Blessings of the Upright One said of a devoted Christian man in his business, “He commands my custom, for all his goods are Christian;” and of another, “He sells a Christian shovel.” When we are “upright in heart and life and business, we need no recommendation.” The upright man, and not the leaner, is ever the blessed one. If the Book of Proverbs is carefully studied, it will be found there are many blessings which come to the upright. 1. The upright “dwell in the land” of promised blessing—2:21. Proverbs 2:21 Decent people will live in the land. People of integrity will remain in it. 2. The upright have Jehovah as their strength—10:29. Proverbs 10:29 The way of the LORD is a fortress for an innocent person but a ruin to those who are troublemakers. 3. The integrity and righteousness of the upright bring guidance and deliverance—11:3, 6, 11. Proverbs 11:3 Integrity guides decent people, but hypocrisy leads treacherous people to ruin. Proverbs 11:6 Decent people are saved by their righteousness, but treacherous people are trapped by their own greed. Proverbs 11:11 With the blessing of decent people a city is raised up, but by the words of wicked people, it is torn down. 4. The upright are a joy to the Lord, and He delights to answer their prayer—11:20; 15:8. Proverbs 11:20 Devious people are disgusting to the LORD, but he is delighted with those whose ways are innocent. Proverbs 15:8 A sacrifice brought by wicked people is disgusting to the LORD, but the prayers of decent people please him. 5. The upright find that the Lord keeps them, causes them to flourish, and obtain definite direction—13:6; 14:11; 21:29. Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness protects the honest way of life, but wickedness ruins a sacrifice for sin. Proverbs 14:11 The houses of wicked people will be destroyed, but the tents of decent people will continue to expand. Proverbs 21:29 A wicked person puts up a bold front, but a decent person’s way of life is his own security. 6. They find “good things in possession” (28:10). “No good will Jehovah withhold from them who walk uprightly” (Psa. 84:11). Psalm 84:11 The LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD grants favor and honor. He does not hold back any blessing from those who live innocently. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK REFRESHER HELPFUL. LIVE AN UPRIGHT LIFE AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
The people of God are to imitate God Leviticus 11:44–45 “Here is the reason: I am the LORD your God. You must live holy lives. Be holy because I am holy. Never become unclean by touching anything that swarms or crawls on the ground. Here is the reason ⸤again⸥: I am the LORD. I brought you out of Egypt to be your God. Be holy because I am holy. Leviticus 20:26 Be my holy people because I, the LORD, am holy. I have separated you from other people to be my very own. 1 Peter 1:16 Scripture says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” Ephesians 5:1 Imitate God, since you are the children he loves. TOO MANY PEOPLE STRIVING TO BE LIKE THE WORLD. STOP IMITATING THE WORLD AND START IMITATING GOD. PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
REMEMBER GOD KNOWS: Psalm 69:5 O God, you know my stupidity, and the things of which I am guilty are not hidden from you. Jeremiah 2:22 Even if you wash with detergent and use a lot of soap, I would still see the stains from your wickedness,” declares the Almighty LORD. 1 Corinthians 4:4–5 I have a clear conscience, but that doesn’t mean I have God’s approval. It is the Lord who cross-examines me. Therefore, don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people’s motives. Then each person will receive praise from God. REMEMBER GOD KNOWS YOUR WICKEDNESS. REMEMBER GOD KNOWS YOUR GUILT. REMEMBER GOD KNOWS YOUR MOTIVE. THINK ABOUT IT. CHECK YOURSELF, HOW ARE YOU LIVING? PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
“But How Do I Know I’m Part of God’s Family?” Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:6) In Galatians 3:23–4:7, Paul wrestles with the question “Who inherits the promises given to Abraham of an eternal life with God?” Or, in our modern vernacular, who is saved? The answer is everyone who trusts God to justify them through Christ’s death and resurrection. All who believe—who take God at his word—regardless of their gender, social standing, or ethnicity, are now “sons” of God. This means that all who believe inherit equally. There are no second-class family members seated around God’s dining room table. But how do you know if you have a seat? The acid test of sonship comes from something inside you that insists—demands—that you think of God as your Father. It’s the Spirit of his Son that he has sent into your heart that says, “You are related to him.” Even in your worst moments, you know that you can turn to Him and he will hear you, because you’re family. And so you don’t even think about it. You just expect Him to take your call, because that’s what family does. This is an experiential argument, not a conceptual one. It asks you whether you find yourself naturally, if unexpectedly, turning to God in random moments of your life. • Do you ever feel grateful and silently whisper, “Thank you”? • Do you ever get upset and tell God how frustrated you are? • Have you ever been sick or in pain and asked him to heal you? • Have you ever urged Him to make the future turn out a certain way? • Have you ever felt cut to the heart and asked Him to comfort you? • Do you ever find yourself struck by the beauty of a sunset, the delicacy of a spiderweb, the power of a thunderstorm, the quietness of a snowfall, the softness of a baby’s cheek, or the loyalty of a pet, and then find yourself marveling at the One who made it? Responses like these—reaching out to God or associating him with the things you experience in life—make sense only if there is something real between the two of you. Something that transcends your fears and uncertainty. Something that’s there whether you consciously think about it or not. When you instinctively turn to God—not to make all your wishes come true, but in order to invite him into your world or to share yourself with him—you are demonstrating that his Spirit really is inside of you crying out, “Father!” It’s the evidence that you are family. Being family wasn’t your idea first. God put the Spirit of his Son in you. And since he has done that, you are not just family for the moment—you are family forever. Think back over the past few days. Were there times when you casually, instinctively reached out to God? Be honest with yourself: do you have a sense inside that you can talk to God as your Father? If so, thank Him for his Spirit. If not, ask Him to adopt you and give you his Spirit. FOOD FOR THOUGHT I HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Beware of Limiting God Psalm 37:4-5 Be happy with the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Entrust your ways to the LORD. Trust him, and he will act ⸤on your behalf⸥. Jeremiah 32:17 ‘Almighty LORD, you made heaven and earth by your great strength and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Matthew 13:58 He didn’t work many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Mark 11:23 I can guarantee this truth: This is what will be done for someone who doesn’t doubt but believes what he says will happen: He can say to this mountain, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will be done for him. James 1:5–8 If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them. When you ask for something, don’t have any doubts. A person who has doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea. A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord. A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything. DO NOT LIMIT GOD. DO NOT DOUBT GOD. TRUST, OBEY, BELEIVE AND RECEIVE FROM ALMIGHTY GOD. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch
GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT COMMITMENT Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Deuteronomy 10:12–13 Israel, what does the LORD your God want you to do? He wants you to fear him, follow all his directions, love him, and worship him with all your heart and with all your soul. The LORD wants you to obey his commands and laws that I’m giving you today for your own good. Joshua 24:14–15 “Fear the LORD, and serve him with integrity and faithfulness. Get rid of the gods your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve only the LORD. But if you don’t want to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Even if you choose the gods your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live, my family and I will still serve the LORD.” Matthew 22:37 Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Luke 16:13 “A servant cannot serve two masters. He will hate the first master and love the second, or he will be devoted to the first and despise the second. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Romans 12:1–2 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. Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect. Hebrews 10:23 We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful. There are very few who in their hearts do not believe in God, but what they will not do is give Him exclusive right of way.… They are not ready to promise full allegiance to God alone. WHO OR WHAT ARE YOU COMMITTED TO, ARE YOU COMMITTED TO GOD? WE MUST BE FULLY COMMITTED TO GOD. PayPal.me/donatetochurch ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
FOOD FOR THOUGHT 2 Chronicles 15:2b The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 1 Chronicles 16:11 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT BLESSING AND CURSING Numbers 6:24–26 The LORD will bless you and watch over you. The LORD will smile on you and be kind to you. The LORD will look on you with favor and give you peace.’ Deuteronomy 11:26–28 Today I’m giving you the choice of a blessing or a curse. You’ll be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I’m giving you today. You’ll be cursed if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God, if you turn from the way I’m commanding you to live today, and if you worship other gods you never knew. IT IS GOD’S DESIRE TO BLESS US. BUT HE ALLOWS US TO CHOOSE TO BE BLESSED OR TO BE CURSED. LIVE YOUR LIFE OBEYING GOD AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. REMEMBER, IT IS YOUR CHOICE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
OUR GOD IS RELIABLE Psalm 37:28 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Romans 10:11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. 1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 33:18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. OUR GOD IS ALMIGHTY WE CAN DEPEND ON OUR GOD OUR GOD IS RELIABLE Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM PayPal.me/donatetochurch
EVERY CONVERSATION IS NOT FOR YOU. “Dirty stories, foul talk and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, remind each other of God’s goodness and be thankful!” (Ephesians 5:4, TLB). EVERY CONVERSATION IS NOT WORTH BEING PART OF, CHOOSE CAREFULLY WHAT YOU TAKE PART IN, AND GUARD WHAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. THINK ABOUT IT. PASTOR: ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM. “Dirty stories, foul talk and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, remind each other of God’s goodness and be thankful!” (Ephesians 5:4, TLB). EVERY CONVERSATION IS NOT WORTH BEING PART OF, CHOOSE CAREFULLY WHAT YOU TAKE PART IN, AND GUARD WHAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. THINK ABOUT IT. PASTOR: ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
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