Rules for Conduct Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com 1. A personal faith in Christ to save from sin—Matt. 1:21. 2. An empowerment by the Holy Spirit to do the will of God—Acts 1:8; Eph. 3:16. 3. The blessedness of joy which comes from heart purity—Matt. 5:8. 4. Love, which shows itself in sympathy and help to others, and that love born of the love of God—1 John 3:16; 1 Cor. 13. 5. An obedience to Christ which shows itself in keeping His commandments—John 13:34, 35; 14:15. 6. Christ Himself producing His life over again in the lives of. those who are indwelt by Him—Gal. 2:20. 7. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do, or as grace teaches: “To live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12). CHECK YOURSELF: HOW ARE YOU LIVING? ARE YOU EVEN STRIVING TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF GOD? ARE YOU A CHILD OF GOD? DO YOU LOVE GOD? John 14:15 GW “If you love me, you will obey my commandments. PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
What does the Bible say about dating? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com What kind of person should you date? It’s in the Bible, II Timothy 2:22, TLB. “Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.” It is unwise to date someone who doesn’t love God. It’s in the Bible, II Corinthians 6:14-15, TLB. “Don’t be teamed with those who do not love the Lord, for what do the people of God have in common with the people of sin? How can light live with darkness? And what harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a Christian be a partner with one who doesn’t believe?” Amos 3:3, NKJV says, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Don’t date someone who claims to be a Christian but doesn’t live it. It’s in the Bible, I Corinthians 5:11, TLB. “What I meant was that you are not to keep company with anyone who claims to be a brother Christian but indulges in sexual sins, or is greedy, or is a swindler, or worships idols, or is a drunkard, or abusive. Don’t even eat lunch with such a person.” Avoid dating people who have a bad temper. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 22:24, TLB. “Keep away from angry, short-tempered men, lest you learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” Don’t date a lazy Christian. It’s in the Bible, II Thessalonians 3:6, TLB. “Now here is a command, dear brothers, given in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ by his authority: Stay away from any Christian who spends his days in laziness and does not follow the ideal of hard work we set up for you.” Inner beauty counts the most. It’s in the Bible, I Peter 3:4, TLB. “Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious to God.” Date someone with a good attitude. It’s in the Bible, Romans 15:5-6, TLB. “May God who gives patience, steadiness, and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other—each with the attitude of Christ toward the other.” Date someone who encourages you and is supportive. It’s in the Bible, Philippians 2:1-2, TLB. “Is there any such thing as Christians cheering each other up? Do you love me enough to want to help me? Does it mean anything to you that we are brothers in the Lord, sharing the same Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic at all? Then make me truly happy by loving each other, working together with one heart and mind and purpose.” What to avoid on dates. It’s in the Bible, Romans 13:13, TLB. “Be decent and true in everything you do so that all can approve your behavior. Don’t spend your time in wild parties and getting drunk or in adultery and lust, or fighting, or jealousy.” Dating should not include a sexual relationship. It’s in the Bible, I Corinthians 6:13,18, TLB. “But sexual sin is never right: our bodies were not made for that, but for the Lord…That is why I say to run from sex sin. No other sin affects the body as this one does. When you sin this sin it is against your own body.” Keep yourself pure. It’s in the Bible, I John 3:3, TLB. “And everyone who really believes this will try to stay pure because Christ is pure.” To keep from hurting ourselves, sexual desires and activities must be placed under Christ’s control. It’s in the Bible, I Thessalonians 4:3-5, TLB. “For God wants you to be holy and pure and to keep clear of all sexual sin so that each of you will marry in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion as the heathen do, in their ignorance of God and his ways.” If you have already gone too far physically, what should you do? First, acknowledge your sin. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 51:2-4, TLB. “Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. For I admit my shameful deed—it haunts me day and night.” Second, ask forgiveness for your sin—God says you can start over again. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 51:7-12, TLB. “Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. And after You have punished me, give me back my joy again. Don’t keep looking at my sins—erase them from Your sight. Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Don’t toss me aside, banished forever from Your presence. Don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.” Third, believe that God has indeed forgiven you and quit feeling guilty. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 32:1-6, TLB. “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record. There was a time when I wouldn’t admit what a sinner I was. But my dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with frustration. All day and all night Your hand was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, ‘I will confess them to the Lord.’ And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Now I say that each believer should confess his sins to God when he is aware of them, while there is time to be forgiven. Judgment will not touch him if he does. You are my hiding place from every storm of life; You even keep me from getting into trouble! You surround me with songs of victory.” God has a mate for you. It’s in the Bible, Genesis 2:18, TLB. “And the Lord God said, ‘It isn’�t good for man to be alone; I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs.'” Ask the Lord for a mate. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 19:14, TLB. “A father can give his sons homes and riches, but only the Lord can give them understanding wives.” God will give you your heart’s desires. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 37:4 and Matthew 6:8, TLB. “Be delighted with the Lord. Then He will give you all your heart’s desires.” “Remember, your Father knows exactly what you need before you ask Him!” WERE YOU ABLE TO RECEIVE FROM AND ENJOY THIS QUICK STUDY. PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
HEALING God has healed in the past by prescription, 2 Ki. 20:7; 1 Tim. 5:23; through physicians, Luke 5:31; Col. 4:14; by direct intervention, Mark 3:1–5; in answer to the faith of friends, Mark 2:5; in response to prayer, Jas. 5:15, 16; and in spite of unbelief, Mark 6:5. It did not please God to heal Daniel, Dan. 8:27; Elisha, 2 Ki. 13:14; Timothy, 1 Tim. 5:23; Epaphroditus, Phil. 2:26; Trophimus, 2 Tim. 4:20; or Paul, 2 Cor. 12:7–10. God is able to heal anyone at any time, but the Bible reveals that it is not normally His purpose to do so. Evangelicals therefore believe in divine healing, but not in divine healers. Sickness and infirmity are permitted for a number of revealed reasons: so that God’s works may be made manifest, John 9:3; for His own glory, John 11:4; for our profit, Psa. 119:67; Heb. 12:5–10; so that we may be able to comfort others, 2 Cor. 1:4; to make us more fruitful, John 15:2; Heb. 12:11; to prepare us for future glory, Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 4:17. God always provides a way to escape, 1 Cor. 10:13. It comes through prayer, Matt. 6:13; Heb. 4:16. It may also come through self-judgment, in the light of the Word, 1 Cor. 11:31; 2 Chr. 7:14. If God does not heal, His grace is sufficient, 2 Cor. 12:9. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD IS THE BEST TEACHER WE CAN HAVE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 25:8-9 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” ALLOW GOD TO TEACH YOU, AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
If I struggle with a habitual sin, does that mean I am not saved? On this side of heaven, every Christian will struggle with sin. The apostle John writes to believers of every generation: “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth” (1 John 1:8, NLT, see also 1 John 1:10). If Christians were destined never to wrestle with sin, then Jesus would not have taught His followers to pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12, NLT). The good news is that, even though we still sin, we can confess our sins to the Lord, receive His forgiveness and cleansing, and remain in fellowship with God (see 1 John 1:9). The Bible clearly shows that, after salvation, Christians continue to sin. No one is perfect. James writes, “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way” (James 3:2, NLT; see also Philippians 3:12; James 3:8; 4:17). The author of Hebrews describes the believer’s battle with habitual sin and the need to “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT). In Romans 7:14–25, the apostle Paul writes openly and honestly of his struggle with sin: “The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (verses 14–15, NLT). Habitual sin won’t cause us to lose our salvation or keep us out of heaven, but it can hinder our fellowship with God if we don’t humbly confess and continually seek restoration. As we grapple with sin in our Christian walk, we must never give up the fight or give in to our sinful desires. If we are to be adequately armed for the battle, it helps to understand what happens to us when we are saved. As soon as we place our faith in Jesus Christ and receive His salvation, we become new creations in Jesus Christ. Our old life of sin is dead and gone, and a new life begins (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4). At the same time, we are just starting a spiritual growth process called sanctification. At the moment of salvation, God gives us the Holy Spirit to initiate an internal work of conforming us into the image of His Son (see Romans 8:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). He starts making us more and more like Jesus, and He continues the work over our lifetime (Philippians 1:6). It is a slow progression of “being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The process will not be complete until we see Jesus face-to-face (1 John 3:2). Only then will our struggle with sin cease. God does the work, but we must submit ourselves into His hands and cooperate with Him. (Matthew 26:41; Luke 12:15; 1 Peter 5:6–11; James 4:7). Paul encourages all believers to “press on toward the goal” of Christian maturity (Philippians 3:12–14). Pursuing a lifestyle of habitual sin will impede our ability to live in the light, grace, and freedom that Jesus Christ intended for us (see Romans 6:11–14; 13:12–14). We can’t let guilt over sin take us out of the fight (Romans 8:1–17), nor should we allow God’s gracious willingness to forgive our sins to lull us into callous apathy, feeling like we can go on sinning (Romans 6:1–14). John urges, “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:1–2, NLT). God has given us Jesus Christ to advocate for us. Even when we do our best not to sin, we fall short sometimes. When we fail, we must remember that all is not lost. Jesus stands before the Father, pleading our case. He “understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15, NLT). We can come to Jesus and find mercy and grace to help us with our struggle against habitual sin (see Hebrews 4:16). He paid the price and the penalty for our sins, including those committed after we were saved (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:25; Colossians 2:13–14; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24). Scripture teaches us to be honest with ourselves and God about our struggle against sin, recognizing that we are incapable of overcoming the battle in our own strength and power. We can only be victorious by relying on the power of God’s Holy Spirit, letting the Spirit guide our lives (Galatians 5:16), walking and living by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25), trying not to stifle the Spirit’s work (1 Thessalonians 5:19; Ephesians 4:30) but seeking instead to be filled with the Spirit, surrendering entirely to His control (Ephesians 5:15–20). We can ask the Lord to discipline us in whatever way necessary to overcome any habitual sins in our lives. We can be smart and on guard in our struggle with sin (2 Peter 3:17; Romans 6:12–14), resisting temptations (Hebrews 12:4; James 4:7), avoiding enticements (1 Thessalonians 5:22), standing on God’s Word (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16), and seeking the way of escape that God provides (1 Corinthians 10:13). It may take a lifetime, but by God’s grace, we will experience continuing, growing victory over sin. DID YOU FIND THIS QUICK STUDY TO BE HELPFUL AND INTERESTING? PayPal.me/donatetochurch Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Pastor Andra Higginbotham
WORDS OF WISDOM Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son while there is still hope. Do not be the one responsible for his death. Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept discipline so that you may be wise the rest of your life. Proverbs 23:13–14 Do not hesitate to discipline a child. If you spank him, he will not die. Spank him yourself, and you will save his soul from hell. Proverbs 23:19 My son, listen, be wise, and keep your mind going in the right direction. Proverbs 24:19–20 Do not get overly upset with evildoers. Do not envy wicked people, because an evil person has no future, and the lamps of wicked people will be snuffed out. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Pastor Andra Higginbotham
GOD IS OUR HEALER Exodus 15:26 He said, “If you will listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what he considers right, if you pay attention to his commands and obey all his laws, I will never make you suffer any of the diseases I made the Egyptians suffer, because I am the LORD, who heals you.” Psalm 103:2–3 Praise the LORD, my soul, and never forget all the good he has done: He is the one who forgives all your sins, the one who heals all your diseases, Luke 5:15 The news about Jesus spread even more. Large crowds gathered to hear him and have their diseases cured. Mark 10:52 Jesus told him, “Go, your faith has made you well.” At once he could see again, and he followed Jesus on the road. Luke 6:17–19 Jesus came down from the mountain with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples and many other people were there. They had come from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. They wanted to hear him and be cured of their diseases. Those who were tormented by evil spirits were cured. The entire crowd was trying to touch him because power was coming from him and curing all of them. FOOD FOR THOUGHT GOD IS OUR HEALER ALLOW THESE VERSE TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
The Bible Speaks To Us About God Answering Prayers John 15:7 ESV If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:16 ESV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. Isaiah 65:24 ESV Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. James 4:3 ESV You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Psalm 37:4-5 ESV Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Matthew 21:22 ESV And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Hebrews 4:16 ESV Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. DO YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS SEEK TO LIFT GOD UP, OR YOU UP? DO YOU HAVE FAITH THAT GOD WILL ANSWER YOUR PRAYER? DO YOU DELIGHT YOURSELF IN GOD, OR THE WORLD? Think about it. PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
A Time To Die Psalm 103:15-16 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. Job 14:1-2 “Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. “Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain. Psalm 102:11 My days are like a lengthened shadow, And I wither away like grass. Death Will Soon Happen 2 Kings 20:1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” Deuteronomy 31:14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, the time for you to die is near; call Joshua, and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the tent of meeting. 1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” LIFE ON EARTH IS SHORT. LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WHEN YOU DIE OF THIS EARTHLY LIFE YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER WITH GOD. John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Perfection Is Unattainable Ecclesiastes 7:20 Certainly, there is no one so righteous on earth that he always does what is good and never sins. James 3:2 All of us make a lot of mistakes. If someone doesn’t make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect. He would be able to control everything he does. Philippians 3:12–15 It’s not that I’ve already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Whoever has a mature faith should think this way. And if you think differently, God will show you how to think. DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF, AND DON’T BE TOO HARD ON OTHERS. WHEN YOU WANT TO JUDGE SOMEONE, LOOK AT YOURSELF FIRST. DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF, OR OTHERS, BUT CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO WIN THE PRIZE. KNOWING THAT WE ARE NOT PREFECT IS NOT MEANT TO BE A CRUTCH, CONTINUE STRIVING TO BE PERFECT. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch
