Thankfulness for God’s goodness Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com 1 Chronicles 16:8 “Give thanks to the LORD. Call on his name. Make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 68:19 Thanks be to the Lord, who daily carries our burdens for us. God is our salvation. Selah Psalm 106:1 Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1–4 Give thanks to the LORD because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods because his mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords because his mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the only one who does miraculous things— because his mercy endures forever. Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, we must be thankful that we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Because we are thankful, we must serve God with fear and awe in a way that pleases him. OUR GOD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE. LET US GIVE THANKS TO OUR GOD CONTINUOUSLY. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE WORD OF GOD Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. ALLOW THE WORD OF GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE, AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM PayPal.me/donatetochurch
Ye Are the Branches I am the vine, ye are the branches. —John 15:5 Christ has already said much about the branch. In this verse, He makes a personal application: “‘Ye are the branches’ of whom I have been speaking. As I am the Vine, engaged to be and do all the branches need, so I now ask you, through the Holy Spirit whom I have been promising you, to accept the place I give you, and to be My branches on earth.” The relationship He seeks to establish is an intensely personal one. It all hinges on the two little words I and you. And it is as intensely personal for us as it was for the first disciples. Let us present ourselves before our Lord until He speaks to each of us in power and our souls feel it: I am the Vine; you are the branch. Dear disciples of Jesus, however young or feeble, hear the voice, “Ye are the branches.” You must be nothing less. Let no false humility, no carnal fear of sacrifice, no unbelieving doubts as to what you feel able to do keep you from saying, “I will be a branch, with all that may mean—a branch, very feeble, yet as like the Vine as I can be, for I am of the same nature, and receive of the same Spirit. I will be a branch, utterly helpless, and yet just as manifestly set apart before God and men. I will be as wholly given up to the work of bearing fruit as the Vine itself. I will be a branch, nothing in myself, and yet resting and rejoicing in the faith that knows that He will provide for all. Yes, by His grace, I will be nothing less than a branch, and all He means it to be, that through me, He may bring forth His fruit.” You are the branch. You need be nothing more. You need not for one single moment of the day take upon yourself the responsibility of the Vine. You need not leave the place of entire dependence and unbounded confidence. You need, least of all, to be anxious as to how you are to understand the mystery, fulfill its conditions, or work out its blessed aim. The Vine will give all and work all. The Father—the Husbandman—watches over your union with and growth in the Vine. You need be nothing more than a branch. Only a branch! Let that be your watchword. It will lead you in the path of continual surrender to Christ’s working. You will walk with true obedience to His every command and joyful expectancy of all His grace. Is there anyone who now asks, “How can I learn to say this correctly, ‘Only a branch!’ and to live it out?” Dear soul, the character of a branch, its strength, and the fruit it bears, depend entirely upon the Vine. And your life as a branch depends entirely upon your comprehension of what our Lord Jesus is. Therefore, never separate the two words, “I the Vine—you the branch.” Your life and strength and fruit depend on what your Lord Jesus is! Therefore, worship and trust Him. Let Him be your one desire and the one occupation of your heart. When you feel that you do not and cannot know Him correctly, just remember it is a part of His responsibility as Vine to make Himself known to you. He does this not in thoughts and conceptions—no—but in a hidden growth within the life that is humbly, restfully, and entirely given up to wait on Him. The Vine reveals itself within the branch—from which comes the growth and fruit. Christ dwells and works within His branch. Only be a branch, waiting on Him to do all. He will be to You the true Vine. The Father Himself, the divine Husbandman, is able to make you a branch worthy of the heavenly Vine. You will not be disappointed. Ye are the branches. This word, too, Lord! O speak it in power unto my soul. Do not let the branch of the earthly vine put me to shame, but as it only lives to bear the fruit of the vine, may my life on earth have no other wish or aim but to let You bring forth fruit through me. PLEASE TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS BEING SAID I THIS QUICK REFRESHER. THEN FOCUS ON HOW YOU CAN APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OUR GOD COMMANDS US AND TEACHES US TO BE STRONG. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com “Be strong” to possess God’s possessions, as He urged upon Joshua. Joshua 1:6 Be strong and courageous, because you will help these people take possession of the land I swore to give their ancestors. “Be strong” in the face of difficulties, because the Lord is with us to see us through them. Joshua 1:9 “I have commanded you, ‘Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’ ” “Be strong,” for the Lord bids thee “fear not” those who oppose us, for He pledges Himself not to fail us. Deut. 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Don’t tremble! Don’t be afraid of them! The LORD your God is the one who is going with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you.” “Be strong” to obey Jehovah’s commands, by unfaltering response to them. Joshua 1:7 “Only be strong and very courageous, faithfully doing everything in the teachings that my servant Moses commanded you. Don’t turn away from them. Then you will succeed wherever you go. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
