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.
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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
Scripture does not give a single sentence that says, “You will meet your family in heaven,” but it does give a clear pattern that God’s people will know one another, be reunited, and remain in conscious relationship after death. The evidence is strong, consistent, and rooted in both Old and New Testament revelation. What Scripture Shows About Recognizing Loved Ones in Heaven 1. God’s people remain themselves after death — identity is preserved Matthew 17:1–3 (GW) — At the Transfiguration, the disciples instantly recognized Moses and Elijah, even though they lived centuries earlier. “Then Moses and Elijah appeared to them and were talking with Jesus.” This shows continuity of identity and recognizability in the afterlife. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (GW) —“Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete, but then I will know fully, as God has known me.” Paul teaches that in eternity we will know fully, not less. Recognition increases, not decreases. 2. Scripture describes reunion with those who died in the Lord 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (GW) — Paul comforts grieving believers by promising a reunion. “We who are still alive will join them… Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.” Paul’s comfort only makes sense if believers will see and know one another again. Genesis 25:8 (GW) —Abraham… died at a good old age… and was gathered to his people.” This phrase is repeated for Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and others. It does not mean burial location; it means joining those who died before them. 2 Samuel 12:23 (GW) — David says of his deceased child: “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” David expects a future reunion. 3. Heaven is a place of conscious fellowship Hebrews 12:22–23 (GW) describes heaven as a gathering of: “countless angels… the assembly of God’s firstborn children… and the spirits of God’s people who have been made perfect.” This is a community, not isolation. 4. Jesus’ teaching assumes personal recognition after death Luke 16:19–31 — In Jesus’ story, Abraham, Lazarus, and the rich man all recognize one another after death. Jesus never corrects this as symbolic; He uses it to teach reality. Luke 23:43 (GW) — Jesus tells the thief: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” “With me” implies relationship, not anonymity.
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Assurance comes from doing what is right. Isaiah 32:17, NKJV. “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” God can keep us from falling. Jude 24, NKJV. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,” Christ has given us the victory. 1 Corinthians 15:57, NKJV. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” God is the one who started the good that is in you, and He will complete it. Philippians 1:6, NKJV. “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” If we admit our guilt and wrongs, Christ is true to His promise to forgive and cleanse us of all what we have done. 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” All situations that face us – with God, it is possible to be delivered. Mark 10:27, NKJV. “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” God cares. 1 Peter 5:7, NKJV. “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
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God’s Word is rich and specific about what God does for us—how He acts, protects, provides, strengthens, guides, and stays faithful. The word of God teaches us that God Protects Us Psalm 91:4 (GW) “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor.” Psalm 121:7–8 (GW) “The Lord guards you from every evil. He guards your life. The Lord guards you as you come and go, now and forever.” God Fights for Us Exodus 14:14 (GW) “The Lord will fight for you. All you have to do is keep still.” Deuteronomy 20:4 (GW) “The Lord your God is going with you. He will fight for you against your enemies and give you victory.” God Provides for Us Philippians 4:19 (GW) “My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus.” Psalm 34:10 (GW) “Those who seek the Lord will never lack anything good.” God Strengthens Us Isaiah 40:29 (GW) “He gives strength to those who grow tired and increases the strength of those who are weak.” Psalm 46:1 (GW) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” God Guides Us Psalm 32:8 (GW) “The Lord says, ‘I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.’” Proverbs 3:5–6 (GW) “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.”
LET US NOT FORGET HOW MUCH OUR GOD DOES FOR US. OUR GOD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE, LET US GIVE PRAISE TO OUR GOD. GLORY! HALLELUJAH!
