FAITH What is the meaning of faith? Hebrews 11:1, TLB. “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Jesus is the source of faith. Luke 17:5, TLB. “One day the apostles said to the Lord, ‘We need more faith; tell us how to get it.'” Romans 10:17, NIV says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” Faith is trusting God in everything. Hebrews 10:38, TLB. “And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting Him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no pleasure in them.” Weak faith can become strong faith with God’s help. It’s in the Bible, Mark 9:24, TLB. “The father instantly replied, ‘I do have faith; oh, help me to have more!'” James 5:15 (Prayers offered in faith will save those who are sick, and the Lord will cure them.) If you have sinned, you will be forgiven. Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com http://www.youtube.com/@andrahigginbotham8096 PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Some people say everyday in their life is a good day, and they know it’s not true. In reality they are calling God a liar, because God teaches us we will have some good days and some bad days as we go about this earthly journey. Ecclesiastes 7:14 states: On a good day, enjoy yourself. On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won’t take anything for granted. On days when we experience trouble it is good to know we can depend on God: Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” On days when we are weak it is good to know we can depend on God for strength. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” On days when we are discouraged it is good to know we can count on God. Psalm 34:17–18 “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
WHEN WE FEEL DOWN AND OUT, IT IS OUR GOD THAT ENCOURAGES US, ALLOWING US TO KNOW THAT HE IS WITH US AND HAS OUR BACK. LET US NOT LOSE HOPE, OR BE DISCOURAGED. LET US DEPEND ON GOD KNOWING THAT GOD IS WITH US AND WILL ALWAYS MAKE A WAY FOR US, AND THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD, AMEN AND AMEN.
Criticism of others often covers the need for self-criticism. Matthew 7:1-5, TLB. “Don’t criticize, and then you won’t be criticized. For others will treat you as you treat them. And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own? Should you say, ‘Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,’ when you can’t even see because of the board in your own? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother.” Those who give it—get it. Luke 6:37-38, TLB. “Never criticize or condemn—or it will all come back on you. Go easy on others; then they will do the same for you. For if you give, you will get!” Criticism can be destructive. Galatians 5:15, NIV. “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
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. James 1:25 However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s laws say. 1 John 2:6 Those who say that they live in him must live the same way he lived. Colossians 2:6 -7 You received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live as Christ’s people. Sink your roots in him and build on him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving.
LET US LIVE OUR LIFE ABIDING IN CHRIST. LET US BE SURE TO HOLD ON TO HIS TEACHINGS.
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. James 1:25 However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s laws say. 1 John 2:6 Those who say that they live in him must live the same way he lived. Colossians 2:6 -7 You received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live as Christ’s people. Sink your roots in him and build on him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving.
LET US LIVE OUR LIFE ABIDING IN CHRIST. LET US BE SURE TO HOLD ON TO HIS TEACHINGS.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble—1 Peter 3:8. Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.” John 13:34–35 “I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other.” Hebrews 13:1 “Continue to love each other.” A little thought will show you your own happiness depends on the way other people bear themselves toward you. The looks and tones at your breakfast-table, the conduct of your fellow-workers or employers, the faithful or unreliable men you deal with, what people say to you on the street, the way your cook and housemaid do their work, the letters you get, the friends or foes you meet—these things make up very much of the pleasure or misery of your day. Turn the idea around, and remember that just so much are you adding to the pleasure or the misery of other people’s days. And this is the half of the matter which you can control. Whether any particular day shall bring to you more of happiness or of suffering is largely beyond your power to determine. Whether each day of your life shall give happiness or suffering rests with yourself.
LET US SURROUND OURSELVES WITH PEOPLE THAT BRING HAPPINESS TO US, AND LET US BE SURE TO LIVE OUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT BRINGS HAPPINESS TO OTHER PEOPLE. SELF-CHECK: HOW ARE YOU LIVING? DO YOUR LIFE BRING HAPPINESS TO OTHERS.
GOD TEACHES US ABOUT LOYALTY LET US BE CAREFUL WHO WE PLACE OUR TRUST IN.
Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. Proverbs 20:6 “Many people declare their loyalty, but who can find someone who is really trustworthy?” Real loyalty is rare. It shows up in actions, not declarations. A person’s mouth may say anything, but their actions show if they are loyal or not. Loyalty is tested in trouble, not in comfort. Anyone can appear faithful when nothing is required of them. But when pressure comes, the true nature of a person is revealed. These proverbs warn us: Not to give crisis‑level trust to convenience‑level people. Don’t rely on inconsistent people. If someone has a pattern of unreliability, Scripture says you should not lean on them. God never calls us to be loyal to disloyalty. Before we depend on someone let us evaluate the person’s trustworthiness. Before depending on someone, ask: Have they shown faithfulness in small things? Before sharing something sensitive, ask: Have they handled past information with integrity? Surround yourself with people who strengthen your walk, not sabotage it. Don’t feel guilty for setting boundaries; feel wise. Pray for Discernment. Ask God to Show you who is safe. Show you who is not aligned with where He’s taking you, and realize discernment is protection, and God is the only One who is always reliable. “Lord, help me trust wisely today. Show me who strengthens my walk and who weakens it. Make me reliable in all I do and protect my heart from misplaced trust.” AMEN AND AMEN.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 Now then, brothers and sisters, because of the Lord Jesus we ask and encourage you to excel in living a God-pleasing life even more than you already do. Do this the way we taught you. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 you should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Samuel 12:24 Fear the LORD, and serve him sincerely. Consider the great things he did for you. Romans 6:13 Never offer any part of your body to sin’s power. No part of your body should ever be used to do any ungodly thing. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have come back from death and are now alive. Offer all the parts of your body to God. Use them to do everything that God approves of.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 Now then, brothers and sisters, because of the Lord Jesus we ask and encourage you to excel in living a God-pleasing life even more than you already do. Do this the way we taught you. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 you should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Samuel 12:24 Fear the LORD, and serve him sincerely. Consider the great things he did for you. Romans 6:13 Never offer any part of your body to sin’s power. No part of your body should ever be used to do any ungodly thing. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have come back from death and are now alive. Offer all the parts of your body to God. Use them to do everything that God approves of.
Jesus calls His followers to stay deeply connected to Him, because only through that union can they live fruitful lives that reflect God’s glory. John 15:4–8 Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me. “I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t produce anything without me. Whoever doesn’t live in me is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Branches like this are gathered, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours. You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples. Jesus teaches that spiritual life, growth, and fruitfulness are only possible by remaining connected to Him, just as a branch must stay attached to the vine to live. He is the vine—the life-giver. We are the branches—completely dependent on Him for vitality, direction, and power.
“Whatever is worrying you right now, forget about it. Take a deep breath and trust in God.” “Sometimes God’s blessing are not in what He gives; but in what He takes away. He knows best, trust Him.” “To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust him in the dark—that is faith.” “If God wants a thing to succeed – you can’t mess it up. If He wants a thing to fail – you can’t save it. Rest and just be faithful.” “God has perfect timing trust Him.” “The more you trust God the more He amazes you.” Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” TRUST GOD, HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.
