Today in Part 3 we will look at angels on assignment and how we can make sure they work for us, not against us. To find Part 1 click here http://bit.ly/2UVVtAc
and to find Part 2 here http://bit.ly/2LsTvTG.
Jacob had a vision in Genesis 28:12 of a ladder reaching from heaven to earth with angels descending and ascending and God standing above them. I am so glad God showed Jacob and us He does send angels to earth and back on special assignments. Jacob was going through a real family crisis and had, in fact, fled from his home. God wanted to reassure him and share great promises for his future.
The Bible shows several angel visitations during the lives of people trying to serve Him, or in the case of Balaam, not obeying Him.
Remember Balaam's story in Numbers 22? God never meant for Balaam to go at the Midian king's request and curse Israel. He went anyway and God put a warrior angel in his path "for an adversary against him." His donkey saw it and stopped but Balaam did not see the angel and he became furious and beat the donkey,until the donkey spoke to him. God can use anything to get our attention in an effort to turn us from a wrong path. Note: Disobedience can cause our angels to work against us, God forbid.
The Bible describes other angels sent on assignment, in addition to Gabriel being sent to Mary in Luke 2 we covered earlier.
- The two angels sent to Sodom because of Abraham's intercession to save Lot and his family before judgment fell for the city's practice of homosexuality. Isn't it great to know we may have loved ones living in the devil's camp but we can intercede and expect God to send angels to pull them out in time?
- The angel sent to Daniel while he was in Babylon in chapter 10 who had to battle the demon angel over Persia for twenty-one days before he could get through. He told Daniel that Michael (Israel's guardian angel) came to assist him. We can glean a lot about angels from this story. The angel told Daniel he came "for his words." Daniel was fasting and praying. Evil nations have evil angelic principalities leading and guarding them--but God's angels can overcome. They told Daniel what would come in the future of nations. And let's don't forget the angel sent to shut the mouths of the lions to save Daniel. (God's angels can be sent at a moment's notice to deliver and help us.)
- The future assignment of ONE angel in Revelation 20 who will lay hold of Satan, bind him in a great chain and cast him into the bottomless pit. (Angels were sent on assignment throughout the Bible and will continue to be sent in the future).
To understand about angels form and abilities, here are some general facts I've gleaned from the Bible:
They are heavenly spirit beings with personal spirit bodies, created by God, with human-looking body parts, emotions, passion, intelligence, wisdom, great strength (one angel in the OT slew 185,000 of Israel's enemies in one night).
They need no rest, they travel at inconceivable speeds, speak all languages, are innumerable, are subject to God, are interested in human affairs, can cook, wear clothes, not to be worshiped, can lead sinners to gospel workers and rejoice over one sinner who repents, minister to the saints, can appear unawares, bring answers to prayers, appear in dreams, guard Christians and Christian nations, wage war against the devil and evil spirits, and receive departed spirits. Last, but not least, angels will come with Christ when He returns.
How can we encourage the work of angels on our behalf? Remember the angel told Daniel he came "for his words." His prayers. Here's something from my personal experience.
I was in my prayer closet one day of prayer and fasting and God showed me a door opening in the spirit and a mighty warrior angel came marching through. Then the Lord lifted me up to see like a courtyard with many doors and behind these doors also stood mighty warrior angels, but the doors were closed. I asked the Lord about this, and He told me those Christians were not praying and that was what opened the doors into the earth for special assignments.
In Psalm 103:20 KJV, the Psalmist tells us that angels "hearken unto the voice of God's word." As we speak and confess God's mighty Word, His promises, over whatever situation we are in, angels hearken and get busy helping that word come to pass. Find God's promises for deliverance, healing, or supply and speak them out and stand in faith. ALSO stay in obedience to make sure your angels won't be sent to work against you, like Balaam.
As a final Christmas comment, have you ever wondered just exactly WHEN Mary became impregnated with God's Son? We know the Holy Spirit was involved in this process.
Based on my understanding of scripture, I believe it was when she SAID aloud, "Be it unto me according to thy Word." I also believe that's about when some camels in a far country got up on their dusty legs and started on the LONG desert trek toward her and Joseph with their supply they would need in nine months --gold, frankincense and myrrh.
God and His angels are just waiting for us to speak out God's mighty Word in faith instead of doubt, fear, and doom the world speaks. I believe demons are activated by these depressing kinds of words. Let's keep our angels working hard on our behalf and on the behalf of America!
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God bless you and your family this Christmas and New Year,
Elva Martin
Elva Cobb Martin is vice-president of the South Carolina Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a former school teacher and a graduate of Anderson University and Erskine College. She has two inspirational novels published with Lighthouse Publishers of the Carolinas. Summer of Deception, a contemporary romantic suspense, and an historical romance, In a Pirate’s Debt. Both have spent time on Amazon’s 100 Best Sellers List for Women’s Religious Fiction. She has indie published a Bible study on Amazon, Power Over Satan, on the believer's authority in Christ. Decision, Charisma, and Home Life have carried Elva's articles. She and her husband Dwayne are semi-retired ministers. A mother and grandmother, Elva lives in South Carolina. Connect with her on her web site http://www.elvamartin.com,on Twitter www.twitter.com/ElvaCobbMartin; Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elvacobbmartin; and Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/elvacobbmartin
Link to her romance novels and non-fiction works on Amazon:http://amzn.to/2pOgVHI
