CURSE A terrible revelation is found throughout Scripture about this word. The curse of God came upon the animal creation, Gen. 3:14; Isa. 11:6, 7. The ground itself was cursed so that it has brought forth thorns and thistles ever since, Gen. 3:17–19; Isa. 24:5, 6. The whole creation, including man, is involved, Rom. 8:22. An important key to history is found in the fact that a special curse rests upon Israel’s enemies, Gen. 12:3. The Jews themselves were cursed for turning away from God’s Word, Deut. 28:15. It was further predicted that they would be a curse while scattered among the nations, but a blessing after God restores them to Palestine, Jer. 29:18; Zech. 8:13. Everyone who has not perfectly kept God’s law is cursed, Deut. 27:26; Gal. 3:10. “The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked,” Prov. 3:33. Men are still called “ye cursed” when they are cast into everlasting fire, Matt. 25:41. However, Christ has redeemed from the curse all who believe on Him, being made a curse for them on the cross, Gal. 3:13. He bore the symbol of the curse when He wore the crown of thorns, Matt. 27:29. A curse rests upon anyone who preaches a false gospel, Gal. 1:8, 9 , or who does not love the Lord, 1 Cor. 16:22. The curse is finally to be lifted, Rev. 21:1–5; 22:3 I HOPE YOU RECEIVED GREATLY FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT TO GOD Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. LET US ALL LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AND TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
God teaches us about sin 1. Sin weakens the body, as inferred by Christ: “Go and sin no more,” to the impotent man (John 5:14). 2. Sin impairs the mind, as is illustrated in the King of Babylon—Dan. 4:28–34. 3. Sin robs the soul, for its wages is death—Rom. 6:23. 4. Sin mars the spirit, for it deceives those who are its votaries—Heb. 3:13. 5. Sin darkens the understanding, as Christ told the Pharisees—John 9:41. 6. Sin deafens the spiritual sense, for it causes us to forget the Lord—Deut. 8:11, 14. 7. Sin cripples the memory, for it causes men to turn away from the truth—2 Tim. 4:3, 4. 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
LET US FOLLOW THE WAYS OF GOD: Deuteronomy 5:33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Psalm 128:1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Proverbs 4:27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 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
GOD TEACHES US HOW TO DEAL WITH EVIL PEOPLE: Romans 12:19 ESV Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Exodus 14:14 ESV The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” James 1:19-20 ESV Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. Matthew 5:38-39 ESV “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 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
DON’T EVER GIVE UP: Psalm 31:24 ESV Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! Galatians 6:9 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Isaiah 41:10 ESV Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Joshua 1:9 ESV Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Psalm 71:14 ESV But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. ABSOLUTELY NOT GIVING UP!!! GOD DIDN’T MAKE ANY QUITTERS!!! PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
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
