APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Issue 3 October 2015 Happy 83rd Birthday Bishop Bush Happy 83 rd Birthday to our beloved pastor, Bishop V. Bush. Isn t God good? He has blessed him to live another year and to continue to be in good health. Having surpassed the promise of three score and ten years, we know that the grace and mercy of God is certainly true. The saints came together on Saturday, September 19, 2015 to celebrate and spend time with Bishop Bush in Olive Branch, Mississippi. We all dined and fellowshipped with one another and had a wonderful time. Afterwards we all communed together for the rest of the evening sharing in one another s company until retiring for the night. We are honored to have among us one who gave his life for the ministry and who has blazed a trail for others to come this apostolic way. We are grateful for how the Lord has blessed us with Bishop Bush and how through his teaching of the word we are strong and steadfast knowing the whole truth and how we ought to be as becoming saints. On Sunday morning, (Bishop Bush s actual birthday), we all joined together in the services blessing and praising God in songs and testimonies telling what the Lord has done for us. The saints listened to the word as Elder Jackson, Elder Maxie and Elder Mitchell spoke to encourage us to stay and to keep pressing on in this holy way. Our prayers are always that the Lord will bless our pastor with many healthy more years of life. As we have lifted up our voices in praise many times before, We are blessed, so highly blessed God has sent us a prophet. We are blessed, so highly blessed God has sent us a prophet. We will make it to that land, by the teaching of God s man, we are blessed so highly blessed we thank you Lord!

2 Receiving of the Holy Ghost Testimonies APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER 2 Deacon Turner of Dallas, Texas writes: Praise the Lord Saints. I do thank the Lord for the man of God, Bishop V. Bush and the Elders, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters, those that continue to hold the standard for our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I thank God every day for his goodness and mercy he bestows on me and how He has forgiven me of all my sins. I went down in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of my sins thanking God every day how he saw fit to fill me with the Holy Ghost. I waited on the Lord day and night. I didn't know what I must do to be saved until I made it to The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith. The word of God was preached by the man of God Bishop V. Bush. He preached you must be born again of the water and spirit. When I found out what I must do, I started crying out to the Lord to fill me with the Holy ghost morning, noon and night. Even on my job I cried out to the Lord to fill me Lord with your spirit. Even during lunch time on my job I didn't want to eat. I wanted the holy ghost. I already had the water and I knew my salvation was not complete because I didn't have the holy ghost. I knew I must have it if I wanted to see God in peace. I tarried around the altar, on my bed, driving in my car. I continued calling on God for the Holy Ghost because I was hungry for it. One night the church had tarrying service. I wanted the holy ghost. I was ready that night, got down on my knees and started to call on God to fill me. I started shaking, moving from side to side. I heard myself speak. Some doubted and was saying I didn't have it or I didn t hear him speak. One Thursday night, the church was having prayer service. I stood up to clap my hands and I had my eyes closed to the songs of praise. To me I was standing still didn t know what was going on. After the praise service was over the service was turned over into the hands of Bishop V. Bush. Bishop Bush went to the book of Acts of the Apostles and preached in Acts 2 :12 thru 21. "And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughter shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. After service my baby daughter asked me, "Daddy what were you doing? I asked her. "What was I doing?". She said " you was dancing around acting like a drunk man." I began to rejoice even more thanking God for the holy Ghost. Then I knew why Bishop preached in Acts of the Apostles. These are not drunk as you suppose. Sister Angela Robertson of Dallas, Texas writes: I would like to give all the glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the head of my life. Double honor to the man of God Bishop V. Bush. I give honor to our Elders, Deacons, and to all the saints of God. ( The experience I had when God filled me with the Holy Ghost) It all began when I got back in church. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith where the true word of God is being preached in its fullness. I was baptized in Jesus' name at a young age, and I know to live for God and to please Him, I had to give up the things of this world and the things that was pleasing to my flesh. I couldn't serve God doing what I wanted to do. I made my mind up to live for God and him only. So I repented of my sins and I knew if I wanted the spirit of God in me I had to start fasting, praying, and tarrying for the holy ghost. (September 5, 2010) Sunday morning I went to church and had a wonderful time in the Lord, the Spirit was high, and anybody that wanted it could have gotten it. So after service we went home, and I was still rejoicing. We went back to church that evening. I was excited, and couldn't wait to go back to church. I was determined to get the Holy Ghost. I felt it and I knew I was going to get it, because I felt it. We went back to church, I got down on my knees and started praying and calling on Jesus blocking everything out. I didn't need

3 APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER 3 Receiving of the Holy Ghost Testimonies - continued any distractions, I just wanted to focus on God. I called out His name " Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, telling Him I wanted to be saved, to fill me, fill me Lord, fill me with your spirit, you promised it to me, and I want it." I felt His presence all over me and I began to have stammering tongue. All of a sudden God got a hold of my tongue and it was no stopping it. I heard myself speaking in another tongue. When God got through with me all I could say was "Thank You Jesus, Thank You Jesus, Thank You Jesus." It felt so good, everything was lifted up off of me, I was light as a feather. I was just shaking and thanking God for filling me with the precious gift of the holy ghost, speaking in tongues as God gave me utterance. After service we went home, and rejoiced some more, I couldn't go to sleep, still rejoicing thanking God for his grace and mercy and deliverance. The next day it came on me again and I knew God wasn't through with me. Thank you Jesus. Now that I have the Spirit of God in me I must let it lead me and guide me, and continue on in this great plan of salvation. (That's my experience) I want to say it's a blessing to be in the truth, hearing the preaching and teaching of God's holy word. It's food to my soul. All I want to do is live for God, pleasing him in all things, being obedient to His every word, obeying all of his commandments that I may have eternal life with God. Keep me in prayer. May God bless you all. Peace be. Love Sister Angela Sister Barbara Hurts of Lufkin, Texas writes: I like to give all the glory and honor to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ who is the head of my life. Double honor to Bishop V. Bush. I like to give honor to the elders, deacons, and all the saints of god who are holding on to this one plan of salvation. My experience of receiving the holy ghost was beautiful. I can remember just like it was yesterday. After hearing some sisters telling me what they did to get the holy ghost, one sister's story stood out to me, so I decided to take that same method on receiving the holy ghost. I decided I was going on a fast. My first week went by so fast so I went into my second week doing 12 hours a day building myself up laying aside everything that wasn't pleasing to God. Then I went into my third week praying to the Lord to help me, I want to be saved. I was so determined to get the holy ghost I didn't care how long I had to fast and pray. December 2009 I woke up one morning, dropped to my knees and prayed to the lord. When I was done praying I got my son up for school and went and dropped him off. I came back to the house put my girls into a high chair so they could eat breakfast. Then I went to my room thinking I'm fixing to be on my knees for 30 minutes. But god said something different. I got to calling on the lord and demanding the holy ghost crying out to the lord. I heard a knock at the door so I get up to go see who is at the door still calling on Jesus. No one was there so I looked again still no one was there so I started walking back to my room when I heard something break. I go to see what happened still calling on Jesus, my daughter had broken one of my good bowels. I usually would get mad about something like that but I didn't. Walking away going back to my room to get back on my knees still calling on Jesus, my knees started hurting so I got up sat down on my bed still calling on Jesus and that's when the holy spirit came down on me speaking in another tongue as the spirit gave me utterance. I tried to stop it I couldn't so I got curious as to what was going on. I got up opened my eyes and walked over to the mirror watching my mouth move like a skeleton, then it finally stopped. I started pacing the floor saying who was I going to call first. Pacing the floor crying saying I'll call bishop first then I'll call Katryce but I didn't, I called my mama and told her I just received the holy ghost and she was on the phone rejoicing with me saying "Thank you Jesus." I told my mom how it all went about. "Again she said thank the lord. I got off the phone with her still wanting to call Katryce because her story inspired me but I didn't, so I called my dad and told him about it and he was happy as well telling me make sure you received the holy ghost. I go and pick my son up from school came back to the house and got down on my knees and said to the lord. "Lord if this is your spirit I have in me please bring it back on me because I want to be persuaded in my own mind and it came back on me again. I went to church that Thursday night and testified of the holy ghost. After service that night the spirit was still strong on me I felt so light everything was lifted up off me, I then went to bed and my hands start shaking, going in tongues. In my mind I wanted to get out the bed and rejoice some more to the lord, and that went on for about a week. I called my mom and told her the spirit still on me and what was going on when I went to bed at night. She told me god is not finished with you yet, he want you to get up and talk to him some more That was my experience of receiving the holy ghost..sister Barbara Hurts

4 APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER 4 Receiving of the Holy Ghost Testimonies - continued Sister Katryce Bush of Dallas, Texas writes: Praise the Lord to all the saints of God. As always I honor Bishop Bush, the elders, deacons and the household of faith. I received the holy ghost at the age of seventeen in August 1991 during our annual Apostolic Fellowship meeting of that year. It was a Tuesday night. My spirit became troubled in me several weeks before and I wanted to be sure that I too also received the holy ghost as it was preached to me by my father, Bishop Bush. I decided I would fast and would not eat a full meal until I was filled. In less than a week I went to services on that Tuesday night expecting my blessing. As the service came to a close I begin to feel let down that I did not receive it as I had hoped. But the Lord knew my sincerity and the service was not quite over just yet. A love offering was taken up for one of the visiting elders and saints and one more song was sung. At the time, I played the drums. Feeling downhearted, I did not get up to play. One of the sisters looked at me and said go play. I went and while the song was sung, "Jesus set me free, gave me the victory, the spirit began to stir and heighten in the place. I remember it spoke to me saying just let go. Eventually, I let go of the drum sticks and immediately the spirit fell on me. I began speaking in tongues and it felt as though it was coming out of the pit of my belly. It was uncontrollable and evident. The spirit had taken control of the tongue in my mouth and I heard myself speaking in an unknown tongue and rejoiced within myself. I knew the Lord had heard me and had answered my prayer. It was an experience like no other. Peace be saints Sister Yolanda Porter of Lufkin, Texas writes: First of all I would like to give all the honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the head of my life, double honor to the man of God Bishop V. Bush. I give honor to all the Elders, Deacons, and all the saints of God. What was my experience receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost? First of all I had to commit my life to God, and I made a vow to no longer want no part of this world. There's only one way, The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith. I came to the knowledge of repentance, being baptized and being washed of my sins. When God had my heart he had everything else. Wanting the Holy Ghost more than anything in this world meant a lot to me even more than a pair of shoes or money etc. I had to move all things out of my way that wasn't of God, that I knew that God wasn't pleased with. And just having that fear in me it took a lot of crying out to God, tarrying and waiting for the gift. That was the measures and steps I took to draw closer to God. I knew I had to be of a new creature where he could enter into my temple watching my actions and being a holy child of God. That led me closer to God speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave me utterance. Great power came over me and I knew that God was in control and not Satan. Love you all peace be. Sister Conta Robertson of Lufkin, Texas writes: First of all I would like to give all the glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, double honor to the man of God Bishop V. Bush. I would like to give honor to the Elders and the Deacons and praise the Lord to the saints of the most high God. What was your experience to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? My experience to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost was to let go of everything that was not like god. I was praying and meditating and fasting at home and on my job everyday and crying out to the Lord asking him to help me. I was sitting on my bed crying to the Lord telling the Lord I wanted to be saved. On one Tuesday night I had taken off of my job and came to church. I was calling on the name of the Lord. I heard myself speaking in tongues in another language. I felt a big burden lift up off of my shoulders. I received the gift of the Holy Ghost on Oct 5, Thank you lord, it was just like fire shut up in my bones. Peace be I am pressing on in Jesus name.

5 APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER 5 Previous newsletter Answers to the Fill in the Blanks and Matching Game Fill in the blanks answers: 1. thieves 2. eye, pluck, cast 3. office, bishop 4. Rebuke, elder, father 5. perilous 6. becometh, sound, doctrine 7. neglect, salvation 8. principles, perfection 9. faith, substance, things, evidence 10. fearful, living god 11. low degree, exalted 12. be ye holy. holy 13. believe, spirit, try spirits 14. foot 15. preacher, wise, knowledge 16. word, word, word Matching game answers: 1. Ark 2. John 3. Peter 4. Adam 5. Eve 6. Cain 7. Jonah 8. David 9. Abraham 10. Paul 11. Mary 12. Lazarus 13. Old & New Testaments Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

6 APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER 6 Encouraging Words Page Sister Katryce has been inspiring to me since the first day I heard her play the piano. I thank God for how he is using her as a pianist/ musician in the church. I play a little myself and I'm just grateful for what the lord has allowed me to do and with Sister Katryce's influence it just encouraged me to go further. Thank God for Sis Katryce Bush for inspiring me. Thank the Lord for our young brothers in the Lord who are continuing in the faith opening up testimony services, willing to lead a song during praise service and taking up offering for the Lord. We are asking all the saints of God to keep them all in your prayers that they may be that true example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is God Almighty. Sister Katryce on the left, Sister Cathy on the right. Appreciation Appreciation is something that we respect others for, letting them know they have a special place in our hearts to share. We appreciate you all for your love, joy, kind words, meekness, gentleness and helping hands, smiles, and laughter, hugs and kisses, your kind thoughts your presence among us and your you're welcome and thank you ma'am. This is our appreciation from us to you, we appreciate one another and not each other from our hearts. We appreciate everyone of you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...We appreciate!!!... Written by Sis Sholanda, Sis Yolanda

7 Receiving of the Holy Ghost Testimonies - continued APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER 7 Elder Maxie of Lufkin, Texas writes: Praise the Lord Saints of the most high God. First of all I give all the honor to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, double honor to the man of God Bishop Bush for letting the spirit continue to use him. Honor to our Elders, Ministers, Deacons, Brothers, Mothers, Sisters, and children, and to all of our readers. Question: What were your experiences of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and what did you have to give up to receive the gift? Answer: I can truly say that out of all of my 54 yrs. on this earth I haven't received or experienced anything like receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. So first let me testify to you what I had to give up to win Christ. I heard the word saying in MARK 1:15 "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. ST JOHN 3:5 "Except a man be born of the water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Repentance which is number one, I became sorry for what ever sin I had committed against God. Then I got my baptism in water in the only name of Jesus Christ. Then I tarried calling on the name of the Lord but I wasn't receiving anything, but I knew that the holy ghost was for all believers so I started fasting and praying more than I had ever before because I really wanted the holy ghost. I examined myself daily. I got my mind on nothing but God. On Tuesday, tarrying night, as I was down on my knees calling on the name of the Lord with all of my might, and having my mind clear of all persecution, talk and all the things that I was going through in my life, suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and God filled me with the holy ghost and with fire, and with tears of joy. God got hold of my tongue and I spoke in other tongues as the spirit gave me utterance. It was one of the best feelings that I ever had. But I did not want to testify the holy ghost just yet. So I went home that night and got back down on my knees and called on that powerful name, and the holy ghost came on me again and I spoke in tongues again. I was filled with so much love, peace and joy. From that day forward I have been a new man. Sunday morning I testified to the saints that I had been filled with the holy ghost. Some of the sisters had recorded me and said that I sound like I was talking Chinese or Spanish or something, but I knew I had received the power that I had been seeking for. The Lord is encamped round about the church, so come and taste and see that the Lord he is good. Luke 9:23 "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me." May The Lord Bless You All Peace Be Unto You Sister Cathy Hunt of Lufkin, Texas writes: Praise the Lord! Everyone I would like to give all the glory, and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is God Almighty. I would like to give double honor to Bishop V. Bush, to the Elders, Deacons, and all the saints of God. My experience of receiving the precious gift of the Holy Ghost was the most wonderful experience I ever had in my life. This is my testimony from my youth up! I had been calling on the name Jesus, so when I started to get very serious about my soul salvation, I truly feared the Lord even more. Therefore I learned to deny myself totally because I knew the way, the truth, and the life of God. So I asked the Lord to have mercy upon my soul, and I have to say God truly knows the thoughts of the mind and the intents of the heart. Whatsoever you ask for in Jesus name it shall be given unto you. So one day as I was praying with some of my family the Holy Ghost came up on me like a rushing mighty wind and I begin to speak in another tongue as the Spirit of God gave me utterance just like on the day of Pentecost. You see the anointing of the Holy Ghost and the power thereof was so mighty in strength that my soul rejoiced on and on and on, and I magnified the Lord, because I knew it was the comforter of the Holy Ghost within my soul. It felt just like fire shut up in my bones. Thank the Lord for the wonderful experience of the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Now I must continue to let it lead and guide me to eternal life. Faithfully yours in Christ. Peace be unto you all. Sis. Cathy Hunt.

8 APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER 8 Receiving of the Holy Ghost Testimonies - continued Mother Gertie Anderson of Dallas, Texas writes: Praise the Lord. I received the Holy Ghost in my early twenties. Elder O. Jackson called the tarrying service on a Saturday. There were about six members at the meeting. We started the meeting believing that God would do what we went there for. Whatever God said he would do. Yes God was there from the beginning. Sister Sholanda Murphy of Lufkin, Texas writes: First of all I give all the honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, double honor to the man of God, Bishop V. Bush, the Elders, Deacons, and saints of God. What was my experience receiving the Holy Ghost? First of all it took for me to acknowledge that I was living in sin and to repent for all my wrong ways and to have a made up mind wanting to live right and live no more in sin. When I heard that I have to have the Holy Ghost to make it back with Jesus so that I wouldn't burn forever in that eternal hell fire, I had fear in my heart. I started looking over my life, I started searching myself asking the Lord to show me myself and what is hindering me from getting the Holy Ghost. I was down on my knees crying out begging him, please show me my ways so I can be right, so I can be saved. It took a lot of crying out and praying down on my knees asking Jesus please help me to be what you want me to be. Then I started pulling things away from me, pants, skirts that wasn't long enough, lipstick, jewelry, TV, movies, perming my hair, living in fornication for some years with the same person I had all my children by, and other things that wasn't acceptable to God. When I heard the word of God, I learned what it took for me to clean myself up from those things. I wanted to be clean in mind and clean in heart, from the inside to the outside. Then when I pulled all those things from me, I felt that I was getting closer and closer to the Holy Ghost. When I would come to the house of the Lord and tarry on Tuesday nights down on my knees, I felt that I was getting closer to the Holy Ghost. Every time I would tarry for the Holy Ghost, it strengthen me and gave me more will power to go on. It took for me to be made over, to be born again, of the water of the spirit and the Holy Ghost. I was determined to go on until the Holy Ghost entered in to my soul. It was a warm feeling came over my body and I kept going, lifting my hands to God. I started speaking in tongues. And I thank the Lord for me receiving the precious gift of the Holy Ghost!! speaking in tongues that the Spirit of God gave utterance. God bless us all love all Sister Murphy. Brother Tyrek Murphy of Lufkin, Texas writes: I give all the glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, double honor to the man of God Bishop V. Bush, honor to all the Elders, Deacons, and Saints of God. What was my experience receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost? It was that I had to call on Jesus and meditate on the Lord to get my mind right. But when that wasn't enough, I called on Jesus at home and I was feeling it but it wasn't enough. So when I went to church and tarried for the Holy Ghost and I was feeling it and I received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues that the Spirit of God gave utterance. I was so glad that I did. When I said my testimony I felt so glad in my heart, when I received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Peace be unto you all. Brother Tyrek Brother Dorsett Jr. of Lufkin, Texas writes: Praise The Lord! I give all the honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, double honor to the man of God Bishop V. Bush, to all the Elders, Deacons, brothers, mothers,

9 APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER 9 Receiving of the Holy Ghost Testimonies - continued sisters and children. What was my experience receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost? I was so anxious to get the Holy Ghost that I called on Jesus every chance I had. I knew that I had to block everything out of my mind and shut my ears to everything around me only focusing only on God, because that was the only thing that was going to save me in the end. So I worked and worked for something that I wanted and something that I wanted was the Holy Ghost. And so I tarried and prayed and I meditated on the Lord every chance I had. I even tried to read the Bible my mom gave me, encouraging words to help me to keep trying. I had fear in my heart and even cried out to God. A wonderful feeling came over me I was so happy and I felt so excited when I got the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues peace be saints. Amen!!!!...

10 APOSTOLIC NEWSLETTER 10 Announcements Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of Calendar of Events Annual Apostolic Sister's Day Sunday, May 10 th 3015 South Malcolm X Boulevard Dallas, TX Program starts at 12:00 noon Annual Apostolic Youth Fellowship Meeting Monday June 15 th - Sunday June 21 st Miller Road, Olive Branch MS Services start nightly at 7:30PM and Sunday morning at 11:00AM Annual Apostolic Fellowship Meeting Monday August 10 th - Sunday August 16 th 3015 South Malcolm X Boulevard Dallas, TX Services start nightly at 7:30PM and Sunday morning at 11:00AM 51st Church Anniversary Thursday, November 26 th - Sunday, November 29 th 3015 South Malcolm X Boulevard Dallas, TX Services start nightly at 7:30PM and Sunday morning at 11:00AM If you would like CDs of the services, let us know. CDs are $5.00 each. If you would like or DVDs of our main events, the DVDs are $10.00 each. Check out the weekly broadcast online every week. See the website home page for more information. children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith PO Box South Malcolm X Blvd Dallas, TX