THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO BEWARE: God’s commands remind us of our responsibilities. Beware of— 1. The Bane of Covetousness. “Beware of covetousness” Luke 12:15 He told the people, “Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed. Life is not about having a lot of material possessions.” 2. The Dogs of Evil. “Beware of evil workers” Phil. 3:2 Beware of dogs! Beware of those who do evil things. Beware of those who insist on circumcision. 3. The Traditions of Men. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men” Col. 2:8 Be careful not to let anyone rob you ⸤of this faith⸥ through a shallow and misleading philosophy. Such a person follows human traditions and the world’s way of doing things rather than following Christ. 4. The Leaven of Self-righteousness. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees” Luke 12:1 Meanwhile, thousands of people had gathered. They were so crowded that they stepped on each other. Jesus spoke to his disciples and said, “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. I’m talking about their hypocrisy. 5. The Blight of Forgetfulness. “Beware lest thou forget the Lord” Deut. 6:12 be careful that you don’t forget the LORD, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt. 6. The Error of the Wicked. “Beware lest ye also be led by the error of the wicked” 2 Peter 3:17 Dear friends, you already know these things. So be on your guard not to be carried away by the deception of people who have no principles. Then you won’t fall from your firm position. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES US ABOUT POWER Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com One reason why God saves men is “that he might make his mighty power to be known,” Psa. 106:8. The heavens are the work of His fingers, Psa. 8:3, but our salvation required the baring of the right arm of His power, Isa. 52:10; 53:1. Christ promised power to His followers in His last words before the ascension, Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8. The prayers of Paul exhibit a deep desire that believers might know this power, Eph. 3:16. It is seen not only in great works, but also in patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, Col. 1:11. God’s power was manifested in the preaching of the apostles, Col. 1:27–29; 1 Thess. 1:5. Power belonged to God in OT days, Psa. 62:11, was given to Jesus Christ, Matt. 28:18, and He passed it on to believers, Acts 1:8. Christians today receive power through feeding on the Word of God, Acts 6:4, 8, contr. Lev. 26:14, 37; and in answer to prayer and supplication, Gen. 32:28; Hos. 12:4; Phil. 3:10. God’s strength is given to those who wait upon Him, Isa. 40:29–31, in recognition of their own weakness, 2 Cor. 12:9. The remarkable revelation is given in Eph. 3:20 that God is able to do far more than we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. This is intended to be normal Christian experience, enabling believers to sing of it from day to day, Psa. 59:16. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD’S WORD TO US 2 Corinthians 9:8 EASY God is able to give you more than you need of every good thing. You will always have everything that you need for yourselves. Also, you will be able to do many good things to help other people. GOD IS OUR PROVIDER. LIVE GODLY AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. Isaiah 3:10-11 GW Tell the righteous that blessings will come to them. They will taste the fruit of their labor. How horrible it will be for the wicked! Disaster will strike them. What they have done will be done to them. LIVE A RIGHTEOUS LIFE AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. ALLOW THESE TWO VERSES TO BE A GUIDE TO YOUR LIFE. THINK ABOUT IT. Jeremiah 17:5 GW “This is what the Lord says: Cursed is the person who trusts humans, who makes flesh and blood his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord . Jeremiah 17:7 GW Blessed is the person who trusts the Lord . The Lord will be his confidence. DO NOT LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A MANNER THAT WILL CAUSE YOUR LIFE TO BE CURSED. LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A MANNER THAT WILL CAUSE GOD TO WANT TO BLESS YOU. FOOD FOR THOUGHT Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE. THANK GOD YOU HAVE A HOME TO GO TO, YOU HAVE FOOD TO EAT, YOU HAVE WARM CLOTHES TO WEAR. SOME ARE HOMELESS, SOME HAVE NO FOOD, OR WARM CLOTHES. REMEMBER THEY CAN’T EAT YOUR PRAYER, REMEMBER YOUR PRAYER DON’T GIVE THEM INSTANT SHELTER. REMEMBER YOUR PRAYER DON’T KEEP THEM WARM. BE A BLESSING, PURCHASE A FEW STOCKING CAPS, WARM SOCKS, LONG JOHNS, PAY FOR LUNCH FOR SOMEONE THAT IS IN NEED. BE PREPARED TO BE A BLESSING DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A BLESSING. BE ONE OF GOD’S LOOKOUTS LOOKING TO BE A BLESSING. BE SURE TO TAKE TIME TO TALK TO THEM, SHOWING THEM LOVE, AND MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS GOD THAT BLESSING THEM NOT YOU. AS WE BLESS OTHERS GOD BLESSES US. REMEMBER WE CAN NEVER OUT GIVE GOD. ALL GLORY GOES TO GOD. GOD AND I THANK YOU FOR BEING A BLESSING. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
JESUS WARNS AGAINST BLASPHEMING THE HOLY SPIRIT Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Matt 12:31–32 31So I can guarantee that people will be forgiven for any sin or cursing However, cursing the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or the next. Mark 3:28–30 28“I can guarantee this truth: People will be forgiven for any sin or curse. 29But whoever curses the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He is guilty of an everlasting sin.” 30Jesus said this because the experts in Moses’ Teachings had said that he had an evil spirit. FOOD FOR THOUGHT PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
LORD’S SUPPER All who accept the invitation to the gospel supper, Luke 14:15–24 are sure to be present at the marriage supper of the Lamb, Rev. 19:7–9, and they have the privilege of enjoying the Lord’s Supper in the meantime, 1 Cor. 11:23–29. At this communion service, they participate in a present activity which commemorates a past event and looks forward to a future consummation. It is a feast of love, a memorial of faith, a prophecy of hope. Believers meditate on a crucified Saviour’s love, a living Saviour’s intercession, and a coming Saviour’s glory. The Lord’s Supper has its roots in Ex. 12:1–11, for it is Christ our passover who is sacrificed for us, 1 Cor. 5:7. On the night the blood of the passover lamb was shed, the people of Israel inaugurated a feast so they would afterward remember that they were saved by blood, as they enjoyed present fellowship and received strength for the wilderness journey ahead. Believers take the cup of remission, Matt. 26:28, the cup of remembrance, Luke 22:19; the cup of the Lord’s return, 1 Cor. 11:26. The table is prepared in the presence of their enemies, Psa. 23:5. Demons behold and tremble, Jas. 2:19. As Christians experience the Lord’s presence, Matt. 18:20, their eyes affect their hearts, Lam. 3:51. As they are reassured of His love, they receive new strength. FOOD FOR THOUGHT. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OUR GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT LYING Proverbs 12:22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. 1 Peter 3:10-11 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” Mark 7:20-23 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 1 John 1:6 GW If we say, “We have a relationship with God” and yet live in the dark, we’re lying. We aren’t being truthful. Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CLAIM TO BE SO CHRISTLIKE, AND CLAIM TO BE SO HOLY NEED STOP CHECKING OTHER PEOPLE, AND TAKE TIME TO CHECK THEIRSELF. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
“Be Strong” God’s commands are His promises, which enable us to carry out His precepts. 1. “Be strong” to possess God’s possessions, as He urged upon Joshua—Joshua 1:6 Be strong and courageous, because you will help these people take possession of the land I swore to give their ancestors. 2. “Be strong” to obey Jehovah’s commands, by unfaltering response to them—Joshua 1:7 “Only be strong and very courageous, faithfully doing everything in the teachings that my servant Moses commanded you. Don’t turn away from them. Then you will succeed wherever you go. 3. “Be strong” in the face of difficulties, because the Lord is with us to see us through them—Joshua 1:9 “I have commanded you, ‘Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’ ” 4. “Be strong” in the face of the declension of others, for the Lord bids us to be of “good courage”—Joshua 1:18 Whoever rebels against your authority or does not obey your orders will be put to death. Just be strong and courageous!” 5. Pass on His Word, “Be strong,” to others, as Joshua did to the children of Israel, and overcome all your enemies—Joshua 10:25 Joshua told them, “Don’t be afraid or terrified! Be strong and courageous, because this is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you’re fighting against.” 6. “Be strong,” for the Lord bids thee “fear not” those who oppose us, for He pledges Himself not to fail us—Deut. 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Don’t tremble! Don’t be afraid of them! The LORD your God is the one who is going with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you.” 7. “Be strong,” for the Lord hath sworn to give what He has promised—Deut. 31:7 Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous. You will go with these people into the land that the LORD will give them, as he swore to their ancestors. You will help them take possession of the land. OUR GOD TEACHES US TO BE STRONG. DON’T BE WEAK, BE STRONG!!! Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
ARE WE THERE 2 Timothy 4:3-4 GW [3] A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. [4] People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths. DO YOU FEEL THAT TIME IS HERE NOW? SELF-CHECK: IS THAT TIME IN YOU NOW? PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT HABITS: Set patterns of behaviour. These patterns can be helpful when they lead to spiritual discipline and a regular pattern of prayer and worship; others can be detrimental to faith. Examples of good habits Reading and obeying God’s word. Psalm 119:56-60 This has happened to me because I have obeyed your guiding principles. You are my inheritance, O LORD. I promised to hold on to your words. With all my heart I want to win your favor. Be kind to me as you promised. I have thought about my life, and I have directed my feet back to your written instructions. Without any hesitation I hurry to obey your commandments. Psalm 119:44 I will follow your teachings forever and ever. Psalm 119:97 Oh, how I love your teachings! They are in my thoughts all day long. Examples of bad habits Jeremiah 22:21 I spoke to you when you were prosperous, but you said that you wouldn’t listen. This is how you’ve been ever since you were young. You don’t listen to me. Judges 2:19 But after each judge died, the people went back to their old ways and acted more corruptly than their parents. They followed, served, and worshiped other gods. They never gave up their evil practices and stubborn ways. Ezekiel 33:31 Then they come to you, as if they are still my people, and they sit down in front of you. They listen to what you say, but they don’t do it. They say that they love me, but in their hearts they chase dishonest profits. 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. Warnings to avoid certain habits Hebrews 10:25 We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. 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. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com FOOD FOR THOUGHT, ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
