The winners of the 28th Annual Stellar Awards were announced on January 14th, 2012 from Nashville, Tennessee.

Artist of the Year

• Kirk Franklin
• Earnest Pugh
• Mary Mary
• VaShawn Mitchell 
• Song of the Year(Songwriter(s); Song)
• Kirk Franklin, “I Smile”
• Darius Paulk, “Nobody Greater”
• Deitrick Haddon, “Well Done”
• Wess Morgan, “I Choose To Worship”
• Male Vocalist of the Year
• VaShawn Mitchell
• Earnest Pugh
• Smokie Norful
• Israel Houghton
• Female Vocalist of the Year
• Beverly Crawford
• Kim Burrell
• Martha Munizzi
• Yolanda Adams
• Group Duo of the Year
• Rance Allen Group
• Trin-i-tee 5:7
• Mary Mary
• James Fortune & FIYA
• New Artist of the Year
• Greater Mt. Calvary Church Choir
• Y’Anna Crawley
• Todd Dulaney
• Preashea Hilliard
• CD of the Year
• Mary Mary, Something Big
• VaShawn Mitchell Triumphant
• James Fortune & FIYA, I Believe
• Kirk Franklin, I Smile
• Choir of the Year
• Chicago Mass Choir
• Mississippi Mass Choir
• Shekinah Glory Ministry
• Ricky Dillard & New G
• Producer of the Year
• Kirk Franklin, Hello Fear
• Aaron Lindsey, Tommy Sims & Israel Houghton, Love God. Love People
• VaShawn Mitchell, Daniel Weatherspoon & Rick Robinson, Triumphant
• Warryn Campbell, Mary Mary, Something Big
• Contemporary Group/ Duo of the Year  New Artist of the Year 
• James Fortune & FIYA
• Mary Mary
• Trin-i-tee 5:7
• Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
• The Soul Seekers
• Keith Wonderboy Johnson & Spiritual Voices
• Rance Allen Group
• Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
• Deitrick Haddon
• Earnest Pugh
• Israel Houghton
• VaShawn Mitchell
• Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
• Keith Wonderboy Johnson
• Rance Allen
• Smokie Norful
• John P Kee
• Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year  New Artist of the Year 
• Kim Burrell
• Preashea Hilliard
• Y’Anna Crawley
• Yolanda Adams
• Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
• Evelyn Turrentine-Agee
• Beverly Crawford
• LaShun Pace
• Twinkie Clark
• Contemporary CD of the Year
• Mary Mary, Something Big
• VaShawn Mitchell, Triumphant
• Deitrick Haddon, Church on the Moon
• Kirk Franklin, Hello Fear
• Traditional CD of the Year
• John P. Kee, The Legacy Project
• Smokie Norful, How I Got Over…
• Mississippi Mass Choir , Then Sings My Soul
• Ricky Dillard & New G, Keep Living
• Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year(Artist; Song)
• Deitrick Haddon , “Well Done”
• Kirk Franklin, “I Smile”
• Mary Mary, “Walking”
• VaShawn Mitchell, “Nobody Greater”
• Music Video of the Year – Short Form
• VaShawn Mitchell , “Nobody Greater” (VaShawn Mitchell)
• Christian Heuer, “Walking” (Mary Mary)
• Martha Munizzi, “Excellent” (Martha Munizzi)
• Canton Jones, “God” (Canton Jones)
• Music Video of the Year – Long Form
• Deitrick Haddon, “Church on the Moon”
• Jerry Parries, “Bishop Morton Celebrates…)”
• Mississippi Mass Choir, “Then Sings My Soul”
• Ricky Dillard & New G, “Keep Living”
• Contemporary Choir of the Year
• Lonnie Hunter & Structure
• Shekinah Glory Ministry
• Traditional Choir of the Year
• Chicago Mass Choir
• Ricky Dillard & New G
• Greater Mt. Calvary Church Choir
• Mississippi Mass Choir
• Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year
• Moses Tyson Jr, “Music Remastered & Sacred Organ”
• Harold Rayford, “I Am the Instrument”
• Todd Ledbetter, “Meditations: Hymns in the Key of Jazz”
• Winston Stewart, “Season”
• Special Event CD of the Year
• John P. Kee, The Legacy Project
• Shekinah Glory Ministry, Refreshed By Fire
• Bishop Paul Morton Still
• VaShawn Mitchell, My Songbook
• Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
• Flame, Captured
• Lecrae , Rehab
• Viktory, Birth of a Legacy
• Lecrae, Rehab: The Overdose
• Children’s Project of the Year
• Santiago & Claude Deuce, My Destiny Place – My Imagination
• Teen Pure N Heart, Pure N Heart Live
• The Velasquez Singers, Ten
• T-Rep The Young Prayzr, Let’s Go
• Quartet of the Year
• Keith Wonderboy Johnson & Spiritual Voices
• Rance Allen Group
• The Soul Seekers
• Recorded Music Package of the Year[art credit / album ]
• Christina Jones, Dominionaire(Canton Jones)
• Denise Trotman & Greg Gilligan, Hello Fear(Kirk Franklin)
• Martha Munizzi , Make It Loud (Martha Munizzi)
• Tanner Gary, Triumphant (VaShawn Mitchell)
• Praise and Worship CD of the Year
• VaShawn Mitchell, “Triumphant”
• Earnest Pugh, “Earnestly Yours”
• Israel Houghton, “Love God. Love People.”
• Shekinah Glory Ministry, “Refreshed By Fire”
• Spoken Word CD of the Year
• Selah, “Look At You Loving Me”
• Marco the Poet, “Marco the Poet EP”
• Trupoetry, “Truepoetry”
• Michael Diallo McLendon, “The Diallo Experience”

Have a great weekend Saints. (by the way this is a fake sign I created on this website I found).

- Courtesy of the Sunday Morning bulletin of First Pentecostal Church Durham NC

Christianity calls for an individual to be spirit filled. This is not an option. Regardless of if you refer to the Spirit of God as The Holy Ghost, or the Holy Spirit, both terms are one in the same. We are at a big advantage because the Old Testament Saints did not have the Holy Ghost dwelling on the inside of them. We clearly see how hard their lives were. Imagine having to go through rituals year after year, pulling out a big list of do’s and don’t's. Dont eat shellfish, don’t work on the sabbath day, and the list goes on and on. No longer do we have to follow strict Levitical ceremonial laws. Instead, we still follow the moral laws God gave us and added to that the indwelling of the Holy Ghost which allows us to live a morally victorious life of purity sanctified for the Masters use. So to teach against the Holy Ghost is to teach against the Word of God. Now that we have a “well of water springing up unto everlasting life” on the inside of us, we can use this bountiful water to never thirst again. The Holy Ghost indwelling in the lives of the believer allows us to never thirst again. Jude admonishes us that if we pray in the Holy Ghost, we build up our faith. So in other words, when we are faithless, prayer in the Holy Ghost causes us to have faith. When we need that “quicker picker upper” its prayer in the Holy Ghost that guarantees us to get picked up. If you want to please God while simultaneously building up your own holy faith, we must seek to learn how to pray as the Spirit prompts us.

So how do we pray in the Holy Ghost? First we must learn in 2012 that the Lord Jesus Christ is not the pagan god Santa Claus. We don’t make this big grocery list and sit on his lap telling him everything we want and then expect him to say ok. No sir. Here is a quote I found that I feel would be most beneficial to you:

“The best brief statement I have found of what it means to pray in the Holy Spirit goes like this: It means “so to pray that the Holy Spirit is the moving and guiding power.”The key words there are “moving” and “guiding.” In other words, when you pray in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God is “moving” you to pray. That is, he is the one who motivates and enables and energizes your prayer. And when you pray in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God is “guiding” how you pray and what you pray for. So, to pray in the Holy Spirit is to be moved and guided by the Holy Spirit in prayer. We pray by his power and according to his direction.” (Learning to Pray in the Spirit AND THE WORD by Pastor John Piper)

In other words, we must trust God (here is where YOUR FAITH comes in) to give us the Holy Spirit, and in return move us/lead us to pray what we need to pray for through the Spirit that lives within. When we allow God to do this through us, our faith begins to increase. For example, lets say its time to pray and the Spirit leads you to pray for someone in your church that needs a physical healing. You begin to intercede and pray for that person and then the person tells you how God miraculously healed them. Or better yet, its 1:35pm and God has you drop to your knees to pray for someone who might be in trouble. You don’t know this, but while praying at 1:35pm this person is being held up by a gun, and the robber all of a sudden throws the gun one way and runs the other way. Now that’s what I call praying in the Spirit. These are just extreme examples that I’m using. Notice how praying in the Holy Ghost focuses on the need God wants you to focus on and not the selfish needs our flesh tend to crave.

Let your prayers be shaped by the Word of God. You can guarantee your faith to increase by praying in the Holy Ghost using Gods Word as a manual to victory. “But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be  uttered” (Rom. 8:26).  The Word of God promises us that the Spirit will make intercession for us. Simply because we are Spirit filled, we can rest assured the Holy Ghost will prompt us and then make intercession for us. To constantly pray in the Holy Ghost simply means to not pray according to your flesh will and desire, but praying according to the prompting of the Spirit in your life. 2012 should be a year for all of us to sit the flesh down once and for all and allow the Holy Ghost to push is into increasing our Faith.

It was my goal to give you a boost in your spiritual walk today. 2011 is gone and 2012 is here. There is still much work to be done. In my view, the only way we can get the job done is by relying on our faith in God. 2011 faith is not enough for us to rely on. We must build  on the faith that we already possess so that we can do greater works for Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Tune in, as next Monday, we will talk about how to stay motivated by keeping ourselves in the love of God. A sure way to build yourself in your most holy faith.

Be blessed this week in Jesus Name.

Just wanted to share these videos with you to put a smile on your face. Amazing! Simply amazing!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE ALBUM

“Join Bishop C. E. White and the St. John Apostolic Church family on this journey down memory lane.  Bishop White sings songs of old that are sure to stir your spirit and put joy in your feet!”

I lived in Atlanta for a total of 7 years, HOWEVER, that was over a 15 year period. (yes, I returned to Atlanta 4 times). While I was in college back in the mid 90s I was a member of St. John Apostolic Holiness Church. Thats actually where I was baptised in Jesus Name long long ago.  I was just 19 years old and a fire-ball.. (Yes, I know I was at Love Fellowship since 14 but we didn’t have a pool for baptism….long story) Bishop White took me down himself in Jesus Name, and you know I came up out the water speaking in tongues and shouting. I sooo remember that day. He told me “Brother, they are gonna call you Jesus Only, but who cares, because it was ONLY JESUS that saved you”.

Now for the album review. I’m floored that there are 2 Praise Breaks on this album. Rightfully so, this church has crazy stomp down church every time they open the doors. I mean the DANCING they do is surreal. While all the songs seem to be in written in the same key, same tune, and same beat, this does not negate the fact that this is not a solid old-time Pentecostal album particularly from the Southern Gospel Region of the United States. I say that because up north in New York City, I didn’t grow up on any of these songs. If you’re looking for that old school Pentecostal Apostolic feel coupled with 2 urban gospel praise breaks, this will surely be the album for you. I’m proud to have once been a part of St. John and look forward to the many positive reviews this album will receive.

Towards the final week of 2011, I felt a desire in the Spirit to start a series that will help build up The Body of Christ for this upcoming new year 2012. By simply asking, the Lord has placed a series on my heart to conduct this month entitled, “Building Up Yourselves In Your Most Holy Faith”. The series will start Monday January 8th with new postings on Monday’s January 15, 22, and 28. It is my earnest desire to add to whatever your Pastor is already preaching. My goal is simply to encourage you in the faith so as to catapult you into your Christian destiny.

The foundation of your faith can be found in the teachings of the Apostles. Your Bible is clear on this. Ephesian 2:20 says “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone” You can never go wrong with an Apostolic foundation. We know this because Jesus Himself co-signed on everything the Apostles did.  We can rest assured the Lord is pleased because He put His stamp of approval on the doctrine by making Himself the Chief Cornerstone. In other words, every teaching that proceeds out of the mouth of God’s man servants (i.e. the Apostles) is built on the teachings of Jesus. We can go back to the day of Pentecost and see that there was no other teachings to be followed but of the teachings of the Apostles. Acts 2:42 is clear when it says ”And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine”. This is the foundation of your faith. Throughout this series, you will be able to clearly apply key principles to building yourself up in your most holy faith by relying on the foundation that has already been laid, the foundation of the Apostles which points us directly to Jesus. Notice how Jude personalizes faith by saying “your most holy faith”. No longer is it just “the faith of the church, or the faith of a set of religious people” it is YOUR FAITH. Since we cannot please God unless we have faith, and since our Christian walk is faith-based, it would only seem fitting for 2012 that we all desire to build up ourselves in our most holy faith. I get excited just thinking about it.

To start, I’d like to catapult your faith for 2012 by sharing with you a powerful testimony by DR. ROYCE CORNELIUS:  First Baptist Church of the Apostolic Faith-Chicago, IL. In his testimony, Dr. Cornelius shares his conversion from being a Baptist preacher to being witnessed to about the Apostolic Faith and baptism in Jesus Name. This testimony is sure to be a “quicker picker upper” and serves as a reminder of what the power of God can do when we adhere to The Truth. Be blessed by the YouTube clips and be looking out Monday for Lesson 1 of “Building Up Yourselves In Your Most Holy Faith”.

To my delight, I received a phone call advising me that Greater Refuge Temple will now have live streaming of their Sunday worship services.  According to Bishop Bonners statement on the church website, “You  are invited to join us  at 12:30 pm each Sunday afternoon for our worship  service  streamed live.” To God Be The Glory! What an excellent way to start the new year off.

CLICK HERE For Live Streaming of Greater Refuge Temple Church Sunday Worship Service

****Disclaimer: If you are easily offended, DO NOT WATCH these videos. My purpose is NOT to offend but to enlighten. In your case it might be more safe to just read the synopsis of each video.****

Unfortunately, year-end reviews really don’t focus on the positive. They tend to focus on who died, who divorced who, who was arrested, who’s on drugs, so forth and so on. Whether in written or video form, you can always expect year-end reviews to be about the latest scandals that plagued the nation right before the new year is ushered in. Sad but true.

I’m going to be honest with you. This year-end review DOES start out pretty negative. For a moment, I want to share with you highlights on how strong evil is running rampant on the earth. Sometimes if we can see the wrong road to take concerning our Christian walk and witness the end result thereof, it becomes easier to make the right decisions concerning staying within the confines of the True Church. It then becomes vitally important to witness to as many souls as possible to come out from false doctrine and bring them into His marvelous light. If you think make up, jewelry, pants, women preachers, divorce and remarriage, facial hair and the like are HOTTT TOPICS that denominations within the Apostolic Faith tend to disagree on, you need to take a look at the following videos to see whats really going on in the so-called church world today. Rest assured, after watching these videos, we will be leaving on a positive note ready to embrace 2012 with the victory. But first, watch these videos.

Did you know that Jesus Christ committed suicide??? SHOCKED??? Me too! But according to mega church Pastor Fred Price out in California, he is teaching his entire congregation this heresy. Dont be surprised. Your bible said this would happen. Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Now do you see why its important to know the Word.

We have Leroy Thompson preaching yet another prosperity sermon. While he preaches, the members are randomly walking up to him putting money in his hands. As if you can pay for the gospel. He explains how this is all divine. Later you will see his members waking to the altar throwing money down. This is the type of church your next door neighbor is going to. Rest assured, if they aren’t doing it now in your neighbors church, their Pastor will be trying to get them to do this very soon. Its called the “monkey see-monkey do” syndrome.

Turn to your neighbor and say F.U.! Yeah I said it. But see Saints, I’m not really cursing because according to Jamal Bryant and some other random mega preacher, F.U. means forgive you. I forgive you for all the wrong you’ve done. Matter of fact, we are even going to sell F.U. t-shirts in the church bookstore. Yup that’s right! F.U. t-shirts. Now you and I both know that F.U. is a CURSE and has nothing to do with Forgive You. Saints, I’m trying to keep you aware of whats going on. This is really happening and spreading in the pulpit. Watch these videos if you don’t believe me.

How about Lester Love who does not want to expound on negative but preach only positive things. By the way, he preaches so much “love” that he takes R&B and Hip Hop songs and converts them to gospel songs. Then he takes those songs and turns his entire sanctuary into a club and in the pulpit where the preacher would normally stand, he replaces it with a DJ while the congregation dances. You don’t believe me, WATCH THE VIDEO!

To wrap up this year-end review, if you though the videos above was something, look at Mega Pastor in Nigeria David Oyedepo who has people kneeling at the altar for what looks like a deliverance service. In it, a woman claims she is a witch for Jesus. This eventually prompts the Pastor to slap her, then tells her she is not set for deliverance and is free to go to hell. YES, I said he SLAPPED her. Watch the video.

After watching these videos, it is clear to see that we that have the Truth cannot sit comfortably in our pews and wait until Jesus comes. Watching these videos should stir the Holy Ghost on the inside of you to witness like never before and help show these people there is a more excellent way. It’s not enough to sit in church with your bedazzled church hat, or your black and white pilgrim missionary uniform on and not have a desire to compel people to Christ. It’s not enough to preach we don’t watch tv and that our women wear long uncut hair and yet sit there and invite no one to hear the Truth coming from a Pastor that preaches The Truth. It’s not enough for you to say we wear cotton stockings and our men shave our face and don’t wear beards. It’s not enough to boast in no women preachers. It’s not enough to just pay your tithes and be complacent in the House of God. God has work for you to do. You hear me. REAL WORK! So what are you going to do now that you really know what goes behind the closed doors of these mega churches. Are you gonna sit there passively and look for Christ to crack the sky, or are you going to work while its day, for when night cometh, no man can work.

As promised, we are going out of the new year with a bang. Here are some videos I found that took place this year that is sure to bless your soul.

Here is a Christmas Day Service where a soul was baptised in Jesus Name at a random Apostolic Church. Thais THIS YEAR, 2011, just a few days ago. What a mighty God we serve.

Here is another clip of an Indian man (by his dress I can tell he was of the Hindu tradition). He is being baptised in Jesus Name.

Apostolics taking it to the street. Oh how I love street services. Here is a clip back in July of 2011 with IPC Church.

Union City Apostolic Praise Team singing at an Altar Call this year 2011. WOW, you can feel the mighty move of God in this church. AMAZING to say the least. See, I told you this post would get positive. This is what YOUR brothers and sisters do every Sunday. I so cant wait to meet all these Saints when we get to heaven. Might I add that is ONE HOTT BAND! I love good music.

Here is another clip of Union City Apostolic Church Choir singing and shouting before the Lord in a great Apostolic service. Lawd I to get to California.

While churches boast 20,000 members in some of these mega churches, we in America can boast in the North American Youth Congress 2011 which drew some 20,000+ youth in Ohio this year. All Oneness Pentecostal believers. All hope is NOT lost I promise you. There are still those holding on to the truth.

The Apostolic Church is visible. Oneness Pentecostal believers still exist and Holiness is still right and being preached in pulpits world-wide. I WILL NOT COMPROMISE THIS MESSAGE IN 2012! Do you hear what I say. NO COMPROMISE! It is still holiness or hell. They come against me all the time saying I preach too much holiness. I will NOT play with your soul. Holiness can be found in all 66 books of the bible so I have a right and you have a right to preach holy, live holy, and BE HOLY for He is holy. Rejoice, because your latter will be greater in 2012. Keep your eyes on JESUS and not these false prophets that seemingly abound. Be blessed in Jesus Name and I look forward to great signs, wonders, and miracles our Lord Jesus Christ will perform through his children come 2012.

Bless you in Jesus Name and Happy New Year!

ONE LORD ONE FAITH ONE BAPTISM

Bendito sea el Señor!

Me alegré mucho cuando me dijeron: vamos a entrar en la casa de Jehová. Nuestra iglesia tiene un ministerio español. Contamos con servicio de España cada viernes noche para todos aquellos que hablan en español e inglés. Al mismo tiempo que he sido invitado a venir por nuestro pastor español numerosas veces, yo aún no había llegado y comunión con mis hermanos de origen español y las hermanas en un viernes noche. Que todo detenido ayer por la noche! Por primera vez en mi vida, asistí al español culto pentecostal Apostólica servicio donde todo el servicio se realizó en español. Me quedé tan impresionado por la alabanza, la adoración, el cante y el baile. La mayoría de todos, la predicación de la Palabra fue exactamente lo que necesitaba. Una buena forma antigua Sede Apostólica sermón de cómo Dios fue manifestado en carne propia el da nació de la Virgen María y que verdaderamente Jesús es el gran Dios en Cristo.  Y lo mejor de todo es, todo el servicio fue traducida por mí usando este dispositivo Bluetooth al que yo llevaba en mi oído. Qué migty Dios servimos.

“Los hispanos o latinos constituyen el 16,3 % del total población de los Estados Unidos, o 50,5 millones de personas y constituyen el segundo grupo étnico más grande.” es mi firme convicción de que nosotros como anunciaremos comienzan a salir de nuestra zona de confort y comienza a ganar un poco de español las almas para Cristo.

Inglés puede ser el único idioma que usted conoce, pero que no deje usted de ordenar Español extensiones para pasar en la calle durante su testimonio diario. Usted también puede tener un ministerio español en su iglesia. La cosecha está madura Santos, pero los obreros pocos. Ir allí y entrar en el terreno y poner en algunos de los de América Latina las almas. Orar para que Dios envía billingual personas a su iglesia para que puedan ministrar a personas que sólo hablan español.

Creo que todos deberían tener un español extensión de la iglesia local. Las almas más llegamos con independencia de cualquier barrera del idioma, tanto más agradable nos volvemos a nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo. Im diciendo a ustedes, me quedé alucinando por mis hermanos y hermanas españolas anoche. Yo era cómoda, no me sentí fuera de lugar, y lo más importante es que todos me hizo saber que todos somos unos de la única iglesia y que no había ninguna diferencia. Acabo de tener que compartir esta búsqueda rápida experiencia con ustedes en el nombre de Jesús.

Si usted desea ordenar algunas extensiones apostólica española, aquí es un buen sitio web para usted a comprarlos: http://pentecostalpublishing.com/store/Tracts

I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.

Our church has a Spanish ministry. We have Spanish service every Friday night for all those that speak with Spanish and English. While I’ve been invited to come by our Spanish Pastor numerous times, I had yet to come over and fellowship with my Spanish brothers and sisters on a Friday night. That all stopped last night! For the first time in my life, I attended an Apostolic Pentecostal Spanish worship service where the entire service was conducted in Spanish. I was so amazed by the praise, the worship, the singing, and the dancing. Most of all, the preached Word was exactly what I needed. A good old fashion Apostolic sermon of how God was manifested in flesh the da He was born of the Virgin Mary and that truly Jesus is the mighty God in Christ. And the best part is, the entire service was translated for me using this bluetooth device that I wore in my ear. What a migty God we serve.

“Hispanics or Latinos constitute 16.3% of the total United States population, or 50.5 million people, forming the second largest ethnic group.” It is my firm belief that we as Apostolics begin to step out of our comfort zones and start winning some Spanish souls to Christ. English may be the only language that you know, but that does not stop you from ordering Spanish tracts to pass out in the street during your daily witness. You too can have a spanish ministry in your church. The harvest is ripe Saints, but the laborers are few. Go out there and get into the field and bring in some of those Latin American souls. Pray that God sends billingual people to your church so they can minister to people who only speak Spanish. I think everyone should have a Spanish extension of the local church. The more souls we reach regardless of any language barrier, the more pleasing we become to Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Im telling you, I was so amazed by my Spanish brothers and sisters last night. I was comfortable, I did not feel out of place, and most importantly, everyone let me know that we are all about of the One church and that there was no difference. I just had to share this quick experience with you in Jesus Name.

If you would like to order some spanish apostolic tracts, here is a good website for you to purchase them: http://pentecostalpublishing.com/store/Tracts

I’m sad to announce the passing of Apostle Lobias Murray, Apostle over Full Gospel Holy Temple in the Dallas, TX area. You might know him and his grandson, Bishop Herman Murray, current Pastor of the local church in Dallas who preaches on the Word Network. Doctrinally, they are not Apostolic and even though this is an Apostolic website I did want to take some time to show Christian charity by expressing my sincere sympathies to the Full Gospel Holy Temple church in the loss of their leader.

The funeral services for The Chief Apostle Lobias Murray will be

Wednesday, December 28th from 12PM-7PM (Public Viewing)

Thursday, December 29th at 7:00pm (Pastoral Memorial Service)

Friday, December 30th, 2011 at 11:00am  (Funeral Celebration)

@ the Full Gospel Holy Temple World Headquarters.

39727 LBJ Freeway (I-20 @ Hampton Rd.) Dallas, TX 75237

LIVE STREAMING OF SERVICES CLICK HERE

Disclaimer: You are reading an Apostolic Oneness Pentecostal blog posting. We believe in repentance of sin, water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and the in filling of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:38). We believe there is ONE God and NOT THREE PERSONS (Deuteronomy 6:4), that God has a Name. We hold firm that Jesus Christ is the Name of Almighty God and no one else (Isaiah 9:6-9, John 1:1, Matthew 1:23, Revelation 22:13). If you don’t know who Jesus is, I invite you to stick around so we can show you The more excellent way.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

The Oneness of God can be shown throughout this particular passage of scripture as Isaiah prophecies the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that the son was Jesus, and according to this scripture Jesus is The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and Counsellor (Holy Ghost) along with several other manifestations. While scripture does not support December 25th as the actual day our Lord Jesus Christ was born, it does not negate the fact that his birth shouldnt be commemorated in some way.

We must recognize that in addition to His birth, we can assure our salvation in Him by commemorating His life, death, and resurrection through water baptism in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38)

For me, Christmas is no longer about trees, lights, and the giving of gifts. For me, it’s a time to reflect on the need for a human saviour to be born. A human that was both God and Man. A human who was born into a world of sin, yet knew no sin. A human that had emotions and feelings just like you and I, yet a God that could forgive sins right on the spot!

As the close of another year comes, and as the dawn of a new year slowly arrives, lets take the time to be thankful for thinking so much of “little ole me” to come down from heaven and physically save such a wretch like me. That, my dear friend is the true meaning of the Birth of Christ!

HAVE A MERRY DECEMBER 25TH AND A GLORIOUS NEW YEAR

YOUR FRIENDS AT APOSTOLIC ONENESS PENTECOSTALS

It’s that time of year where people start to list different New Years resolutions for the upcoming year. Some top new years resolutions I’d assume would be to loose weight, take a long needed vacation, quit drinking, smoking, cursing, and the list goes on and on. What we don’t realise is that the very bad habit that we are attempting to get rid of, 10 times out of 10 can be placed in the category of one of the 16 works of the flesh. You see, “The Works Of The Flesh” are all guaranteed to keep you out of heaven. By no means is this a doom and gloom fire and brimstone post. I’m here to teach HOLINESS and HOLINESS is what you will get. As Holy Ghost filled and Baptised in Jesus Name believers, we need to honestly take a look at this list and see if we can find any of these works of the flesh working against us in our Christian walk.

Tuesday night word and worship was very profound for me. It allowed me to listen to a lesson that was either going to make me a better Christian, or keep me out of heaven all together. Its my goal to keep this post somewhat short, but regardless of the length, I want each reader to hold the mirror up to yourself and examine yourself. As you examine yourself, ask yourself “do I have anything that will keep me out of heaven that I need deliverance from”? If the answer is yes, please keep reading. If the answer is no, keep reading anyway as this will help you be a better witness to someone struggling in these various areas. The flesh is against the Spirit of God and the Spirit Of God works against the flesh. It is a constant battle. It is up to YOU to use the power that comes with the Holy Ghost to conquer everything that is not like God in the believer’s life. (Acts 1:8)

Lets turn to Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”. To me, this scripture is a promise directly from God. If we walk in the Spirit, we will NOT fulfill the lust (temptations) of the flesh. Stay with me, because the next scripture we are going to go to describes areas of the flesh that need to be conquered. Galatians 5:19-21 says “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Bottom line, if you participate in any of these sins listed and you do not repent, you are guaranteed NOT to go to heaven. God help us all to yield to your Spirit and stop operating in the flesh. Next, we are going to break down what each of these sins are. Yeah, we know what adultery and fornication is, but some of us have NO CLUE what variance, emulation and seditions are. So, lets rightly divide the Word together so we can get a clear understanding.

Adultery

Adultery is when a person has sex outside of marriage. John is married to Sue. Sue has sex with Bob who is NOT her husband. Susan has committed adultery. You get my point? If you are having sex with someone other than your husband or wife or even desiring to have sex with someone other than your spouse, you are committing adultery. Adultery is sin, and if you don’t repent, this sin will keep you out of heaven.

Fornication

Sexual relations while you are single. John is single, he has no wife. However, from time to time, John has sex with various women. John is committing fornication. Fornication is sin, and if you don’t repent, this sin will keep you out of heaven.

Uncleanness

Uncleanness is the very opposite of holiness. This is a failure to live a clean and godly life. Anything that is not pure is sin. Bob tells dirty jokes at work. Sue watches ungodly channels on television and the internet. When Bill is at the local 7-11 he browses the magazine section and looks at xrated books. These as well as thousands of other actions are examples of uncleanness.  These actions are a direct contradiction to the holiness standards God has outlined in the bible. Just remember, anything that is NOT HOLY would fall under the category of uncleanness.

Lasciviousness

Can anyone guess what this word means? I’ll give you a hint. The root word is lust. When you lust, are indecent, lewd, and immoral, you are operating in the sin of lasciviousness. People who cannot control their behavior. Examples like gambling, debating/arguing, gossiping, voyeurism, lying, cheating, stealing, sleeping, tardiness, daydreaming.

Idolatry

The root word is idol. This would include an idol or image. Things like the little Buddha statues, virgin mary statues, crosses that you bow to, rosary beads, pictures of Jesus, pictures of “dead saints”. Lets go deeper and see what the word says about idols. Deuteronomy 7:25 “The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therin: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.” Your bible says idols (images of gods) need to be burned with fire. Then God says to NOT desire the very jewelry on the idols. He said NOT to even take the jewelry from them because you will be ensnared by it if you do. Then he said this is an abomination (the idol and the jewelry that it wears). Judge for yourself if you should wear earrings, cross necklaces, and rings on your finger. I know there are jewelry wearers that read this blog, I need you to really settle within yourself and see according to scripture if it is befitting for a Christian to wear jewelry. If you reason from the scriptures I believe God will reveal the answer to you. I am not GOD and cannot judge you for the ornaments you might wear, but I can point you in the right direction that will be pleasing to the Lord according to scripture so that you can determine for yourself the actions you should take.

Witchcraft

Christians are not to go to palm readers and fortune tellers even if it’s all for fun and games. Christian children (and adults) are not to play with Ouija boards and have seances. Anyone that uses sorcery and magic powers and practices in the occult is sinning and if you don’t repent will not go to heaven. Harry Potter is a prime example of a character who practices witchcraft. Make sure parents that you DO NOT allow your children to read these books. Exodus 22:18 even tells us that thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. God means serious business when dealing with the sin of witchcraft.

Hatred

This means to have hate or intense dislike towards someone. This also means to have bitter feelings towards someone. The only hatred that you as a Christian are allowed to have is a hatred for SIN!

Variance

This means to have strife. To be contentious. Persons who sow seeds of discord. You always enjoy doing the opposite of what someone else is. For instance, it is clear the sky is blue, a person operating in variance will say the very opposite that the sky is purple. You’ve been around those type of people. No matter what anyone says, they are always going to say the complete opposite on purpose and enjoy doing this. This is sin.

 Emulation

These are people who try to be equal or surpass whatever someone else is doing. They have an attitude of “I can do it better than you”. Wiki even says “to compete or rival with some degree of success, especially through imitation” According to the word, this is sin.

Wrath

Uncontrolled temper. Anger. Fury. Indignation. All of these are examples of wrath.

Seditions

Bottom line, this is a person that incites discontent. This person throws their rocks and hides their hands so to speak. They get people together, incite anger in them, and then stand back and watch the discontent spread like cancer. This is a sin.

Heresies

False teaching, false doctrine. The doctrine of the trinity is a heresy. baptizing in titles is a heresy. Marriage between two men or two women is a heresy. Any false teaching that is contrary to scripture is deemed a heresy.   Its sin and you wont be able to go to heaven operating in false doctrine.

Envy

This is discontent at anthers good fortune. You’re a jealous person. You desire things that don’t belong to you. This is envy and envy is a sin.

Murder

Killing another human being.

Drunkedness

Intoxication, strong drink. This is why the holiness church stands by the teaching to not consume alcohol at all (not in moderation but not at all) so you will not open the door to drunkedness. Its better to abstain all together than to drink in moderation thinking that intoxication door wont eventually be opened. Side note, lets say I never drank but I went to a church that told me I could drink in moderation. I go out and take a sip of alcohol and after one sip I get drunk. I JUST SINNED! You see why the moderation rule WONT WORK! It ultimately will lead to sin.

Revilings

Those that have that “party spirit”  that “lets have a good time and carouse” spirit. We are not talking about clean wholesome parties like birthday dinners and such. A prime example is a recent high school graduate that has one sole purpose of going to college. To have a good time the entire time they are away from home by living it up and partying. This is sin.

…and such like

This is not to be considered a comprehensive list of sins. Rather, the scripture goes on to say that if you do anything “such like” the things mentioned, you will not inherit the kingdom of God.

That said, prayer coupled with reading God’s Holy Word will ensure that you feed yourself a healthy diet of holiness and righteousness. When you eat holiness and righteousness and no other diet, you can rest assured you will not operate in any of these works of the flesh. “In our seeking deliverance from besetting sins such as drunkenness and sexual lusts, we need to submit to God: “Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7.)  “ (Bob Vincent – How To Conquer Sin In Your Life) After studying all of these works of the flesh, surprisingly I have entertained some of these and immediately asked God to deliver me. I was so glad someone broke these sins down to me because I did not want to live in error and miss out on heaven. Thank God for a Pasto that stands on the holiness principles of the Bible.

Saints, we gotta live holy. I can clearly see why the word says “for without holiness no man shall see the Lord”. The good news is Christ has not come yet, so let us all repent now from operating in the flesh and go into 2012 with 16 new resolutions vowing to never participate in the works of the flesh again so long as I eat a healthy diet of holiness and righteousness while walking in the Spirit.

The Pentecostals At The Church Of Christ Funeral

The funeral chapel was jammed with about 30 Pentecostals and nearly 100 Church of Christ members.  Evidently this funeral was considered important. Six Church of Christ pastors were in attendance and each one spoke. No Pentecostal preacher had been invited to speak; yet several of us came anyway. I sat close to the back with my brother-in-law Pastor Nathan Yandris and my sister Ramona.

The large framed picture sitting on the closed casket was one of a beautiful middle-aged woman named Phyllis. She had a look of professionalism and class about her. Her brown hair was cut shoulder length. It appeared her make up had been professionally applied for the photo, and her jewelry looked very expensive.

The front row contained a grieving husband and beside him, his redheaded son and daughter-in-law. The son appeared to be the only child. No others sat near, leaving the guests to assume the mourners were alone in this crowd.

The Church of Christ preachers spoke one by one, and each said comforting things that I am sure helped. The final speaker did a superb job, actually. One could tell this was not his first funeral.

At the conclusion of his homily, the minister announced, “It is the wishes of the family that those who wish to say a few words about our beloved sister, should have an opportunity to say a public goodbye. He then walked to the front row and sat down.

One at a time, six middle-aged women walked to the podium and spoke sweet words about the loss of their friend. All of them mentioned that they had met Phyllis at either AA or Al-Anon.

They spoke of her friendship, of her church activities, her help with their lives, and her struggle with addictions and theirs.

After the last one sat down, there was a moment of quietness as all waited for someone else to stand. No one did.

Turning around and giving the crowd a swift appraising look, the redheaded son clutched a new Bible as he stepped to the small podium. His 25 years seemed much older. He was poised. He held the Bible in his left hand up close to his heart.

With a voice that never broke, he thanked everyone for coming. He thanked the ministers that spoke and he thanked his mother’s pastor as well.

With a smile to the women that had come to the front to speak, he thanked them as cherished friends.

That is where his story began!

“Almost 6 weeks ago, I first heard that my mom had cancer.  The doctor said that it was terminal and inoperable. I was shattered. Then they said she only had a few days to live. I was an immediate basket case.

“My mom was young, she was beautiful too,” He said, pointing at her picture.

“I went home that night and sat on my front porch. I was drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette, and was crying my heart out, when this man saw me and stopped.” (He pointed at a large black man on the 2^nd row.) “He asked me if I was alright? I told him no.

“When he came up to the porch I told him the news about my mom. He spoke comforting words to me and asked if he could pray for me. I said yes and he did. I felt something I had never felt before.

“Then he sat down beside me and taught me what he called a short Home Bible Study. He showed me about Acts 2:38. He said that I needed to repent, and get baptized in Jesus name and that the Lord would give me the Holy Ghost. He said that Jesus would be my comforter.

“I prayed right there on my porch and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. I told him I wanted to be baptized the Bible way, so he took me to his church, Apostolic Tabernacle, and the pastor came over and baptized me in Jesus name. When I came up out of the water, I was speaking in tongues. I got the Holy Ghost just like they did in the Bible!” He said, as he raised and then waved his Bible.

The Pentecostals responded with much noise and many of us stood and clapped our hands. The Church of Christ crowd went silent.

“I was thrilled! I had never been so happy in my life! That night I prayed that God would help me to share this with my mom. I knew she had to have this before she died.

“I prayed that God would help me find a way to speak to her. I knew she was wrapped up in her Church. She had been a lifetime member, and had always been involved in one department or another.

“The first thing the next morning, I prayed before I went over to mom’s house. When I got there, I was surprised to see a Bible lying open on the kitchen table.”

“I asked mom what the Bible was there for, and she said that she was close to dying and didn’t feel saved. She said she was looking for more than what she had.

“I said mom, you been a member of the Church of Christ for 45 years.”

She said, “That’s right, but I’m not ready to meet God. I need more!”

(He turned to the Church of Christ pastor and said, “Sorry sir!”)

The redheaded new convert was filled with Holy Ghost enthusiasm as he told his story. His eyes were red rimmed and watering.

I said, “Mom, let me tell you what had happened to me last night. I told her the whole story. About the beer, the Bible study, the baptism and the Holy Ghost.

“Mom started crying and said son, ‘Tell me what he told you.’

I sat down with her and showed her the same scriptures in Acts that my new friend had told me.

“She got down and began to repent like the Bible said to. When she finished, she said that she couldn’t leave the house to go to church. She was too weak and was attached to an oxygen tank.

“Mom said, maybe we could fill her big Jacuzzi tub up and baptize her in that. Dad helped me and I baptized my mom in Jesus name. She came up out of the water speaking in tongues just like I did. I was so happy, I shouted all over the room.”

(All of us Pentecostals are now on our feet, with our hands in the air, worshipping!)

“My dad said, ‘Baptize me too!’ So I did and he got the Holy Ghost too”

“I sure did,” came a strong voiced reply from the front row. The dad had his hand in the air.

The Pentecostal’s worship was so overwhelming that even some of the church of Christ people started crying by now.

They all knew that a man with an experience is never at the mercies of a man with an argument.

The worship of the small group of saints roared in the ears of opposition. For several minutes it went on. It felt unstoppable.

“All of you Church of Christ members need this Holy Ghost, he went on. “It will do for you what AA can’t. It will do for you what Al-Anon can’t. You need to be baptized in Jesus name to be saved. You need the Holy Ghost speaking with other tongues to be saved. If you want to see my mom in heaven, then obey Acts 2:38.

When he walked back to his place, the crowd stood and gave him a standing ovation.

If you don’t know by now, I am a choir junkie!!! I love that large choir sound with choir robes and traditional choir music backing up earth shattering vibrato notes that only a skillful singer can sing. I bring to you Dexter Walker and Zion Movement and their album entitled Move II: Bring The Choir Back. If your a fan of the traditional mass choir sound, this album is for you. The album opens up with “No Rock” which is sure to please many Sunday Morning worshipers. Remember when the choir use to march down the aisle with robes and hands clapping exuberantly through the aisle as they marched? This is what this song puts you in the mindset of. (A+) The next song “Spread The Word” is a hand clapping foot stompin song that puts you in the mindset of those old testimony songs that use to be sung before Praise and Worship even existed. A real churchy beat and the lyrics straight up tell you how we need to spread the word that Jesus is coming back. Another favorite that I’ve been bumpin is “Your Latter Will Be Greater”. It almost sounds like a New Direction meets Thompson Community Choir (remember them for all you old choir heads). Great song for a youth choir to learn. All in all this album gets an A+ and I can’t wait till the next album comes out. If you have not purchased this CD, run and get it ASAP.