OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL Lamentations 3:22–23 the LORD’s mercy. We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited. It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great. Numbers 23:19 God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. Hebrews 10:23 We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful. OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL. WE CAN COUNT OF GOD!!! Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
DOUBT • Doubt is a fundamental distrust, fear, or lack of confidence in personal belief. Questioning one’s beliefs is a healthy part of the growing-up process, but for many teens, fear of being judged keeps them from actually asking the hard questions. Yet asking hard questions—of parents, of friends, of faith—is an important part of coming to own one’s faith. • The questions of faith are an integral part of the adolescent search for identity. The normal teen tendency to question her parents’ authority and beliefs leads her also to question what she’s been taught about faith. For many this questioning is soon resolved by good teaching and patient listening, but for some, unanswered (or poorly answered) questions can erode their faith. • There’s nothing wrong with teens asking hard questions about the character of God, the authority of the Bible, and the meaning of faith. Adults who are threatened by these questions drive teens away from the faith. Instead, we need to validate their questions, avoid simplistic answers, value them for their courage and interest, and enter the process of discovery with them. Psalm 78:18–22 They deliberately tested God by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God by saying, “Can God prepare a banquet in the desert? True, he did strike a rock, and water did gush out, and the streams did overflow. But can he also give us bread or provide us, his people, with meat?” When the LORD heard this, he became furious. His fire burned against Jacob and his anger flared up at Israel because they did not believe God or trust him to save them. Matthew 14:30–31 But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out, caught hold of him, and said, “You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?” Matthew 28:16–17 The eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they bowed down in worship, though some had doubts. James 1:6–8 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. A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything. CHECK YOURSELF, DO YOU TRUST GOD, OR DO YOU DOUBT GOD? GOD IS NOT PLEASED WITH YOUR DOUBT. WHY DO YOU DOUBT GOD? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Come to God Without Reserve When you come back to God for pardon and salvation, come with all you have to lay all at His feet. Come with your body, to offer it as a living sacrifice upon His altar. Come with your soul and all its powers, and yield them in willing consecration to your God and Savior. Come, bring them all along—everything, body, soul, intellect, imagination, acquirements—all, without reserve. 2 Chronicles 7:14 However, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear ⸤their prayer⸥ from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country. James 4:7–10 So place yourselves under God’s authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters. Be miserable, mourn, and cry. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into gloom. Humble yourselves in the Lord’s presence. Then he will give you a high position. 1 Peter 1:22–25 Love each other with a warm love that comes from the heart. After all, you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. As a result you have a sincere love for each other. You have been born again, not from a seed that can be destroyed, but through God’s everlasting word that can’t be destroyed. That’s why ⸤Scripture says⸥, “All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower of the field. The grass dries up and the flower drops off, but the word of the Lord lasts forever.” This word is the Good News that was told to you. Ezekiel 18:21–23 “But suppose a wicked person turns away from all the sins that he has done. He obeys all my laws and does what is fair and right. He will certainly live. He will not die. All the rebellious things that he did will not be remembered. He will live because of the right things that he did. I don’t want wicked people to die.” declares the Almighty LORD. “I want them to turn from their evil ways and live. I HOPE YOU RECEIVED GREATLY FROM THESE VERSES. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE, AND REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
All Hell Would Approve God’s Character All hell, if they could view God in his absolute existence, without any relation to themselves, would heartily approve his character. The reason why wicked men and devils hate God is because they see him in relation to themselves. Their hearts rise up in rebellion because they see him opposed to their selfishness. 2 Corinthians 10:3–4 Of course we are human, but we don’t fight like humans. The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their arguments 2 Timothy 3:2–7 People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God. They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people. Some of these men go into homes and mislead weak-minded women who are burdened with sins and led by all kinds of desires. These women are always studying but are never able to recognize the truth. 1 John 3:17 Now, suppose a person has enough to live on and notices another believer in need. How can God’s love be in that person if he doesn’t bother to help the other believer? HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SEE GOD SEEING HOW YOU LIVE? ARE YOU MORE LIKE GOD OR MORE LIKE THE WORLD? KNOWING GOD, AND KNOWING HOW YOU ARE LIVING, HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL ABOUT GOD, HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
PLEASING GOD IS COMMANDED Ephesians 5:8–10 Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light. Light produces everything that is good, that has God’s approval, and that is true. Determine which things please the Lord. Romans 12:1-2 Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect. Romans 14:17–19 God’s kingdom does not consist of what a person eats or drinks. Rather, God’s kingdom consists of God’s approval and peace, as well as the joy that the Holy Spirit gives. The person who serves Christ with this in mind is pleasing to God and respected by people. So let’s pursue those things which bring peace and which are good for each other. An essential aspect of the life of believers that is more than a matter of external observance, but a total and heartfelt commitment to God. LET US LIVE OUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WILL PLEASE GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE CHURCH The community of faithful believers, of whom Jesus Christ is the head. Ephesians 1:22–23 God has put everything under the control of Christ. He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the church. The church is Christ’s body and completes him as he fills everything in every way. Ephesians 5:23 The husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior. Colossians 1:18 He is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, the first to come back to life so that he would have first place in everything. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE WORSHIPPING THE PASTOR AND PRAISING THE PASTOR, BUT NOT RECOGNIZING CHRIST, NOT WORSHIPING CHRIST, AND NOT PRAISING CHRIST. LET US NOT FORGET CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, NOT THE PASTOR!!! IT SEEMS LIKE SOME PASTORS ARE EVEN FORGETTING THAT!!! Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT THE CHURCH God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:24–27) The church is made up of people who believe Jesus is their Savior and have made him first in their lives. The church isn’t made up of perfect people. It is made of people who are learning about following Christ and learning how to love God and each other. The church, which includes all Christ-followers, meets regularly all across the globe in smaller organizations known as local churches. A local church can meet in a small building, a home, or a stadium, but a church isn’t the building itself. The church is made up of people who are following Jesus. No matter how young you are when you became a Christian, there is a place for you to be part of a local church! It’s important to find a place in your community where you can learn and serve. The church doesn’t gather to be entertained. God’s desire is for the church to encourage each other, pray together, and learn together. We get to worship together, hear God’s word, and serve others. We get to discover and enjoy the gifts God gives us! The church gathers to experience God’s grace together in Christ. In Acts we read that the church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). This common life involved more than meeting in a building once a week and then going their separate ways. They ate together. They prayed together. They gave what they had to help the needy and the hurting. They shared—through their words and actions—the good news that Jesus promises forgiveness and life to those who believe in him. Through the church God works in the world. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD IS PERSONAL 2 TIMOTHY 3:16–17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Your hands made me and formed me. (Psalm 119:73) The Lord didn’t just create us and let things go without getting involved. God created the heavens and earth, plant and animal life, and he made us with intricate detail and uniqueness. God puts great care into all the things he makes. With loving purpose he designed your physical appearance, your mind, your talents, and your personality. He delights in what he has made and longs to know you. God has always dwelled with his people. In the garden of Eden he dwelled with Adam and Eve. After Adam and Eve sinned, God went to extravagant lengths to pursue his people. He sent prophets with his message, and he gave the Israelites instructions for the tabernacle, where his presence would be. Then Jesus came to earth. After the ascension, God poured the Holy Spirit into our hearts so that God will always be present with us. He will never leave or forsake us. If you struggle with your identity, if you are insecure about the way God made you, if you tend to criticize yourself, then take extra time reading through today’s psalm. Notice how God through the psalmist defines your identity. Observe how the psalmist describes how God made you. Write down the verses that stick out to you. Post them so you can be reminded of God’s love for you. You are not an accident. His hands made you and formed you. God values you and is thrilled about your life. He gladly dwells with you! GOD MADE YOU; HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU, REJOICE IN WHO YOU ARE. GOD DID NOT MAKE A MISTAKE WHEN HE MADE YOU. YOU ARE SPECIAL JUST LIKE YOU ARE. BE GLAD TO BE WHO YOU ARE. Psalm 139:1–5 O LORD, you have examined me, and you know me. You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away. You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways. Even before there is a ⸤single⸥ word on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD. You are all around me—in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me. Father, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me the way you did. Help me to see myself as you see me: as your beloved child in whom you are well pleased. Thank you that I have value because I am yours! In Jesus’ name, amen. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES US ABOUT CONDUCT Believers have liberty in Christ, Gal. 5:1. This is limited by personal conviction, Rom. 14:5; by warnings against self indulgence, Gal. 5:13; by enslaving habits, 1 Cor. 6:12; and by anything which does not edify, 1 Cor. 10:23; which is hypocritical, 1 Pet. 2:16; or which tends to harm the weak, 1 Cor. 8:9. Three principles govern conduct. 1. Effect upon self. Conduct must be pure rather than lustful, 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Pet. 2:11. It must not defile, 1 Cor. 3:17; Tit. 1:15 , or result in self condemnation, Rom. 14:22. It is always to be in the category of good works, Tit. 3:8 , rather than in the category of sin, Rom. 6:13. 2. Effect upon others, Rom. 14:7. It is to be a good example, 1 Tim. 4:12; worthy of our calling, Eph. 4:1; honest, 2 Cor. 8:21; free from the appearance of evil, 1 Thess. 5:22; helpful rather than offensive to a neighbor, Rom. 15:2; l Cor. 10:32; not a cause of stumbling, Rom. 14:13. It must honor parents, Col. 3:20; and government, Tit. 3:1; while it may not be an unequal yoke, 2 Cor. 6:14. 3. Relationship to God. Everything is to be done in the name of the Lord, 1 Tim. 6:1; as unto Him, Col. 3:23; and for His glory, 1 Cor. 10:31. It is to be worthy of God and His kingdom, 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 1:5. ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
BODY, SOUL, SPIRIT Man consists of body, soul, and spirit, distinguished in 1 Thess. 5:23. The body is the material part of man, created by God, Gen. 2:7 , as the instrument by which soul and spirit relate to the material universe and fulfill His will. Spiritual and physical death came to the body in the day man sinned, as God reckons time, 2 Pet. 3:8. Believers present their bodies to God for His use, Rom. 12:1, 2. Redeemed and transformed, Rom. 8:23; Phil. 3:21 , the body will be resurrected for life in a new environment, 1 Cor. 15:35–54. The soul is immaterial, intermediate between body and spirit. It is the seat of the will, affections, personality. Man is called a soul, Gen. 2:7 , because he has a soul, Psa. 103:1; 2 Cor. 1:23. The body is now suited to the life of the soul. In resurrection it will be suited rather to the life of the spirit. The soul continues to live after the body is dead, Acts 2:31; Rev. 6:9. The spirit is the immaterial part of man which is related to worship and communion with God. It gives man God-consciousness. We are to win souls, not spirits, Prov. 11:30. Men worship and serve God with the spirit, not the soul, John 4:24; Rom. 1:9. The spirit is distinguished from the soul in Heb. 4:12. DID YOU FIND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE ENJOYABLE AND HELPFUL? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
