Jesus calls His followers to stay deeply connected to Him, because only through that union can they live fruitful lives that reflect God’s glory. John 15:4–8 Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me. “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. Whoever doesn’t live in me is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Branches like this are gathered, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours. You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples. Jesus teaches that spiritual life, growth, and fruitfulness are only possible by remaining connected to Him, just as a branch must stay attached to the vine to live. He is the vine—the life-giver. We are the branches—completely dependent on Him for vitality, direction, and power.
“Whatever is worrying you right now, forget about it. Take a deep breath and trust in God.” “Sometimes God’s blessing are not in what He gives; but in what He takes away. He knows best, trust Him.” “To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust him in the dark—that is faith.” “If God wants a thing to succeed – you can’t mess it up. If He wants a thing to fail – you can’t save it. Rest and just be faithful.” “God has perfect timing trust Him.” “The more you trust God the more He amazes you.” Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” TRUST GOD, HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.
Titus 3:3 (GW) “We were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, and slaves to all kinds of desires and pleasures. We were wasting our lives in evil and jealousy. We hated others, and others hated us.” In this verse Paul is reminding believers of who we used to be before God’s mercy found us. This is not to shame us, but to: Humble us, to Increase gratitude, and to Shape how we treat others who are still living in darkness. This verse states: “We were once foolish” Not meaning intellectually stupid, but spiritually blind—unable to perceive God’s truth or our own condition. This verse states: we were disobedient. Meaning we resisted God’s authorty, we didn’t accidentally sin, we lived a sinful style. This verse states: we were deceived. We were living under illusions about ourselves, about sin, and about God. This verse teaches us that we were “Slaves to all kinds of desires and pleasures” we are talking about bondage. Before Christ, our desires ruled us instead of us ruling them. This verse teaches us that we were wasting our lives in evil and jealousy. Plus “we hated others, and others hated us.” In this verse Paul is not describing “bad people.” He is describing all people before Christ.
SO BEFORE YOU PUT DOWN, BELITTLE, OR TALK ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE BE SURE TO REMEMBER HOW YOU USE TO BE, REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM. DON’T KNOCK SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT WHERE YOU ARE, SHOW MERCY, LOVE AND KINDNESS AND HELP YOUR BROTHER AND SISTER TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW, AND THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD. AMEN AND AMEN
John 14:12–14 “I can guarantee this truth: Those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the Father. I will do anything you ask ⸤the Father⸥ in my name so that the Father will be given glory because of the Son. If you ask me to do something, I will do it. Matthew 21:21–22 Jesus answered them, “I can guarantee this truth: If you have faith and do not doubt, you will be able to do what I did to the fig tree. You could also say to this mountain, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” James 1:5–7 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. Matthew 9:22 When Jesus turned and saw her he said, “Cheer up, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” At that very moment the woman became well. Matthew 9:29–30 He touched their eyes and said, “What you have believed will be done for you!” Then they could see. He warned them, “Don’t let anyone know about this!”
THINK ABOUT WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT IN THESE VERSES. RECEIVE THESE VERSES AND ALLOW YOUR FAITH TO BRING A CHANGE INTO YOUR LIFE.
Psalm 128:1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD and live his way. Psalm 119:1–2 Blessed are those whose lives have integrity, those who follow the teachings of the LORD. Blessed are those who obey his written instructions. They wholeheartedly search for him. Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. Matthew 5:6–7 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God’s approval. They will be satisfied. Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be treated mercifully. Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the person who trusts the LORD. The LORD will be his confidence. Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, “Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.”
LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WILL CAUSE GOD TO WANT TO BLESS YOU, IT’S YOUR CHOICE.
Psalm 119:44 I will follow your teachings forever and ever. This is a declaration of enduring loyalty to God’s Word. Psalm 119:10 — “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” This verse teaches us to allow our heart to be committed to God. Psalm 119:33 — “Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.” This verse teaches us that obedience to God is continual. John 8:31–32 — “If ye continue in my word… ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This verse teaches us that freedom is found in obedience. LET US REMEMBER: • God’s Word is eternal. • Obedience is lifelong. • The heart must be engaged, not just outward actions. • True freedom is found in continuing in God’s commands.
Proverbs 11:13 “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” A faithful person minds their own business and protects others’ privacy. 1 Timothy 5:13 At the same time, they learn to go around from house to house since they have nothing else to do. Not only this, but they also gossip and get involved in other people’s business, saying things they shouldn’t say. Paul connects idleness, wandering, and speaking out of turn—classic busybody behavior. Proverbs 26:17 ⸤Like⸥ grabbing a dog by the ears, ⸤so⸥ is a bystander who gets involved in someone else’s quarrel. A vivid warning: stepping into someone else’s conflict is dangerous and unnecessary. 1 Peter 4:15 If you suffer, you shouldn’t suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker. Peter puts “busybody” in the same list as serious sins because meddling destroys relationships and testimony. Proverbs 20:3 Avoiding a quarrel is honorable. After all, any stubborn fool can start a fight. Wisdom avoids unnecessary involvement; foolishness inserts itself.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Some people think God can do anything, but that is not true, and we should be glad it is not true. God Cannot Lie. This is the most repeated “cannot” in Scripture. Titus 1:2 (KJV) “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” Hebrews 6:18 (KJV) “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie…” Numbers 23:19 (KJV) “God is not a man, that he should lie…” Meaning: His words are eternally trustworthy. His promises cannot fail because lying is outside His nature. God Cannot Change. He is unchanging in character, purpose, and nature. Malachi 3:6 (KJV) “For I am the LORD, I change not…” James 1:17 (KJV) “…the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Meaning: He cannot become better or worse. He cannot evolve, weaken, or shift His standards. God Cannot Be Tempted With Evil. Evil has no pull on Him. James 1:13 (KJV) “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” Meaning: There is nothing in God that responds to sin. He is pure holiness. God Cannot Deny Himself. He cannot act against His own nature, character, or word. 2 Timothy 2:13 (KJV) “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” Meaning: He cannot contradict His own identity, promises, or holiness. God Cannot Grow Weary or Faint. His strength is infinite and cannot diminish. Isaiah 40:28 (KJV) “…the everlasting God… fainteth not, neither is weary.” Meaning: He never gets tired, overwhelmed, or depleted. God Cannot Be Unjust. His judgments are always righteous. Deuteronomy 32:4 (KJV) ”A God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Job 34:10 (KJV) “…far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.” Meaning: He cannot act unfairly, corruptly, or unrighteously. God Cannot Be Ignorant or Learn. He already knows all things. Psalm 147:5 (KJV) “His understanding is infinite.” 1 John 3:20 (KJV) “…God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” Meaning: He cannot discover something new or be surprised. God Cannot Die. He is eternal and immortal. 1 Timothy 1:17 (KJV) “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible…” Meaning: His being is indestructible. (Christ died in His humanity, not His divine nature.) God Cannot Tolerate Sin in His Presence. His holiness excludes it. Habakkuk 1:13 (KJV) “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…” Meaning: Sin cannot stand before Him without judgment or atonement.
DID YOU FIND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE INTERESTING? WAS IT HELPFUL TO YOU? WOULD YOU LIKE US TO CONTINUE POSTING OUR QUICK REFRESHERS?
For we also received the good news, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it—Hebrews 4:2 (ESV). Faith is very important. It is the link that binds us to every promise of God—it brings us every blessing. I do not mean a dead faith, but a living faith. There is a great difference between the two. A man may tell me that ten thousand dollars are deposited in a certain bank in my name. I may believe it, but if I don’t act upon it and get the money it does me no good. Unbelief bars the door and keeps back the blessing. Someone has said there are three elements in faith—knowledge, assent, laying hold. Knowledge! A man may have a good deal of knowledge about Christ, but that does not save him. I suppose Noah’s carpenters knew as much about the ark as Noah did, but they perished miserably nevertheless, because they were not in the ark. Our knowledge about Christ does not help us if we do not act upon it. But knowledge is very important. Many also assent and say—“I believe”; but that does not save them. Knowledge, assent, then laying hold: it is that last element that saves, that brings the soul and Christ together. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com http://www.youtube.com/@andrahigginbotham8096 PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
