Date: June 19, 2022

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 16, 2022, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in the Yellow Zone with community transmission of Covid-19 trending upward above 15% positive test. This means that transmission is moderate, and you will need to follow caution to limit being exposed to the virus at this time. 
• Social distancing and face mask are recommended for gatherings to control the spread of Covid-19 or for individual safety.   
• Gatherings indoors is allowed but face mask and social distancing is recommended for individual safety.
• Vaccinations and boosters remains the recommended most effective way to control the spread of Covid-19 by health authorities. 
• Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters in Georgia are now offered to everyone.  

 

     We are open for indoor, 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:

 

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:

 

“Happy Father’s Day (Be the Strong man of the house)

 By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

 

 

          We say to all people honoring fatherhood, paternal bonds, or father figures in their life on this day and every day, Happy Father’s Day!!  We give all the Praise and Glory to the Lord Jesus Christ who is God almighty for all the role that all fathers have in every society in the world and for the work that all fathers do daily.  May the Lord continue to strengthen every father in the world in the ways of righteous and holy living as you lead your family to an eternal glorious victory.  For those who are having difficulties in taking on the Role of Father, the Head of the House, we say may the Lord Jesus touch you and make you whole according to his eternal will and purpose.  May your celebration today be an encouraging and joyous occasion as we all honor you and encourage you to be the strength of the Family and the Strong Man of the House.

 

Mark 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

 

     In the US, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June a day that many families gather to celebrate the father figures in their lives. Father's Day is a holiday of honoring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society. In some countries it is celebrated on March 19 as Saint Joseph's Day.  Different countries around the world have their own traditions of honoring fatherhood.  But we remind everyone throughout the planet that this is the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty.

 

 

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

 

     When there is respect for the order of the family, the life of each individual is preserved.  When the leader and authority in the family is one who seeks the protection, safety, and wellbeing of the entire household the family unit is preserved. When the leader of the family seeks to provide daily provision of food and the necessities of life the entire family will prosper, and the days or life span of each individual will be long. This is the commandment with the promise of long life for all those who are obedient.

 

Deuteronomy 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee;

 

     God commanded all people to hold their parents with high regard and to respect both the Father and the Mother.  This respect is the moral standard set by God Almighty for every family unit which is the foremost institution in the world and the center for every society in the world. Respect for  fathers is to be  thankful for  them and the work that they do, feeling love towards them, and thinking well of them for their qualities or traits, showing understanding for their growth process which may include some mistakes, treating them with appreciation and dignity. A respectful attitude is the general standard for all peaceful relations even when experiencing difficult communications.

 

Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

 

     When this moral standard of respect for the Father and Mother is not obeyed, most people will come to know that the outcome will lead to a broken family relationship, which can affect the health and safety of all involved. The result for this sinful act could lead to death under the old law, and in modern times leads to many hardships for the unrepentant, sinful, disobedient, or rebellious person.

 

Ephesians 6:2 - 3 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) Ephesians 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

 

     The first commandment with promise means that your wellbeing in life and salvation is directly related to your respect for those in authority beginning first with your Father and your Mother.  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right, “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise which states, “that it may go well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” 

 

     The first commandment with a promise is the fifth commandment of the Moral Law which states, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” 

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 

 

     This is the first commandment in the Moral law or Ten Commandments to which the promise of things going well and leading to a long life is specifically attached.

 

     And there are also instructions for the Father in the bible to not to provoke children to wrath.  When we correct and discipline, we are instructed to train or teach our children the word of God.  Most parents will find that it is best never to discipline in the heat of anger but to calm down the emotions and refrain from things that promote an angry emotional response.  It is best to instruct and warn our Children in the ways of the Lord God.

 

Ephesians 6:4 - 10 And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  Ephesians 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; Ephesians 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:  Ephesians 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 

     When we learn to honor our father and our mother it teaches us to respect all authority figures in our lives.  This produces a strong family leading to stronger nations throughout the entire planet. The bible teaches us to intreat authority figures as fathers and mothers.

 

1Timothy 5:1 - 2 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 1Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

 

1Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

 

   The word elder can be define as a person with a degree of seniority as to age or authority.  A person valued for their wisdom because of their age, a person holding an administrative role or oversight role, an ordained minister with responsibilities to preach and teach, or a father-figure in life of a person are examples of Elders.

 

    Fathers who are involved in the life of their children helps them to develop specific behaviors which also benefits the father as well by doing so.  It is reported that active father figures may play a role in reducing behavior and psychological problems in young adults.  An increased amount of father–child involvement may help increase a child's social stability, educational achievement, and their potential to have a solid marriage as an adult. Their children may also be more curious about the world around them and develop greater problem-solving skills. Children who were raised with fathers perceive themselves to be more cognitively and physically competent than their peers without a father.  Mothers raising children together with a father reported less severe disputes with their own children. When the Father discipline his children in the ways of the Lord, it will always remain with them.

 

     The father-figure is not always a child's biological father, and some children will have a biological father as well as a step- or nurturing father. When a child is conceived through sperm donation, the donor will be the "biological father" of the child.

 

     The sad part of this day is that we must acknowledge that some men or bad fathers commonly called deadbeat dads.  A male who fathers a child and makes no contributions in taking care of the child, makes no contribution for the protection of the child, who provides neither emotional nor financial help to his family is a dead-beat dad and a lost soul.  A father who is often unmarried to the child's mother or divorced from the mother of their children, may become resented by the offspring. This resentment may make it hard for the children to fulfil the command to honor thy father and thy mother until they learn to live a holy life in obedience to the word of God despite of the resentment that they may feel. In other words suffer the wrong done to them rather than do wrong themselves.

 

   A deadbeat dad is a father who neglects his parental responsibilities to the extent of evading, even court-ordered child support obligations or custody arrangements. The fact that a father has to be taken to court for him to fulfil his responsibilities speaks volumes on the irresponsibleness of such a person.

 

The bible teaches all fathers that you must provide for your house. Anyone who does not provide for his own house has denied the Apostolic Christian Faith and is a lost soul worse than an unbeliever who is condemned.

 

1Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

 

2Corinthians 6:14 - 18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  2Corinthians 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2 Corinthians 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

We will continue with the Biblical Order and the Coming of Our Lord next week…

 

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 you must continue in prayer to God asking him for the Holy Ghost, calling on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and waiting or 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.

 

Then you must 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 9:50 am for Eternal Life Church of the Living God and 11:00 am for the general Ministers of Jesus Christ Church services to the Saints and friends who sent in 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 services 10 am each Sunday morning and 7:30 pm each Thursday Evening for Bible Study and Auxiliary meetings. 

 

      You are invited to attend and be a part of the Ministers of Jesus Christ Church Services each Sunday 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 tithing and offerings through Givelify, Cash App, Visa, Master Card, American Express Credit and Bank cards or PayPal.  For cash app use the cash app link name ($MinistersofJesus935).

 

 

 ONGOING GUIDANCE 

• Vaccination remains the most effective protection against COVID-19

• Practice social distancing

• Frequently wash hands

• Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

 

 

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 minimizing 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.