Psalm 78:41 “They turned back and limited the Holy One of Israel.” The meaning of this verse is: Israel’s unbelief, complaining, and refusal to trust God in the wilderness restricted what God would have done for them. Not because God lacked power—but because their unbelief shut the door. Matthew 13:58 He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Jesus’ power wasn’t the issue. Their unbelief was. Mark 6:5–6 “He could do no mighty work there… and He marveled because of their unbelief.” This is one of the strongest statements in the New Testament. Unbelief limits what God does in a person’s life. Hebrews 3:19 “They could not enter in because of unbelief.” Unbelief kept Israel out of the Promised Land—not God’s lack of power. James 1:6–7 “Let him ask in faith… the doubter… should not expect to receive anything.” Doubt blocks what God wants to give. Verses Showing God Responds to Faith (the opposite of limiting Him). Matthew 9:29 “According to your faith be it unto you.” Faith determines the measure of what God releases. Mark 9:23 “All things are possible to him who believes.” Faith removes limits. Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Faith is the channel through which God works. Don’t limit God by: small expectations, unbelief, fear, or disobedience. Do magnify God by: believing His Word, expecting big things, obeying quickly, praying boldly, and trusting His character.
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord … I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day”—John 11:21–24. Beware, in your prayer, above everything, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time you intercede, be quiet first and worship God in his glory. Think of what He can do, of how He delights to hear Christ, of your place in Christ; and expect great things.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Following Jesus requires a decision and then action. Matthew 4:19-20, NIV. “Come, follow me, Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Following Jesus means we will keep His commandments. I John 2:4, NKJV. “He who says, ‘I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.” If we do not follow Jesus, we follow Satan. Matthew 12:30, NIV. “He who is not with Me is against Me, and He who does not gather with Me scatters.” John 10:27 — “My sheep hear my voice… and follow me.” John 8:12 — Whoever follows Jesus will not walk in darkness. 1 John 2:6 — Whoever abides in Him must walk as He walked.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
When you do make commitments, you must not break your word but do everything you said you would do. It’s better not to make a promise than to make one and not keep it. The righteous person honors commitments even when doing so costs them. Breaking your word damages your integrity and trustworthiness—keeping your word reflects your personal integrity, establishes trust and credibility in relationships, and once broken, trust isn’t easily rebuilt. Numbers 30:2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD that he will do something or swears an oath that he won’t do something, he must not break his word. He must do everything he said he would do. Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 When you make a promise to God, don’t be slow to keep it because God doesn’t like fools. Keep your promise. It is better not to make a promise than to make one and not keep it. More broadly, lying lips are disgusting to the Lord, but honest people are his delight. The tongue has power of life and death, and whoever guards their mouth and tongue keeps themselves out of trouble. Proverbs 12:22 Lips that lie are disgusting to the LORD, but honest people are his delight. Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words. Proverbs 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
James 4:6 — “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Romans 12:16 — “Live in harmony… Do not be haughty… Never be wise in your own sight.” 1 Peter 4:11 — Serve “by the strength God supplies… that in everything God may be glorified.” Proverbs 26:12 — “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Micah 6:8 — “…what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
1 Corinthians 15:58 So, then, brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone move you off the foundation ⸤of your faith⸥. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless. Scripture consistently reinforces three themes found in this verse—steadfastness, faithful labor, and God’s promise to reward His people. Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not be weary in well doing… we shall reap, if we faint not.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 — “Be ye strong… your work shall be rewarded.” Hebrews 6:10 — “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love…” Hebrews 13:15–16 — “Do not neglect to do good… for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Stand firm in the faith. Do God’s work abundantly and without wavering. Know with certainty that God sees, remembers, and rewards every act done for Him.
What does the bible say about being prosperous? The Bible teaches that true prosperity is holistic — God desires His people to prosper in soul, in righteousness, in purpose, and in His provision — not merely in money. Material blessing appears in Scripture, but it is never the center; the heart and obedience to God are. Prosperity in Scripture begins with the soul, not the wallet. 3 John 1:2 states Prosperity flows from a healthy soul: “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” Prosperity is the fruit of walking with God, not a shortcut to avoid dependence on Him. Psalm 1:1–3 states The one who delights in God’s Word “prospers in all they do.” Matthew 6:33 states Seek God first, and “all these things will be added.” Prosperity is tied to seeking God first, not seeking prosperity first.
LET US KEEP GOD FIRST. LET US WALK WITH GOD AND BE BLESSED BY GOD.
Matthew 6:33 — Seek God first; provision follows. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Tell believers to live the kind of life that goes along with accurate teachings. Tell older men to be sober. Tell them to be men of good character, to use good judgment, and to be well-grounded in faith, love, and endurance. Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God. Tell them not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of virtue. In this way they will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children, to use good judgment, and to be morally pure. Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselves under their husbands’ authority. Then no one can speak evil of God’s word. Encourage young men to use good judgment. Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity. Speak an accurate message that cannot be condemned. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed because they cannot say anything bad about us.
