Date: 02/27/2023

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 that is yet abiding in the body. This month’s key phrase is Endurance. This week’s message looks at Affirm the presence.

Saints and Friends, as we progress toward a life that resembles Jesus Christ, we must always remember that God is with us. Sometimes God is like a teacher, fellow worker, spectator, and above all He is our shield. Whatever situation we find ourselves, God is always there.

Isaiah described this miracle: “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. ²⁹ He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. ³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: ³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

The secret is found in affirming God’s presence. The world says give up, drop out, run away. God says trust me, lean on me, and fall into my arms. God is with you to support and sustain you. To give you hope, courage, and strength to continue. He has promised, “And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” (Exodus 33:14). Remember God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called. And He’ll always be there to love and to guide you to great things.

In closing ask yourself, are you close to quitting? Please don’t do it. Are you tired of trying to live for Christ? Hang in there. Do you feel like giving up on the Christian life? Roll up your sleeves and get back in there. Can’t resist temptation? Accept God’s forgiveness and keep on living rightly. Do you feel that sorrow and disappointment greet your every morning? Hold on. Help is just around the corner. Endurance prevails. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). Remember you are not a failure until you give up.  Never give up. Keep going. Hold on.  Because the Word in Hebrews 13:5  tells us, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”. God’s rewards await us in the distant future not near the beginning; and we don’t know how many steps it will take to reach the prize. No breaks or time outs exist; we must work every day of our life. It has been said, “Life is like reading a book. It begins to make sense when we near the end.” Saints’ endurance maintains the stamina we will need to see the end and embrace the prize. So, fight another round, rise another time, and, above all, don’t let go. And remember, “…with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop