Date: 12/05/2022

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to Him be the Glory and to the Holy Ghost. This month’s key phrase is: THE WONDERFUL GIFT FROM GOD.

Saints and friends, God realized that the only way we could be reconciled back to Him was with a perfect unblemished sacrifice that would atone for our sins (take our place). So, He gave us a gift, He gave us Jesus! The Bible is not distorted, it is very clear! Jesus was born into this world to save you and to save me. In 1 Timothy 1:15 the Apostle Paul tells us “This is a faithful saying, that is worthy of all acceptations, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief”. The true message of Christmas which is worth celebrating is that Jesus was born to fulfill God’s mission, to save sinners. The gift of Jesus is the most wonderful gift we will ever receive, so, as you read this message just pause for a few seconds and tell yourself: Jesus is God’s gift to me.

The scripture that sums up the whole essence of Christmas is John 3:16 “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”. God ‘gave’; meaning that Jesus is a gift to us from Almighty God Himself! But it doesn’t stop there; God also gave “His One and only son”. If we have one of something and we give it away, then we have given everything we have. God therefore gave us everything He had! So why did He do that, He is God almighty, He didn’t have to give anything? The answer can be found at the very beginning of John 3:16 “For God so loved the world……’This is how much God loves us!

Saints and friends, our God is a Holy God. He is perfect, but we as humans are imperfect and Holiness is an attribute of God that distinguishes Himself and His creation. Leviticus 11:44-45 “For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy”. Saints and friends, God was aware that because of our sinful nature we are not capable of being holy in the way He deserves, so what did He do? He realized that the only way we could be reconciled back to Him was with a perfect unblemished sacrifice that would atone for our sins. So, He gave us a gift, He gave us Jesus! Until next week, think about what did the gift of Jesus give us? And know in receiving the wonderful gift from God that “…with God all things are possible”. (Matthew 19:26)

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

Date: 11/14/2022

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory and to the Holy Ghost. This month’s key word is Thankfulness: The question this week is how are you being thankful?

1Thessalonians 5:16-18, Apostle Paul says to the believers at Thessalonica, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We can learn to give thanks even if we don’t feel particularly thankful. If God gives a command, he expects obedience. Thankfulness, like forgiveness, is not an emotion. Thankfulness is an intelligent response of gratitude to God.” Two (2) attributes about being thankful are:

A Call to Thanksgiving: We are to be thankful to God. This was David’s plea in Psalm 100:4-5, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” Paul’s exhortation to the believers at Colossee, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body: and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:15-17).

The Meaning of Thanksgiving: 1. Grateful. This means being “appreciative of benefits received” (Webster).” Thankfulness arises out of the grace of God and that which He has done” Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful (grateful).” Psalms 100:4 instructs us to, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.” 2. Gratitude. “This is the state of being grateful” (Webster). It is a “season for all seasons.” Gratitude “is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.” Colossians 2:6-7 says, “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus …, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving (gratitude).” 3. Glorify. “to acknowledge fully, to celebrate fully, in praise with thanksgiving.” Glorifyin Luke 2:38, “After Anna saw the baby Jesus “in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”        4. Grace. “Grace” and “thanks” in the New Testament means expressing “favor.” Paul said to the Romans “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7). “This grace or favor comes from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans1:7). Saints and friends, a state of mind that sees God in everything is evidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart.” 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

Date: 11/07/2022

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory and to the Holy Ghost. This month’s keyword is Thankfulness.

Being thankful is to show gratitude and appreciation for what God has done for us. In fact, being thankful can be the most challenging aspect of our lives. Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. It is important to remember the foundation for thankfulness is found in Ephesians 5:18b-19: “Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts”. What Paul wants us to understand is that thankfulness is not a happenstance, but the ability to give thanks in everything.

Being grateful heightens our sensitivity to divine direction. When we communicate gratitude, we can be filled with the Spirit and connect to those around us and the Lord Jesus Christ. However, rather than Paul addressing the concerns of a particular church, it was a sermon to all Christians throughout all generations. When we reflect on our blessings and rehearseGod’s accomplishments, we discover God’s heart. And to discover God’s heart is to discover not just good gifts but the Good Giver “(God).” And, whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

In closing Jesus’s death, became how we give thanks in every aspect of our lives, that are obvious, obscure, and even objectionable. In everything, we should give thanks. Psalms 107:1, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever”. Therefore, the real question is, how are we being thankful? Part Two on thankfulness next week. Let usremember, “…with God all things are possible”. (Matthew 19:26)

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop