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GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Innocence Leading to Sin”

Do you realize that you can be minding your own business when just like that, your innocence can lead you to sin? How can this happen to you? How can this happen to a believer in Christ – a sitting in church every Sunday saint? Very easily.

i.e., You’re sitting at home. Your phone rings. A friend is calling, inviting you to the Giants vs the Dodgers game on Sunday. Without hesitation you agree to go, free tickets and all. In your mind you rationalize that you are a good church attendee. You go to church every Sunday. You pay your tithes. Therefore, you innocently think that you can reward yourself with just one afternoon of baseball. You rationalize that you can miss church just this once.

Well, well! You have just been caught up in an agent of deception. Pastor Brice has been teaching on the agents of deception: the world – the flesh – the Devil.

The Devil in this situation is urging you to go. Your flesh is telling you to reward yourself with a good time. It’s the Giants and the Dodgers. It will be an awesome game. And it is free! However! Yes, there is a, however.

“Everything that looks good, feels good, smells good, is not necessarily good.” – Pastor Brice

By agreeing to go to the Giants game in place of going to church on Sunday is a sin. Woah! Just like that, your innocent self will be committing a sin. How did this happen? You’ve allowed an acquaintance from the minor league to entice you over to his side of the field. (Yes, I’m using the word, acquaintance, instead of friend, because you are no longer a friend of the world. You have separated yourself from the world. You have come out from among them.)

Pastor Victor S. Brice – “Some people are not in your league. You’re in the major league, quit putting people from the minor league in your league.”

Also, if you agree to go to the game instead of to church, you will have been caught up in the world, the wants of your flesh, and the schemes of the Devil. As we all know, these things are not from the Father.

“For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world.” – 1 John 2:16 (NIV).

 I said all the above to say this: Your innocence will lead you to sin. Beware of your surroundings – your friends – your acquaintances – get your head out of the cloud. Satan is waiting to sneak up on you and he will devour you. Stay alert! Remain diligent in Word – in Worship – in Prayer!

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE … 

“Are You Living in Your Purpose?”

What is your response to the following questions: #1. Do you know your purpose?  If you responded with a yes, then proceed to question two. #2. Are you living in your purpose?

Our purpose is to serve God and others. This sounds easy enough and sounds like something we can all do. However, reflect a moment before you answer question number two because it holds you accountable. Living is an on-going activity. Therefore, living in your purpose means to always do it.

“Having a purpose will keep you grounded and unbound.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

We were all born with a purpose and a calling, but we sometimes miss them completely because we don’t know what they are. Time to pray and seek God’s direction. If you don’t know your purpose or calling, ask God to reveal it to you.  Rely on the influence of the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit direct you.

             Seek ~ Pray ~ Reveal!

Seek Him: go to His Word.   Pray: ask Him.   Reveal: He will reveal your purpose.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”                   –  Proverbs 19:21 (NIV).

           Serve others ~ Help others ~ Serve God!

Serving defined: you are doing something primarily for the benefit and goodwill of another person or group of people.

Helping defined: you are doing something for someone who is needier than you are – they need what you can provide.

Biblical serving defined: serve God by doing His Will – doing what He commands us to do. i.e., love one another; pray for one another.

When you are serving and helping others, you are serving God. Take a close look at the above three definitions. Time to answer question number two?

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Twenty-Four Seven”

What does it mean when you hear the words, twenty-four seven?  “Always open” or “never closes”.   God is available twenty-four seven.

“Seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” – Matthew 7:7 (KJV).

Pastor Brice is constant in telling us to locate God the first thing in the morning. He tells us to start our day with God. To make it a habit of locating God. This past Sunday his sermon was titled, “Early Morning Check-In”. He was teaching from Psalm chapter five. Check-in with God the first thing in the morning. Wake up and locate God. God is here for us, twenty-four seven. There is no waiting in line. You don’t have to take a number and wait to be called. You can call on Him at any time, and He will answer.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee.” Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV).

“Prayer allows you to check-in with God at any time.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

This is what “twenty-four seven” means to me. I don’t relate it to any thing associated with the police, fire, hospital (agencies that are open twenty-four seven). I relate it to God being available to me whenever I call – whenever I pray – whenever I think about Him.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” – Psalm 23:6 (KJV). 

The Word of God. Let this Scripture resonate! Build your hopes on things eternal. Check-in with God. Pray. Prayer is beneficial. Prayer is a benefit that God has given us – free of charge – you can’t buy it. You must share it though. We must all intercede in prayer on the behalf of others. We can pray anytime, day or night. We can pray anywhere, home, car, work, office. God’s eyes and ears are always open. He can detect your cries and moans. He knows what you need. You can use one word or many. Just check-in. Why?  Because…God is…

Love – Able – Faithful – Performs His Promises – He Never Fails – He Always Delivers.

Other benefits to checking-in with God:   God will consider your situation – God will coordinate (guide) your situation – God will clear-up (fix) your situation.  These are our teachings from our Pastor, Victor S. Brice. I encourage you to check-in (pray) then pray some more. Pray without ceasing.

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Are You Serious?” 

Are you serious? A simple question that can have multiple connotations. During our Sunday morning worship service our Pastor asked us questions concerning our commitment to God.

“How serious are you about God?” “Where is God in your life?”  “Is God first?”

Let these questions marinate in your soul before you answer. I used the word, soul, because these questions run deep. You must not take these questions lightly because they are all critical to your heart relationship with God. Yes, your heart relationship with God must run deep. You must love Him with all your heart and soul. You must seek Him with all your heart and soul.

“If you seek Him, He will be found by you.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9b (NIV).

Once we seek Him and find Him, our commitment to Him will come under attack. There will be opposition to your heart relationship with God. Some little things and some not so little things will show up in your life. These things will try to block your relationship with God. You will start to wonder, “Why is this happening to me?” Satan. Satan goes on the prowl when he sees how God is providing in your life – when he sees how God is working in your life.

“All who are committed, connected, to God will encounter haters.”  “Satan will try to distract you.”  – Pastor Victor S. Brice – “Leave me alone, mind your own business!” 

The above quotes from our Pastor were shared with us to encourage us to stand firm – to remain steadfast in the Word. Put the Word on Satan when he is attacking you. Make him flee.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 (KJV).

Remember how Jesus made the devil flee from Him in the wilderness.

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

The Word of God is your weapon – the Word of God is your armor. Put it on!

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”       – Ephesians 6:11 (NIV).

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Stand!” 

To stand is to be in an upright position (usually supported by your feet) – it can be a base for a piece of furniture – it can be an attitude toward a particular issue – it can also mean to be in strong agreement. When you are in strong agreement you will not back down – you will stand your ground – you will endure – be steadfast – resist – defy – maintain your position.

At the end of our Tuesday evening Bible teachings, “Benefits of The Believer”, Pastor Brice’s parting words to us were: “Share the Benefits Package. Stand and persevere!” 

“Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”               – Psalm 37:24 (NIV). 

This is a benefit. God’s Promises are our benefits.  Our benefits don’t cost a thing but are worth more than gold, take advantage of them! Have faith, trust, believe, and receive priceless benefits. Read: Psalm 37 (yes, all of it) see how we must conduct ourselves as believers. As you read Psalm 37, pay attention to the following listed Scriptures that show our believers’ benefits:

• Prepared Faith – Psalm 37:23-24.
• Profound Provisions – Psalm 37:25.
• Prosperous Practices – Psalm 37:26-27.
• Prominent Preservation – Psalm 37:28-29.
• Precious Prudence – Psalm 37:30—31.

Don’t let your benefits remain idle. Tap into them. Stay in the Word. Stay committed to the Lord (Psalm 37:5-6) He will not let you fall – He will not let you fail. Get the Word in your heart – take the Word with you wherever you may go. Grow in your knowledge of the Word – grow your faith – live the Word – spread the Word – grow your relationship with God.

Stand and resist the devil! Stand and endure your troubles and hardships! Stand and share with everyone your benefits as a believer. Reap the benefits! Persevere, under the Lord’s supervision.

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Submerge Your Energy” 

Over the past week the news media has been covering the story of five people killed when their submersible vessel imploded in the ocean while attempting to view the wreckage of the Titanic ship which sank more than a hundred years ago in the North Atlantic Ocean. Pastor Brice spoke about this tragedy relative to a storm brewing out in the ocean and it’s moving this way.

“You may not see it coming, but it’s coming.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

The Devil is always at work and will strike without warning. Therefore, we must remain covered – we must submerge ourselves in the Word of God. So far, I’ve used the word submerse (submersible) and the word submerge. Time to clarify their meaning. To submerse is to go below the surface of water (therefore the explorers were in a submersible vessel). To submerge yourself is to put all your effort into doing a particular activity – taking part and getting involved.

Pastor Brice has been teaching a series on “Energy for Ministry”.  Let’s pull this all together. Let’s submerge our energy into this ministry. Let’s get involved (take part) in our church ministry. It does not have to be anything huge – a hundred small parts can make a large engine run smoothly. Do your part, large or small, and watch how our church ministry flows and grows.    “How may I help?”   “How am I needed?”

Note: I can almost hear Pastor Brice saying, “I’m glad you asked.” 

We are most comfortable doing things that we love – things we have experience in – things (by the grace of God) we are gifted in. Using your energy for this ministry is all on you. It does not have to be anything elaborate or arduous nor is there an age limit.  i.e., A high school student gifted in praise dancing – can teach the younger students how to praise dance…or help the younger students with their Bible reading…schoolteachers – can use their expertise in children’s church…we can all use our energy to keep our church campus clean.

“There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 12:5 (NIV).

Now, back to submerge. When we submerge ourselves in love; love the Lord – love His Word – love yourself – love your neighbor – your energy for ministry will flourish as you serve the Lord and others. Submerge your energy in Solomon Temple Ministry.

“You gotta’ have energy for ministry – the rest will take care of itself.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETIINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Need An Answer?”

In today’s modern world there is a D.I.Y. (do it yourself) book for just about everything you might need or question. We live in the age of self-help. There are how-to books for arts and crafts – books on how to invest your money – books on discipline (how to use self-control – how to relieve stress – there is even a self-esteem guide).  All these books serve a purpose and have one thing in common, an expiration date.

Your arts and crafts project will get old and lose its appeal – your invested money will last until there is a stock market crash – your self-discipline (self-control, stress relief, self-esteem) will continue as long as you put in the work.  (I’m ready for your first question.)

Where do I go from here?   Was God involved in any of your situations?

How many times do you have to hear:

“Seek Him first!”       “Get God involved in everything you do!”

God’s involvement in your plans gives you His Power which you need for sure and lasting accomplishments – which is needed for eternal victory – the things of God victory.

(Next question.)

How do I get eternal victory?

“Lay up your treasures in Heaven.” (This is Biblical Principle) – Pastor Victor S. Brice

“Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.”                          – Proverbs 19:17 (MSG).

During Pastor Brice’s teachings on, “The Benefits of a Believer”, he spoke about laying up treasures in Heaven. Our treasures involve more than just money and possessions, it involves living godly, living for God’s glory, and living for the good of others. Remember, what you give to those in need should be matched by how you live the Word of God.

Righteous giving plus righteous living equals treasures in Heaven.

(Do you still need an answer?)

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETIINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Need An Answer?”

In today’s modern world there is a D.I.Y. (do it yourself) book for just about everything you might need or question. We live in the age of self-help. There are how-to books for arts and crafts – books on how to invest your money – books on discipline (how to use self-control – how to relieve stress – there is even a self-esteem guide).  All these books serve a purpose and have one thing in common, an expiration date.

Your arts and crafts project will get old and lose its appeal – your invested money will last until there is a stock market crash – your self-discipline (self-control, stress relief, self-esteem) will continue as long as you put in the work.  (I’m ready for your first question.)

Where do I go from here?   Was God involved in any of your situations?

How many times do you have to hear:

“Seek Him first!”       “Get God involved in everything you do!”

God’s involvement in your plans gives you His Power which you need for sure and lasting accomplishments – which is needed for eternal victory – the things of God victory.

(Next question.)

How do I get eternal victory?

“Lay up your treasures in Heaven.” (This is Biblical Principle) – Pastor Victor S. Brice

“Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.”                           – Proverbs 19:17 (MSG).

During Pastor Brice’s teachings on, “The Benefits of a Believer”, he spoke about laying up treasures in Heaven. Our treasures involve more than just money and possessions, it involves living godly, living for God’s glory, and living for the good of others. Remember, what you give to those in need should be matched by how you live the Word of God.

Righteous giving plus righteous living equals treasures in Heaven.

(Do you still need an answer?)

Stay Connected!

Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …. 

“What is Your Passion?”

We all have a passion for something. What is yours? To be clear, passion is a strong, intense, feeling – enthusiasm – pleasure – excitement for something or about doing something. Inserting the word love for passion will give you the most correct meaning. Thinking back on one of the most descriptive actions for love… “Love conquers all!”  This may be the truest meaning of love because God is Love and so much more! Conqueror – Controller – Provider – Protector – Peace – Joy – Serenity – Strength. And the list goes on. Therefore, if God is Love, is He also Passion? Let’s think about this for a minute.

During our Sunday sermon on, “Energy for Ministry” (Part – 5) Pastor Brice made the statement:

“Passion will eliminate every excuse – obliterate all opposition – annihilate every attack.”

Sounds like the work of the Holy Spirit to me. Would we, in our earthly realm, be able to do all the above; eliminate – obliterate – annihilate, without the help of the Holy Spirit?  No – nope – naw! Nehemiah chapters one through thirteen, God gave Nehemiah the energy – the passion – and the drive to complete the task of rebuilding, restoring, Jerusalem both literally and spiritually.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” – Romans 12:6 (NIV).

God has given all of us gifts so that we may use them to glorify His Name. However, we tend to use our gifts for our satisfaction and not the way God intended – especially when our gifts bring us fame and fortune. With fame and fortune, we get the “big head” and start thinking we are all that. We’ve let our gifts, along with our passion, lead us in the wrong direction. The wrong direction leads to destruction.

Time to detour – time to turn – time to head in the Right direction.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2 (NIV).

Setting your mind on the things above is heading in the Right direction. Your mindset must be to put God first in all you do. Your passion will follow your mindset. Again, what is your passion?

“Use your passion to serve the Lord!”

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Solomon Temple Ministries International ~ Blogger ~ Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE ….

“Why Do You Suppose?” 

Why do you suppose someone would be opposed to restoring ruins?  Why would someone choose ugliness over beauty? Pastor Victor S. Brice has an on-going series on “Energy for  Ministry”. In the book of Nehemiah, we read about Nehemiah rebuilding the walls and restoring the ruined city of Jerusalem. However, ….

“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.”   – Nehemiah 4:8 (NIV). 

… there were people who did not want the ruined city restored to its rightful beauty. There were people who felt threatened by the rebuilding of Jerusalem. What comes into play here? Envy – Jealousy – Resentfulness – Spite. We have Nehemiah, a servant of God, trying to restore beauty to his city, while some oppressors try to stop him.

“You must go all the way in and channel your energy.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

Use your energy for the right reasons – to do the work – not disrupt the work. Talk is cheap – meaning – the nay-sayers will talk, talk, talk but when it comes to putting forth the work energy, they can’t be found – they suddenly disappear. We must stop trying to oppose the inevitable – we must use our energy for good because God will always win!

I sometimes look around at the empty pews in our church. Where are you? Pastor Brice talked about the great comeback in Jerusalem. It is time for your great comeback. Time to use your energy for ministry by coming back to fellowship with other believers. We need the Lord – we need each other. God needs you to do the work.

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work.” – John 9:4 (NIV). 

The above Scripture was spoken by Jesus. God sent His One and Only Son to earth so that we could model ourselves after Him. Therefore, we all must do…”the works of Him” …

Why do you suppose…. because this is our energy for ministry.

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan