GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE ….

Have You Been Playing Hopscotch?

Hopscotch? Depending on your generation, you may not know what hopscotch is.

Wikipedia: hopscotch – a popular game in which players toss a small object into numbered triangles or a pattern of rectangles outlined on the ground and then hop or jump through the spaces and retrieve the object. A game that can be played with several players or alone.

Hopscotch is a game where you hop from start to finish while trying not to land in an occupied space.  Ok, where am I going with this? “Have you been playing hopscotch with the Word of God?” “Have you been hopping from Scripture to Scripture before really understanding what you are reading?”

Remember, hopscotch is a game, therefore: “Have you been playing games with the Word of God?” Think, before you answer! A new believer can easily get caught up in hopscotching without even realizing it because they get excited about the Word and try to take everything in all at once.  How do I know? Because this used to be me. It took me a while to realize what I was doing. I was jumping from Scripture to Scripture and not getting the meaning of One before going on to the next. I was reading my Bible without really understanding what I was reading nor was I letting the Word settle in my heart. Hopscotching!

But I can tell you about a pastor and his brother, who changed all that – who fixed all that. Pastor Victor S. Brice, and his brother, Rev. Samuel S. Brice, Solomon Temple Ministries International. To be under the teachings of either one is a blessing. Both men of God will steadfastly give you a Word that you will understand and are willing to make sure you understand their teachings.

Hopscotching in the Word of God can be detrimental to your spiritual health. Your spiritual walk is called a “walk” for a reason. Slow your pace. Take a steady and sure walk in the Word. A sure Walk is to understand the Word. You cannot possibly take-in all the Word at once. Our brains do not have the capacity nor has God designed us that way. The Word is the only gift that keeps on giving so enjoy what God has given you and keep on living His Word.

No more hopscotching around. Let the Word come into your heart – mind – body – and soul at a steady and even pace. Know the love of the Lord – know the peace of the Lord – know the goodness of the Lord – know the mercies of the Lord and thank Him for all He has done.

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7 (NLT).

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan

HELLO FROM THE TEMPLE …

“How May I Be of Service?” 

How may I be of service or how may I help you? These are welcoming words. Have you had the opportunity to say these words lately? Believers, these words should flow from our mouths on a regular basis.

As children, when we were given a treat, our mother or father would say: “Share with your sister.” (or) “Share with your brother”. We were taught at an early age to share with each other. As we grew older, we realized that to share with someone was to bless someone. Think back – how old were you when you realized this? As believers (servants/slaves) we must follow the Word of God and His teachings wholeheartedly. Serve God and others.

“God is not unjust, he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” – Hebrews 6:10 (NIV).

It may not always be easy to serve (help) others, but your reward awaits in the eternal. God has blessed all of us with much. What you may have thought was all you: family – children – home – car – college – career – was all God. Praise Him!

“Sharing is caring!”  (I don’t know who I’m quoting but, there it is.) Sharing is also blessing! Wake up each morning ready and willing to bless someone. “Who can I bless today?” Make this your everyday attitude and follow through with it. Be a blessing to someone and benefit from the return. God’s Goodness and Mercy!

“How may you be of service?”  Inundate yourself with the Word of God and share what He has gifted (blessed) you with. You will experience joy when you activate (participate) in Word – Worship – Prayer. Be willing to let His love for you lead you to love – care – encourage – support – help each other.

“In humility, consider others better than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3b (NIV).

Word – Worship – Prayer – Love – Care – Encourage – Support – Help.  Let us do this!

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blog – Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Are You Full?”

This is the 11^th month of the year, November. Praise God! He has brought us through a lot this year and He is still bringing us through. As Thanksgiving Day approaches: “Are you full?” may take on a different meaning than was originally meant. This question is not pertaining to food. This question is pertaining to your intake of the Word of God. How much of the Word have you partaken in the past 24 hours? Did you start your day in Word? How did you finish your day?

“We should be so full of the Word that our language should make reference to the Word.”                             – Pastor Victor S. Brice

Language. Language may include the words we speak – our expressions – our actions – our interactions – our lifestyle. Let us explore these as they relate to the Word of God.

The words we speak and our expressions: When in conversation with someone, remember Who your Father is?  “Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.”  Name above all names. The Name we call during our trials – troubles – sorrows. He is always with you – waiting to protect – to heal – to provide His Goodness and Mercy. This should automatically make you clean up your language and expressions.

When you disagree with someone don’t let your expressions show distaste or the words you speak be unkind. Instead, remember Who your Father is and carry yourselves accordingly. Also, remember these Words from Scripture:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”                – Ephesians 4:29 (NIV).

As believers, our actions and interactions with others should be like those of Christ Jesus. Jesus came to earth to save us (sinners) – to do the Will of His Father – and to serve. (Jesus came to earth to do much more, but for this writing I will stop here.)

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45 (NIV).

Serving must be a part of our actions and interactions with each other. Our serving must also go outside of the church. We tend to keep our serving confined inside the church walls. God wants more from us. God commands us to go out and make disciples, this includes serving. We can’t make disciples of others without serving others. While serving act on Scripture:

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32 (NIV). 

Serving should become our lifestyle – our way of life. We must not conform to the ways of the world. Our lifestyle must conform to God’s expectations.

“Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”                           – Galatians 5:16 (NIV).

We must indulge in God’s Word daily – have a daily intake of God’s Word. Start your day in Word and end your day in Word. Nope! I’m not letting you off that easy! The time in between the start of your day and the ending of your day must be filled with living by the Word and serving by the Word of God. Once you develop an appetite for the Word of God, you can then eat and be Filled.

Are you full yet?

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan

HELLO FROM THE TEMPLE …

“What Type of Work Do You Do?” 

We often think of work as being a tedious method of doing something, whether it is your paid employment – volunteer activity – or your ideal job of getting paid for doing that which you love. Work then, becomes a service. Love is key to serving the Lord.

What is our Christian service/work?  To serve the Lord. To live by the fruit of the Spirit.

Read: Galatians 5:16-26 … The apostle Paul is teaching the Galatians to live by doing good deeds and good works – to live by the fruit of the Spirit. 

What is the fruit of the Spirit?

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV).

God has planted “Fruit” in all of us. Water – feed – nourish! Grow your fruit – grow your faith –  grow your relationship with God.

“Faith without works is dead.” – James 2:26 (NIV).

Our work as Christians is to serve the Lord. How do we serve Him? Live by the fruit of the Spirit. Since, the fruit of the Spirit is in you, living by the fruit of the Spirit should be easy.

Challenge: Make living by the fruit of the Spirit a habit. Take one piece of fruit at a time, or more, if you are inclined. Work on that piece of fruit consistently, for 21 days (it takes 21 days to form a habit). Every 21 days pick a different fruit. After you have cycled through all the fruit, start over. You have put your faith to work, plus, it is now a habit – a routine – it is what you do.

You are living the fruit of the Spirit and you have just made God smile!

What type of work do I do? The type that grows my fruit!

Live by the fruit of the Spirit!    Grow your relationship with God!

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blog – Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“How Are You Navigating?”

A baby, while in the mother’s womb, feels the rhythmic beat of her heart and can hear her soothing voice. When the baby is born, the doctor will immediately place the baby on the mother’s chest. Familiarity. A new-born will start life with the familiarity of hearing his mother’s heartbeat which he later will associate with love.

I said that, to say this: A born-again or new Christian is already familiar with God’s Word. The Word of God is the Heartbeat of God. The Heartbeat of God is Love. His Goodness and Mercy is Life. As you grow in your relationship with God let His Word navigate your life.

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”      – Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)

“Let God be your Shepherd and focus on being His sheep.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

Just as your parents will give you what you need to navigate through life, so will your pastor, while being led by the Holy Spirit, give you what you need to navigate through your spiritual life. To follow the lead of your pastor is to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”                        – Psalm 136:1 (KJV)

It is by the mercy of God that we are here – that we have and do not want – that we are healed and do not perish. We must give thanks to the Lord for His Goodness and Mercy towards us. Remember, God is the Good in your life, He made mercy possible. How?

“God manifested His Mercy through His Son, the Messiah.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

Yet, another reason why we must praise Him. As the song goes: “Jesus, Blessed Savior, is worthy to be praised. In all things give Him glory!”  Jesus came to earth – for us! Jesus died – for our sins! Jesus was resurrected – for our salvation!   Jesus is worthy to be praised.   Praise Him!

How am I navigating?   I’m navigating through life by the Word of God – by the Goodness and Mercy of God. I’m standing on the Promises of God!

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Are You Prepared?”

