The upright “dwell in the land” of promised blessing— Proverbs 2:21 Decent people will live in the land. People of integrity will remain in it. The upright have Jehovah as their strength— Proverbs 10:29 The way of the LORD is a fortress for an innocent person but a ruin to those who are troublemakers. The integrity and righteousness of the upright bring guidance and deliverance— Proverbs 11:3 Integrity guides decent people, but hypocrisy leads treacherous people to ruin. Proverbs 11:6 Decent people are saved by their righteousness, but treacherous people are trapped by their own greed. The upright are a joy to the Lord, and He delights to answer their prayer— Proverbs 11:20 Devious people are disgusting to the LORD, but he is delighted with those whose ways are innocent. They find “good things in possession” (28:10). “No good will Jehovah withhold from them who walk uprightly” Psalm 84:11 The LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD grants favor and honor. He does not hold back any blessing from those who live innocently.
LIVE AN UPRIGHT LIFE AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
What the Word “Heathen” Means in Scripture In the Bible, “heathen” (KJV) usually translates the Hebrew goyim and Greek ethnos, meaning: Nations, Gentiles, People who do not know or worship the true God. It is not a racial term — it is a spiritual category: people outside covenant relationship with God. They Do Not Know God. Psalm 79:6 — “Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee.” Jeremiah 10:25 — “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not.” The heathen are defined by spiritual ignorance, not ethnicity. They Worship Idols: Psalm 96:5 — “For all the gods of the nations are idols.” Jeremiah 10:2 — “Learn not the way of the heathen.” They Rage Against God: Psalm 2:1 — “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” The heathen oppose God’s rule and resist His authority. They Are Under God’s Judgment: Psalm 9:17 — “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Isaiah 60:12 — “The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish.” Rejection of God brings national and personal consequences. God’s Commands Concerning the Heathen: A. Do Not Learn Their Ways Jeremiah 10:2 — “Learn not the way of the heathen.” B. Do Not Follow Their Customs Leviticus 18:3 — Israel was forbidden to imitate heathen practices. C. Do Not Fear Their Gods 2 Kings 17:35 — God warned Israel not to fear the gods of the heathen.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK STUDY. DON’T PICK UP THE WAYS OF THE HEATHEN. IS OUR COUNTRY BEING LED BY HEATHENS?
God’s protection operates through a foundational principle: God serves as the only true refuge for his people, and those who recognize this reality turn to him for safety, receiving his shelter in return. God’s vigilance never wavers; he will not allow us to stumble, his guardian never sleeps, and the Guardian of Israel remains perpetually watchful. (Ps 121:3–4). In the New Testament, Paul assures believers that the Lord strengthens and protects them against evil (2 Thess 3:3). God promises his presence and commitment—he goes with his people and will not abandon or forsake them (Deut 31:6). Receiving this protection requires active participation: the righteous must recognize God’s reality and deliberately flee to him for safety. The Lord guards you from every evil and protects you as you come and go, now and forever (Ps 121:7–8). God serves as your refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble (Ps 46:1). God calls you not to fear because He is with you, and He will strengthen, help, and support you with His victorious right hand (Isa 41:10). The name of the Lord is a strong tower where the righteous run and find safety (Prov 18:10). The Lord is your rock, fortress, shield, and stronghold (Ps 18:2). The Lord is good and becomes a fortress in the day of trouble for those who seek shelter in Him (Nah 1:7).
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Jesus says: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This verse contains three commands, each building on the other. “Deny yourself” — Surrender your self‑rule. This is not self-hatred. It is self-renunciation. You stop being the center of your own life. You surrender your will, your agenda, your pride, your preferences. You choose God’s way over your own, even when it conflicts with your desires. It means: “My life is no longer about what I want—it’s about what Christ wants.” “Take up your cross” — Embrace the cost of obedience. In Jesus’ day, the cross was not symbolic. It meant death. So Jesus is saying: Be willing to die to sin. Be willing to endure rejection, suffering, or loss for My sake. Be willing to obey even when it costs you something. This is not about carrying life’s burdens. It is about choosing the path of obedience even when it hurts. “Follow Me” — Walk in His steps daily. This is the ongoing lifestyle: follow His teachings, follow His example, follow His direction, follow His character, and follow His mission. It is not a one-time decision. It is a daily choice to walk behind Him. Mark 8:34 calls you to: Let go of the life you would build for yourself. Embrace the life Christ calls you to. Walk in obedience even when it’s costly. Trust that losing your life for Christ is how you truly find it (v. 35). This is the heart of discipleship.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND FOUND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL.
Angels in the Bible are described as powerful, spiritual beings who serve God, deliver His messages, and carry out His will. Their appearance varies widely—sometimes looking like ordinary men, other times appearing as overwhelming, fear‑inspiring heavenly beings. Angels Are Spirit Beings: They are created by God (Psalm 148:2,5). They are ministering spirits sent to serve (Hebrews 1:14). They do not marry or reproduce (Matthew 22:30). They possess intellect, will, and emotion. Angels Sometimes Appear as Human Men. In several passages, angels look completely human: Genesis 18–19 — three “men” visit Abraham; two later go to Lot. They ate, walked, and spoke like ordinary men. This form avoids overwhelming people with glory. Angels Often Appear Radiant or Fearsome. When God allows their glory to be seen: They radiate light (Luke 2:9). Their presence often causes fear, which is why they say, “Do not be afraid.” Some visions describe them with supernatural features. What Angels Do: Deliver messages from God (Luke 1:13; Genesis 19:15). Protect and guard (Psalm 91:11). Worship God continually (Isaiah 6:3). Execute God’s judgments (Revelation). The Bible does not describe angels as soft, gentle, winged humans. Instead, Scripture presents them as: Spiritual beings, Messengers, Warriors, and Worshipers. Sometimes human‑looking, sometimes otherworldly and fearsome. Their appearance depends entirely on the mission God gives them. ARE ANGELS ON EARTH WITH US TODAY? Yes, angels are active on earth today — but not in the way movies imagine. The Bible teaches that angels are present, working, and involved in human life, though usually unseen. Angels Are Still Active on Earth Scripture never says their ministry ended. In fact, the New Testament — written for the church age — says: Hebrews 1:14 “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” That’s present‑tense. If you belong to Christ, angels are part of God’s ongoing care for you. Angels Can Be Present Without Being Recognized. Hebrews 13:2 “Some have entertained angels without knowing it.” This means: Angels can appear in ordinary human form. People may interact with them without realizing it. Their presence is often hidden, subtle, or disguised. This verse alone proves angels still operate on earth. Angels Protect and Guard Believers. Psalm 91:11 “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” This is not limited to ancient Israel. It reflects God’s ongoing pattern of protection. Angels Carry Out God’s Assignments on Earth. Throughout Scripture, angels: Deliver messages, Protect God’s people, Fight spiritual battles, Influence earthly events, and Minister to believers in need. There is no verse saying these roles have stopped. Angels Do Not Draw Attention to Themselves. This is important. Angels: Do not seek worship, Do not promote themselves, Do not contradict Scripture, and Do not replace the Holy Spirit. Their work is real but quiet, always pointing back to God. Yes — angels are on earth today, active, present, and ministering, but usually unseen. They appear when God assigns them, often in ways humans don’t recognize.
DID YOU ENJOY THIS QUICK STUDY ON ANGELS? SHOULD WE CONTINUE OUR QUICK STUDIES?
Jeremiah 26:3 Maybe they’ll listen, and they’ll turn from their evil ways. Then I’ll change my plan about the disaster I intend to bring on them because of the evil they have done.” Jeremiah 26:13 Now, change your ways and what you are doing, and listen to the LORD your God. Then the LORD will change his plan about the disaster that he intends to bring on you. Ezekiel 18:27–28 When a wicked person turns away from the wicked things that he has done and does what is fair and right, he will live. He realized what he was doing and turned away from all the rebellious things that he had done. He will certainly live. He will not die.
THIS WORD OF GOD STILL APPLIES TO US TODAY. LISTEN TO GOD. TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS AND BE FORGIVEN. TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS AND LIVE. ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
A good person obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns everyone who schemes. (Prov 12:2) This connection between character and divine favor appears throughout Scripture. When mercy and truth are internalized and written on the heart, a person will find favor and much success in the sight of God and humanity. (Prov 3:3–4) Similarly, good sense brings favor, but the way of treacherous people is always the same. (Prov 13:15) Theologically, favor is often seen as an instrument of God’s promise—a means through which God executes his divine will and purpose in the lives of believers, serving not merely as a blessing but as a tool for accomplishing God’s greater plans. Importantly, it is common to mistakenly equate the by-products of favor—such as success, prosperity, or comfort—with favor itself, but favor is fundamentally about purpose rather than these material outcomes. The favor of God is both unexplainable and unmerited, representing preferential treatment that cannot be earned by human efforts but was earned by Jesus and bestowed upon believers through grace. The favor that human beings receive from God depends on his good pleasure and is often extended in response to prayer or righteous living. God blesses righteous people and surrounds them with his favor like a large shield. (Ps 5:12) God’s favor is His gracious, undeserved kindness that opens doors, protects, promotes, strengthens, and surrounds His people like a shield. Favor is not luck — it is God actively working for your good. Favor is given freely, but Scripture shows patterns God honors: Faith — trusting God when others don’t, obedience — walking in His ways, humility — God gives grace to the humble, righteousness — living with integrity, seeking God — drawing near to Him, purpose — aligning with His calling, These don’t earn favor — they position you to walk in what God already wants to give.
LET US POSITION OUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WILL CAUSE GOD TO WANT TO BLESS US WITH HIS FAVOR.
Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord God helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. Psalm 27:9 Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation! Psalm 118:13 You pushed me violently so that I was falling, But the Lord helped me. Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 115:11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. GOD IS OUR HELPER. OUR HELP COMES FROM GOD. WHATEVER YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH GOD WILL HELP YOU. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Youtube.com/@andrahigginbotham8096 PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
