"O GOD, YOU ARE MY GOD; EARNESTLY, I SEEK YOU." PSALM 63:1 NIV
God has also made a command for each of us; let me share why this is crucial; look at God; He has made a command for each of us. Another Promise You Should Claim Every Day: No Harm Will Befall You. Why? Angels Are Commanded Concerning You! They Do Not Have An Option! God Loves You So Much. Listen To What He Commands:
Angels Are Charged to Protect! But WHO is this protection for? The Bible says, "…Those who will RECEIVE SALVATION." In other words, Reject Jesus, and you Forfeit the Ultimate Protection; Accept Him, and You are Covered 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 366 Days of the Year! (Yep, Angels Cover You All Year Long. Take special time to increase your Expectancy, Reverence, Alertness, and Willingness to God. Go out of your way for Him, as you have never done before. Make a sacrifice to spend quality time with Him. Seek Him with all you have got. Pursue Him as if it is your last time to grasp Him. Love Him enough to be quiet before Him and hear what He says.
When You Come To Meet With God, You Should Have An Attitude Of:
1...EXPECTANCY: Expect to 'give and get' from your time together. And make it a time of Intimacy. Now, intimacy was not designed to be found in a crowd or a public place; intimacy calls for being alone with the one you love. The Bible speaks about Christ as the groom and us (the church) as His bride. Therefore, the groom has an Expectancy when it comes to His bride. He Expects us to go out of our way to be with Him, spend valuable time with Him, talk with Him, share with Him, and love Him. He Expects us to show and prove our love for Him. He Expects words of appreciation, adoration, and admiration from His bride. Without a doubt, He as our groom has already given us this and much more, so don't you think by now He deserves to be loved by us in return? "And behold, a woman brought an alabaster box of ointment, stood at his feet behind him weeping, began to wash his feet with tears, wiped them with the hairs of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment." (Luke 7:36-38) Intimacy with God is Important!
2...REVERENCE: Do not clumsily rush into God's presence! Prepare your heart by being Still before Him and letting the Quietness clear away the world's thoughts. Remind yourself Who it is you are meeting with – GOD! When you enter the presence of God, set aside time for yourself and Him, and take the time to Prepare Yourself. "You are Worthy…to receive Glory and Honor" (Revelation 4:11 NIV). Make sure you have enough praise and worship; enough thank you, Jesus; enough I love you, Lord. Remember, He's Worthy! Take the time to present Him with a clean and pure heart. Present Him with a mind that is focused on Him alone. We have been giving God a lot of Entertainment but, not accurate enough, heartfelt Endearment. "Worship the Lord in Holy Clothing. May all the earth shake in fear before Him" (Psalm 96:9 NLV). "Bravo, GOD, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!" In awe before the glory, in awe before God's visible power. Stand at attention! Dress your best to honor Him!" (Psalm 29:1-2 MSG). If He means what you say He means to you, love Him enough to enter His presence at your Best! You Cannot Rush Reverence!
3...ALERTNESS: Get to bed early to be in good shape to meet God in the morning! He deserves your Full Attention. Give God the Best part of your day – when you are the Freshest. Follow the example of Christ: "VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING…Jesus…went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35 NIV). Hudson Taylor said, "You don't tune up the instruments after the concert is over…you tune them up before you start." I have Learned to Be Alert to His Presence. When I know I will meet Him in the morning for prayer, I get to the bathroom and get myself together! We cost God too much to short-change Him now if you think about it! "Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be Alert servants of the Master, cheerfully Expectant…” (Romans 12:11). Don’t Give God Your Aloofness When He Deserves Your Alertness.
4...WILLINGNESS: This Attitude is Crucial: You do not come to your quiet time to choose what you will or will not do but do anything and everything God wants you to do. So come to meet with the Lord, possessing a mindset to do His will—no matter what! Determine that I am not just going to enter His presence and laugh, jump, and shout, but He has something Vital to tell me. Therefore, I must be ready to receive and willing to fulfill whatever the day’s assignment might be. “Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. BUT PLEASE, NOT WHAT I WANT. BUT WHAT DO YOU WANT?” (Matthew 26:39 MSG). One of the questions that should always be on your lips when you enter your quiet time with God is, “What Do You Want from Me, God?”
Take special time to increase your Expectancy, Reverence, Alertness, and Willingness to God. Go out of your way for Him, as you have never done before. Make a sacrifice to spend quality time with Him. Seek Him with all you have. Pursue Him as if it is your last time to grasp Him. Love Him enough to be quiet before Him and hear what He says.
Remember: There is no greater Return than Investing in Quiet Time with God; Jesus Christ is the magnet who holds us all in place. The vertical forgiveness is that which we receive from our gracious God, and the horizontal forgiveness is that which we extend to others in His name. God has also made a command for each of us; let me share why this is crucial; look at God; he has made a command for each of us. Another Promise You Should Claim Every Day: No Harm Will Befall You. Why? Angels Are Commanded Concerning You! They Do Not Have An Option! God Loves You So Much. Listen To What He Commands:
Hebrews 1:14, “Are not all the angels’ ministering spirits sent out [by God] to serve (accompany, protect) those who will inherit salvation? [Of course, they are!]” (AMP)
If you believe in the Bible, you must believe in Angels! Why? Because there are over 300 references to them! How are they described; you ask? Maybe Chiffon wings and Meringue sweetness? Nope! Two words tell them: Many and Mighty! How Mighty are they, you ask? Well, it took only ONE Angel to shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel (Daniel 6:22, “My God has sent His angel and has shut the mouths of the lions so that they have not hurt me because I was found innocent before Him; and also, before you, O king, I have committed no crime.” AMP); also, an angel was sent to bring Peter out of prison on the eve of his execution! (Acts 12:7, “Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared [beside him], and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter’s side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off his hands.” AMP).
Now, do you remember Elisha’s servant? Elisha asked God to open His servant’s eyes when an army threatened to take their lives. The Bible says: “And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17). With that said, I wonder if God opened your eyes today, what would you see? Possibly Angels escorting your children to school? Shielding you from drunken and distracted drivers? Guiding the hand of the surgeon? Protecting you while you sleep?
Were they redirecting the robber and rapist from your path? Blocking the bullets and knife wounds that were aiming for your body? Would you see angels holding back the hand of incidental and accidental and untimely death?! Would you know the gang and terroristic activity being shut down on your behalf? Would you see angels stopping the flood and the fire from breaking out? Would you see angels moving your feet before that tree fell or that pipeline blew up? Would you see angels delaying your train so you would not be the victim of the pusher or the slasher? Today, Ask God to Open Your Eyes So You Can See the Angels He's Assigned to Your Life!
When they attempt to foreclose on your home, Look Out For Angels;
When they attempt to repossess your car, Look Out For Angels;
When the doctor says there’s nothing else that can be done, Look Out For Angels;
When they say you’re about to be laid off, Look Out For Angels;
When they say your church doors are about to close, Look Out For Angels;
When your children look like they’re heading in the wrong direction, Look Out For Angels;
When your marriage is driving towards divorce court, Look Out For Angels!
As a Believer, Angels Are Commanded to Care for You! So Always, “…Expect Powerful Angels to Accompany You in Your Life’s Experiences”!
Angels Are Charged to Protect! But WHO is this protection for? The Bible says, “…Those who will RECEIVE SALVATION.” In other words, Reject Jesus, and you Forfeit the Ultimate Protection; Accept Him, and You are Covered 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 366 Days of the Year! (Yep, Angels Cover You All Year Long, Including Holidays and Leap Year Too!) As a believer, one of our most significant benefits is that we are never without coverage! We are shielded in the supermarket, in the parking lot, at the bank, doing laundry, standing in the unemployment line, at the pharmacy, at school, at work, at church, waiting for the bus, just boarding the train, standing on the platform, entering the cab, at the doctor’s office, getting our nails done, at the barbershop, at McDonald’s, getting gas, in the bathroom! There is nowhere that the believer is, that protection is without!
Listen: “The angel of the LORD Encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7). Note, He does not wave as He flies past; He 'Encamps,' He Lingers, He Lives, He Keeps Vigilance Over You!
Let that understanding lower your anxiety levels in this life.
Another translation says this: “GOD’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us…” (MSG). A Circle is a Full Coverage All Around You! Meaning Not One Area of Your Life Is Left Exposed to the Hand or the Enemy's Attack! Angels Circle You and Block His Every Entry Way to Cause You, Harm! The truth is, some of the Wealthiest people on the planet do not have it that good! Strapped with guns, knives, and bulletproof vests, the bodyguard still goes down! But it is Not So for the believer! Thank God for My Angels! The word ‘circle’ has its origin in Latin, from ‘circulus,’ which means ‘a small ring,’ from ‘circus,’ meaning ‘ring.’ Look at it this way, when I think of a ‘small ring,’ I think about a boxing ring. You are on one side, and the devil is on the other. And as many times as the devil can beat you upside the head with every struggle, circumstance, sickness, and trial, he can never knock you out! Because you have got angels in the corner of your small ring!
The Bible gives yet another translation of our text: “On Every Side, the LORD’s Messenger Protects Those Who Honor God; And He Delivers Them” (CEB). You Are Covered “On Every Side…” Angels Are Encamped Around You; Angels Have Formed a Circle of Protection About You; Angels Have Got You Covered on Every Side! Be it North, South, East, or West, Before You or Behind You, Above You or Beneath You; Angels Have You Fully Covered! On your best day, on your worse day, in sickness and in health, angels have you fully covered, on every side, always!
Therefore, learn how to talk like the Psalmist: “I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, LORD, Will Keep Me Safe” (Psalm 4:8 CEV). Another translation reads: “I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because you alone, O LORD, Enable Me to Live Securely” (GWT). People of God, You Can Go to Sleep! Why? Because the God you serve never sleeps nor slumbers! Psalm 121:4, "...Will neither slumber [briefly] nor sleep [soundly]." (AMP); "...never sleeps or rests!" (CEB); "...doesn’t doze or ever get drowsy." (CEV); "...does not get tired. He never sleeps." (ERV); "...will not close his eyes or sleep."
God Has Promised in His Word That You Are Safe and Secure! And God cannot fail and cannot lie! Last I checked, God has also Promised: “…Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So Will the Words That Come Out of My Mouth Not Come Back Empty-Handed. They’ll Do the Work I Sent Them to Do, They’ll Complete the Assignment I Gave Them” (Isaiah 55:8-11 MSG). Therefore, When God’s Word Says You Are Safe and Secure, You, My Friend, Are Safe and Secure! Now Sleep on That!
Here’s Another Promise You Should Claim Every Day: “…No Harm Will Befall You, No Disaster Will Come Near Your Tent. For He Will Command His Angels Concerning You to Guard You in All Your Ways.” (Psalm 91:10-11 NIV). Angels Are Commanded Concerning You! They Do Not Have an Option in The Matter! It Is Not A Suggestion! God Does not Ask the Angels How They Feel About Protecting You; Or What They Think About Protecting You; They Do not Even Have a Choice! Because God Loves You So Much That He Commanded Angels to Care for You! And a ‘command’ is defined as ‘to be given an authoritative order.’ So angels do not decide to protect you; they have been commanded and ordered by the only Authority that matters, the Godhead! And it is the Godhead that has said, “…NO HARM WILL BEFALL YOU; NO DISASTER WILL COME NEAR YOUR TENT. FOR HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU IN ALL YOUR WAYS.” I reiterated, “…IN YOUR ALL YOUR WAYS.”
So again, I say to learn how to talk like the Psalmist: “You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I Am Not Afraid of Anyone. You Protect Me, And I Have No Fears” (Psalm 27:1 CEV). WE HAVE NO REASON TO FEAR! Why? Because we have angels on guard to protect us day and night, no matter where we are! So, no matter the diagnosis, the financial struggle, the marital dispute, the family quarrel, no matter the job chaos, you are safe, secured, covered, protected, and have full-time heavenly surveillance that never ceases!
