Good Morning,
Jan Andersen wrote the devotion for today, entitled, "ANGELS - INSTANT MESSENGERS." She writes about the fourth week of Advent and the Angel's candle, or candle of peace. She writes, "Even if I don't get the instant spoken message from an angel, I trust that God is always there, in control of the ultimate outcome in all things."
Praying you have a PEACEFUL Sunday, and pray for peace within and among the nations.
God's blessings,
Corinne & Jan
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Today's Devotional
"ANGELS - INSTANT MESSENGERS"
by
Jan Andersen
This is the fourth and final week of Advent leading up to Christmas. The final purple candle called the Peace candle will be lit. Sometimes it is called the angels' candle, symbolizing their message of peace and good news. In the tech world, instant messaging is a way of communicating immediately with other people on their electronic devices. In the Bible God uses angels to immediately communicate with people. The word angel actually comes from a Greek word meaning "messenger." So angels could be called God's "instant messengers!"
There are many misconceptions about angels these days. They are often pictured as women with wings and long flowing hair, with a peaceful countenance that makes a person feel at ease. Some people even worship angels themselves, instead of worshiping God who created them. But angels as described in the Bible are spirits without flesh and blood, usually take on form briefly in brilliant white robes and gold sashes, are very powerful, are named male names like Gabriel and Michael, and cause people to tremble in fear when they first appear. We can't even be sure they all have wings, as only the cherubim and seraphim that guard the throne of God are described as having them. People often believe that when someone dies, they become an angel. However, the Scriptures say that we will rise again and receive glorified bodies, not as spirits/angels without flesh and blood. Besides being messengers, angels serve, guard and protect God's children, as well as praise God in heaven and serve Him on earth. When angels are used as messengers, their messages don't have to be discerned by some psychic, they themselves speak clearly and directly in the Bible.
A number of angel appearances occur in the timeline leading up to the birth of Christ. The first is the angel Gabriel who visits Zechariah, telling him he will be the father of the forerunner of the Christ, and to name this son John (Luke 1:11-20.) We know that son as John the Baptist. Later Gabriel announces to Mary that she will give birth to a son by the power of the Holy Spirit, name him Jesus, and he will be the Messiah (Luke 1:26-38.) The third appearance recorded is when Joseph is told by an angel in a dream to take Mary as his wife in spite of her being with child not from him but from the Holy Spirit, and to name him Jesus (Matthew 1:20-21.) And finally an angel appears to the shepherds in the fields at night to announce the arrival of the Messiah who would be found in a manger, and then a multitude of angels filled the sky praising God (Luke 2:8-14). Even after the birth of Jesus, angels appear to Joseph in dreams telling him where they must go. All of these appearances were very instant, sometimes frightening at first, yet reassuring in their messages.
Sometimes I wish God would instant message me with what he wants me to do. Although, a visit from a terrifying spiritual being might do me in! I must rely on God to guide me in his own way. Even if I don't get the instant spoken message from an angel, I trust that God is always there, in control of the ultimate outcome in all things. Because He sent his son as an infant to live among us, die on the cross in place of us, and rise from the grave for us for our salvation, we can live in peace and rejoice with the angels.
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14 (NIV)
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all of the blessings you have given us. Help us to trust your guiding hand in our lives, knowing that you promise peace and goodness to those who believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior. May your holy angels watch over us, that the evil foe may have no power over us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Prayers are lifted up daily for
you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
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