Someone very dear to me has trouble dealing with most people, but usually feels comfortable with dogs. Once, when she was forced to walk through a crime-ridden neighborhood in the middle of the night, she was escorted by a large, menacing-looking dog. It appeared mysteriously when she felt threatened, and vanished in the same manner, when her feelings of danger had passed.
Could that possibly have been an angel?
Would any of us even recognize an angel if we saw one?
Just what is an angel, anyway?
The Bible tells us, "See, I am sending an angel before you, to keep you on your way and to be your guide into the place which I have made ready for you." (Ex 23:20) bev
So, angels can be our guides.
"Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair of my flesh stood up. It stood still, but I couldn't discern the appearance of it; A form was before my eyes." (Job 4:15-16a) web
It also seems that, since angels are not of this world, they are not always easily discernable.
"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." (Ps 91:11) drv
God's police force?
"Then again one having the form of a man put his hand on me and gave me strength. And he said to me, O man greatly loved, have no fear: peace be with you, be strong and let your heart be lifted up. And at his words I became strong, and said, Let my lord say on, for you have given me strength. Then he said, It is clear to you why I have come to you. And now I will give you an account of what is recorded in the true writings: But I am going back to make war with the angel of Persia, and when I am gone, the angel of Greece will come. And there is no one on my side against these, but Michael, your angel." (Dan 10:18-20) bev
- and -
"And the angel answered and said to him, 'I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.' " (Luke 1:19) mkj
OK, they can be messengers as well as God's Armed Forces!
We see they are also protectors of, and witnesses for, little children. I am sure this also includes all the innocent.
"And whoever gives honour to one such little child in my name, gives honour to me: But whoever is a cause of trouble to one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him to have a great stone fixed to his neck, and to come to his end in the deep sea." (Mat 18:5-6) bev
- and -
"Let it not seem to you that one of these little ones is of no value; for I say to you that in heaven their angels see at all times the face of my Father in heaven." (Mat 18:10) bev
Angels will have incredible responsibilities in the end times, too.
"At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run back and forth, and knowledge shall be increased."
(Dan 12:1-4) web
- and -
"The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Mat 13:41-43) mkj
It is very important that we remember that angels do God's bidding... Like us, they are God's creations.
"I John heard and saw these things; and when I had heard and seen them, I fell at the feet of the angel who was showing me them--to worship him. But he said to me, 'Oh, do not do that. I am a fellow bondservant of yours, and a fellow bondservant of your brethren the Prophets and of those who are mindful of the teachings of this book. Worship God. Make no secret,' he added, 'of the meaning of the predictions contained in this book; for the time for their fulfillment is now close at hand.' " (Rev 22:8-10) wnt
The next time you think you may have seen a faint image of a pair of wings, hovering over an innocent, precious child, do not dismiss it as "just your imagination." Remember that, "Little children were brought for Jesus to lay his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded those who brought them. "Don't bother him,' they said. But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and don't prevent them. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.' "
(Mat 19:13-14) tlb
Guardians, guides, enforcers, messengers, and protectors of the innocent; angels are representatives of The Almighty! What an incredible God we serve!
See you all soon, in Paradise!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Adam and Eve
...............(and Swiss cheese?)
The Bible is very clear on this subject... "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (Gen 1:26) kjv
Chapter two of Genesis spells it out... "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed." (Gen 2:7-8) kjv
Now, at this point, Adam was the ONLY human. Knowing what the future holds, God then makes this decision... "It is not good for the man to be by himself: I will make one like himself as a help to him." (Gen 2:18) bev
If we had to make a guess, we'd probably say He just grabbed up another handful of dust to do the job, just like He did with Adam. But, NO! Our wonderful Father did something even more fantastic! "Then the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon Adam: and when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. And the Lord God built the rib which he took from Adam into a woman: and brought her to Adam. And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh."
(Gen 2:21-24) drv
God then separated Adam into two unique individuals, one male, the other female! And note the beautiful example He shows us so clearly... Adam and Eve are ONE! Every married couple should also be as one!
Think of this from a different point of view... All of us have strengths and weaknesses. Imagine, if you will, that we are all somewhat like slices of Swiss cheese. Not the processed, sandwich cheese, but the natural variety. If you hold up a slice, you will notice that there are several holes in every slice. Some are large, others may be tiny, but they all have holes. People are like this, too. Everybody has skill, talents, strengths and weaknesses. The ideal "significant other" should have strengths where your weaknesses are most apparent, and vice versa. For example, if you hold up two slices of Swiss cheese, one in front of the other, you may not see the holes line up at all. The gaps in one slice may "cover-up" the gaps in the other.
In looking for your future spouse, this is very important. You will go through life depending upon the other's strengths to keep you going when you've "bottomed out." He or she will likewise depend on you in the same manner. Sharing the same interests (or strengths) sounds great, and it can be very exciting, but, sharing the same weaknesses may very well be a recipe for disaster!
Remember... strength is more than just physical, and supporting each other means a lot more than just giving in.
Way too many people look for a partner who excites them sexually, with no regard for that person's ability to strengthen a relationship. Especially when we're young, and raging hormones try to take charge, we need to slow down and examine the potential for a strong relationship. It isn't that sex isn't important, but it should be part of a loving marriage, and not the reason for getting married in the first place.
Remember... "In the day that God created man, he made him in God's likeness. He created them male and female, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created."
(Gen 5:1b-2) wev
Think about Swiss cheese when you are looking for life's perfect companion. Together, you need to be as strong as Adam and Eve.
The Bible is very clear on this subject... "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (Gen 1:26) kjv
Chapter two of Genesis spells it out... "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed." (Gen 2:7-8) kjv
Now, at this point, Adam was the ONLY human. Knowing what the future holds, God then makes this decision... "It is not good for the man to be by himself: I will make one like himself as a help to him." (Gen 2:18) bev
If we had to make a guess, we'd probably say He just grabbed up another handful of dust to do the job, just like He did with Adam. But, NO! Our wonderful Father did something even more fantastic! "Then the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon Adam: and when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. And the Lord God built the rib which he took from Adam into a woman: and brought her to Adam. And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh."
(Gen 2:21-24) drv
God then separated Adam into two unique individuals, one male, the other female! And note the beautiful example He shows us so clearly... Adam and Eve are ONE! Every married couple should also be as one!
Think of this from a different point of view... All of us have strengths and weaknesses. Imagine, if you will, that we are all somewhat like slices of Swiss cheese. Not the processed, sandwich cheese, but the natural variety. If you hold up a slice, you will notice that there are several holes in every slice. Some are large, others may be tiny, but they all have holes. People are like this, too. Everybody has skill, talents, strengths and weaknesses. The ideal "significant other" should have strengths where your weaknesses are most apparent, and vice versa. For example, if you hold up two slices of Swiss cheese, one in front of the other, you may not see the holes line up at all. The gaps in one slice may "cover-up" the gaps in the other.
In looking for your future spouse, this is very important. You will go through life depending upon the other's strengths to keep you going when you've "bottomed out." He or she will likewise depend on you in the same manner. Sharing the same interests (or strengths) sounds great, and it can be very exciting, but, sharing the same weaknesses may very well be a recipe for disaster!
Remember... strength is more than just physical, and supporting each other means a lot more than just giving in.
Way too many people look for a partner who excites them sexually, with no regard for that person's ability to strengthen a relationship. Especially when we're young, and raging hormones try to take charge, we need to slow down and examine the potential for a strong relationship. It isn't that sex isn't important, but it should be part of a loving marriage, and not the reason for getting married in the first place.
Remember... "In the day that God created man, he made him in God's likeness. He created them male and female, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created."
(Gen 5:1b-2) wev
Think about Swiss cheese when you are looking for life's perfect companion. Together, you need to be as strong as Adam and Eve.
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