Ministers of Jesus Christ
Church of The Lord Jesus Christ
Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith
Atlanta, Georgia - USA
Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer

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APOSTLE'S MESSAGE

   Date: September 13, 2020

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.  

     Health authorities are indicating that the covid-19 infection data for the City of Atlanta, Georgia continues to improve.  At this present Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced for the City of Atlanta, Georgia to Move Back to Phase II of the Reopening Plan Posted on 09/11/2020 at 3:55 PM.  Large gatherings of more than 50 people are banned in Georgia unless there is at least six feet between each person. We are continuing limited in-person services to assist us with virtue online services on the lawn at the East Point - College Park location wearing face covering and using social distancing while limiting small gathering of no more than 20 people. The medically fragile are advised to continue to shelter in place.

      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:

Eternal Expectation and Hope

Psalms 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

      When we focus our life on the word of God, we expect that God will always preserve us but will punish the wicked people who reject him. We look forward to overcoming all unrighteous behavior and conduct.  We expect to see a change in our life in the way we treat others and in the way we respond to the way they treat us.  We live by the golden rule do unto others as you would have them so unto you. 

      It is totally a given point on the minds of most people that if one is following a Holy and righteous God, then we should respond in a righteous and holy way.  In other words, there is something that is naturally expected of the Saints of God.  This does not mean that anyone is judging you as it pertains to hypocrisy but what we claim to be should produce results that reflect on who we are.  If we claim to be an auto mechanic, we expect that you can repair our automobile, if you claim to be an accountant people will expect you to know how to keep financial books according to the law, if you claim to be a medical doctor people will expect you to be able to prescribe pharmacy medicine to assist in healing.  And if you cannot perform what is expected then people will see your claim as false.  Notice that this conclusion is based on your failure to meet what was expected as a result of who you claimed to be.  This is generally considered to be the social norm of most societies.

Romans 8:18 - 19 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

      We can endure hardship, suffering, ridicule, betrayal, because we expect to receive greater spiritual and natural empowerment and eternal reward.  This eternal expectation blesses us with the ability to put up with things that would upset and offset the casual person because we are always looking forward to a better day as sons of God.  We have been adopted into the family of God by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost and have an assurance of eternal victory.

     In the case of the Sons of God there is no uncertainty or doubt of the promised present and future blessings which moves us to devote our lives in obedience to the words of God, the service to the Church and the righteous treatment of all mankind because  our expectation is a belief that is centered on our present change in behavior because of our new holy nature and the future eternal rewards.  When there is a personal relationship with God on a daily basis, this Godly communication defeats the development of emotional disappointment.  If a person does not speak to God, then anyone such as contrary people or evil spirits can influence their hope.  This is the reason why pray, devotion time, bible reading, and preaching is so important.  

    We can easily recognize the need for Church gathering and attendance in comforting one another.  Most of the time we are not surprised by unexpected happenings because the Holy Ghost gives us the benefits of prophecy and reveals to us the things that are in a godless disobedient man.

      Psalms 9:18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.

     We sing the song God will provide our every need in the midst of a worldwide pandemic because we know that he will never forsake us.  The poor man will have the strength to press his way through dire situations because he knows that God will provide for him. And so, he goes out seeking that provision.

When situation of happiness or unhappiness arise due to hardships, pressures, stresses, and deprivations of life, we can maintain a positive outlook because of the expectations of our eternal well-being.  Whether we are in a position of power or service we continue to look to the power of God to keep us.

 Psalms 62:5 - 8 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

      We examine and prove all things because we know that confidence built on lies or untrue statements will lead to emotional disappointment.  Therefore, all communication must be based on truth and a real experience with God, otherwise the outcome will be regret and disappointment. Expectations can affect your system of beliefs.  If a person believes what they are told in most cases the person will continue to look for an expected outcome. Since most people are easily convinced of things that give them a reward of money especially when told to them by authority figures like governmental leaders, preachers, parents, or teachers, they may believe whatever is taught to them even if what is taught is completely untrue and has no bible or factual basis.  And when people act on false information, bad or negative consequences is the usual result. This causes a person to stop all effort and motivate the person to quit or give up trying to accomplish a goal even if it will lead to a future benefit.  But when we see the outcome of joy, strength, inner peace, we are moved to remain steadfast in the Apostle’s Doctrine because we can prove its truthfulness and are assured of a future positive outcome.

 Proverbs 10:28 - 29 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.  The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Jeremiah 29:11 - 13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

 The Lord assures us that if we seek him with all our heart, we can expect him to answer us and listen to us according to his word.  We find a lame man asking for help, perhaps expecting to receive money or food to assist him which leads to the healing of his Body.

 Acts 3:1 - 7 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.  And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;   Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.  And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.  And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.  Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.  And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

While in prison, Apostle Paul remains confident and fully expected that even his confinement would lead to victory in Jesus whether by life or by the death so that  he would never be ashamed of the things that happened to him but would be bold in magnifying Christ.  As a result, he could continue laboring for the Lord Jesus Christ behind so-called prison bars in hope because he knew that his labor was not in vain.

 Philippians 1:19 - 20 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,   According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is expecting to make all enemies his footstool.  So be encouraged to labor on in the mist of this pandemic and other troubles in life expecting to receive an eternal benefit.

 Hebrews 10:11 - 14 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.

 We continue with a message from Apostle Shelton………………Hope For The Hopeless………...

 

Hope For The Hopeless

By Bishop S. M. Shelton

This is Bishop S. McDowell Shelton coming to you from the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith. We would like to speak to you today on the theme, HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS.  

    When man was hopeless in that he could not save himself through his own effort; when he could do nothing for himself to redeem himself—there Was "hope" for him in the promises of God. God had made a promise to man that He would come, and He would redeem him; and so, in the dark hours of history when the devil seem to have been triumphing over mankind there was always that promise, that glimmer, that brighter day that would appear on the horizon of time.

     One day this great Messiah would be born.  Out of the loins of the House of David, He would appear.  He would die and He redeem man back to his holy estate that he lost in the garden of Eden.  I am so glad that I came after that time; after that great event that He was crucified for me: that He arose, ascended on high and now has comforted us with the Holy Ghost.  Today, I have hope, and I hand out "Hope for the Hopeless."  Someone might ask, "Is there anyone beyond repair? Though he be a chronic sinner." The great Jewish Statesman, the Prophet Ezra, answers this question in Ezra 10:2.

 Ezra 10:2  “ And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.”

 . And there is hope. I do not care how decadent you have become. I do not care how deep in sin you may be, there is "hope" concerning your salvation. There is still the Church in the land.   There is still the Word being preached; there is still someone to baptize you—someone to pray for you. Someone to tell you the truth of the Gospel.  There is no need to surrender to despondency; to surrender to your dark environment saying it is useless to live a holy and a sanctified life. You have made God a stranger to you, and why should he be a stranger in the land, asked Jeremiah. 

 Jeremiah 14:7 – 9 O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.  O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?  Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.

      It is pathetic, whenever you have become so distant from the Spirit of God --from the Word of God until He is a stranger to you; until He is treated like a wayfaring man that comes to stay only a night. You know how it is when a person is only going to be somewhere a night and you would never expect to see them again.  One is not very concerned how they treat them because they do not feel that they are going to ever have any repercussions concerning their actions.  And so, man has rejected God: He has treated Him as a vagabond or a traveler. Man has only used God for the fare that He would pay; for the things that He would do; but Jeremiah goes on to say in Jeremiah 17:13.

 Jeremiah 17:13 "O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed…  That is why I do not become overly apprehensive concerning those who oppose themselves against this great Truth: against those who would rise up and would make war with the people and the city of God, against those who would pervert; against those who would try to corrupt the good name—the good light of God's Truth because I know they shall not prosper, but that their folly will be manifest to all men.  

     The day is coming that they shall be made ashamed. There will be that day of doom when the voice of God shall be heard to all of those who are in the grave. Those who have disobeyed, the voice shall be coming in condemnation: The voice shall be saying depart from me—since you have already rejected me, keep on rejecting. Depart from me ye workers of iniquity because I do not know you.  So, you claimed to have baptized in my name; you claimed to have spoken in tongues, and you made some effort to even dress like my people and talk like my people. In fact, you even fooled some those who were unstable.  But you see, of those who were unlearned in the word, God knows them that are His, and He is going to say depart from me ye workers of iniquity.

And so, we continue with the words of Jeremiah. "O all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters." (Jeremiah 17:13)

 My, when you forsake God then your hope becomes dry—you parched because the Bible says, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)

 The hope in God refreshes your spirit. It refreshes your thoughts.  In the time of sickness, “Hope” in God makes the pain much easier because you hope for a time when the healing virtue shall have filled your body—when you shall take up your bed and walk. The poor man—the man of low estate, if he has “Hope in God”, he can rejoice. He knows there is a time when he is going to be exalted: when God is going to lift him up from the dunghill; when God is going to set him up in the midst of the Prince of this of this earth, because hope—hope becomes the things that are hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

 And so, it is a blessedness to hope in God because the scripture says,

(Jeremiah 17:7) "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is....

 When you lose your hope; when you lose your optimism, my Lord, what good then are you? You become as a dried root. Life loses its meaning, and its substance. If you do not have hope of a better time and a better day, there is nothing else left for you to do but to backslide and wither up; to die and to wait
for hell when you have no hope. Even in the time of death those who hope in God —they do not have the grief or the despair as those who do not have a hope of a better resurrection. But because they have a "hope," death is not the final thing for them. 

 Because they know this, they can answer Job's question. "If a man die, shall he live again? “... (Job 14:14) The man with hope can say "yes," he shall live again.  The writer, John, put it clearly. "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (I John 3:3) 

      A man with hope cannot maintain an impure mind. He cannot maintain a mind full of grief, hatred, jealousy, and envy, because he has a bright outlook on life; he does not want these things that would weigh him down.  He lays aside every weight that would beset him. He lays aside everything that would steal his joy, his richness in God.  Oh yes if you have "hope," you are rich; you are wealthy! The world belongs to the hopeful because one day the things that you hoped for—though they be not seen now, as you purify yourself, as you overcome all things, the world will be given to you: for you shall inherit the earth. 

 There is "Hope for the Hopeless." No matter how far you have gone; no matter how blue your day may be—there is hope for you. He pleads to God (the Prophet Jeremiah) in Jeremiah 17:17. "Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.   Isn't it a good thing—a wonderful thing to have someone and something to hope in?  Not only is there hope for you, but there is hope for your children.

  (Jeremiah 31 :17) “And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.”

 Many things we want in life—we die not having obtained the promise, but we embrace them afar off. We pray before we die that God will let our children see the glorious blessings that we longed for; that we prayed for. 

 And so, the scripture says, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off…. (Acts 2:39) 

      You have hope to see many come in from many lands being baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ. We have hope to see someone in every street, in every city, in every village, in every hamlet, baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. Perhaps, you may not live to see this great outpouring when all nations shall flow—not trickle, but flow into it; but the promise is unto your children.

Somebody is going to experience the flowing in of all people. This world-wide broadcast is breaking through: it is cutting its way; it is planting the seed; it is watering the ground and oh, my Lord, the fruit shall grow and grow until "world-wide revival" will take place. I know this because I have hope and I am extending "Hope to the Hopeless" in foreign lands.  I am telling them that the Lord is the “Hope” of the nations; the Lord is the hope of His people.

 Joel says in Joel 3:16 'The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. 

 There is a time when God's wrath is going to be on this earth; when a time of trouble shall be increased, but we shall stand in that holy place. Our eyes shall be lifted to the hills from whence cometh our help. And then in this chaos—in the midst of this utter turmoil—in a moment in the twinkling of an eye that blessed hope shall come breaking through the clouds. (for whom our soul panteth after "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, ... Psalms 42:1)

The voice shall be sounded, "Arise my love, my fair one,' my spouse.  All things are ready, come to the feast."  And this is why we are able to endure all of the persecutions, the hardships, self-denials, and sacrifices because we have the Psalmist in his adoration, in his praise to such a great prize set before us. The God—he acknowledges before the Lord—he confesses to God and says

  "For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou will hear, O Lord my God." (Psalms 38 :15)

 He believes that when he calls on God, when he asks God for something because he hopes in God—God will not cause His hope to be confounded. And he says to the Lord in complete confidence: "And now, Lord, What wait I for? . . . Psalms 39:7) At for the conclusion, right now when everything else has given way. And now, Lord, what wait I for? Why am I waiting? Why am I being patient? Why am I staying? Why am I remaining in the Body of Christ, God's one and only Church? Why do we preach? Why do we pray? Why do we fast? Why do we offer up? Why do we fight sin both within, without, and beat the members of our own bodies under subjection? Because we are waiting. Our hope is in thee; our hope is in God.

     To those of you who might be cast down; to those of you who feel like giving up, grab again and lay hold on eternal life.  Do not let anything, do not let anyone pull it from you. This is your rightful inheritance: that you live forever with the Lord.

     Again, the Psalmist asks the question. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, . . ." (Psalms 42:11)

 If you would hope in Him, there is coming a time when you can praise Him. When you can praise Him around the throne; when you can say along with that great host… "glory, honor, majesty and power be unto Him that sitteth on the throne."  …... the hypocrite's hope shall perish: (Job 8:13) But they that hope—they that hope in the Lord, their strength shall be renewed: They shall not be made ashamed. They shall prosper. They shall triumph. They shall be victorious. They shall overcome sin and death; they shall live forever; they shall inherit the earth. O yes! There is HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS.

 We Pray that the Lord will open your eyes to see eternal expectation and  “hope” in the mist of this pandemic and time of uncertainty in daily life.
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

 

Coronavirus outbreak in Churches from health reports:   September 13, 2020

·        The essential worker from our local Church has now tested negative for Covid-19 which he acquired on the job.  Apostle Dennis has tested negative after exposure for the 4th time.  Lady Priscilla has tested negative for the third time as she continues to assist other Saints. Sister Danita has also tested negative also has she continued to assist others and work in a Child care enviroment.  Please keep all of us in your prayers as we continue to labor in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ…

  
 Present Guidelines for Individuals and Businesses in Phase 2:

·         Small private gatherings of no more than 10 people, with social distancing.

·         Large Gatherings of more than 50 people are banned in Georgia unless there is at least six feet between each person.

 

 Social Distancing guidelines:

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:

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.