February 6, 2023

Greetings brothers and sisters in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I remained saved sanctified and kept by the power of the Holy Ghost. The General Chief Overseer and I are enjoying the blessings of God and I pray that you and your families are enjoying them as well. I give honor to the General Chief Overseer, Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem, Assistant Overseer, Bishop Dr. Bonnie Guster and all the officials who are teaching, preaching and living according to the word of God.

 February is a month in which many of us show our loved ones just how much we love them, (candy, cards, flowers, dinners at a nice restaurant and). Let us not forget how much God loved us, 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.” What are we doing to show God how much we love Him? We are to love not just in words, but in words and deeds. We must do something. God’s love was a sacrificial love. He sacrificed His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, because he loved us.

Are we sacrificing the desires of the flesh and living according to the Spirit. When we love God we will show the fruits of the Spirit in our lives, Galatians 5:22-25, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

The tradition of the world is to love only those who love us, but not so with God, Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” 1 John 4:20, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a lair: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

Saints, please don’t continue to come to church, hear the word and not do anything to clean your heart. John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” When we live according to the Spirit, our actions will change, and we will be a light in this dark world. Are you able to say for God I will live and for God I die?

February is Heart Health Awareness Month, therefore, let’s all wear something red the 3^rd Sunday, February 19, 2023. Please take a picture in your red outfits and send the photos to Deaconess Dorcas Scott to post on our church website  and Facebook page.

Saints in my closing, I urge all, let us love one another, because love and obedience are the keys to eternal life. On October 31, 2001, the late Bishop E. M. Jennings preached her last sermon here at Toccopola Church, her subject was, “Protect your heart.” Saints let us protect our heart both spiritually and naturally.

All praises be to the True and Living God.

His Humble Servant,

Deaconess Linda Worthem

First Lady of COTLG-Jewell Dominion