Archive for February, 2008
Are guardian angels real? What does the Bible say about angelic help?
Written by Gary on February 15, 2008 – 1:31 pm -Read Hebrews 1:1-14
"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14).
What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?
A few years ago, I started writing a fantasy novel based on this premise: "What would happen if a guardian angel failed?"
I don't understand much about angels, and I especially don't know what to make of the time honored tradition of "guardian angels." I'm not sure the whole idea is biblical, but it certainly isn't "non-" or "un-" biblical to believe there are guardian angels. I just am not clear about what role angels play as guardians of God's people.
By the way -- I never completed the novel, and any of you who wish to use that premise for your own are entirely welcome to do that. I obviously have no copyright on the concept!
As for guardian angels, I remain uncertain about how that all works -- but, of course, Clarence the angel-in-training from "It's a Wonderful Life," is one of my all-time favorite movie characters anyway!
The only thing I really understand about these mysterious and powerful creatures is this: According to this Scripture in Hebrews and elsewhere, they're here to "minister" to or "serve"
believers.
So the next time you're in special need, call upon the Lord and ask for his help. He might even choose to send an angel your way.
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How about it — did you work hard enough today to earn God’s love and grace in your life?
Written by Gary on February 12, 2008 – 5:24 pm -Read Titus 3:1-11
"He saved us, not because of righteous things which we had done, but because of his mercy" (Titus 3:5).
What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?
Wow. What a day. In fact, the last two days have seemed like the toughest 10 days of my year thus far. You get the idea, right? During the last two days, between work I've had to do and ice storms all over our area of the world, I think I've probably worked as hard as I've ever done. Well, almost ever.
Indeed, I think I've worked hard enough the last couple of days that God is "looking down" at me and saying, "Yeah, Gary, you did a good job. You've finally worked hard enough to, at last, deserve my love for you. Welcome into the family."
Have you worked hard enough today to deserve God's love?
Trick question, of course. It is God's incomprehensible love that sustains us and makes us acceptable through our faith in Christ. Grace starts and ends in that love. None of us, no matter how hard we work, can earn God's love or grace.
So, you don't have to work hard to deserve God's love and earn his good grace. Instead, you accept it each day, and work as hard as you are able to show your gratitude and give him praise and thanks.
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What’s the story about God’s grace?
Written by Gary on February 7, 2008 – 7:54 pm -Read Titus 2:1-15
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11).
What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?
How are we saved? What is the source of our salvation?
The answer throughout the New Testament is a resounding "by the grace of God"!
We aren't "saved" or made acceptable to God by anything we might do -- only by his grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. And, elsewhere, we're told that even our faith comes about as the result of God's grace working in us. (Suggestion: If you haven't yet, you should get and read a copy of Philip Yancey's wonderful book, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" This is a shameless plug of sorts, because I just happen to have a link to it in the right-hand sidebar at this site.)
Take time today to thank God again for his wonderful love, for his grace toward us in Christ Jesus!
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