Romans 12:18-19 GNB Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God’s anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” DON’T START TROUBLE, LIVE IN PEACE.DON’T ALLOW ANYONE TO CAUSE YOU TO GET INTO TROUBLE.LET GOD FIGHT YOUR BATTLES.GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF IT. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. WE CAN TRUST GOD TO TAKE CARE OF US. LIVE GODLY, TRUST GOD AND BE BLESSED. ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD’S GRACE Titus 2:11-15 After all, God’s saving kindness has appeared for the benefit of all people. It trains us to avoid ungodly lives filled with worldly desires so that we can live self-controlled, moral, and godly lives in this present world. At the same time we can expect what we hope for—the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to set us free from every sin and to cleanse us so that we can be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good things. Tell these things to the believers. Encourage and correct them, using your full authority. Don’t let anyone ignore you. LET US THANK OUR GOD FOR LOVING US, LET US THANK OUR GOD FOR JESUS, LET US THANK OUR GOD FOR GRACE. LET US TELL OTHERS ABOUT OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
BIBLE FACTS A theme of Scripture often overlooked is what the Bible promises to do for God’s people. The Word, under various synonyms, is said in Psa. 19:7, 8 to convert the soul, make wise the simple, rejoice the heart, and enlighten the eyes. These great rewards are given to all who keep the precepts of Scripture, v.11. Men are born again through the instrumentality of the Word, Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23. Faith comes to believers as they hear the Word, Rom. 10:17. Spiritual growth results from the realized desire for the sincere milk of the Word, 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18. Great peace have they who love God’s Word, Psa. 119:165. Those who obey it are promised divine blessings, Jas. 1:25. In the same way that Christ overcame the devil by using the written Word, Matt. 4:1–11, Christians are able to overcome the wicked one as the Word abides in them, 1 John 2:14. Paul spoke of the Word as able to build us up, Acts 20:32. An entire book has been written to provide the assurance of salvation which is normal Christian experience, 1 John 5:13. It is the Word that sanctifies or cleanses, John 17:17, acting as a laver which reveals sin and provides cleansing as well, Eph. 5:25–27. The promise is given that those who honor the Word will find prosperity and success in all of God’s will, Josh. 1:8; Psa. 1:3. LET US DESIRE THE WORD, LET US HEAR THE WORD, LET US STUDY THE WORD, AND LET US ALLOW THE WORD TO DO ITS WORK IN US AS WE LIVE THE WORD OF GOD AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetohurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Disobedience Damage and distress are sure to follow in the steps of disobedience. 1. Abram found it so when he left the Bethel of communion for the Egypt of compromise—Gen. 12:7–13. 2. Moses lost the land of promise through using the rod of self-will—Num. 20:10–12. 3. Jonah got an uncomfortable bed through not going to the Nineveh of ministry—Jonah 1:17. 4. Peter found his “net” broken through not letting down the “nets” of full obedience—Luke 5:4–6. 5. The man of God out of Judah lost his life through listening to the lying prophet of Bethel—1 Kings 13:20–26. 6. The children of Israel dug graves for themselves in the wilderness by means of their evil heart of unbelief—Heb. 3:17. 7. Solomon got his soul hurt by getting into the trap of fleshly desire—1 Kings 11:4. DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS CONSEQUENCES BE CAREFUL HOW YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
FAITH AND WORKS Faith is the confident assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of the reality of things not seen, Heb. 11:1. It is the basis for salvation, Gal. 3:26; 1 Pet. 1:5. Works are the deeds men do, whether good or evil, Gal. 2:16; Eph. 5:11. They are the basis for rewards or punishment when men are judged, 1 Cor. 3:11–15; Rev. 20:11–15. Men confuse these two concepts; Scripture never does. A contradiction has been imagined between two passages. Paul wrote, “a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law,” Rom. 3:28. Wrote James, “by works a man is justified, and not by faith only,” Jas. 2:24. There is no real problem. Paul was writing about justification before God, Rom. 4:2, while James wrote about justification before men. He was dealing with the question of the man who says he has faith, but has no works to demonstrate its reality, Jas. 2:14–20. He says nothing to discredit faith, nor to suggest that a man of faith may be lost. Paul speaks of the root of the Christian life; James its fruit. Faith and works are put in their proper perspective in Eph. 2:8–10. We are saved by faith, not by works, but we are saved “unto good works.” This means we are to maintain good works, Tit. 3:8, being fruitful in them, Col. 1:10, so that God may be glorified when Christ returns, 1 Pet. 2:12. LET US REMEMBER THIS WORD FROM GOD AND LET US APPLY IT TO OUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE PREPARATION OF JESUS FOR HIS MINISTRY (Matt. 3:13–4:11; Mark 1:9–13; Luke 3:21–4:13) 1. Why did Jesus come to be baptized by John? As a seal of consecration to God’s work. 2. What wonderful thing happened at his baptism? “The heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit] descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven which said. Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22. 3. What may be the reason for the “temptation” of Jesus? That “he might be in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15. 4. Where did these temptations occur? In the wild country called “the wilderness of Judea.” 5. What is the devil called in Mark? Satan. 6. What is the meaning of the two terms? Satan means “adversary” or “enemy,” and devil means “accuser.” 7. What were the three temptations? (1) To make from the stones of the place bread to satisfy his personal hunger. (2) To throw himself down from a high point on the temple, trusting that God would work a miracle to save him. (3) To offer homage to Satan and receive through him power over the world. 8. What was the real temptation in the last two? They seemed to offer Jesus at once, without toil or suffering, the very things he had come to earth to win. 9. How did Jesus conquer? By the use of the Word of God in direct answer to Satan’s proposals. 10. Can we conquer in the same way? Yes, and we have besides the help of our Lord Jesus. 11. What does living “by every word of God” (Matt. 4:4) signify? Trusting all his promises, and keeping all his commands. 12. What is the meaning of the word “tempt” in Luke 4:12? Presumptuously try or provoke. 13. Was it an empty boast of the devil in Luke 4:6? Not altogether, as he is called “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), and “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). I HOPE YOU RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. DID YOU FIND IT INTERESTING? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD IS GOOD 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. Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good. ⸤He is⸥ a fortress in the day of trouble. He knows those who seek shelter in him. Psalm 145:9-10 The LORD is good to everyone and has compassion for everything that he has made. Everything that you have made will give thanks to you, O LORD, and your faithful ones will praise you. OUR GOD IS GOOD TO US. TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR LIFE AND SEE HOW GOOD GOD IS TO YOU. DO YOU RECOGNIZE HOW GOOD GOD IS TO YOU? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP WITH UNBELIEVERS. 2 Corinthians 6:17–18 The Lord says, “Get away from unbelievers. Separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with anything unclean. Then I will welcome you.” The Lord Almighty says, “I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters.” Separation—Adoption: the third call is for believers to come out from unbelievers and be separate. These two verses are a quote from the Old Testament (Is. 52:11–12). When God led Israel out of the Babylonian captivity, He told them to leave everything behind. They were to take nothing out of the defiled land, for they were to begin a totally new life under His leadership. Note two significant points. a. First, believers are to come out from among unbelievers and be separate. What does this mean? Of course, it does not mean that believers are to leave the cities, communities, and work places of the world. Believers are not to isolate themselves from unbelievers. It does not mean that believers have nothing to do with unbelievers—never talking, sharing, or associating with them. Both believers and unbelievers are in the world; thus they have to share the world together. What God means is at least two things. 1) God means what has just been discussed in verses 14–16, that is, that believers differ from unbelievers. They differ radically. Therefore … • believers are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. They are not to be yoked, be intimately involved, in a relationship with unbelievers. • believers are not to be in fellowship with unbelievers. They are not to share or participate in the worldly, ungodly functions and events of unbelievers. • believers are not to be in communion with unbelievers. They are not to be closely bound in partnership with unbelievers. They are not to be so united with unbelievers that there is the need or expectation to be a part of worldly or ungodly activities and behavior. • believers are not to be attached to or in covenant with unbelievers. Believers must not follow the worthless leader, Belial (Satan), of the unbelievers. • believers are not to move about in the sphere, the realm, the life and position of the infidel, the person who has rejected Jesus Christ. • believers are not to worship with unbelievers. 2) God means what He says in this verse: believers are not to touch the unclean thing (v. 17). Believers are no longer to live as the sinners of the world do. They are not to participate in the sins of unbelievers. 3) God commands that believers live separate from the wicked unbelievers of the world (v. 17). “Be ye separate, saith the Lord.” There is to be no questioning, rationalizing, twisting, or ignoring of the command. God demands separation. In fact, separation is so important to God that it is one of the essentials in order to be received by God (see next point, point 2). “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Ro. 1:29–32). “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Co. 6:9–10). “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Ga. 5:19–21). Thought 1. Very simply stated, believers are in the world, but they are not to be of the world. They live in the world, but they are not to take part in the sins of the world. b. Second, the results of separation are phenomenal. 1) If we separate ourselves and consecrate our lives to God, He receives us. The word means to accept, approve, welcome. Imagine being accepted and approved by God Himself! God cannot receive a person who lives in sin and shame, in worldliness and immorality, in covetousness and idolatry. But if a person comes out from the world and separates himself, God receives that person. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 Jn. 2:15–16). 2) If we separate ourselves and consecrate our lives to God, God will become our Father and adopt us as sons and daughters of His. Note that it is the “Lord Almighty” who adopts us, the only Person who has the might and power to do such a glorious thing. God’s relationship to us is that of a father to his sons and daughters! God favors and nurtures us with … • love • affection • care • instruction • provision • glory • protection • reward • deliverance • guidance • direction • life • growth • reproof • discipline • chastisement “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (Jn. 1:12). “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). “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Co. 6:17–18). “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. 4:5–6). I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK STUDY, AND FOUND IT HELPFUL. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD KNOWS ALL ABOUT US Psalm 139:1-5 O LORD, you have examined me, and you know me. You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away. You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways. Even before there is a ⸤single⸥ word on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD. You are all around me—in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me. Psalm 119:73 Your hands created me and made me what I am. Help me understand so that I may learn your commandments. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. OUR GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT US AND STILL LOVE US JUST LIKE WE ARE. LET US DRAW CLOSE UNTO GOD ASKING GOD TO TEACH US MORE ABOUT HIM AND MORE ABOUT OURSELVES. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
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