Faith Vs. Control
By Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
This week's topic: Angels
When you obsess over problems instead of looking to God for solutions, the enemy will magnify your fears. If he can’t get you to worry about the present he’ll remind you of everything that could go wrong in the future! Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “All I have seen, has taught me to trust God for all I haven’t seen.”
The last time you checked, wasn’t God still bigger than any terrorist attack, financial disaster, illness, accusation, or mess you found yourself in? Well, He hasn’t changed! David said, “He won’t go to sleep…The Lord is…at your right side…[He] will…keep you safe…wherever you go” (Ps 121:3-8 CEV); plus His angels are watching over you 24/7.
It all comes down to faith vs. control. You can struggle to handle things on your own – or trust your Heavenly Father. That’s the choice! It’s not about ‘blind faith,’ it’s about believing that God is who He says He is. And it’s an issue you need to settle in your mind once and for all, because if you don’t believe He wants only the best for you, you’ll keep trying to run the show. Control isn’t responsibility. Responsibility is doing your part by praying, obeying, and trusting God. Control is manipulating the circumstances to engineer the outcome you want.
Jesus knows how we like holding on to things we’re not wise enough to control, so He said, “If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give [it] up…for me, you will save it” (Lk 9:24 CEV). Bottom line – you either trust God or you don’t!
Scripture Of The Day: "If you give up your life for me, you will save it.” - Luke 9:24 (CEV)
Bishop Edward Earl Jenkins is the senior pastor and founder of the True Servant Worship & Praise Church located in Trenton, New Jersey. For over twenty years, Bishop Jenkins’ unique method of preaching and teaching has opened doors to allow him to touch the hearts of many lives near and far. For more information, visit him at http://www.eejministries.org…
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
God's Secret Agents
God’s Secret Agents
By Greg Laurie
This week's topic: Angels
Is it correct to assume that angels are the nonthreatening, loving beings that many people believe them to be? That all depends. We find instances in the Bible when angels were sent to deliver specific messages from God. They often began their messages with phrases like "Do not be afraid," or "Do not fear." But we also find instances in which God used angels to execute His judgment, as in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah and elsewhere.
Generally, God's angels operate undercover. They don't draw attention to themselves, but instead carry out God's assignments. One reason we may not recognize the presence of angels in our lives is because they are doing their jobs properly. Angels are actively involved in the lives of the people of God, and even in the affairs of people in general. They have a specific function and ministry in the lives of Christians. The Bible says in Psalm 34:7, "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (NKJV). Hebrews 1:14 says of angels, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (NKJV).
It is even possible that you have personally met an angel. Hebrews 13:2 teaches, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels" (NKJV). It is amazing to think that some of us may have communicated with an angel, but were unaware of it. Angels are nearer than we may realize. If an angel of God were to appear before you right now, you would stand in awe, because angels are very beautiful. When we read biblical accounts of people who encountered angels, they were often overwhelmed by the glory and beauty of them. Still, angels remain invisible most of the time, except on very special occasions when God sends them on a unique mission or clothes them in human form.
Contrary to what some have been led to believe, angels are not deceased human beings who are trying to earn their wings. Also, when someone dies, their friends or loved ones may say that person is now an angel who watches over them. However, this is not true. When people say that someone who has died now helps them or guides them or their presence is felt, it is not true. People who have gone from this life into eternity do not communicate with us. They do not comfort us. They do not guide us. Certainly, they do not turn into angels. Angels are an altogether unique group created by God.
Also contrary to what some people have attempted to do, it is incorrect to attempt communication with an angel, to try to pray to an angel, or to specifically develop a relationship with an angel. We find in Scripture that the focus is on praying to God, looking to God, and developing a relationship with God. Yes, God does work through angels, but that is not the point. The point is that it is God who is doing it.
We don't know how many times angels have been working behind the scenes, how many times they have delivered us, have helped us out of tight situations, or have intervened on our behalf. Angels are all around us, taking care of us and ministering to us, even when we are not aware of their presence. This certainly gives hope in these troubled, dangerous times in which we are living. When we think of all of the violence and chaos and danger in the world today, it is comforting to know that God's angels are watching out for us. They may not help you find a parking space or make your casseroles more flavorful, but you can be certain that angels are God's secret agents, powerfully and effectively doing the work He has called them to do.
Scripture Of The Day: "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." - Psalm 34:7 (NKJV)
Greg Laurie serves as the Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. For more about Greg, log onto http://harvest.org
By Greg Laurie
This week's topic: Angels
Is it correct to assume that angels are the nonthreatening, loving beings that many people believe them to be? That all depends. We find instances in the Bible when angels were sent to deliver specific messages from God. They often began their messages with phrases like "Do not be afraid," or "Do not fear." But we also find instances in which God used angels to execute His judgment, as in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah and elsewhere.
Generally, God's angels operate undercover. They don't draw attention to themselves, but instead carry out God's assignments. One reason we may not recognize the presence of angels in our lives is because they are doing their jobs properly. Angels are actively involved in the lives of the people of God, and even in the affairs of people in general. They have a specific function and ministry in the lives of Christians. The Bible says in Psalm 34:7, "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (NKJV). Hebrews 1:14 says of angels, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (NKJV).
It is even possible that you have personally met an angel. Hebrews 13:2 teaches, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels" (NKJV). It is amazing to think that some of us may have communicated with an angel, but were unaware of it. Angels are nearer than we may realize. If an angel of God were to appear before you right now, you would stand in awe, because angels are very beautiful. When we read biblical accounts of people who encountered angels, they were often overwhelmed by the glory and beauty of them. Still, angels remain invisible most of the time, except on very special occasions when God sends them on a unique mission or clothes them in human form.
Contrary to what some have been led to believe, angels are not deceased human beings who are trying to earn their wings. Also, when someone dies, their friends or loved ones may say that person is now an angel who watches over them. However, this is not true. When people say that someone who has died now helps them or guides them or their presence is felt, it is not true. People who have gone from this life into eternity do not communicate with us. They do not comfort us. They do not guide us. Certainly, they do not turn into angels. Angels are an altogether unique group created by God.
Also contrary to what some people have attempted to do, it is incorrect to attempt communication with an angel, to try to pray to an angel, or to specifically develop a relationship with an angel. We find in Scripture that the focus is on praying to God, looking to God, and developing a relationship with God. Yes, God does work through angels, but that is not the point. The point is that it is God who is doing it.
We don't know how many times angels have been working behind the scenes, how many times they have delivered us, have helped us out of tight situations, or have intervened on our behalf. Angels are all around us, taking care of us and ministering to us, even when we are not aware of their presence. This certainly gives hope in these troubled, dangerous times in which we are living. When we think of all of the violence and chaos and danger in the world today, it is comforting to know that God's angels are watching out for us. They may not help you find a parking space or make your casseroles more flavorful, but you can be certain that angels are God's secret agents, powerfully and effectively doing the work He has called them to do.
Scripture Of The Day: "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." - Psalm 34:7 (NKJV)
Greg Laurie serves as the Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. For more about Greg, log onto http://harvest.org
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Angels Unaware
Angels Unaware
By Alan Riley
This week's topic: Angels
"You're an angel!"
Have you ever had someone say this to you? Have you ever said this to someone because they showed you great kindness or helped you out when really needed it?
There is a popular misconception in the world about angels. Many believe that when someone dies and goes to heaven, they become an angel. Dozens of movie plots -- like Frank Capra's classic "It's a Wonderful Life" -- feature someone trying to "earn their wings" and become a full-fledged angel. Invariably, these people are described in the movie as having been human and now they are trying to become an angel. That idea makes for touching stories, but they are way off base according to God's word.
The Bible teaches that angels are created beings, and that when God made us, He made us "a little lower than the angels." We are told that angels are "ministering spirits" and God's word is full of examples of angels delivering messages for God or otherwise acting on God's behalf. Angels announced the birth of Jesus and were the first to tell the news of the Resurrection. People don't become angels when they go to heaven, but sometimes, angels apparently do pose as people.
One of the most interesting passages of scripture concerning angels is found in Hebrews 13:2 - "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." It is clear from this passage that sometimes God sends angels "undercover," if you will, and they interact with people without their knowing.
Makes you wonder... have I ever interacted with an angel?
There was an instance in my family's life recently where the persons involved could easily have been "angels unaware." A little over a week ago, I put my daughter on a plane bound for Swaziland. She flew from Atlanta to Amsterdam - where she had a three hour layover - and then from Amsterdam to Johannesburg. She was to have a nine hour layover in Johannesburg, but she figured she would just take a nap there. When she arrived in Johannesburg, she was told the airport would be closing at midnight and that she could not stay in the airport.
