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Ministers of Jesus Christ Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith Atlanta, Georgia - USA Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer |
APOSTLE'S MESSAGE |
Date: March 26, 2023
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 are now advising people to wear face mask in public gatherings, use social distancing, and get vaccinated for your own health and safety from the Covid-19 virus. In some places wearing face mask is no longer mandatory in indoor public spaces.
· March 17, 2023, community transmission of Covid-19 remains in the green zone in Fulton County and in the city of Atlanta, Georgia. This means that the spread of the virus is at a low level in Atlanta, and you should continue to take precautions based on for your individual health condition. Some officials are reporting that we are moving from pandemic which is worldwide spread to endemic which is localized community spread.
· Face masks continue to be recommended for individual safety based on your individual health condition and risk.
· Gatherings indoors is allowed without face mask, but each individual should be aware of their individual health risk.
· Vaccinations and boosters remain the recommended most effective way for individual safety for dealing with the spread of Covid-19 according to health authorities.
· Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are offered to everyone in the State of Georgia.
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:
Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of Our Faith
by Apostle Dennis G. Smith
Hebrews12:1 - 3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Whenever there are true witnesses to an event, we can make a positive determination that a particular reported event is the truth because there are people who saw what is being reported, or was a participant in the event itself. In other words, we know that there is life after death because the Lord God Jesus Christ arose from the dead and ascended into heaven before witnesses or people who saw him ascend. Because his rising from the dead and his ascension is the truth, we can be assured that we also will rise from the dead and live in a glorified body as he did because of this promise. We can set aside anything in our life that would prevent us from achieving our goal.
Since we are looking for a joyous time for eternity with the Lord God Jesus Christ, we can endure with patience whatever we are faced with in our life because we know that the natural life is only temporary. We can resist the devil and his demons, we can report criminal conduct to the civil authorities, we can make every effort to live peacefully with all men when possible because all these efforts are a part of living in the natural world and overcoming sinful actions each day of our life. And when we have victory over sinful conduct we can look forward to eternal life and joy with the Lord God Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith.
We all must deny all sinful ways and pleasures, we must be dead to sinful conduct each day, we must control anger that will lead to sinful responses, we must not tell lies, cheat or steal. We must not commit fornication or adultery if we are a follower of the Lord God Jesus Christ.
Luke 9:23 - 26 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Luke 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Until all of us learn to love the Lord God Jesus Christ with all that we have, we are not yet complete followers of the Lord God. It is easy to say that you love someone when nothing is at stake. It is easy to say that you love someone when their love for you is unconditional which means that it does not require anything from you in order for them to feel love toward you. While it is true that you did not do anything to earn the love of the Lord God Jesus Christ, but to receive the salvation that is offered, will require obedience to the commandments of God. The same way a child receives unconditional love from a parent, but to achieve a good relationship with the parent requires honor of the parent, respect for the parent, and obedience to the righteous guidance of the parent. If a child receives love from a parent but does not hold the parent in high regard or respect, the child may do or say anything to the parent which may be very offensive and disrespectful which will lead to conflict and separation of the parent from the child. So it is that we must hold the Lord God Jesus Christ in the highest regard and put him above everything in our life. If we say that He is the Head of our life, then He should be above all in your life. Then He should be the most important person in your life and His worship and praise should be above all in your life. And if you have put anything in your life ahead of obedience to the Lord God Jesus Christ, then you are not a follower or disciple of God.
Luke 14:33 - 35 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? Luke 14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
We cannot continue to deliberately practice sinful behavior and at the same time be a follower of the Lord God Jesus Christ. We may make mistakes at times, but we must immediately turn from our error in repentance and put away all forms of darkness.
Romans 13:12 - 14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
When people are training for a competition in a foot race and even if they are just planning to participate in a foot race, they will have to learn to control their training schedules, food that they eat, when they must rest, so they will be in good bodily condition for the race. They will have to learn to maintain control of the things in their life in order to obtain a perishable crown, but we learn to control the things in our life the same as they are doing in order to obtain an imperishable crown of eternal life with the Lord God Jesus Christ. Therefore we train and discipline ourselves because we are sure of the crown that we will receive. We are not uncertain about the outcome so we fight the good fight of faith with confidence. We fight this fight and discipline our bodies to bring it into subjection, so that we will not lose our reward or be become disqualified.
1Corinthians 9:24 - 27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 1Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
We have an eternal goal in mind. We want to be like the Lord God Jesus Christ in living a holy lifestyle, and we want to live for eternity with him. So we put all sinful things behind us and keep pressing toward the goal that is set in front of us. And we know that we will achieve our goal because we are looking to the Lord God Jesus Christ to help us as He indwells us with His Holy Spirit.
Philippians 3:11 – 14 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us keep looking to the Lord God Jesus Christ and pressing for the prize of the High calling!!!
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 the Lord God Jesus Christ asking him for the Holy Ghost, calling on His Name which is 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. This experience with God will endow you with power.
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 12:00 noon 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.
We also start the Thursday Evening Bible Study and Auxiliary meetings at 7:30 pm. You should attend the meetings for as long as you can to learn all the Doctrines and Rules of the Church and to participate in the operation of the Church. Thank you.
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
(1) Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status if you are high risk for severe disease.
(2) consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public,
(3) talk to your medical provider about other precautions to take,
(4) have a plan for rapid testing if you are exposed and experiencing symptoms,
(5) talk to your medical provider about treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies. If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease: consider self-testing to detect infection before contact and wearing a mask when indoors with them. Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible. Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including testing guidance.
Everyone should remember the phrase: “My mask protects you; your mask protects me.”