The influence of righteousness: Part two They are blessed as citizens and leaders. “When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked” (11:10–11, NKJV). “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (29:2, NKJV). Israel was a monarchy and the king was expected to rule in the fear of the Lord (20:8, 26). “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness” (16:12). “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness” (25:5). God cast out the Canaanite nations because their sins were abominable to Him (Deut. 12:29–32), and He chastened Israel when they imitated the sins of those nations (Jud. 2). God would not tolerate the sin of idolatry. By turning away from God’s Law, wicked rulers led the way for the nation to become evil. Whenever the nation had a godly king, such as David, Josiah, or Hezekiah, God blessed His people. But when an ungodly king ascended the throne, the Lord withdrew His blessing and left them to their own devices. Eventually, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was taken over by Assyria, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was exiled in Babylon, and Jerusalem and the temple destroyed. During times of spiritual decay, it was the godly remnant of righteous people who maintained the flickering flame of spiritual life in the nation. When false prophets, greedy priests, and ruthless kings joined together to lead the nation away from the true God, it was the faithful remnant that served as salt and light in the land. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name” (Mal. 3:16). Israel is the only nation that has a special covenant relationship with God, but the principle of Proverbs 14:34 still stands: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (NIV). Deuteronomy 12, Amos 1–2, and Romans 1:18–32 make it clear that God judges the Gentile nations for their sins even though He didn’t give them the same law that He gave to Israel (Ps. 147:19–20). National leaders can’t escape the judgment of God when they lead the people away from God’s holy standards. Legalizing sin doesn’t make it right. No wonder Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” Godly parents can raise godly children, and godly children can provide godly influence in their communities and in the nation. In a democracy, where leadership is elected and not inherited, the Lord’s remnant must exert as much influence for righteousness as possible; certainly every believer ought to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1–8). I have ministered the Word in hundreds of churches and conferences in the United States, and I confess that rarely have I heard government leaders mentioned in the pulpit prayers. If the church obeyed the Word and prayed, national leaders would have to take God into account in their deliberations. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases” (Prov. 21:1, NIV). I occasionally hear people lamenting the state of the nation, but most of them fail to point out the main cause: The church collectively and believers individually aren’t doing their job in spreading righteousness. If the righteous remnant were spreading more salt and light, there would be less decay and darkness (Matt. 5:13–16). Christians have a job to do: praying for all in authority, winning the lost, living godly lives, and raising godly children. And it would help if we humbled ourselves and sought God’s face (2 Chron. 7:14); for apart from the deep working of God’s Spirit in hearts, there is no hope for any nation. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance” (Ps. 33:12, NIV). I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK STUDY TO BE HELPFUL? PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
The influence of righteousness The life of righteousness must not become a solitary and selfish experience. When God blesses the righteous, He does it so they can share the blessing with others. “I will bless you,” God promised Abraham, “and you shall be a blessing” (Gen. 12:2, NKJV). The “blessed man” of Psalm 1 is “like a tree” that produces fruit for others to enjoy (Ps. 1:3). “The righteous will thrive like a green leaf … The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life” (Prov. 11:28, 30, NIV). Let’s trace the circles of influence that radiate from the lives of men and women of God who walk on His paths. They are blessed in their character. The eminent American preacher Phillips Brooks said that the purpose of life was the building of character through truth. Christian character is one thing we’ll take to heaven with us. We’ll all have glorified bodies like that of our Lord (Phil. 3:20–21; 1 John 3:1–3), and we’ll all be happy in His presence, but we will not all immediately have the same capacity for appreciating spiritual things. Every vessel will be filled, but not all vessels will be the same size. Those who have walked closely with their Lord will be delighted to see Him (2 Tim. 4:8), but others will be “ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28). The righteous desire the very best from the Lord, and He grants it to them (Prov. 10:24; 11:23). When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we will want the things that delight Him (Ps. 37:4). The developing of spiritual perception, a godly appetite, and the ability to choose the best (Phil. 1:9–11), is one of the blessed by-products of a holy walk with God. The more we become like Christ, the less we enjoy the “entertainment” of this world and long for the enrichment of the world to come. Of course, godly character comes from feeding on the Word and taking time to be holy. “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Prov. 9:9). Even reproof helps the godly person to mature. “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you” (v. 8, NKJV). The righteous are kind and generous (21:26) and show their kindness, not only in the way they treat people (29:7) but also in the way they treat animals. “A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel” (12:10, NKJV). THIS IS A MUCH-NEEDED QUICK STUDY. I HOPE YOU RECEIVED MIGHTILY. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
STOP SINNING James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Isaiah 1:16q Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. CHECK YOURSELF, IT’S TIME TO GET RID OF THE SIN THAT YOU ARE HOLDING ON TO. DON’T WAIT TOO LONG!!! PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
GOD IS OUR COMFORTER, AND OUR PROTECTOR Hurt and pain are guaranteed in this world. Jesus tells us that we will have trouble but that we can take heart because He has overcome the world! (John 16:33) Through scripture, we can be comforted by knowing that God is faithful, and is always looking over us. He truly cares and is our protector and comforter in times of need. Deuteronomy 31:8 GW The Lord is the one who is going ahead of you. He will be with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you. So don’t be afraid or terrified.” Joshua 1:9 GW “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.’ ” Psalms 46:1 GW God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. TRUST GOD, ALLOW GOD TO COMFORT YOU, AND PROTECT YOU. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
WE SHOULD BE IN AWE OF GOD Proverbs 22:4 Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. Psalm 128:1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. Deuteronomy 13:4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. Psalm 112:1 Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO SEEK: Whom to seek. The Lord. “Seek ye the Lord” Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. When to seek: “First” Matthew 6:33 But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. “Early” Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God. At dawn I search for you. My soul thirsts for you. My body longs for you in a dry, parched land where there is no water. “Continually” 1 Chronicles 16:11 Search for the LORD and his strength. Always seek his presence. What to seek. “Peace” Psalm 34:14 Turn away from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it! God’s “Precepts” Psalm 119:45 I will walk around freely because I sought out your guiding principles. “Good” Amos 5:14 Search for good instead of evil so that you may live. Then the LORD God of Armies will be with you, as you have said. “Righteousness and Meekness” Zephaniah 2:3 Search for the LORD, all you humble people in the land who carry out his justice. Search for what is right. Search for humility. Maybe you will find shelter on the day of the LORD’s anger. “Things above” Colossians 3:1 Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. Why we should seek. Because we “shall not want” Young lions go hungry and may starve, but those who seek the LORD’s help have all the good things they need. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK STUDY TO BE HELPFUL. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
THE BIBLE SPEAKS TO US ABOUT GREED: Proverbs 28:25 ESV A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched. Proverbs 11:24 ESV One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. 1 Timothy 6:9 ESV But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. Proverbs 28:22 ESV A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. Proverbs 11:28 ESV Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. Mark 8:36 ESV For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
WE MUST WORSHIP OUR GOD WE MUST PRAISE OUR GOD Exodus 23:25 Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Samuel 7:22 How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. Psalm 95:6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 63:3-4 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 150:6 Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER, AND FOUND IT TO BE HELPFUL. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
BEWARE OF THE TRICKS OF SATAN: Satan means an opponent, the accuser; hence, the adversary. He is God’s adversary, and man’s, too. He accuses God to us, and accuses us to God. 1. Satan opposes the death of Christ, as seen in his use of Peter, when he tried to keep Christ from the Cross, and brought Christ’s stern rebuke: “Get thee behind Me, Satan” (Matt. 16:23). 2. Satan catches away the seed of God’s Word, when it falls upon the wayside-bearer, lest it should find a lodgment in the heart—Mark 4:15. 3. Satan sifts the self-sufficient believer, as he did Peter, to get rid of faith in the Lord—Luke 22:31. 4. Satan endeavours to get people to compromise in their consecration, as he did Ananias, when he and his wife kept back part of the price—Acts 5:3. 5. Satan tempts with his devices to get an “advantage” by keeping us from acting after Christ in our actions towards each other—2 Cor. 2:11. 6. Satan transforms himself into an angel of light through his emissaries who come in a false guise to deceive—2 Cor. 11:11–15. 7. Satan hinders the servants of God in their service by putting difficulties in their way—1 Thess. 2:18. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK STUDY TO BE HELPFUL. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
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