Ministers of Jesus Christ Church

Date: October 10, 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 gatherings and use social distancing, wash your hands, and get tested to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In some places wearing face mask is mandatory in indoor public spaces.

We are continuing limited 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:

Humble as a Little Child (part 2)

By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

There are great benefits in humbling yourself as a little child. It can give you favor with God Almighty, and many other blessings in the natural world including prosperity and favor with all men.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1Peter 5:5 - 7 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Proverbs 3:34 Surely, he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Most people in family and business relationship realize the benefits of humility as bringing honor because it is easy for people to have respect for someone who also returns that respect and respects other people as well and does not look down on other people. Humility can give you discretion and wisdom to know what to say and what not to say or to know what do and what not to do. Humility will allow you to acquire relationships with just about all people causing you to prosper in most all things that you attempt to do in all areas of your life. There are many other benefits to humility perhaps the most rewarding is peace with all men, salvation and eternal life with God Almighty, exaltation and the protection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is God Almighty.

Exodus 10:1 - 3 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD. And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

The rulers of the nations of the world must humble themselves as a little child to lead their nations in obedience to the one and only plan of salvation. Just as Pharaoh the ruler of the Egyptians had to humble himself to let the Children of Israel go once he came to realize he could not withstand the plagues of God Almighty. Pharaoh was brought down by the awesome power of God Almighty controlling all aspects of life even death by the loss of the firstborns.

People today with all the technology, scientific, and medical advances may lift themselves in prideful ways until they come to know that their advancements is nothing more in many cases than an attempt to duplicate or counterfeit the power of God Almighty. God is the creator of the whole world, the healer of all sickness and diseases, the giver of knowledge and power. And when they fully realize this truth, they must humble themselves as a little child in other to function in obedience to God Almighty, overcoming all their sinful ways if they want to receive eternal life.

They cannot achieve eternal life and salvation without obedience to God Almighty. All of what they perceive as advancements will never bring them salvation or give them eternal life. All people born into the world must learn to humble down and obey the commandments of the Lord and Salvation Jesus Christ. Just like the Children of Israel had to go through the wilderness to be humbled down to learn to obey the statues and commandments of God Almighty.

Deuteronomy 8:2 - 3 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Leviticus 26:40 - 42 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.

The ability of people to be humble and admit to their bad conduct, bad attitudes, and to change, will lead to growth in every aspect of their life. When people acquire education that enables them to increase their financial status or earning capability, the wealth, that they generate can cause them to see themselves in a prideful way and think of themselves as the only one who have caused them to make great achievements and advancements. They may quickly forget that God is the one who created all things and have blessed them with the increase in their life. And when they forget about God Almighty, it leads to the loss of salvation because the natural appointment of growing old and deterioration of the natural body will continue according to God’s plan. Their pride and wealth will never change the fact that they brought nothing into this world and will not take anything out of it when they die. Naked came they into the world and they will leave the world according to the plan of God Almighty.

Deuteronomy 8:11 - 18 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

We continue with a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton … “Humble Yourself And Pray” ………

HUMBLE YOURSELF AND PRAY (part 2)

By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton

Prayer is more than just a petition making exercise of asking. It is a time for the cleansing of the mind, for the renewing of the spirit, for the uplifting of ones, life, for the nourishing of ones hope for a better resurrection. It is indeed a time when we can quietly make our vows to God and say: "Lord, I have had time now to think about thus and so, and I was wrong. If you will forgive me, as soon as I can straighten things out, I am going to do it.”

You come to yourself in prayer and mean it in your heart. It is far better if you can straighten out everything that you know is wrong before you get down on your knees to pray. I am talking about the things which the Spirit brings to you, which the spirit reminds you of while you are praying, and it will do that if you pray in the Spirit. This is what the Bible is talking about: “……praying in the Spirit." See Ephesians 6:18

How does one "pray in the Spirit?" One lets himself be controlled by the Spirit. One does not try to control his own actions or movement, or his own words. One does not set up, some kind of prescribed, prayer; what he is going to say, but he becomes a servant of the Spirit to go with It whither It will take him: His words become an instrument for the Holy Spirit to use and to say what It will. There is total submission, total surrender in prayer. That is why you “have to humble yourself. You cannot pray in the Spirit until you humble yourself. You, with your contrary self on your knees saying: "I am not going to say anything." You see, when you pray in the Spirit, I mean sincerely, the Spirit might lead you to pray for the person whom you dislike most.

Oh yes, we pray for our enemies, but we pray for them in a sort of off-handed kind of way. We pray for them, but in a kind of aristocratic, snobby way. "Lord, bless that wicked sinner." We express whatever we think of them and there are some bad thoughts; but then we feel superior after we get off our knees because we at least called their names before the Lord.

We feel superior because we had enough grace to at least call their name before the Lord. The Lord does not want that. He wants you to humble yourself and pray. Let the Spirit lead you and guide you and direct you in your prayer. Then when that name comes on your lips, you begin to really pray for that individual and pray in the Spirit. Do you know what will happen quite frequently? If you will let the Spirit guide you and direct you, you will often see that the one whom you felt was your enemy so much, the one whom you disliked so much, you begin to see that they were not one hundred per cent wrong. You will see that there was a good possibility that you, too, should not have done or should not have said such and such. You begin to pray for yourself and ask the Lord, "Help me and give me more grace and more patience, and more understanding and more consideration."

Oh, man that is born of a woman and woman that is born of a woman, who are you that God is mindful of you? Who are you that you should set yourself to be lord over Israel? You had better humble yourself and pray! Pray, asking God, "What is it that I have need of? What would you have me to do? Where is it that I could give more? Then, after you show me, Lord, give me grace. Give me the power to step forth and to overcome these things with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my strength. I am laboring to humble myself and I am praying and turning from my wicked ways. Now God, will you help me.

The old folks used to pray this prayer, and I know what they meant. They would say: "Father, I stretch my hands to Thee, no other help know. If Thou withdraw Thyself from me, whither shall I go?"

In these modern times, this has become a, tradition and a custom and has lost its meaning on most modern ears, but there is a great deal of truth in this. To whom shall you go? Who has the Word of eternal life? Who has the power over life and death? Who has the power of a better resurrection? Who is the light and the way?

If God withdraws Himself from you, it is worse than the sun withdrawing its heat from the earth. Do you not know, if it were not for the sun, the earth would freeze, the earth would be black? What can the earth do without the sun? Man would die without the sun for he has to draw its energy. Even in the wintertime, it is shining. You may not always be able to see it. It is shining and sending out qualities that no vitamin pill man has ever made or perfected. No how much vitamin C or D you take, it will not be as perfect as that which comes from the sun.

So, the world needs the sun. It needs its light, it needs its strength, it needs its warmth, and you need this Light of this world, even Jesus Christ, Our Lord. So you are healthy, and you have a good job. You have a happy family. You have a new car. You have a home, but you need God. Even if you do not lose all of these things, you are going to lose the joy of them because any natural thing satisfies and pleases for only a particular of time. For the car must age and the house must deteriorate. The family will go from you and love will grow cold, but God, who endured forever and ever, who is, who was, and who shall be, is a present help in the time of trouble.

So, if my people who are called by my name would stop trying to make excuses for themselves ……. If they would stop trying to justify themselves . . . If they would stop trying to see things their way and have their own way and come on and pray ……. If they would come before me and say: "Lord, I am nothing" and mean it; not with their lips because He can search the heart.

There is no X-ray machine that man can ever make that can see inside you the way the eyes of God can penetrate your body. He knows your thoughts. He knows you when you stand up, when you sit down. He knows the number of hairs on your head. He is acquainted with all your ways. Humble yourself and pray. And when one prays, He understands so well until you do not even have to move your lips to get in touch with Him. While you are saying them in your heart, they are registering in heaven if you have humbled yourself before you prayed.

It is a marvelous opportunity that one has to enter into the secret pavilion. Through prayer, you can go into that inner place with Christ. It is something like having been His personal guest. No matter how many people are praying, when you really pray in the Spirit, there seems to be only something going on between you and God. Everyone else, if one has really prayed in the Spirit, seems not to be there. You lose consciousness of the sound of their voices. You are not even aware that there is anyone else in the room. One loses sight of the fact that they have fingers or feet or that they have legs. They somehow are so much in the Spirit. They are so much in unity with the Spirit until they forget themselves, who they are and what they are.

In complete communion with God, one forgets the pain in their knee, the hunger in their body. You see, I have prayed in the Spirit, so I know what I am talking about. And when you really pray in the Spirit, the joy is so complete until you are not even concerned as to: "Is He going to answer my prayer or is He not going to answer my prayer?" You are not even concerned about the future or the past. You are living in a divine presence of right now. Your greatest concern is that I am in Christ, and He is in me and there is nothing that is separating me from the love of God.

In closing again: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face….” 2 Chronicles 7:14

To seek something, you must search. Search after Him. Long for Him. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so should ye pant after God's love and God's comfort. "As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, God." Psalms 42:1

Oh, my babies, if ye would just humble yourselves and pray.

They told me when I was tarrying to seek the face of Jesus Christ. I have never seen Him. I never have been formally introduced, only through His Word and through the Holy Ghost, but don't you know, I sought after His face: after what is God? Who is He? What is His face?

And as I was seeking after the face of God ...I shall know but I do not know now, if His face was like the one, I saw. As I sought His face and I sought Him on the cross, I could see it in the distance, and just as it was drawing close to me and I to it, I was about to look into His eyes and see His features . . . ; it is the last thing I remember. I do not recommend this to everyone, but it just happened to work for me.

They told me to seek His face, and I had humbled myself. I did whatever they told me to do. I could see the blood by faith still coming down. It was not a painting that one sees in their Bibles or by a great artist. For how can I describe an experience that I have never drawn or seen before—and you were not there with me to see it with me? All I can say is that I sought after His face, that I did see someone hanging on the cross, that I did speak in tongues.

"If my people, which called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and Seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

“Lord, God, we thank you for this message and for this people. We ask that you would be with thy people every step Of the way, that you would' guide Chem, instruct them, that thou would preserve them and heal them. Forgive them and not forsake them, and teach them to pray. Teach them what to say and how to humble themselves when they pray. For we want you to heal our land from sin and hatred, from the hatred of one group against the other. We want you to heal our land from riot, pain and poverty. Above all, we want you to heal our land from erroneous doctrine.”

Heal our land! I believe by faith that this people; yea, your people, who are called by your name are going to humble themselves from this day forward and are going to pray.

May the Lord bless you; May the Lord keep you. May the Lord preserve your strength in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty, 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

The online service Zoom link is sent out each Sunday at or before 2:00 pm to the Saints registered 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 service after 2:00 pm.

You are invited to attend and be a part of the Ministers of Jesus Christ Church Services on Zoom at/or about 2:00pm. 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 offerings through Givelify, Cash App, Visa, Master Card, American Express Credit and Bank cards or PayPal. Use cash app link name ($MinistersofJesus935).

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

Everyone age 12 and older. Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 12 and older. People younger than 18 years of age are not authorized to receive either the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

ONGOING GUIDANCE for Red Zone

• Vaccination remains the most effective protection against COVID-19

• Practice social distancing

• Frequently wash hands

• Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

• Practice telework and staggered office schedules where feasible, with safety measures

• Non-essential City facilities may open to the public. Masking will be mandated for now and the number of persons indoors may be limited to avoid crowding

Social Distancing guidelines:

• Social distancing means staying away from close contact in public spaces. It includes actions like staying out of places where lots of people gather and maintaining distance — approximately 6 feet — from others.

• Social distancing also includes minimizing contact with people when possible, limiting nonessential travel, working from home, and 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.