“What Went Wrong?”
As a believer we make it our aim to please God. However, we sometimes miss the target. We must accept the fact that we can never totally please God every day and in every way. For whatever reason, we’ll do something that is totally off-target – totally contrary to pleasing Him.
Romans 3:23 (NLT) “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Yes, due to our sin nature, we fall short. However, we must accept this fact and get right back up after a fall and make it our mission to continue to please Him in all that we do.
What have you done recently that wasn’t pleasing to God? Let this question marinate and give your answer to God. Your answer may be convoluted and may even be multi-faceted. It may not be a simple answer.
Galatians 5:7-8 (NLT) “You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly wasn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom.”
What went wrong? This question is personal and unique to your situation or circumstances. Therefore, before you answer, think about your life, your most recent step back from pleasing God. Until you can get to the bottom of what went wrong, what put you into your circumstances, you stand the chance of repeating the same mistakes. Pray! Talk to God! Ask God: “What is your plan for me?”
Acts 22:10 (NIV) “What shall I do, Lord?”
“God is not a God of fill-in the banks. He will tell you exactly His plans for you. God’s plans for you are: personal, practical, and perfect. The most important thing in life is to discover God’s plans and purpose for your life.” – Pastor V.S. Brice
Get Connected under the leadership of Pastor Victor S. Brice, Solomon Temple Ministries International.
Stay Connected!
Blessings!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan
“Are You in The Desert?”
Are you in the desert? When in the desert you’re in the flesh – in the world – pleasing self – trying to succeed or reach destinations without the help of the Holy Spirit.
John 6:35 (NIV) “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life, He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'”
Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Seek God! Make it your goal to please Him. If, you are not doing these things you might as well be wandering in the desert. No food – no water – no protection – nothing to shield you from the hot sun – the hot air – from the sins of this world.
Isaiah 2:22 (MsgV) “Quit scraping and fawning over mere humans, so full of themselves, so full of hot air! Can’t you see there is nothing to them?”
“Man is nothing but hot air – stop trusting man!” – Pastor V.S. Brice
Pastor Brice has been teaching a series on, “Pleasing God”. We cannot please Him in the flesh. We can only please Him with the help of the Holy Spirit and we must aim to please Him. Just as Jesus aimed to please His Father.
2 Corinthians 5:9 (NIV) “So we make it our goal to please Him……”
John 8:29 (NIV) “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”
“Jesus aimed to please His Father. Because of this, I have a different mind-set – a different worship – walk – talk – in whatever I do. It’s all about pleasing Him.” – Pastor V.S. Brice
Come out of the desert! Get Connected with The Temple under the teachings and leadership of Pastor Victor S. Brice through: Word – Worship – Witnessing – Winning souls to Christ.
Stay Connected!
Blessings!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan
“Attention: Spotter on Board!”
Do you need a spotter? The word spotter can be applied to a number of things such as: an aircraft spotter – a gymnast spotter – a change in weather patterns spotter. I’m not referring to any of these, I’m referring to a spiritual spotter. A spiritual spotter is someone who keeps watch over your spiritual well-being, over your spiritual health.
In our Leadership Class, this past Sunday, Pastor Brice made the statement:
“Dedication and motivation will lead you to the right destination.” – Pastor V.S. Brice
Pastor Brice was referring to our spiritual health. On a personal level we have work to do. Put in the time, maintain your spiritual health – grow spiritually. Prayer – praise – worship – serving – seek the Word – share the Good News! Seek Him first – His commands – and the rest will follow.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Matthew 21:22 (NIV) “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Our faith allows God to use us to do His Will. Our spiritual spotter, our pastor, will oversee our progress. We can grow spiritually on our own but, at some point, we will need the help of our spiritual spotter who will instruct and encourage us to stay on the path that Christ has set for us to follow. Jesus set the bar high, a level we won’t reach on this side of eternity. But, it’s up to us to keep striving until we meet Him there.
Be encouraged! Solomon Temple has a spiritual spotter, Pastor Victor S. Brice, on board who will lead and help you along your journey, your quest, to get and stay spiritually healthy. Get Connect! … and …
Stay Connected!
Blessings!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan
“Who’s On First?”
Who’s on first? The answer to this question may depend on a multitude of circumstances. However: Who is first? When applied to your heart and personal life, there is only one correct answer: God is First! Pastor Brice has been giving a series of teachings on God’s Supremacy.
Supremacy: the state or condition of being superior to all others – sovereignty – dominion
Colossians 1:18 (NIV) “And he is the head of the body, the church, he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”
“Make this prophetic Scripture come alive in your heart. Otherwise it is meaningless. Jesus is the only person who has the right to occupy supremacy in our hearts.” – Pastor V.S. Brice
Why should Jesus have the right to occupy supremacy in our hearts?
He made us – He redeemed us – His Father gave Him the Supremacy
“If He is not Lord of all – He is not Lord at all!” – Pastor V.S. Brice
Realistically in our day to day actions we will choose to put ourselves, our families, or even materialistic things first. We leave God out of the equation completely. Did you know that this is a scheme of the Devil? He wants you to leave God out of the equation so that he will have easy access into our lives.
We were redeemed by the Blood of Jesus, the Source of our life, of our healing. The Blood that reaches high – flows low – gives us strength – never loses Its Power. Allow God to take His rightful position of Supremacy in our hearts and in our personal lives.
Get spiritually blessed by the teachings of the Word of God by Pastor Victor S. Brice. Connect with us at The Temple!
Stay Connected!
Blessings!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan
“It’s Time!”
Closing out our 2018 Night Watch Service we had a dynamic Word delivered by, our very own, Minister Gwendolyn Dangerfield. Her message, “It’s Time to Glean”, was from the book of Ruth, Chapter 2. I have no words to describe her impactful message. You had to have been here to receive it.
I received her message and I’m carrying it into 2019 – It’s time to sift and renew!
Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV) “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Sift: take out residue – remove impurities – delve into – separate from – filter (remove)
Your sifting starts now! Let the Word of God sift, remove, all the residue and impurities of your sin nature. Sift and be refined by the Word of God. Then, reap the full benefits of His Goodness, Grace, and Mercy.
Seek Him first – stay in the Word. Pray – for yourself and others. Praise Him – through trouble and good times. Obey Him – follow His commands and instructions. Witness – become a disciple of the Word. Do all these things daily. Grow in your need for Him – grow in your likeness of Jesus – grow in your relationship with Him – grow in the Word of God.
Stay Connected!
Blessings!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan
“Where Art Thou?”
“Where art thou?” This was the first question asked in the Bible. God was speaking to Adam who was trying to hide from Him because he had sinned. Knowing that God is Omnipresent (Jeremiah 23:24) – Omniscient (Psalm 147:5) – Omnipotent (Luke 1:37) – this question is more than: “Where are you?” This question from God could also mean: “What have you done?”
Genesis 3:9 (KJV) “And the Lord God called unto Adam, and unto him. ‘Where art thou?'”
What have you done in 2018? Where are you in 2019?
What are your plans for 2019? I’m not referring to plans for vacation, a new car, or a home. Nor am I referring to a New Year’s resolution. Everytime you start a new year with a resolution, you are setting yourself up to fail. A resolution starts with an intent and ends with good intentions. Make your plans, then be like Nike and “Just do it!”
Work on your relationship with God. Think of His Goodness!
“Are you In – or out?” – Pastor V.S. Brice
Seek Him first! Give back to Him through self and service. Give yourself to Him and let Him use you.
Be In – the Word! Be In – Worship! Be In – as a Witness! Be In – Winning souls to Christ!
“Where art thou?” “Are you In – or out?”
Meet me at The Temple! Get under the teaching – preaching – leadership of Pastor Victor S. Brice. Get Connected! … and ….
Stay Connected!
Blessings!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan
“Don’t Drink The Kool-Aid!”
“Gurus, Groupies, And Gullibility”, from the book, “Qualified”, was the subject taught in our Leadership Class. A quote from the book: “Spiritual leaders do not cultivate a dependency in others upon themselves; they teach others to think biblically and to rely upon the Holy Spirit.”
People (groupies) will blindly follow leaders (gurus) just so they can be a part of the publicity or hype and will accept whatever they are teaching. Gullibility may also play a part. When it comes to your spiritual wellbeing, know your Bible. The Word is Truth! Be prepared to walk away from anyone involved in false teachings.
The Bible is the only book that will “fact check” Itself. Every Scripture in the Bible, whether the Old Testament or the New Testament, has at least one or more Scriptures that can be cross-referenced for confirmation and a better understanding. The Bible has been written in several different transliterations – different words with the same meaning.
1 John 4:1 (NIV) “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
“Don’t drink the Kool-Aid!”
This metaphor was spawned after the Jonestown Massacre, November 18, 1978. Jim Jones, an evangelist turned cult leader and self-proclaimed messiah of the Peoples Temple, led more than 900 men, women, and children to their deaths in a mass suicide with cyanide laced punch. Gullibility? Jim Jones was perhaps very charismatic, persuasive, and authoritative.
Your knowledge of the Word – obedience to the word – and your discernment is key – it is critical. Use your God given ability of logic and reason to discern the truth. Again, know the Word! When you doubt what is being taught – research the Scriptures. Pray! Let the Holy Spirit lead you! Don’t get caught up!
Stay Connected!
Blessings!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan
“How Are You Living?”
In early 1990 through May of 1994, Fox TV aired an American sketch comedy series: “In Living Color”. Keenen Ivory Wayans created, wrote and starred in the program. The theme song, “In Living Color”, by Heavy D and The Boyz, comes to mind whenever anyone asks me: How are you living? An excerpt from the song: “Cause that’s the way you livin’ when you’re in living color.”
What does it mean to be living in color? Color can mean many different things but, sticking to the positive: to glow – intensify – saturation – value – illuminate – infuse – magnify.
Pastor Brice has started a series of teachings on: What It Means to Be Blessed – The Blessed Place – How to Live My Best Life. In his teachings, Pastor Brice reminded us that our God is the Living God. Picking one word from the meaning of color: saturation – brings another question: Are you saturated in God – in His Word?
Psalm 84:2 (NIV) “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
From a Biblical view: To be living in color is to be saturated in God. Keeping this in mind, your answer to the question: “How are you living?” should be: “In Living Color!” A quote from Pastor Brice: “God is on the inside of us, tap-in! You can tap-in at anytime and anywhere!”
Meet us at The Temple – Be led by the teachings of Pastor V. S. Brice – Get Saturated!
Stay Connected!
Blessing!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan
“No Answer!”
During our Tuesday Night Bible Study, Pastor Brice asked: “What do you do when you’re in a dark place?”
Read: Psalm Chapter 77 (in it’s entirety). The writer, Asaph, was in a dark place (going through trials and troubles). He cried out to God in desperation and despair. He felt that God was not listening to him – that God had abandoned him.
Psalm 77:1-3 (NLT) “I cry out to God, yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! 2 When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. 3 I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help.”
When you’re in a dark place – going through trials and trouble – it’s time to pray! It’s time to call on God! When you deliberately cry out to God, He hears you. Asaph was deliberate, despairing, and desperate in his prayer.
“What happens when we pray to God and He doesn’t answer?”
God hears us every time we call on Him but, we sometimes fail to hear His response. Perhaps it’s because the answer we receive is not the answer we are seeking. There are times, however, that God will not answer your call, as was the case of Asaph in Psalm 77.
When God does not answer you, it’s time for introspection. Everything we receive is by His Grace, by His Will. In our relationship with God, it is our responsibility to glorify Him in all things – and at all times. When we receive a blessing, it is our duty to return the blessing. We can bless God by serving Him or we can bless someone else. What did you do the last time you received from God? Why is God not answering you? Is what you are asking for of the world or of God?
Meet us at The Temple! Pastor Brice will answer the above questions and much more.
Get Connected … and … Stay Connected!
Blessings!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan
“His Goodness”
“When I think of His Goodness and what He’s done for me …..”
At the beginning of our Tuesday Night Bible Study, Pastor Brice made the statement that he’d thought about creating a Gratitude Journal. Then he said: “This is my challenge to you: keep a journal for 1 to 2 weeks – make daily posts of what you are grateful for.” Yes, you can do this!
A journal is simply a record of events or actions, usually of a personal nature: a daily record – a diary – a log – a logbook. It does not have to start out as a diary/logbook. You can write your thoughts or actions on a piece of paper, date it, and later compile your logbook or journal.
Pastor Brice taught: “What Does It Mean to Be Grateful/Thankful?” He gave us 7 reasons, supported by Scripture, why we should be thankful.
- Because God is good. “All the time – God is good!” (1 Chronicles 16:34)
- Because it is the Will of God to be thankful. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
- Because we’re a part of God’s Kingdom. (1 Peter 2:9)
- God will help us be at peace. (Philippians 4:6)
- We will learn how to appreciate and worship God. (Psalm 100:4 & Psalm 95:2-3)
- Because of God’s blessings. (2 Corinthians 9:15)
- Being thankful will help you avoid sin. (Matthew 5:3-11 – The Beatitudes)
Make your journals personal, include family, close friends, pets, situations involving family, friends, our country, etc. Start your list by saying: “Thank you Lord for …. ” You’ll find that you have many things to be thankful for. Do this daily and watch your list grow. You’re praising Him! Praising God is connecting you to Him. Get Connected … and … Stay Connected!
Blessings!
Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan