OUR GOD WANTS FULL COMMITMENT FROM US. 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. Matthew 22:37 Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 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.” 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. ARE YOU WILLING TO COMMIT FULLY TO GOD? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
WE ARE CALLED TO BE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS. 1 Corinthians 1:9 God faithfully keeps his promises. He called you to be partners with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. God has called believers for one specific purpose: to be in fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. The longing of God’s heart is for men to know His Son … • by becoming personally related to Him through adoption (Ro. 8:15–17; Ga. 4:4–6) • by fellowshipping with Him day by day, all day long Note the point: God is not after us to fellowship with His Son only on a temporary basis. When God calls us to fellowship with His Son, He means eternal fellowship. He is adopting us as children so that Jesus Christ will have our fellowship as brothers. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Ro. 8:15–17). “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Ro. 8:29). “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Ga. 4:4–6). “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn. 1:3). “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Re. 3:20). AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAILY WALK WHO ARE YOU IN FELLOWSHIP WITH, JESUS, OR SATAN? THINK ABOUT IT. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OUR GOD IS RELIABLE 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. Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 121:3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. 1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. WE CAN DEPEND ON OUR GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Associate with the Humble and Speak Edifying Things. Proverbs 11:2 Arrogance comes, then comes shame, but wisdom remains with humble people. Ephesians 4:29-30 Don’t say anything that would hurt ⸤another person⸥. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. Don’t give God’s Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free ⸤from the world of sin⸥. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing. Associate with the humble and the simple, with the devout and virtuous, and with them speak of edifying things. FOOD FOR THOUGHT. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Arm Yourself Against All Sins 1 Corinthians 10:12 So, people who think they are standing firmly should be careful that they don’t fall. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober. Ephesians 6:10–17 Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies. This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground. So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God’s approval as your breastplate. Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Also take salvation as your helmet and God’s word as the sword that the Spirit supplies. Let us arm ourselves against all sins, against pride, against hatred, against ambition, against envy, against covetousness, against sensuality. Let heaven see that, even on earth, it has those who stand on its side. Let hell know that, even on earth, there are those who make war against it with the Word of God. And let earth itself know that it is still capable of once more growing green and of giving much fruit. SHOULD WE CONTINUE POSTING OUR REFRESHERS? I HOPE YOU ARE RECEIVINNG FROM THEM, AND FIND THEM ENJOYABLE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
SPIRITUAL WARFARE Spiritual warfare, simply put, is a struggle between light and darkness. God has secured the victory, but Satan still attempts to wage war against God and His people. Light is sourced in God and infuses all that is good; darkness is sourced in Satan and permeates all that is evil. Luke 10:17–20 The 70 disciples came back very happy. They said, “Lord, even demons obey us when we use the power and authority of your name!” Jesus said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. I have given you the authority to trample snakes and scorpions and to destroy the enemy’s power. Nothing will hurt you. However, don’t be happy that evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven.” 2 Co 10:3–4 Of course we are human, but we don’t fight like humans. The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their arguments Eph 6:12 This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. 1 Pe 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. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Christ’s Ability “He Is Able” Eph. 3:20 Responsibility is man’s response to God’s ability. 1. He is able to save to the uttermost, for He lives to do it, therefore rest in Him and be glad—Heb. 7:25. 2. He is able to make all grace to abound towards us, therefore be satisfied with Him, and be thankful—2 Cor. 9:8–11. 3. He is able to give us the victory when tempted, therefore take Him as Victor, and be an overcomer—1 Cor. 10:13. 4. He is able to keep us from falling, therefore lean upon Him and be upheld—Jude 24. 5. He is able to shield us from harm, therefore abide in Him, and be at rest—Psa. 121:3–8. 6. He is able to make us active, therefore let Him work effectively through us, and be useful—2 Tim. 1:12. 7. He is able to keep us always, therefore let Him tend us, and be fresh and sweet—Isa. 27:2, 3. JESUS IS ABLE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 3:3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. 1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Christ’s Agony in Gethsemane 1. “Began to be sorrowful” (Matt. 26:37). Like an on-coming storm which causes the barometer to fall, so the conflict through which Christ was about to pass caused Him to be weighted with sorrow. 2. “Began to be sore amazed” (Mark 14:33). “Sore amazed” is rendered “greatly amazed” (Mark 9:15) and “affrighted” (Mark 16:5, 6). As an apparition will cause the observer to be frightened, so as Christ looked into the cup He was about to drink it startled Him with the awfulness of its ingredients. 3. “To be very heavy” (Mark 14:33). The word is given in Phil. 2:26, “full of heaviness.” As the liquid cement hardening in a vase filled with it will cause it to be weighted beyond intention, so Christ was made heavy with the weight of sin, as He contemplated the punishment it deserved. 4. “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death” (Mark 14:34). He was not only “sorrowful,” but “exceedingly” so; that is, He was completely surrounded with grief, even as a tropical plant might be by a blasting frost, and His sorrow was “unto death.” Some would tell us Christ was afraid He would die before He reached the Cross, but He said He would die and rise again—see Matt. 20:17–20; John 10:17, 18. “Unto” means “until,” and, as Bullinger points out, means “marking the continuance of an action up to the time of another action.” 5. “Being in an agony” (Luke 22:44). The word “agony” is rendered “conflict” in Colossians 2:1. How His holy soul was torn as He entered into “the hour” of the nearing Cross—Mark 14:35, 41, as he looked into the cup He was about to drink, as He felt the powers of darkness by which He was surrounded, and as He beheld the death for sin He was about to die; no wonder He “sweat great drops of blood.” The practical lesson for us is, like Christ, to glory in the will of God, for His will is our highest good. I PRAY THAT GOD TOUCHED YOU, ALLOWING YOU TO RECEIVE FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. DO YOU ENJOY OUR QUICK STUDIES? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
WHOSE CHILD ARE YOU? 1 John 3:10 This is the way God’s children are distinguished from the devil’s children. Everyone who doesn’t do what is right or love other believers isn’t God’s child. The person who does not live righteously is not of God. The person who does not live a pure and holy life is not of God. The person who does not love his brother is not of God. We can look at our nature and tell whose child we are. If we live righteous, pure, and holy lives and love one another, we have the nature of God. If we live unrighteous, impure, and unholy lives and mistreat one another, we have the nature of the devil. It is that clear: there is no middle ground. God’s nature is not that of unrighteousness and hate. God is righteous and loving; therefore, the person who lives a righteous life and who loves his brother is of God. WHOSE CHILD ARE YOU? TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS CHECKING OTHER PEOPLE, BUT NEVER CHECKING THEMSELVES. CHECK YOURSELF, WHOSE CHILD ARE YOU? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
