Date: January 22, 2024

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 yet abiding in the body. The 2024 Proclamation is “God is Taking Us Higher”.  This month’s phrase is “Going Higher in God”. This week’s message discusses Habits No. 5, 6, and 7 in “leveling up Spiritually.”

HABIT No. 5: Strengthen Your Heart Through Praise. Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Being fluent in praise means no matter what is happening in our lives, we have countless reasons to thank Him for what He has done, what He is doing, and what we know He will do. Praise is not just when things are good. Praise is an act of faith. If you believe you receive what you’ve asked, you’ll thank God, even if it hasn’t manifested. Praise says, “I know it’s coming.” When we level up spiritually, there is a connection between praise and strength. A spirit of praise puts us in a position and produces spiritual strength.

HABIT No. 6: Pray in the Spirit. Jude 1:20 says, “But, ye beloved, building yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” When we level up spiritually, we must keep our spiritual batteries charged. That’s where praying in other tongues comes in. When you pray in the spirit, you edify your spirit, which means to uplift and strengthen. It builds up your spirit and your faith. Hence, the powerful part of praying in the Spirit is that it allows you to pray above what you know in the natural. It takes you into the spiritual realm and opens the door to revelation, wisdom, instruction, and encouragement.

Habit No. 7: Get Rid of Baggage. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Streamlining is essential when getting rid of baggage. To streamline is to reduce resistance, creating a faster and smoother journey. The idea is to remove anything that would slow you down. That’s what we are called to do in our spiritual lives. When God told us to “strip off every weight that slows us down,” He told us to streamline our lives to enjoy optimum victory. 

In closing, my brothers and sisters, what kind of baggage are you carrying today? Worry, anxiety, stress, or fear? Whatever it is, decide to get rid of it today! It’s slowing you down. Until then, remember, “…with God, all things are possible” Matthew 19:26.

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop