Date: 01/16/2023

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory, Power, and Dominion forever and ever and to the Holy Ghost that is yet abiding in the body. This month’s key phrase is from the 2023 Proclamation: Being Obedient is the Key. Saints and friends this week’s message is on the Benefits of Being Obedient. Obedience to God is the most important way for us to go through our lives. It it is our way of showing our love to God and maintaining a relationship with Him; there are benefits when we are obedient to God.

Some of the Benefits of Being Obedient are: You’ll Find Happiness: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18). You’ll Be Blessed: “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: …” ( Deuteronomy 11:26-27). God blesses those who are faithful to Him. He promises you a blessing if you obey His commandments. You’ll Have Peace: “Mark the perfect man and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace” (Psalm 37:37). Jesus said He was leaving us with peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Therefore, if you’re born again in the Spirit of God then you have peace. It’s up to you to decide whether you will walk in it. God Will Hear Your Prayers: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer” (Psalm 66:18-19). I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anything hindering my prayers! I want God to hear them directly and answer them when I need Him to. You’ll Gain Wisdom: “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly” (Proverbs 2:7). Living correctly teaches us through experience. Sometimes we must live the principles of the Bible to understand why they work. As we begin to let go of sin and grab onto the righteousness of Christ, we’ll begin to have revelations as to why God commands the actions He does.

You’ll Have A Long Life: “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee” (Proverbs 3:1-2) Saints and friends don’t sabotage your future making deadly mistakes in the present time. You’ll Be Perfected: “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (1 John 2:5). The only thing I want is to grow in God’s goodness and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. God will allow that to happen when we obey His commandments. You’ll Be Safe: “ Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety” (Leviticus 25:18). The Bible tells us repeatedly to not be afraid. If you’re following the commandments of God, there’s no reason to be afraid of anything. “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psalm 56:11)?  You’ll Be Known As A Friend Of God: “The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness” (Proverbs 15:14). You Can Enjoy God’s Presence More: “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). In closing, we cannot have an effective and equipped relationship with God if we do not consistently spend time with Him. Therefore, today invite God into your home and worship Him through your obedience to Him. Next week’s message will embrace the Blessings of Being Obedient. Until then, remember, “…with God all things are possible”.

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

Date: 01/09/2023

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory and to the Holy Ghost Happy New Year. This month’s key phrase is from the 2023 Proclamation: Being Obedient is the Key.

 In studying scriptures on being obedient, my question remains: What is the importance of being obedient?

Last week we discussed:  (1) Jesus Calls Us to Obey,  (2) Being Obedient is an Act of Worship, (3) God Rewards Being Obedient, and (4) Being Obedient to God Proves Our Love.

Saints and friends, this week’s message continues to discuss the importance of being obedient,

(5) Being Obedient Demonstrates Faith. When we obey God, we show our trust and faith in Him. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” ( I John 2: 3-6) (6) Being Obedient is Better Than Sacrifice. The law required the Israelite people to offer sacrifices to God, but those sacrifices and offerings were never intended to be a substitute for being obedient.  And Samuel said, “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams …and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” (I Samuel 15:22-23) (7) Being Disobedient Leads to Sin and Death. A disobedient Adam brought sin and death into the world. This is the basis of  the original sin. But Jesus Christ’s perfect obedience restores fellowship with God for everyone who believes in Him. Romans 5:19 states, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (8) Being Obedient, We Can Experience the Blessings of Holy Living.  Only Jesus Christ is perfect, therefore, only He could walk in sinless, perfect obedience. But if we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from within, we can grow in holiness.

II Corinthians 7:1 tells us, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” This verse tells us, “let us work toward complete holiness.” We don’t learn to be obedient overnight; it’s a lifelong process that we pursue by making it a daily goal. Hence, over the next 3 weeks I will expound on the Benefits of Being Obedient, the Blessings of Being Obedient and Being Obedient to the Holy Spirit. Until next week, remember, “…with God all things are possible”.

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop