Date: November 6, 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 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. 

 

·         As of October 28, 2022, Covid-19 data is now reported about every two weeks. The latest report indicated that community transmission of Covid-19 remained in the green level which indicates that community spread is low. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has not declared that the pandemic has ended.

·         Face masks are recommended in public gatherings 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 health risk.

·         Vaccinations and boosters remain the recommended most effective way to control the spread of Covid-19 by health authorities. 

·         Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are offered to everyone in the State of Georgia. 

      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: 

Do not Deny the Lord Jesus or be ashamed of your Faith

by Apostle Dennis G. Smith

       The Jewish leader's plot to kill the Lord Jesus, Apostle Judas Iscariot's agreement to betray the Lord Jesus to Caiphas the high priest for money which the Lord Jesus foretells his Apostles before he commits the act of betrayal, and He foretells Apostle Peter that he would deny Him which gives us a complete picture on what happens when we are weak in the presence of temptation for money and the threat of humiliation and death.  

 Acts 14:21 - 22 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

      All Apostolic Christian believers must recognize that we must through much   temptation, trials, and tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God.  This mean that living a Holy life, will lead you to be confronted with things that can cause you to suffer pain and many troubles as you resist and fight against being confronted with the forces of evil.

   Salvation is not achieved by saying Good day to everyone on the streets, as many false teachers will sell you a picture of nothing but good times.  And when you are faced with pains and troubles in your daily walk with Christ you may be tempted to deny the Lord Jesus Christ and all that you claim to believe. 

   You must prepare yourself to stand strong against temptation by the forces of evil and never deny the Lord God Jesus Christ even if it causes you to suffer pain and humiliation.

 2Timothy 2:11 - 13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

      Do not deny the Lord Jesus Christ and He will not deny you. Why must this statement be made and taught?  It is because you will be tested and tried by worldly evil people, by evil spirits that are known as devils and demons during your walk with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

      You will be tested by your family members who may not be believers and your so-called worldly friends alike.  Some will deliberately try to make your daily life hard to cause you to give up on living a holy lifestyle.  Some will temp you with fancy unhealthy food at dinner to cause you to harm your own body which is the temple of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

      Some will tell you that you are missing out on the sensual, sexual pleasures of the wild party and night club sinful lifestyle when trying to persuade you to defile your body and become addicted to lascivious sexual orgies with multiple partners to get promoted or achieved friendship and recognition among the evil people in the corporate business world.  And when you become depressed in the mind because you were too weak to resist their evil continuous pressure, they may offer you excessive use of alcohol and illicit drugs and in some cases doctor prescribed prescription drugs which may take your mind away from your troubles on a temporary basis, which may lead you to drunkenness, addiction and dependance on the deceptive power of false happy feelings of euphoria that will make you not care about what is happening to you or around you while you are sinking into the eternal lake of fire which is the loss of your soul.  You must be determined not to allow worldly things to control you and remain in possession of your soul.

      You will have to put up a daily fight against the wiles and tricks of the devil and the temptation of worldly evil people who serve the devil or their own selfish desires by standing strong in your faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Because if you deny the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then He will also deny you.

      If you have repented of your sins and have been baptized by immersion in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and have received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives you utterance, then you have been born again of water and Spirit, and you have entered into the Kingdom of God and you will receive eternal life if you continue living a holy lifestyle remaining steadfast in the Apostle’s Doctrine.

      In short you have saved yourself from this untoward or evil disobedient generation.  And now you must gather the strength through the power of the Holy Ghost to remain under the power of the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

     Declare with confidence that nothing shall move you from the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ and become rooted and grounded in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ declaring in your mind and daily speech and daily conduct that you will never leave Him, and He will never leave you. Never deny Him and He will never deny you.  Keep the fear of the Lord before you and the love of the Lord within your heart by walking in this warning and admonition that if you deny Him, then He will also deny you!!    According to the scripture, denying Lord Jesus means you will lose your salvation unless you repent of your weakness and return to him with a whole heart.

 Peter denies Jesus, and weeps bitterly after they declared that the Lord Jesus was guilty of death

 Matthew 26:66–75 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?  Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.  And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.  And after a while came unto him, they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely, thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.  Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

      When Apostle Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord God Jesus Christ, he did not return to the Lord Jesus Christ, but he hanged himself and loss his soul.   The other disciples did also flee from the Lord Jesus when He was arrested, and Apostle Peter, despite his promise that he would never deny the Lord Jesus even if he was faced with death did not keep his word.

  From their example, we should all come to know that in weakness some who say that they are Apostolic Christians will deny their faith and deny the Lord Jesus, then turn back to the worldly behavior to be a part of the crowd, or for fame and money, and lose their salvation to end up in the Lake of Fire.

 Apostolic Christian believers should expect to endure difficult times and should even be ready to die for their faith if they are faced with a condition or situation in which they will be persecuted or punished for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus told His disciples that we will be hated by the people who love the world. 

 Mark 13:10 - 13 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.  Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

 Stephen and James are examples of those who died for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which is recorded in the Bible.

 Acts 7:59 - 60 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

 Acts 12:1 - 2 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

      Many Apostolic Christians believers will ask the question, “Can I be forgiven if I fail in a moment of weakness under the pressure of loss of my job or loss of my life?”  I have witness during my lifetime many so-called pillars of the Church who gave in to pressure when faced with crowds of false sinful people speaking evil of them and seeking to cause them bodily harm. The Lord Jesus made it clear that we would face persecution when dealing with evil people, but we must never deny our faith.

