THE JOURNEY BEGINS EZEKIEL 36:26–27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9–10) During a wedding ceremony, two people make a commitment to be together for life. They vow to choose each other every day from that day forward. They leave behind an old life of living for themselves and move forward in a new life together as they are pronounced husband and wife. It would be ridiculous for the bride and groom to walk back down the aisle, look at each other, and say, “Thanks for the great wedding day, but I’m going to do my own thing now.” Or, “That was a great one-day experience, but it does not change me or my life.” No! The newlyweds celebrate with a honeymoon to grow closer. They share a home and a life together. Their wedding vows are the starting point of their life together, not the end. They commit to continue to grow in unity. If you believe Jesus died and rose again to forgive you and to give you true life, if you have asked him to forgive you, if you have asked him to come into your life, then hooray! You have begun an incredible journey with the Lord of the universe. No longer do you have to worry about whether you’re good enough for God, because in Christ you are God’s own child! Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. When you feel alone or when you experience guilt and shame, you can turn to God instead of running away from him. You are forgiven! A relationship with God is better than any other relationship or anything you can buy. It’s permanent and will change you more than anything else in your life. Welcome to the beginning of a lifelong journey. (Spoiler alert: this one ends in happily ever after. ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!! Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch Pastor Andra Higginbotham
Christ and Evil Spirits There are many who are possessed by evil spirits still. 1. The evil spirits of the greed of covetousness—1 Tim. 6:10. 2. The love of the world—2 Tim. 4:10. 3. The inflation of pride—1 Tim. 3:6. 4. The exaltation of self—3 John 9. 5. The blight of error—1 Tim. 1:19, 20. 6. The division of sectarianism—1 Cor. 1:11–13. 7. The demon of envy—Acts 7:9. These are some of the evil spirits around. Christ can expel these, and cure from the ill effects, as He did of old—Luke 8:2. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN FIND IN SOMEONE ELSE, BUT WE NEED TO CONSTANTLY BE SEARCHING OURSELF. DON’T CONTINUE LIVING WITH THE EVIL SPIRITS THAT HAVE POSSESSED YOU. TAKE THEM TO JESUS, HE CAN FREE YOU FROM THOSE EVIL SPIRITS. CHECK YOURSELF!!! Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
DON’T JUST HEAR THE WORD, LIVE THE WORD!!! Abiding in Christ depends upon holding on to his teaching 1 John 2:24 Make sure that the message you heard from the beginning lives in you. If that message lives in you, you will also live in the Son and in the Father. John 8:31 So Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples. 3 John 3 I was very happy when some believers came and told us that you are living according to the truth. SATAN LOVES IT WHEN YOU GO TO CHURCH AND RECEIVE NOTHING. RECEIVE THE WORD OF GOD, AND LIVE THE WORD OF GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurhofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
DON’T LOOK BACK, KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD Luke 9:61–62 Another said, “I’ll follow you, sir, but first let me tell my family goodbye.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever starts to plow and looks back is not fit for God’s kingdom.” A person must not look back. Note three things. a. This man offered himself to Jesus. He was willing to follow Jesus. Something about the Lord touched his heart or else the Lord’s teaching and ministry appealed to him. He saw the enormous benefit to men and to society as Christ ministered to the needs of men. In either case, he made a decision to follow Jesus. He was willing. b. The man had a double allegiance. Note the words but and first. The man had thought through his decision and concluded that he was willing to follow Christ, but something else needed to be handled first: a family affair, a business affair, an employment affair, a financial affair—some other concern was put first (as is the case with so many). Something else could have been concerning the man. He may have wanted his family’s counsel and advice, to see how they felt about his decision. Perhaps he felt their approval was needed. Then again, he could have been putting his love for family before his love for Christ. Perhaps he was attached to his family more than he was attached to Christ. Family should be our first attachment after our attachment to Christ. Christ is to be first in our lives. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mt. 6:33). “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Lu. 16:13). “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth” (Jos. 24:14). c. Jesus’ judgment was descriptively stated—stated in such a way that once heard or read, it would be difficult to forget: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” The man got the point, and he probably never forgot it. It more than likely pricked his conscience and disturbed him often as the saying flashed across his mind. He had willed to follow Christ, but he “had looked back”; therefore, he was not fit for the Kingdom of God. The idea is this. A man who begins to plough and then looks back … • ploughs a crooked row. No row (person) is ever straight, not like it should be. (Each row or person receives only partial teaching.) • ploughs an inconsistent field. The field under his care is never matured; it never receives consistent work • ploughs in a spirit lacking total commitment. He may turn away at any time, leaving a job unfinished • ploughs but allows distractions and disruptions which affect the crops (the plants are not cared for) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 7:21). “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Mt. 7:26–27). “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (He. 10:38). “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (Js. 1:8). “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Ro. 14:12). I HOPE YOU RECEIVED GREATLY FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
SOME OF THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE: God promised that His love will never fail (1 Chronicles 16:34). He is faithful in every way. God promised blessing for all who will delight themselves in His Word (Psalm 1:1–3). Simple faith has its rewards. God promised that all things will work out for good for His children (Romans 8:28). This is the broader picture that keeps us from being dismayed by present circumstances. God promised new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Salvation is the beginning of a brand-new existence. God promised to supply our needs (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19). Not that we get everything we want, but our needs will be taken care of. We are more valuable than the birds, and our Heavenly Father feeds them (Matthew 6:26). Jesus promised eternal life to those who trust Him (John 4:14). The Good Shepherd also promised to hold us securely: “No one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). WE CAN DEPEND ON THE PROMISES OF GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Go to God, Not Just Church My friends, it is one thing to go to church or chapel; it is quite another thing to go to God. Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to everyone who prays to him, to every faithful person who prays to him. Jeremiah 29:12–13 Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you. When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me, Hebrews 4:16 So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Never stop praying. DON’T JUST GO TO CHURCH, GO TO GOD. THINK ABOUT IT. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OUR GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT SERVICE What God expects of Christians is made clear throughout the NT. Nearly forty exhortations appear in Rom. 12 alone. The apostolic creed found in Tit. 2:11–14 outlines the Christian life as the denial of ungodliness and worldly lusts, accompanied by self restraint, righteousness, godliness and the expectation of the return of Christ. Another such outline in Heb. 10:19–25 calls for prayer, public testimony, a good example to others and assembly for worship. It is reasonable, or spiritual, RV, to present one’s body to God as a living sacrifice to serve Him, Rom. 12:1. This service must be exclusive, Luke 16:13; given with the spirit, Rom. 1:9; rendered with reverence and godly fear, Heb. 12:28; motivated by love, Gal. 5:13. It calls for following Christ, John 12:26, whom all Christians serve, Col. 3:24, as they serve God, Acts 27:23. Believers are described as persons who have turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 1 Thess. 1:9. This service may take the form of fasting and prayer, Luke 2:37, or ministering to the poor and needy, or giving oneself to prayer and the ministry of the Word as did the apostles, Acts 6:1–4. When Christian service is rendered in righteousness, peace, and joy, the believer is acceptable to God and approved of men, Rom. 14:17, 18. THERE IS A LOT TO RECEIVE FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. IT IS A GOOD REFRESHER, ALLOW IT TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
A WORD FROM GOD Romans 12:18-19 GNB Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God’s anger do it.For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” DON’T START TROUBLE, LIVE IN PEACE.DON’T ALLOW ANYONE TO CAUSE YOU TO GET INTO TROUBLE. LET GOD FIGHT YOUR BATTLES. GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF IT. John 18:17 GNB The girl at the gate said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of the disciples of that man?” “No, I am not,” answered Peter. JUST BECAUSE A PERSON SAY THEY LOVE YOU, JUST BECAUSE A PERSON HANG OUT WITH YOU EVERYDAY, DON’T THINK THEY WON’T TURN THERE BACK ON YOU. THINK ABOUT IT. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
SALVATION AND REWARDS A number of clear contrasts between the two appear in Scripture. Salvation is for the lost, Matt. 18:11, while rewards are for the saved, Prov. 13:13. The salvation offered to all who believe is the same for everyone, Acts 16:31; Heb. 10:39, while rewards will differ, Rev. 22:12. Salvation is a free gift, Isa. 55:1; Rom. 6:23, but rewards are earned, 1 Cor. 3:8. Salvation is received in the present, John 5:24; rewards are to be received in the future, Matt. 16:27. When the day for rewards has come, fire will test every man’s work. All that survives will be rewarded, and salvation will not be affected, 1 Cor. 3:11–15. Every man will have praise of God, 1 Cor. 4:5. Keeping the precepts of Scripture has always brought great reward, Psa. 19:11. Christ spoke of rewards as being in Heaven, Matt. 5:12. He will bring them with Him at His return, Rev. 22:12. A reward is to be given even for the offering of a cup of cold water, Matt. 10:42. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, Heb. 11:6. It is a worthy motive to serve Him with the promised rewards in view. Even Moses “had respect unto the recompense of the reward,” Heb. 11:26. All believers are encouraged to have full confidence in the fulfillment of everything God has promised, Heb. 10:35–37; Prov. 11:18. LIVE GODLY AND RECEIVE THE REWARDS. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
