Date: June 11, 2023

Greetings my brother and sisters in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I remain saved, sanctified, satisfied and kept by the power of the Holy Ghost. I give honor to our General Chief Overseer, Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem, our Assistant Overseer and all officials of the Church of the Living God who are teaching, preaching and living according  to the Word of God. I pray that all Mothers had a blessed Mother’s Day.  I want to thank those that sent me cards, flowers, texts, and phone messages.  I truly appreciate each act of love I received from each of you.

The month of May was National Mental Health month and I want to encourage all the saints and friends to guard your mental health. Let us also examine our Spiritual minds in an effort to keep our physical body health. We must eat healthy, exercise and get ample sleep. God’s word tells us how to maintain a healthy mind, Philippians 2:5-11, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in the fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross…”    A healthy mind is one that is set on eternal life, Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on the things above, not on things on the earth.”

How are your thoughts? Are your thoughts negative or positive? Philippians 4:8 tells us, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Saints, let us not allow Satan to control our mind with negative thoughts that will dishearten our spirits. We must allow the Holy Spirit and not the flesh control our mind. During the months of May and June many of us visit the cemetery  and place flowers on the graves of loved ones who have transitioned.  This can be mentally challenging for some of us. Hence, we must keep a positive mind, remembering the happy times and the memories that touched our lives.

Moreover, when we go to God’s house, let us go with a mind thanking God, praising God, as well as testifying of his goodness. We must not go with a mind filled with negative thoughts, if we have a ought with a brother or sister, we must pray for them. Let us have a mind to encourage those who are sick and in need. Remind them that the God we served can heal sickness and He has the power to call the dead from the grave. John 11:43-44reads, “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”  

When we teach, preach and testify let us do it to the Glory of God so that souls might be saved.  Don’t speak negatively about God house or God’s people. Don’t allow your mind to dwell on past things that were said or done that hurt you or made you angry.  Let it go and think more on what God has done for you.

In my closing, saints please remember that we are pilgrims and strangers on a journey home to our Heavenly Father.  The Overseer and I are looking forward to seeing each one in the 115th General Assembly.  Our prayers are going up for your safe travel.

All praises be to the True and Living God.

His Servant,

Deaconess Linda Worthem

National First Lady of COTLG-Jewell Dominion