Ministers of Jesus Christ
Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith
Atlanta, Georgia - USA
Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer
|
|
Ministers of Jesus Christ Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith Atlanta, Georgia - USA Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer |
|
Date: June 28, 2020
To all the Saints of God,
Grace and peace be unto all the Saints of God around the World. As this
Coronavirus Pandemic continues, we are continually reminding the Saints of God
that we are obeying the magistrates and following the guideline of the health
and governmental authorities for the safety of all people.
Health authorities
and governmental officials continue to strongly encourage people to wear face
coverings in public and use social distancing, wash your hands, and get tested
with or without symptoms.
In some places wearing face mask is
mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public spaces.
To accommodate
all Saints, we are continuing with these scheduled in-person services wearing
the recommended personal protective equipment:
On Sunday June 28, 2020 Youth Department meeting and Church Services from 11:00
am – 2:00 pm.
On Sunday July 5, 2020 Executive Board meetings and Church Services from 11:00
am – 2:00 pm.
On Today Sunday July 12, 2020 Sisters Department meeting and Church Services
from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.
On Sunday July 19, 2020 Brothers Department meeting and Church Services from
11:00 am – 2:00 pm.
All
services will take place on Sundays only from 11am until 2pm to allow for proper
cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces. No night services during the week due
disinfection procedures. Baptism, pray and tarrying service, will continue each
Sunday following all safety protocols including the use of personal protective
equipment and body temperature checks.
As we obey the
Magistrates, we have complete faith that God will continue to hear our prayers
and provide a way for us through these uncertain times.
Romans 13:2-4 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no
power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
TITUS 3:1-2 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no
brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
This week’s encouraging words of growth focuses on:
"THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS"
EZEKIEL 34:26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a
blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be
showers of blessing.
This is the week that
we were scheduled to have our Showers of Blessing week of Services and Modest
Apparel Fashion Show. Most
gatherings have been canceled during this covid-19 pandemic due to social
distancing and disinfection procedures. Nevertheless,
we would like to continue with the theme of the many blessing that we are
receiving from God. As a result of
the Love of God, we can concentrate on the favor and gifts from God Almighty
given to us to bring happiness, healing, joy, to each of us and our fellow man.
We can continue to testify of the fruits and benefits of prayer and the
Holy Ghost sent from God almighty.
For he has truly made the people of God a Blessing to the entire world. When you
commit your way to the Lord your life will take a positive turn to everlasting
joy and security with God almighty and Showers of empowerment.
PHILIPPIANS 4:11 - 13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned,
in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know
how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and
to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
GALATION 5:22 - 23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law.
There is no law against the fruit of the Spirit which empowers us to overcome
the sins of our carnal nature, brings victory to our own personal circumstances,
and favor to all others around us. This is one of the many emphasis of the
celebration of Showers of Blessings.
The general
meaning of the text understood by many readers is that God would make Jerusalem
and the places round about his hill a blessing. When they associate Jerusalem,
the City of God or capital city of the United Kingdom of Israel; the people of
God with the Church or Saints of God, they see the Blessings emanating from the
Church throughout the world.
Apostle Shelton
in this message iterated the Blessing of the hearing the truth of God because
that is the only thing, we are going to tell you. We are not interested in
telling you anything but the truth, because it profits us nothing to tell you a
lie. We are not seeking anything from anybody, other than that you would repent
of your sins, and be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of your sins. Then, you must receive the gift of the Holy in other
tongues as the Spirit gives you utterance and continue on to perfection. You may
hear a lot of different ideas and philosophies that might catch a little
rainfall for a little while, but the thing we are offering is something that
will last when other things go out of style. That which we are offering stays
constant amidst all the excitement; and when the dust is cleared away and the
show is over —it will still be there, for it is eternal.
What we are offering is sure and secure, something that is perfect,
something that will give you a hope. It will give you an assurance, it will give
you a steadfastness, it will give you a
life beyond what you see, beyond what
you think—beyond what you could possibly hope for. All things that are good, all
things that are right, all things that are just will be granted unto you.
During
our Shower of Blessings service, we are reminded of the many Blessings of the
Church and a preview of the shower of blessings which shall come.
The Mountain of the Lord’s House or the
"hill" of God is associated with the Church of The Lord Jesus Christ, those
baptized in the Name of the Jesus Christ and filled with the gift of the Holy
Ghost being continually endowed with
showers of his loving-kindness, Divine
favor, Divine truth and power, and
imparting these supernatural benefits to the entire world. We receive continual
blessings from Jesus Christ; and communicates these blessings of love,
salvation, healing, prosperity, and hope to a lost, barren world.
We know that some bible teachers point
this to Jerusalem only, but many Christians can clearly see these benefits in
all the people of God.
In EZEKIEL
34:23 it says: And I will set up one
shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed
them, and he shall be their shepherd.
In other words, God is not going to have
all of these different kinds of false prophets over His people. He is going to
have one shepherd over them, because when you get so many diversities of
opinions the people will not know exactly-what to eat. When there is only one
pasture in which to feed, they will not have to be confused or undecided.
When we follow the
one Good Chief Shepherd and the one and only plan of salvation all confusion is
done away with. The Throne of David will be established forever upon which Jesus
Christ the one and only God Almighty will rule. This does not mean one preacher,
but one way to God doing away with all confusion and false religious worship.
It clearly reveals all manmade religions which are set up for power,
riches, and control for making merchandise of people.
EZEKIEL
34:24 - 25
And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I
the LORD have spoken it. And I will make
with them a covenant of peace and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the
land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
You will not
have any anything to fear. You will not have to worry about muggers on the
street who creep by night. You will not have to be concerned about the drug
addicts, or the reefer smokers. You will not have to worry about someone walking
up fast you and grabbing you, and the next thing you know you wake up in a
hospital. You will be able to sleep in the woods and not have to worry or wonder
if you will be the victim for the horror headline of someone slicing up a body.
Not only will the wild and ravenous beast be quieted, but the beast in man also
will be taken out.
EZEKIEL 34:26
- 28 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I
will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of
blessing. And the tree of the field
shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be
safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the
bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served
themselves of them. And they shall no
more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them;
but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.
But in the
meantime, He is not leaving us comfortless. In the meantime, He is not leaving
us hopeless. In the meantime, he is not
leaving us desolate, because as His gospel drops as the rain and His speech
distills as the dew, there is a blessing for those who wait on Him and wait
patiently on Him. There is indeed a blessing in store for them who have trusted
in the Lord and have made Him their sure tower, made Him their fortress. It is
true that even those who trust in God, who believe in God have afflictions. But
it is not all pain, it is not all poverty, it is not all sickness. There are
some good days, there are some good times, there are some happy hours, there are
some blessings, there are some days when you can thank the Lord with joy and
peace. They may be few and far in between, but nevertheless, they are on their
way.
The
Prophet Zechariah once talked about some bright clouds….
ZECHARIAH
10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall
make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the
field.
In other words,
when God gives a thing, when God gives a blessing, He gives the clouds a
brightness—not the dark and gruesome things of trouble and sorrow that you
ordinarily associate with rain. When God sends an outpouring, when God lets His
blessing descend upon you, there is a difference—it has a cleansing effect, just
as rain has the tendency to clean and clear the air. When God drops His
blessings out of heaven upon you, though your sins were as scarlet, He makes
them white as snow, and the heaviness and burden and oppression that you
previously felt is lifted. He gives you peace, He gives you joy, and He gives
you hope. He gives you a heart of fight, that you can turn the battle to the
gate. He grants you a refreshing that cleanses your mind and your spirit,
whereas before your thoughts were foggy and unsure, you are now able to think
more clearly and see your way. You were wondering how you were going to make it
and He showed you the path and the direction—the solution to your problems.
Still yourself
and let the blessings of God descend upon you and speak to your heart; and then
you will know, then you will understand, and then you will be able to see. Once
you doubted, but now you have swift feet and you have strong knees. You have
strong arms to fight your battles and you see where you can make it.
You see where you overcome. You gee where victory is ahead. You can see
where God is coming into your life. You feel like a new creature, and indeed you
are newborn again. God gives you a new lease on life, enabling you to say that
it is not so bad after all. That I knew He would come, and that He would bless
me.
Of course, that
is what God wants to do if you will just open up your mind, open up your belief,
open up your heart and let all of your doubt and skepticism just go away. let it
disappear and let the Lord fill you with his living word. Let Lord and give you
strength to make it another year, another day, another moment. The problem is
that you have crowed Him out with your affairs of the day. You have crowded Him
out with the cares of this life. You have crowded Him out with doubt, you have
crowded Him out with gloom, you have crowded Him out with hatred.
And so, He just wants you to sweep it
all aside. He wants you to just
move everything out of the way because He is knocking. "Behold," He says, "l
stand at the door and I knock." "I want to come in." "I want to speak to you."
"I want to speak hope to you." "I want to encourage you." "l want to make you
more courageous." "I want to make you a better person.
"I want to help you overcome, but there
are so many cobwebs, there is so much clutter."
You are so
crowded and full with the things of this world and the things of this life."
"You are so busy, and you are so breathless—running a race that does not profit
you." "You are so tired, and you are so weary, until you just do not have time
to listen to me." "You are so busy trying to do those things which does not
profit your soul, for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and
loose his own soul?" Jesus Christ, who is God Almighty, wants to give you life,
and life more abundantly. He wants to give you a life that will be free from
fear, a life that will be free from anxiety, a life that will be full of hope, a
life that will be full of joy.
Though you walk
through the valley and the shadows of death, you will fear no evil. He wants it
so that you will feel His presence with you wherever you go, even in the of
presence your enemies. That you will have the blessed assurance that He is with
you always even to the ends of the earth. He wants you to feel His divine
presence abiding in your life, even a
well of living waters.
God wants to be in you. He
wants to be to you a force of strength that you call on in the time of trouble.
There is a reservoir inside of you once you become a believer in Him. He becomes
a reservoir of power and strength. They talk about the power shortage of
electricity and petroleum, but God has never run out of power, no matter how
many people draw on this power of the Holy Ghost. For He said that after the
Holy Ghost has come upon you, you shall have power. (Acts 1:8)
ACTS 1:8 – 9
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And
when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud
received him out of their sight.
There is
something most remarkable about this well of living water. The more you draw
from it, the more it renews itself. You
cannot see where any of the power has been drawn out or used up.
So, this is what the Showers of Blessings means to all of you. There is
no blessing in keeping pagan festivals, because when we searched the Scriptures
we have never read where the Old Testament Church (or the New Testament Church
for that matter) ever celebrated any day in the week named after Wooden, the
pagan god of war,. known as Wednesday, and then during pagan Easter, called it
"Ash Wednesday". We have never read
where the Old Testament Church or the New Testament Church ever instituted for
the people, a period of forty days for penance or lent.
Here Apostle Shelton explains the truth
about the celebration of the Days
associated with what is commonly called the Christian Calendar as Easter from
the pagan goddess Eastra or Ostara, or Christmas commemoration of the birth of
Christ from the pagan worship of the birthday of the sun. Though it is said that
the Catholic Church installed many of these mass celebrations to combat the
paganism in society, it is imperative that we tell the truth about all
celebrations that there is no judgement or requirement to celebrate these days
in the Bible.
We worship, commemorate, and celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ everyday of our
natural life and will continue to worship Him thoughout all eternity.
The Scripture
says to—"Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."(Acts
2:38)
We do not see
where palm, or the ashes of palm used as an insignia on the forehead of human
beings, has any significance or relevance to Christ. And when we search the
scriptures, ashes in the Old Testament and the New Testament generally signified
some kind of sorrow, or shame, or sin, or degrading force.
When someone had done some particular type of sin, then the ashes of the
red heifer or whatever would be used, etc.
Also, they would sit in ashes to show their humiliation, but never in the
New Testament covenant was it ever placed as a sign.
But this is a sign, that “these signs shall follow
them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they speak with new
tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it
shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
(Mark 16:17-18)
These are the
signs. And of course, without the shedding of blood, there was no redemption.
So, God used this sign—the shedding of His precious blood—to show or indicate
the power of redemption and remission of sins.
What God is
asking for in ashes, is the ashes of the old man of sin. He is asking for the
ashes of your old ways, for the ashes of all your old habits and ideologies,
that they be consumed, that they be burned, that they be destroyed! God wants
them all to be burned with the refiners' fire! And from these ashes He wants to
raise up a beauty, for He promised to give beauty for your ashes. He said that
out of the ashes of the old man will rise a new creature; that He will beautify
the one who has been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins. He will beautify that one who has received the gift of the Holy
Ghost—speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance. With what
will He beautify them? He will beautify them with salvation. When you have been
born again of the water and of the Spirit, you can look for the shower of
blessings of which we speak.
"And I will
make them and the place round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the
shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing."
(Ezekiel 34 :26)
We thank God for this encouraging message from Apostle Shelton that has blessed
the Saints throughout the years as we continue the Showers of Blessing Service.
May the Lord Bless you and Keep you and
eternally hold you in the center of his will, may he open your understanding
that you will come to know that you must repent of your sins and be baptized in
the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, then continue in prayer
until you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign following speaking
with other tongues as the spirit gives you utterances.
That you will leave the principles of the doctrine and go on to
perfection overcoming the love of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of
the eyes and the pride of life and continue steadfastly in the Apostle’s
Doctrine remembering always that he that endures until the End, the same shall
be saved. Amen
With perfect love,
Apostle Dennis G. Smith
Guide to Church Meetings during this coronavirus pandemic
Please be aware that if someone infected with coronavirus comes into the Church
building it may contain infection for 72 hours afterwards unless cleaning is
carried out. Remember that the Church building is being accessed by other
people undertaking essential work such as construction contractors, cleaning and
maintenance personnel so that the proper safety protocols must be followed such
as social distancing, and the use of personal protective equipment such as mask,
gloves, and possibly face shields. Because of the risk of infection, it is
best that you get tested for the virus to protect yourself and others before
attending a meeting as the restrictions are lifted.
If multiple people are entering the building, even one at a time they must
maintain the six feet apart social distancing recommendations.
All individuals entering the building must be
warned of the risks to their lives should someone enter not following safety
protocols calling reckless endangerment to others as faith in God which
is absolute foolishness. A record of who goes in the building and
when will be kept with proper regard for the risk of transmission. A supply of
hand sanitizer, mask, and gloves will be kept with the record near the main
entrance to the church. It is best for people to bring their own pens to use or
wear gloves when touching all surfaces including Bibles. A record of who is in
the building and when will be maintained so that if there is an incident at the
Church it will be clear who was the last person known to have been in the
building. Do not listen to those who call safety guidelines lack of faith
or who have a poor understanding of the doctrine on fear. Fear is only
detrimental to your soul when you are afraid to live a holy life because of what
people will say or do to you, or when you have no reverence and love for the
Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty.
What Is Social Distancing?
·
Social distancing means staying away from close contact in public spaces. It
includes actions like staying out of places where lots of people gather and
maintaining distance — approximately 6 feet — from others.
·
Social distancing also includes minimizing contact with people by avoiding
public transportation when possible, limiting nonessential travel, working from
home, and skipping social gatherings.
·
All people should practice social distancing — not just those who are seriously
ill or at high risk.
·
Social distancing is a proven way to slow the spread of pandemics.
When to Wear a Mask?
Those who are staying home and have no close contact with people who are
infected with COIVID-19 do not need a mask most of the time. However, wearing a
nonmedical or homemade mask may be helpful in certain situations or for certain
populations. Wear a Mask when….
·
Shopping at essential businesses, like grocery stores or pharmacies.
·
While visiting your health care provider.
·
Traveling on public transportation.
·
Interacting with customers/clients at essential businesses.
·
When feeling sick, coughing, or sneezing.
·
In all public spaces indoors and outdoors.
Because homemade masks protect everyone else from the droplets created by the
wearer, it is important that as many people as possible wear these masks when
leaving their homes.
This helps prevent those who may be infectious but are only mildly symptomatic
or not symptomatic from spreading the virus to others in the community.
Everyone should remember the phrase: “My mask protects you; your mask protects
me.” By increasing the overall number of people who are containing their coughs,
sneezes, and other droplets, it will help us control the overall spread of the
virus.
How Long Does the Coronavirus Live on Surfaces?
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person. When
someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, they send droplets containing the
virus into the air. A healthy person can then breathe in those droplets. You may
also catch the virus if you touch a surface or object that has the virus on it
and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
The coronavirus can live for hours to days on surfaces like countertops and
doorknobs. How long it survives depends on the material the surface is made
from.
Here is a guide to how long coronaviruses -- the family of viruses that includes
the one that causes COVID-19 -- can live on some of the surfaces you probably
touch every day.
Keep in mind that researchers still have a lot to learn about the new
coronavirus. But you are probably more likely to catch it from being around
someone who has it than from touching a contaminated surface.
Different Kinds of Surfaces
Metal
Examples: doorknobs, jewelry, silverware
5 days
Wood
Examples: furniture, decking
4 days
Plastics
Examples: milk containers and detergent bottles, subway and bus seats,
backpacks, elevator buttons
2 to 3 days
Stainless steel
Examples: refrigerators, pots and pans, sinks, some water bottles
2 to 3 days
Cardboard
Examples: shipping boxes
24 hours
Copper
Examples: pennies, teakettles, cookware
4 hours
Aluminum
Examples: soda cans, tinfoil, water bottles
2 to 8 hours
Glass
Examples: drinking glasses, measuring cups, mirrors, windows
Up to 5 days
Ceramics
Examples: dishes, pottery, mugs
5 days
Paper
Examples: mail, newspaper
The length of time varies. Some strains of coronavirus live for only a few
minutes on paper, while others live for up to 5 days.
Food
Examples: takeout, produce
Coronavirus doesn't seem to spread through food.
Water
Coronavirus hasn't been found in drinking water. If it does get into the water
supply, your local water treatment plant filters and disinfects the water, which
should kill any germs.
Fabrics
Examples: clothes, linens
There’s not much research about how long the virus lives on fabric, but it’s
probably not as long as on hard surfaces.
Shoes
One study tested the shoe soles of medical staff in a Chinese hospital intensive
care unit (ICU) and found that half were positive for nucleic acids from the
virus. But it’s not clear whether these pieces of the virus cause infection. The
hospital’s general ward, which had people with milder cases, was less
contaminated than the ICU.
Skin and hair
There’s no research yet on exactly how long the virus can live on your skin or
hair. Rhinoviruses, which cause colds, survive for hours. That’s why it’s
important to wash or disinfect your hands, which are most likely to come into
contact with contaminated surfaces.