Lastly, believe it or not, angels not only Serve you, but they’re Stunned by you!
Listen to the Word of God: “…Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given Anything to be in on this” (1 Peter 1:12 MSG). Can you believe it? There are things that God does not tell the Angels, but He Tells US!
However, you may still ask, why would angels be Stunned by us? Think about it: Does the Holy Spirit indwell angels? NO, but He indwells you! Do angels thank God for salvation? They have never been lost—but you have been both lost and found! Did Christ become an angel? NO, but He became a human being just like you, and angels stood in awe! Angels attended His birth, witnessed His death, and announced His resurrection! And still, they stand in awe of what We Know! They would give anything to be in on the secrets God only tells US!
Angels are so involved with us that they even watch over the work of the Church: The Bible says, “Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about Even Among the Angels.” (Ephesians 3:10 MSG). Imagine the angels gathering to discuss the Church: “Gabriel, have you seen what’s happening in Nigeria? As well as the Australians that are taking great strides…Yeah, but Michael, I just returned from New York—let me tell you about those awesome Brooklyn believers.”
God’s angels are so involved with us that the Bible even admonishes us: “Do not forget to Entertain Strangers, for by so doing some people have Entertained Angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2 NIV).
Angels not only stand to guard and protect you, but they also stand in awe of you!
Did you catch the Scripture above? “Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels.” They are talking about us, the church! Can you imagine being the topic of conversation among the Angels?! Yes, my friend, you are valued that much, even among the heavenly hosts!
BE ENCOURAGED: Mark 1:12-13, "At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights, he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him." (MSG). Like Jesus, angels will take care of you even during temptation and demonic attack!
BE ENCOURAGED: John 20:11-13, "But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to investigate the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?” (MSG) Even in a time of crisis, death, sickness; grief; loss; and confusion, angels will always be present with you!
BE ENCOURAGED: 1 Timothy 5:21-23, "God and Jesus and angels all back me up..." (MSG) You have God; Jesus, and Angels that back you up too!
BE ENCOURAGED: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, "All this trouble is clear that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You are suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he will even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we have been waiting for. Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they have done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you." (MSG) Not only are angels present with you now, but 'strong angels' will return with our Master Jesus to take us home! That is the best good news of all for every believer!
Listen, No Matter How Lonely You May Feel, You Are Never Alone! Angels Are Always on Call and On Guard Where the Believer Is Concerned! How wonderful to know you have your bodyguard unit—and you did not have to pay a dime for it either! God sends His bodyguards to protect you! But is this sloppy Christian sentiment, you may ask? NO, it is Solid Scriptural Reality! If Jesus is Lord of your life, then angels are watching over you! The Bible says, “Watch that you don’t treat one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that Their ANGELS Are Constantly in Touch with My Father in Heaven?” (Matthew 18:10 MSG) So, No more worry, fear, anxiety, and panic attacks! No more stress and frustration! Regardless of what the bank says, the doctor says, the employer says, the school says, the dealership says…Remember GOD’S WORD SAYS: You Have Got “…Personal Angels…” that are “…Constantly in Touch With…(our) Father in Heaven”! Where You're Concerned, to God, Your Protection is Personal!
You will know when you are Earnestly Praying and Earnestly seeking when your pursuit of God's presence makes you feel trapped in a desert, hungry and thirsty, and He is your only source of satisfaction and fulfillment! Yet, somehow the church, the bride, has lost her hunger and thirst, her passion, her desire and longing for God, her bridegroom.
My prayer for you today is that God will mold you into Disciples of Earnest Prayer. I pray that you will develop the characteristic of persistence and tenacity. And regardless of the situation or circumstance, you will not give up, give in, or give out!
So, From This Day Forward, Rest in The Promise That You Have Angels Assigned to Watch Over You! You Are Safe, and it is Well!
Blessings
J.P. Olson
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