Encourage One Another...

Most of us heard about our guardian angel when we were just children. And, in those days, it was a comforting thought. With monsters lurking behind the closet door and creepy things crawling beneath the bed, it was good to know that someone was there to protect us when the light was out.

But, as the years passed, we left behind our childhood fears. The imaginary creatures that had once seemed so real disappeared from our minds. And sadly enough, for most of us, the angels did too.

Now it's time to set the record straight. Angels are not just kid stuff. They're not little fat babies with long blond hair and bows and arrows in their hands. The Bible does not refer to these mighty beings as female. They are referred to as great and mighty in strength and ability.

Forget those pictures you saw on most Sunday school walls! Angels are big and strong. They are our protectors, and are warriors. They are very real and VERY powerful. And, if you are a believer, they are a vital part of your life.

In fact, according to Hebrews 1:14, angels are "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."

Before you can really appreciate what that means to you, you need to realize that the word "salvation" in that scripture does not refer simply to the eternal, go-to-heaven-when-you-die, new-birth kind of salvation.

The Greek word translated salvation there is soteria. And if you'll look up the word soteria, you'll find it "denotes deliverance, preservation of material, and temporal deliverance." Real biblical salvation not only includes eternal protection, but also it includes protection from all the material dangers of life right here on this earth.

Now, with that in mind, read Hebrews 1:14 again. "Are they [the angels] not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

Just think about that. God has created vast numbers of gloriously powerful spiritual beings for the express purpose of protecting us and delivering us from the evils of this world - from everything from hurricanes to plane crashes, from gang violence to diseases.

We see examples of what angels can do all through the Bible. When the children of Israel were fleeing from Egypt with Pharaoh's army hot on their heels, the Bible tells us that suddenly the wheels on the Egyptians' chariots just quit rolling!

Who do you think was the cause of that? Angels, of course!

And they haven't retired since then either. Angels are at work today just like they've always been.

Several years ago in one of Israel's major wars, the enemy had their guns trained on Israeli compounds. Those guns were the finest military equipment money could buy. They had a range of at least 20 miles and were equipped with electronic gun sights for accuracy.

But something very odd happened. Every time they fired those guns at the Israelis, they missed their targets, in some cases, at almost point blank range. We know there was nothing wrong with the guns because later the Israelis captured them and fired them back at the enemy with perfect success.

What happened? Angels, that's what! In another instance, an Israeli patrol composed of just a handful of men captured 600 motorized infantrymen and all of their tanks.

Why would any modern-day army surrender to such a small patrol? Because they said they heard a massive army approaching. They thought they were outnumbered!

What did they actually hear? They heard angels.

My friend, these are not fairy tales. They're real-life examples of the involvement of angels in the lives of God's people today. And, if you're a child of God, if you're an heir of salvation, then you have a right to expect those angels to minister such deliverance for you.

But if you want to make sure you'll receive their ministry when you need it, you'd better start exercising your faith and getting your words and your actions in line with God's Word.

Why? Because, according to Psalm 103:20, His Word is what sets the angels in motion: "Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word."

When you're in trouble, don't speak about how awful things are. Speak the Word. Give your angel something to respond to!

Say, "I am an heir of salvation. I am an heir of preservation and deliverance. The angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister that deliverance for me. And Mr. Angel, in the Name of Jesus, that's exactly what I believe you will do."

Once you've spoken that word of faith, stand fast. Don't waver. Give the angels time to work! They're real beings, and you've given them a real job to do.

(Article by Kenneth Copeland)

Thanks Chowders Mom!! I love learning the translation of the greek word Salvation ~ soteria.!! Praise God \0/

Let us never ever stop learning about the Lord and all His goodness!!

I found this picture recently on my travels around the internet.. it goes well with what you have shared here about guardian angels..

I agree. That picture is a great illustration. I love meditating on big, strong spiritual beings like this watching out for me, fighting the enemy on my behalf, clearing my daily path, and bustling about, bringing me what I need as I speak the Word in faith. I also love to picture them speeding off, having been dispatched by God, to bring answers to prayers for others.

If you like finding out what many of the original words really mean in Hebrew and Greek, you might be interested in getting Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W.E. Vine. It's one of the reference books recommended by Kenneth Copeland for studying the Bible.