SEEK GOD, AND LIVE A GODLY LIFE. Psalm 25:4 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. Psalm 25:8 The LORD is good and decent. That is why he teaches sinners the way they should live. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit and live a holy life in the fear of God. Psalm 119:133 Make my steps secure through your promise, and do not let any sin control me. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
RECOGNIZE YOUR GIFTS, AND USE YOUR GIFTS Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Romans 12:6–16 God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking what God has revealed, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith. If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully. Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good. Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other. Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord. Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually. Share what you have with God’s people who are in need. Be hospitable. Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and don’t curse them. Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Your Doubt Doesn’t Cause God to Doubt Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31) Some of us are quiet doubters. We’re afraid to let anyone know that we’re not always sure whether God loves us or confident that he has brought us into his family. That’s embarrassing to admit—especially if you’ve been a Christian for a while. You may have even helped other people to come to Christ or grow in their faith, but here you are wondering, “Does he really love me?” Who can you share that with? Other believers might think less of you or not let you serve anymore. Or, worse, your uncertainty might cause someone else to stumble. The apostle Peter was different. He was one of those guys who could live out his faith publicly—even when it was embarrassing. Jesus had called him to be one of his apostles (see Luke 6:13–14). He wanted Peter to be with him, and he wanted to send him out to preach (see Mark 3:14). Peter was part of Jesus’s inner circle, and he was also the first person to publicly declare that Jesus was God’s Messiah (see Matt. 16:15–20). But, not too much earlier, his confidence in Christ had faltered. He and the other disciples had been in a boat and were not making much progress as they headed into a strong wind—when Jesus walked out to them on the surface of the lake. Peter asked Jesus to invite him to come to him on top of the waves, and Jesus did. Peter started well. He stepped out of the boat and began walking toward Jesus, but then he looked around and was overawed at the power of the broken creation that opposed them, and he began to sink. Jesus rescued him, but also called him out, saying, “Why did you doubt?” Jesus named the issue publicly, but not to shame Peter or embarrass him. Nor did that doubt follow him the rest of his life to affect his relationship with Christ or his ministry. Peter not only continued to be an apostle but also helped to lead the other apostles after Jesus ascended into heaven, and he was the vehicle through which Jesus turned many people from their sins to himself (see Acts 2:14–41). Doubt did not forever define Peter or mark how Jesus related to him—it didn’t discourage Jesus, back him off, or make him rethink his choice. Jesus put his finger on the problem so that Peter could move beyond it instead of staying stuck in it. Peter’s doubt in God did not make God doubt his choice of Peter or his plans for Peter’s life. In the same way, your doubt in his love does not cause Jesus to doubt the wisdom of loving you. He doesn’t believe that doubt will have the last word on you. You shouldn’t either. Jesus loves you, regardless of your doubts. No doubt of yours will make him back away or disown you. Are you afraid of talking with God about your doubts? Ask him to show you how your doubt doesn’t intimidate him or turn him against you. Ask him to show you instead how much he wants to free you from your doubt. Act: Have you been afraid to tell other people your doubts? Ask God for a friend or mentor who can handle hearing what you’re wrestling with and can help you to see that God is not afraid of your secret doubts. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Becoming a Christian is personal and public. It’s in the Bible, Romans 10:8-10, TLB. “For salvation that comes from trusting Christ—which is what we preach—is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths. For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God; and with his mouth he tells others of his faith, confirming his salvation.” Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com CHECK YOURSELF: ARE YOU ASHAMED TO TELL PEOPLE JESUS IS YOUR LORD? ARE YOU ASHAMED TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT GOD? DO YOU BELIEVE GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD? ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
