CHECK YOURSELF TOO MANY PEOPLE SPEND THEIR TIME CHECKING EVERYONE ELSE, BUT DON’T TAKE TIME TO CHECK THEIRSELF.
The Bible repeatedly tells believers to check themselves first —check their faith, motives, behavior, and spiritual condition. Check yourself before you check me, check yourself before you check others. 2 Corinthians 13:5 — “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” This is the strongest “check yourself” verse in Scripture. Lamentations 3:40 — “Let us examine and test our ways, and return to the LORD.” Self‑examination is tied to repentance. YES CHECK YOURSELF, GET YOUR LIFE IN ORDER BEFORE YOU TRY TO GET SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE IN ORDER. Judge yourself before judging others. Matthew 7:3–5 — Remove the beam from your own eye before addressing someone else’s speck. Jesus teaches: self‑correction comes before correcting others. God teaches us to test our own work, not compare yourself to others. Galatians 6:4 — “Each one should test his own work.” This is personal accountability — not comparison. Let God search your heart Psalm 139:23–24 — “Search me, O God… see if there is any offensive way in me.” This is the deepest form of “check yourself”: inviting God to reveal what you can’t see. What “Check Yourself” Means Biblically Across all these passages, the Bible defines self‑examination as: Checking your faith (Are you walking with Christ?) Checking your motives (Why are you doing what you do?) Checking your actions (Do they match God’s Word?) Checking your heart (Is there sin, pride, bitterness, or self‑deception?) Checking your direction (Are you moving toward God or away from Him?)
The Bible teaches clearly and repeatedly that God listens to prayer and God answers prayer—faithfully, attentively, and according to His perfect will. This is one of the most consistent themes across Scripture. God hears the prayers of His people. Scripture emphasizes that God is not distant—He leans in to listen. 1 John 5:14 — God hears us when we ask according to His will. Psalm 34:17 — “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them.” Jeremiah 29:12 — “You will call on me… and I will listen to you.” Psalm 145:18 — God is near to all who call on Him sincerely. Psalm 66:19–20 — God attends to the voice of prayer; He does not reject it. Takeaway: God’s posture toward His people is attentive, compassionate, and responsive. God answers prayer—yes, no, or wait. The Bible shows that God always responds, though not always in the way we expect. Jeremiah 33:3 — “Call to me and I will answer you.” Matthew 7:7 — Ask, seek, knock—God promises a response. Isaiah 65:24 — God answers even before we call. Mark 11:24 — Believe when you pray, and you will receive. John 14:13 — Jesus answers prayer to glorify the Father. Takeaway: Every genuine prayer receives a divine response—rooted in God’s wisdom, timing, and love. God answers according to His will. Prayer is powerful, but it is not mechanical. God responds in alignment with His perfect purposes. 1 John 5:14–15 — If we ask according to His will, He hears and grants our requests. John 15:7 — Abiding in Christ aligns our desires with God’s will. Romans 8:27 — The Spirit intercedes according to God’s will. Takeaway: God’s answers are not random—they are wise, purposeful, and perfectly timed. God listens especially to the righteous. Not meaning “perfect people,” but those who walk with Him sincerely. James 5:16 — The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Proverbs 15:29 — God hears the prayers of the righteous. 1 Peter 3:12 — God’s ears are open to the prayers of those who do right. Takeaway: A life aligned with God strengthens the power and clarity of prayer. God invites persistent prayer. He wants us to keep coming—not because He is reluctant, but because persistence expresses faith. Matthew 7:7 — Keep asking, seeking, knocking. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 — Pray continually. Jesus’ parables (Luke 11, Luke 18) reinforce this truth (supported by the themes in the sources). Takeaway: Persistence is not nagging—it is faith refusing to quit.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER.
Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. Psalm 3:4 I was crying to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. Psalm 4:3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him. Psalm 18:3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 4:3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him. 1 John 3:22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
TAKE YOUR CONCERNS TO GOD IN PRAYER. LIVE GODLY AND BE BLESSED BY GOD.
The Bible teaches that good health is a gift from God, a responsibility, and a result of living in alignment with His wisdom. Good health is seen as something God desires for His people. 3 John 1:2 expresses this clearly “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.” This shows that physical health and spiritual health are connected. The Bible teaches stewardship of the body. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 says your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and you should honor God with it. Scripture often links wisdom, obedience, and healthy living. Proverbs 3:7–8 teaches that fearing the Lord and turning from evil brings “healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” This shows that spiritual alignment affects physical well‑being. Emotional health affects physical health. The Bible recognizes the mind–body connection long before modern science. Proverbs 17:22 says: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Joy, peace, and hope strengthen the body; stress and bitterness weaken it. Prayer is connected to healing. The Bible teaches believers to pray for the sick. James 5:14–15 says the prayer of faith brings healing and restoration.
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?
