Why I Chose To Attend C.O.T.H.I.

 

            Upon meeting my wife, I had been affiliated with the Methodist denomination. Initially, my first visits to C.O.T.H.I. were overshadowed by the fact that a Caucasian was the Senior Pastor. During my upbringing I had only been exposed to African-American ministers and pastors, and so any other form was foreign to me. I can recall one instance when I came to visit C.O.T.H.I., my wife and I had argued prior to attending the service. I entered service highly agitated and had made my mind up that under no circumstance would my mood change. I remember Pastor Rob delivering a message that seemed to touch the core of my soul. I realized at that moment that no matter what race an individual was, God is capable of using them. And so over the past 6 years I have heard a man who not only hears the word of God, but also lives by that word. So many times we see individuals in leadership positions in churches throughout America, and the message they teach is a far cry from the one they actually live. I heard a man that was truly saved who preached a different message than any I’d ever heard. I realized that going to church and being saved was two different things. Being saved was a lifestyle that transcended into all aspects of your life. I was asked to connect with a cell group in which I was able to establish real relationships with men who had endured similar situations such as myself. And the common denominator was they all loved and praised Jesus.

            With all those reasons, I still believe had I not connected with certain individuals I would have found myself resorting back to my old methods of reasoning. I truly believe that God has placed me here for a specific purpose. The one problem I’ve always had as an individual was taking responsibility and being accountable for my actions. And so what happens when I join C.O.T.H.I.? I began to establish a relationship with someone who had a no nonsense policy when it came to being held accountable. Pastor Sandy Mitchell has helped me to not only take accountability for my actions, but for my immaturity as a Christian. He has guided me through a process, and has remained faithful throughout. I understand that being a Christian is a job which must be given the highest priority. So again, why did I choose to attend C.O.T.H.I.?  My spiritual life depended on it…….. My life depended on it!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Good afternoon COTHI!

I pray that you are pursuing the Lord this week. He IS the answer to every question you have or solution you need. It is in His Word. I was reading this blog the other day from Bishop Keith Butler and I felt led to share it with you. So here goes…

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7

Money in families is important. Just as important are practices to avoid when handling your money. Specifically, there are three things to avoid in terms of learning to make the most of your family money. Number one, never borrow money for depreciating items. The Scripture text says, "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."

Borrowing money has gotten more people in trouble. I recently saw a truth-in-lending statement from someone who was buying a house. By the time the interest accrued, they will be spending triple the amount of the house. Furthermore, you need to be careful when purchasing cars. It's just not wise to stretch out payments over a 60-month period on something that depreciates so quickly. It loses its value as soon as it leaves the lot.

The 26th verse will tell you about another practice to avoid. Don't become security for somebody else. Verse 26-27 says this, "Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? "

There are many who co-sign for others, be it relative or friend. You didn't make the bill, you're not going to get the benefit of it, you're not driving the car, you're not wearing the coat, they are. They got the benefit of it; you signed your name, now they don't pay it. Why should they come take away your bed from you?

If people would follow what the Bible said, they'd stay out of trouble. Most people I know who are in financial trouble are not there because they have not had enough money come through their hands over the years. Most people I know who have financial trouble have wasted and squandered it, or have not managed it well. God does supply our need. But it's what happens with what you do with the supply that is the issue.

"So the eyes of man are never satisfied." 
Number three, avoid get-rich-quick schemes. Avoid them like the plague. If you could get rich quick, don't you think somebody smarter than you would have already gotten it? Everybody would have it. There is no such thing as a get-rich-quick scheme. I keep telling you to watch this multi-level pyramid stuff, even the ones that are technically legal. They may be legal, but what they do is sell you on this taking advantage of somebody else's ignorance. And even if it is technically legal, I believe it's morally not. Anytime somebody comes along, tells you that you don't have to do much, someone is pulling your leg. And I don't care if they wear a clergy collar; I don't care if they got Rev. Dr. in front of their name or any other thing. There is no such thing as a get-rich-quick scheme. W.C. Fields said, "There's a sucker born every day."

Pastor Rob Jones

Yesterday we rode in a bus for 4 and 1/2 hours to the mountains of North Honduras. We visited the land where the Pastor I am traveling with, Lonnie Johns, and his team are planning to build an orphanage, clinic, ministry center and a working farm. The land is absolutely beautiful and I am looking forward to how COTHI will partner with this great team on this project. We met with the largest agriculture college in Central/South America to discuss what food will grow the best on the land. This college has 1000 students from all over the world attending. It was awesome. Today we visited an all boys orphanage. It was amazing to see smiles on the faces of these young boys who have been rescued from the streets and how happy they were in spite of not having TV, Wii's, or any of the other distractions that we have in our culture. We are so blessed! Tomorrow we will travel to the coast of Honduras. Until then...

Many blessings and much love,
Pastor Rob

WOW! It is amazing already. When we stepped off the plane it was 95 degrees. We have been going non-stop since we landed. Thank you for being the best church in the world. Today I was in the largest church building in South America. It seats over 20,000 people and we will be in church on Friday night with them. We will leave tomorrow for the northern part of Honduras and do some ministry in an orphanage and a youth detention center. The orphans tear your heart out. Please keep us covered in prayer. I will try to update you as often as possible. Please know that I love and appreciate each of you.

 

For His Kingdom,

Pastor Rob

Early this past fall, I had quite an experience that truly showed me God’s heart for me. It had been a busy day at the office, and I knew time would not permit for a sit-down lunch break. Ever the multi-tasker, I jumped in the car and headed to a nearby restaurant for take out. I managed to check and respond to email, text, and place a to-go order simultaneously. I was so consumed with a conference call I barely noticed the waitress handing me my food. Graciously thanking her I grabbed the food and headed for the door, when I realized that I had forgotten to ask for condiments. Returning to the counter I said “ma’am may I please have some ketchup and mustard packets”. She put the ketchup in my bag and explained that they were out of mustard packets. I just assumed she would give me mustard in the little clear plastic containers and I looked away. Without ever checking the bag, I thanked her again and quickly headed back to the office.

My husband had another meeting and I wanted him to eat before it began. I ended my conversation and started to dig into the take out bag to set up lunch on the desk. I looked down and much to my surprise, I noticed a family size bottle of mustard. Clearly, the girl had made a mistake and accidentally given me the wrong thing. I could remember specifically asking for ketchup and mustard packets….the little ones. This had to be a grave, but honest mistake.  That poor girl could get in trouble for this at work, and so I grabbed my car keys to go return the large mustard. As I started walking to the door  I was stopped cold in my tracks. The Lord began to deal with my heart on the spot. I felt like He was saying to me “when you expect me to bless you, you believe I’m going to do it. But why is it that the level in which you think I’m going to bless you is so small compared to the capacity in which I desire to bless you?” If this question just resonated with your spirit man it’s completely alright to say OUCH!!!!! To say I cried as these words rang out inside my heart is a total understatement.

I had just been presented with the reality that I had been wishing rather than believing. See, what characterizes a wish is the desired possibility of something happening. However, there’s a sense of safety in wishing, nothing lost and nothing gained. If it happens great, if it doesn’t happen, oh well. Faith, my friends, is irrational. It’s the absolute nonexistence of a plan B, a second opinion or alternate option. I had wished for a small mustard packet and would have been alright eating my sandwich without it. I didn’t expect to get a huge family sized bottle of it. God was showing me that I had to enlarge my expectation. I had allowed myself to settle into the safety of my wishes, rather than to soar into the risk that is my faith in my Father who is willing and able. God was teaching me that I had to learn to partner with his dreams for me, if they were going to become a reality in my life. No one wants to be left on a boat without a paddle, but if it’s sinking just get out and trust you CAN walk on the water.

This incident with something as simple as mustard, so challenged me that I had to relearn how to believe and trust. What is so amazing is that within weeks, my husband and I moved into our home, which was so much more than what we so called “ were believing God for”. In this season of fasting, I’m reminded of this lesson, as once again I find myself believing for more. But now I want the family size manifestation of God’s blessing. I’m learning to enlarge and expand my vision. Exceedingly and abundantly above, really means just that. “ …For when you grant a blessing oh Lord, it is an eternal blessing.” I Chron 17:27

 

No Compromise,

 

Nancy Dozier

Love in Action by Martin Luther King Jr. 
As I was honoring and remembering the great work God did in and through Dr. King, it led me to his book “Strength to Love.”  In particular the chapter entitled “Love in Action.”  When I think about that title it immediately brings to my remembrance my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  What He did on the Cross of Calvary ‘Just for Me’ was ultimate display of “Love in Action.”  Forgiveness is a fruit of love in action which means you cannot have one without the other.  What’s in the root will show up in the fruit!  Here is a small excerpt from Dr. King’s book.
                      
“When Jesus responded to Peter’s question “How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Till seven times?  Peter
                        wanted to be legal and statistical.  But Jesus answered by affirming that there is no limit to forgiveness.  In other words, forgiveness
                        is not a matter of quantity but of quality.  A man cannot forgive up to four hundred and ninety times without forgiveness becoming a
                        part of the habit structure of his being.  Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.  Love and Forgiveness are
                        absolute necessities for spiritual maturity.  (Matthew 18:21-22)


Pastor Sandy Mitchell

"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:12-13) These were the words of Jesus to His followers just days before His death. He was about to pay the ultimate price for millions of lives that would one day believe on Him for eternal life. And yet I find His words full of challenge and compassion. When we read this passage of scripture, many of us automatically think death. But I believe this statement is much more potent than that. How many of us are truly WILLING to "lay down our lives" (dreams, desires, wants, etc.) for the betterment of someone else? I believe this is what Jesus was asking. Are you willing to do God's will even if it doesn't line up with what you had planned for your life. We are seeing this happen everyday in Haiti. People are giving up their plans, their comfortable beds, and their AC's to help their fellow man.

As we enter the last few days of the fast (only 2 days left) please take some time to seek the Father and ask Him what you need to lay down for Him. Ask Him what His plans are for your life. It is amazing to me that most of us never get around to finding out what He wants for our lives. Too many of us want God to bless our plans instead of finding out what plans He is blessing and getting on board. Jesus prayed in the last hours of his life before the cross that His Father's will be done no matter what it cost Him. Let's move into our destiny's by laying down our lives for the greater good and higher cause of Christ.

Humbly,

Pastor Rob

Recently, I met with all the Small Group leaders regarding the “Kick-Off” for the Winter/Spring Semester.  We were all excited, talking about our plans for this semester, and making plans for this event.  I was so proud of every one of these leaders and their assistants.  
Almost all of them have a 9 to 5 job they go to each day.  Some even go to school.  They come home do the things that they need to do around the house, take kids wherever they need to go, help with homework, carry kids to doctors and dentist, etc.   

I thought to myself everyone of these leaders are busy people, so very busy, and yet they still have time to lead a Small Group meeting one day/night a week. What a blessing they are to our church and to the Kingdom.  Do they have time or do they make time?

If you get right down to it, TIME is all that we really do have.  Let me explain.
The people in Haiti were coming and going doing what they do each day.  Doing whatever time would allow.  But it took 45 seconds of time to destroy everything that most of them had worked for all their lives.  I saw on TV where thousands were just sitting around the golf course, no place to go, nothing to do, all they have now is TIME.

Some Christians today complain because they don’t have time (of course none of us have time – we make time) to really get involved at their local church by serving in the ministries that are available.  They are just too busy (aren’t we all)!  What are those people sitting on the golf course in Haiti thinking today?  If only……

Ladies and Gentlemen of Church of the Harvest, International, it is time for all of us to get involved in some ministry and get involved in a Small Group.  It is a new year and God has given us another opportunity to have TIME to do something worthwhile for the Kingdom.  He has given us TIME to win another soul to the Kingdom.  You cannot sit back anymore and say “I don’t have time.”

TIME is all you have.
 

Dr. Paulette Stewart 

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”

 

I am overwhelmed with a newfound zeal for life. My heart is overflowing with compassion for Haiti and her children. What I have witnessed this past week is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. God is faithful and His mercy endures forever.

 

I saw a story of a woman who had been trapped underneath a bank for six days. Her husband waited at the bank everyday praying and believing that she was alive. On the sixth day rescue workers began to remove debris with a bulldozer. Every time they finished clearing a section he went in expecting to find her. Finally someone said they heard a faint voice. He ran in and yelled out her name, and she answered him. As they begin the rescue she yelled to him, “If I don’t make it I just want you to know that I love you and always will.”  After being buried under ground for almost a week the first words out of her mouth are “I love you”. When they freed her she began to sing a hymn to God.

 

          She sang, “I do not fear death…God my God you kept me.”

 

What an incredible example of faith. Her body might have been broken but her spirit wasn't. After the ordeal she got in a car and drove off like nothing had ever happened. The couples prayer, faith and expectation produced supernatural results. Miracles are happening everyday in front of the whole world. Can you see? We have seen people triumph over insurmountable odds one case after the next. There have been reports of people surviving more than four days without food, water or proper oxygen. The impossible has become possible… If you have ever doubted that prayer and faith work this should be a wake up call for you. The Bible states in Mark, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, may you be lifted and thrown into the sea; and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

 

The reality is we must authentically believe what we pray for will happen. A little leaven spoils the whole lump. Great faith plus a little doubt equals too much doubt. Faith is believing even when everything within your physical world tells you not to. Faith is going against the very laws of logic and rationale.

 

We have to continue to feed our faith and not our doubt. Stop receiving the report of everybody else and see what God says about the matter. So many people have perished for the lack of knowledge. Everything you need is in God. Check it out for yourself… Get into His word for yourself and don’t rely on the revelation of someone else. We have too much revelation; it’s time to start walking in the application of God’s word. You can't counterfeit faith, time spent in prayer or time spent in God's word. If you were in a situation where you couldn’t call on anyone else to pray, could you reach God?  Could you remind Him how He supernaturally moved on the behalf of others before you? Could you hold Him at His word?

 

 

Early this morning I was devastated by the news of a second earthquake in Haiti. Having been to Port-Au-prince and knowing first hand how it's built, I see God's mercy in this situation. It's a miracle that anyone survived.

 

That city was full of structures that were not sound in the foundation. Because of the high level of corruption, you could practically pay inspectors to look the other way and issue permits. They would sign off on construction that was rushed and often times potentially dangerous, for money.

 

Granted these earthquakes were of great magnitude, what they do reveal is the faulty foundations. Psalm 11:3 states " if the foundations be destroyed, what will the righteous do".

 

  Friends, the catastrophic events in Haiti have painted such a clear picture, of the body of Christ, to me. We've gotten away from the foundational and fundamental beliefs and practices that the Word of God lays out. We are undisciplined in prayer, fasting, worship and studying God's word, therefore more carnal than ever. Luke warmness has us till we are undisturbed by the things that our God hates, under the guise of non- judgmentalism. We've relegated the message of the cross to cute little Easter plays, when it is indeed the power to break our chains and heal our disease.

 

Are you seeing what I see? God help us. We are living in days where our shepherds turn away from spoiled fruit and would rather a check and men's applause over bearing the cross of truth and intolerance of sin. They'd rather the appearance of holiness and maturity, yet circumventing God's process. Let us rebuild God's altars, restore true worship and restore the wastelands.

 

I urge you to be disturbed, shaken, challenged and forever changed. Our lives can be rebuilt. Our nation can be changed by the power of God. It's not too late.... Let's reinforce the foundations.

 

 

No Compromise,

Nancy Dozier