Followers of Christ Ministry

God is Good! I thank him for his many blessings and most of all, I thank him for his Son "Jesus." He gave his life for mine, that I might have life, eternal life! He made the ultimate sacrifice for a friend: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)." He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:8). Today we celebrate not just his death, but more importantly his resurrection! He "Rose!" That he might be the first born among "many" brethren (Romans 8:29). As Christ was resurrected, we also shall be resurrected, if we keep his Word and live a life acceptable unto God. We will get to see our friend that gave his life for ours, face-to-face. Celebrate today, and honor Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all he has done! Hallelujah! All Glory, All Honor and Praise be to The Most High God, for giving his only Son for me!

"Woulda," "shoulda," "coulda," those are words of regret! Thinking about something you could have done, but didn't do. I think back to a time when I was in the military and went to Iceland. My entire team, (accept me), went swimming in a natural volcanic hot spring with snow on the ground. I also remember a time that I had an opportunity to take an incentive flight on a B-1 Bomber and didn't do it. These were things that were a once in a lifetime opportunity. These are things I will always remember and regret. But the worst thing that someone can and will regret is the opportunity to accept Christ in your life and not do it! ....behold, now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2). While it is said, Today if ye hear his voice, harden not your hearts....(Heb 3:15). When life is over it is too late. I heard The Master calling and I answered (John 10;27)! God is a good God!

Praise be to The Most High God and his Son Jesus Christ. I thank God on today for knowing that I am "called" of God to be his Son. Out of all the millions and billions of people in this world he chose me! He could have chosen anyone, but he chose me! It is the "election of God," Romans 9:11 - That the purpose of "God" according to election might stand. God 'chose" us before the foundation of the world was laid (Ephesians 1:3-6). "God chooses" whom he will (Romans 8:28-29). Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also "called:" and whom he "called," them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Romans 8:30). When the "calling" (So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17), goes out, sheep know their Master's voice and so they come. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand (John 10:27-28). Thank God for knowing who you are! And if you don't know, ask God and he will tell you. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5). Let the redeemed of The Lord say Amen!

"But my GOD shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19)." Is there anything the LORD has not provided for us during this time; be it food, clothing shelter, health, strength, love, peace, etc. When we trust in the LORD, he will make a way! My wife has a sign on her car "No matter what trust GOD!" I am telling you today, "No matter what trust GOD!" Jesus is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6)! I Thank GOD for the way; Jesus!

Happy Father's Day Dad! Once again I say Happy Fathers Day to Pastor Ernest Green Sr. He Pastored a Church in Surry Virginia (St. Paul Holiness Church for 27 years). He was truly a Man of God! He lived in Hampton so he made that trek (42.8 miles of back roads)at least 3 times a week (Church Service, Bible Study and Prayer Meeting) for 27 years, not counting his visits to the sick and shut in and other meetings. He did so much more! He loved the Church, The Word of God and God's people! My Father was a man (when you look up the definition of a man in the dictionary, you will see his picture). He worked in the Newport News Shipyard for 37 and 1/2 years. In addition he always had another job. He did whatever it took to take care of his family. Yet in all this, he still made time to take us all over the place on family trips. He taught us how to play games (Chess, Checkers, Dominoes,..etc.), and we were always working on a family puzzle which sometimes took weeks to complete. He had 7 sons, that he raised to be men! Three have gone on to become Apostles of The Most High God! He took us to work with him cleaning buildings and churches, cutting lawns, cleaning out abandoned houses for real estate companies. While doing all these things he also spent individual time with each of us talking and training us about life. There was nothing that I could not talk to my Father about! He made himself available. I learned from him and have tried to emulate him in the upbringing of my children. I thank God for this man and miss him everyday. I thank God for his godly example. We miss you Dad and will see you again in Heaven with Our Father God and The Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Jesus was a Man! He felt hot and cold, he got thirsty and hungry, he was tempted like we are tempted, when he was on the cross he felt the nails go through his hands and his feet (he felt pain and suffering). We cannot begin to fully appreciate what the Lord did for us unless we understand he was a man. When he died on the cross, he died as a man (flesh and blood). You can't kill spirit because spirit liveth forever. While he was upon this earth, he walked this earth as a man. God sent him as a man. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14), God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3). He had to experience everything we experience. He was born of a woman as a child (but born of the Spirit), went through childhood and grew up and became a man. He could have just made himself a body and come as a man (John 1:3), but he didn't. Jesus referred to himself as a man (John 8:40; also continually as Son of man). Understand Jesus knew he was the Son of God and knew he was "The Christ," "The Messiah." But what he did he did for us as a man and as our example of being a spiritual man (full of The Spirit/Holy Ghost). He even told us, "These things that I do will you do also and greater (John 14:12). If we allow the Spirit of God to dwell in us and work through us. Please visit our website www.focmin.org and view the Epistle "Understanding Jesus as "The Christ," and "Jesus as a Man for Us." It is important and should truly encourage and excite you as you begin to understand what Jesus truly did for you! Amen!

I was speaking with a man today that is supposed to do some work for me and didn't make it. He told me "I swear to God" I will be there tomorrow. I had to tell him not to swear because "Jesus said, But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil (Matt 5:34 - 37). Also, remember this "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee (Deuteronomy 23:21). We as the Children of God need to understand how important giving our "Word" is. Listen and be led by The Spirit of God in all that we do and say! God will never lead you wrong! All Praise, All Honor and All Glory be to God! Amen!

God wants us to grow! He wants us to bring forth fruit, and that your fruit would remain (John 15:16). This can only happen by us being rooted and grounded in Christ and in the Word of God. If we abide in him, he will abide in us (John 15: 4-7). Then and only then will you know who you are and be able to teach others, who they are in God! We must know that the Lord has chosen us (John 15:16) from out of the world to serve him in Spirit and in Truth. Our life should be a life that glorifies God in all we do and say. People will see "The Christ" in us and "The Power of GOD," in us and give glory to God. When we do the things of God and see these things being manifested in us, we have Joy! Our joy is full because we see God moving in our life and using us to be a blessing to others. The Joy of the Lord is our strength! Have confidence in "The Christ" that is in you and working through you! All honor, all praise and all glory be to The Most High GOD! He is worthy! Amen!

Jesus was always speaking spiritual, he never spoke natural. He used natural examples for understanding in his parables (Sower of the seeds, The Kingdom of Heaven, Prodigal son, etc.). He was a "Master Teacher." Everyone under the sound of his voice knew what he spoke of naturally, but only sheep, wheat, called, chosen could understand what he was talking about spiritually. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27). Our ears should constantly be open (spiritually) to hear the voice of The Lord. Then and only then can we be led by his Spirit to obey and do The Will of GOD and not our own thing. GOD is continually speaking to us but are we listening to him? This can only come about as we talk with GOD through prayer, reading and studying his WORD, praising, fasting and walking with GOD. Don't get so caught up in this life that you are too busy to seek after the things of GOD! Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15 also read 16 and 17). When you are spiritual minded, you are able to focus on the things of GOD, that are eternal and not temporal. GOD is offering eternal life through his Son Jesus Christ. Choose the long term option! Enjoy this life as a Child of The Most High GOD! Amen!

How can a man or a woman serve GOD all the days of their life? They can't, unless they have a relationship with GOD. A relationship must be developed over time. I have been married to my wife for 43 almost 44 years. When I met her I did not know her, I knew of her. But it took developing a relationship over time to truly get to know her. We can know of GOD but not truly know him. To get to know GOD we must learn of him through his WORD, through prayer and talking with him. If we want to know his will in our life we must read and study his WORD (his Will is his WORD). Job knew of GOD but he did not know GOD. He had to go through some things to get to that point (see Job 42:5). In order for us to understand the relationship between GOD, Christ and man (read John 5:19 -47) we must know or have a relationship with Jesus. We then understand that we have no relationship with GOD except through Jesus (Jesus who is The Christ, Jesus who is The Messiah). Jesus said take my yoke upon you and learn of me (Matt. 11:29). The more we get into the WORD of GOD, the more GOD gets into us (John 14:20). In order to understand "The Love of GOD," "The Grace of GOD," and "The Mercy of GOD," we need to seek them in his WORD. GOD is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). Make time each and every day to develop your relationship with GOD!

Happy New Year! I Thank GOD for 2020 and truly I Thank GOD for 2021. If you are reading this, it means that GOD has blessed you and allowed you to crossover into 2021. A lot of people didn't make it to 2021. Now that you have gotten here, what do you plan to do with your life? How is your life going to be different in 2021? I challenge you: To pray each day for 5 minutes. Yes pray for 5 minutes straight (between you and GOD). Pray for yourself (the areas you need help and growth in. And pray for other people). Where? You go to the bathroom don't you? Lock yourself in that bathroom and pray. I challenge you: To read and study "The WORD of GOD" (Holy Bible) for 30 minutes each and every day. You are on social media longer than that. You watch TV longer than that. So give GOD 30 minutes of your time, each and every day to read and study his WORD. I guarantee you, that if you do these things your life will be better. Your life will change. I also want you to ask yourself these questions: 1. Are you Born Again? 2. Are you filled with The Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit? If you can't answer these questions right off the bat, you aren't. Read John 3:3 -6. You want the complete package going into 2021. You want to be equipped with everything you need to face the challenges of 2021. This is your time to be new. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; all thing are become new (2 Cor 5:17)." Why not enjoy this New Year as a new creature! GOD wants to bless you! praise him, for he is worthy to be praised! Amen!

This past week I have had a lot of discussions with individuals about not celebrating Christmas. I sought the LORD and this is what the Spirit gave me: The LORD GOD announced his Son's birth by way of his Holy Angels (Luke 2:9 -11) "For unto you is born "this day" in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the LORD." Luke 2:13-14 "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising GOD, and saying, Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." If Christ birth was not a big deal, why did GOD announce it to the world? Why were they celebrating his birth in heaven? No we don't know the exact day he was born, but if a day has been set aside to celebrate the birth of Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, I will celebrate as they celebrated it amongst the heavenly host. The enemy (the devil) is happy when you don't celebrate or honor Christ birth as he doesn't want you to. As a child of The Most High GOD, we need to be giving GOD our all and all. We should be celebrating more than the world! GOD sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh (Rom 8:3). This is what GOD did for us O Child of The Most High, giving his only begotten Son! Don't let the enemy trick us into not giving GOD The Glory and praise for sending Jesus into this world for us, not worrying about the exact day. I am celebrating the birth of Jesus! Christmas is all about Christ for us! Joy! Praise! Thanks be to GOD for his marvelous gift!!!