Christian Hope Baptist Church

04/05/2023

This week’s Bible Study is cancelled.
Stay covered by the BLOOD of Jesus!!
Also, reminder our new page is
Or Christian Hope Baptist Church-WS

02/27/2023

Praise God!!!
We had a blessed time celebrating Black History month at CHBC this morning! Awesome service!!!

01/06/2023

"Overcoming Tribulations"

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 (KJV)

We are living in a time where there are severe winter storms, wars, earthquakes, murders, pandemics, and many other catastrophic events happening at the same time. We, who are in the land of living, should not be surprised. In the above text, Jesus is sending a warning that there will be tribulation in the world. In other words, afflictions, problems, troubles, difficulties, misfortunes, and trials are unavoidable. However, there is hope because of how we respond to the issues of life. Jesus says HE is the answer as he states that “in me ye might have peace”. No matter what difficulties we face, Jesus says focus on him when tribulation hits your home. HIS peace is the best alternative to tribulation.

Also, Jesus says to be of good cheer. In other words, cheer up because HE has overcome the world. Through him and because of him, our victories have already been won. We must stay close to him because the battle is not ours. The battle belongs to the Lord.
In Matthew 14, as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus while walking on the water, he was fine because he had peace. But when Peter saw and focused on the wind blowing, he was afraid and began to sink. However, when Peter began to sink, scripture tells us that immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him. So don’t focus on the wind that is trying to keep you from your peace. Be of good cheer because the Lord has everything under control!

Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

-Gilliard

12/23/2022

“No Need To Worry, Focus On Today”

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)

The above verses are from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In the above verses, Jesus is teaching us that we should not worry about what we are going to eat, drink or wear. He says the pagans (Gentiles –KJV) run after these things. Here, pagans are used as an example of those who do not know God. When we know God and have a right relationship with him, he knows what we need. If God is our heavenly father, then he is going to provide our every need. In other words, when you know the father, you will not have to run after the basic needs of life.

Although Jesus says our heavenly father already knows our needs, there is something that his children still need to do. God just knowing our needs is not enough for us to receive our needs. Jesus says we must seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness and then our basic needs will be given to us. The KJV says it will be added to us. We must seek the kingdom of God. In other words, we must read his word and learn more about HIM every day. We must pray to him daily and he will direct our path. The bible says, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

Furthermore, we must exemplify righteous living and behavior before HIM. Righteous does not mean one is perfect and without flaws. However, it means that one is in right standing with God. It means one does not make excuses for doing wrong. It means that one is trying and wanting to do what is right in God’s eyes. Once we seek the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness, our needs will be added to us automatically. It is similar to working on a job that has full benefits. The benefits are automatic because they are connected to the job. If you are connected to the job, you will receive the benefits. Some people are running after things that should be added automatically through God. If that is the case, it is maybe because they are not fully connected to God and his kingdom.

Check your connection. Are you fully plugged into God’s kingdom or is your cord halfway out of the socket?

Finally, Jesus says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
In other words, we already have enough on our plate today to be thinking about tomorrow’s problems. One strategy of the Satan is to sow fear that we worry about what may happen in the future. He wants to torment us with things that have not happened yet. Satan will try to convince you that you are not going to make it. However, the devil is a liar because we are more than conquerors through Christ. Let us focus on today because tomorrow is not promised to anyone. James 4:14 says, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Therefore, no need to worry because God has you covered today, tomorrow and next week etc.

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Stay Encouraged!!!

,

-Gilliard

12/16/2022

"Being Irrelevant, A Blessing In Disguise"

The word Irrelevant means not connected with or relevant to something. In other words, Irrelevant is when a person or thing is not closely connected or not appropriate to what is being done or considered.

If you follow the NFL, by now, you have heard of the inspiring story of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Purdy was the last player selected in last year’s NFL draft (262nd overall). For those of you who are unfamiliar with the significance of being the last player selected, let me explain. When a player is selected as the last player in the annual NFL draft, that player is known as “Mr. Irrelevant”.

Every year, “Mr. Irrelevant” is mocked, laughed at and not taken seriously. “Mr. Irrelevant” could be seen as a player that will not succeed in the NFL. He is put on the back burner if you will. Brock Purdy made the San Francisco 49ers roster this year. He sat on the bench until the two quarterbacks ahead of him had unfortunate season ending injuries. Two weeks ago, Purdy was called on to relieve the starting quarterback in the first quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins. Purdy played a great game and led the 49ers to victory. As a result. Purdy was named the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.

On this past Sunday, Purdy led the 49ers to victory over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Purdy’s quarterback performance was nearly flawless as he was cool under pressure. I am not sure how Brock Purdy will play the rest of the season or for the rest of his career. However, going from being selected and called “Mr. Irrelevant” to becoming an NFL starting quarterback is truly an amazing story. In my opinion, he has already been successful in my book.

Let us look at the life of king David in 1 Samuel 16. God told the prophet Samuel to go to Jesse the Bethlehemite’s house to anoint the next king of Israel. Jesse had eight sons and God specifically told Samuel not to choose based on outward appearance.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

The bible says Jesse sent seven of his sons in front of Samuel to be anointed. However, Samuel asked Jesse are these all your children because the Lord has not chosen any of these that have passed before me. Listen to what Jesse says to Samuel.

1 Samuel 16:11
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

Did you hear Jesse’s response? There remains the youngest and he keepth the sheep. He was referring to David. In a sense, Jesse was calling David, his youngest son, Irrelevant. There was nothing to him because he was in the field doing the dirty work. While the other brothers were clean and inside, “Mr. Irrelevant” (David) was outside working and caring for the sheep. He was not relevant enough to be called in the house.

However, man can refer to you as being Irrelevant, but you are relevant in God’s eyes. Listen to what the Lord says to Samuel when David is called inside.

1 Samuel 16:12-13
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

That’s right, God told Samuel to anoint David for this is he. He was God’s choice. I am not sure who this is for, but stay encouraged because what God has for you, is for you. In due time, the Lord will confirm your relevance in midst of those who call you Irrelevant.

Psalm 118:22-23
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

Matthew 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

The story of king David gives all those who have been considered Irrelevant hope. Maybe you have been considered Irrelevant and others counted you out. Maybe you were overlooked in your family, in high school, in college or on your job. You were told you will never amount to anything. You were told you will never marry. You were told your ministry or business will never survive. Being considered Irrelevant forces an individual to spend more time with God. In addition, it forces an individual to depend on God and put their full trust in God. Through it all, God will get the glory!!

Hang in there because being Irrelevant to others can turn out to be a blessing!

,

-Gilliard

12/08/2022

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39 (KJV)

12/02/2022

The Blessing In The Fiery Furnace

“He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Daniel 3:25)

The above text is a familiar one. It revolves around the fiery furnace account involving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three Hebrew men were thrown into a fiery furnace because they did not fall down and worship the golden image that king Nebuchadnezzar had set up. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar ordered that these men be thrown bound into the fiery furnace. In fact, Nebuchadnezzar was so angry; he demanded that they should heat the furnace seven times hotter than normal.
In the previous verse, verse 24, Nebuchadnezzar came to his counsellors and asked them, “Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king”.

The bible says Nebuchadnezzar was amazed. Verse 25 gives four reasons why Nebuchadnezzar was amazed.

First,
Nebuchadnezzar saw four men loose walking in the midst of the fire. He knew they threw three bound men in the fire. However, there are now four men and they are loose.
The storms of life have a way of freeing you from things that once held you bound. The fire was meant to kill the three men, but God used it to free them. Just take a look back over your life and you will see there were times when the worst things that happened to you, ended up being a blessing in disguise. You don’t have to believe me, just take a look back over your life.
Whether you realize it or not, the fiery trial you are currently facing has freed you from some things and possibly even saved your life. If we look hard enough, we can find some good in every bad situation we go through. What was meant for evil, God has made it good.

Secondly,
Nebuchadnezzar was amazed because he saw the men loose and walking in the midst of the fire. He could not understand how they could be walking. Some people are asking today, how can you keep it going and have peace in your fiery trial? You have to inform them that, “this joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away.”

Listen to what Job says:
Job 14:14
all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Thirdly,
Nebuchadnezzar was not only amazed that they were loosed and walking around, but he saw they were not hurt. In other words, he saw what he had put them through, did not hurt them. For some people, the only reason they afflict you is to see you hurt. But you can’t let the enemy see you sweat. This lets us know just because attacks come, that does not mean, they will hurt you. What is designed to hurt you, will help to develop you.
Isaiah 54:17a
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;

Fourthly,
Nebuchadnezzar was amazed because he saw the form of a fourth person in the fire. He knew they had only thrown three in the fire, but there is now a fourth person and the form was like the son of God. This is somewhat of an irony. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a furnace because they would not bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. Now Nebuchadnezzar sees a form (image) of Christ in the furnace. In other words, Nebuchadnezzar now sees who these three men were standing up for. If you stand up for God, he will stand up for you.

“On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand,”

God does not always pull us out of our fire, but he comes into the fire with us. Sometimes we are looking for a way OUT of our situation when God wants to get IN our situation.

Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

This story ends with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being called out of the fire without hurt, harm and they did not even smell like smoke. People will never believe what you really went through because you have no evidence that you went through it. You don’t look like what you have been through.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were eventually promoted by the king.

Hold on. There is a blessing in your furnace.

-Gilliard

11/20/2022

Praise God for an awesome Family & Friends Day Service on last week.
Congratulations to the Non-NFL Team for placing first and receiving this year's Building Fund Trophy!

Thanks to every individual and team that contributed this year.
May God continue to bless each of you!

10/14/2022

10/11/2022

Great first night of revival. Join us tomorrow night!!!

08/29/2022

We want to say a BIG thank you to our Christian Hope Family for a wonderful 11th Pastoral Anniversary celebration.
Also, a special thanks to Rev. Robert Simmons for preaching a powerful message.

Love,
Pastor & Elect-Lady Gilliard