Ministers of Jesus Christ Church

Date: June 27, 2021

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 gatherings and use social distancing, wash your hands, and get tested to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In some places wearing face mask is mandatory in indoor public spaces.

· As of June 24, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase 4 of the Reopening Plan.

· Social distancing is recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to control the spread or for individual safety. Medium gatherings with face mask and social distancing are allowed.

· Covid-19 vaccinations in Georgia are offered to everyone 12 years of age and older. Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 12 and older.

We are continuing limited in-person services with face mask, social distancing, and temperature checks. We are also continuing online services through Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. In-person Baptism and prayer service are available by attending our local service on site, attending our services on Zoom or emailing your request to:

info@ministersofjesuschrist.com or prayerrequest@ministersofjesuschrist.com.

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:

All Things Work Together for Good (part 2)

By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

Apostle Paul teaches us of what is commonly called Christian assurance, which is the Christian's Hope of Glory, based on the knowledge that God will bring us to our eternal inheritance. The Doctrine of Assurance is the realization that we as true obedient Christian believers have the promise of eternal life if we continue to live according to the commandments of God Almighty. Because we believe and obey all that God has commanded, we declare with confidence and assurance that we are Saved! This is because God will never leave or forsake an obedient Christian believer. So we proclaim that the believer is secure in Christ and has no reason to doubt his eternal salvation or feel any insecurity in Christ.

We can have complete confident that God is working on behalf of his children because he has given us the Holy Ghost to comfort us as the guarantee for our eternal redemption. Because it is the Holy Ghost which assures us, we know that if any man does not possess the Holy Ghost, he does not have salvation and does not yet belong to God.

This statement should not shake a true believer, but it should give you the encouragement and the determination to ask God for his Spirit and it should fill you with the knowledge that he will give you the gift of the Holy Ghost if you sincerely ask him and believe in him. Keep on tarrying and waiting on the Lord God until you receive the power from the Lord God that he has promised to every true believer. Keep on wrestling with God as Jacob did in Genesis 32 Chapter.

Romans 8:8 - 9 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Assurance is the realization that an Obedient Christian Believer has the promise of eternal life because their sins are forgiven and they have been regenerated and given a new nature. This realization produces a positive mental attitude of hope in daily life and in looking forward to the future with eternal hope. When a person has no assurance, it can cause great pain, despair, and negative mental attitudes of hopelessness that sometimes produces anger or perhaps hatred of the things in your life. When a Christian has doubt about salvation, they may lose complete trust in God to deliver them from the troubles in daily life and cannot see that all things will work together for their good which may cause some to give up striving to live a Holy lifestyle.

A belief that if they sin again that they have lost their salvation destroys many Christians. But a belief that if they sin because of shortcomings or weakness, that they can confess their sins, restore for the wrong done to others, when they have caused harm to other people whenever possible, and repent of their sins, or turn from their sinful actions, and turn to God in sorrow asking God for forgiveness, and he will still save them, gives them eternal hope. And when they continue to apply this faith each day of their life they can declare with confidence that they are saved because they have the promise of eternal salvation. They can approach all situations in life with the hope of eternal Glory even if they are presently suffering great lost or pain. This assurance also gives them the fortitude and strength to forgive others who have committed sins against them.

Romans 8:18 - 22 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Those of us who believe are saved then by the Hope we possess because we reflect on a future day in which God shall change our bodies into glorified forms and we will live with the Lord forever and ever. Whatever weaknesses we possess, we know that the Lord is strengthening us and empowering us with the ability of overcome all shortcomings in victory.

Romans 8:23 - 29 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

So we declare victory each day of our life, asking who really can be against us if God is for us. We will always win and be victorious because of the love of God. Anyone or anything that thinks that they can defeat us is foolish because they cannot beat God Almighty.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

The end result of all of our lifelong efforts will be a triumphant conclusion and an eternal victory in the everlasting Love of God. It is God who justified us therefore no one can condemn us.

Romans 8:33 - 39 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

No negative person, devil or demon can take the Holy Ghost from you. You have no need to worry or be afraid of evil people who causes you harm or troubles in your life. They will stand before God and give an account for all the evil that they commit. You must set yourself to press on toward the mark of the high calling achieving a daily victory in your life. You can rejoice each day of your life because the evil people cannot, and they did not cause you to falter or to wither from your complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 14:26 - 27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Many people who study the human mind and see the success of true believers in every aspect of daily life, give credit to the positive mental attitude we have as a result of our faith. Positive mental attitude is a concept about the importance of positive thinking as a contributing factor for success throughout a person's life. Positive mental attitude is seen as characteristics represented in the Bible called the fruit of the Spirit by such words as faith, hope, goodness, and additional words added by positive thinking teachers to include optimism, courage, generosity, tolerance, and other words that brings on happiness and success in daily life.

Galatians 5:22 - 24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Positive mental attitude about every situation in a person’s life produces positive changes and victorious achievements. When something is not going as well as you would like, you focus on the fact that God is going to cause things to get better and teaches you how to learn from the problems, fix or correct the causes of your troubles, and make improvements not allowing the problems to bring about failure. You learn to live in a state of mind that continues to seek, find, and execute ways to win, or find desirable outcomes, regardless of the circumstances. Your attitude is the very opposite of negativity, defeatism, and hopelessness. Optimism, or what we as Christians see in faith and hope are the key elements in the achieving a personal positive mental attitude. We learn to live with the small things in life and maintain holy virtues and values in our lifestyle which gives us success in all things because we believe that all things are possible to him that believe.

Mark 9:20 - 27 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up; and he arose.

And since True Christians believe that all things are possible when they function according to the will of God, we receive from God the Showers of Blessings through the empowerment of the indwelling Holy Ghost.

Matthew 21:18 - 22 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

We continue with a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton …. “IT CAN BE DONE!” ………

"IT CAN BE DONE!" (part 2)

By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton

Never, and we mean never, get it in your mind that you cannot achieve whatever anybody else can do, anywhere in this world, as far as achievements, success, and ability. Not only can you do as well as they, but you can also do better! Yes, you can! Paraphrasing the scriptures it says, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. All things!

In Judges, the 7th chapter we find a man by the name of Gideon who an excellent example of "it can be done”: Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the saying, who so ever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead.

And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. And the Lord said unto Gideon, the people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, this shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee, and of whomsoever I say unto thee, this shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. So, he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise everyone that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouthy were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. So, the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel everyman unto his tent and retained those three hundred men: and the host of the Midian was beneath him in the valley." (Judges 7:1-8)

To paraphrase the scriptures, Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and the people that were with him rose up early and by the well of Harod so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley. It is showing that it can be done! It is showing that Gideon did it! And you must do it, also! It comes to point out the fact that God can use and operate through small things. He does not always need a big host, because generally when something is accomplished it is the faithful few that carries the whole weight, while others drop in their coins and their one, eyed calves. They were short-changing their brothers and sisters! In the Bible the Lord was indignant when they gave to Him the junk that they would not even give to the governor. And even in this present day, people will tell God lies that they would not dare tell the judge.

And so, Gideon is most famous in the scriptures as an example wherein God used a small number of people to obtain the victory. The Scripture is showing that it does not always take a multitude of people to gain a victory; that out of weakness they were made strong.

Also, God was putting the people through a test. He was cutting down the number of the people and even though there only remained ten thousand, that was still too many. God, therefore, put them through a test that was most humiliating. But don't you know that humiliation is a part of your growth and your development? When you are humble, it means you have had the choice of being humble, and you have decided to be humble. But to be humbled, to be put down, means you have been humiliated! Does not the Scripture say He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, as a sheep before His shearer? And in His humiliation His life was taken from Him?

So, what was the test God was going to put these men through? Take them down to the water and let them drink the water. But how are they going to drink the water? They are going to lap it just like a dog with their tongue! If someone were to come by and see those folks lapping up water like that, they would probably say —I know you are not going to take those fools into battle to fight! They were, of course, in a position that looked very simple and very foolish, but that is how God often chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise And, why was this test necessary? To prove what was in them! To show a discipline! He was testing them to see if they would obey, even if it, was humiliating. He was testing them to see if they would obey that which is against their grain, because it was a commandment either from the Man of God, or from God through the Man of God.

So, he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said unto Gideon, everyone that lappeth of the water with his tongue as a dog, note him. Gideon had to separate those lappers from those knee benders, because the Lord was going to save with just three hundred. It was showing—it can be done!

We want to say unto you that whatever situation you find yourself, therewith be content. For this is the will of God concerning you. We do not care how dark your night might be—it can be done!

No matter how impossible your situation seems. No matter how weak you have become. No matter how discouraging life's situation has to you—we want to say unto you—it can be done!

It does not make any difference how long an adverse situation has been persisting, or its longevity. This does not mean that it cannot be averted and cannot be stopped. There is always possibility for change; there is always possibility for improvement. Always keep your head looking toward the hills, even when your situation appears impossible! Remember this message! Remember Gideon! Remember Jesus Christ when He came. He came here and was not even a prophet's son and died for the world! And then remember Bishop S. McDowell Shelton and the turmoil in the Church after the death of Bishop Johnson. Many had that if anything ever happened to Bishop Johnson, that would be the end of this church.

But it is still going, and going strong, and we mean to tell the world that it is going strong! The Lord is adding daily to the Church Why? Because it can be done! yes, 'it can be done!

If you are listening to our world-wide broadcast, or reading our message, perhaps you might say that you have not been baptized in water the name of Jesus Christ and that you cannot understand this gospel that we preach! But we say unto you that verily, you, are able, to see it, and it can be done! you, are able to know and understand it because it is given unto you to know. It can be done!

Someone else might say—I don't mind the water baptism, but what about that Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance? It can be done! They did it on the day of Pentecost. (See Acts 2:4) And if you do not do it, you are going to give an account in the judgment.

You are going to stand there all by yourself, because no one else can stand there for you. You have to stand there all by yourself. Yes, while we and the holy Apostolic people shall be rocking in the bosom of Abraham—you will be falling, you will be calling—help me, Lord Jesus, help me. Where will you be when the first trumpet sounds? In a grave unsaved? We shall be in a place that is so bright and fair, but you shall be in a place all by yourself. A book will be opened and another book will be opened and you shall be judged by the deeds that you have done in your flesh. So, you had best change your ways, you have but a few days, and you are going to be all by yourself. And while you are burning and falling and calling in hell forever for all of the wicked deeds done in your flesh, we and the holy people will be around the holy altar.

So, we say unto you—come and receive the new birth of the water and the Spirit, according to Acts 2:38 and Acts 2:4, because—IT CAN BE DONE!

Now may the Lord bless you. May the Lord keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God almighty. Amen.

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 by immersion in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, then continue in prayer, tarrying until you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign following speaking with other tongues as the spirit gives you utterances. Then you must 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. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty. Amen

With perfect love,
Apostle Dennis G. Smith

The online service Zoom link is sent out each Sunday at or before 2:00 pm to the Saints registered email addresses. If you wish to worship with us, please send you email address to: info@mininstersof Jesuschrist.com and we will email you a link to join the service. We start the service after 2:00 pm.

You are invited to attend and be a part of the Ministers of Jesus Christ Church Services on Zoom at/or about 2:00pm. Which are also published on Facebook through Holy Tabernacle, Ministers of Jesus Christ Apostolic Church, and Ministers of Jesus Christ Church or Dennis Smith Facebook timeline. You will need to download the zoom app to your cell phone, laptop computer, or tablet to activate your connection. Go to Google Play Store to get your free zoom app and install it on your cell phone, laptop computer or tablet. When you see the zoom link sent to your email address, click or tap on the link and to open the connection. Then click or tap on the camera and microphone icon to join the service and select internet. We look forward to seeing you and worshipping with you in the Lord! You may also give freewill offerings through Givelify, Cash App, Visa, Master Card, American Express Credit and Bank cards or PayPal. Use cash app link name ($MinistersofJesus935).

Currently the following groups are eligible for COVID vaccine in Georgia:

Everyone age 12 and older. Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 12 and older. People younger than 18 years of age are not authorized to receive either the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

Present Guidelines for Individual and Businesses in PHASE 4

· Limited trips outside.

· Wearing a face mask in some indoor public facilities is a mandate.

· Frequent hand washing.

· Continue to practice Social distancing.

· Increased occupancy in food and retail establishments with social distancing and other protective measures.

· Begin phasing in non-essential workers return to on sight working with safety precautions including social distancing and temperature checks.

· Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

· Small gatherings with social distancing

· Some essential and non-essential City facilities and programs may begin to open.

· City continues to accept special event applications subject to COVID safety requirements

· Continue communication with local and State authorities to monitor public health metrics

Social Distancing guidelines:

· 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 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.