GOD IS EVERYWHERE AND GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:23–24) Have you ever hoped for a friend who would be there for you no matter what? A friend who knows everything about you, even anticipating what you’ll say next? A friend who never leaves you lonely and who understands you even before you explain yourself? God understands you, he knows everything about you (yes, even the embarrassing parts), and he is always there for you. “Where can I go from your Spirit?” the psalmist exclaims. “Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Psalm 139:7–8). You can’t run away from God. Even your thoughts are known to him. “Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely” (Psalm 139:4). The darkness will never be dark enough to hide you from him. “Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you” (Psalm 139:12). Nothing surprises God. He created you, and he knows you better than you know yourself! Think of a time in your life when you felt lonely or abandoned, or a time when you thought no one saw what you saw. God was there every time. God is everywhere. He cares for his people across the world, accomplishes his purposes in all places, and sees your hurts and dreams, all at the same time. He hears the prayers you pray. He even hears your prayers that you think don’t make sense. Not only does he know, but he also cares. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Evelastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Live wisely James 3:13 EASY [13] Do some of you think that you are wise? Do you think that you are clever? If so, show that you are wise by the way that you live. Be kind to other people. Do things that are good. That is what it means to be wise. Micah 6:8 EASY [8] But God has told us what is good. This is what the Lord wants from us: ‘You must be fair to other people,’ God says. ‘You must want to be kind. And you must be careful to do what I show you.’ 1 Peter 3:10 EASY [10] The Bible says this: ‘Do you want to enjoy your life? Do you want to be happy? Then you must be careful not to say evil things. Do not tell any lies. Psalms 34:12-13 EASY [12] Do you want to live a good life? Do you want your life to be long and happy? [13] If so, do not speak any evil words. Do not tell lies to deceive people. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
SHOULD WOMEN BE PASTORS The Word of God proclaims, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Timothy 2:11–12). In the church, God assigns different roles to men and women. This is a result of the way mankind was created and the way in which sin entered the world (1 Timothy 2:13–14). God, through the apostle Paul, restricts women from serving in roles of teaching and/or having spiritual authority over men. This precludes women from serving as pastors over men, since pastoring definitely includes preaching, teaching publicly, and exercising spiritual authority. There are many objections to this view of women in pastoral ministry. A common one is that Paul restricts women from teaching because in the first century, women were typically uneducated. However, 1 Timothy 2:11–14 nowhere mentions educational status. If education were a qualification for ministry, then the majority of Jesus’ disciples would not have been qualified. A second common objection is that Paul only restricted the women of Ephesus from teaching men (1 Timothy was written to Timothy, the pastor of the church in Ephesus). Ephesus was known for its temple to Artemis, and women were the authorities in that branch of paganism—therefore, the theory goes, Paul was only reacting against the female-led customs of the Ephesian idolaters, and the church needed to be different. However, the book of 1 Timothy nowhere mentions Artemis, nor does Paul mention the standard practice of Artemis worshipers as a reason for the restrictions in 1 Timothy 2:11–12. A third objection is that Paul is only referring to husbands and wives, not men and women in general. The Greek words for “woman” and “man” in 1 Timothy 2 could refer to husbands and wives; however, the basic meaning of the words is broader than that. Further, the same Greek words are used in verses 8–10. Are only husbands to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger and disputing (verse ? Are only wives to dress modestly, have good deeds, and worship God (verses 9–10)? Of course not. Verses 8–10 clearly refer to all men and women, not just husbands and wives. There is nothing in the context that would indicate a narrowing to husbands and wives in verses 11–14. Yet another objection to this interpretation of women in pastoral ministry references women in positions of leadership in the Bible, specifically Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah in the Old Testament. It is true that these women were chosen by God for special service to Him and that they stand as models of faith, courage, and, yes, leadership. However, the authority of women in the Old Testament is not relevant to the issue of pastors in the church. The New Testament Epistles present a new paradigm for God’s people—the church, the body of Christ—and that paradigm involves an authority structure unique to the church, not for the nation of Israel or any other Old Testament entity. Similar arguments are made using Priscilla and Phoebe in the New Testament. In Acts 18, Priscilla and Aquila are presented as faithful ministers for Christ. In verse 18, Priscilla’s name is mentioned first, suggesting to some that she was more prominent in ministry than her husband. (The detail of whose name comes first is probably inconsequential, because in verses 2 and 26 the order is reversed from that of verse 18.) Did Priscilla and her husband teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to Apollos? Yes, in their home they “explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:26). Does the Bible ever say that Priscilla pastored a church or taught publicly or became the spiritual leader of a congregation of saints? No. As far as we know, Priscilla was not involved in ministry activity in contradiction to 1 Timothy 2:11–14. In Romans 16:1, Phoebe is called a “deacon” (or “servant”) in the church and is highly commended by Paul. But, as with Priscilla, there is nothing in Scripture to indicate that Phoebe was a pastor or a teacher of men in the church. “Able to teach” is given as a qualification for elders, but not for deacons (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:6–9). The structure of 1 Timothy 2:11–14 makes the reason why women cannot be pastors perfectly clear. Verse 13 begins with “for,” giving the “cause” of Paul’s statement in verses 11–12. Why should women not teach or have authority over men? Because “Adam was created first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived” (verses 13–14). God created Adam first and then created Eve to be a “helper” for Adam. The order of creation has universal application in the family (Ephesians 5:22–33) and in the church. The fact that Eve was deceived is also given as a reason for women not serving as pastors or having spiritual authority over men (1 Timothy 2:14). This does not mean that women are gullible or that they are all more easily deceived than men. If all women are more easily deceived, why would they be allowed to teach children (who are easily deceived) and other women (who are supposedly more easily deceived)? The text simply says that women are not to teach men or have spiritual authority over men because Eve was deceived. God has chosen to give men the primary teaching authority in the church. Many women excel in gifts of hospitality, mercy, teaching, evangelism, and helping/serving. Much of the ministry of the local church depends on women. Women in the church are not restricted from public praying or prophesying (1 Corinthians 11:5), only from having spiritual teaching authority over men. The Bible nowhere restricts women from exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12). Women, just as much as men, are called to minister to others, to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), and to proclaim the gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15). God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This does not imply men are better teachers or that women are inferior or less intelligent. It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership—in their lives and through their words. Women are also to set an example in their lives, but in a different way (1 Peter 3:1-6). Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3–5). The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching or having spiritual authority over men. This bars women from serving as pastors to men. This does not make women less important, by any means; rather, it gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with God’s design. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK STUDY TO BE HELPFUL. WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
FAITH Mark 10:52 KJV And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. WE CAN RECEIVE OUR HEALING THROUGH OUR FAITH IN GOD TO HEAL US. GOD IS OUR HEALER, HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH AND BE HEALED BY GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Proverbs 8:32–33 “Now, sons, listen to me. Blessed are those who follow my ways. Listen to discipline, and become wise. Do not leave my ways. Proverbs 10:22 It is the LORD’s blessing that makes a person rich, and hard work adds nothing to it. Proverbs 13:21 Disaster hunts down sinners, but righteous people are rewarded with good. Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor lacks nothing. Whoever ignores the poor receives many curses. Ephesians 6:23–24 God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give our brothers and sisters peace and love along with faith. His favor is with everyone who has an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
PAY ATTENTION TO GOD! Proverbs 16:20 GW [20] Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the Lord. Joshua 23:14 GW [14] “Pay attention, because I will soon die like everyone else. You know with all your heart and soul that not one single promise which the Lord your God has given you has ever failed to come true. Every single word has come true. Proverbs 3:6 GW [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Jeremiah 11:7 GW [7] I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, and the warning still applies to you today. I solemnly warned them to obey me. Job 33:14 EASY [14] God does speak to people. He speaks to them in many different ways. But often people do not recognize his voice. Isaiah 28:23 GW [23] Open your ears, and listen to me! Pay attention, and hear me! TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS SAY, BUT NOT LISTENING TO GOD. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR HELP IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES. PAY ATTENTION TO GOD, ALLOW GOD TO GUIDE YOUR FOOTSTEPS. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GUARD YOUR TONGUE Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Psalm 101:5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure. FOOD FOR THOGHT, ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
A FORGIVING GOD Psalm 86:5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. Numbers 14:18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.’ YES GOD WILL FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS, BUT WE MUST REMEMBER THERE IS A CONSEQUENCE FOR EVERY SIN. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
PRAYER Matthew 18:19–20 “I can guarantee again that if two of you agree on anything here on earth, my Father in heaven will accept it. Where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them.” This passage shows us the power of united prayer—even if the number praying is only two persons. 1. Christ says, “Anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them” (v.19). 2. Christ also says, “There am I in the midst of them” (v.20). Note: Christ did not say, “I will be there.” He is already there. This is a very special presence, the real, actual presence of Christ. It is equivalent to the Shekinah glory, the very special presence of God that dwelt in the tabernacle and temple. It is a deep sense, a consciousness, an intense awareness of God’s Spirit communing with our spirit. God manifests His presence in a very special way to the believer (see note—Jn. 14:21–22; 2 Co. 3:17–18). However, two things are absolutely essential to experience the power of united prayer. 1. “If two of you shall agree [sumphonesosin]”: the words shall agree mean to be in complete accord; to harmonize together like that of a symphony; to sound together; to act together in each other’s nature. It is the very opposite of wandering thoughts, half-hearted commitment, disconnected purpose, disjointed and misplaced understanding, unsynchronized spirits, and incomplete and piecemeal knowledge. 2. If “two or three are gathered together in my name [eis to emon unoma]”: literally this says “into my name.” The idea is close and intimate union with Christ. It is a “getting into” the Spirit of Christ; a longing to be in union with Him and to act only for His glory. It is a depth of spiritual union demonstrated by so few. Note: it comes not only from private prayer but from prayer with others. This says something of critical importance. We should never attempt to correct a brother unless we first have a deep spiritual union with Christ—a union so deep that we can act only for His glory. We must be free of all fleshly urges to get at a brother. We must act only for God’s glory. I HOPE YOU RECEIVED GREATLY FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OUR GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT CAUSING OTHERS TO LOSE FAITH Matthew 18:6–7 “These little ones believe in me. It would be best for the person who causes one of them to lose faith to be drowned in the sea with a large stone hung around his neck. How horrible it will be for the world because it causes people to lose their faith. Situations that cause people to lose their faith will arise. How horrible it will be for the person who causes someone to lose his faith! BE CAREFUL HOW YOU AFFECT OTHERS. DON’T LEAD ANYONE AWAY FROM GOD, DON’T BE A STUMBLING BLOCK BECAUSE GOD LOOKS AT THAT AS THE WORST CONCEIVABLE SIN, AND IT COMES WITH SEVERE JUDGEMENT. JUST A QUICK REMINDER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
? Are only wives to dress modestly, have good deeds, and worship God (verses 9–10)? Of course not. Verses 8–10 clearly refer to all men and women, not just husbands and wives. There is nothing in the context that would indicate a narrowing to husbands and wives in verses 11–14.