During our Sunday Sermon, Pastor Brice made the statement:

“We must understand that we don’t deserve God’s Mercy!” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

Pastor Brice is doing a series of teachings on: “Making It by God’s Mercy”.  Yesterday he taught from 2 Chronicles Chapter 5. I challenge you to read this chapter at your leisure. It will confirm to you that God will show up, He will be in the midst, when we all come together as one in our praise and worship of Him.

“And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.” – 2 Chronicles 5:14 (NIV).

“The people came with the purpose to praise and thank the Lord, and the Lord showed up.”                      – Pastor Victor S. Brice

Pastor Brice is now on Part 13 of his teachings on: “Making It by God’s Mercy”.  Yes, Part 13. Why? Why is our pastor diligently teaching on God’s Mercy? I, for one, do not know the answer to this question. I can tell you though, that as a child, growing up in a household that worshiped the Lord, my parents would keep repeating certain attributes of how I should act as a child of God. My parents cared for my wellbeing and wanted the best for me.

Does our shepherd, Pastor Victor S. Brice, care for our wellbeing? Absolutely! He is the guardian, shepherd, that watches over our souls – our salvation. He wants us to truly understand the message: Making it by God’s Mercy. Understand that we don’t deserve His Mercy.

It is by the mercy of God that we are still here – that we have survived the coronavirus and every other crisis that have come our way. God’s Mercy is real! As individuals we have all gone through something and come out on the other side of it due to God’s Mercy. Think about it! It may have been something small (which may have led you to think that you did that) or it may have been something big or unusual (and you know for certain that it was God). Praise Him! Shout! Thank Him for His Goodness and Mercy that you do not deserve.

“Never come to church without a praise in your heart. God will show up!” – Pastor V.S. Brice

Are you prepared to come to church with a praise in your heart? Are you ready for God to show up? A yes answer to both questions is required because it is by His Grace and Mercy that we are here today. Shout in Praise of Him! “His Love endures forever!”

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“Following”

Are you the one being followed – or – the one doing the following? If, it is the latter, you must be careful who you follow. Why? Because you can be led down the wrong pathway. Remember, God’s Word is Truth and God’s Word is Written. If you cannot find Scripture that confirms the doctrine being preached/taught, it is not God’s Word. It is not Truth. Reading, researching, and understanding Scripture is critical.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”               – John 14:6 (KJV)

It begins with acknowledging in your heart that Jesus is Lord – Believing that Jesus died for your sins and was raised on the third day – Confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord – Repenting of your sins – all sets you on the righteous pathway to salvation. However, your salvation is not automatic. There is still work you must do. The absolute first, is to be aware of false prophets. How will you know when the doctrine is false? By, reading, and studying the Word of God.

Why do you think our pastor keeps reiterating, repeating, this? Why does he want us to grow in our Biblical knowledge?  Because he wants us to be the best that we can be: to read His Word – to heed His instructions and to live the Word of God. He wants us to be in the group of:

“Those who believe and are saved.” – Hebrews 10:39b (NIV) (Suggestion: read the entire chapter 10 of Hebrews.)

“The Word will heal you – deliver you – and keep you from self-destruction.”                                                  – Pastor Victor S. Brice

“He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death.”              – Psalm 107:20 (MSG).

Our pastor, Rev. Victor S. Brice, being led by the Holy Spirit, gives us what we need, however, it is critical that we understand what he is giving us. Read – meditate – on Scripture. It is up to you to grow stronger in the Word. Our pastor is leading us. We must follow his lead and we must grow in our knowledge of the Word of God.

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …

“New Grace”

Our God has unlimited grace – unlimited mercy. Each morning we awake with another chance to seek Him first – thank Him first – for His grace and mercy that has kept us. Now, you are probably thinking: “Yesterday, was all good. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. I didn’t get sick – no mishaps – no set-backs.”  Stop!  But for the grace of God!

God doesn’t always show you what He has done for you – what He has saved you from. You might go a whole week before you realize that He saved you from that big rig accident that occurred on the freeway you travel to and from work, school, church on. Or it may never be revealed to you. But we know, God’s grace and mercy is on-going – is unlimited.

Praise, and thank Him for what He has already done, what He is doing, and what He will do in the future. Wake up each morning with the mindset of: “Thank You, Lord!” And start praising Him for His new grace – His new mercy! The enemy is always at work – planning – scheming. The moment you think that you have everything under control: “I got this!” The enemy is right there to prove you wrong. But God! Do you realize that a believer, a follower of Christ, has an advantage over their enemy? Well, you do.

