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Ministers of Jesus Christ
Church of The Lord Jesus Christ
Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith
Atlanta, Georgia - USA
Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer
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Date:
September 12, 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 September 8, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in the Red Zone
due to high community transmission of Covid-19.
· Social
distancing and face mask are mandatory for gatherings to control the spread
of Covid-19 or for individual safety.
·
Limited
Gatherings to avoid crowding with mandatory face mask and social distancing
are allowed.
· Vaccinations
remains the recommended most effective way to control the spread of Covid-19
by health authorities.
· 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,
temperature checks and Covid-19 testing. 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:
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:
Benefits
of a Holy Lifestyle
By Apostle
Dennis G. Smith
2Peter 1:3 – 8 According
as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and
godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and
virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
that by these ye might be partakers
of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue;
and to virtue knowledge; And
to knowledge temperance; and
to temperance patience; and
to patience godliness; And to
godliness brotherly kindness; and
to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall
neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Holy Living or what we emphasize in the word of God as living a Holy
lifestyle instructs all mankind in living a virtuous life, increasing
personal devotion and piety, and avoiding temptations and sinful ways. And
if you live a Holy life, you will also achieve a Holy Blessed death when the
term life of the natural flesh and blood body come to an end as we know that
it is appointed to man once to die. Those
of us who live a holy life will of remain in the presence of God for all
eternity.
This is meant to teach all mankind in the way of having a blessed
transition from the natural mortal body
which we know as the dying, passing away, or the ending of the natural body to everlasting life with a
spiritual existence known to all believers as eternal life (salvation).
For we all eventually
grow to know
that the spirit in man will never cease to exist. So
that the issue is where will we spend eternity. Will it be in the holy city
with God or in the lake of fire suffering for all eternity?
Holy Living in the old testament and new testament deals primarily with
morality, justice, and Godly order which is still the focus to today with
the ultimate purpose of overcoming sinful ways. When a false teacher
implies that a person does not need to turn from sin to be saved, they are
teaching a great lie and deceiving their followers because practically all
Christians Churches teach that you must repent in order to be saved.
Some
so-called Churches deceive people by implying that repentance is only a turn
to Christ, or
only accepting him as the sacrifice and payment for sins without a turn from
sinful ways. Whenever a person does not regret sinful ways or have Godly
sorrow for sinful ways and does not change from sinful ways to holy ways,
they have not repented of their sins and are not saved. Most
Christians believe that if a person intentionally continue to practice
sinful ways they were never saved at all. Can
you now see why false teachers use the word repentance without saying repent
of your sins?
Act 3:19 – 21 Repent
ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the
times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall
send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must
receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken
by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
It is known today that the internal virtues of the new nature of the
believer received by the infilling of the Holy Ghost which will lead to Holy
conduct by a believer who is filled with the Gift of the Holy Ghost and led
by the Spirit of God Almighty,
that this holy lifestyle can
also give health to our natural
bodies, and benefits to our daily life, benefits all mankind, and benefits
to the whole planet as a heavenly celestial body. Notice that we refer to
eating good food as health food today.
Even ancient teachings in old civilizations taught that it was
necessary to govern or set all life in Godly order. The stars, the seasons,
and the actions of mortal human beings and angelic heavenly creatures must
live and function according to the plan and design for which God created
them or the result will be chaos. We read in Genesis that God gave order to
the universe during creation and did not allow creation to function in chaos
and disorder. So God created man to live Holy and continuously commanded
Israel to be Holy. Notice how that sinful living brings disorder,
disobedience, chaos, lies, and injustice to all creation, sickness to the
natural body, sickness to the mind, natural and spiritual death.
Virtue is excellence conducts, traits or qualities that is deemed to be
the foundation of good moral behavior. In other words, virtue is
a behavior that shows high standards in doing what is right and avoiding
what is wrong. The opposite of virtue is vice or unrighteous sinful behavior
and conduct.
In Apostolic Christian teachings we speak of virtue which
we understand to mean morally excellent behavior in doing what is right as temperance,
prudence, courage or
strength , or fortitude to
resist evil wrongful behavior that is not according to the plan of God
Almighty,
justice, faith, hope and love (charity) these make up much the power that we
receive from the Holy Ghost mostly described as the new nature, the new man,
or the divine nature.
Our old carnal
nature is one that is full of sin and known as the deprave nature under the
general heading of depravity that cannot please God. So that when a person
lives a worldly sinful lifestyle, they cannot please God. It does not
matter what a false teacher tells people in an attempt to make them feel
comfortable in their sinful ways.
Romans 8:5 -
9 For
they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that
are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal
mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be. 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.
Piety
is the virtue which means devotion to doing
the things that are pleasing
to God
in overcoming sinful ways. The determination by the devoted person to
please God by obedience to his commandments show honor, respect,
and worship to God Almighty. Piety is then expressed through pious deeds
done in the name of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is God Almighty.
Colossians 3:5 – 10 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and
covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God
cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some
time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these, anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not
one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And
have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of
him that created him”
Colossians 3:16 - 17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 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.
Let me repeat that it is known fact today that the internal virtues of
the new nature that leads to Holy conduct by a believer who is filled with
the Gift of the Holy Ghost can also give health benefits to the natural our
bodies for by his stripes we are healed. The internal virtue of the new
nature also benefits to our daily life for he is the rewarder of those that
diligently seek him. The virtue of the new nature benefits all mankind for
we live peaceably with all men, and it benefits the whole planet as a
heavenly celestial body for we are good to animals that live on the planet.
Notice that we refer to eating good food and doing good things as health
food and healthy behavior today. We who believe know we will receive the
benefit of the reward of inheritance and eternal life with the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Colossians 3:24 – 25 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward
of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong
shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of
persons.
" GOD'S
PURPOSE "
By Bishop S. C. Johnson
Greetings everyone! This is the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the
Apostolic Faith. We are glad again to have the privilege of bringing to you
the one and only plan of salvation by which men and women must be saved.
The Bible tells us in Ephesians
1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly
places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the
foundation of the world, that we should be holy.,”
That's what God purposed!!!!
The Bible also says,
“…. as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so
shall it stand.” (Isaiah 14:24)
It was the purpose of God that men and women live holy: not live in sin
or after the flesh, but to live holy. Men have gone contrary to God's
purpose. Millions upon millions have gone contrary. They do not want to be
corrected—and many millions will never be corrected.
You know, the Bible says, "All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2nd Timothy
3:16)
If
you would take what the Bible says, then you would get something that is
profitable—not naturally speaking, but it is profitable to your soul. When
you get the benefits from the Word of God for your soul, then God will bless
your body. He said so.
Deuteronomy 28:1 – 6 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken
diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his
commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set
thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall
come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the
LORD thy God. Blessed
shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed
shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit
of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou
comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Matthew 6:31 – 34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?
or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after
all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth
that ye have need of all these things. But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no
thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of
itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
God will bless you in everything, but first get your soul straightened
out. Now, if this thing dealt with the natural, everybody would readily
hearken to it. I would not have any trouble. Just show them something for
the natural, right away without even hesitating they will take to it. They
come and question me about something touching the natural, but they never
question me about the spiritual.
So many people hear my broadcast in this city. While I was putting up
my tabernacle here (they knew I was building) why, they were coming from
every direction: they wanted me to give them a job! They did not come for my
gospel. How sad it is! that’s the reason Jesus said, "Labor
not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto
everlasting life. . .” (John 6:27)
It is hard to tell men and women about eternal life. Its' “just hard”
that's all. They do not want to hear me. When you speak of the natural,
they will hear. “They will come for that; they are ready for that. If you
begin to deal with them in things which pertains to the spiritual part, they
are not interested. Nevertheless, the time will come when they “will wish”
they had laid aside everything—it will be too late. So,
here comes a warning from God to you. He is going to let you be the judge
after you hear this. He ordained “that men live holy”. That
was the only purpose God had concerning man being here on earth.
If you purpose to eat some hot biscuits, you will work out that
purpose. You would not make them and then throw them in the garbage can. You
had a purpose before you made the biscuits: that you wanted some hot
biscuits with butter. Your purpose did not change. You will cook them and
eat all you can eat; the rest you will put away. What are you going to do
with them? You are going to keep them to eat “later on.” If they get cold,
you will “heat them.” Your purpose has not changed. It is no use of your
trying to get away from this because God is not going to let you get away.
He is still here. He has the same purpose concerning the human family now
after He made you as He had before He made you. He is not going to change
it.
When a cat catches a rat, his purpose is to kill him. Of course, the
rat will holler and try to get away, if possible, but that does not change
the cat's plans. It is no” maybe so about it. So! God has not changed His
purpose concerning the human family. The
Bible says,"….as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have
purposed, so shall it stand." (Isaiah 14:24)
Now,
it has come to pass what God has purposed and what He has thought: somebody
is living holy. However, He has commanded EVERYONE to live holy. They do
not want that. They have a purpose apart from God's purpose and, of course,
they are going to try to carry it out. His purpose is going to stand.
They have made an agreement with hell, but
God says it will not stand. It is Not going to stand. Before we got here, God
had a purpose that we live holy.
Man will quickly yield to the devil. The reason he will do it so
willingly is because he does not want to do what God says do. You know,
anytime you are told to do something you do not want to do, you will gladly
hearken to anything somebody else tells you just to get away. However, you
ought to do what you were told to do.
Man is quick to listen to anything. Look how rapidly- the women
hearken to the devil and pull off their clothes: walking around showing
their naked hips, thighs, and legs. They will do that quicker than they
would live holy. If they lived holy, they would cover themselves. They
would be filled with the Spirit and the Spirit of would teach them knowledge
and understanding. They do not want to do what God said do. The devil told
them to pull off their clothing. They have done it. Look in the streets.
You will see!
God Almighty ordained that we should be holy. “In order to live
according to the ordination of God's purpose, we “have to” put” our natural,
carnal self or thoughts to death. Man does not want to do that.
God will give you power over all the powers of the devil. He
said, “…Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…."
(Acts 1:8)
When
you get the Holy Ghost, you have the power. Many do not use the power. They
do not use the power because using the power is against what they desire.
If you desire a thing not to be done to you, you have the power to prevent
it. If you do not prevent it when you “have power to
prevent it",
you just want that thing done. You do not use the power that God Almighty
gave you.
To live holy you have to "repent" and be baptized in water in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and receive the baptism of the
Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God
gives utterance: just as they did on the day of Pentecost. (See
the 2nd chapter of Acts)
Acts 2:2
- 4 And
suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it
filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them
cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:37 -
40 Now
when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter
and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then
Peter said unto them, 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. For
the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And
with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves
from this untoward generation.
God bless you. Consider what I have said. Remember that God
purposed in Him before the foundation of the world that we should live holy.
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 zoom 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 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.
ONGOING
GUIDANCE for Red Zone
• Vaccination
remains the most effective protection against COVID-19
• Practice
social distancing
• Frequently
wash hands
• Frequent
cleaning of public and high touch areas
• Practice
telework and staggered office schedules where feasible, with safety measures
•
Non-essential City facilities may open to the public. Masking will be
mandated for now and the number of persons indoors may be limited to avoid
crowding
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.