God Sent Angels

Never forget to entertain strangers, for they may Angels unaware...

ANGELIC HELP IN TIME OF NEED

God Sent Angels -

By Synthia Esther

The Lord said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous, that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know. - Genesis 18:20.

The Lord decided to destroy Sodom for their sin's were many, and told Abraham of His plans. Abraham's nephew Lot and his family lived in the wicked city of Sodom and Gomorrah. In his concern Abraham interceded repeatedly asking God, to spare the righteous within the city - Genesis 19.

Two angels were deployed by God to destroy Sodom (Genesis 19:13), and bless Lot, forwarning, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished" - Genesis 19:15. Told by the angels to flee and "not look back," Lot and his two daughters fled to the small town of Zoar. Lot's wife met her demise for looking back towards Sodom, at which time she became a pillar of salt - Genesis 19:26.

God destroyed the city but remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. Sent by God, the two angels brought both blessing and curses.

I am reminded of the African folk tale of a tribal village were four men each had a handicap limitation. The first was blind, the second could not hear, the third lame, and the fourth man a very poor beggar. An angel in disguise was sent to the village, asking each man what he wanted most. Naturally the blind man replied, "My sight!" The deaf man wanted his hearing, the lame man wanted the use of his legs, while the beggar asked for money to feed and clothe his family.

To their surprise, the angel granted each of the four men their wish. The men, in return, thanked the stranger and vowed never to forget his kindness. Years later, the angel returned. When the man who had been blind saw him, he thought, "He's probably come back to ask for money just because he did me a little favor." When the angel asked him how he was doing, the man who had received his sight answered, "Not well; I have to do everything for myself now. Nobody will help me anymore."

"Very well," replied the angel, "then you shall have your blindness back." And with that word the man became blind again.

The man who had been deaf had a similar attitude when he saw the angel. "How is it to be able to hear?" asked the angel. "Oh, it has its disadvantages," complained the man. "So many sounds get on my nerves and keep me awake at night." "Very well," replied the angel. "Then you shall have your hearing taken away from you." And the man was deaf once again!

The lame man too, was suspicious of the angel. "He probably wants me to do something for him just because he helped me a long time ago. Well, I'm too busy so I won't!" When the angel asked him how he liked using his legs, the man replied, "I can't run very fast, and at night they sometimes ache." And he suddenly found himself lame once again.

The angel then visited the man who had been a poor beggar. He now lived in a beautiful house and dressed in fine clothes. The angel knocked on the door and asked for a drink of water. Although the man didn't recognize the angel, he bestowed kindness, inviting him in and asking him to stay for dinner. "Why are you so kind?" asked the angel. "Because years ago someone helped me when I was poor, and now I show my gratitude by helping other's." "Very well," the angel replied. "You shall keep your wealth!" Gratitude is a positive attitude.

HEBREWS 13:2, "BE NOT FORGETFUL TO ENTERTAIN STRANGERS, FOR THEREBY SOME HAVE ENTERTAINED ANGELS UNAWARES."

THE TREE OF LIFE, GOD'S HOLY PLAN FOR HIS BORN AGAIN KINGDOM CHILDREN.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. But desire fufilled is a tree of life -Proverbs 13:12.

GOD'S HAND OF PROTECTION

By Synthia Esther

Suffering for the cause of Christ Jesus, our Lord, is not uncommon in the life of a Christian. When we endure for the greater good of God's Kingdom, we are protected by His mighty hand of providence. As the first church effort grew, the Roman Empire began to persecute Christians. Peter reminded followers that God always remained in control no matter the circumstance, situation, or trial (1 Peter 4).

An excellent example of God's providence can be read in the calamity account of the flood that occurred during Noah's time. When unrelenting rain came, the flood waters rose just as God had warned, while the ark and those within were held safe in accordance with His ordained plan (Genesis 7). The ark was designed by God, and built in faith by Noah. Day after day, Noah worked on the ark commissioned by God, while preaching repentance to lost souls before the destruction came.

The people refused to listen to Noah's warnings and proclamations, and so perished in the flood. Only Noah's family and the animals aboard the ark, remained safe, secure, and protected by God. Indeed, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and so will we when we follow the Lord's will and not our own.

Be sober, vigilant, always knowing, that we have an adversary, the devil, who roars about like a lion, seeking those he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). Always remember, trials and tribulations that may come our way are not strange (1 Peter 4:12). Our Holy Father allows suffering for a reason, and season, which we may not comprehend, nor understand. During such times, our reaction is one of rejoice, when we come to realize we are partakers of Christ's sufferings (1 Peter 4:13). He suffered the Cross of Calvary, providing all humanity with an eternal hope of glory.

Life may be difficult, but we in Christ know, He is always faithful, just, and good. Our protection is weighed upon the vision of God's everlasting favor. Which is the blessing of salvation, our share in eternal life with Him (John 3:16-17). Christians have the hope of heaven, God's protection for ever more. Peter wrote of such assurance, even while knowing death was near. Shortly, he said, I must put off this my tabernacle (physical body), even as the Lord Jesus Christ had (2 Peter 1:14).