 Let us be absolutely clear in our answer to this question, the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that denying Him is a serious sin which will cause him to deny you!!!

 Matthew 10:32 - 33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

 2 Timothy 2:11-14 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

      The Lord God Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved, so if you deny him, you are lost unless you repent of your moment of weakness and return to the Lord Jesus with a sincere heart.  You cannot go about your life pretending to be a Apostolic Christian believer and every time you are faced with temptation or trouble from evil people you deny your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and the commandment to be ye Holy.  If you continue in this behavior, then you are a hypocrite which is a pretender who claims only to be something when it is convenient when they are really not a believer. 

 Acts 4:11 - 12 This is the stone, which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 The Lord Jesus Christ warns the disciples that they would deny him…

 Apostle Peter spoke boldly that he would not deny the Lord Jesus Christ even if he was faced with death for standing with him.

 Matthew 26:34 - 35 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

      I will repeat this incident again to emphasize that when Jesus was arrested and Apostle Peter saw that the Lord Jesus Christ was being humiliated for the words he had spoken and beaten, he lost his courage. Three times those standing near him stated that he had also been with Jesus. But all three times, Apostle Peter denied it, saying, “I do not know the Man”.

 Matthew 26:66–75 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?  Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.  And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.  And after a while came unto him, they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely, thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.  Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

 Apostle Peter was afraid that he would also be arrested and could even be put to death as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, so he denied his Savior. When Apostle Peter realized what he had done, he went out and wept bitterly. And in his weeping, we can see his sorrowful heart in that he truly loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and he did not intend to deny Him, but at that time when faced with the possibly of humiliation and death he was weak, and did exactly what the Lord Jesus had told him he would do. But when the Lord Jesus Christ arose from the dead, he appeared to Simon who was known as Cephas who is Apostle Peter, he appeared to Apostle Peter before the rest of the Apostles after he appeared first to Mary Magdalene.

 Mark 16:9 - 10 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.  And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

 Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

 1 Corinthians 15:3-6  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;   And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

 

      Apostle Peter did not continue to deny the Lord Jesus Christ after he arose from the dead and Lord Jesus continued to work with Apostle Peter after his denial and weakness in the face of trouble which shows the whole world the favor of God.  When Apostle Peter was sorrowful and regretted his sin and continued in his love for the Lord Jesus and continued in his walk with the Lord Jesus Christ after his resurrection from the dead the Lord Jesus continued to strengthen him and charged him to feed his sheep and endure the things that he would face until his death.  And from that time he did not deny the Lord Jesus again but continued as a good soldier until according to history his natural life was eventually taken for his stance of faith in Christ.

 But Apostle Judas, the disciple who betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ did not continue in faith, but went and hanged himself, and as a result of his own sinful action, Apostle Judas Iscariot  loss all opportunity to overcome his sin and loss his soul.

 Matthew 27:3 - 5 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

      Denying the Lord Jesus Christ is a terrible sin that can cause us to be lost if we continue to practice this shameful conduct. But  if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 1John1:9 - 10 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

       Apostle Peter is our proof that we can defeat the sin of denial and overcome the fear that we have of being humiliated, talked about, ridiculed, or threatened with violence. 

      If you have denied the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when you were under pressure from your relatives, from your so-called friends, from your co-workers on the job, from your classmates in school, or out of fear of persecution, then return to Lord God Jesus Christ with a sorrowful repentant heart with the determination to stop this weak behavior by confessing your sin, and He will forgive you and give you the renewed strength to overcome your weakness. This is usually called sins of weakness.

      You will need to gather strength in your daily walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and not allow the world to intimidate you or make you afraid to stand for the Word of God.  You must never be ashamed of the services of God, the Praise and Testimony Service, the Tarrying Service, The Sister’s Meetings, The Brother’s Meetings, The Youth Meetings, The Singles Outings, The Conventions and Convocations because Praise and Worship is a part of your salvation.  And if you are ashamed of His Worship and deny him then He will deny you which will lead to the loss of your salvation. We are commanded to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world and if you are afraid of obeying the commandments of the Lord God Jesus Christ then you will lose your salvation.

 Matthew 5:12 - 15 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

      We must all learn to walk in the fear and love of God until our love of God become so complete that it overtakes our fear so that we are perfected in love. When we function in the Love of God, all people are able to see our light so we must not be afraid to function openly in the sight of all people who will see we our behavior, our speech and our conduct.

 Matthew 10:27 - 28 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

      We must all learn to declare as Apostle Paul proclaimed, that we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is the Power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believes.  When we declare that the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is our salvation, we will resist the devil and all the temptation which evil people do to us to try to cause us to deny the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 Romans 1:16 - 17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

      If we are ashamed of the gospel, then we will allow ourselves to give in to sinful temptations and the practice of sinful ways in our lives by taking part in worldliness and carnal desires becoming disobedient to the commandment to be Holy.  

 1Peter 1:15 - 16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

      All true Apostolic Christian believers who have the Holy Ghost must live in such away that the whole world will be able to recognize that the Lord God Jesus Christ who is the Holy Ghost is living inside of each believer.  While it is true that each person must learn to let the Lord God Jesus Christ lead them and use them so that each person will function according to their growth and gifts, all people can easily see our light when we refused to take part in any sinful thoughts or conduct that deny the Holiness of the Children of God.  They can easily see that we will never deny the Lord Jesus Christ because He lives within each of us who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 Galatian 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 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.  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.”