Do angels exist?

What are angels?  Do angels even exist?  If so, who are they?  What do they do and what is their purpose?  What does the Bible have to say about them?  Do we each have a guardian angel?

First, angels are not glorified human beings.  They do not marry or reproduce like humans (Matthew 22:30).  The word angel means messenger.  Angels are spiritual beings created by God sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). 

There are special categories of angels such as cherubim, seraphim, and the archangel.  It’s not clear when God created them, but we know they were created by the 6^th day of creation, because God was finished with His creation and rested on the 7^th day.  There are angels who carry out commands of God and those who carry out acts of wickedness by Satan.  I think this shows angels have free will. 

There is a big difference in these 2 groups of angels.  One is good and the other is evil so you can’t trust every angel.  The evil angels are those who have fallen since creation.  We read about the ones who fell in Genesis 6:2; Amos 5:26; Revelation 12:4 and that some will fall in the future (also called stars) as mentioned in Revelation 6:13, 8:10-12, 9:1.  Satan is the one who entices them.  They are wicked and work for Satan.  They are called demons, which I think sounds much better than calling them angels.  They can never be redeemed like humans.  Once they rebel against God they are banned permanently from heaven unlike humans who can be forgiven for sins and restored to a relationship with God.  This is because of God’s mercy and grace by sending His Son, Jesus to pay the price for our sins on the cross. Today we are going to talk about angels who are loyal to God. 

Angels don’t have physical bodies like humans, but they can take on the appearance of humans when needed.  Hebrews 13:2 tell us to entertain strangers because some could be angels.  They could appear as dazzling white and in blazing glory (Matthew 28:2-4).

Angels are intelligent, strong, powerful and superior to humans (2 Peter 2:11) and they never die (Luke 20:36).  They are subject to Jesus and are always ready to assist Him (Matthew 4:11; 26:53).

We know from the Bible they do exist, because they are mentioned in many places.  There are many of them, even armies (2 Kings 6:15-17; Psalm 68:17; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11).  There are legions of angels (Matthew 26:53).  Daniel 7:10 mentions thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand.  Daniel 7 and Revelation 5 mention 10,000 times 10,000 angels and thousands of thousands of angels.  That’s over 100,000,000 angels. Revelation mentions 1/3 fallen angels, which means there were at least 50,000,000 demon angels making a total of 150,000,000 angels.  In Matthew 26 Jesus said He could have called twelve legions.  A legion is 6,000 making 12 legions 72,000 angels.  I think you get the picture.  There are many, many angels.

The Old Testament Law was given to men by angels (Galatians 3:19).  We read about them throughout the Bible.  They shut the mouths of lions to protect Daniel in Daniel 6:22.  The angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias about the birth of his son in Luke 1:11-19 and to Mary about the birth of Jesus in Luke 1:26-38.  Angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in Luke 2:9-15.  They appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other women at the tomb in Matthew 28:2, 5.  They stirred the waters at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5:4.  An angel released Peter from prison in Acts 12:7-11.  I could go on with other mentions of angels in the Bible.

Angels are not named specifically in the Bible except for 2 angels.  The name of Gabriel, whose name means “strong man of God”, appears 4 times in Daniel 8-9; Luke 1:11-20; Luke 1:26-38.  Michael whose name means “Who is like God?” is mentioned in Daniel 10:13, 21, 12:1; Jude 1:9 and Revelation 12:7.  He is an archangel.  An archangel is considered to be the chief angel.  We may not know the names of all the angels, but God does Isaiah 40:26).  He knows the names of all He created.  He knows your name as well.  “But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:  Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” – Isaiah 43:1.

Principle:  Angels are ministering spiritual beings created by God.

What do angels do and what is their purpose? 

These good angels are helpers and guardians.  They serve as messengers to communicate God’s will to men.  They carry out God’s commands with warnings, guidance, protection, comfort, and deliverance of God’s people according to His perfect will (Psalm 91:11; 34:7).  They strengthen and encourage (Matthew 4:11; Acts 5:19-20, 27:23-25).

Angels are beautiful and magnificent creatures.  Angels are worshippers and servants (Hebrews 1:3-14).  Jesus is King and angels are servants.  They are servants of Jesus and servants of Christians.  Jesus is over the church and angels do His bidding for the church.  We are not to worship angels.  God says we are to worship Him alone (Isaiah 42:8).  Angels are messengers and Jesus is our Savior (Hebrews 2:2-3; 9-10; 14-16).

They come together to sing and praise God (Psalm 103:20-21).  They bring messages from God (Acts 27:21-24).  They help God’s people (Acts 12:6-11).  They will gather God’s people at Christ’s return (Mark 13:26-27).  They will be agents of God’s final judgment (Matthew 13:39-42). 

Principle:  Angels are messengers and servants, but Jesus is Savior.

Does each person have a guardian angel? 

The Catholic faith believes each person has a special guardian angel assigned to watch over them, but there is no mention of this in the Bible.  However, we do know the Bible does mention angels as guardians (Psalm 34:7; 91:11; Matthew 18:10).  There is no doubt that God sends angels to help protect and minister to believers.  Even if we don’t have an assigned angel we have the assurance of God if we are His children through faith in Christ that He will work all things together for good (Romans 8:28-30).

Matthew 18:10 talks about “the little ones” and their angels.  These little ones could refer to all believers in Christ and could indicate that all believers do have guardian angels.  Notice it doesn’t say “angel, but “angels” indicating there is more than one angel who cares for and looks after God’s people.  Whether or not we have a special guardian angel we know that God knows our every need and is able to send His ministering angels to assist us when needed.  Rather than only one angel guarding us, God surrounds us with many angels to protect us and go before us and with us wherever we go.

Principle:  God sends His ministering angels to assist His people.

Next time we will talk about the other group of angels, the evil demonic ones who work for the devil.  

Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  Hope to see you here again.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Doubt

What does doubting really mean?  It is to be undecided or skeptical about something.  It’s to tend to disbelieve or distrust or to question.

It is possible to believe in Jesus and doubt at the same time?  God knows when you doubt Him.  God knows your nature, but loves you in spite of yourself.  You might ask yourself, why is my faith so weak?  Jesus asked in Matt. 14:31 – “… You of little faith, why do you doubt?”  He proves Himself time and time again.  Our faith needs to be exercised to gain strength.  You know who He is and what He’s done on the cross.  So get off the doubting path and get back on the right path of believing.

Even the disciples doubted.  After Jesus resurrection they doubted He had risen.  He had to prove to them by showing them His hands and feet.  “Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” – Luke 24:45.  Before He opened their minds, they believed, worshiped and doubted at the same time.  So don’t stop believing and don’t doubt on your own.  Ask Him to show you how to stop doubting and truly believe.  He wants you to take your doubts to Him.  He will listen and remind us who He is – He is God!  We can talk to Him about anything. 

We should thank God for the example of Thomas.  All Christians suffer from doubt at one time or another.  We all go through stages when we question God.  The example of Thomas provides us with instructions and encouragement. 

Even though we have His Spirit within us, we can still experience doubt.  True saving faith always perseveres to the end just like Thomas when he doubted and after Peter denied Jesus.  So when you doubt go to God in prayer.  Ask Him to help you overcome any doubts you may have – doubts about your salvation, doubts about who He is, doubts about His promises, doubts about the Bible being His word, etc.

Christians fight spiritual battles daily.  So we need to be armed with the Armor of God (Eph. 6:10-19).  We have two things Thomas didn’t have.  We have the indwelling Holy Spirit and God’s Word.  With these we can overcome doubts.  The Bible is part of God’s armor and is God-breathed.  It judges our thoughts and attitudes; it encourages, satisfies and sustains us; it guides us through life.

God doesn’t want us to doubt Him.  He wants us to have confidence in His love, in His protection and in His promises. 

Principle:  Stop doubting and believe!

Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  Hope to see you here again.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus and if you doubt, STOP IT!

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What is Prayer?

Prayer is communication with God.  It’s talking with and hearing from Him.  We can learn a lot about prayer from Jesus.  Just look at Jesus’ prayer life.  In Luke 5:16, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”  He prayed often prayed and in solitude.  He thought it was important.  If Jesus felt the need to pray then how much more should we? 

Jesus had a special place to pray.  In Matt. 26 He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.  We need to find time and a place to pray.  Do you have a special place where you go to pray?  Go to your bedroom or outside on your porch or under a tree.  Go any place where you can be alone and away from the phone and any interruptions.  That doesn’t mean we can’t pray while we’re in our car or at the grocery.  The idea is to pray wherever you are.

Jesus was effective in prayer, because He prayed.  When Jesus prayed in the Garden, He could have asked God to send angels to come and save Him from the horrible death He knew He was about to experience, but He didn’t.  Jesus always prayed in God’s will.  Maybe there’s something you are praying for that is not in God’s will.  If so, maybe you shouldn’t be praying for that.  The more you pray according to His will the more blessings He will give you. Also God heard Jesus’ prayers because of His reverent submission. (Heb. 5:7b).

Are you in referent submission to God?

How willing are you to live with His answer to your prayer?

Principle:  Jesus was successful in prayer, because He prayed and because of His reference submission. 

Why is prayer so hard?

I will be the first to admit that prayer is hard.  It’s hard because it takes focus, time, discipline and obedience.  It requires waiting on an answer from God.  It’s hard because we think we can get more done and done quicker by ourselves.  Prayer is misunderstood.  We’re not sure just how to pray.  We think our requests are too small for God.  We’re not sure they will even make a difference.  We think we have to pray long prayers or pray like we hear others pray.

The purpose of prayer if to align our hearts with God’s not for Him to give us what we want.  We should not pray only when things aren’t going the way we want.  Jesus prayed when things were going well and when they weren’t.  You don’t have to have years in the church or in Bible study to pray successful.  Jesus prayed in the good times, the bad times and in average times.  You can know a lot about prayer, but if you don’t practice prayer it does you no good.  

Principle: Pray in the good times, the bad times and in the average times.

Are you practicing prayer on all occasions?

How often should we pray?

1 Thess. 5:17 says “pray continually”.  We should all pray more.  That’s simply enough.  We can’t be successful in prayer if we don’t pray.  As I said before, Jesus was successful in prayer because He prayed. 

Pray throughout the day and remember God is always with you.  It’s like being with a friend.  If your friend is with you, you have conversations with your friend don’t you?  You share what you’re thinking and you listen to what your friend says.  It’s like that with God.  He is always with you so just pray through your day whatever the situation.  Just talk with Him.  Then take time a listen so He can speak to you.

There is private prayer and there is public prayer.  In private we are to be persistent, thankful and can pray anywhere and at any time.  In public we are to be wise in our conduct and in our words so we can be effective witnesses of Christ as others hear our prayers.  Don’t worry about what others think, just open your heart to God.

Principle:  Pray continually.

Do you worry what others think when you pray?

How should we pray?

Col. 4:2 – “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”  We are to pray persistently, watchfully, and thankfully. 

Pray persistently.  “Pray without ceasing”. – 1 Thess. 5:17.   Without ceasing doesn’t mean nonstop prayer every minute of the day.  That would be impossible.  It means coming back to prayer again and again and over and over.

Pray watchfully.  This is how we stay alert against the unseen enemy.  Prayer is the energy and power in which we wage war.  We must live in prayer at all times so we can win the spiritual battle.  It’s how we are strengthened in the power of God.  It’s how we put on the full armor of God.  It’s also expecting Him to answer.

Pray thankfully.  That is to pray in faith in all circumstances.  Don’t forget to thank God in advance for what He’s going to do.

Principle:  Pray persistently, watchfully, and thankfully.

Do you thank God in advance for how He will answer your prayer?

Has your prayer life become routine and boring?

Jesus said to His disciples in Matt. 26:41 when they fell asleep instead of praying, “the spirit is willing, but the body is weak”.  We are like the disciples and easily distracted and tempted.  It’s all too common to start to pray and then we start thinking of all we have to do and let our focus wonder from prayer or even fall asleep.  We want to pray, but our flesh is weak.  We need to stick to it and not give up and eventually it will become something we look forward to doing.

To get out of your routine prayers, pray for your inter-self.  Don’t just pray for material things.  Pray for strength and power through His Spirit to be within you.  Pray that Christ would dwell in your heart through faith and that you will be rooted and grounder in love.  Pray that you will be able to extent the love of Christ to others.  Pray that you will be filled up to all the fullness of God.  Pray for God to do far more that what you ask. 

When Paul was in prison, he didn’t pray for God to set him free or give him more food to eat.  He didn’t pray for his physical or material needs.  He prayed for more spiritual growth.  Pray with the right attitude and with reverence and in submission to God’s sovereign authority.  Don’t pray small safe prayers.  Pray BIG prayers.  God can handle them.  There are no prayer too big for God.

Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we had hoped.  There is a mystery about prayer and we can’t always understand God’s ways, but know that He wants the best for us.

Principle:  Pray in reverence and submission to God’s sovereign authority.

Has your prayer life become dry or lazy?

Are you discouraged and don’t know what to say?

Do you doubt that God is listening to you? 

Ways to help your prayer life.

Choose a specific place to pray away from distractions.

Pray at the same time every day making it part of your routine so it will become a habit.

Pray out loud - even though you pray often under your breath.

Keep a note pad to jot down things that come to mind.

Make a list keeping track of your prayer needs and leave space for when God’s answers.

Include praise, thanksgiving and even singing.

Spend some of your time reflecting on Scripture.

Have a prayer partner for accountability.

Pray one sentence prayers praying short sincere prayers.

Use ACTS when praying –

   A - Adoration, praising God for who He is.

   C - Confession, telling Him what you’ve done wrong and asking Him for forgiveness.

   T - Thanksgiving, thank Him for what He’s doing in your life or prayers He’s answered.

   S - Supplication, asking God for daily needs for yourself and others.

Don’t over think your prayers.

In closing, don’t over think your prayers.  Prayer is merely directing your mind and heart in the direction of God and just talking with Him.  Talk to God about everything that matters to you.  Pray until something happens.  Don’t give up.  Keep on praying.  God cares and listens to you.  He wants us to come to Him.  He is waiting for us to fellowship with Him.

Principle:  Prayer is simply talking with God.

Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  Hope to see you here again.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus and pray often.

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