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

Date: March 28, 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 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 all indoor and outdoor public spaces.

     As of March 25, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase 2 of the Reopening Plan due to the declining infection rate of the coronavirus.   Throughout the State of Georgia businesses must continue to operate with social distancing of sixth feet according to the Center for Disease Control Guidance.  Covid-19 vaccinations in Georgia is offered to and open for everyone 16 years of age and older.  Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 16 and older.

      We are continuing online service through Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube.   Baptism and prayer service are available using social distancing and personal protective equipment.

      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:

 Watch for your welfare and your soul (part 2)
 By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

Mark 14:38 – 39   Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.  And again, he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

     The temptation to do wrong is around us all the time.  The temptation to give in to the pressures of life and give up is continuously trying to influence our daily decisions.  The temptation not to be long suffering towards those who are deceived and misled by devils.  The temptation not to endure the hardness needed to follow peace with all men in the face of violent repression may seem like the best way out but will lead to more death.   These are some of the many reasons we must watch for our welfare and our soul and pray continuously for the strength to withstand an issue which can cause us to become weakened.  In other words, we must pray for courage when face with the temptation to quit when we are discouraged by the conditions confronting us.

 Mark 14:27 - 31 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.  But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.  But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.  And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.  But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.  Likewise, also said they all.

      Notice the confidence of Apostle Peter in saying that he would not deny the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when the people came to arrest him.  In fact, the other Apostles also said that they would not deny Christ or leave him even in the face of death.  But they all failed when the time of temptation came.  This is why we must watch as well as pray when we are faced with the difficult choices affecting us by the troubles surrounding us.

 Mark 8:32 - 38 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him and began to rebuke him.  But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?   Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?   Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

      The willingness to deny yourself some of the comforts of life.  The willingness to give you up a portion your income.  The willingness to risk your own safety to spread the gospel around the world all comes into question when you are facing the unthankful attitudes and evil behavior of the opposition, and criticism   sometimes daily.  But you must stay the course if you want to have the victory.   

      When I heard the Elder calling my name and saying that he was going to throw me out of the highest side of the Building, I had to stay the course even if it meant loss of my natural life knowing that I would die in victory.  People will call you fanatical when you are willing to face death, but that is exactly what the Lord Jesus Christ said and did.

     When the hour came for the Lord Jesus Christ to be betrayed and to be killed, who were his betrayers?  The Apostle Judas Iscariot whom he had chosen was his betrayer.  This is probably the saddest realization that many Christians have to face, when they realize that much of the falseness and deception which have caused much conflict and division have come from those who proclaim to be a part of the Body of Christ, sometimes from the ones who are the brethren whom we love.  So, then we need weapons of salvation to protect us against the false teachers, and the deceived.  This is why we must be thorough in our understanding of the word of God because it is our weapon of spiritual warfare.

      Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

   We take the words of God as our weapons in the promotion of the gospel not violence and force.  We use non-violent means in the spread of the gospel.  But this does not mean that we use the word when confronted by thieves, murderers, rapist, and other lawless criminals because the bible teaches us that there is a time and season for all things even violent war.  So, we called the police force who will use violence if necessary, to contain criminal conduct.

 Ecclesiastes 3:1- 8 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; embracing;  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

      The Lord Jesus Christ took Peter, James, and John with him.   He knew that the time had come for his betrayal, suffering, and death for the sins of all mankind.    So, he tells them to keep watch and then walks off by himself and prays.  He desired that the cup of death would pass if it were possible.  In doing this,  he revealed that when the hour of suffering comes, the flesh is weak and does not want to suffer and die.  This establishes that he was fully human and fully divine, that he was God and man.   The man did not want to suffer and die, but the Spirit was willing for the flesh to die.  Therefore, he prayed speaking as a man to the Spirit and surrendering to the will of the Spirit which is God almighty.

Matthew 26:36 - 42   Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?   Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.  He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

      He goes back and finds the three asleep and asks them why they could not even stay awake an hour and tells them to pray to avoid "temptation".  Because the flesh is weak, we have to pray and watch in order to stay committed and true to the desire and will of the Spirit.  To be temped means to consider the choice to change when faced with suffering, to consider the easy way out when faced with hardness, to considered quitting and turning back when faced with disappointment, opposition, rejection, the desire, or attraction to do the wrong or unwise thing, the desire to consider personal preservation over the preservation for the good of all mankind.   This is the reason why we pray for victory when we are tempted or tested by the devil, the choices in life, or fleshly lust.   We ask God to grant us victory when faced with temptation or help us not to give in when tempted by the things around us by praying, “lead us not into temptation” as a part of the way the Lord Jesus taught us to pray. 

 Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 He goes back and asks God the same thing, then returns to find them asleep again. They wake up, say nothing, and Jesus leaves for a third time and returns and tells them to get up because the "hour has come" for him to be betrayed.  So, we see that we must always watch and pray because we can be persuaded by words and actions of those around us.  We can be persuaded even when we know it is not the truth.  We can be persuaded to accept the easy way out, to avoid being disliked or rejected.  But the word of God teaches us that civic rulers who clearly are bearer of arms do not bear them in vain but uses weapons to be a terror to evil.

 Romans 13:3 - 4 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.   Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:   For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

 The Lord Jesus informed his disciples that they would need to be prepared and armed with swords or weapons when his time in the natural body came to an end and he is numbered among the transgressors.  This has been interpreted to imply many things by those who reject bearing arms, but we can never deny that he is speaking of the actual purchasing of weapons and the bearing of arms.

 Luke 22:36 - 38 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.  For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.  And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

      Pacifism is opposition to war, mandatory military service, or violence.  It is reported that the pacifism independence movement in India served as inspiration to Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. and many others in the civil rights movement in the United States of America for social justice and the fight against racial discrimination. 

     Pacifism covers many view points, including the belief that international disputes can and should be peacefully resolved, calls for the abolition of the institutions of the military and war, opposition to any organization of society which uses governmental force, rejection of the use of physical violence to obtain political, economic, or social goals, and opposition to violence under any circumstance, even defence of self and others.

     Some people define pacifism as an unconditional rejection of all forms of warfare.  A pacifist rejects war and believes there are no moral grounds which can justify resorting to war.   War, for the pacifist, is always wrong."

        The rejection of all forms of war may sound pleasant, but it is not what the bible teaches and is most definitely not the truth in daily life.

      Now notice that the statement of Conscientious Scruples reported by some Churches or even the statement on CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION is not dealing with the individual conscience at all, but the interpretation of the sixth commandment base on a Church organization.  

      Why??  Because the individual conscience allows each person to be persuaded in his own mind as to his safety and welfare.  Individual conscience deals with a person’s ability to recognize and determine what is right or wrong according to the circumstances, situations and laws surrounding them.  T

 The statements of Conscientious Scruples reported by some Churches or even the statement on CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION which are meant to keep people from forced military draft service in wars promoting fascism, racism, or imperialism are good when used for their intended purpose but can be abused if they are used in dealing with membership in a Church organization not the Body of Christ or prohibiting the service and election to political offices.  

      No biblical Apostle ever wrote such a statement against righteous warfare because to do so would be to deny that murderers, thieves, criminals, the devil, and evil exist all around us.  But the word tells us not to use war and violence in the promotion of gospel truth but to follow peace with all men when possible.  

 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” II Cor. 10:4.

 This tells us not to be the ones using war and violence in dealing with disagreements but to follow peaceful means.  This does not mean that we do not protect ourselves and our family, nor does it prohibit the civil government from the prevention and punishment of evil doers.

 Notice the five statements below from some local Churches rules and by-laws which has led some people into becoming cowards and others to allow the rise of evil and criminal behavior to dominate their neighborhoods and local communities…

   1.   “We recognize the institution of human government as being of divine ordination, and, in so doing, affirm unswerving loyalty to our Government; however, we take a definite position regarding the bearing of arms or the taking of human life.  As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we believe in implicit obedience to His commandments and precepts which instruct as follows: “That ye resist not evil” (Matthew 5:39); “Follow peace with all men” (Hebrews 12:14).  (See also Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:19; James 5:6;35 Revelation 3:10.)

   2.   These we believe and interpret to mean Christians shall not shed blood nor take human life.  Therefore, we propose to fulfill all the obligations of loyal citizens but are constrained to declare against participating in combatant service in war, armed insurrection, property destruction, aiding or abetting in or the actual destruction of human life. 

   3.   Furthermore, we cannot conscientiously affiliate with any union, boycott, or organization which will force or bind any of its members to belong to any organization, perform any duties contrary to our conscience, or receive any mark, without our right to affirm or reject same.  The Word of God commands us to do violence to no man.  It also commands us that first of all we are to pray for rulers of our country.

   4.   APOSTOLIC TESTIMONY ON CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION is opposed to participation in combat and non-combat service in any form.   It is further opposed to the wearing of military, and naval uniforms, taking oaths, pledging allegiance to any national state or flag.  We are not concerned with popular affairs or current events neither are we involved in international political conflict.  

   5.   While we encourage all of the members to be loyal to the sovereign national state to which they have residence, we believe that there is an eternal law which supersedes any law of a given society, this being the Holy Scriptures. We take this position since we believe ourselves to be only pilgrims and strangers journeying in a strange land, having heavenly citizenship. We look for a better land and a better day when there will be no more wars nor personal conflict. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” II Cor. 10:4.

 Some have used these statements contained in some Church rules and by-laws to say that we should not vote in elections, serve as policemen, soldiers, judges, run for political offices as politicians, etc.

 Now notice the statement which most take to be against defending your personal safety and your family safety. 

 Maltreatment:   In time of persecution or ill treatment at the hands of an enemy, we should not avenge ourselves but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19; Deut. 32:35.   Neither shall we take up any weapon of destruction to slay another, whether in our defense or in the defense of others, for it is written, do violence to no man. See Luke 3:14; Matt. 28:52; John 18:36; 15:18-19. We should rather suffer wrong than to do wrong.

 You can clearly see from the statement below that the Church acknowledges that civil government is authorized by God Almighty. 

 Civil Government:  All civil magistrates are ordained of God for peace, safety and the welfare of all people. Romans 13:1-10.  Therefore, it is our duty to be in obedience to all requirements of the laws that are not contrary to the word of God and that do not force one to violation of the sixth commandment by bearing arms and going to war. It is our duty to honor them, pay tribute or such taxation as may be required without murmuring (Matt. 17:24-27; 22:17-21.) and show respect to them in all lawful requirements of the civil government.

      Notice that Apostle Paul teaches us that we should honour and obey the secular authorities who are ordained for peace and protection of all men and the punishment of evil doers, so that the wicked cannot do evil without fear of punishment.  Here you can clearly see that the scriptures are given, but not completely given in its context.   As a result, most people will read the interpretation given in the statement, but not the actual scripture which says that the civil magistrate beareth the sword or weapons of war for the punishment of evil doers.  This can lead to deception or the twisting of the Word of God to promote a personal opinion or private interpretation.  Now let us read the entire scripture in its context including what is pleasant to some and what may be offensive to others.

 Romans 13:1 - 5 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.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:   For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

      Now notice the next scripture also that Apostle Paul interprets the fulfilling of the sixth commandment in love and nothing to do with personal protection.  This is why you must individually watch for your own welfare and your soul.

 Romans 13:9 - 10   For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.   Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

     Christians are to obey all public officials as having authority from God if that authority was obtained righteously and used for righteous means. Since the authority derives from God, Christians must obey civil authority when they enforce the laws of God and do not obey when they go against or oppose the laws of God.  But, as we have already said, civil governmental authority does not come  from God for two reasons: 

 1. If the authority is obtained in the wrong way through unlawful or evil means.

 2. If the authority is used in the wrong way, teaching against the word of God or is used for the promotion of evil.

 Acts 5:25 - 29 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.  Then went the captain with the officers and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

     Since there is so much disagreement as to protection of yourself and your family, you individually must watch for your own welfare and your soul.  Since many false prophets, false teachers, or misled men have deceived many people you individually must be watchful of the things that all men say and write.  You have to come to know God for yourself or men will twist scriptures to their own thoughts.  Men have used the scriptures to promote loyalty to their own desires and through fear of hell have caused men and women to commit very terrible acts.  Pagans have burned their own children in honor of fake statues that they called Gods.  So have so-called Christians slaughtered each other and enslaved others in the name of their interpretation of the bible and justified oppression and domination in the name of law and order.  If you learn nothing else from this message, please understand that you must watch for your own welfare and your own soul.  

      If you love God, all the Saints of God and your neighbor as yourself, you will fulfill all the laws and teachings of the bible with actions that reveal your love.  You will tell the truth about all things and be willing to deal patiently with the demands of self-righteous people, many of them who see themselves above all things.  Take comfort in knowing that all will stand before God and give an account for every idle word.

 Luke 12:35 - 43 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.  And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.  Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?   And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Please understand that you must watch for your own welfare and your own soul.

We continue with a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton …. Another Generation ………

ANOTHER GENERATION (part 2)
By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton

***You know, there are many people who try to compliment the present generation in saying that it is the greatest generation that ever lived on the face of this earth.  I will tell you this; as recorded history shows, they have a greater capacity for remembering.  They can remember more facts and seem to be more intelligent.  We have not gone back into all of the generations of history, but this seems to be the jet age generation as far as remembering scientific exploits and all of the other things, but they have lost something of the greatest value.  With all of this, they have lost their fear of God and have no respect for any kind of authority.  Their excuse is, of course, that the world is in such a mess and they are going to straighten it out.  My, my, my!  They are certainly going about it in a strange way.  You are going to have a generation of pot smokers.   People will error in their judgment without marijuana.  What kind of thoughts; what kind of decisions are a generation of pot smokers and LSD users going to bring to the earth?

      The scripture says: "Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may well with thee; and thou mayest live long on the earth." (Eph. 6:2, 3)

      You tell them not to drive too fast; and to watch the road.  You tell to stop at stop signs.  Sometimes you may go through one yourself, but you want to warn then.  You put your going through the stop signs on forgetfulness, yet you tell them to pay attention.  Make sure that this is done and the other is done. Right after you finish telling them this, they get in the car and start speeding.  

      You tell them not to hang out with gangs.  Not to do this, not to do the other. All of this is good advice, but let me tell you this; I am an authority on telling you that people do not like good advice.  First thing they will say is, "Well, such and such a one's parents lets them do this or lets them do the other."  They will also say that the other kids will think that they are strange if they do not do this or are not permitted to do the other.  They get to a where they are more concerned about what their friends and the group think or does rather than accept the advice of their parents.  That group would not give a dime if they needed it, or if they lived or died, they would not remember them.

      It is generally not until the parents are dead and the child has grown up that he will think back on them.  That is, if he has time to think back.   Most of the time they have children of their own and they can then see the heartache and the conflict of being parents.  They begin to think back on the kindness, of the wisdom and understanding of their own parents.  They only wish that if they had the opportunity again that they could say to their mother; "Mama, you were right.  Daddy I can see it now."  When they have had the same kind of living experience and know what responsibility is, they will come to the of realization more and more.

      I notice this, in our present generation, they want a lot of authority but very few of them want the responsibility that goes along with it. There has always been the conflict. and the animosity, but the difference in this generation is that we now have a generation that is coming up in perilous times.  I am praying for you.

      There is also a duty of the parent to the child.  The scripture says: (Eph. 6:4) "And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them ap in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

 But, oh, my Lord!  If you try to bring them up in the ways of the Lord, you are going to have a hard battle on your hands.  It is your duty to bring them up, until they become of age, in the way that they should go and pray that some of it, all of it we hope, will stay with them.

     Proverbs 22:6   Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 You have to pray that they will come to consider what you have been trying to show them.  In Proverbs, there is a scripture that I want to bring your attention before we conclude with this message.  The writer knew what was going to pass.

 Proverbs 30:11 - 12 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.  There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

      Therefore, do not be so astonished when your generation coming after you feel that everything that they do is right.  Do not be amazed if they feel that they never do anything wrong and feel that you always falsely accuse them.  The scripture says that they are pure in their own sight.  They feel that they can do anything they want and get away with it and not be reprimanded, nor corrected.  If they could only see themselves.

 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not from their washed from their own filthiness." Proverbs 30:12   

      They call the policemen "pigs" because they do not like any kind of authority.  They feel that they should burn up people’s businesses, break windows and not be arrested.  They feel that they should do whatever they want to do; change the world; change society by destroying it and have nothing constructive in mind for replacement.   Of course, they have something in their mind, but nothing concrete to put in its place.  They feel that nothing at all should be done to them for their deeds.   

 The scripture says: Proverbs 30:13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

 My! How high minded they are.  It is difficult for you to explain to this generation that you used to have just one thing for dinner: either greens with (maybe) some meat or either beans with something.  They are lofty.  The mother has to be a chef cook preparing a different meal for each one.  Poor Daddy, he may get something he wants sometimes.

      People always do the wrong thing.  The wife's first duty is to her husband and not to her children.  It is secondly to her children.  A husband's duty is firstly to his wife, then to the children but they do not do it that way.  You are one with your husband; you are one with your wife; but you are not one with those children.  It is another generation.  You had better believe it is another generation, too.

      You try to give a $9.98 pair of shoes to some of this present generation or take them to the bargain part of the store.  They might take it, but O my! they will stand there and pout. They talk about millions, about big cars, $200 suits and $50 shoes; but you thank God for that one suit that you have hanging in the closet to wear to Church.  One good one that is.

      The reason for their plight is that they are now beginning their lives. They are really beginning their first excursion with responsibility.  After they have had to face the fight and the after they have had to face this world; and after they have had to face all of this conflict, they will settle down-----hopefully.

Now, may the Lord bless and keep you.  May He preserve your strength in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, 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

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

·         Everyone age 16 and older

 Present Guidelines for Individuals and Businesses in Phase 2:

·        Stay home except for essential trips.

·        Wear face coverings in public.

·        Frequent hand washing.

·        Social distancing of 6 feet followed and enforced where practical according to CDC Guidance.

·        To-go and delivery orders from restaurants.

·        Continue practicing teleworking.

·        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 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.