Mark 9:23: “‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.“
Acts 16:31: “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Romans 1:17: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.”
John 11:40: “Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’
Psalm 27:13: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
I HOPE YOU FIND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL. TRUST, BELIEVE, AND RECEIVE.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
1 Corinthians 7:39–40 A married woman must remain with her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if the man is a Christian.However, she will be more blessed if she stays as she is. That is my opinion, and I think that I, too, have God’s Spirit.
Marriage is for life, and is ended by the death of one of the partners (7:39–40). Paul says Christian widows are free to marry—but they should only marry a fellow Christian. His own judgment is that widows will find more happiness in the undivided life of being single.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.”
Psalm 121:1-2: “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
LET US NOT FORGET HOW MUCH WE NEED GOD.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Romans 6:11–14 So consider yourselves dead to sin’s power but living for God in the power Christ Jesus gives you. Therefore, never let sin rule your physical body so that you obey its desires. Never offer any part of your body to sin’s power. No part of your body should ever be used to do any ungodly thing. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have come back from death and are now alive. Offer all the parts of your body to God. Use them to do everything that God approves of. Certainly, sin shouldn’t have power over you because you’re not controlled by God’s laws, but by God’s favor.
2 Timothy 2:22 Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God’s approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.
1 John 3:18 Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.
ALLOW THIS WORD OF GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. LET US LIVE THE NEW LIFE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED US WITH.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Galatians 5:22–23 But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that.
James 3:17 However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.
Romans 8:5–6 Those who live by the corrupt nature have the corrupt nature’s attitude. But those who live by the spiritual nature have the spiritual nature’s attitude. The corrupt nature’s attitude leads to death. But the spiritual nature’s attitude leads to life and peace.
Philippians 1:9–11 I pray that your love will keep on growing because of your knowledge and insight. That way you will be able to determine what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. Jesus Christ will fill your lives with everything that God’s approval produces. Your lives will then bring glory and praise to God.
DON’T ALLOW YOUR CORRUPT NATURE TO CONTROL YOU, ALLOW YOUR SPIRITUAL NATURE TO CONTROL YOU.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
TYPES OF CHRISTIANS Genesis 49 This is Jacob’s dying and prophetic benediction, “I will tell you what shall befall you in the last days.” Taught by the Holy Spirit, he is able to declare the consequences that will surely follow certain well-defined characteristics that had already appeared among his own family. The features of Jacob’s sons, with their results, are still being manifested among the children of God. We have with us still the— I. Unstable Reubens. Reuben had many excellencies, “excellency of dignity and of power,” the first-born, and the child of great hope, but being “unstable as water” he did not excel. Reuben is a type of those Christians who have many excellent gifts, but who have one besetting sin that acts like a fly in the ointment. Reuben’s sin cost him his birthright (1 Chron. 5:1). Sin always engenders instability, and leads to the loss of our birthright, of spiritual power, and progress. Stand fast. II. Self-Willed Simeons and Levis. “In their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall.” Jacob had to say of them, “Ye have troubled me” (chap. 34:30). How much of the trouble that comes upon ourselves, and others, has its root and cause in the same evil source, self-will. No wonder Jacob said, “O my soul, come thou not into their secret.” The conduct of these sons led to division and scattering (v. 7). There are always the fruits of a self-seeking spirit. Let the cursed self-will go to the Cross. “I delight to do Thy will, O my God” (Psa. 40:8). III. Praising and Courageous Judahs. Judah means the “praise of Jehovah.” Judah is a lion’s whelp. “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah.” The praising and courageous Christian will always possess the sceptre of power. Like Judah, we shall be able to put the foot of victory on the neck of the enemy when we have more of the nature of the lion of the tribe of Judah in our lives and the praise of Jehovah on our lips. The sceptre of spiritual power has departed from many a once Judah-Christian because of cowardliness and unfaithfulness to God. The true Judahs are always leaders (Num. 10:14). IV. Comforting and Consoling Zebuluns. “Zebulun shall be for a haven.” The words means “dwelling,” or a place of refuge for the distressed. “Zebulun’s border went up toward the sea.” This son of Jacob may be taken as a type of the modern sons of consolation—ready to offer a hand of help or a word of comfort to souls who, like ships, are seeking refuge from the crushing tempest. Zebuluns are always in great demand. The ministry of kindness is always acceptable. “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God” (Isa. 40:1). “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9). V. Timid and Self-Oppressed Issachars. “He saw that rest was good, and that the land was pleasant,” and, being afraid to offend the enemy, “he bowed and became a servant to tribute.” And so the dying father characterises him as a “strong ass.” Strong, but stupid; one who possesses the power, but, through the fear of man, gets ensnared and enslaved. Issachar is typical of those who, though they have all the strength of Christ at their disposal, yet remain timid and weak and helpless, bowing to the yoke of every passion, the bond-slaves of the world, strong asses. VI. Cunning and Sharp-Dealing Dans. “Dan shall judge, and shall be a serpent that biteth the horse heels, so that the rider shall fall.” This is close, personal dealing. Dan may represent those Christians who have the wisdom of the serpent, or rather the cunning way of the adder, in knowing how to bring down the pride of the enemy. The spiritual Danites can discern and judge. They know how to apply the truth, so that the enemies of God are brought low. Such can serve God best through personal dealing. VII. Overcoming Gads. Gad shall be overcome, “but he shall overcome at last.” Every Christian who would be an overcoming Gad must first himself be overcome. We must be vanquished if we would be victors in the cause of God. Those who overcome by the blood of the Lamb have been overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Lives conquered by the grace of God become conquerors through grace. VIII. Blissful Ashers. Asher means “blessed.” “His bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.” He is a type of those blessed ones, so few in number, who are themselves satisfied with good things, and who are able to bring out of their treasures rich dainties for others. They have received the unsearchable riches of Christ; they are filled with the fulness of God, and so can minister kindly portions to others. Those who do not eat fat things will groan in their leanness. IX. Joyful Naphtalis. “He is a hind let loose; he giveth goodly words.” The happy, skipping hind escaped from bondage, and now, growing goodly antlers, is a fit figure of those bright, joyful Christians who always delight in the liberty wherewith Christ has made them free. They continue to revel in their first love; their words are goodly, and their appearance attractive. X. Fruitful Josephs. “Joseph is a fruitful bough, whose branches run over the wall.” Here we have the type of an ideal Christian. As a branch he abode by the well, kept within touch of the source of supply. He was fruitful, an evidence that as a bough he was fully satisfied. He was shot at, persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Those fruitful for God are sure to be hated by the ungodly. His branches ran over the wall. The fruitful life is a blessing to others, even to those outside the wall of salvation. His bough abides in strength. Power for service remains as long as we abide by the well. XI. Discontented Benjamins. “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: he shall devour and divide.” Alas! that he should have so many successors in the camp of Christ; they are known by their fault-finding spirit. They are the tittle-tattle tale-bearers, always dividing the spoil, delighting to pass round the faults and failings of their brethren. From such, good Lord, save us!
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK STUDY.
Eveerlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
2 Corinthians 13:5 says: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” Here are some cross-references that connect with the theme of self-examination and faith: Psalm 26:2 – “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.” Lamentations 3:40 – “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Galatians 6:4 – “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” James 1:23-24 – “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” Philippians 2:12 – “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OVERTAKEN BY BLESSINGS DEUTERONOMY 28:2 These are all the blessings that will come to you and stay close to you because you obey the LORD your God:
What a great difference there is between blessings following and overtaking us! It is one thing to follow a person, but quite another to catch up with them. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.” Yes, that is good, but will they overtake me? The Psalmist knew what it was to be overtaken with blessings, for he could say: “Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with blessings.” The chariot of God’s gracious benevolence had daily caught up with him, discharging its blessings. If His blessings are to overtake us, studying this verse and context, we note that certain conditions must be kept. I. Redeemed Ones only are overtaken with blessings. Israel were in that happy position and condition, being the redeemed of the Lord. If we have not yet come under the shadow of the Cross of Christ, and under the safety of the Sprinkling of Blood, the Avenger of Blood is after us; we are bidden to flee to our Refuge. “lest the avenger of blood overtake the slayer” (Deut. 19:6). Remember that later on in this chapter we read of curses following and overtaking the sinner. Dread, dread business! II. Learners. Only those who hearken diligently to the Lord and His message are overtaken with blessings. Hearken to the Voice of the Lord as we have it in the Word of God, for the Holy Spirit will make the Written Word a living Voice in our hearts. III. Obedient Ones. The overtaken ones must be “observers of the law of God.” You know what an observer is? Take a walk in an Art Gallery, and watch the art expert gazing at the works of art, and you will learn what observing is. Watch a mother looking at her firstborn sleeping in his cradle, and you learn what observation really is. IV. Serving Ones. Only they who “do” are overtaken by blessings. It is not sufficient to become acquainted with His will; we must— “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.” In another place the Psalmist could say, “My soul followeth hard after Thee.” Is that your attitude? Then you will catch up with Him, for He will suddenly reveal Himself to you.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED GREATLY FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Romans 10:9, NIV. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
True “believing” in the Bible is a relationship with God, not just an opinion. John 14:15, NIV “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.”
God says we’re right with Him if we believe. Genesis 15:6, NIV. “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”
Psalm 31:23 “Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