God is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). As we heed God's word of instruction, the Holy Bible, we grow in faith to trust Him more, fully knowing His hand of protection is ever near.

We serve a living Savior! Because He lives, we can face tomorrow, fully knowing we will live forever too!

God is good all the time. He is a river of life to those who love Him...

DEAR GOD, MY HOLY FATHER...

By Synthia Esther

I know God, you made the world and everything in it.

Acts 17:24

And you are not far from your children.

Acts 17:27

In you I live and have my being.

Acts 17:28

You have searched me, and you know me.

Psalm 139:1

You know when I sit and when I rise up.

Psalm 139:2

You are familiar with all my ways.

Psalm 139:3

You know the very hairs on my head - for they are numbered by you.

Matthew 10:29-31

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

Psalm 139:7

You made me in your image, provided a help mate to love, and called us very good.

Genesis 1:27, Genesis 1:31, Genesis 2:21-22

You made and provided abundant food and substance.

Genesis 1:29-30

You give all humanity life and breath, and everything else.

Acts 17:25

In you I live and move and have my being.

Acts 17:28

I am your offspring.

Acts 17:28

You knew me even before I was conceived, your eyes saw my unformed body.

Jeremiah 1:4-5, Psalm 139:16

You created my inmost being: you knit me in my mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

You brought me forth on the day that I was born.

Psalm 71:6

All my days are ordained by you, even before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:16

You determined the times set for me and where I should live.

Acts 17:26

In you I was chosen, predestined according to your plan.

Ephesians 1:11-12

You are God's only Son...who gave his life that I might live.

John 3:16

You knew no sin, yet became sin's atoning sacrifice, so that in you I am might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21, 1st John 4:10

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, can separate me from your love.

Romans 8:39

By confessing and believing in your death and resurrection, I am saved.

Romans 10:9

You are patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but come to repentance.

2nd Peter 3:9

You provided my redemption, the forgiveness of sin through your blood.

Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14

Salvation is found in no one but you Lord.

Acts 4:12

The gift of God is eternal life in you - Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:23

Your compassions never fail, for they are new every morning.

Lamentations 3:22

You are good to those whose hope is in you.

Lamentations 3:25

It is by your grace through faith that I am saved.

Ephesians 2:8

In you I am a new creation.

2nd Corinthians 5:17

I am your workmanship, created in you to do good works.

Ephesians 2:10

I am strengthened with all power according to your glorious might.

Colossians 1:13

You meet all my needs according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

I can do everything through you who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

You Father, are the light of the world.

John 8:12

You are the gate; and whoever enters through you will be saved.

John 10:9

Therefore let me hold firmly to the faith I profess.

Hebrews 4:14

For those who obey your commands live in you, and you in them.

1st John3:24

You God - are love.

1st John 4:16

How great is your love, and how you lavish your love on your children.

1st John 3:1

Nothing can separate me from your love.

Romans 8:39

You heavenly Father are perfect.

Matthew 5:48

And everyone who has hope in you purifies himself.

1st John 3:1

Every good gift I receive comes from you.

James 1:17

You give wisdom generously upon my asking.

James 1:5

You are my provider.

Matthew 6:31-33

Your plan for me and all your children is filled with hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

You watch over your me.

Psalm 121:5-8

You save me from the fowler's snare, that no harm will befall me.

Psalm 91

You make my enemies a footstool for my feet.

Acts 2:35

Your love is everlasting.

Jeremiah 31:3

Your thoughts toward me are precious and vast, as vast as grains of sand.

Psalms 139:17-18

You rejoice over me with singing and seek only to do good unto me.

Zephaniah 3:17, Jeremiah 32:40-41

I call and you answer me, showing me great things I did not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

You show love towards my children for a thousand generations.

Exodus 20:4

You Lord Jesus Christ, are the Father of compassion and all comfort.

2nd Corinthians 1:3

You Lord love the just, and you will not forsake your faithful ones.

Psalm 37:28

As I delight in you, you give me the desires of my heart.

Psalm 37:4

You do more for me than I could have ever possibly imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

You are my greatest encourager.

2nd Thessalonians 2:16-17

You comfort me in all my troubles.

2nd Corinthians 1:3-4

You turn that which would harm me, around for your good.

Genesis 50:20

When I am brokenhearted, you are close by my side.

Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, you have carried me close to your heart.

Isaiah 40:11

You Holy Father are for me, not against me.

Romans 8:31

You work out all things for the good of those who love you.

Romans 8:28

For you are a God of peace, not disorder.

1st Corinthians 14:33

You Lord are gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

Psalm 145:8

Your Kingdom is everlasting, you are faithful to all your promises, loving towards all you have made.

Psalm 145:13

Great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:23

What a mighty God I serve!

Psalm 144, Psalm 145:4, Psalm 147:5

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God Sent Angels

Never forget to entertain strangers, for they may Angels unaware...

ANGELIC HELP IN TIME OF NEED

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. But desire fufilled is a tree of life -Proverbs 13:12.

God is good all the time. He is a river of life to those who love Him...