Security in God’s Faithfulness Deuteronomy 7:9 Keep in mind that the LORD your God is ⸤the only⸥ God. He is a faithful God, who keeps his promise and is merciful to thousands of generations of those who love him and obey his commands. Psalm 4:8 I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because you alone, O LORD, enable me to live securely. Psalm 46:1–2 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. That is why we are not afraid even when the earth quakes or the mountains topple into the depths of the sea. If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, his arm over us, his ear open to our prayer; his grace sufficient, his promise unchangeable. Under his protection, though the path of duty should lie through fire and water, we may cheerfully and confidently pursue it. WE ARE SECURE IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
HOW DO I GET IT RIGHT WITH GOD In order to get “right” with God, we must first understand what is “wrong.” The answer is sin. “There is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3). We have rebelled against God’s commands; we “like sheep, have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6). The bad news is that the penalty for sin is death. “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). The good news is that a loving God has pursued us in order to bring us salvation. Jesus declared His purpose was “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10), and He pronounced His purpose accomplished when He died on the cross with the words, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Having a right relationship with God begins with acknowledging your sin. Next comes a humble confession of your sin to God (Isaiah 57:15). “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:10). This repentance must be accompanied by faith – specifically, faith that Jesus’ sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection qualify Him to be your Savior. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Many other passages speak of the necessity of faith, such as John 20:27; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:16; 3:11, 26; and Ephesians 2:8. Being right with God is a matter of your response to what God has done on your behalf. He sent the Savior, He provided the sacrifice to take away your sin (John 1:29), and He offers you the promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). A beautiful illustration of repentance and forgiveness is the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). The younger son wasted his father’s gift in shameful sin (verse 13). When he acknowledged his wrongdoing, he decided to return home (verse 18). He assumed he would no longer be considered a son (verse 19), but he was wrong. The father loved the returned rebel as much as ever (verse 20). All was forgiven, and a celebration ensued (verse 24). God is good to keep His promises, including the promise to forgive. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). If you want to get right with God, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. “God, I know that I have sinned against You and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him and His resurrection I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness – the gift of eternal life! Amen!” DID YOU FIND THIS TO BE HELPFUL? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Matthew 12:32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. 2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Loving God Is Greater Than Knowing God Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment. Mark 12:30 So love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ Luke 10:27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ” CHECK YOURSELF DO YOU REALLY LOVE GOD? To love God is something greater than to know Him. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT SELF-INDULGENCE Titus 3:3 Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other. LET US THANK GOD WE ARE NOT HOW WE USE TO BE AND LET US THANK GOD WE ARE NOT WHERE WE USE TO BE. Romans 12:2 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. Galatians 5:16-17 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. What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don’t always do what you intend to do. LET US LIVE OUR LIFE STRIVING TO BE LIKE CHRIST. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Pastor Andra Higginbotham
The consequences of God’s anger Jeremiah 12:7–8 “I have abandoned my nation. I have left my own people. I have handed the people I love over to their enemies. My people have turned on me like a lion in the forest. They roar at me, so I hate them. 1 Kings 14:15–16 “The LORD will strike Israel like cattails which shake in the water. He will uproot Israel from this good land which he gave their ancestors. He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River because they dedicated poles to the goddess Asherah and made the LORD furious. So the LORD will desert Israel because of Jeroboam’s sins, the sins which he led Israel to commit.” 2 Chronicles 12:5–8 The prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered in Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah said to them, “This is what the LORD says: You have abandoned me, so I will abandon you. I will hand you over to Shishak.” Then the commanders of Israel and the king humbled themselves. “The LORD is right!” they said. When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, he spoke his word to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them. In a little while I will give them an escape. I will not use Shishak to pour my anger on Jerusalem. But they will become his servants so that they can learn the difference between serving me and serving foreign kings.” Isaiah 54:7–8 “I abandoned you for one brief moment, but I will bring you back with unlimited compassion. I hid my face from you for a moment in a burst of anger, but I will have compassion on you with everlasting kindness,” says the LORD your defender. OUR GOD IS SENDING US A STRONG MESSAGE THROUGH THESE VERSES. WERE YOU ABLE TO RECEIVE THE POINTS THAT GOD WAS MAKING? ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
God is compassionate: 2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort. Exodus 33:19 The LORD said, “I will let all my goodness pass in front of you, and there I will call out my name ‘the LORD.’ I will be kind to anyone I want to. I will be merciful to anyone I want to. Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God. You are patient, always faithful and ready to forgive. Psalm 119:156 Your acts of compassion are many in number, O LORD. Give me a new life guided by your regulations. Joel 2:13 Tear your hearts, not your clothes. Return to the LORD your God. He is merciful and compassionate, patient, and always ready to forgive and to change his plans about disaster. LET US LIVE OUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WILL CAUSE OUR GOD TO WANT TO BE KIND AND MERCIFUL TO US. WE SERVE A GOOD GOD, A COMPASSIONATE GOD, GLOORRYY!!! HALLELUJAH!!! Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OUR GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT ADDICTION John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “I can guarantee this truth: Whoever lives a sinful life is a slave to sin. Philippians 3:18–19 I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things. Titus 3:3 Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other. 2 Peter 2:19 They promise these people freedom, but they themselves are slaves to corruption. A person is a slave to whatever he gives in to. CHECK YOURSELF, WHAT SINS ARE YOU ADDICTED TO? DON’T BE A SLAVE TO SIN. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
God speaks to us about purification Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Isaiah 1:16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. STOP BEING COMFORTABLE WITH THOSE SINS THAT YOU LOVE. CLEANSE YOURSELF, STOP SINNING. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD TEACHES US ABOUT DIFFICULT PEOPLE Mark 11:25 ESV And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Matthew 5:44 ESV But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 18:15 ESV “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. Proverbs 20:3 GW Avoiding a quarrel is honorable. After all, any stubborn fool can start a fight. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
