – our Provider – our Love. (There is no love without God.)

New Years Day: We celebrate new beginnings. We celebrate the chance to start over/revisit (or continue) with Word – Worship – Prayer – Praise – Witnessing to others.

 “You must be born again.” – John 3:7 (NIV).

“Come out from among them and be ye separate.” – 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV).

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” – Matthew 6:33 (NIV).

“Pray (always) continuingly.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV).

 Start the New Year with heeding the Word of God. Read – hear – heed (live) the Word. Be prepared to stumble (because this is what we do) but you won’t fall, and you won’t fail because God will not let you. Stumbling is not a falling or failing moment. Stumbling is a try harder moment – a stumble is a reach out to God moment. Gods got you!

Yes, time to hold on to God’s Unchanging Hands. Time to pray; God, help me to remain steadfast in You – in Your Word – in worship – in prayer – and in witnessing to others.

 God is waiting on you.  Stay in Word – stay in Prayer – stay witnessing to others.

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan