Weekly Message 6-12-2023
This month’s key phrase is “Focus on Eternal Life.”
Author: CLG
Message from First Lady Worthem – 6/10/2023
Church of the Living God The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased With His Own Blood, Inc. Jewell Dominion Message from the Desk of First Lady Deaconess Linda Worthem Date: June 11, 2023 Greetings my brother and sisters in the name …
Weekly Message 6-5-2023
Church of the Living God
The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased With His Own Blood, Inc.
Jewell Dominion
Weekly Message from General Chief Overseer Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
Date: 06/ 05/2023
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 “Focus on Eternal Life.”
John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. However, many don’t know what the Bible means when it talks about eternal life. Some say, “Eternal life is living forever.” John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”. Everlasting life is a present-tense possession. It’s not something that begins when we get to heaven. There are a number of scriptures that speak of everlasting life as something we possess in this life (John 4:14; 5:24; 6:27; 6:40, 47). So, the question remains, “What is everlasting life?” This is very important. John 3:16 says this is the reason that Jesus came.
Many people have mistakenly thought that the goal of salvation is the forgiveness of sin to avoid hell. That’s not what John 3:16 is saying. Sure, not perishing in hell is an important part of what Jesus came to do. He accomplished that by paying the debt for all our sins, past, present, and even the ones we haven’t committed yet. But salvation is much, much more than getting our sins forgiven so we can go to heaven instead of hell. If all you did was ask Jesus to forgive your sins so you wouldn’t perish in hell, then you are missing out on eternal life. Sin was a barrier that stood between us and a holy God. It had to be removed. That’s exactly what Jesus did, and He did it well. Sin is no longer standing between God and man (2 Cor. 5:17). But to what does that entitle us? Sure, it entitles us to live forever with God in heaven. That’s wonderful. But there are tremendous benefits right here, right now, on earth. Eternal life is one of those benefits. Jesus defined eternal life for us in John 17:3. That verse says, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Brothers and Sisters, eternal life is knowing God. The key lies in understanding what the Bible means by the word know. When Jesus said eternal life was knowing God, He was speaking of having an intimate, close, personal relationship with God. Many believe Jesus died to forgive their sins, but they still don’t have a close personal , intimate relationship with the Father. Some maybe content with singing “When we all get to heaven, what a day that will be”. But we are supposed to have eternal life (close, intimate relationship with God our Father and Jesus Christ His Son) now while we are still on the land of living. If all you are doing is believing John 3:16, you are missing out on the eternal life the Lord wants to have with you at this present time.
In closing, why is John 3:16 misunderstood? It is because the church has changed the message of salvation. We have placed a period after the word perish in John 3:16. We have told the world that the reason God sent His Son to die for our sins was so we wouldn’t perish, Period. That excludes the true message of eternal life and intimate relationship with God as the goal of salvation. My Brothers and Sisters, there is more to eternal life than what you believe after reading John 3:16. Next week’s message is about Faith in Focusing on Eternal Life. 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
Message from First Lady Worthem – 5/12/2023
Church of the Living God
The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased With His Own Blood, Inc.
Jewell Dominion
Message from the Desk of First Lady Deaconess Linda Worthem
May 12, 2023
Greetings my brothers and sisters in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I remain saved sanctified and kept by the power of the Holy Ghost. I give honor to our General Chief Overseer, Assistant Overseer and all officials who are teaching, preaching and living according to the word of God.
Saints, my heart is still rejoicing over the wonderful time we had in the Midwest Women Conference. I also praise God for the success of the Hats and Pearls Women’s Conference in Philadelphia. I praise God for giving all safe travel to Detroit and back home. I give special thank you to the Bishop Rosemary Buchanan and all the members of Detroit. Minister Michelle Stramler made our stay so comfortable.
To each and every one who made the Midwest Women’s Conference a success (Praise and Worship Leaders, Musicians, Ministers, etc.) I appreciate each one of you for the awesome service that you rendered during the conference. I pray that God will bless each of you abundantly. I truly enjoyed each speaker: Trial Bishop Mary Townsend, Deaconess Katrina Edmonds, Deaconess Telashey Farr, and Deaconess Macy Woods all did a beautiful job. The Overseer and I appreciate you and we pray that God will continue to bless you.
To all those who will be celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday the General Chief Overseer and I wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day. We continue to pray that God gives each mother the wisdom to raise your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Let us not forget the woman and founding mother of the Church of the Living God, Mother Mary Magdalena Lewis-Tate who worked so hard to establish and lead God’s people to holiness.
In my closing, I leave you with Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give the peace.” All Praises be the true and Living God.
“ HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!!!!!” to all Mother’s from the General Overseer, Bishop Dr. Calvin and 1st Lady Deaconess Linda Worthem.
His Servant,
Deaconess Linda Worthem
First Lady of COTLG-Jewell Dominion
Weekly Message 5-8-2023
Church of the Living God
The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased With His Own Blood, Inc.
Jewell Dominion
Weekly Message from General Chief Overseer Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
Date: 05/08/2023
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 Self-Forgiveness for Secret Hurts.
We hear a lot about the importance of forgiving those who have harmed us, but what about forgiving ourselves? Is that important as well? When we harm someone, it is normal and healthy to feel bad about it, to experience regret and to wish we could take it back or do something to make the person feel better. What isn’t healthy is to continually beat ourselves up for our offense and to determine that we are a bad person because of it. I believe that self-forgiveness is the most powerful step you can take to rid yourself of debilitating shame. This is particularly true for those who have been abused, but it applies to everyone. Self-forgiveness is not only recommended but absolutely essential if we wish to become emotionally healthy and have peace of mind.
Yet, the interesting thing is, the Bible has absolutely no mention of it at all! There are no verses telling us we need to forgive ourselves. Sure, there is the second great commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” which implies some self-love and self-care. So often we wallow in guilt and shame, long after we have asked Jesus to forgive us. If I can get one point across to you today it’s simply this, “Forgive yourself and Set YOURSELF Free!” You hold the power to your own freedom in your grasp today. It’s the power of forgiveness. As we bask in God’s forgiving love, we will be able to let go of those pesky regrets and persistent doubts, and finally accept ourselves again, as creatures who are flawed but still precious in God’s sight.
Let’s look at Peter, it must have been embarrassing for all to know how quickly he turned to self-preservation mode. But his story is important because we can identify with him. We also seek self-preservation. And Peter’s story gives us hope of forgiveness, hope of recovery from guilt and shame, and a healthy shift to serving God by serving others. Peter could have been like Judas. He could have allowed himself to be so full of sorrow and remorse that he went out and committed suicide. But he didn’t. Even when he was full of shame, Peter kept coming back to Jesus. And that’s what we need to do, when we’re overwhelmed with guilt and shame: come back to Jesus. What about you? Jesus’ last words to Peter in today’s story are simply, “Follow me!”
In closing, Are you ready to follow Jesus, regardless of the price? Are you ready to be accepted by the One who recognizes us as flawed but precious? Are you ready for him to forgive all your sin and put you back into service? Let’s pray about it. Heavenly Father, we are humbled by Peter’s story. We find ourselves in it, as we contemplate the failures in our own lives. Yet, you are a God who consistently uses flawed people to do your work, from angry Moses to prideful Joseph, scared Esther, timid Gideon; to us today. God, you used them, despite their flaws. Use us, Lord. Forgive us as we bring our sin to you, and help us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are forgiven and called to serve out of our brokenness, relying on your Holy Spirit’s power to strengthen us to do Your will, in Your son Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray, Amen. Until next week let us remember, “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
In His Service,
Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop
