Date: November 25, 2024

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, power, and dominion now and forever, and to the Holy Ghost, who continues to dwell within us, guiding our steps. This month’s theme is thankfulness, and this week’s message is “The Connection Between Gratitude and Emotional Health.”

Gratitude serves as a bridge that connects our spiritual lives to our emotional well-being. Jesus’ teachings emphasize the importance of thankfulness, illustrating that a grateful heart can transform our perspective on life’s challenges. As it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” In a world filled with anxiety and uncertainty, embracing gratitude honors God and enriches our emotional well-being. By recognizing the blessings in our lives, we transform our focus from what we lack to the abundance that envelops us, cultivating a deeper sense of peace and joy.

The act of being thankful can significantly impact our mental state. Psalm 23:3 states, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Research consistently shows that individuals who practice gratitude regularly experience lower levels of depression and anxiety. This aligns perfectly with Jesus’ teachings, where thankfulness is not merely an act but a way of life. Recognizing even the smallest blessings invites a healing presence into our hearts. Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” 

In closing, gratitude is a powerful tool for emotional restoration. Psalms This practice inspires us to recognize Jesus in our daily lives, reminding us that He is with us through both our joys and trials. Psalm 34:19 reminds us, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” When our spirits feel heavy, and our hearts are burdened, thankfulness can be a balm for our souls. It allows us to recognize the hope that exists even amid suffering. As stated in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jesus demonstrated gratitude in the face of adversity, teaching us that acknowledging our blessings can lead to spiritual and emotional healing. This perspective helps us articulate our struggles while simultaneously reminding us of God’s unwavering presence and love.

Remember, “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem        

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

Date: November 4, 2024

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, power, and dominion forever and ever, and to the Holy Ghost, who continues to dwell within us, guiding our steps. This month’s theme is thankfulness, and this week’s message is “The Gift of Thankfulness: Understanding Thankfulness as a Spiritual Discipline.”

Thankfulness is more than a fleeting emotion; it is a profound spiritual discipline that invites us into a deeper relationship with God: “In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”-1 Thessalonians 5:18. When we embrace thankfulness, we acknowledge the presence of Jesus in our lives, much like his house calls to those in need throughout the Gospels. Each act of gratitude becomes a doorway to recognizing the blessings we often overlook, allowing us to experience God’s grace fully. This discipline teaches us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and appreciate the divine fingerprints in our daily lives, nurturing our spiritual growth and understanding.

Jesus taught us to notice the small things, reminding us that even a tiny gesture in His name carries significance. Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Hence, reflecting on what we are grateful for creates space for God’s healing presence to enter our lives. This practice enables us to confront our challenges with hope, reminding us that there is much to be thankful for, even in suffering. Through this lens of gratitude, we can experience restoration and peace.

In closing, the power of prayer is magnified when infused with thankfulness. As we approach God in prayer, expressing gratitude can transform our conversations with Him into profound acts of worship. Jesus’ teachings often emphasized the importance of thankfulness, as seen in feeding the five thousand and healing the ten lepers. These stories remind us that gratitude is not just a reaction to blessings received but a posture of the heart that aligns us with God’s will. Engaging in prayer with a thankful spirit encourages us to trust in God’s provision, cultivating a sense of peace that surpasses understanding amidst life’s uncertainties. 2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.”  The reflective practice nurtures our relationship with God and serves as a reminder during challenging times this holiday season. Even in our darkest hours, there are reasons to be thankful. When we understand that thankfulness is a spiritual discipline, we align ourselves with God’s heart, fostering a life marked by joy, hope, and unwavering faith. 

During the challenges we encounter every day, remember that “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem        

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

Date: October 21, 2024

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, power, and dominion forever and ever, and to the Holy Ghost, who continues to dwell within us, guiding our steps.  This month’s messages delve into Humility: “The Power of Humility: Choose Service Over Self-Interest.”

One critical characteristic of a servant, which we cannot do without if we want to be a servant, is humility. At one point or another, we all wrestle with our pride. We find serving hard because we regard ourselves more highly than we ought. Romans 12:3 reminds us, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” That’s the problem with Satan and Adam and Eve, when the devil influenced them. Before the creation of the world, Satan was Lucifer, the angel. Pride took over him, and he rebelled against God.

Saints, pride will always lead to ruin because we shift our confidence away from God to self. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Hence, the way to greatness in the Kingdom of God is not up but down. Jesus humbled Himself, “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” (verse 8), and God exalted Him, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” (verse 9). The disciples learned after hearing from Jesus and seeing Him serve. Therefore, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” – James 4: 10. First Peter 5:6 instructs, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

In conclusion, humility is not a burden but a blessing. It frees us from the need to prove ourselves, compete with others, and strive for the world’s approval. It allows us to rest in God’s love and grace, to find our worth in Him rather than in our achievements or possessions. It opens the door for God to work in and through us. As Proverbs 3:34 reminds us, “He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.” When we humble ourselves, we position ourselves to receive God’s grace, His unmerited favor. We make room for Him to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

Remember in all that we are confronted with daily, “…with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). 

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop