Date: 05/29/2023

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 week’s key phrase is Wisdom in how to “Be an Example”.

In I Timothy 4:12, Paul instructs Timothy as to his obligations, Paul charges him to “be an example to the believers…”  “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Timothy 4:12).  Titus is also encouraged to be an example and to teach others to be an godly example. Brothers and Sisters, Timothy and Titus are not the only people expected to be examples, every born-again child of God is to follow the example of Christ. We should not only identify as Christians because we tell others we are, but we must also exhibit it in our conduct, interactions, speech, attitude and conversations. An example denotes being a pattern, example, or guide for others to follow.

We can be an example by teaching and instructing others in what to do and how to do it. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” ( I Timothy 4:4-5). By doing it for others to see, and to be able to do the same, “ But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:7-8). Those who ought to be examples are ministers of the gospel: Preachers, Teachers, Pastors, Evangelists, Deacons, and Lay-members. Philippians 3:15-17 tells us, “ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample (means to show by example)”.

Examples we should exhibit are : An Example in Word: “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” I Timothy 4: 2, 8). An example in An Example in Conduct: not only is our conduct to be an example to the believers, but honorable among unbelievers, “ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (I Peter 2:11-12).  An Example in Love: the Love we are to display is to be manifested toward  God and our Brethren and  our fellow man including our enemies, An Example in Purity: moral or sexual purity, both in thought and act, seems to be the idea. There should be nothing in your contact with the other sex that would give rise to scandal. 

In closing, ask yourself are you calling on the Lord out of a pure heart? If so, let our example be one that illustrates the power of the gospel to impact, our words, conduct, love, and purity.  The next question to ask yourself: What kind of people would we be if everyone followed our own example in these things? May these questions motivate us to examine our lives and correct any deficiencies that we may find. Until next week let us remember, “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

Date: 5/15/2023

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 week’s key phrase is Wisdom in making Good Choices.

When God tells us in Deuteronomy 31:19  to “choose life,” “ I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live”. He’s actually showing us what wisdom looks like, it’s life-giving. And when we follow wisdom, we live deeper than “I want, I think, I feel…” Because wisdom always chooses to do now what it will be satisfied with later on, while foolishness means “without common sense.”

To begin this journey in Christ, we have to understand that nobody can change themselves. Whatever change we need to make,  we must pray and ask God to change us and help us.  We must study the Bible in the areas where we are struggling, like anger, selfishness or unforgiveness. And be serious about it, we have to really study the Word to get what we need from God. It’s so good to know we can do something to choose life, not just have an existence full of misery and death. We can seek wisdom, pray every day and renew our commitment to do what He wants us to do. We can live with integrity and do what’s right – even when no one is watching us but God. That’s when we know we’re really living for Him and not for ourselves or to please others.

How can we change and what could our life be like if we made better choices right now? Don’t put it off any longer. There won’t be a more convenient time, and we don’t have to waste another day missing out on the good life God has for us. There are 5 principles for biblical decision making. (1). Our Best Decisions Reflect Our Values: These are all big decisions because they reflect our desire to glorify God in everything we do. (2). Our Best Decisions Are Birthed in an Atmosphere of Prayer:  Prayer is our way of asking God for His proffered wisdom, given liberally and willingly to those who ask for it. Prayer is our lifeline to finding and fulfilling God’s will in all we say and do. (3). Our Best Decisions Heed Wisdom From Others: We also need the wisdom of those we trust. The book of Proverbs reminds us to seek godly counsel before deciding what to do. Proverbs 24:6, “ For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety”. (4). Our Best Decisions Take Time: Proverbs also teaches us about big decision thinking. Proverbs 14:8 tell us, “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.” And Proverbs 14:15 says, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”  The final principle (5). Our Best Decisions Are Committed to God: You and I have decisions to make every day. We’re fallible people, and we’ll make mistakes along the way. But we earnestly base our decisions on our unseen values, pray over them, make them thoughtfully, base them on wise counsel, and commit them to God.

In closing, if we make a wrong decision, God knows how to correct our paths or redeem our mistakes. The Lord needs men and women who know how to make wise choices, who are growing more mature day by day, and who can commit their decisions to the Lord and press on. Until next week let us remember, “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

Date: 05/01/2023

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 week’s key phrase is Deliverance from Secret Hurt.

First, the victim must acknowledge the secret hurt. There are thousands of individuals that have been taken advantage of by a person in authority or a family member. The victim feels that their trust has been  betrayed by their church and/or loved ones. Healing from all the effects, pain, and trauma caused by being assaulted, molested, and/or raped is not easy. But I want to assure you that you don’t have to live with all that pain any longer. Jesus is big enough and strong enough to heal you. There are thousands before you that have received His healing power. God’s Healing Power is pure love. “Healed of Pain, Healed of Trauma, healed of all the effects the secret evil act or acts, had on your life. Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

God promises that He can heal our pain.  Deuteronomy 31:6,“Be strong and of a good courage,  fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God,  he it is that doth go with thee;  he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”. Deuteronomy 31:8, “And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Joshua 1:5, There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Matthew 8:16, “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick.”

God knows our pain and trouble.  Psalm 38:18, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit”. Revelation 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”   Matthew 4:23-25, “  And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. ²⁴ And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. ²⁵ And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.”

My brother and sisters Jesus, through His Holy Spirit, can and will heal you, if you are willing to do a few simple things. First, you only have to believe that Jesus can and will help you if you ask.  Are you a saved, Christian believer? Many of us have not taken the time to ask ourselves that question and so many others have been mistaught. I encourage you to take a few minutes to check yourself and find out.  Secondly, you must forgive the person who hurt you so badly. In order to finally find peace you are going to have to forgive them and let God deal with them. 

In closing, The Word of God teaches us that we must forgive! God is strong and loving enough to take away all of the known and hidden (secret hurt) pains. Only He can overcome and remove all of the demonic that has come into your life. And He is strong enough to remove any demonic  spirits that are causing your pain. Jesus tells us many times that He gives all believers the power and authority to defeat the evil one and all of his minions, fallen angels,  and demons. All of the evil spirits affecting you can be removed and the pain replaced with Love, Joy and Peace, when we are delivered from their grasp and control. In order to achieve that we need deliverance. We need to have our body and mind cleaned of the evil spirits that have put and kept us in bondage. Until next week let us remember, “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop