Date: August 29, 2022

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory and to the Holy Ghost that abides within me. God has laid on my spirit to write a weekly message to the saints and friends of The Church of the Living God, The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased with His Own Blood, Inc.– Jewell Dominion. This week’s topic is SOCIAL MEDIA AND BULLYING.

Colossians 3:17 (KJV) tells us, ^“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him”. We can see daily, how the world which is separated by distance & languages has been replaced by a world of instant access! There used to be barriers between us and the world. But now, the world is in the palm of our hands. Communication has become instant, there’s nothing to keep us from sending a message around the world within a moment! But the fact that we have a responsibility to God hasn’t changed. It’s only been enhanced! Some look at the World Wide Web as a negative, but I believe it’s a HUGE positive in our mission to Glorify God and spread the gospel!  In Isaiah 42:5-8, God reveals His glory online is the same as His glory anywhere else! It’s brilliant, radiant, and triumphant! His glory has the power to draw His creation to Him! In Ephesians 3:8-12 God reveals His glory online, through His Church. Moreover, Matthew 5:16 reminds us, as we post online, we must ask the same questions we ask in any situation or conversation: (1) “Is this action glorifying to God?” (2) “How can I honor God through this action?” Saints our behavior online is to be just like our behavior in person (Ephesians 5:1-17). Proverbs 22:1 and I Peter 2:9 tells us to guard our influence, we represent more than just ourselves. Therefore, as we relate to the world through social media, we must strive to accomplish the same mission as we strive in person! (A good test of our faith is the content on our personal social media platforms!) Hence this day forward let’s use social media for the glory of God, inform others about His way of life and His redeeming love! Bring many souls to His throne through your presence online!!

The next topic the Holy Spirit laid on my heart is Bullying.  James 3:5-12 reads, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindle”! As kids, when bullies called us names, our standard retort was, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”  Those words, while meant to volley back against insults, often fell on the deaf ears. According to the School Bullying Council, every day some 160,000 students stay home from school afraid of bullies. Furthermore, with the advent of social networking, there has been an increase in teens committing suicide because of “words” posted on sites like Facebook by “cyber-bullies.” Yes, when taken to heart words can hurt…even kill. In

I Timothy 5:13 Paul described these “verbal bullies” as “tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” Our words can be as sharp and cutting as any dagger. How tragic would it be, if as Christians we were guilty of bullying fellow Christians? Not physically, but verbally and mentally, isolating them from the body of believers cutting them off from their source of vital spiritual strength. We’re all admonished to “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29) …Oh be careful little tongue what you say! You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16). In closing, Jesus wants us as Christians to go into the world with His love and make a difference!

In closing remember Salt – is a preservative – it keeps food from going bad. Light – shines into the darkness; they represent good deeds that we do in love. The world is a dark hopeless place and needs to see the light and goodness of Jesus!  Paraphrasing Ephesians 5:9-16, ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. ¹⁰ Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³ But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. ¹⁴ And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds. Therefore, it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” ¹⁵ So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. ¹⁶ Hence we must make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.”  Moreover, offending the conscience of other Christians about any matter is an offense against God, a sin. Yet, Christians offend unknowingly at times. As we grow in the love of God, may we also grow in the love of others and treat their consciences with tenderhearted care. Remember, “with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

 “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26