“The Word of God will give you an edge over your enemy and everything that moves.”                                  – Pastor Victor S. Brice

“Your commands give me an edge on my enemies.”   – Psalm 119:98 (MSG)

Take advantage of this privilege. The readers, hearers, and doers of God’s Word are winners. We all like to win and everybody likes a sure winner. Stay strong in the Word! Believe – study the Word – grow your faith. Read It – speak It (loud so everyone can hear) – work It! You must do all these things because:

“Faith without works is dead!” – James 2:26 (KJV)

Surrender to God’s Will and God’s Way! Fall in love with the Word – fall in love with God! Reap the benefits of your love for God and His Word. Yes, this may be something you are already doing, but you must realize that it is because of your love for His Word that you are becoming wiser – that you are letting Him navigate your life – that you are becoming whole (His Word completes you). Praise Him everyday for His new Grace!

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE ….

“How Do You Know When…..?” 

During our Tuesday Night Bible Class, Pastor Brice asked: “Do I really love the Lord?” This question was meant for each of us to put before ourselves.  My first response: “Yes! I really love the Lord!”   Then, I thought about my answer, and asked myself: “How do I know this to be true?”

I started thinking about all the good things God has done for me, my family, friends, and people I associate with. Then I started thinking about my community, local and federal government, the world. We are in the middle of a pandemic that has spread worldwide, although thousands have gotten sick and died, there are still thousands who have recovered, and even more that have never gotten sick.  “But, God!”  “But for the mercy, of God!”

It is hard to put a measure on how much you love God. Why? Because, God has done some immeasurable things for each, and everyone, of us. You simply cannot put a measure on what God has done for you, me, us, the world.

“What I love sets the pace for my life. It captures my attention, time, energy, and I will attach myself to it.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

So, lets think on these terms set by our Pastor. Attention – time – energy – attachment. Also…

“There is a correlation between love of the Word and how you live your life.”   – Pastor Victor S. Brice

Now, I’m ready to answer the question:  Does the Word of God have my attention? “Yes!” Do I spend time in the Word of God?  “Absolutely!”  Do I expend energy doing the work of the Lord?  “Yes!”  Am I attached to the Word of God?  “Absolutely!” Do I live my life according to His Word? “I try to, this is an on-going process.”

Now it is your turn! Put the above questions to your life. How did you fare? Do you really love the Lord? Can you relate to the psalmist in Psalm 119:97 (NIV) when he says: “Oh, how I love your law (Word)!”?

So, in order to know, that you know, that you know, you must confirm that the Word of God has your attention – your time – your energy – and your attachment. Then, and only then, will you be able to truthfully say: “I love the Word, I love the Lord!”

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blog – Othella Hill-Jordan

GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE ….

“Have You Heard?”

 Have you heard that the best investment you can make is in the Word of God?  You can Bank on it!  How?  Faith!  Yes, your faith is money in the Bank!  Last week, Pastor Brice gave a mini-series on: “Investing in The Bank That Never Fails.” He was referring to the Word of God. Faith is your investment in the Word of God. Your investment starts with a mustard seed of faith and it behooves you to keep making deposits.

How faithful are you? Are you applying the Word of God to your life? What is faith? 

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

 When you bank in the Bank that Never Fails, loans are approved based on your faith. Whereas, in the worldly bank, loans are approved based on your credit score. During this pandemic, your money investments have fluctuated with the highs and lows of an unstable stock market resulting in unemployment, bank foreclosures, repossessions, and homelessness.

The Word of God is Truth, Durable, and it is Forever. No COVID-19, pandemic, or stock market will affect the never changing Forever Word of God. The Powerful, Stabilizing, Securing, Strengthening, Superior Word of God. Any deposit you make in the Bank That Never Fails will be protected and powerful.

“The Word of God originated in Glory.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

“Let there be …” in the book of Genesis, God spoke and the world as we know it was formed, in Heaven and on earth.

“Invest in the Word of God Bank where it all started.” – Pastor Victor S. Brice

Your investment in the Word of God is free and will save your life.  The Word of God will never fail you. Make the investment! You will receive a guaranteed pay-off exceeding all expectations – meeting all your needs – and this is priceless!

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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan