Drugs (Illegal Narcotics) Effects of bad company. 1 Cor. 15:33. Don’t let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. Do not gratify desires of the sinful nature. Gal. 5:16. Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants. Honor God with body. Remain alert. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober. 1 Peter 5:8 Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. Body a living sacrifice. Rom 12:1. Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. Body as temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 Don’t you know that your body is a temple that belongs to the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit, whom you received from God, lives in you. You don’t belong to yourselves. You were bought for a price. So bring glory to God in the way you use your body. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Seven benefits of righteousness: Righteousness delivers from death. – Proverbs 11:4b The righteousness of the upright delivers them. – Proverbs 11:6a The righteous man is rescued from trouble – Proverbs 11:8a He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward – Proverbs 11:18b The desire of the righteous only ends in good – Proverbs 11:23a The righteous will thrive like a green leaf – Proverbs 11:28b The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life – Proverbs 11:30a The benefits of righteousness are permanent and far more delightful than sin. They prosper the body and soul. Righteousness adds well-being to a man’s city, and unlike wickedness is no trap to his brothers. The imperative of righteousness raises it voice yet again: lay hold of holiness and pursue righteousness for in so doing I am equipped to recognise sin, then turn my back to it and receive blessing. THINK ABOUT IT. FOOD FOR THOUGHT. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. Numbers 32:12 Only Caleb (son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite) and Joshua (son of Nun) will get to see the land. This is because they wholeheartedly followed the LORD. Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 5:32-33 So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you. Never stop living this way. Follow all the directions the LORD your God has given you. Then you will continue to live, life will go well for you, and you will live for a long time in the land that you are going to possess. MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS, LIVE GODLY AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
WE NEED GOD John 15:5 “I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t produce anything without me. Psalms 9:10 Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Psalms 55:22 Turn your burdens over to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will never let the righteous person stumble. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Psalms 34:4 I went to the Lord for help. He answered me and rescued me from all my fears. WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT GOD? HOW WOULD OUR LIFE BE WITHOUT GOD? THINK ABOUT IT. WE NEED GOD. DO YOU AGEEE? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Forbidden Sexual Practices Leviticus 18:1–23 1 The LORD spoke to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites: I am the LORD your God. 3 You used to live in Egypt. Don’t live the way the Egyptians do. I am bringing you to Canaan. Don’t live the way the Canaanites do. Never live by their standards. 4 Follow my rules, and live by my standards. I am the LORD your God. 5 Live by my standards, and obey my rules. You will have life through them. I am the LORD. 6 “Never have sexual intercourse with anyone related to you by blood. I am the LORD. 7 “Never have sexual intercourse with your mother. She is your own mother. Never have sexual intercourse with her. 8 Never have sexual intercourse with your stepmother. She is related to you through your father. 9 Never have sexual intercourse with your stepsister, whether she is your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter. It makes no difference whether or not she was born in your house. 10 Never have sexual intercourse with your granddaughter, whether she is your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter, because she is related to you. 11 Never have sexual intercourse with a daughter of your father and his wife. She is your own sister. 12 Never have sexual intercourse with your father’s sister. She is your paternal aunt. 13 Never have sexual intercourse with your mother’s sister. She is your maternal aunt. 14 Never have sexual intercourse with the wife of your father’s brother. She, too, is your aunt. 15 Never have sexual intercourse with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife. Never have sexual intercourse with her. 16 Never have sexual intercourse with your sister-in-law. She is your brother’s wife. 17 Never have sexual intercourse with a woman and her daughter or a woman and her granddaughter. They are related. Doing this is perverted. 18 While your wife is living, never marry her sister as a rival wife and have sexual intercourse with her. 19 “Never have sexual intercourse with a woman while she is unclean during her monthly period. 20 Never have sexual intercourse with your neighbor’s wife and become unclean with her. 21 Never give your children as sacrifices to the god Molech ⸤by burning them alive⸥. If you do, you are dishonoring the name of your God. I am the LORD. 22 Never have sexual intercourse with a man as with a woman. It is disgusting. 23 Never have sexual intercourse with any animal and become unclean with it. A woman must never offer herself to an animal for sexual intercourse. It is unnatural. LET US LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD, LET US LOVE THE WORD OF GOD AND OBEY THE WORD OF GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
LET US GIVE THANKS TO OUR GOD 1 Chronicles 16:34 GW [34] “Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Lord Jesus Christ.” TAKE TIME TO THANK ABOUT ALL THE GOOD GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU, IS DOING FOR YOU, AND WILL DO FOR YOU, NOW IF YOU FEEL THAT HE IS WORTHY OF THANKS THANK HIM, GLOOORRRY!!! HALLELUJAH!!! Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me, /donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT BUSINESS Where do material blessings come from? It’s in the Bible, Deuteronomy 8:18, NIV. “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Can money get in the way of more important things? Wealth can become the center of our life and take God’s place. It’s in the Bible, Jeremiah 9:23-24, NIV. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.” Wealth can give us wrong attitudes about material things. It’s in the Bible, Luke 12:15, NIV. “Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” It is unwise to make financial success a priority. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 6:24, NIV. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” What investment strategy does God recommend? It’s in the Bible, I Timothy 6:17-19, NIV. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM Where do material blessings come from? It’s in the Bible, Deuteronomy 8:18, NIV. “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Can money get in the way of more important things? Wealth can become the center of our life and take God’s place. It’s in the Bible, Jeremiah 9:23-24, NIV. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.” Wealth can give us wrong attitudes about material things. It’s in the Bible, Luke 12:15, NIV. “Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” It is unwise to make financial success a priority. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 6:24, NIV. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” What investment strategy does God recommend? It’s in the Bible, I Timothy 6:17-19, NIV. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD USES WOMEN TOO: Romans 16:1–2 With this letter I’m introducing Phoebe to you. She is our sister in the Christian faith and a deacon of the church in the city of Cenchrea. Give her a Christian welcome that shows you are God’s holy people. Provide her with anything she may need, because she has provided help to many people, including me. IN THESE TWO VERSES WE SEE THAT Phoebe: a Christian sister who deserved to be welcomed and befriended. Note these facts about her. a. The name Phoebe is one of the names of the goddess Diana; therefore, Phoebe was probably a convert from a heathen religion. b. Paul calls her “our sister,” meaning a sister in the faith of Christ. She was a woman beloved by Paul and the believers of her church, highly esteemed as a genuine sister of the faith. c. Phoebe was a servant of the church at Cenchrea, which was the seaport of Corinth. Note the word servant (diakonon). It is the word deacon or deaconess. Does this mean that Phoebe held the official office of a deacon in the early church? Note closely what the Scripture says and it seems to be saying that she did: “Phoebe our sister, which is a servant (deaconess) of the church.” The words of the church (tes ekklesias) modify servant or deaconess. Phoebe was a servant or a deaconess of the church which is at Cenchrea. Paul is not saying she is a servant of the Lord to all of God’s people in general. She was, of course, just as all believers are. But this is not what Paul is saying. He is very clear about the matter: she is an official “servant [deaconess] of the church which is at Cenchrea.” The separation of the sexes in that day would almost necessitate some official office of women to minister to the women of the church. This would be especially true in the area of ministry where women would be alone, for example, in visiting and caring for the sick and in distributing food and clothing among the needful. d. Phoebe deserved to be welcomed and befriended in the Lord. There are two reasons for this. 1) Believers are always to welcome and befriend other believers. The church is not an exclusive club nor a society of cliques. It is to be a welcoming center for all strangers and neighbors, whether saint or sinner. 2) Phoebe had been a succourer (prostatis) of many, including Paul himself. The word succourer means that she protected, helped, looked after, and provided for people. Phoebe was a woman who ministered to the needs of many. Apparently, she helped and looked after the welfare of any who had need. The great lessons to be learned from Phoebe are twofold: ⇒ We should be servants of the church. ⇒ We should be constantly ministering to all who are in need. God felt that is was acceptable to use a woman as deacon within His church. God did not have a problem using a woman in a leadership position within His church. IF IT IS OKAY WITH GOD IT IS OKAY WITH ME. STOP HAVING A PROBLEM WITH GOD USING WOMEN IN HIS CHURCH!!! AND THINK ABOUT THIS: A local church should be a friendly, welcoming church—an open, gracious church. There should be no strangers in the Lord’s church. The church should guard against becoming a closed society, a body of cliques, shut up only to themselves. DID YOU FIND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS Leads to all evil. Ephesians 4:17–19 So I tell you and encourage you in the Lord’s name not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. They can’t understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of because of their ignorance and stubbornness. Since they no longer have any sense of shame, they have become promiscuous. They practice every kind of sexual perversion with a constant desire for more. Our country is becoming spiritually blind, which is causing evil to be rampant within our country. Do not continue in spiritual blindness, and do not allow your children to grow up spiritually blind. Learn the Word of God, teach your children the Word of God, AND LIVE AS GOD’S PEOPLE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
YOUR LIFESTYLE CAN CAUSE GOD TO WANT TO BLESS YOU Proverbs 28:20 A trustworthy person has many blessings, but anyone in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment. Psalm 5:12 You bless righteous people, O LORD. Like a large shield, you surround them with your favor. Luke 1:45 You are blessed for believing that the Lord would keep his promise to you.” Psalm 112:1 Hallelujah! Blessed is the person who fears the LORD and is happy to obey his commands. Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the person who trusts the LORD. The LORD will be his confidence. Psalm 119:1 Blessed are those whose lives have integrity, those who follow the teachings of the LORD. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