There is very little that strikes fear in the heart of a father more than to get a call from your baby girl -- who is 6,000 miles away from you at the moment -- and she is in tears and saying she doesn't feel safe. I have never felt more helpless in my life. The only thing I could do is pray that God would protect her and send her help.
Over the next several hours, God sent a succession of people to her -- just at the right time -- who helped her get safely to the lobby of a nearby hotel and then to keep her company and even provide for her physical needs by making hot chocolate for her.
Certainly it is unlikely that those people were angels. It is far more likely that God moved in those people's hearts to help a young lady who was in a strange place, and was tired and scared. But isn't it great to know that God will summon the needed resources -- human or angelic -- in response to the prayers of His people?
Scripture Of The Day: "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 124:8 (NKJV)
Alan Riley is Vice President for Ministry and Media Development for 316 Networks (http://www.316Networks.com), Streaming Faith’s sister media property. He can be found blogging at http://www.alansblog.com or more often opining in 140 characters or less at http://www.Twitter.com/AlanRiley.…
By Alan Riley
This week's topic: Angels
"You're an angel!"
Have you ever had someone say this to you? Have you ever said this to someone because they showed you great kindness or helped you out when really needed it?
There is a popular misconception in the world about angels. Many believe that when someone dies and goes to heaven, they become an angel. Dozens of movie plots -- like Frank Capra's classic "It's a Wonderful Life" -- feature someone trying to "earn their wings" and become a full-fledged angel. Invariably, these people are described in the movie as having been human and now they are trying to become an angel. That idea makes for touching stories, but they are way off base according to God's word.
The Bible teaches that angels are created beings, and that when God made us, He made us "a little lower than the angels." We are told that angels are "ministering spirits" and God's word is full of examples of angels delivering messages for God or otherwise acting on God's behalf. Angels announced the birth of Jesus and were the first to tell the news of the Resurrection. People don't become angels when they go to heaven, but sometimes, angels apparently do pose as people.
One of the most interesting passages of scripture concerning angels is found in Hebrews 13:2 - "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." It is clear from this passage that sometimes God sends angels "undercover," if you will, and they interact with people without their knowing.
Makes you wonder... have I ever interacted with an angel?
There was an instance in my family's life recently where the persons involved could easily have been "angels unaware." A little over a week ago, I put my daughter on a plane bound for Swaziland. She flew from Atlanta to Amsterdam - where she had a three hour layover - and then from Amsterdam to Johannesburg. She was to have a nine hour layover in Johannesburg, but she figured she would just take a nap there. When she arrived in Johannesburg, she was told the airport would be closing at midnight and that she could not stay in the airport.
There is very little that strikes fear in the heart of a father more than to get a call from your baby girl -- who is 6,000 miles away from you at the moment -- and she is in tears and saying she doesn't feel safe. I have never felt more helpless in my life. The only thing I could do is pray that God would protect her and send her help.
Over the next several hours, God sent a succession of people to her -- just at the right time -- who helped her get safely to the lobby of a nearby hotel and then to keep her company and even provide for her physical needs by making hot chocolate for her.
Certainly it is unlikely that those people were angels. It is far more likely that God moved in those people's hearts to help a young lady who was in a strange place, and was tired and scared. But isn't it great to know that God will summon the needed resources -- human or angelic -- in response to the prayers of His people?
Scripture Of The Day: "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 124:8 (NKJV)
Alan Riley is Vice President for Ministry and Media Development for 316 Networks (http://www.316Networks.com), Streaming Faith’s sister media property. He can be found blogging at http://www.alansblog.com or more often opining in 140 characters or less at http://www.Twitter.com/AlanRiley.…
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Protecting His Investment
Protecting His Investment
By Overseer Christopher J. Harris
This week's topic: Angels
Last year I lost my grandmother. She was one of the wisest women that I knew. She did not have any advanced degrees or astute political connections, but she knew people, life, and reality. Most importantly, she knew God.
More from:
Overseer Christopher J. Harris
The Church Has My Vote
I remember listening to her many nights, as she prayed for hours. In between my dozing, I would hear her regularly use the phrase, “Thank you, Lord, for protecting us from dangers seen and unseen.”
I never really understood this, until the day I got bold enough to bring up to her the prayers that she prayed. Up until that point, I am not really sure she knew I was listening. I had a gut feeling that I was about to open up a can of worms, and I wasn’t sure how she’d respond. Her response confused me. She began to cry.
After about two hours of talking about scripture, in that grandmother kind of tone (most of you know what I mean…), she started walking around the house, crying, praising God, and repeatedly quoting the below scripture. I’ll never forget that day.
Psalm 91:11 (NIV) – “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;”
I didn’t understand then, but I think I understand now. She was declaring her limited ability to travel and be ever present with her children and dozens of grandchildren. She was also acknowledging that even though her lifespan may be limited by the reality of life and death, if she declared God’s Word over her greatest investment, God would take care of it.
Her greatest investment was not her physical possessions. It was her children! Her children were (are) her legacy, and she wanted to make sure it was protected. So, she would gently remind God and thank Him at the same time that she’d come to know a scripture, in which God declared He’d also protect His greatest investment – His children!
We are God’s legacy here in the earth. He has no Plan B, nor does He have any sort of contingency document to ensure that the world hears about His plan to re-establish hope for the hopeless. He only has one way to ensure that today, you won’t become so overwhelmed that you contemplate taking your life. He only has one way to ensure that today, you’ll live life to the fullest and not become distracted by worry, wealth or even want. His plan is to protect His greatest investment. You!
He’s going to protect his investment by dispatching and assigning angels to guard you in all of your ways, thoughts, actions, reactions, plans, and dreams.
Do you believe that just because you cannot see God at work at this moment, He isn’t working?
Thank God for my grandmother. She’s taught me and left me a legacy that I want to pass on to my children. Although sometimes I can’t physically see how God is working, He’s always protecting His investment. He’s always at work in my life and in your life. That is exciting, encouraging, and rejuvenating.
We should never underestimate the power of the world around us, both seen and unseen. We should never underestimate the ministry of angels. They have a job to do in our lives and in this world.
In "Angels, God’s Secret Agents" by Billy Graham, he states, “"Christians must never fail to sense the operation of angelic glory. It forever eclipses the world of demonic powers, as the sun does the candle’s light.” This is comforting for the believer. In spite of our hurried lifestyles, daily decisions, and moments of frustration and disappointment, God has assigned angels to us for us to still BECOME who He wants us to BECOME.
To my knowledge, other than my wife, I don’t believe I’ve seen an angel, but the Bible says otherwise. Actually, the Bible says that I’ve seen angels and most likely didn’t recognize them. Wow, what a thought! (Heb. 13:2).
Although you may not understand the entire depth of how God works with His angels, will you allow Him to protect His greatest investment? Will you submit to Him and allow Him to direct you in every endeavor? He’s got an investment to protect.
Scripture Of The Day: “Behold I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” - Exodus 23:20 (NKJV)
Overseer Christopher J. Harris, a native of Palatka, Florida, currently serves as the Youth & College Pastor at Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise in North Carolina. He also serves as the International General Overseer of the Children & Youth Division for Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. For more information, visit http://www.cedargrovetop.org.…
By Overseer Christopher J. Harris
This week's topic: Angels
Last year I lost my grandmother. She was one of the wisest women that I knew. She did not have any advanced degrees or astute political connections, but she knew people, life, and reality. Most importantly, she knew God.
More from:
Overseer Christopher J. Harris
The Church Has My Vote
I remember listening to her many nights, as she prayed for hours. In between my dozing, I would hear her regularly use the phrase, “Thank you, Lord, for protecting us from dangers seen and unseen.”
I never really understood this, until the day I got bold enough to bring up to her the prayers that she prayed. Up until that point, I am not really sure she knew I was listening. I had a gut feeling that I was about to open up a can of worms, and I wasn’t sure how she’d respond. Her response confused me. She began to cry.
After about two hours of talking about scripture, in that grandmother kind of tone (most of you know what I mean…), she started walking around the house, crying, praising God, and repeatedly quoting the below scripture. I’ll never forget that day.
Psalm 91:11 (NIV) – “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;”
I didn’t understand then, but I think I understand now. She was declaring her limited ability to travel and be ever present with her children and dozens of grandchildren. She was also acknowledging that even though her lifespan may be limited by the reality of life and death, if she declared God’s Word over her greatest investment, God would take care of it.
Her greatest investment was not her physical possessions. It was her children! Her children were (are) her legacy, and she wanted to make sure it was protected. So, she would gently remind God and thank Him at the same time that she’d come to know a scripture, in which God declared He’d also protect His greatest investment – His children!
We are God’s legacy here in the earth. He has no Plan B, nor does He have any sort of contingency document to ensure that the world hears about His plan to re-establish hope for the hopeless. He only has one way to ensure that today, you won’t become so overwhelmed that you contemplate taking your life. He only has one way to ensure that today, you’ll live life to the fullest and not become distracted by worry, wealth or even want. His plan is to protect His greatest investment. You!
He’s going to protect his investment by dispatching and assigning angels to guard you in all of your ways, thoughts, actions, reactions, plans, and dreams.
Do you believe that just because you cannot see God at work at this moment, He isn’t working?
Thank God for my grandmother. She’s taught me and left me a legacy that I want to pass on to my children. Although sometimes I can’t physically see how God is working, He’s always protecting His investment. He’s always at work in my life and in your life. That is exciting, encouraging, and rejuvenating.
We should never underestimate the power of the world around us, both seen and unseen. We should never underestimate the ministry of angels. They have a job to do in our lives and in this world.
In "Angels, God’s Secret Agents" by Billy Graham, he states, “"Christians must never fail to sense the operation of angelic glory. It forever eclipses the world of demonic powers, as the sun does the candle’s light.” This is comforting for the believer. In spite of our hurried lifestyles, daily decisions, and moments of frustration and disappointment, God has assigned angels to us for us to still BECOME who He wants us to BECOME.
To my knowledge, other than my wife, I don’t believe I’ve seen an angel, but the Bible says otherwise. Actually, the Bible says that I’ve seen angels and most likely didn’t recognize them. Wow, what a thought! (Heb. 13:2).
Although you may not understand the entire depth of how God works with His angels, will you allow Him to protect His greatest investment? Will you submit to Him and allow Him to direct you in every endeavor? He’s got an investment to protect.
Scripture Of The Day: “Behold I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” - Exodus 23:20 (NKJV)
Overseer Christopher J. Harris, a native of Palatka, Florida, currently serves as the Youth & College Pastor at Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise in North Carolina. He also serves as the International General Overseer of the Children & Youth Division for Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. For more information, visit http://www.cedargrovetop.org.…
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Angels On Your Side
Angels Of God On Your Side
By Bishop Keith Butler
This week's topic: Angels
Much of what God said He did it through the ministry of angels. When the children of Israel went into the Promised Land as recorded in the Book of Joshua, they went up against the very first nation or group of people they had to drive out, and it was Jericho. The city of Jericho was surrounded by a wall so wide that six chariots could race side by side on top of that wall.
God told Joshua, "I want you to march around that wall once every day for seven days. On the seventh day I want you to march around it seven times and then blow the trumpet, and the walls will fall down." (Joshua 6:3-5)
But how is it that the walls fell down flat? When the people obeyed God and did what He said to do, guess who knocked the walls down? The angel that took them into the land to drive out the Amorites, Hittites, and the other "-ites" who were there. That land didn't belong to those "-ites", and God sent an angel to fight the battle for the children of Israel.
The Bible tells us that those who were under the Old Covenant do not have a better covenant than we do under the New Covenant. Whatever they had in the Old Covenant, we have it in the New Covenant and more (Hebrews 8:6). And the angels that fought those battles for God's people in the Old Covenant and knocked down walls, will fight battles and knock down walls in our covenant, too.
Remember that God said, "I'll send that angel to go in front of you. I'll send that angel to be with you. And I'll send that angel to take you into the place that's prepared for you, and he will fight for you."
Angels were involved in helping the children of Israel get back what the devil had stolen, And they will do the same for us today.
Scripture Of The Day: "For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off."- Exodus 23:23 (KJV)
Bishop Keith A. Butler is the founder and pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI, and Word of Faith Christian Center in San Antonio, TX. For more information about Bishop Butler, visit http://www.woficc.com.
By Bishop Keith Butler
This week's topic: Angels
Much of what God said He did it through the ministry of angels. When the children of Israel went into the Promised Land as recorded in the Book of Joshua, they went up against the very first nation or group of people they had to drive out, and it was Jericho. The city of Jericho was surrounded by a wall so wide that six chariots could race side by side on top of that wall.
God told Joshua, "I want you to march around that wall once every day for seven days. On the seventh day I want you to march around it seven times and then blow the trumpet, and the walls will fall down." (Joshua 6:3-5)
But how is it that the walls fell down flat? When the people obeyed God and did what He said to do, guess who knocked the walls down? The angel that took them into the land to drive out the Amorites, Hittites, and the other "-ites" who were there. That land didn't belong to those "-ites", and God sent an angel to fight the battle for the children of Israel.
The Bible tells us that those who were under the Old Covenant do not have a better covenant than we do under the New Covenant. Whatever they had in the Old Covenant, we have it in the New Covenant and more (Hebrews 8:6). And the angels that fought those battles for God's people in the Old Covenant and knocked down walls, will fight battles and knock down walls in our covenant, too.
Remember that God said, "I'll send that angel to go in front of you. I'll send that angel to be with you. And I'll send that angel to take you into the place that's prepared for you, and he will fight for you."
Angels were involved in helping the children of Israel get back what the devil had stolen, And they will do the same for us today.
Scripture Of The Day: "For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off."- Exodus 23:23 (KJV)
Bishop Keith A. Butler is the founder and pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI, and Word of Faith Christian Center in San Antonio, TX. For more information about Bishop Butler, visit http://www.woficc.com.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Is That An Angel
Daily Devotional
Is That An Angel?
By Tanya James
This week's topic: Angels
Lately, it seems that I have been hearing a lot of complaints from people about other Christians. How rude and disrespectful they can be…or how unloving and ungrateful they seem. Some blame it on the state of the economy … or where they are in their walk with Christ.
More from:
Tanya James
The Pinky Toe Ministry
As we know this behavior isn’t just in the church, you watch the news and see all the senseless crime – random lives being taken, children being abused, elderly people being taken advantage of and it’s all very heartbreaking. All of this got me thinking about a particular scripture that says:
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” - Hebrews 13:1 -2
One thing I am confident of is that if one KNEW they were in the presence of angels, there would be a serious attitude shift taken place. I think we can all agree that we would be on our best behavior around and towards that angel. I mean, who would dare purposely mistreat an angel, right?
So perhaps if we took that scripture to heart, and treated EVERYONE we come in contact with as though they could possibly be an angel, a major shift would still take place.
You would see people showing genuine love and respect for their family, their neighbors, the clerk at the grocery store, the bank teller, our supervisors, our employees; even the conversations with the bill collectors would flow a lot more smoothly.
Wouldn’t this change of mindset put us a little closer to being in line with Christ and the way He treated people? He didn’t look down on anyone or treat one person as a lesser being over another. Would one be able to abuse another if they were treating them as though they may be an angel? Would one fly off the handle and cuss out a co-worker if they were treating them as though they may be angel?
How would our relationships with our spouses, our children, our families change if we treated them as though they may be an angel?
Here's a thought worth giving a try: Even if they are not angels, I believe you will create a more peaceful environment around you...and you can’t lose there!
Scripture Of The Day: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” - Hebrews 13:1-2 (NKJV)
Founder and president of The Master Plan, Tanya James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality. For more information about Tanya, log onto http://www.armedanddangerous.biz or http://www.themasterplan.biz.
Is That An Angel?
By Tanya James
This week's topic: Angels
Lately, it seems that I have been hearing a lot of complaints from people about other Christians. How rude and disrespectful they can be…or how unloving and ungrateful they seem. Some blame it on the state of the economy … or where they are in their walk with Christ.
More from:
Tanya James
The Pinky Toe Ministry
As we know this behavior isn’t just in the church, you watch the news and see all the senseless crime – random lives being taken, children being abused, elderly people being taken advantage of and it’s all very heartbreaking. All of this got me thinking about a particular scripture that says:
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” - Hebrews 13:1 -2
One thing I am confident of is that if one KNEW they were in the presence of angels, there would be a serious attitude shift taken place. I think we can all agree that we would be on our best behavior around and towards that angel. I mean, who would dare purposely mistreat an angel, right?
So perhaps if we took that scripture to heart, and treated EVERYONE we come in contact with as though they could possibly be an angel, a major shift would still take place.
You would see people showing genuine love and respect for their family, their neighbors, the clerk at the grocery store, the bank teller, our supervisors, our employees; even the conversations with the bill collectors would flow a lot more smoothly.
Wouldn’t this change of mindset put us a little closer to being in line with Christ and the way He treated people? He didn’t look down on anyone or treat one person as a lesser being over another. Would one be able to abuse another if they were treating them as though they may be an angel? Would one fly off the handle and cuss out a co-worker if they were treating them as though they may be angel?
How would our relationships with our spouses, our children, our families change if we treated them as though they may be an angel?
Here's a thought worth giving a try: Even if they are not angels, I believe you will create a more peaceful environment around you...and you can’t lose there!
Scripture Of The Day: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” - Hebrews 13:1-2 (NKJV)
Founder and president of The Master Plan, Tanya James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality. For more information about Tanya, log onto http://www.armedanddangerous.biz or http://www.themasterplan.biz.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
In The Secret Place Of The Most High
In the Secret Place of the Most High
By Dr. Frederick K.C. Price
This week's topic: Angels
You may be afraid of flying on an airplane, of going outside at night, or of any number of other things. Fear is a terrible thing; there is nothing worse than being afraid. But you do not need to be afraid because your Heavenly Father has given "His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."
Psalm 91:1-10 says,
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
This means sickness and disease will not come near your house, provided you dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This passage goes on to say in verse 11: For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
Every one of us has a guardian angel. That angel has been keeping you from getting your head blown off many times over. He will keep you alive when you are a sinner, so that you can be saved. Notice that verse 11 says you have angels, plural. Not only do you have angels, but the Bible says God will give His angels charge over you. This means He commissions them to mount guard over you.
However, the angels cannot do anything for you to the fullest extent possible unless you are willing to believe they are there, count on them and expect them to work for you. You have to dare to believe it, dare to take God at His Word, and dare to confess it. Once you do this, amazing things will happen.
Psalm 91:12-13 continues:
In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
These verses let us know that the devil and every demon are under our feet.
Psalm 91:14-16:
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.
My advice to you, friend, is to get this Word in you. Then confess it, and dare to make it personal. Say out loud, "I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. A thousand can fall at my side, and 10,000 at my right hand, but no evil shall come near me, because I dwell in the secret place of the Most High."
It is this kind of faith confession that makes God's Word work and puts the power into operation in your life.
Scripture For The Day: "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." - Psalm 91:11(NKJV)
Dr. Frederick K.C. Price is the founder and pastor of Crenshaw Christian Center West in Los Angeles and CCC East in Manhattan. To obtain more information about his ministry, please call (800) 927-3436 or visit http://www.faithdome.org.
By Dr. Frederick K.C. Price
This week's topic: Angels
You may be afraid of flying on an airplane, of going outside at night, or of any number of other things. Fear is a terrible thing; there is nothing worse than being afraid. But you do not need to be afraid because your Heavenly Father has given "His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."
Psalm 91:1-10 says,
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
This means sickness and disease will not come near your house, provided you dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This passage goes on to say in verse 11: For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
Every one of us has a guardian angel. That angel has been keeping you from getting your head blown off many times over. He will keep you alive when you are a sinner, so that you can be saved. Notice that verse 11 says you have angels, plural. Not only do you have angels, but the Bible says God will give His angels charge over you. This means He commissions them to mount guard over you.
However, the angels cannot do anything for you to the fullest extent possible unless you are willing to believe they are there, count on them and expect them to work for you. You have to dare to believe it, dare to take God at His Word, and dare to confess it. Once you do this, amazing things will happen.
Psalm 91:12-13 continues:
In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
These verses let us know that the devil and every demon are under our feet.
Psalm 91:14-16:
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.
My advice to you, friend, is to get this Word in you. Then confess it, and dare to make it personal. Say out loud, "I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. A thousand can fall at my side, and 10,000 at my right hand, but no evil shall come near me, because I dwell in the secret place of the Most High."
It is this kind of faith confession that makes God's Word work and puts the power into operation in your life.
Scripture For The Day: "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." - Psalm 91:11(NKJV)
Dr. Frederick K.C. Price is the founder and pastor of Crenshaw Christian Center West in Los Angeles and CCC East in Manhattan. To obtain more information about his ministry, please call (800) 927-3436 or visit http://www.faithdome.org.
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